Springfield drivers share the road with delivery vans on Sunshine Street, commuters on Glenstone Avenue, and students near Missouri State University. When a crash involves an uninsured driver or a hit-and-run, questions about uninsured motorist coverage can determine whether your medical bills, lost wages, and pain are compensated. Understanding your rights under Missouri law and your own policy is essential after a Springfield car accident.
Lowther Johnson Attorneys at Law, LLC helps crash victims throughout Greene County navigate uninsured driver claims. This supporting blog explains Missouri UM requirements, how the 25/50 minimum limits work, the difference between stacked vs non-stacked UM, and what to do after a hit-and-run. It is written to support our primary resource, How Uninsured Motorist Coverage Works in Missouri, and to give Springfield residents practical next steps after an accident.
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What uninsured motorist coverage means in Missouri
Uninsured motorist coverage, often called UM, is part of your own auto policy that steps in when the at-fault driver has no liability insurance or cannot be identified, as in many hit-and-run collisions. Because Missouri is a fault state, you usually recover from the at-fault driver’s insurer. If there is no policy to collect from, UM becomes your backstop. In a typical Springfield crash, your UM claim covers the same categories of damages you would seek from the negligent driver, including medical treatment, lost earnings, and pain and suffering, up to your UM limits.
UM claims are contractual. You are asserting rights under your insurance contract, not the other driver’s. That means your insurer owes you duties of good faith and fair dealing, but it also means policy conditions and definitions matter. Notice deadlines, medical exam provisions, or consent-to-settle clauses can affect your recovery. A Springfield car accident lawyer can help you comply with policy conditions while keeping your claim on track.
Missouri UM requirements and minimums
Missouri UM requirements mandate that every auto policy issued in the state include a minimum uninsured motorist coverage limit of 25/50. The shorthand 25/50 means 25,000 dollars per person and 50,000 dollars per accident in bodily injury coverage. These minimum uninsured motorist coverage Missouri 25/50 limits are a floor, not a ceiling. Many Springfield drivers carry higher UM limits to protect themselves from serious injuries caused by uninsured drivers.
If multiple people in your car are injured, the per-accident 50,000 cap controls how much the insurer pays in total for all claimants combined. Medical bills can exceed these figures quickly after ambulance transport, ER care at a Springfield hospital, imaging, and follow-up treatment. Reviewing your declarations page and considering higher UM limits before a crash occurs is one of the most cost-effective steps you can take.
How UM claims work after a Springfield car accident
Filing an uninsured driver accident claim in Missouri begins with your own insurer. After you report the crash to law enforcement and secure emergency care, notify your carrier that you believe the at-fault driver was uninsured or unknown. Provide the police report number, driver information you gathered at the scene, and any witness contact details. Your insurer will open a UM claim and assign an adjuster who will investigate liability and damages just as an opposing insurer would.
Expect your insurer to request recorded statements, medical records, wage documentation, and photos of the scene and vehicles. Even though it is your insurer, they may dispute fault or the extent of your injuries. Preserving evidence early helps prevent later objections. Save digital copies of bills, keep a treatment log, and photograph visible injuries. If your case does not resolve, Missouri law allows you to demand arbitration or file a lawsuit alleging breach of contract. The strategic choice between arbitration and litigation depends on policy language, local court timelines, and your damages. Counsel familiar with Springfield courts can guide that decision.
Hit-and-run uninsured motorist claim steps
A hit-and-run uninsured motorist claim requires prompt action. Call 911 and report the collision immediately. Under many policies, a hit-and-run must be reported to police within a short window. If you can do so safely, take photos or video of vehicle damage, skid marks, and the surrounding intersection or stretch of roadway, such as the James River Freeway or Highway 65. Look for cameras on nearby businesses or traffic poles and ask owners to preserve footage. Provide your insurer with the report number and details that show the other driver cannot be identified.
Do not delay medical evaluation. Gaps in treatment are often used to minimize claims. Tell providers it was a motor vehicle crash, so bills are coded correctly. If you carry Medical Payments coverage, coordinate benefits without giving your UM adjuster unrestricted access to all records. A lawyer can help share what is necessary while protecting your privacy and claim value.
Stacked vs non-stacked UM in Missouri
Stacked vs non-stacked UM Missouri coverage can significantly affect your recovery. Stacking generally allows you to add the UM limits of multiple vehicles on your policy when a crash involves one of those vehicles or, in some cases, when you are injured as a pedestrian or passenger. Non-stacked policies limit you to the single highest limit available. Policy language controls, and anti-stacking provisions may or may not be enforceable depending on how they are written.
If your household insures multiple cars in Springfield, review the declarations pages for each. A stacked policy with three vehicles carrying 50/100 UM could provide substantially more protection than a single 25/50 policy. Insurers sometimes argue that an injured person cannot stack because of household exclusions or setoff clauses. Those defenses must be analyzed under Missouri case law and the exact contract terms. If stacking applies, it can turn an otherwise inadequate recovery into one that fully covers medical care and wage loss.
When stacking applies
Stacking questions typically arise when:
- You were an occupant of an insured household vehicle, and there are multiple UM coverages on the policy.
- You were a pedestrian or passenger, and your own household policies include UM on multiple vehicles.
- Family members are residents of the same household and are named insureds under separate policies.
- Every situation is policy specific. Having an attorney review the policy packet and endorsements early ensures your claim is made under every available coverage.
Common insurance defenses and how to respond
Insurers frequently raise defenses in uninsured motorist claims that echo arguments used by opposing insurers in liability cases. You might hear that you were partly at fault at a Springfield intersection, that your treatment was excessive, or that prior medical conditions, not the crash, caused your symptoms. Missouri’s comparative fault law can reduce but does not eliminate recovery. Thorough documentation, treating physician opinions, and, when needed, professional analysis help counter these defenses.
Other common issues include setoffs for Medical Payments coverage, coordination with workers’ compensation if you were on the job, or challenges to causation for delayed-onset symptoms like concussions and soft tissue injuries. Policy clauses may also require prompt notice, independent medical exams, or arbitration selection. Meeting deadlines and pushing back on overbroad requests keeps your UM claim on solid ground.
Evidence that strengthens your UM claim
- Police report and any citations issued to the other driver when known
- Photos, videos, and diagrams of the scene in Springfield
- Witness statements and nearby camera footage
- Consistent medical records linking injuries to the collision
- Employment records showing missed time and reduced duties
- Vehicle repair estimates that corroborate crash forces
What to do in the first 72 hours after a Springfield crash
Your actions in the first days after a collision can shape your uninsured motorist coverage claim.
- Report the crash to police and obtain the incident number. For hit-and-runs, ask the officer how to supply added details if more information emerges.
- Get checked by a doctor even if you feel only soreness. ERs and urgent care centers in Springfield can document injuries and start treatment promptly.
- Notify your insurer that you may have a UM claim. Keep notes on every call and save all letters and emails.
- Do not sign broad medical authorizations. Provide targeted records relevant to the crash.
- Preserve evidence. Ask nearby businesses to retain footage and save damaged property, such as child seats.
- Consult an attorney before giving a recorded statement. A brief preparation call can prevent misunderstandings that reduce claim value.
Why choose Lowther Johnson for Springfield UM claims
Lowther Johnson Attorneys at Law, LLC represents people injured in Springfield car accidents involving uninsured and underinsured drivers. Our team understands how Missouri UM requirements intersect with real-world problems like delayed diagnosis, denied medical bills, and wage loss. We prepare every claim as if it will be tried, building leverage for fair settlements and clear choices if litigation is required.
We also know Springfield. From collisions near downtown to crashes along Highway 65 or Campbell Avenue, we understand local traffic patterns, medical provider practices, and the expectations of Greene County jurors. When your own insurer disputes liability or undervalues injuries, we stand between you and claim delays, pushing your case forward with documentation, specialized input, and strategic advocacy aligned to your goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Missouri?
Yes. Missouri UM requirements require every auto policy issued in Missouri to include UM coverage. The minimum limits are 25,000 dollars per person and 50,000 dollars per accident.
What is the minimum uninsured motorist coverage in Missouri, 25/50?
The minimum uninsured motorist coverage in Missouri is 25/50 means your insurer provides up to 25,000 dollars for one injured person and up to 50,000 dollars total for everyone hurt in the same crash.
Can I make an uninsured driver accident claim in Missouri if I was a passenger?
Yes. Passengers hurt in a Springfield car accident caused by an uninsured driver can pursue UM benefits. You may also have access to UM on your own household policies, depending on stacking and policy language.
How does a hit-and-run uninsured motorist claim work in Springfield?
Report it to the police immediately, seek medical care, and notify your insurer. Provide evidence that the other driver fled and cannot be identified. Policy deadlines can be short for hit-and-run notices, so act quickly.
What is the difference between stacked vs non-stacked UM in Missouri?
Stacked policies may let you combine UM limits from multiple insured vehicles or policies, increasing the total available coverage. Non-stacked policies limit you to a single set of UM limits. Whether stacking is allowed depends on the contract terms and Missouri law.
Can I recover UM benefits if the uninsured driver was driving a borrowed or stolen car?
Usually, your right to UM does not depend on the at-fault vehicle being insured. If the negligent driver is uninsured or unknown, your own UM coverage can apply even if they were in a borrowed or stolen vehicle.
How long do I have to file a UM claim in Missouri?
UM claims are contractual, and the time limits can be different from ordinary injury claims. Policy notice provisions and Missouri statutes can restrict deadlines. Contact an attorney promptly to protect your rights.
Get clear answers on your Springfield UM claim today
If a crash in Springfield left you facing medical bills and missed work, do not wait for an adjuster to decide your future. Learn how uninsured motorist coverage applies to your case and the steps that move your claim forward with confidence in Missouri.
Call (417) 557-3407 for a free and confidential case review.