Question 1

What if I&#8217;m in a car accident and the other driver isn&#8217;t insured?

Accepted Answer

Getting into an accident with an uninsured driver brings up a large number of questions: what do I do? What can I do? Who will pay for my injuries, and how can I get them to pay? It is no secret that being hit by an uninsured driver is completely unfair. Not only are you suffering injuries and property damage through no fault of your own, but you now have concerns about how those damages will be paid for.

If you've been in an accident caused by an uninsured driver, you need an attorney on your case. For a knowledgable, skilled attorney who understands both your legal needs and your needs as an individual who has recently been through an upsetting and traumatic experience, talk to the car accident lawyers at Combs Law Group. Call (314) 900-HELP to speak to us with no obligation today.


  
Missouri Laws on Insurance

In Missouri, all motorists are required by law to have insurance on their vehicle. At the least, state law requires them to have a certain amount of liability insurance. This type of insurance is used to pay the other party when the policyholder is at fault in an accident.  The liability insurance must cover at least the minimum amounts Missouri requires for injuries and damages--currently $25,000 for a single person's injuries, $50,000 for the sum total of personal injuries in an accident, and $25,000 for property damages.

Unfortunately, not everyone follows this law, and there are drivers on our roads who do not pay for any kind of car insurance. In fact, it is estimated that around 14 percent of drivers in Missouri are driving without the required insurance. If you do get hit by a driver who does not have insurance, what do you do?

St Louis Claims Involving Uninsured Drivers

Each state in the US has either an at-fault (also referred to as tort) or no-fault law regarding vehicular accidents and insurance coverage. Some states follow a no-fault rule where if you are in an accident, you generally use your own insurance to cover the damages, regardless of who caused the accident. Missouri, on the other hand, is a comparative fault state. This is a type of at-fault rule where each driver pays the percent of which they were responsible for the accident, and receives compensation proportional to the percent of the accident for which they were not at-fault. In a simple accident where one driver is totally responsible, and the other driver had no fault, the at-fault driver is responsible for 100% of the other driver's damages. The person they hit would receive that 100%. However, if it was determined that both drivers were in some way responsible (say, 70%/30%), one driver would receive 70% of the damages they would usually be entitled to get, while the other 30% of the agreed pie would go to the other party.
  
These laws are relevant in uninsured driver accidents, becuase it affects the type of coverage and the way your insurance company will cover accidents involving a driver who doesn't have any insurance coverage.

You do have the right to sue the at-fault driver for damages. However, the laws on this can get complicated. Also, if your priority is to get the financial coverage you are owed because of the damage the accident caused, this won't always make you whole following an accident. People have different reasons for what they decide to do or not do, but most drivers who do not have any insurance on their vehicle don't have insurance because they can't afford to pay it or don't want to pay for it. If they won't pay a regular insurance premium, it may be difficult to get them to pay for all the damages you've suffered.

In most cases, your best solution is to pursue compensation from your own insurance policy. The common reaction to this idea is: "That's not fair. I didn't cause the accident, so my insurance company should not have to pay," or "Will that make my insurance rates go up? I can't afford to pay more!" These are valid concerns, but are misguided, because what you may not know is that you have been paying for coverage in the event you are in an accident with an uninsured motorist for years.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured motorist coverage is also required by law in Missouri. This is insurance that is included in your regular car insurance plan that is meant to replace what the other driver's liability insurance would have covered, had they been insured. Uninsured motorist coverage, then, has the same minimum rules as liability insurance in Missouri. Missouri law requires that both liability and uninsured motorist coverage will pay up to at least $25,000 per person for injuries.

You can and should use this uninsured motorist coverage when you're in an accident with a driver who does not have insurance. It is covered by your regular insurance payments, and the purpose of paying those monthly or biannual premiums to your insurance company is to have access to the sum of money necessary to receive medical treatment, pursue recovery, and repair or replace your damaged vehicle in the event of an accident like this. Your rate should not go up because you make a claim for an accident for which you are not responsible.

 You will need a car accident lawyer to get the most out of your situation. Insurance companies can--and often do--deny or delay claims, and a lawyer who has experience in car accidents and in dealing with insurance companies and policies can make sure you get the financial compensation you need to cover your injuries and property damage without being penalized.

In serious accidents, the amount of uninsured motorist coverage available to you will not come anywhere near the true value of your case, even if you have a higher limit to your uninsured motorist coverage. If this is the case, your lawyer can help you pursue additional compensation from other sources. You may be able to stack your insurance coverage or pursue the at-fault driver for additional compensation.
  

Get Help With Your St Louis Uninsured Motorist Accident
To get the best outcome from your accident with a driver without insurance, you need a lawyer who can navigate your case and has your best interests at heart. You can receive and deserve to receive compensation for the damages the uninsured driver has caused you. You should not have to pay for your injuries yourself. Contact Combs Law Group online or call us at (314) 900-HELP to begin your journey to physical and financial recovery today.

Question 2

What damages can I recover for a car accident?

Accepted Answer

When you or someone close to you has been in a car accident, it can be a life-changing experience. After you've been injured in an accident or suffered serious financial difficulties, you should not have to deal with the aftermath alone because of someone else's negligence or poor judgment behind the wheel. There are some monetary damages you are entitled to that can help ease the burden after an accident--you can get medical expenses covered as well as reimbursed for repairing or replacing your damaged vehicle. However, as a victim you are entitled to more damages than you may have thought possible.

Drivers at fault in an accident, or their insurance company, owes you damages for the full account of harm you suffered as a result of your accident. However, many insurance firms do everything in their power to avoid paying out what accident victims are truly owed, which is where the experienced car accident lawyers at Combs Law Group can help you and your case. Our firm will help you build a strong legal case and get you the money you deserve following an accident. Send us a message or give us a call at (314) 900-HELP for a free, no-strings-attached discussion of your case.


Car Accident Damages
After you or a loved one is hurt in a car accident, it is inevitable that you will have bills to pay. It is also possible that injuries you sustained in that crash prevent you from working at your current job, or otherwise keep you from enjoying life to its fullest. You can and should be paid for all of these damages. There are damages you are entitled to as the victim of the accident, and additional damages your family can potentially receive.

Damages A Victim Can Claim

Property damages: If your vehicle was damaged in the accident, you are entitled to receive the compensation required to fix or replace the car. You can also claim damages for other property such as possessions that were inside the vehicle or your own house/residential property that was affected by your accident.
Medical care: The at-fault party must cover all of the medical costs associated with your injuries from the accident. The severity of many car accident injuries means that more often than not, they require extensive and long-term medical car, therapy, and rehabilitation. You deserve to receive adequate medical care until you have reached maximum medical improvement. This means that you should have all treatment covered until you have recovered to the fullest extent doctors and medical professionals believe you can achieve.
Lost wages: When you have significant injuries, it becomes very challenging to work or function at the level you were previously able to do. You may struggle to perform your regular work duties or experience pain while doing them. Even if you fear that you will not be able to provide for yourself and your family, you should not be expected to work while injured. You need and deserve time to recover fully from all effects of your accident, and you are owed payment for the work you are unable to do as a direct result. For some, the injuries you sustained in the accident will have a lasting effect on your career. For instance, say you are a laborer by trade. If a car accident leaves you with a life-long back injury, you may not be able to lift heavy objects or stand for a sustained period of time without experiencing excruciating pain. If you cannot perform those duties and as such must find alternative employment, you deserve to be compensated for the difference in wages.
Pain and suffering: Being in a car accident alters your life and can exact a huge mental toll on a victim through no fault of their own. In a best-case scenario, it may just cause stress, frustration, and inconvenience, but in other cases, it can create lasting trauma that permanently changes your daily life and makes it difficult to properly function. Though it's no replacement for peace of mind, the money you deserve for pain and suffering is meant to help you deal with your experiences.
 
 
Damages A Victim's Family Can Claim

Wrongful death: When the life of a loved one is tragically cut short, a wrongful death claim is a way to get a little support during this unimaginably painful time. Wrongful death damages can cover medical costs and expenses associated with end-of-life care and a funeral. Additional money may be awarded for the pain and suffering your loved one experienced before they passed. The difference between pain and suffering in a wrongful death claim and a personal injury claim is that the claim originates from a living family member of the deceased victim, rather than a living victim filing a claim on their own behalf. According to Missouri statute, the wrongful death claim must be filed by the victim's spouse, parent, child, or grandchild. If there are no living family members of such relation, then a sibling of the deceased or the child of a sibling may file.
Loss of companionship, affection, or consortium: Being injured in a car accident affects not only the life, condition, and well-being of the victim, but also changes the lives of the victim's entire family. The spouse of the injured person is especially impacted and may be eligible for special damages, called consortium damages. If the injured victim receives damages for their injury and the injury prevents them from being able to express affection or engage in intimate relations with their spouse, the uninjured spouse also has a claim.

Contact A St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer

You deserve to receive every penny you are entitled to after being in a St. Louis car accident. A car accident can affect every facet of your life, and unfortunately many responsible parties--or their representatives--do not want to pay victims what they are owed. With Combs Law Group in your corner, you will have an attorney who is dedicated to fight on your behalf and get you the best results for your case. Talk to us today by calling (314) 900-HELP or filling out our online contact form.

Question 3

What should I do if I&#8217;m in a car accident?

Accepted Answer

It's safe to say that being in a car accident is an experience none of us ever want to have to go through. Car crashes can lead to injuries, extensive car repairs (if not completely totaling a car), and serious mental trauma for everyone involved. They could potentially force you to miss work, forego hobbies, and otherwise spend long amounts of time dealing with the aftermath of your accident.

However, as much as we'd like our roads to be safe, car accidents occur every day all around St. Louis. If you ever are in a car wreck, there are certain things you should do as soon as possible to ensure you do not run into any obstacles further down the road. Feel free to contact the experienced attorneys at Combs Law Group if you have any further questions after you get into a St. Louis car accident.


Call The Police &ndash; Regardless of the severity of the accident or if anyone is injured, the first number you should dial is always 911. Police will arrive at the scene, ask you and the other parties involved in the accident some questions, and potentially interview witnesses. They will then write up an official report. You should hold onto this report as it will be crucial to your case and the first thing you should present to your car accident lawyer.
Get All Information Possible &ndash; Getting data and evidence is crucial to establishing who was at fault in your car accident and maximizing the potential payout you could get from the other driver and the insurance companies. Take photos or videos of the scene of the accident, the other driver's personal details, and their insurance information. Consider using your phone's voice recorder app to take down everything you and others at the scene of the accident say. If there are witnesses, get their contact information and document anything they say. Always get a copy of the police report and document the license plates and VIN numbers of every car involved.
Call Both Insurance Companies &ndash; You are required to notify both your insurance company, and the insurance company of any other drivers involved, after you were in a car accident. When you call the other driver's company, they will ask you for the name, policy number, driver's license number, and potentially make and model of car they were driving. Many people worry that telling their own insurance company about an accident, even if it was not their fault, their rates will automatically increase. This is not the case: while your rates may change after you officially file a claim, simply telling your insurer that you've been in a car wreck does not affect your coverage. You may even be required to notify your insurance company that you have been in an accident--otherwise, they could potentially deny your accident claim. Plus, depending on your coverage, your insurance company can get right to work at getting you repairs or a rental car while yours is unavailable.
Watch What You Say &ndash; Never admit any sort of fault or liability to the other driver, not even an apology. When a police officer asks you for your account of the accident, answer them truthfully. We recommend writing down the course of events that led to your car accident so you can get your story straight. When you talk to the insurance companies (both yours and the other driver's), do not give extensive information about your accident, injuries, or other insurance claims. Remember: anything you say can be used against you, so it is important you do not harm your case before you even begin to consider going to court.
Go To A Doctor &ndash; Even with modern safety systems and cars being built stronger than ever before, car accidents often can leave those who were involved nursing some painful injuries. If you are hurt, do not hesitate to visit either the emergency room or an urgent care center. Injuries that may seem minor at first could potentially become a major issue for you down the line. If you suffer, for instance, a sprained wrist from the sudden impact of your crash, what may seem a nuisance may prevent you from working for several weeks if your job requires you to use a computer, as you could find it too painful to type. Make sure to get fully evaluated for your injuries, including X-rays, MRIs, or other necessary scans.
Call A Qualified Car Accident Lawyer &ndash; Calling a St. Louis personal injury lawyer with experience handling car accident cases, such as Combs Law Group, can help you avoid pitfalls during your claims process. They can communicate with insurance companies and the police, which takes any worry you will say the wrong thing out of your hands. Insurers do not like paying claims and will try any and all methods to avoid doing so. An experienced car accident attorney will submit all the necessary forms, make sure that all processes are being done quickly, and fiercly advocate on your behalf, so you can focus on recovering from your accident and not litigating it.

Most car accident lawyers in St. Louis offer free consultations and case reviews, and we urge you to talk to several because every lawyer has their own style, which may or may not be the one you'd prefer. Combs Law Group is proud to offer free conversations about your case, and we invite you to call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a chat today.

DUI/DWI

Violent Crimes

Drug Charges

Probation Violations

Federal Crimes

Traffic Tickets

Felonies

Sex Crimes

Car Accidents

Truck Accidents

Motorcycle Accidents

Wrongful Death

Product Liability

Dog Bites

Pedestrian Accidents

Premises Liability

Chris Combs

Our Team

Our Victories

Client Testimonials

Attorney Referrals

Driving Under The Influence of Drugs Accident Lawyer St. Louis, MO

Damages You Can Receive After A DUI With Drugs Accident

A Personal Injury Lawyer in St. Louis, MO Can Help Your Case

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Car Accidents Practice Areas

Free Case Review

Contact Us

Available 24/7