Someone Hit My Car and I Don’t Have Insurance. What Are My Options?

Missouri drivers are required by law to carry a minimum amounts of liability insurance and uninsured motorist coverage.

These policies protect you from having to pay sometimes significant out-of-pocket costs in the case of a car accident. They’re very important, and that’s why it’s against the law to get behind the wheel without them.

But, sometimes life happens.

Policies get accidentally canceled, payments get missed, or you might simply not have coverage in place when an accident occurs. If you find yourself in this situation where someone hits your car and you don’t have insurance, your options are limited, but not impossible.

If you or someone you know was involved in a car accident that was someone else’s fault, the St. Louis car accident attorneys at Niemeyer, Grebel and Kruse are here to help. Call 314-241-1919 for help.

What Are The Insurance Minimums in Missouri?

Missouri law requires all drivers to carry minimum amounts of liability and uninsured motorist insurance.

Liability Insurance Minimums

• $25,000 per person for bodily injury
• $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
• $25,000 per accident for property

Uninsured Motorist Coverage Minimums

• $25,000 per person for bodily injury
• $50,000 per accident for bodily injury

What Happens If I Get Into A Crash Without Insurance?

First, because it is illegal to drive without insurance in Missouri, getting into a car accident will likely result in penalties if you are uninsured.

Penalties for your first offense of driving without auto insurance include:

• Suspension of your driver’s license and vehicle registration until you provide proof of insurance coverage
• $20 license reinstatement fee
• Administration fees between $25 and $50
• Four points on your driving record

These penalties increase for subsequent offenses of driving without car insurance.

If You Were Not At Fault

Next, if the car accident was not your fault, you still have some options to recover damages.

Because the other driver was at fault, their liability insurance should cover the cost of your damages, including car repairs and medical expenses. However, without your own insurance, the process may be more complicated, and the at-fault driver’s insurance company might be less cooperative.

To protect your interests and maximize your chances of recovering full compensation, especially if you were injured in the crash, it might be worthwhile to work with a personal injury attorney. 

An experienced car accident attorney can help you navigate the legal complexities, negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve for your damages. This is especially important if the at-fault driver’s insurance is trying to minimize your claim or if there are disputes over who is at fault.

If You Were At Fault

If you are determined to be at fault for a car accident that occurred while you were uninsured, you can be responsible for covering the cost of:

• Property damage incurred by the other driver
• Legal fees related to lawsuits brought by the other party
• Medical expenses for anyone injured as a result of the accident
• Higher premiums if you do purchase auto insurance later

While being at fault and uninsured places you in a difficult situation, you can still mitigate the financial impact if the other driver was also partially responsible for the accident.

In Missouri, the state follows a system of comparative fault. This means that if you are found to be partially at fault for the accident, the amount of damages you are required to pay can be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to the other driver. For example, if you were found to be 70% at fault and the other driver was 30% at fault, your liability for damages would be reduced by that 30%.

Get Legal Help From a Missouri Car Accident Attorney

If you’ve been in a car accident and don’t have auto insurance, a personal injury lawyer can provide you with the valuable legal help you need.

Your attorney will negotiate on your behalf to help you obtain compensation that you are owed. At Niemeyer, Grebel and Kruse, our team of skilled Missouri car accident attorneys offers expert representation, negotiation and litigation for our clients. Call us today at 314-241-1919.