Underinsured Motorist Accidents
Missouri Accident Lawyers Ready to Fight for You
Underinsured motorist accidents happen when the responsible party in a car accident does not have adequate auto insurance to cover the cost and damages resulting from the car accident and personal injury claims. In these situations, the question is whether or not the non-liable party has an underinsured motorist (UIM) policy. This type of policy covers damages that the liable party's insurance policy does not cover.
Many times a driver at fault may have state-required coverage, but it is just simply not enough to cover all the damages the accident caused. In Missouri, it is illegal to drive without at least $25,000 per person for bodily injury and $50,000 for bodily injury per accident. Drivers that do not have coverage are "uninsured." However, underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) comes into play when the other driver has insurance, but it is simply less than the value of the injured parties' claim(s). It is in that situation that you want to look for underinsured motorist coverage.
If you or a member of your family is involved in an accident with an underinsured motorist, Aaron Sachs & Associates, P.C. may be able to help you. Our law firm provides assistance for people injured or killed in Missouri underinsured motorist accidents that are covered by underinsured motorist coverage (UIM).
Get Underinsured Motorist Coverage in Missouri
Car accidents can be traumatic, and underinsured motorist accidents can raise more questions on how you are going to find a source to help pay for the medical bills, vehicle repairs or replacement, lost wages, missed work, ongoing medical treatment, or the wrongful death of a family member.
Who will cover the costs if the person who hit you has insufficient insurance coverage?
These questions are not unusual for underinsured motorist accident victims and/or their families. The starting point of looking for underinsured motorist coverage is on the car you were in at the time of the accident and, if different, the policy of insurance on cars in your household. You are looking for underinsured motorist coverage that was in effect at the time of the underinsured motorist accident.
Our Missouri Car Accident Lawyers Can Help
Aaron Sachs & Associates, P.C. has been representing victims of car accidents in Missouri and Kansas since 1991. For more than a decade, our lawyers have helped accident victims fight for the compensation they need to pay for medical care, lost wages, disability, pain and suffering, and other damages and losses. Call today to find out if we can help you, too!
Underinsured Motorist Accidents Can Be Complicated
When looking for an attorney for a UIM claim, be sure to find out if they are familiar with Missouri underinsured motorist accident cases. These types of car accident claims are often more complicated than normal car accident cases. For example, there often are policy requirements or steps you must take to preserve your underinsured motorist accident claim if you choose to settle with the at-fault driver's insurance before settling your underinsured motorist claim.
In the event of an underinsured motorist accident, if you have underinsured motorist coverage, you may be able to claim under your accident insurance policy for the amount that your damages and losses exceed the at-fault party's insurance coverage up to the amount of your claim, but limited to the amount of coverage purchased, and subject to any policy restrictions, such as set-offs if applicable in your policy. As you can see, the terms of an underinsured motorist are a matter of the contract, and sometimes the underinsured motorist policy can be complicated.
Although it might not seem fair for your insurance company to have to pay when someone else was at fault, remember two things:
- You pay for this coverage to protect you just in case of an underinsured motorist accident; and
- Your insurance company has the right to pursue the at-fault party for reimbursement.
Before you settle any claim against the at-fault driver, discuss your case with an attorney since you don't want to prejudice your insurance company's right to pursue the at-fault party.
Other factors that may also complicate an underinsured motorist claim include:
- If the underinsured driver was in a work vehicle at the time of the accident, then you may be able to seek compensation from the employer or vehicle owner.
- If the other driver's insurance and your UIM coverage do not cover all the damages, then you may want to seek additional compensation from the underinsured driver if he or she appears to have sufficient assets.
The Effects of an Underinsured Motorist Accident
A car accident can upset your life in a split second. What do you do? Who do you call? Who will pay for all the damages to your car, or all your medical bills? What if you have to miss work? What if you suffer from a long-term disability? What if someone dies in the accident? How do you find witnesses? These are all valid questions that a Missouri car accident lawyer can answer.
We serve clients throughout Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Illinois and Arkansas. With our history of success, do not hesitate to get your free consultation with our firm today.
Note: Neither the Supreme Court of Missouri nor The Missouri Bar reviews or approves certifying organizations or specialist designations.
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“My husband was in a car accident, we called Aaron Sachs, and are very glad we did! First of all, they sent someone to our home to interview my husband, so he did not have to drive all the way to Springfield to their office while he was in pain.” - Former Client
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“I was rear-ended by a non-insured driver. My car was totaled and I ended up having surgery on my shoulder. I was thrilled to get a settlement way larger than I could have dreamed.” - Former Client
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Accessibility
We make sure that we are available to answer our clients’ questions, breaking down the complex legal jargon and using plain English. There is no “one size fits all” answer — your case needs and deserves individual attention, and this is what we are prepared to provide.
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Professionalism
Our team has over 235 years of combined experience, handling over ten thousand personal injury cases. We are committed to professional excellence in every aspect of what we do and how we do it. We have over 65 employees with an exclusive focus on injury claims.
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Understanding
We strive to meet our clients where they are and provide the service they need. Suffering an injury is a difficult time in an individual’s life; you need representation that understands both the worries you may be feeling and the world you are now dealing with. Let us help ensure your rights are protected.