Highway car accidents in Missouri happen when drivers lose control on interstates and major routes like I-70, I-44, I-55, and I-35 due to high speeds, heavy traffic, and dangerous conditions.
These crashes often result from speeding, distracted driving, tailgating, drowsy driving, or hazardous weather, and they frequently cause serious injuries or death because of the forces involved at highway speeds.
Common Causes of Crashes on Interstates and Highways
Missouri’s major highways like I-70, I-44, I-55, and I-35 see thousands of crashes each year. High speeds and heavy traffic create dangerous conditions where small mistakes become deadly accidents.
Speed Too Fast for Conditions
Driving too fast for conditions means you failed to slow down for hazards like rain, fog, or heavy traffic, even if you were under the speed limit. This is negligence because Missouri law requires drivers to adjust their speed based on what’s happening around them.
When weather turns bad or traffic gets heavy, the posted speed limit becomes meaningless. You must drive at a speed that lets you stop safely if something unexpected happens.
Distracted Driver
A distracted driver is anyone who takes their focus off the road while driving. Missouri bans texting while driving, but many other distractions cause highway crashes.
Distractions fall into three types:
- Visual: Taking your eyes off the road to look at your phone or GPS
- Manual: Taking your hands off the wheel to eat or adjust controls
- Cognitive: Taking your mind off driving during stressful conversations
Even a few seconds of distraction at highway speeds can cause you to travel hundreds of feet without paying attention, similar to drowsy driving accidents where fatigue impairs reaction time.
Tailgating Crashes
Tailgating means following another vehicle too closely. The three-second rule helps you maintain safe distance – you should be at least three seconds behind the car in front of you.
When drivers tailgate on highways, they have no time to react to sudden stops. This creates chain-reaction crashes where multiple vehicles collide one after another, often causing severe back and neck injuries.
Work Zone Crashes
Highway work zones are dangerous because of lane shifts, reduced speeds, and unexpected stops. Missouri doubles all fines in work zones to encourage careful driving.
If a crash happens because of poor signage or unsafe work zone layout, the construction company or MoDOT contractor may be responsible for your injuries.
Winter Weather and Black Ice
Black ice is a thin, invisible layer of ice on the road surface. You can’t see it until it’s too late, making it extremely dangerous for highway driving.
Missouri drivers must slow down in winter weather. If you lose control on ice, you could be found at fault for driving too fast for the conditions.
Drowsy Driver
A drowsy driver has impaired reaction time and judgment, similar to someone driving drunk. Fatigue causes drivers to drift out of lanes or fall asleep at the wheel completely.
We can prove drowsiness by looking at factors like the time of day, lack of skid marks at the scene, and the driver’s work schedule or activity records.
Wrong Way Entries
Wrong-way crashes happen when confused or impaired drivers enter highway exit ramps going the wrong direction. These head-on collisions are among the most deadly types of accidents because of the combined high speeds.
Most wrong-way crashes involve alcohol or drug impairment. The results are often catastrophic injuries or death.
Tire Blowout
A tire blowout can cause a driver to lose control suddenly. However, not all blowouts are unavoidable accidents.
If the blowout was caused by a defective tire or poor maintenance, the tire manufacturer or negligent mechanic could be held responsible for your crash, especially in truck tire blowout accidents where the consequences are often catastrophic.
Road Debris
Debris from other vehicles, like unsecured cargo from trucks, can cause you to swerve or crash. The driver or trucking company that failed to secure their load may be liable for your injuries.
If debris stayed on the road for too long, a government entity might also share responsibility for not clearing the hazard.
Deer Collisions
Deer collisions are a known hazard for drivers in Missouri. While you can’t sue an animal, other parties might be responsible.
If another driver swerves to avoid a deer and hits you, they may be at fault for making an unsafe maneuver.
Who Is Liable After a Highway Crash
Missouri uses an at-fault system, which means the person who negligently caused the crash pays for the damages. Negligence is failing to use reasonable care that a prudent person would use in the same situation.
Many highway accidents involve multiple parties who share fault for what happened.
Other Driver
The most common liable party is another driver who violated traffic laws or drove carelessly. We prove their negligence using evidence like police reports, witness statements, and crash scene photos.
Traffic violations like speeding, running red lights, or failing to yield create strong evidence of negligence in your case.
Commercial Carrier
When a truck driver causes a crash, their employer can be held responsible under vicarious liability rules. This means the company is responsible for their employee’s actions while working.
Trucking companies must follow strict federal safety regulations. Any violation of these rules serves as powerful evidence of negligence in your claim.
Government Entity or Contractor
Sometimes a government agency is liable for crashes caused by dangerous road conditions like large potholes or missing signs. However, government entities have legal protection called sovereign immunity.
This protection has exceptions, but claims against the government have very short notice deadlines, often just 90 days from the accident date.
Vehicle Manufacturer
If your crash was caused by a defective vehicle part, the manufacturer can be held liable through product liability laws. Common examples include faulty brakes, airbags that don’t deploy, or tires that separate unexpectedly.
These cases require expert testimony to prove the defect caused your accident and injuries.
Multiple Drivers Comparative Fault
Missouri uses pure comparative fault rules, which means you can recover damages even if you were partially to blame. Your compensation is simply reduced by your percentage of fault.
Insurance companies will try to shift as much blame as possible onto you to reduce their payout.
What to Do After a Highway Crash
Your actions immediately after a highway crash protect both your safety and legal rights. Each step you take helps build the foundation for your injury claim.
Call 911 and Move to Safety
If possible, move your vehicle to the shoulder to avoid another collision. If a crash causes injury, death, or substantial property damage, report it to law enforcement.
The official Missouri State Highway Patrol crash reports contain essential details that strengthen your case later.
Check for Injuries
Check yourself and passengers for injuries right away. Adrenaline from the crash can mask pain, and serious injuries like concussions may not show immediate symptoms, which is why hidden injuries after car accidents require prompt medical evaluation.
Document any pain or discomfort you feel, even if it seems minor at the time.
Photograph Vehicles and Scene
Use your phone to take pictures before the scene is cleared. This evidence becomes invaluable later when memories fade.
Essential photos include:
- Vehicle positions: Where each car ended up after the crash
- Damage: All vehicle damage from multiple angles
- Road conditions: Skid marks, debris, weather, and traffic signs
- Injuries: Any visible injuries you or passengers sustained
Exchange Information
Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver, but never apologize or admit fault. Stick to basic facts about what happened.
Missouri law requires sharing your name, address, driver’s license number, and insurance details with the other party.
Ask for Witness Names
If anyone stopped to help or saw the accident, get their name and phone number before they leave. Independent witnesses provide powerful evidence that helps overcome disputes about fault, and understanding how witness testimony in Missouri car accident claims works can strengthen your case.
Witnesses have no reason to lie, making their accounts more credible than statements from involved parties.
See a Doctor Within 24 Hours
Seek medical evaluation as soon as possible, even if you feel fine. This creates a medical record linking your injuries directly to the crash.
Insurance companies often argue that delayed treatment means you weren’t seriously hurt in the accident.
Notify Your Insurer Carefully
You must promptly notify your insurance company about the accident as required by your policy. However, avoid giving recorded statements until you speak with a lawyer.
Insurance adjusters can use your words against you to deny or reduce your claim later.
Call Beck and Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers Before Any Statement
Before speaking to any insurance adjuster, call our office for free consultation. Our Missouri auto accident attorneys protect you from saying something that could hurt your case.
Our team is available 24/7 to help you handle these critical early conversations properly.
How to Get a Missouri State Highway Patrol Crash Report
Your official MSHP crash report documents the officer’s findings about how the accident happened and who was at fault. This report serves as crucial evidence for your injury claim.
Find Your Crash Report Number
The responding officer should give you a case number at the accident scene. If you don’t have this number, we can help locate your report using the date, location, and names of those involved.
Keep this number in a safe place because you’ll need it to access your report online.
Search the MSHP HP68 Portal
The Missouri State Highway Patrol makes crash reports available online through its HP68 search portal. You can search using the case number, date, and other accident details.
Reports typically appear within a few days, but complex investigations may take longer to complete.
Order an Official Crash Report
The online version is just a summary of the full report. For legal purposes, you need a certified copy that can be used in court proceedings.
Official reports can be ordered from the MSHP for a small fee and include all the details investigators gathered.
Use the MSHP Crash Map
The Missouri highway patrol crash report system includes a mapping tool showing crash data across the state. This helps identify dangerous intersections or highway stretches.
If your crash happened at a location with many previous accidents, this information can help prove hazardous road conditions contributed to your injuries.
What Damages Can You Recover After a Highway Crash
Missouri law allows you to recover compensation for both financial losses and personal impact from the accident. These are called economic and non-economic damages.
Medical Bills and Future Care
You can recover the full cost of all reasonable medical treatment related to your crash. This includes ambulance rides, emergency room care, surgery, physical therapy, and prescription medications.
We often work with medical providers who agree to wait for payment until your case settles, reducing your financial stress during recovery.
Lost Income and Earning Capacity
If your injuries prevent you from working, you can be compensated for lost wages. This includes time missed for medical appointments and recovery.
If you can’t return to your previous job or have permanent disability, you can also recover damages for diminished future earning capacity.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering damages compensate you for physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of life enjoyment caused by the accident. Missouri doesn’t cap these damages in car accident cases.
We document how your injuries affect your daily activities, relationships, and overall quality of life.
Vehicle and Property Damage
You’re entitled to repair costs or your vehicle’s fair market value if it’s declared a total loss. This also includes rental car costs while your vehicle is being repaired.
Don’t forget about personal property damaged in the crash, like phones, laptops, or clothing.
Wrongful Death Damages
If you lost a loved one in a highway crash, certain family members can file wrongful death claims. These recover damages for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and loss of companionship.
Missouri gives you only two years from the date of death to file this type of claim, making it crucial to consult our legal team at Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers promptly.
How Do Our Missouri Highway Accident Lawyers Help
After a serious highway crash, you should focus on recovery while we handle every legal detail of your case. You pay no fees unless we win your case.
Evidence Collection and EDR Data
Modern vehicles have Event Data Recorders that capture speed, braking, and steering data seconds before a crash. We act quickly to preserve this critical evidence before it’s erased or destroyed.
This “black box” data often provides the clearest picture of how your accident happened and who was at fault.
Insurance Negotiation and Claim Strategy
Insurance companies want to pay you as little as possible. We know their tactics and use our knowledge of Missouri crash reports and law to build strong negotiating positions.
Our experience with similar cases helps us fight for fair settlements that cover all your losses.
Medical Billing and Liens
Dealing with medical bills and health insurance liens while healing is incredibly stressful. Our team manages all communication with medical providers and negotiates to reduce liens against your settlement.
This puts more money in your pocket and removes the burden of handling complex billing issues.
Trial Readiness if Needed
While most cases settle out of court, we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. This thorough preparation sends a clear message that we’re ready to fight.
Insurance companies often make fairer offers when they know we’re prepared to take them to court.
Law Firm Specializing in Missouri Car Accident Law Since 1990
In Missouri, you generally have five years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, evidence disappears quickly, witness memories fade, and government claims require formal notice within just 90 days.
Don’t wait to protect your rights. The sooner you contact us, the stronger we can make your case.
Highway Accident FAQs in Missouri
Is Missouri an At Fault State?
Yes, Missouri is an at-fault state where the driver who caused the accident pays for damages through their liability insurance.
Are MSHP Crash Reports Public Record?
Yes, Missouri State Highway Patrol crash reports are public records available online for up to one year through the HP68 portal.
What Is the Time Limit to File a Highway Accident Claim?
There are time limits for filing personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits in Missouri, so you should consult an attorney promptly to protect your rights.
What if a Semi Truck Caused a Pileup?
Truck crashes are more complex because trucking companies follow strict federal laws and carry larger insurance policies, often leading to higher settlements for catastrophic damages.
Understanding the difference between Missouri car accidents and truck accidents helps explain why these cases require specialized legal expertise.
Can I Recover if a Deer Caused the Crash?
You can’t sue the deer, but you may have claims if another driver reacted unsafely or if a government entity failed to provide adequate warnings in high-risk areas.
Can I Bring a Claim Against MoDOT or a Work Zone Contractor?
Yes, you can file claims against government entities or contractors for dangerous roads or work zones, but these cases have strict rules and much shorter deadlines.
What if the Other Driver Has No Insurance?
You can file a claim under your uninsured motorist coverage, which is required in Missouri, or we can investigate whether the driver has personal assets.
What Makes I-70 or I-44 Especially Dangerous?
I-70 has heavy truck traffic and severe weather, while I-44’s Ozark sections have sharp curves and hills limiting visibility, contributing to higher accident rates.
At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, we help highway crash victims across Missouri and fight to get them the compensation they deserve. We understand the unique challenges these cases present and fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Call us today for your free consultation.
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