You can sue a reckless driver for injuries in Missouri. Missouri law allows you to file a personal injury lawsuit against any driver whose dangerous or careless actions caused your crash, regardless of whether they face criminal charges.
You have the right to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from their reckless behavior.
Reckless driving cases in Missouri involve proving that the other driver acted with willful disregard for safety, such as excessive speeding, aggressive tailgating, road rage, or driving under the influence.
You don’t need a criminal conviction to win your civil case because the legal standards are different. You only need to show the driver was more likely than not responsible for your injuries.
What Counts as Reckless Driving in Missouri?
Missouri law calls this behavior “careless and imprudent driving” rather than “reckless driving.” This means operating a vehicle with willful disregard for the safety of others. For your injury claim, you need to prove the other driver was negligent, which means they failed to drive safely and their actions caused your crash.
Examples of Reckless and Aggressive Driving
Certain driving behaviors clearly show a driver’s disregard for safety. These actions frequently lead to serious accidents that could have been prevented.
- Excessive speeding: Driving significantly over the posted speed limit or too fast for road conditions.
- Aggressive tailgating: Following another vehicle dangerously close to intimidate or pressure them.
- Brake checking: Intentionally slamming on brakes to startle the driver behind you.
- Road rage incidents: Using your vehicle to threaten others by swerving at them or forcing them off the road.
- Running red lights or stop signs: Deliberately ignoring traffic signals and putting everyone at risk.
- Street racing: Competing with another vehicle on public roads.
- Texting while driving: Taking your eyes off the road to send messages or use your phone.
- Drunk or drugged driving: Operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
These behaviors show a pattern of dangerous decision-making that puts everyone on the road at risk.
Do I Need a Criminal Conviction to Win My Case?
No, you don’t need a criminal conviction to win your civil injury case. The legal standards are completely different for civil and criminal cases.
In your civil lawsuit, our Missouri auto accident attorneys only need to prove the other driver was “more likely than not” at fault for your injuries. This is called the “preponderance of evidence” standard. Criminal cases require proof “beyond a reasonable doubt,” which is much harder to achieve.
While a traffic ticket or criminal charge can help strengthen your claim, it’s not required to prove liability and recover compensation. We can win your case based on the evidence we gather, even if the driver was never charged criminally.
Who Can I Hold Liable?
Liability means legal responsibility for your injuries. Sometimes the person driving isn’t the only one who can be held accountable for your crash. At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, we investigate every possible source of compensation to make sure you get the full recovery you deserve.
Finding all liable parties is important because it can increase the total amount of insurance coverage available to pay your claim.
Employers and Vehicle Owners
If the reckless driver was working when the crash happened, their employer may be responsible for your injuries. This legal rule is called vicarious liability, and it applies to delivery drivers, truck drivers, and anyone using a company vehicle for work.
Vehicle owners can also be held liable through negligent entrustment. This happens when someone lets an unsafe, unlicensed, or impaired person drive their car. If the owner knew or should have known the driver was dangerous, they can be sued along with the driver.
Bars and Restaurants Under Dram Shop Law
Missouri’s dram shop law lets you hold bars and restaurants accountable when they serve alcohol to someone who then causes a drunk driving accident. This applies if the establishment served a visibly intoxicated person or served alcohol to someone under 21.
These cases have strict requirements and deadlines, so it’s important to act quickly if alcohol was involved in your crash.
How Do I Prove Reckless Driving Caused My Injuries?
Proving a reckless driver caused your car accident injuries requires more than just your word against theirs. We must establish four key legal elements: duty, breach, causation, and damages.
The other driver had a duty to drive safely, they breached that duty through reckless behavior, their actions caused the crash, and you suffered real harm as a result. Our team knows exactly what evidence insurance companies and courts need to see.
Evidence That Strengthens Your Claim
Strong evidence is the foundation of every successful case. We gather multiple types of proof to show what happened and who was at fault.
- Police reports: Official documentation of the crash and any citations issued
- Electronic data: Information from vehicle “black boxes” that record speed and braking
- Video footage: Dashcam, traffic camera, or security camera recordings
- 911 recordings: Calls that capture immediate details about the crash
- Phone records: Data from the driver’s phone records showing if they were texting or calling
- Witness statements: Accounts from people who saw what happened
- Scene photos: Pictures of vehicle damage, skid marks, and road conditions
- Medical records: Documentation linking your injuries to the accident
The sooner we start gathering evidence, the stronger your case becomes. Some evidence, like security footage, gets deleted quickly.
What to Do After the Crash
Your safety comes first after any accident. Move to a safe location if possible and call 911 immediately, even if the crash seems minor.
Get medical attention right away, even if you feel fine. Some serious injuries like concussions or internal bleeding don’t show symptoms immediately. Having medical records from right after the crash strengthens your case.
Document everything you can if you’re able to do so safely. Take photos of the vehicles, the accident scene, and any visible injuries. Get contact information from witnesses who saw what happened.
Don’t give recorded statements to any insurance company before talking to a lawyer. What you say can be used against you later, even if you’re trying to be helpful.
Does Comparative Fault Reduce My Compensation?
Missouri follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule, which means you can still recover money even if you were partially at fault for the accident. However, your compensation gets reduced by your percentage of blame.
For example, if you were 40% at fault and your total damages were $100,000, you would receive $60,000. Insurance companies know this rule and often try to blame you unfairly to pay less money.
| Your Total Damages | Your Fault Percentage | Your Final Recovery |
| $100,000 | 0% | $100,000 |
| $100,000 | 20% | $80,000 |
| $100,000 | 50% | $50,000 |
At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, we fight back against unfair blame tactics and understand how comparative negligence laws work. We know how to present evidence that shows the other driver’s reckless behavior was the real cause of your crash.
What Compensation Can I Recover?
Missouri law allows you to recover compensation for all losses caused by the reckless driver’s actions. We work to secure money that covers both your current expenses and any future needs related to your injuries.
The goal is to put you back in the position you would have been in if the crash never happened.
Economic and Non-Economic Damages
Your compensation falls into two main categories, and both are important for your full recovery.
Economic damages are the financial losses you can calculate with receipts and bills:
- Medical expenses: Hospital bills, surgery costs, medications, and therapy
- Lost wages: Income you missed while recovering from your injuries
- Future medical care: Ongoing treatment your doctors say you’ll need
- Property damage: Repairs or replacement of your vehicle and personal items
Non-economic damages compensate you for losses that don’t have a specific dollar amount:
- Pain and suffering: Physical discomfort and emotional distress from your injuries
- Loss of enjoyment: When injuries prevent you from activities you used to love
- Permanent disability: Lasting limitations that affect your daily life and independence
Punitive Damages for Reckless Driving
In cases involving extremely dangerous behavior, you may also recover punitive damages. These aren’t meant to compensate you for losses but to punish the reckless driver and discourage similar behavior.
In Missouri, punitive damages in car accident claims are usually capped at $500,000 or five times your actual damages, whichever is greater.
What if the Driver Fled or Lacked Insurance?
A hit-and-run driver or someone without insurance doesn’t end your case. Missouri requires all drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage for exactly these situations.
Uninsured motorist coverage is part of your own insurance policy that steps in when the at-fault driver can’t pay. This coverage protects you when you need it most.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage and MedPay
Your uninsured motorist coverage applies to hit-and-run accidents and crashes with drivers who have no insurance or not enough insurance. You should report hit-and-run accidents to your insurer as soon as possible to comply with your policy’s notification requirements.
Medical Payments coverage, or MedPay, can pay your immediate medical bills regardless of who caused the crash. This coverage provides fast relief while your main claim moves forward.
Even if you have to use your own insurance, you shouldn’t have to pay your deductible if the other driver was at fault. We make sure your insurance company handles your claim properly.
Will Insurance Cover Intentional or Reckless Acts?
Insurance companies sometimes try to deny claims by saying their policies don’t cover “intentional acts.” While this creates challenges, it doesn’t automatically end your case.
We have experience fighting these denials and know how to protect your right to compensation.
Strategies When the Insurer Cites Intentional Act Exclusions
When an insurance company tries to deny coverage based on intentional act exclusions, we have proven strategies to fight back:
- Frame as negligence: We focus on the driver’s failure to operate safely rather than intent to harm
- Pursue multiple legal theories: We file claims under different legal grounds to create more recovery options
- Use alternative coverage: We look to your uninsured motorist, MedPay, or other applicable policies
- Preserve all evidence: We document the reckless behavior to build strong coverage arguments
The key is acting quickly to preserve all your legal options before insurance companies can limit their exposure.
Injured by a Reckless Driver? Contact Our Missouri Auto Accident Law Firm Today
Being hurt by a reckless driver is traumatic and overwhelming. You shouldn’t have to face the legal and financial aftermath alone while you’re trying to heal from your injuries.
At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, we’re the only law firm in Missouri that focuses exclusively on auto accident cases. We help injured Missourians recover the compensation they deserve and provide personalized legal support every step of the way.
We understand the challenges you’re facing and know how to get results. Our family-run firm treats every client personally, so you’ll never feel like just another case number.
We offer free consultations and are available 24/7 to answer your questions about whether to file an insurance claim or lawsuit. You never pay us a fee unless we win your case. Contact us online to get the help you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is There a Reckless Driving Law in Missouri?
Missouri’s criminal law uses “careless and imprudent driving” rather than “reckless driving.” For civil injury claims, we focus on proving the driver’s negligent actions caused your injuries.
Can I Sue if There Was No Vehicle Contact?
Yes, you can file a claim if a reckless driver’s actions caused you to crash without making contact, such as forcing you off the road or causing you to swerve into something else.
Will My Insurance Rates Go Up if I Use Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Missouri law prohibits insurance companies from raising your rates for filing a not-at-fault claim under your uninsured motorist coverage.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire Beck & Beck?
We handle all cases on contingency, which means you pay absolutely nothing unless we win your case. There are no upfront costs or hourly fees.
Can Passengers Sue a Reckless Driver?
Yes, injured passengers have the right to file claims against the at-fault driver and any other liable parties to recover compensation for their injuries.
Should I Call a Lawyer if I May Be Partially at Fault?
Absolutely, Missouri’s pure comparative negligence law allows you to recover damages even if you share some blame for the accident, and we work to minimize any fault assigned to you.
