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Missouri car insurance claim laws can be complex, particularly when dealing with the aftermath of a car accident in a densely populated city like St. Louis. Because Missouri follows a fault-based insurance system, the driver found to be at fault is legally responsible for covering the damages, both to property and for personal injuries. This means filing a claim often involves negotiating with the at-fault party’s insurance provider, and in some cases, pursuing legal action. Understanding your legal rights, claim-filing deadlines, and what evidence is needed under Missouri law is essential to protect your financial recovery and ensure fair treatment.
You should seek medical attention, document the scene, and notify law enforcement and your insurer as soon as possible.
Missouri law places specific expectations on drivers post-collision. Under Section 537.058 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, a claimant must make a “time-limited demand” when seeking settlement from an insurance company. This includes a list of:
Additional immediate steps include:
Quick action is vital—Missouri’s statute of limitations generally gives accident victims five years to file a personal injury claim, but insurance claims and legal negotiations start far earlier.
All drivers in Missouri must, by law, carry liability insurance coverage with a minimum of:
Liability coverage will pay for another party’s medical bills, property damage, and other costs up to policy limits when you are at fault. Drivers must also carry uninsured motorist coverage (UM) with a minimum of:
UM coverage protects drivers and their passengers if they are ever in an accident caused by an uninsured driver, but it will not pay for vehicle damage. If your total damages exceed your liability or UM policy limits, the only option to recover the difference is to sue the at-fault driver personally.
While liability and UM are the only types of auto insurance required by law, there are many other kinds of optional coverage, including medical payments, comprehensive coverage, collision coverage, and roadside assistance.
Yes, Missouri allows you to file a claim through the Driver License Bureau or your own uninsured motorist coverage.
If the at-fault driver lacks valid insurance, you may still have recourse. According to the Missouri Department of Revenue, you must report the accident to the Driver License Bureau if:
You’ll need to file a Motor Vehicle Accident Report (Form 1140). Missouri’s Section 303.040, RSMo, empowers the state to suspend the driving privileges of uninsured drivers who cause qualifying accidents.
Additionally, your own auto insurance policy may include Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage, which Missouri requires all insurers to offer. This coverage can compensate for:
In serious cases, pursuing compensation through civil litigation may be necessary if coverage is insufficient.
In Missouri, driving without car insurance can lead to severe consequences, even if you have insurance but fail to provide proof. For example:
Additionally, drivers who cause an accident without insurance may be personally liable for the damages.
A person involved in a car accident in Missouri has the right to recover compensation in one of the three following ways:
In contrast, some states operate under a “no-fault” car insurance system, and victims must file a claim with their own insurer regardless of fault.
Liability is established through a combination of evidence, witness testimony, and expert review.
Missouri follows the doctrine of pure comparative negligence, meaning you can still recover damages even if you’re partially at fault—though your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Key methods to prove liability include:
Insurance adjusters will assess all available information, but their conclusions aren’t always in your favor. That’s why gathering your own documentation is essential.
Important: Missouri does not require drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP), so proving fault is even more vital when seeking reimbursement for medical costs.
After a car accident, the Missouri Department of Insurance states you should report the accident immediately to your insurance company. If you were not responsible, you should notify the at-fault party’s insurer. However, under the state’s statute of limitations, you have five years from the date of the collision to file suit or settle a claim. When an accident results in a fatality, the victim’s family has three years to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault driver. If you fail to pursue a claim within the allotted time, you will lose your right to recover any compensation. Contact a St. Louis car accident attorney today.
Hiring a local St. Louis car accident attorney significantly increases your chances of recovering full compensation.
Goldblatt + Singer has served accident victims in St. Louis for decades, offering aggressive representation in car accident claims involving:
By working with a knowledgeable car accident lawyer, you gain:
If you’re one of the many injured in a Missouri auto accident, you deserve an advocate who knows how to navigate the system. Call us now at (314) 231-4100 for a free case consultation.