• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Whiplash & Whiplash Injury St. Louis

Whiplash & Whiplash Injury St. Louis

  • Whiplash
    • What is Whiplash?
    • How Long Does Whiplash Last?
  • Symptoms
  • Treatment
    • Exercises
    • Physiotherapy
    • Surgery
  • Compensation
  • Car Accident
    • What to Do When You Get in a Car Accident
    • The Most Common Causes of Car Accidents
    • Wrong Way Car Crash
    • Why Hire a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer?
    • Injuries
      • Brain Injury
      • Delayed Injuries
      • Head Injury
      • Leg Injury
    • T-Bone Accident
    • Uninsured Motorist
    • Who Pays My Medical Bills?
  • Whiplash St. Louis Blog

How Uninsured Motorist Coverage – St. Louis Auto Accident Lawyer

June 26, 2020 by Christopher

Car accidents involving uninsured drivers are quite difficult since they leave victims needing to collect from their uninsured motorist coverage.

Even though auto insurance is mandatory in Missouri, one estimate shows that around 14% of drivers in the state do not have it. To increase protection, Missouri also requires drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage with minimums set at:

  • $25,000 per person 
  • $50,000 per accident

Car accidents involving uninsured drivers are quite difficult since they leave victims needing to collect from their uninsured motorist coverage, which many people don’t understand.

Let’s break it down.

uninsured car accident st louis

How It Works

Uninsured motorist coverage coverage kicks in when the at-fault driver does not have any auto insurance, or when you are the victim of a hit and run. Under normal circumstances, you’d exchange insurance information with the other driver and file a claim with their insurance company to recover damages.

From a legal standpoint, this type of claim works just like any other car accident. But instead of contacting the at-fault driver’s company, you file a claim with your own company, the one that carries your uninsured motorist coverage.

The problem is since it is your company, it means you signed a contract with them, through which you essentially agree to their terms and conditions. This makes it a lot more difficult for car accident victims to negotiate, as there could be some contractual provisions that stipulate how you can recover these damages.

What Can You Do?

You need to carefully read your insurance policy. In some cases, companies may add some very strict rules as to how you can collect damages, such as very tight deadlines you have to respect.

Since it’s your insurance company, and you signed the contract and agreed to their terms, you have to follow these rules. Even if the local law gives you a lot more time to file a claim.

Then, there may be other procedural specifications you need to follow to ensure you get compensated. Many insurance companies will cling on to technicalities as a way to get away with not paying car accident victims a dime. At the end of the day, they are businesses that are interested in turning a profit. The less money they pay people, the better.

The golden rule is to call your insurance company as soon as you can to let them know about the accident. 

It’s a Good Idea to Speak With an Attorney

Collecting through your uninsured motorist coverage can sometimes be more difficult than going up against an unfamiliar insurance company. To ensure you get properly compensated, reach out to a St. Louis car accident attorney and discuss the the specifics of your case.

A lawyer may be able to get the insurance company to budge through negotiations, and by building a strong case in your favor. Additionally, they can analyze your policy to see what would be the best option for you to collect damages.

FREE Consultation

Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

Related Posts:

  • St. Louis Car Accident Attorney
    St. Louis Car Accident Attorney
  • What If My St. Louis Car Accident Claim Exceeds My Insurance Policy?
    What If My St. Louis Car Accident Claim Exceeds My Insurance…
  • St. Louis Car Accident Involving an Uninsured Driver
    St. Louis Car Accident Involving an Uninsured Driver
  • What Is a Letter Of Protection - Do You Need One After a Car Accident?
    What Is a Letter Of Protection - Do You Need One After a Car…
  • What You Need To Know About Uber's Optional Injury Protection For Drivers
    What You Need To Know About Uber's Optional Injury…
  • When to Get a Lawyer in a St. Louis Car Accident
    When to Get a Lawyer in a St. Louis Car Accident

Filed Under: Whiplash St. Louis Blog Tagged With: uninsured driver

Footer

The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C.
130 S Bemiston Ave # 603
St. Louis, MO 63105
(314) 361-4242

Free Consultation Request

    RSS Car Accident Lawyer & Auto Accident Attorney St. Louis

    • Yellow Light Accident Lawyer St. Louis
    • How Cold Weather Can Increase Your Risk of a St. Louis Car Accident
    • Receiving Medical Care After a Car Accident
    • 3 Common Brain Injuries That Occur in Car Accidents 
    • St. Louis Pile-Up Car Accident Lawyer
    • St. Louis Car Accident Cause by Failing to Use Turn Signals
    • Can Car Safety Features Cause Accidents and Injuries?
    • 5 Face Injuries Common in Car Accidents
    • 3 Types of Evidence to Prove a Drowsy Driver Caused Your St. Louis Car Accident
    • Leg Injuries from Car Accidents

    Copyright © 2023 The Hoffmann Law Firm L.L.C.
    The images included on this site are not actual attorneys, events, or clients. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertisements. The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established. Attorney Chris Hoffmann handles car and truck accident claims throughout Eastern Missouri and Western Illinois. He represents injured clients in St. Louis, St. Charles, St. Peters, Clayton, East St. Louis, Alton, Hillsboro and Belleville, and other cities in St. Louis County, St. Charles County, and Jefferson Country, MO, and St. Clair County and Madison County, IL.