You need a lawyer for a pedestrian accident in Missouri when you’ve suffered serious injuries, face disputed fault, deal with missing or uninsured drivers, or encounter pressure for quick settlements.
Missouri law allows you to recover compensation even if you were partially at fault, but insurance companies often try to minimize payouts by blaming pedestrians for accidents they didn’t cause.
Understanding when to seek legal help can make the difference between receiving fair compensation and being left with overwhelming medical bills.
Here are clear warning signs you need a lawyer immediately:
- Serious injuries: Broken bones, head trauma, or hospital stays
- Fault disputes: Insurance company blames you for the accident
- Missing driver: Hit and run or uninsured motorist situation
- Settlement pressure: Quick offers before treatment is complete
- Government liability: City buses, police cars, or municipal vehicles
- Child victims: Anyone under 18 was injured in the accident
- Wrongful death: Someone died from their injuries
- Fading evidence: Camera footage being deleted or witnesses unavailable
Signs You Need a Pedestrian Accident Attorney
You should contact a Missouri pedestrian accident lawyer immediately if you see any of these warning signs. The sooner you get legal help, the better your chances of protecting your rights and building a strong case.
You Have Suffered Serious Injuries
Serious injuries require immediate legal help. If you suffered broken bones, a traumatic brain injury, spinal damage, or needed surgery, you should call a lawyer right away. These injuries often require months of treatment and can leave you with permanent disabilities.
Insurance companies know that serious injuries cost more money. They may try to settle your claim quickly before you understand the full extent of your injuries and future medical needs.
The Insurance Company is Unfairly Blaming You
Insurance companies often try to blame pedestrians to reduce their payouts. They might claim you were jaywalking, distracted by your phone, or not paying attention. This is a common tactic to shift fault away from their insured driver.
Missouri’s pure comparative fault law means you can still recover compensation even if you were partially to blame. However, the insurance company will try to assign you as much fault as possible to reduce what they have to pay.
The Accident Involved a Hit and Run or the Driver Was Uninsured
Hit and run accidents require immediate legal attention. Time is critical because evidence disappears quickly, and witnesses forget details. We need to act fast to preserve security camera footage and find people who saw what happened.
If the driver doesn’t have insurance or not enough coverage, you may be able to use your own uninsured motorist coverage. Many people don’t realize they have this protection through their auto insurance policy.
If You’re Being Pressured to Take a Quick Settlement
Insurance companies often make quick, low settlement offers hoping you’ll accept before you know the full cost of your injuries. These offers usually come within days or weeks of the accident, long before your medical treatment is complete.
Never accept a settlement offer without talking to a lawyer first. Once you sign a settlement agreement, you can’t ask for more money later, even if your injuries turn out to be worse than expected.
If a Government Vehicle or Commercial Truck Was Involved
Accidents involving government entities or commercial vehicles have special rules and much shorter deadlines. Claims against Missouri government agencies often require notice within 90 days of the accident. Missing these deadlines can prevent you from recovering any compensation.
Commercial truck accidents involve federal regulations and multiple insurance policies. These cases are complex and require immediate investigation to preserve evidence before it’s destroyed.
If a Child Was Injured or Someone Died
Cases involving child pedestrian accidents have unique legal requirements. Children can’t make legal decisions for themselves, and special court procedures may be required to protect their interests.
Wrongful death claims in Missouri must be filed within three years of the death, a shorter period than the typical personal injury statute of limitations. Families dealing with the loss of a loved one need legal help to navigate these complex claims.
If Evidence Is Disappearing or Time Is Running Out
Critical evidence disappears quickly after a pedestrian accident. Security cameras at nearby businesses often delete footage within days. Witnesses forget details, and physical evidence at the scene gets cleaned up or destroyed.
Missouri law gives you five years to file most personal injury claims, but waiting that long can seriously hurt your case. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the better your chances of building a strong case.
How Does a Missouri Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Help?
A Missouri pedestrian accident lawyer takes the legal burden off your shoulders so you can focus on healing. We handle every aspect of your case while protecting your rights and fighting for fair compensation.
How Do We Investigate and Preserve Critical Evidence?
We start investigating your case immediately to preserve evidence before it disappears. Our team photographs the accident scene, measures skid marks, and documents traffic signals and signs. We also identify and interview witnesses while their memories are fresh.
We send legal preservation letters to businesses with security cameras to prevent footage from being deleted. If needed, we work with accident reconstruction experts who can recreate how the crash happened and prove the driver was at fault.
How Do We Handle Insurance Claims for Pedestrians?
Pedestrian accident cases often involve multiple insurance policies that can be confusing to navigate. We deal with all insurance companies on your behalf so you don’t have to worry about saying something that could hurt your case.
Many pedestrians don’t realize they can use benefits from their own auto insurance policy even though they weren’t driving, regardless of where most pedestrian accidents happen in Missouri. This includes Medical Payments coverage and Uninsured Motorist protection that can help pay for your medical bills and other expenses.
How Do We Calculate Your Full Compensation?
We work with medical experts and economists to calculate the true value of your case. This includes all your current medical bills, future medical expenses, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from working.
We also fight for compensation for non-economic damages like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. These damages can be significant in pedestrian cases because the injuries are often severe and life-changing.
How Do We Protect You from Insurance Company Tactics?
Insurance companies use many tactics to reduce their payouts. They might claim you were jaywalking, not paying attention, or partially at fault for the accident. They often make quick settlement offers hoping you’ll accept before you understand your injuries.
We know these tactics and how to fight them. We gather evidence for proving liability in a pedestrian accident by showing the driver was negligent and challenging any attempts to blame you for the accident. Our goal is to ensure fault is assigned correctly based on the facts.
How Do We Help with Medical Care and Bills?
If you’re having trouble paying for medical care, we can often connect you with doctors who will treat you under a medical lien. This means you get the care you need now and pay for it later from your settlement.
We also negotiate with health insurance companies and medical providers to reduce liens on your settlement. This helps you keep more of your compensation instead of paying it back to insurance companies.
What Missouri Laws Affect Pedestrian Accident Claims?
Missouri has specific traffic laws and legal rules that affect pedestrian accident cases. Understanding these laws is important for protecting your rights and maximizing your compensation.
What Are Missouri’s Crosswalk and Right of Way Laws?
Missouri law requires drivers to yield the right of way to pedestrians in marked crosswalks and at intersections. Drivers must come to a complete stop and allow pedestrians to cross safely before proceeding.
However, pedestrians also have duties under Missouri law. You must obey traffic signals, use sidewalks when available, and avoid suddenly entering the roadway where drivers can’t see you. Both drivers and pedestrians are expected to exercise reasonable care to avoid accidents.
What Is Missouri’s Pure Comparative Fault System?
Missouri uses a pure comparative fault system to assign responsibility in accidents. This means you can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident. Your total compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if you were found 20% at fault for not using a crosswalk, you could still recover 80% of your damages, which can significantly impact the average payout for a pedestrian hit by a car in Missouri. This system is more favorable to injury victims than other states that prevent any recovery if you’re partially at fault.
| Your Fault Percentage | Compensation You Can Recover |
| 0% | 100% of damages |
| 25% | 75% of damages |
| 50% | 50% of damages |
| 75% | 25% of damages |
What Deadlines Apply to Missouri Pedestrian Claims?
Missouri law gives you five years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, wrongful death claims are subject to a statute of limitations, so you should consult an attorney promptly to avoid missing the filing deadline.
Claims against government entities have much shorter deadlines. You typically must provide written notice within 90 days of the accident. Missing these deadlines can prevent you from recovering any compensation, regardless of how strong your case is.
What Should You Do After a Pedestrian Accident?
The steps you take immediately after being hit by a vehicle are critical for protecting your health and legal rights. Even if you’re seriously injured, try to take these important steps if you’re able.
What Immediate Steps Protect Your Legal Rights?
Call 911 immediately to get medical help and have police respond to the scene. Even if your injuries seem minor, adrenaline can mask serious problems that become apparent later. Having an official police report is important for your insurance claim.
If you’re able, take photos of your injuries, the vehicle that hit you, and the accident scene. Get contact information from the driver and any witnesses who saw what happened. Don’t discuss fault or apologize, as these statements can be used against you later.
Write down everything you remember about the accident as soon as possible. Include details like the weather, lighting conditions, and what the driver was doing before the crash. These details can be important for proving your case.
How Do You Preserve Evidence Before It Disappears?
Security camera footage from nearby businesses is often deleted within days of an accident. We send legal preservation letters immediately to ensure this critical evidence isn’t destroyed. This footage can show exactly how the accident happened and prove the driver was at fault.
We also work quickly to find and interview witnesses before their memories fade. Witness statements can be crucial for proving what happened, especially if the driver claims you were at fault for the accident.
Physical evidence at the scene like skid marks, debris, and damage to traffic signs can also disappear quickly. We document everything thoroughly to build the strongest possible case for you.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?
You don’t need to worry about paying attorney fees upfront when you hire Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers. We handle all pedestrian accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case.
We also advance all case expenses, including costs for expert witnesses, accident reconstruction specialists, and medical records. You won’t pay anything out of pocket during your case. Our fee comes from the settlement or judgment we recover for you.
As the only law firm in Missouri that focuses exclusively on auto accident law, we have the specialized knowledge and experience to handle your pedestrian accident case effectively. We have helped Missouri accident victims recover compensation for their injuries.
Why Choose Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers for Your Pedestrian Accident Case?
We understand how devastating a pedestrian accident can be for you and your family. These crashes often cause life-changing injuries that affect every aspect of your life. We’re here to fight for the compensation you need to move forward.
Our team has been helping Missouri accident victims since 1990. At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, we know how insurance companies operate and what tactics they use to minimize payouts. We’re not afraid to take your case to trial if the insurance company won’t offer fair compensation.
We handle every case personally and keep you informed throughout the process. You’ll always know what’s happening with your case and what to expect next. We’re available 24/7 to answer your questions and address your concerns.
Get Legal Help Today
If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, don’t wait to get the help you need. Evidence disappears quickly, and insurance companies start building their defense immediately. The sooner you contact us, the better we can protect your rights.
Contact us online for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, answer your questions, and explain your legal options. There’s no risk in calling, and you’ll get honest advice about whether you have a case.
We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week because we know accidents don’t happen on a schedule. Don’t let the insurance company take advantage of you when you’re dealing with serious injuries and medical bills.
FAQ
If I Was Jaywalking, Can I Still Recover Compensation in Missouri?
Yes, you can still recover compensation even if you were jaywalking. Missouri’s pure comparative fault law allows you to collect damages even when you’re partially at fault, though your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
Do Pedestrians Always Have the Right of Way in Missouri?
No, pedestrians don’t always have the right of way. While drivers must yield at marked crosswalks and intersections, pedestrians must also follow traffic laws, use available sidewalks, and avoid suddenly entering roadways where drivers can’t see them.
What Happens if I Hit a Pedestrian and It Was Their Fault?
Missouri’s comparative fault system applies to determine each party’s responsibility. If the pedestrian was primarily at fault, their ability to recover damages would be reduced or eliminated based on their percentage of blame for the accident.
Can I Use My Auto Insurance if I Was Hit as a Pedestrian?
Yes, your own auto insurance policy’s Medical Payments coverage and Uninsured Motorist protection typically apply even when you’re injured as a pedestrian. These benefits can help pay for medical bills and other expenses related to your injuries.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?
There are no upfront costs to hire our firm. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay attorney fees if we successfully recover compensation for your case.
How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim in Missouri?
Missouri law requires wrongful death lawsuits to be filed within three years of the person’s death. This is shorter than the five-year deadline for personal injury claims, so it’s important to act quickly.
How Quickly Should I Call a Lawyer After a Hit and Run Accident?
You should contact a lawyer immediately after a hit and run. Critical evidence like surveillance footage is often deleted within days, and witnesses become harder to find as time passes.
Will My Health Insurance Company Take Money from My Settlement?
In many cases, health insurance companies have the right to be repaid from your settlement for medical bills they paid. However, an experienced attorney can often negotiate to reduce these liens, allowing you to keep more of your compensation.
