When you’re hurt in a car accident in Missouri, you’ll likely hear the phrase “policy limits” when dealing with insurance companies and trying to obtain compensation if you’re entitled to it. The policy limit is the maximum amount the insurance company will pay for a claim.
Every insurance policy has a limit, often broken up into two parts: one for injury to a single person and a larger total for everyone hurt in a single crash. For property damage, there is a separate amount the insurer will cover. For accident victims in Missouri, understanding these limits and how they affect a St. Louis car accident claim is important.
The At-Fault Driver’s Insurance Only Pays Up to Its Limit
People often believe that insurance will cover everything after a car crash, but that’s not always true. Every insurance policy has a maximum amount it will pay, and that limit depends on the at-fault driver’s policy and is set when they choose their insurance plan. If your injuries and bills go above their coverage, their insurer will not pay anything beyond that limit.
When Damages Are Greater Than the Policy Limit
Accident victims often watch their medical expenses climb well above what the policy offers. Car repairs and emergency treatment pile up quickly. If hospital bills, lost wages, and property damage add up to more money than the insurance will provide, you will be responsible for what is left.
For some people, this means they can’t get the medical care or car repairs that they need. For catastrophic injuries, no matter how obvious the need for more coverage is, the insurance company will not offer more money than the policy allows.
What Happens When Policy Limits Aren’t Enough?
When you’re hurt in a car accident, it’s common to find out that the at-fault driver’s insurance just isn’t enough. This can leave you feeling overwhelmed or even helpless about how to recover what you’re owed. Here are some ways you can combat this issue:
Filing a Car Accident Claim in St. Louis Against Your Own UM/UIM Coverage
If you can’t get everything you need from the other driver, turning to your own Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) policy can help fill the gap. These types of policies are built for situations where another driver either has no insurance or simply not enough coverage. You can file a claim with your own insurer under this coverage and it can make up at least some of what’s left unpaid.
Pursuing a Personal Lawsuit Against the At-Fault Driver
Some victims decide to sue the at-fault driver personally when their insurance won’t come close to covering expenses. Courts can issue judgments for damages, and the person at fault may need to pay out of pocket. However, keep in mind that individual drivers often don’t have large assets. Collecting from them can be difficult if they have limited savings or income.
Exploring Third-Party Liability
It is also a good idea to look carefully at everyone who may hold some responsibility for your crash besides the driver. Sometimes, another party, like an employer who put an unsafe driver on the road or a manufacturer with a faulty part, can be brought into your claim. Your attorney can help you with this and make sure you gather the right evidence to prove someone else should pay your damages.
Car accident cases can be complicated, but you never have to handle them on your own. If you have questions about policy limits or what you could be entitled to, reach out to Meyerkord & Kurth today to schedule a free consultation with one of our car accident injury attorneys.