A car accident lawyer in St. Louis serves as your legal advocate after a crash, handling all aspects of your claim while you focus on recovery. Your attorney investigates the accident, gathers evidence, negotiates with insurance companies, and fights for fair compensation to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
After a car crash, problems arrive quickly and often at once. Medical bills start coming in before treatment is complete. Adjusters call at difficult times with questions that can be misused. If injuries keep you from working, the financial strain mounts.
This is where legal counsel adds real value. An experienced Saint Louis car accident attorney takes over the investigation, deals with the insurers, and builds the proof needed to support your claim.
The attorney’s focus is recovering damages for your medical care, lost income, and the other documented effects of the crash on your life. While they manage the legal process, you can focus on your recovery.
What Does a St. Louis Car Accident Attorney Do?
At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, our job boils down to three things: protect your rights, deal with the insurance companies, and pursue the full compensation the law allows.
We collect critical evidence, run the negotiations, and push back hard when an insurer tries to shortchange you.
Investigates and Preserves Evidence
Evidence doesn’t wait around after an accident. Security cameras record over their footage. Witnesses forget details or become difficult to track down. Physical evidence at the crash scene changes or disappears completely.
We collect police reports, witness accounts, photos of the damage and scene, and your medical records. If distracted driving seems likely, we can subpoena the other driver’s phone records to prove they were texting or calling when the crash happened.
The key is speed. We start investigating as soon as you call us, not after important evidence has already vanished.
Handles the Insurance Company for You
We take over all communication with insurance companies from the moment you hire us. Adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, and they use specific tactics to get accident victims to say things that weaken their claims.
They might push for a recorded statement before you’ve seen a doctor, ask how you’re feeling in hopes you’ll downplay your injuries, or get you talking about the accident before you’ve had time to process what happened. Once you’ve given a statement, walking it back becomes nearly impossible.
We handle both the other driver’s insurance company and your own, protecting you from these strategies. If the at-fault driver lacked sufficient coverage, we’ll pursue your uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage to make up the difference.
Calculates Medical Costs, Lost Wages, and Future Care
Calculating your losses goes far beyond your current bills. We look at everything the accident will cost you now and in the future.
Your compensation should cover both immediate and long-term costs:
| Immediate Costs | Future Costs |
| Emergency room and hospital bills | Ongoing physical therapy |
| Lost wages from missed work | Reduced earning capacity |
| Vehicle repair or replacement | Future surgeries or procedures |
| Prescription medications | Home modifications for disabilities |
Many people don’t realize how much their case is really worth. We work with medical experts and economists to make sure every dollar is accounted for.
Work With Experts to Strengthen Your Claim
Some cases need more than documentation and witness statements. When the facts get technical or the damages are substantial, expert witnesses can make the difference between a denied claim and full compensation.
We call on specialists when their expertise will prove something critical to your case:
- Accident reconstruction specialists: They recreate the crash using physics and engineering principles to establish fault
- Medical experts: Professionals who can testify about your injuries and explain why future treatment is necessary
- Economic experts: Financial analysts who calculate lifetime earnings losses and long-term costs
- Vocational experts: They evaluate how your injuries impact your ability to earn a living
These specialists cost money to hire, but in serious injury cases, their testimony frequently results in settlements that are tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars higher than what insurance companies initially offer.
We’ve worked with credible professionals in each field and know when bringing them in will actually move the needle on your case.
Negotiates or Goes to Trial if Needed
Most car accident cases settle before ever reaching a courtroom, but there’s an important reason why. Insurance companies offer fair settlements when they believe you’re actually willing to go to trial.
If they think you’ll accept whatever they offer just to avoid court, they have no incentive to negotiate reasonably.
We prepare every case as though a jury will eventually hear it. This approach gives us real leverage during settlement talks because insurers recognize we’re not bluffing about taking things further. They’ve seen us in court before, and they know we won’t accept an inadequate offer just to close the file quickly.
Our attorneys have substantial trial experience and are completely comfortable presenting your case to a jury. Sometimes the threat of trial is enough to bring insurers back to the negotiating table with a better offer.
Other times, we end up in court because it’s the only way to get you the compensation you deserve.
Helps With Medical Care, Bills, and Liens
Getting care after a crash shouldn’t hinge on your bank account. You need treatment now, yet the case may take time, which creates a real bind.
To bridge that gap, we work with doctors who treat on a lien basis—so you get the care you need right away, and they’re paid from the settlement later. That way, you’re not delaying MRIs, therapy, or follow-ups while the claim moves forward.
In addition, your own auto policy may include Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage. Crucially, MedPay pays eligible medical bills regardless of fault, which means it can start working for you immediately. Most clients are surprised it’s there.
We confirm the benefit and manage the paperwork with your doctors. Combined with lien arrangements, MedPay lets you keep treating while we build and pursue your claim.
How A Car Accident Attorney Proves Fault Under Missouri Law
To obtain compensation, we have to show the other driver caused the crash—in other words, that they were negligent. Negligence means failing to drive safely. That can look like speeding, running a red light, driving while distracted, or any other careless behavior that leads to a collision.
Evidence that helps most in Missouri auto accident claims
Cases are won with clear proof of what happened and who is responsible. We concentrate on evidence that tells that story:
- Scene photos and video that capture vehicle positions, damage, skid marks, debris, and road or weather conditions immediately after the crash.
- Independent witnesses whose accounts carry weight because they have no stake in the outcome.
- Accident-reconstruction experts who use physics and engineering to explain how the collision occurred.
- Medical records that connect your treatment and injuries directly to the crash.
We also look for traffic violations. If the other driver broke a traffic law, that can automatically establish negligence.
When You’re Being Blamed For The Accident
Missouri follows pure comparative negligence, which means you can recover compensation even when you share some responsibility for the accident. However, your settlement gets reduced by whatever percentage of fault is assigned to you.
Here’s where it gets tricky: insurance companies will look for any reason to pin blame on you, even partially. They understand the math. If they can convince anyone you were 20% at fault, they immediately cut their payout by 20%. Even claiming you bear 10% responsibility saves them significant money on a serious injury case.
We contest any fault assignment that lacks support in the record. If an adjuster misreads a statement or ignores key facts, we fix it. Our aim is the full measure of compensation available under Missouri law.
Pursuing Compensation in St. Louis Car Accident Cases
Missouri law allows accident victims to recover money for all their losses. We make sure you understand every type of compensation available to you.
Losses That Are Recoverable in Missouri
- Economic damages. Documented financial losses such as medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and reasonably anticipated future medical expenses.
- Non-economic damages. Losses without receipts, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Punitive damages. Awarded only in rare, egregious cases—such as drunk or intentionally reckless driving—to punish and deter misconduct.
In most matters, recovery consists of economic and non-economic damages. Punitive damages apply only when the other driver’s conduct is particularly dangerous or intentional.
Factors Which Affect Case Value
The most significant variable is the extent of your injuries.
Also considered:
- Medical spending to date and projected care.
- Wage loss or diminished earnings during recovery.
- Insurance limits available to pay the claim.
- Quality of the liability evidence against the other driver.
We evaluate each factor to determine a fair case value and press the claim to recover every dollar available under the policy and the law.
The Cost to Hire An Attorney Who Specializes in Car Accidents
Cost shouldn’t be a barrier to getting help. We work on a contingency fee: you pay nothing up front, and our fee comes from the settlement or court award.
If we don’t recover money for you, you owe us nothing. We also offer a free, no-obligation consultation so you can talk through your case and get clear guidance before you decide.
Filing Deadlines and Reporting Duties
Missouri gives you five years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. For wrongful death cases, you have three years. Missing this deadline means you lose your right to compensation forever. Even if you have a strong case, the court will dismiss it if you file too late.
You must also file a police report within 30 days if the accident caused injury, death, or more than $500 in property damage. This is required by Missouri law.
What Do We Do in the First 72 Hours After You Call?
Within 24 hours
- Preservation letters sent. To insurers, tow yards, body shops, and any custodian of photos/video—to stop alteration or loss of evidence.
- Claims opened and contact routed to us. We notify all carriers and take over every call and email with adjusters.
By 48 hours
- Vehicle inspection scheduled. Damage documented before repairs or salvage; we secure photographs and reports.
- Medical payments (MedPay) activated. We help set up billing so care is not delayed or misapplied.
By 72 hours
- Care network aligned. Referrals to trusted providers suited to your injuries.
- Witnesses interviewed. Statements taken while memories are fresh and contact details are current.
Can We Help With Repairs, Rentals, and MedPay?
We handle the practical issues that follow a crash. We coordinate repairs with the shop and insurer, and we arrange a rental while your vehicle is down.
Most auto policies include medical payments (MedPay) coverage. MedPay pays treatment bills right away, regardless of fault. We set up the claim and billing so those benefits cover your initial care without delay.
When Should You Call a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer?
You should contact an attorney as soon as possible after any accident that caused injuries. Some situations require immediate legal help:
- Serious injuries requiring hospitalization
- The other driver denying fault or involved in a hit and run
- Multiple vehicles or commercial vehicles involved
- Insurance company delays or low settlement offers
- Questions about who was at fault
Don’t wait to see if you need a lawyer. Insurance companies start working against you immediately, and evidence disappears quickly. Getting legal help early gives you the best chance of a successful outcome.
Assisting Car Accident Victims in St. Louis For 35+ Years
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, you don’t have to face the insurance companies alone. At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, we are dedicated to helping injured people seek the compensation they deserve.
Attorneys Paul Beck and John Beck have a long history of successfully helping our clients recover compensation after car accidents. We’re the only law firm in Missouri that focuses exclusively on auto accident cases, which means we know exactly how to handle your situation.
Contact us for a free consultation. We’ll answer your questions, explain your rights, and help you understand your options.
FAQ
Can I handle my car accident claim without hiring a lawyer?
Yes. You may represent yourself. Be aware, however, that insurers often leverage that posture—pushing low offers or denying valid claims. Retaining experienced counsel materially improves the likelihood of a fair result.
What happens if the other driver’s insurance company contacts me directly?
You should politely decline to give a statement and refer them to your attorney. Anything you say can be used to reduce or deny your claim, even if you think you’re just being helpful.
How long does it take to settle a car accident case in Missouri?
Timeframes turn on the case and the injury profile. Straightforward claims with clear liability and limited treatment often resolve within a few months.
Matters involving serious injuries or more complexity typically take longer—frequently a year or more to resolve properly.
What if I was hit by someone driving for work?
If the other driver was working when they caused your accident, their employer might also be responsible for your damages. This can provide additional insurance coverage and increase your potential compensation.
Do I need to go to court if I hire a car accident lawyer?
Most clients never see a courtroom; car crash claims usually resolve through negotiation or pre-trial mediation.
That said, results improve when the insurer knows your lawyer is prepared to file suit, take depositions, and try the case—readiness to go to court often drives a fairer settlement.
What should I do immediately after a car accident in St. Louis, Missouri?
After a St. Louis crash, call 911, get medical care, and note the police report number. Exchange information, photograph the scene (positions, damage, signals), and get witness contacts; see a doctor the same day and keep all records.
Notify your insurer without admitting fault, decline recorded statements to the other carrier, preserve the vehicle for inspection, and contact counsel early.
