Mo. bill limits lawsuits by uninsured drivers

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The Missouri Senate has given final approval to legislation limiting the money that multi-vehicle accident victims could win in lawsuits if their own vehicles are uninsured.

The measure sent to the governor Monday would apply to cases in which an uninsured driver is injured by another motorist who does have insurance. In such cases, the injured driver could not receive money for non-economic damage claims brought in a lawsuit.

Senate President Pro Tem Tom Dempsey calls the legislation a "commonsense measure" that puts some heft behind Missouri's requirement to maintain liability insurance for vehicles.

The lawsuit limit would not apply if the motorist at fault was drunk or high or convicted of involuntary manslaughter or second-degree assault.

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Uninsured driver bill is HB339.

Online:

Legislature: http://www.moga.mo.gov