Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring a St. Louis Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer

Here are the mistakes you should avoid when looking for a lawyer after an uninsured motorist accident.

Auto insurance is mandatory in Missouri, but according to a 2017 report, 14% of drivers in the state don’t carry any insurance. This means that if you were to get in your car right now and start driving, about one in eight drivers who pass you are uninsured. 

A car accident with an uninsured driver comes with unique challenges that might make getting compensation difficult. You will greatly benefit from the help of an experienced St. Louis uninsured motorist accident lawyer. However, not all lawyers can help you pursue your case, and you must be vigilant when choosing one. 

Here are the mistakes you should avoid when looking for a lawyer for your uninsured motorist accident. 

First Thing First: Do You Have Uninsured Motorist Coverage? 

Although you can take the at-fault driver to court, that may prove to be pointless. More often than not, drivers choose not to buy insurance because they cannot afford it. And, if they cannot afford insurance, then they may not have the assets to allow you to collect a judgment against them. 

However, if you have uninsured motorist coverage, then you can file a claim against your own insurance company.

Insurance companies offer their customers uninsured and underinsured coverage when they are selling their insurance. The law also requires drivers to have uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000 for bodily injury per person and $50,000 for bodily injury per accident.

However, even if you are covered by your UI policy, the insurance company may look for ways to minimize the amount they must pay or deny your claim entirely. That’s why having a good St. Louis car accident lawyer on your side is so important.

Don’t Hire a Lawyer Who Has No Trial Experience

Obviously, experience, reputation, and professionalism are some of the factors you will pay attention to when looking for a car accident lawyer. However, make sure to get a lawyer who also has trial experience as these types of cases often get in front of a judge.

Your lawyer should also be well aware of the tricks insurance companies might use to minimize the amount they must pay you or deny your claim. 

Don’t Hire the Lawyer Who Makes Big Promises

Some lawyer promise their clients the stars and the moon, the truth of the matter is that compensation is calculated based on a few clear factors:

• The total cost of your medical bills
• The total cost of your lost wages
• Your pain and suffering
• The length of your recovery

An experienced lawyer knows they won’t be able to tell you how much you can get before they have all this information available. Someone who can promise you a specific settlement either doesn’t have enough experience or is just making a promise they will not be able to keep. 

St. Louis Auto Accident Attorneys

If you’ve been injured by an uninsured motorist driver and are not sure what you should do next, get in touch with our experienced legal team for a FREE case evaluation.