If you’re involved in a distracted driving accident in Missouri and the at-fault driver has no insurance, it can create significant challenges for your personal injury claim. However, there are still options available to seek compensation for your injuries.
Uninsured motorist coverage in Missouri
In Missouri, drivers are required to carry liability insurance, but unfortunately, some still drive without coverage. Fortunately, Missouri law allows for uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, which can protect you if the driver at fault in an accident does not have insurance. UM coverage is an optional addition to your own car insurance policy that can provide compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering if the other driver lacks insurance.
Before you proceed with a personal injury claim, check if your insurance policy includes UM coverage. If it does, you can file a claim with your own insurance company to recover damages. However, this type of claim is often subject to policy limits, which may not fully cover all your expenses.
Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage
Another option to consider is personal injury protection (PIP), which may be part of your insurance policy. PIP coverage helps pay for medical expenses and, in some cases, lost wages, regardless of who is at fault for the accident. PIP can provide some immediate relief while you wait for other aspects of your claim to resolve.
If you don’t have UM or PIP coverage, you might still be able to pursue a claim through your own insurance company, depending on the circumstances.
Legal actions against the at-fault driver
If the uninsured driver has significant assets or income, you may be able to pursue a lawsuit for damages. However, collecting compensation from an uninsured driver can be difficult if they have limited financial resources. If they do not have assets or income to cover your damages, you may have to rely on your own insurance coverage or other financial options to recover.
Being involved in an accident with an uninsured distracted driver in Missouri can complicate your claim, but you have several avenues to explore, such as uninsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection. If you don’t have these coverages, pursuing a lawsuit might still be an option, but recovery could be limited depending on the other driver’s financial situation.
