Missouri Car Accidents Legal Blog Archive

Missouri dram shop laws hold bars, restaurants, hotels, clubs, or other businesses that sell alcohol legally responsible for the resulting damages caused by serving an already intoxicated patron or a minor. As a result, if you are injured by a drunk driver, you may be able to sue the drunk driver and the establishment that served them as well. 

If you have been involved in a car accident and have a pre-existing condition, there is a chance that it will affect your car accident claim. Although you are still entitled to compensation if the collision exacerbated your pre-existing condition, the at-fault party’s insurance company will likely try to minimize your payout.

Liability for a rear-end accident usually falls on the rear car, but not always. It will depend on which driver’s negligence led to the collision. 

When the Leading Car Is at Fault in a Rear-End Collision

Here are some examples of when actions taken by a leading driver may make them liable if a car rear-ends them: 

• Failing to yield the right of way
• Making an illegal turn 
• Making an abrupt lane change without warning so it is impossible for the rear driver to avoid a collision
• Driving with tail lights that are out or broken
• Backing up or out of a parking spot without looking
• Driving too slow for the current traffic conditions
• Braking suddenly for no valid reason
• Failing to pull over to the side of the road for a mechanical problem with their vehicle
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs

A third party can also be liable in some accidents.

While there are a number of benefits to leasing a vehicle, you may run into issues if you end up in a car accident. However, the steps you take after are similar to any other collision.

What To Do After an Accident With a Leased Vehicle

There are several critical steps to take after a car accident with a leased vehicle:

Call 911

Even if it was a minor fender bender, make sure you notify the police.

Even if a car accident seems minor, you may still be able to get compensation. The severity of a crash cannot be known immediately after, so it is best to assume that a car accident is not minor until you receive legal advice first.

After an accident is reported, the insurance companies involved will begin their investigation. They will take statements from drivers, passengers, and witnesses and look at photographs of the scene, if available, and the damage caused. One helpful piece of evidence is the location of the damage on your car, which can yield important clues about who is to blame.