St. Louis Underinsured Motorist Claim Lawyer

Underinsured Motorist Claims Lawyer in St. Louis, Missouri and Illinois

Underinsured motorist claims lawyer in St. Louis, Missouri. If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident, and the negligent driver’s insurance company cannot cover your full damages, call an underinsured motorist claims lawyer from Burger Law now at (866) 934-9059 or contact us online for a free consultation.

If you were injured in a car accident in St. Louis, or anywhere in Missouri or Illinois, see how much your claim may be worth by using our free personal injury calculator.

The minimum level of coverage required by Missouri law is:

• $25,000 per person for bodily injury
• $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
• $25,000 per accident for property

After an auto accident, you deserve to be fully compensated for your injuries and the impact they have had on your life. But sometimes, your damages exceed the liable party’s policy limits. When that happens, you can file an underinsured motorist claim with your own insurance company. However, just because it is your insurance company, that does not mean it is going to be easy to get them to pay the rest of the damage. A proven St. Louis underinsured motorist lawyer like those at Burger Law will fight for you to get you the full compensation you deserve.

Burger Law’s Underinsured Motorist Claim Successes

Burger Law’s St. Louis car crash attorneys have gotten great results in underinsured motorist claims:

• $250,000 Policy Limits Settlement
• $0 to $205,000 Car Accident Settlement
• $125,000 Combined Policy-Limit Settlement
• $100,000 Motorcycle Liability Claim
• $90,000 Car Accident Settlement
• $60,000 Underinsured Motorist Settlement

When Can I Use Underinsured Motorist Coverage in St. Louis, MO?

While uninsured motorist coverage is required in Missouri, underinsured is not. That means it has to be in your policy in order to make a claim. Damages in auto accidents can quickly add up to tens of thousands of dollars. Our car accident lawyers always recommend adding that to your coverage.

If you have it, you can use underinsured motorist coverage any time your damages exceed the at-fault driver’s policy limits. So, if you are owed $50,000 in compensation, but the other driver has a policy limit of $25,000, you can make an underinsured claim with your own coverage. It is important to note that you must exhaust all of the at-fault driver’s coverage. If you only get $24,000 from the other insurance company, your insurance will not cover the rest. An experienced car accident lawyer will be able to ensure you get the maximum allowed under the other driver’s policy limits.

How to File an Underinsured Motorist Claim in St. Louis and Missouri

Whenever you are injured in a car accident, you need to notify both your insurance company and the other driver’s insurance company. While you will initially deal with the at-fault driver’s company, not notifying your own will make it more difficult to file an underinsured claim. Make sure you have a claim number for both policies.

To make an underinsured claim, you first have to reach a settlement with the at-fault driver’s insurance policy and exhaust all of their coverage. You can do that after you get all of your medical care, reach Maximum Medical Improvement and have your wage loss and pain and suffering documented and calculated. If your damages exceed the policy limits but the insurance company does not want to offer full coverage, hire a car accident lawyer immediately.

Once you have exhausted the at-fault driver’s coverage, you need to turn to your own insurance company. The company will give you a separate underinsured claims adjuster. Sometimes, your own insurance may not admit you have underinsured coverage, or they might not be helpful in telling you how to make that claim. Make sure to make the claim in writing, with full documentation of your damages. If the adjuster is not being helpful or is telling you that they do not have to cover your damages, it is time to hire a St. Louis underinsured motorist claims lawyer.

Underinsured Motorist Offsets in Missouri

In Owners Ins. Co. v. Craig, 514 S.W.3d 614, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that insurance companies can “offset” the coverage in underinsured motorist claims. For example, say the at-fault driver had a $25,000 policy limit, and your underinsured policy limit is $100,000. Your insurance company would be allowed to subtract the $25,000 from the $100,000, meaning your coverage under your policy is really only $75,000. Our auto crash lawyers at Burger Law think it is pretty dishonest of the insurance companies to have you pay a premium for $100,000 in underinsured coverage when they are never going to actually pay all of it, but current law allows them to do it.

There is one caveat. Missouri Revised Statute §379.204 states that:

Any underinsured motor vehicle coverage with limits of liability less than two times the limits for bodily injury or death pursuant to section 303.020 shall be construed to provide coverage in excess of the liability coverage of any underinsured motor vehicle involved in the accident.

Meaning, if your underinsured coverage is less than $50,000 (less than twice the minimum coverage), and you recover the minimum $25,000 from the at-fault driver, you can still get $25,000 from your own insurance as “excess” coverage. The intent of the law is to stop insurance companies from offsetting the entire amount of purported underinsured motorist coverage.

Do I Need a St. Louis Underinsured Motorist Claims Lawyer For My Claim?

While it would be nice if your insurance company would easily agree to pay you back for the money you have paid them, unfortunately that is not the case. Insurance adjusters, no matter who they work for, will try to devalue your claim. If your damages are high enough that they exceed the minimum coverage, that makes it even more likely that an insurance company will fight your claim. That is when your St. Louis underinsured motorist claims lawyer at Burger Law steps in and fights for your rights. As your legal advocate, we will:

• Ensure you get the full medical treatment you need
• Conduct a complete investigation into your claim, and get the evidence needed to prove liability on the part of the at-fault driver
• Prudently document your damages to ensure you get full compensation for your:
  • economic damages, such as medical bills, lost wages and out-of-pocket expenses
  • non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, disability, mental anguish and inconvenience
• Make a settlement demand to the at-fault driver’s insurance company for the full coverage amount
• Make a demand to your own insurance company for the remainder of the coverage
• Combat the tricks insurance adjusters use to devalue claims
• File a lawsuit if either insurance company refuses to be fair
• Keep you informed throughout the duration of your case, and offer you compassionate and expert legal counsel while allowing you to ultimately make the final decisions regarding your claim

At the first hint that an insurance company is not being fair, you need to consult with an auto accident attorney right away. Never sign anything or settle your case without speaking to a lawyer first.

Call Burger Law

Speak to a St. Louis Underinsured Motorist Claims Lawyer Today

At Burger Law, our underinsured motorist claims lawyers have dedicated their careers to standing up to bullies like resistant insurance companies. In our 30 years, we have secured over $180 million in verdicts and settlements for our clients in St. Louis, and throughout Missouri and Illinois. No one should have to pay for the mistakes someone else made, and insurance companies need to be held accountable when they do not fulfill their obligations. We will make sure justice and fairness are achieved, and fight on your behalf so you can focus on healing. Call Burger Law today at (314) 500-HURT or fill out our online form to discuss your underinsured claim today.

Other car accident cases we take on in St. Louis and throughout Missouri and Illinois include:

• Pedestrian Accident claims
• Bicycle Accidents
• Hit and Run
• Drunk Driving
• Distracted Driving
• Texting and Driving
• Speeding Accidents
• Fatal Car Crash
• Head-on Collisions
• Rear-ended
• Multi-vehicle Accidents
• Intersection Accidents
• Road Construction Accidents
• carpool Accidents
• Backup Accident
• Whiplash Injury
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Brain Injuries
• Underinsured Motorist Claims
• Uninsured Motorist Claims
• Phantom Motorist Claims

Client Reviews

What our clients are saying about us

Juanita Matthews

Year of 2023

This law firm is absolutely amazing. They took on my case, when nobody else would! They fought hard for me when it seemed there was no hope. They kept me informed and always asked for my input before making decisions on my case. Gary puts himself into every case unlike most law firm owners. Gary and his team really care about every one of their clients, and fights hard to get you a fair settlement. They actually won my case out of court, and then reduced my fees to make sure I could get my car fixed and be able to get back to some normality. I would recommend Burger Law over and above any other firm! If you go somewhere else you aren’t getting the best!

Shaunda S.

7 months ago

I am very happy with the staff at Burger Law. I mostly worked with Michael Sheldon, and he did an amazing job. I trusted him completely with my case, and he did not disappoint. I would definitely recommend this team if your ever in need of good attorneys.

Emelia M.

3 months ago

Burger Law Firm is fantastic. Laura and Genevieve were so amazing and helpful throughout the entire process. They helped me with my personal injury case every step of the way and succeeded at getting me the results I desired.

Helen L.

a year ago

We had a great experience with Burger Law for representing us after a serious car accident. Truly impressed by how professional and supportive the entire team is. And, many thanks to Genavieve and Laura – you are amazing!

Judy M.

a year ago

They did an amazing job on my case! Communication with them was great!!! Kept me informed and in the loop with everything that was going on!!! Will definitely be the 1st ones I’ll call if ever I’m in another accident!!! Thank you very much!!!

Chelsea C.

5 months ago

Let me tell you something about Burger Law.. they are so attentive and kind. Jennifer is my savior!! I love the whole team!!! They are truly a miracle team!! I appreciate their business and would recommend it to others.

David D.

2 months ago

Absolutely the best law firm in the St. Louis area. No matter the size of your case you are treated as if you are the only client on the roster. Will explain anything thoroughly and they work around your availability. Very impressed and appreciative of the service.

Lisa B.

11 months ago

Gary and Casey took great care of me for 2.5 years as my lawsuit was finally settled. I feel he helped me achieve justice for me and my 4 children after their father died from medical malpractice and neglect. Thanks to Gary, my kids now have a great start to their college and adult lives. Thank you Gary and Casey, for fighting for us so hard at our most trying and difficult time in our lives thus far. Love and God bless from my family to yours!

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