How Often Do Uninsured Motorist Claims Occur in St. Louis?
How Often Do Uninsured Motorist Claims Occur in St. Louis?
Although a minimum amount of liability car insurance is legally required in most states – Missouri requires the “25/50/25” minimum of $25,000 bodily injury coverage for another person, $50,000 bodily injury coverage for any other persons injured and $25,000 property damage coverage – there are still drivers that decide to get behind the wheel without insurance. According to a 2021 study by the Insurance Research Council, one in eight drivers on U.S. roads, or 12.6 percent of all motorists, are uninsured. Approximately 16.4 percent of Missouri drivers are uninsured.
Even though you are a safe, steadfast driver who follows the rules of the road, you are still vulnerable to accidents with uninsured drivers. Your uninsured motorist coverage through your own insurance policy is used when you are involved in one of these accidents and the crash is deemed to be that driver’s fault. The idea is that by making a claim against your own car insurance company, you can receive compensation for the entire spectrum of your car accident-related losses, just as you would if the at-fault driver did have insurance and you could make a claim directly against them or their insurance company.
If you need help with your uninsured motorist claim, or if think your own insurance company is not treating you fairly, call our firm right away at (314) 500-HURT or complete our online contact form. Our St. Louis uninsured motorist claims attorney is here to help.
What Do I Do If I Am in a Car Accident With an Uninsured Driver in St. Louis?
What Do I Do If I Am in a Car Accident With an Uninsured Driver in St. Louis?
As an example, you are sitting at a stop light waiting for it to turn green when suddenly you are hit from behind – causing you some serious whiplash and likely some damage to your car. After pulling safely to the side of the road, you get out to assess your vehicle and talk with the driver who hit you. The back of your car is smashed in and you are sensing a visit to the doctor in the near future for your aching neck. The other driver looks flustered and panicked, pacing around and speaking in incomplete thoughts. When you ask them for their insurance information, they tell you that they do not have any. No need to worry, your Burger Law uninsured motorist claims attorney in St. Louis has developed these tips on what to do if you get into an accident with an uninsured driver:
- Call the police
It is always a good idea to call the police following a car accident, whether the other driver has insurance or not. But if you are dealing with an uninsured driver, calling the police is even more crucial, due to the fact that their report will help get your damages covered and make the claims process much smoother.
- Do not accept money
Because the other driver does not have insurance, they could be facing some hefty fines and fees. This could bring about a situation where they offer you money to avoid legal repercussions. At this point, you have no idea what your damages or injury costs will amount to, so even if it seems like a good deal, hold off and do not accept money. Your visit to the doctor for whiplash might turn into something far worse and far more expensive. The damage to the back of your car might be far worse than originally estimated or imagined.
- Swap information
While the other driver does not have insurance information to give you, be sure to get their contact and vehicle details. Do not forget to gather information from any witness also, since their statements can be beneficial during the claims process.
- Gather details
Get the make and model of the vehicle involved, time and location of the accident, as well as the name and badge number of the responding officer. Write down any pertinent information you think could help you when working with your Burger Law uninsured motorist claims attorney in St. Louis.
- Take pictures
You will want to capture any damage done to your car and the other vehicle, the other driver’s VIN number, license plate number, traffic signs and the direction each vehicle was traveling. All of these are crucial details that will come in handy when filing a claim.
As always, you can call our firm today at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online with any questions or concerns about your uninsured motorist claim.