Last Updated on April 24, 2026
Got hit by a driver who has no insurance, or not enough? Realizing the person who caused the crash isn’t able to pay for your damages, like medical bills and wage loss, feels like hitting a dead end. But you’re not out of luck. Missouri law gives you options, and our St. Louis uninsured motorist accident lawyers can help you use them.
Bradley Law has handled UM and UIM claims throughout St. Louis for years. Our car accident lawyers know how hard insurers fight these cases, and we know how to fight back.
Contact us online or call (314) 461-1910 for a free consultation. We’re here for you 24/7, and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation.
Bradley Law’s Results in Uninsured and Underinsured Cases
Founding attorney E. Ryan Bradley started his legal career on the other side of the table, representing insurance companies. This means he knows the tactics insurers use to minimize UM and UIM payouts. Since switching to plaintiff work, he has recovered over $100 million for injured Missouri clients, including record-breaking verdicts and settlements. Missouri Lawyers’ Weekly has recognized him for having the most reported winning cases in Missouri.
When you’re in a UM or UIM dispute, you want someone who knows how insurers think and isn’t afraid to take them to arbitration or trial.
Some of Our Uninsured Motorist Case Results
- $1,000,000 for a client with neck and back injuries from a rear-end motor vehicle collision
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$200,000 Appellate case: family injured in a crash – insurance company refused to pay uninsured motorist benefits properly.
The insurer fought on multiple fronts:
- Claimed the driver was not truly “uninsured”
- Tried to prevent stacking multiple policies
- Attempted to reduce what they owed through offsets
We took the case through multiple appeals—and ultimately won.
The Missouri Court of Appeals held:
- The at-fault driver was legally uninsured
- Our clients were entitled to stack multiple policies
- The insurance company could not reduce the payout through ambiguous policy language
The result: $200,000 in uninsured motorist benefits recovered
Despite damages exceeding $10 million, the insurer still tried to limit its exposure—but we forced them to pay what the law required - $100,000 for a client involved with a hit-and-run vehicle
- $100,000 for a motorcycle rider who sustained a herniated disc from a crash
How Common Is Uninsured Driving in Missouri?
Uninsured driving is more common than you think. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), 15.4% of drivers nationally were uninsured in 2023.
That’s one in seven drivers. And when you add underinsured drivers, one in three drivers carries insufficient insurance coverage or no insurance at all.
Missouri law requires every driver to carry liability insurance, and policies must include uninsured motorist coverage. Minimum liability insurance amounts, set by the Missouri Department of Revenue, are:
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury
- $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $25,000 property damage per accident
The problem is that plenty of drivers ignore the law, and plenty more carry only the bare minimum, which runs out fast when significant injuries are involved.
What to Do Immediately After an Uninsured Accident
The steps you take in the first hour after an uninsured driver hits you can make or break your claim. Here’s what to do:
- Call 911: You need a police report that documents the crash and the other driver’s lack of insurance. Don’t let the other driver talk you out of it.
- Photograph everything: Take pictures of vehicle damage (all cars), license plates, skid marks, and the surrounding scene.
- Get witness details: Witness statements can prove who was at fault. Before they leave the scene, ensure you have their names and contact information.
- Seek medical attention the same day: Go to Barnes-Jewish Hospital or SLU Hospital if your injuries are serious. Don’t wait to see how you feel, as a late doctor’s visit could be used against you by an insurance company.
- Keep every record and receipt: Retain all your medical records and notes, discharge summaries, prescriptions, and receipts for out-of-pocket expenses. You’ll need those records to prove your claim and your damages.
What Is Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage in Missouri?
Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage is the part of your own auto insurance policy that steps in when the at-fault driver has no insurance. Missouri is one of the states that requires insurers to include UM coverage in every policy sold. You can’t opt out of it like you can with some other coverages.
When you’ve had an accident and file a UM claim, you’re filing against your own insurer, not the at-fault driver. That means your insurer, despite collecting your premiums for years, is now on the opposite side of the table. Their job in a UM claim is to pay out as little as possible, and you might have to fight them to get what you deserve.
Filing a UM Claim With Your Own Insurance
Here’s what to do when filing a UM claim with your own insurer:
- Notify your insurer as soon as possible after the crash. Many policies have strict notice deadlines, sometimes as short as 30 days.
- Provide the police report, your medical records, and documentation of your losses, including lost wages and out-of-pocket expenses.
- Cooperate with your insurer’s investigation, but don’t give a recorded statement without speaking to an attorney first.
- Review any settlement offer carefully before accepting. The first offer is almost always an attempt by the insurance company to get away as cheaply as possible.
Once you have informed your insurance company of the crash, they’ll investigate the claim, assess your damages, and make an offer. If you’re significantly injured and have high damages, get legal advice from an experienced St. Louis uninsured motorist accident lawyer who knows what these claims are worth and how to negotiate for maximum compensation.
Suing the At-Fault Uninsured Driver Directly
You can sue an uninsured driver personally, but it may not be worth going down that path. Most people who drive without insurance don’t have significant assets to collect from, even if you win.
That doesn’t mean it’s never worth pursuing. In some cases, a driver may have assets, property, or income that makes a lawsuit worthwhile. Our uninsured driver attorneys in St. Louis can tell you honestly whether pursuing the driver directly is worth it.
Does Your UM Insurance Cover Hit-and-Run Accidents?
Yes. Under Missouri law, a driver who flees the scene is treated as an uninsured motorist for purposes of your UM claim. Your own policy can cover you even when the at-fault driver in a hit-and-run was never identified.
Missouri’s “No Pay, No Play” Law: What If You Didn’t Have Insurance?
Missouri has a “No Pay, No Play” statute (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 303.390) that prevents uninsured drivers from collecting pain and suffering damages from the driver who hit them. If your own insurance had lapsed, you may be limited to receiving economic damages, such as medical bills and lost wages.
There are three important exceptions when you could still recover pain and suffering damages:
- The at-fault driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- The at-fault driver was convicted of involuntary manslaughter or second-degree assault arising from the crash
- Your own insurance lapsed within the six months before the accident due to non-payment.
Don’t assume you have no options. Call us before you give up on your claim.
Are Pedestrians and Cyclists Covered by UM Insurance?
Yes, and most people don’t know that they’re covered. You don’t have to be in a vehicle to access uninsured motorist coverage under a Missouri policy. For example, if you were walking across a street in St. Louis and a driver struck you, or if you were on a bicycle and a car came through a red light and hit you, your own auto insurance UM coverage can apply.
And if you don’t own a car, you may be covered under a family member’s policy in your household.
How to Prove a Hit-and-Run Claim in St. Louis
To prove a hit-and-run claim, you’ll need “independent corroborating evidence” that a hit-and-run driver caused your crash, and your word alone won’t satisfy that standard. While many believe that a physical collision is required to file a claim, Missouri courts have ruled that you can still make a UM claim even if the other vehicle never actually made contact with yours.
But without corroborating evidence that there was another vehicle, your insurer can deny the claim. Here are some examples of what can count as competent evidence:
- Witnesses statements
- Dashcam footage
- Private security cameras
- Paint transfer on your vehicle
- A 911 recording
- Medical records consistent with a collision
But you’ll have to move quickly to gather this evidence, as it typically has a short shelf life.
Underinsured Motorist Accident Lawyer in St. Louis
Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage works differently from UM. The at-fault driver has insurance, but their policy isn’t enough to cover your damages. Once you’ve exhausted their policy, your own UIM coverage steps in to cover the gap.
When the At-Fault Driver’s $25,000 Limit Isn’t Enough
Missouri only requires drivers to carry $25,000 in liability coverage per person. That sounds like a meaningful amount until you see what a serious car accident costs in St. Louis.
An ambulance ride to Barnes-Jewish Hospital or SLU Hospital, plus the initial trauma room evaluation, can run $10,000 before a physician has even reviewed a single test result. A CT or MRI can run several thousand dollars. And if you spent any time in the ICU, you’re looking at thousands of dollars per day on top of that.
A driver who carries only $25,000 in coverage basically hits their limit when you arrive at the emergency room. Everything after that comes out of your own pocket, unless you have UIM coverage to bridge the gap.
Stacking UM/UIM Coverage in Missouri
Missouri allows policyholders to stack UM and UIM coverage across multiple policies or multiple vehicles. That means if you have two vehicles on your policy, each insured for $25,000, you may have $50,000 in available coverage.
Insurers sometimes write policies with anti-stacking language, but Missouri courts have struck down such provisions when they conflict with public policy. We review every policy to find every dollar of coverage available to you.
Third-Party Liability: Your Other Sources of Recovery
Some underinsured drivers simply don’t have the assets to pay, even if you win a judgment against them. That’s when a St. Louis insurance lawyer looks to find other liable parties. Here’s who may be responsible:
- Employers: If the at-fault driver is operating a vehicle as part of their job duties at the time of the crash, an employer could be held liable. This is based on the legal principle of “vicarious liability,” which holds employers responsible for the actions of their employees while they’re on work time.
- Vehicle Manufacturers: If a vehicle defect, such as faulty brakes or steering, contributed to the accident, a vehicle maker or part manufacturer could be responsible for your damages.
- Government Entities: Local government bodies responsible for designing or maintaining roads could be liable for creating unsafe driving conditions. This could include a lack of signage, overgrown vegetation, potholes, and other defects.
- Businesses: Bars and restaurants that serve alcohol to a visibly intoxicated patron could be held liable if the drunk driver caused your accident. This is known as “dram shop” liability.
- Construction Companies: Construction companies may be liable for accidents if they fail to erect proper signage or barricade a construction zone, leading to a crash.
- Vehicle Owners: If the vehicle owner entrusts their vehicle to an incompetent or unlicensed driver who causes an accident, the owner could be responsible for your damages.
Third-party liability lawsuits can be challenging. Proving liability may require compelling evidence and statements from technical experts. Working with an experienced uninsured motorist attorney can give you the best chance of receiving fair compensation in a third-party lawsuit.
Compensation You Can Recover
When you’re hurt in an accident caused by another, you could qualify for damages. While every accident is different and compensation varies, here are some examples of what you could receive:
- Medical Expenses: Medical expenses can include emergency care, surgeries, ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, and future healthcare costs related to the accident.
- Lost Wages: If you cannot work due to your injuries, you could receive payments for lost income and loss of future earning capacity.
- Pain and Suffering: You may be entitled to compensation for any physical pain and emotional distress due to the accident.
- Reduced Life Quality: If severely injured, you could qualify for damages for your loss of life quality. This can include emotional distress and the inability to participate in hobbies or activities you previously enjoyed.
- Property Damage: Property damage covers repairing or replacing your vehicle and any other property damaged or destroyed in the accident.
Speak With An Attorney About Your Case
Why Insurance Companies Fight UM/UIM Claims
Your own insurer is not on your side in a UM or UIM claim. They took your premiums and know they have a responsibility to you, but they are also a business that wants to protect their bottom line. And now they have a financial incentive to minimize what they pay out.
The Recorded Statement Trap
One of the first things your insurer will ask for is a recorded statement. They’ll frame it as routine and necessary to get your claim paid. But that’s not true. Missouri law doesn’t require you to give recorded statements to an insurer.
And while your policy may include a cooperation clause, that doesn’t mean you should go into a recorded interview without legal advice.
Recorded statements are often a tactic to get you to say something that can be used to reduce your claim. Adjusters are trained to ask the kind of questions that produce answers they can use against you later. Consult an attorney before you give any recorded statement.
How Bradley Law Handles Your UM/UIM Claim
The first thing we do is pull your full policy and find every dollar of coverage, including UM, UIM, stacking rights, and any household policies that might apply. Most people don’t realize how much coverage they have until someone looks at their insurance policies properly. We also check the at-fault driver’s policy limits, gather evidence, and start building your damages file.
Once Bradley Law takes your case, we’ll handle all communication with your insurer so you don’t have to deal with adjusters while you’re trying to recover. And if your insurer makes a lowball offer, we take them to arbitration or litigation.
UM and UIM disputes in Missouri are often resolved through arbitration if the insurance policy contains an arbitration clause. Preparing a case for arbitration requires the same work as preparing for trial. We won’t settle for less than you deserve, and you pay nothing unless we win.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will filing a UM claim raise my insurance rates?
It depends on your policy and your insurer. Missouri law prohibits insurers from surcharging a policy when the insured was not at fault for the accident. A UM claim arising from a crash caused by another driver should not result in a premium increase in most cases, but insurers may still raise premiums for other reasons, such as overall risk rating.
How long do I have to file a UM/UIM claim in Missouri?
Missouri’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120) is five years from the date of the accident. But if the accident resulted in a wrongful death, you only have three years to file a lawsuit.
That said, your insurance policy may contain its own shorter deadlines for notifying the insurer of a potential UM/UIM claim. Some policy notice requirements are as short as 30 days after the accident, and missing them can affect your rights.
Can I still recover if the hit-and-run driver is never found?
Yes, if you have UM coverage and can provide competent evidence that another vehicle caused the collision. Witness statements, dashcam footage, and the police report are crucial evidence in that situation. The sooner you act to preserve them, the stronger your claim.
Speak With Our St. Louis Uninsured Motorist Lawyers
You did everything right, bought vehicle insurance, and followed the law. But the driver who hit you didn’t, and now you’re wondering how you’re going to get your bills and damages paid.
You shouldn’t have to pay for another’s mistake, and we’re here to make sure this doesn’t happen. Bradley Law represents St. Louis accident victims in UM and UIM claims, from initial policy review through arbitration and litigation if needed.
We’re available 24/7. Don’t wait until the statute of limitations runs out and speak with an uninsured motorist attorney in St. Louis today. Contact us here or call (314) 451-5991 for a free consultation.
