Uninsured Driver Lawyer
How An Uninsured Driver Lawyer Can Help
An uninsured driver lawyer is specially trained to help you in a car accident where the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance. They can investigate the accident and determine fault.
Your lawyer will look at police reports, photos, videos, and eyewitness accounts to conclusively prove the other driver was at fault. They can handle all communication with insurance companies on your behalf so you can focus on recovery.
- They fight to get you the maximum compensation. Without insurance, the at-fault driver may claim they can’t afford to pay for your damages and injuries. Your lawyer will build a case to prove how much you deserve and negotiate the best possible settlement for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and vehicle repairs. If negotiation doesn’t work, they can take the case to court to get you the compensation you need.
- They have experience dealing with uninsured motorists. Uninsured driver cases can be complicated, but an experienced lawyer knows how to thoroughly investigate the accident, deal with uncooperative parties, and maximize your settlement. They stay up-to-date with laws regarding uninsured motorists so they can hold the at-fault driver accountable to the full extent allowed.
While dealing with an uninsured driver accident may seem overwhelming, an uninsured driver lawyer can advocate for you and ease the burden. With their help, you have the best chance of recovering damages so you can move on from this difficult situation.
Recent Case Results
SETTLEMENT – POLICY LIMITS
$21,000,000
SETTLEMENT – POLICY LIMITS
$21,000,000
Pedestrian Wrongful Death Lawsuit Resolves Before Trial
A multimillion-dollar settlement was reached in a lawsuit alleging the wrongful death of a pedestrian. The family filed the suit after the decedent was struck by a bus while walking in a pedestrian crosswalk.
Attorneys: Reed Martens, David Mayer
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SETTLEMENT – POLICY LIMIT
$2,100,000
SETTLEMENT – POLICY LIMIT
$2,100,000
Family Gets $2.1 Million After Driver Killed By Trailer Tire
A wrongful death claim pertaining to a man who perished in a traffic accident while on the job has been settled for $2.1 million.
Attorneys: Bobby Thrasher
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SETTLEMENT – POLICY LIMIT
$1,250,000
SETTLEMENT – POLICY LIMIT
$1,250,000
Family Gets $1.25 Million After Death of Man On Wheelchair
The family of a wheelchair-bound man who died after being struck by a Hummer will collect a $1.25 million settlement from the driver’s insurer.
Attorneys: Bobby Thrasher
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VERDICT – 5x POLICY LIMIT
$550,000
VERDICT – 5x POLICY LIMIT
$550,000
Jury Finds For Plaintiff in Kansas Driveway Crash
A 62-year-old Kansas woman whose vehicle was struck by another as she was pulling into her driveway won $550,000 in a case where liability was admitted but causation was contested.
Attorneys: Chip Lee, Reed Martens
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Time Limits To File An Uninsured Driver Accident Claim
Our attorney, Robert Thrasher, explains the time limits to file a car accident lawsuit. The time limits to file a car accident lawsuit vary by state, but generally range from 1 to 6 years after the accident occurred. It is important to consult with an uninsured driver attorney as soon as possible to ensure you do not miss any deadlines and can pursue legal action if necessary. Contact Monsees & Mayer for a free case consultation.
Time Limits To File An Uninsured Driver Accident Claim
Our attorney, Robert Thrasher, explains the time limits to file a car accident lawsuit. The time limits to file a car accident lawsuit vary by state, but generally range from 1 to 6 years after the accident occurred. It is important to consult with an uninsured driver attorney as soon as possible to ensure you do not miss any deadlines and can pursue legal action if necessary. Contact Monsees & Mayer for a free case consultation.
Understanding Your Options With An Uninsured Driver Lawyer
If you’ve been in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have insurance, you may feel stressed and overwhelmed. The good news is you have options to recover costs, you just need to understand them.
Pursue a claim with your own insurance.
This is often the quickest way to get your vehicle repaired or replaced and medical bills paid. Your insurer can then try to recover costs from the other driver.
File a lawsuit against the other driver.
You can sue the other driver in civil court to recover costs. However, this can be a lengthy, complex process and there’s no guarantee you’ll win or actually collect money from the other driver. You’ll likely need to hire an uninsured motorist lawyer to help you navigate the legal system.
Settle out of court.
Your uninsured motorist lawyer may be able to negotiate an out-of-court settlement with the other driver to recover at least some of your costs. While not ideal, it avoids the uncertainty and hassle of a trial. Any settlement should cover at minimum your most pressing expenses.
Consider your options carefully based on your circumstances. An uninsured motorist lawyer can walk you through the pros and cons of each choice and help you pursue the path that will get you the best outcome. Though dealing with uninsured drivers is frustrating, don’t lose hope. With the right strategy and legal support, you can find a resolution that reduces the financial burden on you.
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How Do Uninsured Coverages Work?
Imagine that you are in a serious automobile collision in which you suffer personal injuries, but upon contacting the negligent driver, you find he has no insurance. What do you do? In both Missouri and Kansas, automobile insurance policies have “uninsured motor vehicle” (UM) coverage that will stand in the shoes of the negligent driver and pay your claim up to the limits of coverage. You cannot carry any greater limits for UM coverage than you carry for liability. You have to prove that the negligent driver was uninsured. Once you do so, you prove your case against the insurance company just as you would if you were suing the negligent driver.
In some cases, the driver is a “phantom” and flees the scene. While this can be a more difficult case to prove, if you have sufficient proof, usually through contact, that the driver is a phantom or unidentified driver, you can also invoke your UM coverage. Because UM claims are essentially claims against an insurance contract, your attorney needs knowledge beyond that needed for a motor vehicle claim.
Who An Uninsured Driver Lawyer Can Hold Liable
An uninsured driver lawyer works to help the victim of an accident caused by an uninsured motorist. Since the at-fault driver has no insurance, the lawyer must find other parties that may be liable for damages.
Even if the driver who caused the accident is uninsured, the owner of the vehicle can often be held responsible. The lawyer will investigate the owner’s insurance policy to determine if it covers other drivers of the vehicle. If so, a claim can be made against that policy. If not, the lawyer may be able to file a lawsuit against the owner for negligence in allowing an uninsured driver use of the vehicle.
The driver’s employer
Was the at-fault driver operating the vehicle for work purposes at the time of the accident? If so, their employer may share liability. Employers can be held responsible for damages caused by employees acting in the scope of their work duties. The uninsured driver lawyer can file a claim with the employer’s insurance or file a lawsuit to recover losses.
Other third parties
In some cases, other third parties may also share blame for an accident caused by an uninsured driver. For example, a bar or restaurant that negligently overserved alcohol to an intoxicated patron who later causes an accident. Or a vehicle manufacturer if a defect in the automobile contributed to the crash. Your uninsured driver lawyer will thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your accident to determine if any other parties may be liable for your losses and damages.
While it can be frustrating to be hit by an uninsured motorist, an experienced uninsured driver lawyer knows how to fully investigate an accident and pursue all avenues for recovering damages and compensation for their clients. With their help, you have the best chance of holding the right parties responsible and recouping your financial losses after an accident with an uninsured driver.
Uninsured Drivers Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if an uninsured driver hits me?
- Call the police and report the accident.
- Get the other driver’s information like their name, address, license plate number, and driver’s license number.
- You should also get contact information for any witnesses.
- Take pictures of the vehicles and the surrounding area.
- Call your insurance company as soon as possible to report the claim. They can walk you through the next steps to recover costs.
Can I recover damages from an accident with an uninsured motorist?
In most cases, yes. Your own auto insurance policy likely includes uninsured motorist coverage for this situation. This coverage will pay for damages to your vehicle as well as any medical bills for you or your passengers. Your insurance company can then pursue the at-fault driver to recover the costs.
What if the uninsured driver has no assets?
Unfortunately, you may be out of luck in recovering much in this case from the driver themselves. While the at-fault driver is still legally liable for the costs of the accident, if they have no income or assets, they likely won’t be able to pay a settlement or court judgment. Your uninsured motorist coverage would still apply. The bottom line is that uninsured motorist coverage is so important to protect yourself in these situations.
Can my rates increase after an accident with an uninsured driver?
Your rates should not increase due to an accident that was clearly the fault of an uninsured driver. However, if there are questions of fault or if your claim ends up costing your insurance company a lot of money, there is a possibility of a rate increase at your next renewal. The best way to avoid this is by carrying adequate uninsured motorist coverage limits to begin with. Be upfront and cooperative with your insurance company in the claims process and provide any details that establish the other driver was at fault. Your good driving history and loyalty as a customer may also help minimize any impact on your rates.
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- Bobby Thrasher