Kansas City Attorneys for Motorcycle Accidents with Uninsured Motorists
Motorcycle accidents in Kansas City can cause numerous injuries for the rider. When another motorist hits your motorcycle, that motorist is generally responsible for the damages you sustain because of the motorcycle crash.
However, if the driver who hit you while riding on your motorcycle had no insurance coverage, there are certain things you should. In addition, you may be wondering:
- Does the uninsured driver pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages?
- Can I sue the uninsured driver who crashed into my motorcycle?
- Does my own uninsured motorist coverage apply?
Yes, you can file an uninsured motorist (UM) insurance claim if you were injured in a crash with an uninsured driver. Uninsured motorist coverage is required of all policies issued to drivers of motorcycle and cars in both Missouri and Kansas.
Our Kansas City motorcycle accident lawyers can help you file your UM claim and negotiate a fair settlement. If you have questions about pursuing a UM claim as an injured motorcyclist, call our law firm for a free consultation at 816-203-0143.
Uninsured Motorist Insurance Coverage in Missouri & Kansas
Car and motorcycle insurance requirements vary from state to state. Missouri and Kansas require drivers and motorcyclists to carry minimum amounts of insurance.
In Missouri, drivers must purchase at least $25,000 in bodily injury coverage ($50,000 per accident) and $10,000 in property damage coverage. Kansas requires drivers to purchase $25,000 in bodily injury coverage ($50,000 per accident) and $25,000 in property damage coverage. Kansas drivers must also purchase personal injury protection or no-fault insurance coverage.
While Kansas and Missouri require car insurance policies to include $25,000 per person ($50,000 per accident) in uninsured motorist insurance coverage, drivers and riders may purchase higher amounts of coverage, including coverage for uninsured drivers.
How Does Uninsured Motorist Insurance Work in Missouri & Kansas?
Uninsured motorist insurance protects you if you are involved in an accident caused by an uninsured driver. It also applies in cases involving hit-and-run drivers.
For example, if a driver with no insurance causes your motorcycle accident, your uninsured motorist coverage “steps into the shoes of” the uninsured driver. Your insurance company compensates you for damages caused by the motorcycle crash as if the insurance company represented the uninsured driver.
However, you must prove that the uninsured driver or a hit-and-run driver caused the car crash. In other words, you need evidence proving fault. For example, you need to prove the driver failed to yield the right of way, or they were distracted and slammed into the rear of your motorcycle.
The evidence proving fault might include:
- Copies of the police report or accident reports
- Eyewitness statements
- Video from traffic cameras or surveillance cameras
- Physical evidence from the crash site and the motor vehicles
- Statements made by each driver
In some cases, experts may assist in the investigation. For example, accident reconstructionists use accident information and evidence to reconstruct how the crash occurred to determine who was liable for the collision.
Do You Need Our Attorney for an Uninsured Motorist Claim in Missouri & Kansas?
You are not required to hire our Kansas City motorcycle accident lawyer to file an uninsured motorist claim. However, it is in your best interest to consult with our lawyer about your claim. Even though you are dealing with your insurance provider, you may not receive the money you deserve.
Your insurance agent does not handle your claim. Instead, an insurance adjuster handles the motorcycle injury claim. The adjuster’s job is to protect the insurance company from liability. It does not matter that you are the policyholder. The uninsured motorist insurance claim is treated just like any other insurance claim. Therefore, the adjuster will pay as little as possible to settle the claim.
Hiring our lawyer ensures that you know the actual value of your motorcycle claim. The insurance adjuster will not tell you if the settlement offer is much lower than the value of your damages. Likewise, the adjuster will not tell you if you are failing to demand compensation for all damages.
Our motorcycle accident attorney in Kansas City knows if the offer is low and will fight to ensure that you receive full compensation for all damages. Hiring our lawyer means that the insurance company cannot use your lack of knowledge to cheat you out of the money you deserve after our motorcycle accident.
Damages Paid on an Uninsured Motorist Claim in Missouri & Kansas
The damages you can recover for an uninsured motorist claim are the same as you could recover from a liability insurance claim. An uninsured motorist claim for a motorcycle accident can include damages such as:
- Medical bills and expenses, including hospital stays, emergency room visits, doctor’s bills, surgeries, and medications
- The cost of therapy, including physical, vocational, and occupational therapies
- Charges for personal care, including long-term care facilities and in-home personal care
- The loss of income, including salaries, benefits, wages, and future income
- Permanent impairments, disfigurement, burns, and traumatic brain injury
- Decreases in earning potential because of disabilities
- Mental trauma and emotional distress
- Physical pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Decrease in quality of life
The value of the uninsured motorist insurance claim depends on factors, including the severity of your injuries, comparative negligence, and the total of your financial losses.
For example, cases involving catastrophic injuries and permanent disabilities tend to have higher values than cases involving injuries that heal entirely without invasive or extensive medical treatment.
On the other hand, if you are partially to blame for the cause of the motorcycle crash, the value of your claim decreases by the percentage of fault assigned to you for the cause of the crash. Therefore, if the insurance company even implies that you might have been partially at fault, you should immediately contact our Kansas City motorcycle accident lawyer.
Motorcyclists suffer painful, debilitating injuries because of the negligence of other motorists. They deserve to be compensated for their injuries, economic losses, and other damages. When the other driver does not have insurance, you might need to file a lawsuit against the driver seeking a personal judgment. Our lawyer can help you explore all options for recovering the money you deserve.
Contact Our Kansas City Motorcycle Accident Attorney for UM Claims
Motorcycle accident cases can be complicated. Insurance companies often blame the riders for causing the accident, even though the other motorist is to blame. One reason for blaming the rider is to avoid liability for the full amount of the damages.
At the Law Office of Kevin J. McManus, our legal team stands with motorcyclists to protect their rights to fair and just compensation. We do not stop fighting until we exhaust every legal avenue to obtain compensation for your damages.
Please reach out to our office to schedule a free consultation with our motorcycle accident lawyer. We handle accident claims in Missouri and Kansas. Call 816-203-0143 or complete our online contact form for more information or to request your free case review.
