If you have been injured in an auto or pedestrian accident, filing an uninsured motorist claim is often your best option to get compensation for your injuries and medical expenses.
One of the most significant responsibilities owed to our clients is finding all the available insurance coverage for their accidents and knowing how it works for their particular circumstances. Missouri uninsured motorist coverage can be especially tricky, and what I have noticed over the years is most people, even skilled auto accident attorneys, do not understand how it works.
Uninsured motorist coverage in Missouri is required on your vehicle, and the state minimum is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. I highly recommend you have more than that, but that is the state minimum. Most people realize that uninsured motorist coverage traditionally covers you if an uninsured driver hits you. However, people fail to realize that it can also provide coverage for you if you are not in your vehicle. For instance, if you are out walking your dog, jogging, or at a ball game and are hit in a crosswalk by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver, you can file an uninsured motorist claim.
Another thing people do not always realize is that this type of coverage includes everybody in your household. This means people that are listed on your insurance coverage as well as those who live with you. You may have kids that are not old enough to drive or other friends or family members that have established residency in your household. These individuals are all covered under the umbrella of your uninsured motorist coverage.
Another interesting thing about Missouri’s uninsured motorist insurance is that you can stack the coverage. For instance, if you are in an accident and have three cars covered under the state minimum 25/50 on each vehicle, you do not have $25,000 coverage; you actually have $75,000. This is something the insurance company will not tell you about, but it is essential that people understand.
If you have any questions about your case, whether it be uninsured motorist coverage or any other part of your accident claim, we would be happy to talk to you about it. Reach out to The Law Offices of Kevin Roach, LLC. for more information.
