What Should I Do If I’m in a Kansas City Car Accident with an Uninsured Driver?

Posted on

It is bad enough when a Kansas City car accident is caused by another driver’s negligence, but to find out that the driver did not have insurance can be distressing for the injured party. For the injured person who’s potentially lost a car and incurred exorbitant medical bills, the question of who will pay for it all can be the cause of much worry. Unfortunately, unless you have a dedicated attorney who knows how to handle insurance companies on the site, the answer is that the injured person or insurance company will have to cover the costs. But, the other driver may suffer the consequence for being uninsured.

The Law on Car Insurance in Kansas City, Missouri

In Missouri, state law mandates that motorists must have insurance. In our state, all vehicle owners must carry some kind of motor vehicle liability coverage. The minimum amount of cover required per accident is:

  • $50,000 for bodily injury
  • $10,000 for property

Motorists must also have a minimum coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injuries incurred in a car crash. Furthermore, drivers must have uninsured motorist coverage of $50,000 per accident and $25,000 per person respectively for bodily injury.

Kansas City Car Accident Lawyer
Not sure if you should hire a lawyer for your Kansas city car accident? Reach out to Krause & Kinsman Law Firm today!

Residents in the state are also obligated to carry proof of their insurance in their cars at all times and must present it to law enforcement officials if they are asked to show proof of insurance. If a driver fails to do so, the driver will be issued with a ticket and assessed four points on the license. The driver may further be monitored to make sure that the driver either has or takes out car liability insurance otherwise the license may be suspended for lack of insurance coverage.

In Kansas City, drivers are further required to have coverage for personal injury protection or no-fault insurance. Such policies include cover for the loss of income, disability, in-home healthcare services, medical costs, funeral and burial costs, survivor benefits, and rehabilitation expenses.

The penalties in our city for an uninsured driver are more severe than in Missouri. A first-time offender may be fined in the region of $300 to $1,000 and incur a six months jail sentence. The driver could also have the vehicle registration revoked and the license suspended.

What if the Kansas City Car Accident Was Partially the Fault of the Plaintiff?

While the plaintiff’s legal representatives will fight to show that they are not to blame for the Kansas City car accident, there may be instances where it can be shown that the plaintiff did contribute to the crash in some way. This does not mean that they will be considered liable for the accident or that the plaintiff does not deserve financial compensation for their injuries. Liability, or fault, works by demonstrating who was more at fault and then deciding compensation. For instance, if the plaintiff’s Kansas City car accident lawyer can demonstrate that the collision that caused the injury was just 10% the plaintiff’s fault, the other driver will have to pay 90% of the total cost of lost wages, emotional damages, medical bills, pain and suffering, and other expenses.

What Should I Do If I Am Involved in a Kansas City Car Accident with an Uninsured Driver?

It is thought that in the region of 10 percent of drivers in the city do not have insurance. If a person is hurt in a car crash that is caused by an uninsured driver, the injured party will likely have to rely on uninsured motorist coverage to cover the bills.

In some instances, it could be worth pursuing a legal case against the other driver in an effort to recover damages. A court can order the at-fault driver to make regular payments to the injured party or, the court could issue a lien against the responsible driver’s assets until the injured plaintiff is compensated. A dedicated Kansas City car accident attorney can help the plaintiff determine if it is worth taking legal action against the other driver.

In our state, all uninsured motorists should be reported to the police and the Driver License Bureau so that the driver can be charged and punished under the state’s law.

Should the Plaintiff Still Seek Medical Assistance After the Crash?

Regardless of the other driver’s lack of insurance, the injured party should always seek medical attention from a doctor following a Kansas City car accident. Many people that are hurt in a collision do not recognize their symptoms until sometime later due to the excitement and shock of the incident. What is worse, the injured person could be suffering from internal injuries. Visiting a doctor and getting a complete checkup can help to identify any issues that could have resulted from the accident. It further allows the attorneys to bring a solid case against the at-fault driver should the plaintiff wish to seek financial compensation.

Contact a Kansas City Car Accident Attorney Today

There is a myth that both drivers involved in a crash can settle the dispute themselves. However, negotiating a settlement with another driver may be a risky proposition, particularly when it involves major car damage. When one driver admits fault or apologizes, the other driver’s insurance provider can deny the claim. If the accident is bigger than a fender bender, it is advisable to seek legal representation. It is never up to the law enforcement officials to determine fault in a collision. Rather, liability is determined by attorneys, courts, and insurance companies, so it is vital that victims of a collision document every detail of the crash. Contrary to what many believe, insurance providers do not always look after accident victims. Injured parties need representation to navigate tricky adjusters who may attempt to deny insurance claims.

The attorneys at Krause & Kinsman handle cases involving uninsured motorists. Our firm will work with injured parties and their insurance providers, and, if it is worth it, pursue the at-fault driver for damages caused by the accident. Contact us today for a consultation.

Our Reputation

The Krause & Kinsman Law Firm is made up of some of the nation’s foremost legal minds in the mass-tort field. That’s why our clients & co-counsel partners choose us.

Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee, and Co-Chair of the Law & Briefing Committee in MDL 2846:

In Re: Davol, Inc./C.R. Bard, Inc., Polypropylene Hernia Mesh Products Liability Litigation

Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in MDL 2974:

In Re: Paragard IUD Products Liability Litigation

Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in MDL 2924:

In Re: Zantac (Ranitidine) Products Liability Litigation

Along with the aforementioned MDLs,

Plaintiff’s Counsel has prosecuted thousands of cases across other Multi-District Litigations and Mass-Torts, including:

MDL No. 3043:

Acetaminophen ASD/ADHD Product Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2753:

Atrium Medical Corp. C-Qur Mesh Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2782:

Ethicon Physiomesh Flexible Composite Hernia Mesh Products Liability Litigation

MCL No. 627:

In Re: Physiomesh Litigation, MCL

MCL No. 633:

In Re: Prolene Hernia System Mesh Litigation

MDL No. 2750:

Cook Medical, Inc., IVC Filters Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2641:

Bard IVC Filters Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2326:

In Re: Boston Scientific Corp. Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2606:

Benicar (Olmesartan) Product Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2666:

In Re: Forced Air Warming Devices Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2591:

Syngenta AG MIR162 Corn Litigation

MDL No. 2936:

In Re: Smity’s/CAM2303 Tractor Hydraulic Fluid Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation

MCL No. 630:

In Re: Proceed Mesh Litigation

MDL No. 2543:

In Re: General Motors LLC Ignition Switch Litigation

MDL No. 2004:

In Re: Mentor Corp. ObTape Transobturator Sling Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2187:

In Re: C. R. Bard, Inc. Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2325:

In Re: American Medical Systems, Inc., Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2327:

In Re: Ethicon, Inc., Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2387:

In Re: Coloplast Corp. Pelvic Support Systems Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 251:

In Re: Neomedic Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation

Highly Awarded Trial Attorneys

The Krause & Kinsman Law Firm is one of the nation’s leading mass-tort & personal-injury law firms. The founding partners, Adam & Robert, have been selected to serve on steering committees for some of the largest pharmaceutical mass-tort cases.

Working With Us

Partnering with Krause & Kinsman is easy. When you partner with Krause & Kinsman, you can be sure that our mutual clients’ complex matters are handled with the utmost care and dedication. In addition to our top-notch representation, we will ensure our mutual clients receive frequent communication about the status of their cases.

Partner With Us

Why Us?

Recognized leaders in mass-torts with vast experience in complex litigation.

Your clients will appreciate the high-quality representation provided.

Your clients will consistently real-time updates on the status of their case via video, email, text, and phone.

Get real-time updates on the status of our mutual clients while their cases progress.

Collaborate on the case together and receive co-counsel fees.