Missouri Car Accident Lawyer
Being injured in a car accident can leave you with not only physical pain but also property damage, lost wages, and stressful medical bills. When an accident happens, it can become difficult to prove who was at fault or what legal action is necessary. That’s why hiring an experienced accident attorney in Missouri is vital to build a strong case and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Our attorneys at the Injury Lawyer Team, sponsored by Rosenfield Law Offices, have been helping injured drivers, passengers, and pedestrians get justice. We understand the complexities of Missouri car accident lawsuits and are passionate about helping you get the compensation you deserve.
Contact our Missouri car accident lawyers to schedule a free consultation. All confidential or sensitive information shared with your Missouri car accident lawyer remains private through an attorney-client relationship.
Statistics Related to Car Accidents in Missouri
Missouri has one of the highest per-capita traffic fatality rates in the United States. The 2020 Missouri crash data released by the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) reported that 47,794 deaths occurred due to car crashes. Of these, 1723 car crashes involved being run off of the road. Passengers not wearing a seatbelt led to 1,187 injuries, and 991 accidents were a result of speeding drivers.
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Data related to traffic fatalities in Missouri showed that more than 1,028 people died on the state’s roads, the highest number of deaths recorded since 2006. Out of these, more than 880 people died in car accidents.
Every year there’s an increasing number of car accident injuries and deaths throughout Missouri. If you or your loved one suffered from such a motor vehicle accident, the Injury Lawyer Team will help you recover your damages.
What are the Car Accident Causes in Missouri?
Car accidents generally happen for various reasons, and many of them include driver errors. Here are the leading causes:
- Distracted Driving – Distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents in Missouri, recording nearly 200,000 crashes between 2012 and 2021, causing more than 801 fatalities. Using cell phones for social media, GPS, or talking with passengers are the main reasons accidents happen.
- Drowsy Driving – When drivers get fatigued or drowsy, they are 3 times more likely to cause an accident.
- Impaired Driving – Drivers under the influence of drugs and alcohol aren’t capable of operating a vehicle safely or making the right decisions. In Missouri, alcohol or drug-impaired drivers make up over 23% of all fatal vehicle collisions.
- Speeding – Over 34% of fatal vehicle collisions in Missouri were attributed to speeding, making it the leading cause of such incidents. Vehicles traveling faster than the prescribed speed limits will take longer to stop and could cause an accident.
- Hazardous Road Conditions – Unfavorable conditions like rain, thunderstorms, snow, construction zones, and gravel can create accident situations for drivers.
If a vehicle part is improperly installed or defective and fails, it may cause a crash compromising the entire car.
What are the Most Common Types of Missouri Car Accidents?
Following are the types of car accidents most likely to happen that often lead to personal injury claims by injured drivers and passengers.
- Head-On Collisions: Head-on collisions occur when the front end of one vehicle crashes into the front end of another. Such accidents are a consequence of drunk, drowsy, distracted driving, or the driver experiencing a medical emergency.
- Hit-and-Run Accidents: Drivers at fault flee the accident scene because of fear of legal trouble for crimes such as negligence, drunk driving, or driving without a valid license.
- Intersection Accidents: Failing to yield the right-of-way, ignoring traffic signs or signals, or making wrong turns can lead to an intersection accident.
- Rear-End Accidents: A rear-end collision happens when a driver strikes the front-end of one car into the rear-end of another car. Tailgating is the most common reason behind this type of accident.
- Rollover Accidents: When the driver suddenly turns the steering wheel to prevent a road obstacle, a rollover accident may happen. Rollover accidents are typically single-vehicle crashes.
- Sideswipe Accidents: In this type of car accident, the sides of two vehicles traveling in the same direction parallel to each other collide because of either improper passing procedures or distracted driving.
- T-bone Accidents: Also known as side-impact accidents, T-bone crashes occur when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another vehicle. T-bone accidents are the result of failing to yield at an intersection. Most often, the passenger at the side of the struck vehicle is at maximum risk.
What Types of Injuries are Caused by Car Accidents?
Car accident injuries can lead to severe physical damage and expensive medical bills. If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, an experienced personal injury attorney can help you recover costs associated with your treatment.
Some of the common types of injuries experienced by victims during a car accident are as follows:
- Brain Injuries – Traumatic Brain Injuries or TBI, cover all types of injuries occurring when the brain is damaged followed by an impact or penetrating wound to the head. Some life-threatening brain injuries include lacerations, concussions, nerve damage, blood clots, etc.
- Spinal Cord Injuries – Sudden collisions can cause serious trauma to the spinal cord which is protected by the vertebrae. A complete spinal cord injury may result in loss of movement, paralysis, or paraplegia.
- Broken Bones – In motor vehicle accidents, the force of the collision twists and turns your body in awkward positions, causing fractures, broken ribs, dislocated jaw, and broken arms. These injuries may take several months to heal.
- Burns – Sometimes, the car catches fire or comes in contact with a hot surface which may lead to first-degree, second-degree, or even third-degree burns for the victims. Clients can sue the driver at fault based on the severity of the burns.
- Whiplash – Especially during rear-end collisions whiplash occurs when the neck jerks backward and forward suddenly upon impact. This abrupt motion strains the neck’s tendons, muscles, and ligaments that need prompt medical attention.
If any motor vehicle accident has caused you significant injury, it’s important to consult with a personal injury attorney and receive fair compensation for your injuries.
Insurance Coverage Laws for Car Accidents in Missouri
Missouri is considered an at-fault state. Drivers are required to carry the minimum liability coverage the state demands. If an at-fault driver is found legally responsible for your accident, then they are liable for your damages.
Therefore, the insurance policy of automobile drivers will include the following:
- $10,000 in total property damage
- $50,000 in bodily injuries (total)
- $25,000 in bodily injuries per person
- Uninsured motorist coverage
Uninsured motorist coverage is for when you are injured in a collision caused by a driver who has no insurance. Your uninsured coverage would pay for the losses the other driver’s insurance company should have covered.
We can help you prove who is at fault and get the much-deserved compensation for your overall recovery.
Statute of Limitations in Missouri
In most states, injured car accident victims have a 2-year period to establish a claim or file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. The statute of limitations for filing an auto accident lawsuit in Missouri is typically 5 years for injury claims and 3 years for wrongful death claims.
Keeping a 5-year long legal deadline ensures that seriously injured victims fully recover from catastrophic wounds or disability. If the injured party doesn’t file legal claims beyond this period, they won’t be able to recover costs for hospital bills or vehicle damage.
How Can You Prove Liability in a Missouri Car Crash?
In car accident lawsuits, you must prove that the defendant is legally responsible for your damages. Before the defendant’s insurer pays out the claim, the insurer assesses liability, needing evidence of the defendant’s negligence causing the accident and your resulting impacts and expenses.
To show defendant’s negligence, you must establish:
- The at-fault driver owed you a duty of care to drive the vehicle safely and legally.
- There was a breach in the duty of care. Instances like driving under the influence of alcohol, speeding, and distracted driving represent a breach of the duty of care.
- The breach caused the accident, resulting in injuries and subsequent expenses.
- The financial losses like medical bills and lost income are the direct result of your injuries.
It is important to hire a car accident lawyer in Missouri who proves that your injuries were caused by the car crash and the driver at-fault is legally liable for their negligence or misconduct.
How an Experienced Car Accident Attorney Can Help You
The car accident attorneys at the Injury Lawyer Team will get you the results you deserve. We have received successful verdicts or settlements in St. Louis, Missouri car accident lawsuits.
- Advocate for maximum compensation for property damage, medical bills, and lost wages after your car accident.
- Gathering all evidence like video footage of the accident scene, police reports, witness statements, etc.
- Negotiating with insurance companies on your behalf so you can recover financially, physically, and emotionally after your car accident.
With several years of experience, we are dedicated to using that experience to work to provide you with reliable service and strong legal representation.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Car Accident Lawyers Today
Did you or your loved one suffer injuries during a car accident in Missouri? Or have you unfortunately lost a loved one because of someone’s negligence? The Injury Lawyer Team will ensure your right to pursue the maximum amount of compensation.
The Missouri car accident lawyers at the Injury Lawyer Team, sponsored by Rosenfeld Law Offices, have decades of experience helping injured victims in St. Louis obtain justice in cases of road accidents and injuries.
We accept all car accident lawsuits and wrongful death cases on a contingency fee agreement. This arrangement means you don’t have to pay any legal fees upfront until a car accident attorney successfully resolves your claim via a negotiated settlement or jury award.
Schedule a free consultation with our Missouri car accident lawyers at (888) 424-5757 today.