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Every year, thousands of people across St. Louis and the surrounding region find themselves asking the same question after a collision: I was injured in a car accident- now what? The seconds after impact are disorienting, the medical bills start arriving before the bruises fade, and insurance adjusters move fast to protect their bottom line, not yours.
Recovering fair compensation in Missouri takes more than filing a claim; it takes knowing your rights, understanding the law, and having advocates working on your behalf. Our team at Goldblatt + Singer can help you navigate these complexities and understand your options every step of the way.
Missouri law sets clear obligations for everyone involved in a crash. Under the Missouri Department of Revenue, any driver involved in a collision must stop immediately, and leaving the scene is a criminal offense. Drivers are required to exchange names, addresses, driver’s license numbers, vehicle identification numbers, license plate numbers, insurance company names, and policy numbers with every other party involved. If the accident happens at night or in poor weather, flares, reflectors, or flashlights must be used to warn approaching traffic. If your vehicle can be moved safely, follow any instructions from law enforcement and move it out of active traffic lanes when appropriate.
The deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit in Missouri is another critical component of the legal framework. Under Missouri Revised Statutes § 516.120, most personal injury claims, including those arising from car accidents, must be filed within five years of the date of injury. While five years may sound generous, that window closes faster than most people expect. Evidence fades, witnesses become harder to locate, and gaps in medical treatment can be used against you. Starting the legal process early may protect the strength of your case.
What you do in the hours and days following a crash can affect your ability to recover compensation. A disorganized response gives insurance companies the opportunity to dispute your claim. Taking the right steps early builds the foundation your attorney needs to pursue your case.
After a car accident, consider following these steps:
Each of these steps serves a specific purpose in protecting your claim. Skipping even one of them can give insurers the opening they need to reduce or deny what you are owed.
Filing an insurance claim in Missouri is rarely as straightforward as it should be. Minimum liability coverage is often insufficient to address serious injuries, and the gap between what an insurer initially offers and what a victim actually needs can be substantial. Knowing what to expect from the claims process puts you in a better position to respond.
Insurance adjusters are trained to evaluate claims in ways that benefit the insurer, not the claimant. Early recorded statements, quick settlement offers, and blanket medical release requests are all tactics designed to minimize payouts. If you were injured in a car accident, it is important to understand that insurance companies evaluate claims with the goal of limiting payouts. Accepting a settlement offer before the full extent of your injuries is known can result in recovering less compensation than your claim may ultimately be worth. Speaking with an attorney before responding to an adjuster can make a difference in how your claim develops.
Missouri law gives injured car accident victims the right to seek compensation from any party whose negligence caused the crash. Understanding both who can recover and what they can recover is central to knowing the full value of your claim.
Yes, passengers injured in a car accident have the right to pursue a personal injury claim against any at-fault driver, including the driver of the vehicle they were riding in. Passengers are not limited to a single claim, and when multiple drivers share responsibility for a crash, a passenger may have claims against more than one party. Being a passenger does not diminish your legal standing, and the fact that you had no role in causing the accident may strengthen your position.
Missouri car accident victims may be entitled to recover several categories of damages, including:
Missouri follows a pure comparative fault rule. Under Missouri Revised Statutes § 537.765, any fault attributed to the plaintiff reduces the amount of compensatory damages proportionally, but does not eliminate recovery entirely. Even if you were partially responsible for the accident, you retain the right to pursue compensation for the portion caused by others.
A serious crash changes everything, and the decisions made in the days that follow can shape your recovery for years. When injuries from a car accident become your reality, our team at Goldblatt + Singer can guide you through every stage of the legal process, from dealing with insurers to building a case on your behalf. Contact us today at (314) 231-4100 for a free consultation.
Jeff Singer, Managing Partner at Goldblatt + Singer for over a decade, is a seasoned personal injury attorney known for his compassionate yet tough advocacy. He has resolved hundreds of cases and recovered millions for clients. Recognized as a Missouri Super Lawyer and Top 100 National Trial Lawyer, Jeff also serves on the Missouri Bar’s Chief Disciplinary Committee and the Board of Governors for the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys.
This page has been created, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our thorough editorial guidelines. It was approved by our Founding Partner, Jeffrey Singer, who has over 30 years of experience as a personal injury attorney.
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