Uninsured Motorist Accident Attorneys in KS, MO, OK & CO

uninsured motorist accident

Being involved in a collision is bad enough. It can be devastating to discover that the at-fault driver doesn’t have auto insurance. Although the at-fault party might not have a policy to compensate you for your injuries, you may be able to rely on your own auto insurance to cover your expenses and losses. At Mann Wyatt Tanksley Injury Attorneys, our uninsured motorist lawyers work diligently to protect accident victims like you is situations like these.

Our attorneys have more than 50 years of combined legal experience. In that time, we’ve compiled a proven track record of success helping our clients obtain the full financial recovery they need after serious auto accidents. Contact us now for a free case evaluation. With our firm, you owe no fees unless we secure compensation on your behalf.

What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

Uninsured motorist coverage refers to coverage under your own insurance policy that compensates you for your damages and losses arising from an auto accident with an uninsured driver. Effectively, your insurance company steps in for the insurance that the at-fault driver should have been carrying.

You could also make a claim under the uninsured motorist coverage of your policy if you’re involved in an accident caused by a hit-and-run driver. Unidentified hit-and-run drivers are presumed to be uninsured motorists.

What Is Underinsured Motorist Coverage?

Underinsured motorist coverage may be a part of your uninsured motorist coverage that kicks in when an at-fault driver has insufficient insurance coverage to fully compensate damages and expenses arising from your accident. To successfully file a claim for underinsured motorist coverage, you must be paid the entire liability coverage limit from the at-fault driver’s policy. Another option is to have your claim denied by the at-fault driver’s insurance due to an exhaustion of coverage (which can happen when multiple people are injured in the accident). Underinsured motorist coverage pays for those expenses not compensated by the at-fault driver.

Understanding Insurance Policy Requirements

Most states require drivers to carry a minimum amount of insurance coverage. Failure to have valid coverage when you’re behind the wheel can subject a driver to a traffic violation, or depending on the circumstances, even a criminal violation.

Each state sets its own minimum insurance requirements that licensed drivers must purchase. The minimums for Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Colorado are as follows:

Kansas

  • $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage
  • $25,000 per accident in property damage liability coverage
  • Personal injury protection/no-fault coverage including $4,500 per person in medical expenses, $900/year of disability/lost income, $25/day for home services, $2,000 in funeral and burial expenses, and $4,500 in rehabilitation/therapy expenses
  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage of $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident

Missouri

  • $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage
  • $10,000 per accident of property damage liability coverage
  • $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident of uninsured motorist coverage

Oklahoma

  • $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident of bodily injury liability coverage
  • $25,000 of property damage liability coverage

Colorado

  • $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident of bodily injury liability coverage
  • $15,000 of property damage liability coverage

Bodily injury liability coverage pays out if you cause an accident that injures another person. Property damage liability coverage compensates the owner of property damaged in an accident that you caused. Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage provides compensation to you and the other occupants of your vehicle, regardless of who caused the accident.

What to Do If You Are Hit by an Uninsured Driver

If you were in a collision with an uninsured driver, follow these tips to help protect your legal rights to compensation for your injuries:

  • Do not accept any offers of cash from the driver. Doing so may later be construed as a settlement of any legal claims you have against the other driver. This can impact your options for seeking further compensation.
  • Call 911. Don’t let the other driver convince you not to call 911 if you’ve been injured. The other driver is likely trying to avoid legal trouble because he or she doesn’t have auto insurance.
  • Take notes. Note the make, model, color, and registration number of the other driver’s vehicle, in case the driver decides to leave the scene. Try to get the driver’s name and contact information as well.
  • Take photographs. If possible, take photographs or video of the accident scene, including damages to the vehicles involved, the traffic controls at the scene, weather/lighting/road/traffic conditions, and any visible injuries you may have suffered.
  • See a doctor. Get examined by your primary care doctor or at your local emergency room or urgent care clinic as soon as possible. Promptly diagnosing your injuries will ensure you receive timely treatment and that your injuries are thoroughly documented.
  • Talk to an uninsured accident lawyer. A lawyer from our firm can review the details of your case, as well as your own insurance coverage, in a free consultation.

How an Uninsured Accident Attorney Can Help

When you’ve been injured by an uninsured driver, you may not know where to turn, especially if you don’t have much experience dealing with insurance companies. Unfortunately, seeking compensation through your own uninsured motorist coverage is not an easy process. That’s why you need an attorney who is skilled in dealing with these types of cases.

The seasoned legal team at Mann Wyatt Tanksley Injury Attorneys can help you pursue all available options for obtaining compensation for your injuries. Our team can take the pressure off you by:

  • Conducting our own independent investigation of your accident to recover the evidence we need to establish the other driver’s fault for the crash
  • Filing claims with your insurance company under your policy’s uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and communicating with the insurance company’s adjusters and representatives so that you don’t have to
  • Aggressively pursuing maximum compensation for your damages
  • Taking your claim to court, if a fair settlement if not offered

Schedule a free consultation with an uninsured accident attorney from Mann Wyatt Tanksley Injury Attorneys today. We are here to help.