What to do when you are in a crash with an uninsured driver

In the state of Missouri, same as any other state in the country, drivers need to carry auto insurance at all times. The Missouri Department of Insurance states drivers need to carry liability insurance of at least $10,000 in property damage, $50,000 in accident coverage and $25,000 per person. 

However, there are plenty of people out there right now on Missouri roadways who do not have any coverage. You will experience extreme headaches if you find out an uninsured driver caused the auto accident. This is why it is always a good idea to retain uninsured motorist coverage. You will have to pay a little more for it, but in these instances, it is a huge asset. In the event you do not have this coverage, here are the steps you can take. 

Follow the same basic steps as any other collision

Once you discover the other driver lacks insurance, you should follow the same basic steps. Contact the police to come out to the scene to file a report. Take pictures of the scene, and document any injuries you sustained. Depending on the severity of the accident, you may need an ambulance to take you to a hospital. Be sure to obtain a copy of your medical records for any treatment resulting from the accident.

It is important to remember not to take any cash at the scene from the uninsured driver. At the scene, you have no idea how much your medical bills and auto repair bills will cost. Additionally, if you take cash and then file an insurance claim, you could be accused of fraud. 

File a lawsuit against the other driver

Missouri is an at-fault auto insurance state, which means the person responsible for the crash is also financially responsible for any medical or reparations related to the accident. You may file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver for your expenses, but it is important to remember the other driver may not be able to pay if they do not have insurance. If you do not have uninsured motorist coverage on your own insurance policy, you may want to talk with a lawyer about other options available to you.