Key Takeaways
- Missouri requires all drivers to carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage with minimums of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury.
- Over 20% of Missouri drivers are uninsured, making UM coverage essential for protecting yourself financially after a crash.
- UM coverage applies to hit-and-run accidents where the at-fault driver cannot be identified.
- An experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer can help you fight insurance company pushback and maximize your UM claim recovery.
Uninsured drivers are all over St. Louis roads and you won't know the difference until one drives negligently right into your vehicle. In 2023, over 20% of the drivers in Missouri were uninsured, meaning that chances are high you may wind up in a crash with one of them. Whether they can't afford even the minimum required coverage per Missouri law or they accidentally forgot to make a payment that caused their policy to lapse, if you're in an accident with one of them and suffer serious injuries, you need to know what to do.
While Missouri does require uninsured motorist (UM) coverage for each driver, that might not be enough to take care of your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages caused by the at-fault driver. The Bruning Law Firm's attorneys are St. Louis uninsured motorist claim experts who help injured victims understand their rights under Missouri personal injury law and fight to get them the compensation they deserve. This complete guide on uninsured motorist claims provides the resources you need on how to proceed.
Understanding Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Missouri
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is part of what is mandatory and required for drivers to be legally insured in Missouri. It is designed to protect you if you are hit by an uninsured driver or in hit-and-run accident scenarios where the other driver leaves without providing their contact information. It often gets confused with underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage, which is not mandatory.
In order to be compliant with state laws, you must have UM coverage at the minimum requirements or higher. The minimum for uninsured motorist policies is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury. It does not cover property damage, though you can add that optional uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) to your policy. Stacking is also permitted, which means you can combine your policy limits from multiple vehicles or policies if needed to increase your available coverage.
What’s the Difference Between UM and UIM?
Uninsured motorist (UM) is required by law to have as part of your auto insurance policy. It covers bodily injuries in accidents with drivers who are uninsured. By contrast, underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage is optional, and it covers accidents where the at-fault driver is insured but their limits are too low to cover all of your damages.
When to File an Uninsured Motorist Claim
With so many uninsured drivers in the state, you have a greater chance of one of them running into your vehicle. When would you need to make an uninsured motorist claim? Using uninsured motorist coverage for hit-and-run accidents is one of the most common reasons. If the other driver flees, you'll be glad you have this coverage in place, though you must make sure to call the police and get documentation, then submit this claim quickly to avoid issues with the insurer.
Another reason you would use your UM coverage is when the at-fault driver has no liability insurance whatsoever. If they do have insurance but their coverage isn't enough, that would be an underinsured motorist claim, and you'd need to have a UIM policy in place.
If you know the identity of the person who crashed into your car, you might be wondering what happens if the other driver has no insurance in Missouri. The good news is that you can sue them, though it is best to speak to a St. Louis auto accident lawyer who can help you navigate the process.
How to File a UM Claim in Missouri
When you need to file a UM claim in Missouri, follow these steps:
Step 1: Report the Accident
Immediately after the accident, make sure you call the police and let them know if the at-fault driver left the scene. If the other driver stayed, you might not know they are uninsured until the police check their credentials. The police report will note that the other driver was uninsured or if they fled, and you'll need to notify your insurer about it right away.
Step 2: Document Everything
Make sure you seek immediate medical treatment for your injuries and then organize your medical records and other evidence. Photos, videos, witness statements, and communication from your employer about your absence due to your injuries can all help show proof of the accident and the financial losses you've incurred from the negligent driver.
Step 3: File a UM Claim
Armed with evidence, you will then file your UM claim. You must do this with your own insurance company, not the other driver's. Thorough documentation is essential since your auto insurance company may try to dispute the claim or offer a settlement that is far too low.
Step 4: Contact a St. Louis Lawyer Experienced with Uninsured Motorist Claims
Having a lawyer from the start truly matters in UM disputes. They can protect you from being denied your coverage as well as help you seek full damages in a lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
Common Challenges with Uninsured Motorist Claims
Although you pay for UM coverage in your policy, it's often not a simple task to file UM claims. Your own insurance company may fight you on it for various reasons. They may try to blame you or offer you much lower than the costs of your medical bills and other damages.
It is especially challenging when the other driver flees the accident scene. It can be hard to prove that they were at-fault and that they did not have insurance. On top of that, your insurer may even argue that your injuries aren't as serious as you say, adding more stress to this incident.
Arbitration and litigation often arise in UM cases, and the difference between them can be profound. While arbitration decisions are final and binding, litigation allows more flexibility to appeal in the event of legal errors. Although arbitration can settle things faster, you may want to file an official lawsuit if your injuries have significantly impacted your life.
You'll want to pursue a lawsuit if your UM coverage isn't enough to pay for all of the expenses you've been saddled with thanks to the negligent driver. How much uninsured motorist coverage you actually need is usually much higher than the state minimums required due to rising medical costs. If you've sustained severe or catastrophic injuries, make sure you talk to the attorneys at The Bruning Law Firm who are uninsured motorist claim experts that help injured victims understand their rights under Missouri personal injury law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Missouri require uninsured motorist coverage?
Yes, Missouri requires all drivers to carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. The minimum amounts required are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury. It does not include property damage caused by an uninsured driver, which is a separate optional policy that you can add. Keep in mind that if you are in a serious accident and suffer major injuries, your UM insurance can only cover up to your policy limits.
Can I sue an uninsured driver in Missouri?
Yes, you can sue a negligent driver who doesn't have insurance in Missouri for your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and even pain and suffering along with other non-economic damages. You should first file your UM claim with your own insurer, and make sure you have a St. Louis car accident attorney to help you in the event you need to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Does UM coverage apply to hit-and-run accidents?
Yes, UM coverage in Missouri applies to hit-and-run or phantom driver scenarios where the driver who caused the accident can't be identified. However, this coverage only provides for your bodily injuries.
How much UM coverage should I carry?
Missouri law requires you to carry UM coverage as part of your policy at least at the minimums imposed by the state. That means you need $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for uninsured motorist coverage that provides for bodily injury. Since just over 20% of drivers in Missouri are uninsured and medical costs can be astronomical, it is advised that you carry higher limits to fully protect yourself. Ideally, choosing $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident for UM coverage is the best way to cover yourself if you wind up with severe injuries caused by a negligent uninsured driver.
Contact The Bruning Law Firm for UM Claim Help
Getting into a car accident is already stressful enough. When you sustain serious injuries as a result of someone else's negligence and that person either flees the scene or has no insurance, it can cause even more stress. The Bruning Law Firm's lawyers are St. Louis uninsured motorist claim experts who help injured victims understand their rights under Missouri personal injury law and fight insurance companies on UM claims to make sure you get the full and fair compensation you deserve.
Call us today at (314) 735-8100 for a free consultation with our St. Louis uninsured motorist accident lawyers.