The answer is that Missouri is a state at fault for car accidents. Missouri requires its residents to have a minimum amount of liability coverage in their auto policies. Liability coverage should pay for your medical expenses and related damages if you're injured in an accident caused by another driver. No, Missouri is not a no-fault state when it comes to auto insurance.
Missouri is a “at-fault” or “tort” state, meaning that the person who is at fault for a car accident is responsible for paying for other people's injuries and property damage as a result of the accident. In addition, unlike no-fault states, drivers in Missouri can file lawsuits seeking compensation for even basic medical expenses after an accident. Missouri follows a fault-based insurance system. In at-fault states, the driver who is at fault for a car accident must pay for the other party's damages, including medical bills, car repairs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Missouri is an at-fault state in car accident claims, meaning that the driver responsible for causing an accident must pay for damages. Under the state's “pure comparative fault” system, several parties may be at fault, and their degree of liability determines how claims are resolved. As stated, Missouri follows a variant of the at fault system. It's called the system of pure comparative faults.
This method assigns a certain percentage of fault to any of the drivers in an accident. Grants compensation based on the percentage of fault assigned to the parties involved. In a no-fault state, the driver's auto insurance policy will cover the costs of their collision up to the limits of the policy, regardless of who was at fault. When a liability insurance policy doesn't cover all of the victim's damages in a state of fault, you have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party for additional compensation.
It's not always easy to determine who is at fault in a car accident, as both parties can be involved in the accident. at-fault drivers often rely on liability insurance to pay for damages, which is why Missouri law requires car owners and drivers to have a minimum amount of liability insurance or to show proof of financial responsibility. Sometimes it's better to settle a case out of court than to face litigation in cases where the at-fault driver's insurance covers the plaintiff's damages. Two types of rules are used to establish who is responsible in a car accident, the fault rules and the no-fault rules.
First, it must be determined which driver was at fault; then, you can decide whether to file an accident claim with your own insurance company or with the at-fault driver's insurer. In typical no-fault states, drivers must have personal injury protection (PIP) insurance to pay for their own medical expenses after a car accident, regardless of fault. Rates increase after an accident caused by the at-fault party, both to pay the fees associated with filing a claim and to compensate the insurer for assuming a greater risk. For example, collision insurance and comprehensive insurance will cover damage to your vehicle regardless of fault.
PIP insurance covers your medical expenses and those of your passengers after an accident, no matter who is at fault. Even if you are at fault, remember that there are situations where the other driver may also be held responsible for their participation in the accident. If you're at fault for a car accident, your liability insurance pays for repairs to the other driver's car and will likely cover the doctor's bills if you're injured. A no-fault insurance claim is one you make with your car insurance to pay for lost income, medical bills, and other out-of-pocket expenses after a car accident.
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