In 2022, 45,456 people sustained injuries due to road traffic accidents in Missouri. Despite efforts to make our roads safer, reckless or negligent drivers are still responsible for a considerable proportion of accidents and many of them are uninsured.

Although Missouri requires all drivers to have a minimum level of insurance, some drivers fail to adhere to this and get behind the wheel when they don’t have appropriate insurance coverage in place. If they’re involved in an accident, their lack of insurance can make it more difficult to obtain compensation, but it certainly isn’t impossible!

With help from experienced car accident lawyers in St Louis, you can obtain compensation after an accident, even if the at-fault driver wasn’t insured.

How Do You Know If the At-Fault Driver Is Insured?

A driver isn’t likely to tell you they don’t have insurance immediately after an accident, as they will be aware that it’s a criminal act to drive a vehicle without appropriate insurance in Missouri. However, if the police are called to the scene of the accident, they will determine whether the driver is insured.

Over the last year, 44,838 drivers in Missouri were unable to provide proof of insurance at the scene of an accident, for example. While this doesn’t necessarily mean they were uninsured, it can be the first sign that the at-fault driver responsible for your injuries doesn’t have appropriate insurance in place.

If a car accident causes injuries or property damage worth over $500, you need to notify the police straight away and they will usually attend the scene. If the police don’t attend, however, personal injury lawyers can investigate the at-fault driver’s insurance status at a later date.

Can You Claim Compensation from an Uninsured Driver?

After a car accident, the plaintiff (you) proves that the at-fault driver is responsible for the incident and their insurance company pays compensation. If the at-fault driver isn’t insured, you can obtain compensation from them directly by suing them. In reality, however, many uninsured drivers won’t have sufficient funds or assets to pay you the compensation you’re entitled to.

In such cases, you should be able to make a claim against your own insurance company. The minimum car insurance requirements in Missouri mean that every driver should have uninsured motorist coverage, which will enable you to obtain compensation even if the at-fault driver isn’t insured.

How Hard Is It to Obtain Compensation from an Uninsured Driver?

If a driver is uninsured, it can add an extra layer of complexity to your case, but it shouldn’t prevent you from claiming compensation. While the process may seem daunting, working with experienced personal injury lawyers in St Louis will ensure you can make a stress-free claim and focus on recovering from the incident while your legal team work diligently to obtain compensation on your behalf.

From major crashes and life-threatening injuries to minor collisions and temporary harm, St Louis personal injury lawyers can help you to claim the compensation you deserve from any at-fault driver.