So when a formerly uninsured driver does apply for a new policy, the gap in insurance coverage can drive up the premium or, worse, deem the driver uninsurable. If you are in an accident with an uninsured driver, contact the missouri department of revenue, which is responsible for enforcing mandatory liability laws. If you get into a car accident with an uninsured driver, the first and best place to turn for compensation for your injuries is the uninsured motorist um coverage of your own car insurance policy. It is designed to protect you and loved ones from drivers who lack insurance. I was hit by a driver who does not have insurance what can i do. Some states may require this coverage on your policy. Contact the missouri department of revenue drivers license bureau at 5737517195. Immediately notify the police if you were responsible for an accident that damaged others property or if you were the victim of a hitandrun driver, uninsured. Compensation for victims of uninsured or hit and run drivers. Otherwise, the claimant must make reasonable efforts of the existence or nonexistence of insurance and no proof could be established. This component of your policy makes it possible for you to recover damages from your own insurance provider, should you be involved in a crash with an uninsured driver. Uninsured motorist auto insurance david pope insurance. In accidents involving an uninsured driver, the mib advises that the accident should be reported to the police within 14 days for claims involving personal injury.
What to do if you have been hit by an uninsured driver. Your car has been knocked sideways by another car one that roared through that stop sign right before it hit you. Uninsured motorist coverage is meant to protect drivers who are injured as a result of an accident with a party who does not have insurance for any reason. Missouri law requires that all motor vehicle drivers and owners maintain some type of motor vehicle liability. Filing a claim missouri department of insurance, financial. Even if the other driver is uninsured, you want to get as much information as possible.
So, the outcome could be that you may not have to pay a great deal or anything at all for damage to their car. My uninsured car was parked at a private property residence and was hit by an insured driver at night, apparently they didnt see it. Drivers are required to carry liability coverage to compensate the victims of a crash and uninsured insurance to protect them if the negligent driver is uninsured. While this percentage is relatively small compared to other states the national average was 12. Uninsured motorist coverage provides supplemental coverage for drivers when the person atfault in an auto accident does not have car insurance. Aug 22, 2012 under the terms of missouri law, all drivers are required to carry some kind of liability insurance coverage in fact, you cant license a vehicle or renew your plates unless you can show proof of insurance. For example, by missouri statute, a hit and run vehicle is considered an uninsured motor vehicle. The statute merely defines an uninsured motorist to include the. However, not all drivers in the state have enough insurance and some dont have any insurance at all. All drivers in tampa and across the state of florida are required by law to carry a certain amount of auto insurance. Po box 4001 jefferson city, mo 651024001 main office phone number. Many states bar uninsured drivers from making a claim for noneconomic damages typically pain and suffering. If you have been injured in an accident that was caused by an uninsured, underinsured, or hitandrun driver, do not despair. Just like any missouri car accident case, you have a right to sue an uninsured motorist without limitation or caps on settlement amounts.
This is extremely common question, particularly in houston, texas because nearly of all drivers in the state of texas do not have valid car insurance coverage at the time of an accident. If you are injured in an auto accident, and the driver who caused the wreck is not insured, how will you be compensated. Missouri underinsureduninsured motorist lawyer page law. Some states now limit the damages that an uninsured driver can recover following a car accident, even when they are not at fault. With the help of the legal professionals at the law offices of marshall r. So how can an injured plaintiff prove that the defendant driver did not have financial responsibility, and that the plaintiffs own uninsured. Contact us today for a free consultation your case. This type of coverage will help pay for any injuries you or a passenger sustain in an accident when the negligent driver is uninsured. However, the amount covered depends on the type of insurance and the policy limits the injured driver has. Information 247 if you have questions about a ticket, suspension, or revocation on your missouri driver record, you may now call our new interactive voice response system at 573 5262407 available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
An uninsured motorist clause is a provision commonly found in united states automobile insurance policies that provides for a driver to receive damages for any injury he or she receives from an uninsured, negligent driver. If you were not at fault, report the accident to the other drivers insurance company. If you are injured in an accident caused by an uninsured motorist, you will most likely have to rely on your uninsured motorist coverage to. The law in missouri and kansas requires drivers to have collision insurance, but as we all know not everybody follows the law. If an uninsured parked car is hit by an insured vehicle are they responsible for the damages. The missouri department of revenue enforces the financial responsibility mandatory liability laws in this state. In missouri, all drivers must carry uninsured motorist coverage. The best coverage for accidents with uninsured drivers. Unfortunately, many people allow their insurance to lapse or even cancel their policies, yet continue to drive with no insurance or inadequate insurance. Insurance information missouri department of revenue. Then, take out that handydandy cell phone, and take pictures of all the damage to your car, the other car, and the license plate on the car that hit you. This is why all drivers in missouri should buy as much uninsured motorist coverage as they can afford. In the state of indiana, if you are injured by another drivers negligence in a traffic collision, what are your legal rights and options.
Mib if youve been injured or your property has been damaged because of an uninsured or hit and run driver. What to do when the other driver doesnt have insurance. Hoekel, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries. Liability insurance coverage missouri department of insurance. Consequently, missouri consumers should always purchase underinsured motorist policies. Hit by an uninsured driver in an insured car page 1. When an insured driver is hit by an uninsured driver, the insured drivers own insurance policy generally covers the damages that result from the accident.
A drivers prior insurance history is a pricing factor. Uninsured drivers create headaches for missouri motorists. What if you are hit by an uninsured driver in the state. Mississippi law does not treat um claims separately from underinsured motorist uim claims. By violating the financial responsibility laws in florida, drivers can. Mississippis uninsured motorists law um mandates coverage be provided in every policy of automobile insurance issued in the state, unless rejected in writing. Uninsured motorist coverage is an additional rider that you purchase on your auto insurance. If an uninsured parked car is hit by an insured vehicle. The uninsured driver drove very fast and hit the back of our clients truck. Uninsured motorist coverage in missouri cottrell law office. You never know when or if youll have a runin with an uninsured driver but it could happen to anyone. Its common for an uninsured motorist to commit a hitandrun, so uninsured motorist protection ensures that you can be compensated even if the other driver has no ability to pay or flees the scene. Due to the inflated cost of auto insurance, there are many cars and other motor vehicles without liability insurance on our roadways today. Your car is a wreck and youre trying to figure out if youre ok.
Dont worry you can still claim if youve been hit by an uninsured driver. We interviewed the missouri state highway patrol trooper who investigated the car accident and determined. Hit by uninsured driver missouri uninsured morists statute. Although not exclusive, this coverage is typically added to an. What happens if youre in an accident with an uninsured. Expenses covered will be medical and therapy treatment, outofpocket expenses, lost wages, and for your pain and suffering. What usually happens after an auto accident in missouri is that the insurance company of the atfault driver compensates the other driver for damages incurred in the accident. What to do if youre hit by an uninsured driver mirror. If you are injured in an accident caused by an uninsured motorist, you will most likely have to rely on your uninsured motorist coverage to pay your expenses.
A motor vehicle accident report, using department of revenue form 1140, must be completed and filed in a timely manner by the claimant or plaintiff. Therefore, if you are hit by a driver with no insurance, you really need to have uninsured driver coverage. Every traffic accident case is different, of course, so you would need to discuss the particulars of your own case with an experienced evansville personal injury attorney however, generally speaking, the injured victims of negligent drivers. There are three types of uninsured motorist coverage to protect you from damages caused by uninsured drivers. Uninsured motorist insurance is required by law in missouri, and 12% of missouri drivers are without insurance. Tips for handling an accident with an uninsured driver. Missouri uninsured motorist accident lawyer uninsured motorist. According to the mib, there could be as many as one million uninsured vehicles being driven on. What to do if hit by an uninsured driver dickerson oxton, llc. This type of protection will cover your losses if a hitandrun driver injures you or a loved one. Proving uninsured motorist status in rolla missouri car.
What if i have been in a missouri car accident with an. If you have the right car the driver is uninsured then the insurer should be. The owner of the policy pays a premium to the insurance company to include this clause. Car accidents are bad enough, but an accident with an uninsured driver could be disastrous. Uninsured motorist coverage what if youre hit by an. Unfortunately, there are thousands of drivers on the road today who carry no car insurance on their vehicles in part because of the cost of coverage. Po box 690 jefferson city, mo 651020690 correspondence with fees. A driver can only purchase uninsured motorist coverage equivalent to their own liability insurance. What should i do if im in an accident with an uninsured motorist.
Uninsured motorist um coverage will protect you and your passengers if an atfault driver has no insurance. What if i have been in a missouri car accident with an uninsured. Not including an accident caused by a drunk driver, one of the worst things imaginable is being involved in an accident with an uninsured driver. It is imperative that you work with a missouri car accident attorney when determining if you need to file a lawsuit against an uninsured driver. The injured person pursuing the um claim must prove that the atfault driver was uninsured. If you are or not, the best course of action is to contact an attorney for help with your case as dui cases are much trickier than a traditional insurance. Dear anonymous, fortunately, uninsuredunderinsured motorist coverage will pay the costs of medical treatment and related expenses sustained in a car accident where the insured was a pedestrian. If youre injured in a car accident by an uninsured driver a driver with no car insuranceor in some states, a hitandrun driverthen uninsured motorist coverage could help pay. What to do if hit by an uninsured driver in north carolina. If youve been injured in an accident involving an uninsured motorist, it may be difficult to find the financial support you need.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is an optional additional coverage, so if you were hit by an uninsured drunk driver, you need to check to see your are covered under your policy. Uninsured motorist um coverage is an additional coverage that can be added to your car insurance policy. Missouri is an atfault state which holds the negligent driver responsible for compensating the victims for their injuries. Uninsured motorist laws are different from state to state.
Missouri is one of the states that requires this type of coverage. Despite the clear laws in missouri, and most other states, which require drivers to maintain auto insurance, not everyone complies. Get his name, contact info, drivers license number, and license plate number. Hit and runs are also considered uninsured motorist accidents since the victim is not able to obtain the other drivers insurance information. What to do if youve been hit by an uninsured motorist. Uninsured motorists insurance, which covers your bodily injuries and those of your passengers if you are hit by an uninsured motorist or hitandrun driver who is. Most people lack the assets to exceed this protected level. It is estimated that over 10 percent of drivers in missouri and kansas are uninsured. Hit and runs are also considered uninsured motorist accidents since the victim is not able to obtain the other driver s insurance information. Under missouri law, you must meet the following criteria to receive um benefits under your policy. Compensation for victims of uninsured or hit and run. Getting into a car accident is stressful enough as it is. Louis car accident lawyers at page law can give you the best legal support you need when facing a collision with an uninsuredunderinsured driver. The longer a driver went without coverage, the more the driver may have to pay.
The good news is theres a way to be proactive about your protection in the event you were to be hit by someone without auto insurance. Nine percent and percent of drivers, in kansas and missouri respectively, are uninsured. They will investigate and, if necessary, enforce the statute. Obviously, higher limits offer better protection in the event. Also, if you were injured, you will want to report the loss under your uninsured. You need to remember that there are no insurance companies to negotiate with and a suit may be your only recourse for. An uninsured driver caused the accident that resulted in your injuries. Immediately notify the police if you were responsible for an accident that damaged others property or if you were the victim of a hit andrun driver, uninsured motorist, vandalism or theft. However, its also very possible the uninsured driver you hit wont want to report the accident, especially if minor, because of potential penalties they might be assessed for driving without insurance. When an accident with an uninsured driver happens, the accident victim is often left wondering, who will pay for this.