You’ve just been hit by another driver. You’re shaken, possibly hurt, and trying to process what happened — and then you find out the other driver has no insurance. It’s a frustrating situation, and it’s more common in Missouri than most people realize. According to the Insurance Research Council, Missouri consistently ranks among the states with the highest percentage of uninsured drivers on the road.
The good news is that you likely have more options than you think. Being hit by an uninsured driver doesn’t mean you’re out of luck — it means you need to know exactly what steps to take and what resources are available to you. Here’s a clear, practical breakdown of what to do next.
What to Do at the Scene
The steps you take immediately after the accident matter — both for your safety and for the strength of any future claim. Even if the other driver admits they don’t have insurance, stay calm and do the following:
- Call 911. Always get law enforcement to the scene. A police report is essential documentation for your claim, and in Missouri, officers are required to file a report for accidents involving injury or significant property damage.
- Exchange information anyway. Get the other driver’s name, address, phone number, license plate number, and driver’s license number — even if they don’t have insurance. You may need this information later if you pursue them directly.
- Document everything. Take photos of both vehicles, the surrounding scene, road conditions, any visible injuries, and anything else relevant. If there are witnesses, get their names and contact information before they leave.
- Seek medical attention. Even if you feel okay at the scene, get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. Some injuries — like whiplash or internal trauma — don’t present symptoms immediately. Delaying treatment can also hurt your claim.
- Don’t minimize your injuries. Avoid saying “I’m fine” at the scene. You don’t yet know the full extent of what happened to your body.
Understanding Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage
If you have uninsured motorist coverage on your own auto insurance policy, this is likely your most direct path to compensation. Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is designed specifically for situations like this — it steps into the shoes of the at-fault driver’s insurance and covers your damages when the other driver has none.
In Missouri, UM coverage is optional — insurers are required to offer it, but drivers can decline it in writing. If you’re not sure whether you have it, check your declarations page or call your insurance agent directly. If you do have it, it can cover medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering up to your policy limits.
Missouri’s minimum liability insurance requirements are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. If you purchased UM coverage, your limits likely mirror those minimums — though many drivers carry higher limits, which provides significantly more protection in serious accident situations.
Filing Your Uninsured Motorist Claim
Filing a UM claim means filing with your own insurance company — not the other driver’s, since they don’t have one. Here’s how to approach the process:
- Notify your insurer promptly. Contact your insurance company as soon as possible after the accident. Most policies require timely notification, and waiting too long can give them grounds to complicate or deny your claim.
- Gather your documentation. Pull together the police report, photos from the scene, your medical records and bills, any documentation of missed work, and the other driver’s information. The stronger your documentation, the harder it is for your insurer to lowball you.
- Be careful with recorded statements. Your own insurance company may ask for a recorded statement. You’re generally required to cooperate, but it’s worth speaking with an attorney first — even insurers handling UM claims can use your words to minimize what they pay out.
- Don’t accept the first offer. Insurance companies — including your own — often make an initial settlement offer that doesn’t reflect the full value of your claim. Before you accept anything, make sure you understand the complete scope of your medical treatment and how your injuries may affect you going forward.
Other Sources of Compensation to Know About
UM coverage is the most common path, but it’s not the only option available to you. Depending on your situation, you may also have access to:
MedPay (Medical Payments Coverage): If you have MedPay on your policy, it can help cover medical expenses regardless of fault — often without the back-and-forth of a liability claim. It’s a relatively affordable add-on that can make a real difference when bills start arriving.
Collision Coverage: If you carry collision coverage, it can pay for the damage to your vehicle regardless of whether the other driver is insured. You’ll likely need to pay your deductible, but your insurer may pursue the other driver directly to recover those costs.
Health Insurance: Your personal health insurance can cover accident-related medical treatment while your UM claim is being processed. Keep in mind that your health insurer may have a right to be reimbursed from any settlement you receive — a concept known as subrogation. An attorney can help you navigate this.
Suing the Uninsured Driver Directly: You do have the legal right to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver personally. The honest reality, though, is that drivers who don’t carry insurance often don’t have significant assets to collect from. It’s worth discussing with an attorney whether this makes sense in your specific situation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The period immediately after an uninsured motorist accident is critical. Here are the mistakes that can quietly undermine your claim:
- Delaying medical treatment. Gaps in treatment give insurers a reason to argue that your injuries weren’t that serious — or weren’t caused by the accident at all.
- Giving a recorded statement without legal advice. Even a casual, well-intentioned comment can be taken out of context during the claims process.
- Accepting an early settlement offer. Once you sign a release, that’s typically the end of your claim — even if your injuries turn out to be more serious than initially thought. Don’t settle until you have a clear picture of your recovery.
- Posting about the accident on social media. Photos, comments, and check-ins can all be used to challenge the severity of your injuries. Keep the accident off your social media accounts entirely.
When to Call a Lawyer
You don’t need an attorney for every fender bender — but there are situations where having one makes a significant difference. Consider calling a personal injury lawyer if:
- Your injuries are serious or require ongoing treatment
- Your UM claim has been denied or significantly undervalued
- Your damages exceed your UM policy limits
- There are questions about fault or the circumstances of the accident
- The process feels overwhelming and you’re not sure what your rights are
It’s also worth noting that Missouri’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is five years under RSMo § 516.120. That gives you time to focus on your recovery before making legal decisions — but don’t let that window close without at least having a conversation with an attorney about your options.
Hit by an Uninsured Driver in St. Louis? Let’s Talk.
Dealing with an uninsured motorist claim on your own — while you’re recovering from an injury — is a lot to handle. At Jackson Law Firm, P.C., I work directly with every client to make sure they understand their options and that their claim gets the attention it deserves. You won’t be passed off to a paralegal or an associate. You’ll work with me, start to finish.
Your consultation is free, and there’s no fee unless I win your case.
Call (314) 816-7585 or reach out at brandon@jacksonfirmpc.com to schedule your free consultation. Jackson Law Firm, P.C. is located at 8200 Olive Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63132.
