When people drive in Kansas City, Missouri, car accidents are often a part of life. The roads are congested and most people drive fast. But once people get into a car accident they really have no idea who pays for the car damage and repairs. In general, it all depends on which driver caused the accident and more importantly what type and how much insurance the drivers have or do not have.
What if the accident is caused by the other insured driver?
If the car accident is caused by the other driver who is insured, then his insurance company is responsible for paying for all the repairs to your car. However before the repair is even done, someone from the other car insurance company will assess your car and then give you several options. You can either get the repair done at the mechanic of your choice or they will recommend you a garage with which they have a contract. Before you get your car repaired at an independent garage always get an estimate of the repair and speak to the adjuster to make sure that the cost is reasonable. If you decide to go to an expensive car shop, the other insurer may not pay the entire amount. In some cases, the other company will ask you to get a couple of quotes to make sure that the costs are reasonable.
What if the other driver has no insurance?
Shockingly there are many uninsured drivers on the roads in Kansas City. There are also drivers who are underinsured. If the other party has no car insurance, you can get your car insurer to cover for the damage if you have collision coverage. In such a scenario, your car insurer will pay for the repair to your car, regardless of who was responsible for the accident. In simple words, collision coverage is a type of ‘no-fault coverage.’
However, with all type of collision coverage, there is also a deductible, which your company will not pay. This sum ranges from $250-$1,000 in most cases. For example, if the cost of the car repair is $10,000 and your deductible is $1,000 then the insurer will pay $9,000. Now if the other driver was insured, you could get your deductible back from their insurance company if the fault of the car accident was not yours. But if the other party has no insurance, then you are out of luck. You may try suing in court but in most cases suing people who do not have money to pay for auto insurance is a waste of time. In most cases, if the accident was not your fault then making a claim under your collision policy does not increase your premiums, but always check up first as insurance companies do have different rules
What if I do not have collision damage coverage?
If you didn’t get collision coverage, you will have to pay out of pocket to get your car repaired. In this scenario, you are at liberty to sue the other uninsured driver for all the costs of repairs but it is not always easy. If the other driver has no money to even buy auto insurance it is hardly likely that he or she will have any money to give you.
What if the other driver has liability insurance?
In Kansas City, MO, car owners have liability insurance which helps cover for any damage that the driver is legally liable for. Therefore, if the other party damages your car, then his liability insurance will pay for your car repairs. The law in Kansas City requires that all drivers have liability insurance including property damage liability insurance. The minimum amount of auto insurance coverage in Missouri is $25,000/$50,000/$10,000. In the event of a car accident, for bodily injury, there is a minimum of a $25,000 per person, with a total maximum of $50,000 per incident. It also covers up to $10,000 for damage to another person’s property. Most drivers carry considerably more liability insurance than this number. Once it is decided that the other driver caused damage to your car, then his or her insurance company will pay for the car repair.
What if both drivers have no car insurance?
Then there is a final scenario where both drivers have no auto insurance. First, the driver at fault is responsible for the auto repair but if he or she is uninsured then you are stuck. Since you do not have insurance it is illegal to drive a car and not only are you stuck with the financial cost that you will incur repairing your car, you will also have to pay fines and penalties for driving an uninsured vehicle in case the accident is reported and if the authorities find out. Also, driving a car without auto insurance and causing a car accident means that your license will be suspended. It is thus important to have collision and liability insurance at all times.
Meet with a Car Accident Attorney to Discuss Compensation for Your Vehicle Damage
If you have been in a car accident and you have incurred significant damage to your vehicle, contact our lawyers at Krause & Kinsman. We can help you claim for damages. If you already know that the other driver was uninsured or underinsured and you are not sure how you will make up for your losses, you can discuss the situation with one of our attorneys. Our legal team has dealt with numerous car accident cases and it is our commitment that will do our best to ensure that all our clients are adequately compensated for any damage that occurred during the car accident. Call us today at 1-816-200-2900 and book your free consultation. It is our goal to look out for our clients and to make sure that we provide them the defense they need. Whether it’s your own insurance company you’re fighting with for damages or it’s the other driver whose insurance company or lack thereof is the problem, our lawyers will assist you in deciding which strategy would work best for you.
