A car accident can become even more stressful when you learn that the driver who caused it does not have insurance. You may already be dealing with injuries, medical treatment, missed work, and uncertainty about what happens next. Discovering that there may be no liability insurance available from the other driver can raise an immediate question: Who will cover the losses caused by the accident?
Fortunately, being hit by an uninsured driver does not necessarily mean you are out of options. Missouri automobile liability policies include uninsured motorist coverage, which may provide protection for bodily injuries caused by an uninsured driver, subject to the applicable policy and circumstances.
At Rah Law, we understand how complicated insurance issues can become after a serious collision. Our car accidents attorney in Springfield can investigate what happened, examine the applicable insurance coverage, document your injuries and losses, and deal with insurance-related issues while you focus on moving forward.
What Happens When the Driver Who Hit You Has No Insurance?
Normally, when another driver’s negligence causes a collision, their liability insurance may be an important source of compensation for the resulting losses. When that driver is uninsured, however, the situation becomes more complicated.
This is where uninsured motorist, commonly called UM, coverage may become important.
Missouri law requires uninsured motorist coverage to be included in automobile liability policies issued for vehicles registered or principally garaged in the state, subject to the statutory requirements. The coverage protects insured persons who are legally entitled to recover damages from owners or operators of uninsured vehicles because of bodily injury, sickness, disease, or death resulting from the accident.
However, simply having UM coverage does not mean every question surrounding a claim will be straightforward. The policy, facts of the collision, injuries, available evidence, and other circumstances can all matter.
What Does Uninsured Motorist Coverage Cover in Missouri?
According to the Missouri Department of Insurance, uninsured motorist coverage applies to bodily injury. It can protect an insured who suffers injuries while inside a vehicle or as a pedestrian after being struck by an uninsured driver. Missouri’s Department of Insurance also states that UM coverage protects against hit-and-run drivers.
One important distinction is that Missouri uninsured motorist coverage does not itself cover damage to your vehicle. Property-damage coverage is a separate insurance issue.
This distinction demonstrates why accident victims should avoid making assumptions about what their policy will or will not cover. Insurance policies can contain provisions that are difficult for someone unfamiliar with insurance claims to interpret.
Our team specifically handles complex uninsured and underinsured motorist accident cases and helps clients evaluate the insurance coverage that may apply following a collision.
How Does an Uninsured Motorist Claim Work After a Springfield Car Accident?
A UM claim can involve your own insurance coverage, but that does not eliminate the need to establish important facts about the accident and resulting injuries.
Depending on the circumstances, handling the claim may involve:
- Investigating the collision: Evidence can help establish how the accident occurred and who was responsible.
- Determining the other driver’s insurance status: The claim may require confirmation that the responsible vehicle was uninsured.
- Reviewing applicable insurance policies: An attorney can examine the policy and identify provisions that may apply.
- Documenting your injuries: Medical treatment and records can help demonstrate the injuries resulting from the collision.
- Evaluating accident-related losses: The consequences of a serious crash can extend beyond the day of the collision.
- Communicating with the insurance company: The claim must be presented and supported appropriately.
- Negotiating the claim: Disagreements can arise regarding coverage, injuries, liability, or the value of the claim.
The specific process depends on the individual case. That is one reason personalized legal review can be important after an uninsured-driver collision.
Why Can a Claim With Your Own Insurance Company Become Complicated?
Some accident victims assume that filing with their own insurer means there will be little disagreement. In reality, insurance claims can still involve questions about policy language, available coverage, the cause of the accident, the nature of the injuries, and the amount being sought.
We note that automobile insurance policies can contain coverage provisions policyholders may not realize are available, including uninsured and underinsured motorist provisions.
An attorney can review the policy rather than relying on assumptions about what “full coverage” or another general description means.
This becomes particularly important when serious injuries create long-term consequences. We represent car accident victims suffering significant injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, paralysis, amputations, burns, fractures, and other serious harm.
How Can Our Car Accident Attorney in Springfield Help With a UM Claim?
When an uninsured driver causes an accident, the attorney’s role goes beyond filling out paperwork.
Investigating the Accident
Our team can investigate the circumstances surrounding a collision and work to establish cause and liability. The firm’s car accident team has access to lawyers, paralegals, client service staff, full-time nurses, technology specialists, and a network that includes accident investigators and medical and forensic professionals.
Reviewing Available Insurance Coverage
Insurance policies can be complex. Your chosen professional can examine applicable policies and determine which provisions may be relevant to the accident rather than assuming there is no potential recovery simply because the other driver lacks insurance.
Documenting Injuries and Losses
Medical documentation can play an important role in an injury claim. We advise accident victims to seek medical attention when injured or when they suspect an injury and to document ongoing treatment.
Handling Insurance Communications and Negotiations
Insurance negotiations can add another burden while you are recovering. We handle the legal and insurance aspects of the claim and advocate for the compensation available based on the facts and applicable coverage.
What Is the Difference Between an Uninsured and Underinsured Driver?
An uninsured driver lacks applicable liability insurance. An underinsured driver, by contrast, has insurance, but the available liability coverage may be insufficient in relation to the losses caused by the accident.
The distinction matters because UM and UIM claims can involve different policy provisions and legal considerations.
Rah Law has a dedicated practice area for uninsured & underinsured motorist claims and states that some accident victims may be able to pursue claims through their own insurance coverage when the responsible motorist has no insurance or inadequate coverage.
Rather than assuming UM and UIM coverage operate identically, have the applicable policy and accident circumstances reviewed individually.
What Should You Do After Learning the Other Driver Is Uninsured?
If you discover that the driver who caused your Springfield accident does not have insurance, focus on protecting your health and preserving information connected with the collision.
Seek appropriate medical attention for your injuries. Keep photographs, witness information, accident-related documents, medical records, bills, and communications involving insurers. Obtain the accident report when available and avoid assuming that the other driver’s lack of insurance means you have no options.
Most importantly, consider having your insurance coverage and accident circumstances reviewed before making major decisions about your claim.
Why Springfield Car Accident Victims Turn to Rah Law
Rah Law has represented injured clients since 1976. The firm reports more than $7 billion in verdicts and settlements, while making clear that past results do not guarantee the outcome of a future case.
For someone facing injuries and insurance uncertainty after a collision, working with a car accident attorney in Springfield means having a legal team available to investigate the accident, examine coverage, communicate with insurers, and pursue the claim based on its individual facts.
FAQs
What happens if the person who hit me has no insurance in Missouri?
You may still have potential options. Missouri automobile liability policies include uninsured motorist bodily-injury coverage under state law. Whether and how coverage applies to a particular accident depends on the facts and applicable policy.
Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Missouri?
Yes. Missouri law requires applicable automobile liability policies to provide uninsured motorist coverage meeting statutory requirements.
Does uninsured motorist coverage pay for damage to my car?
Missouri’s Department of Insurance states that uninsured motorist coverage applies to bodily injury and does not itself cover vehicle damage. Other coverage may need to be considered for property damage.
Can uninsured motorist coverage apply after a hit-and-run?
Yes, UM coverage can protect against hit-and-run drivers under Missouri law, subject to applicable legal and policy requirements. Missouri law recognizes legal entitlement even when the responsible owner or operator leaves the scene before being identified.
Why do I need an attorney if I am dealing with my own insurer?
A claim can still involve questions about coverage, policy language, liability, injuries, evidence, and claim value. An attorney can review those issues and handle communications and negotiations on your behalf.
What if the other driver has insurance but not enough coverage?
That may create an underinsured-motorist issue rather than a purely uninsured-motorist claim. Rah Law handles both uninsured and underinsured motorist matters and can review the applicable insurance policies and accident circumstances.
When should I contact a Car Accidents Attorney in Springfield?
Consider seeking legal guidance promptly after an accident involving injuries or insurance complications. Early review can allow an attorney to investigate the collision, preserve relevant information, examine insurance coverage, and explain the legal options that may apply to your situation.
Contact Us Regarding an Uninsured Driver Accident in Springfield
Being injured by an uninsured driver can leave you wondering whether anyone will be there to cover the consequences of a crash you did not cause. Do not assume that the absence of the other driver’s insurance automatically leaves you without options.
Rah Law is here to support car accident victims in Springfield and throughout Missouri. Our attorneys can review the circumstances of your collision, investigate liability, examine applicable insurance coverage, and help you understand the path forward.
If you have been injured by an uninsured driver, schedule a consultation to discuss your case and learn what options may be available.
