uninsured driver

Recent surveys show that about 13% – about 1 in 8 – drivers in Missouri are driving without insurance. 

Auto insurance is essential in our car-focused world. Having an insurance policy ensures that, if you hit someone and it’s your fault, their medical bills, injuries, and other expenses will be covered. 

However, what happens if you drive uninsured in St. Louis? Doing so is illegal and carries stiff penalties, but it’s more common than you may think. Recent surveys show that about 13% – about 1 in 8 – drivers in Missouri are driving without insurance. 

The Penalties For Driving Uninsured Depend On The Circumstances

There are several different legal penalties that drivers can incur if caught driving without insurance coverage in Missouri. These include:

• Loss of driving privileges – A first-time offender may have their driving privileges suspended until they obtain adequate insurance. Second-time offenders will generally have their driving privileges revoked for 90 days, and third-time offenders for a full year.

• Paying a reinstatement fee – This fee is generally $20 for first-time offenders, $200 for second-time offenders, and $400 for third-time offenders.
  
• Paying a fine – There is generally no fine for a first offense, but a $500 fine may be charged for second and third-time offenses.
  
• Jail time – No jail time is incurred for a first offense, but second or third-time offenders could spend up to 15 days in jail. 

In addition to this, “no insurance” tickets will never be removed from a driver’s record in Missouri. They will stay on the record permanently, which could affect an uninsured driver’s insurance rates in the future. 

Uninsured Drivers May Be Sued For The Damages Incurred By The Accident

If an uninsured driver hits you and is found at fault for the accident, they must pay for the damages caused by the accident. If the uninsured driver does not pay for the damages, they may lose their driving privileges for a year or until they provide proof to the Driver License Bureau that the accident damages have been settled.

As any uninsured motorist lawyer in St. Louis will tell you, one good thing about living in Missouri is that uninsured motorist coverage is mandatory for all drivers. If you have insurance and are hit by an uninsured driver, your insurance company will generally be responsible for providing you compensation.

To make sure that you never have to worry about penalties for driving uninsured – or the costs incurred by being hit by an uninsured driver – make sure you carry a Missouri auto insurance policy that meets the state’s minimum requirements! 

Involved in a Car Accident With an Uninsured Driver in St. Louis?

A St. Louis uninsured motorist attorney can help you recover the damages you deserve from your insurance company and the responsible party. If an uninsured driver has hit you, speak with an experienced lawyer today to ensure your legal rights are protected.

The stress of dealing with a car accident could increase significantly if the crash occurred while visiting another state.

You don’t know anyone, the surroundings are unfamiliar, and it can feel like you are on your own. If the other driver is also uninsured, you may go into panic mode, thinking that you will have to pay for your costs out-of-pocket.

Whether the accident took place in your hometown or out-of-state, it’s important to follow a few steps to ensure that you and those around you are safe. These steps will also help you when you file your claim. 

• Call the police
• Seek medical attention as soon as possible.
• Take photos of the car damage, injuries, road conditions, etc.
• Get the contact details of eyewitnesses. 
• Call a lawyer.
• Contact the insurance company.

We know what you may be asking: if the accident happened out of state and the at-fault driver is uninsured, will my policy still cover me? 

The answer is generally yes. However, here’s what you will need to do. 

Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company

Insurance companies generally extend their coverage to all areas within the United States. So, if you’ve bought insurance in Missouri (including uninsured motorist) but a driver hit you in Texas, then you will still generally be covered as stated in your policy. 

After you’ve ensured that everyone is safe from harm and have cleared your mind, you should contact your insurance company to tell them about the accident. Depending on the company’s policy, they could refer you to an adjuster from where the accident took place. 

If you need to spend time in the hospital in the area the accident occurred, your uninsured motorist will generally cover you as described in your policy. The coverage minimums are set at $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.

If you want to have your car repaired at a shop near the place where the accident took place, then the insurance company should be able to provide some assistance in this regard too. They can put you in contact with different towing companies and mechanics and help you fix your car even if you are hundreds of miles away from home. 

Speak With an Experienced St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer

As long as you have sufficient coverage, and your claim falls within your policy’s guidelines, you should be able to file a claim for an out-of-state accident. 

However, because insurance companies are for-profit organizations, they will try to take advantage of any mistake to minimize your claim. 

Get in touch with an experienced St. Louis auto accident attorney as soon as possible after an auto accident. They can tell you if the company is acting in bad faith and help you protect your legal rights moving forward.

What happens if the driver that caused the accident is uninsured and the resulting damage exceeds the limit of your uninsured motorist policy?

The harsh reality of life is that sometimes regardless of how much you plan and prepare, there are just some things that are out of our control. Such is the case with car accidents. You may take all the right precautions to stay safe: drive under the speed limit, drive carefully and defensively, and keep up with your vehicle maintenance. Even so, you can still get hit by a distracted or reckless driver. 

However, you’ve prepared for this situation too, and purchased more than the minimum car insurance required in Missouri.  What happens if the driver that caused the accident is uninsured and the resulting damage exceeds the limit of your uninsured motorist policy?

Let’s explore your options. 

Car Insurance Requirements in Missouri

Drivers in Missouri are required by law to carry some form of auto insurance. The minimum level of coverage required is: 

• $25,000 per person for bodily injury
• $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
• $10,000 per accident for property

Drivers in Missouri are also required to carry uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000 for bodily injury per person and $50,000 for bodily injury per accident.

What If My Claim Exceeds the Limit of My Uninsured Policy?

Some drivers purchase more than the minimum required. But, even when they do, the value of their car accident claim can exceed the limit of their policy. If the at-fault driver was also uninsured, then you can’t file a claim against their insurance company.

Although this may seem like an impossible situation, there still are a few options that you can explore to get compensation for your damages and injuries. 

For example, you can use your medical insurance to pay for some of your bills. Collision coverage can also come in handy and can help you cover some of the repairs needed for the car. 

There’s also the option of suing the at-fault party, although this one can be a bit tricky. Most people that don’t purchase auto insurance do so because they cannot afford it. So, if they cannot afford to pay a few hundred dollars for insurance, they probably don’t have the funds to cover your medical bills either. However, if they failed to purchase auto insurance out of negligence, then you might have a case on your hand. Discuss this with your St. Louis car accident lawyer and decide the best course of action under these circumstances. 

Speak With an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer About Your Claim

It can be incredibly frustrating to have to deal with this situation when you’ve been a responsible driver. If you have been involved in a St. Louis car accident, it’s important to look for a lawyer who has experience with similar cases and can help you file a successful claim. 

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.

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.

Drivers in Missouri are required to carry different types of auto insurance policies, and some may wonder if all of them are really necessary.

In other words, what type of insurance do you actually need in Missouri?

The Two Main Types of Auto Insurance

There are two auto insurance policies all Missouri drivers are required to carry. The first is the standard auto insurance, which protects you in case you get into a car accident. This will cover your own medical costs, as well as pay for any damages you’ve created if you are at-fault for the accident.

The other type of insurance is one some drivers may think is not as necessary as the first: the uninsured motorist insurance. This type of policy kicks in when you are in a car accident with another driver who does not have any auto insurance, as well as in a situation where the at-fault driver flees the scene (known as a hit and run offense).

Many believe that because auto insurance is mandatory in the state, then there is no real need for this type of insurance. Plus, the chances of becoming the victim of a hit and run are also rather low, right?

However, it’s not exactly true. For one thing, an estimated 14% of Missouri drivers do not have auto insurance at all, either because their policy expired, or they are driving without a valid driver’s license (you need proof of insurance to renew your license in the state). An AAA Foundation report found that 30 people have been killed during a hit and run in Missouri in 2016, and that’s not accounting for the number of cases where the accident resulted in injuries or property damage.

These Policies Are Non-Negotiable

The standard auto insurance and the uninsured motorist coverage are mandatory in the state, and failing to carry them can result in a fine or even a suspended license.

However, as you can see, even if they were not mandatory, it still would have been a good idea to carry both these protections, as you never know who you will encounter on a Missouri road.

There are, of course, other types of insurance policies that may increase your protection in the event of a car accident. For instance, uninsured motorist coverage does not cover property damage, so if you’re in an accident with an uninsured driver and need to pay for car repairs, this policy will not cover it. You may be able to cover these costs through your standard policy and an additional insurance policy to protect your vehicle.

Should You Speak With an Attorney?

If you were the victim of a car accident, you should talk with an experienced lawyer to see what your legal options are. Reach out to a St. Louis car injury attorney now for a case consultation.