Uninsured Drivers Injured in Accidents will Lose More than Their License Under New Missouri Law

Last week, the Missouri legislature voted to override Governor Nixon's veto of HB 339, a bill that will take away an uninsured driver's right to collect non-economic damages when they are injured in an accident that is the fault of another driver.  Not only will an uninsured driver be at risk of losing his or her license for a year, but that same driver will not be able to collect for any pain or suffering they sustain in an accident--even when the accident is completely the other driver's fault.  There are exceptions.  For instance, if the responsible party is under the influence of drugs and alcohol, the uninsured driver will not lose his or her right to receive non-economic damages.  Second, if the driver was insured but had been cancelled for non-payment of premium within the prior six months, that uninsured driver may still be able to recover non-economic damages.  The new law will go into effect on October 11, 2013.