St. Louis Auto Accident Attorney
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Auto/UM/UIM Accident
Accidents involving uninsured or underinsured motorists can be quite complex from a legal perspective. Victims may need to collect from both their own and the other driver's insurance providers, and dealing with these companies can be tricky. They are in the business of making money and that means they want to pay out as little as possible, which means you are likely to encounter many car accident insurance problems.
Accident victims who say or do the wrong thing could be denied money to cover their damages. When individuals are involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist, it's always a good idea to hire a lawyer. An auto accident attorney at Page Law will work on the victim's behalf to help ensure he or she receives maximum compensation. Following is a brief description of both uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) accidents.
Uninsured Motorist Accidents
In these accidents, the driver at fault has no insurance coverage at all. Hit and runs are also considered uninsured motorist accidents since the victim is not able to obtain the other driver's insurance information. In Missouri, all drivers must carry uninsured motorist coverage. Coverage minimums are set at $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. Obviously, higher limits offer better protection in the event of such a crash.
Underinsured Motorist Accidents
In this type of collision, the driver who was at fault does have some insurance coverage. However, the limits are not high enough to cover all damages incurred by the victim. The victim must approach his or her insurance company in an attempt to secure the rest of the funds needed. The catch is that the victim must have underinsured motorist coverage. In Missouri, UIM coverage is not mandatory. It is not the same as UM coverage, so individuals should specifically ask about this coverage at the time of purchasing the policy. Otherwise, individuals may only be eligible for the amount covered by the other driver's liability coverage. In Missouri, this may be as little as $25,000.
If you were involved in a collision with an uninsured or underinsured motorist, contact us for legal assistance. We know how to handle the insurance companies to maximize your chances of receiving a fair payout. Our firm's personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis to offer you the peace of mind of knowing you won't need to worry about fees unless you collect. We can arrange for you to sit down with a auto accident attorney free of charge to discuss your case. Contact us at Page Law to set up your initial consultation.
Missouri Car Accident Resource Center
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