Injured in an accident caused by a reckless driver in Florissant, MO? Our knowledgeable reckless driver accident lawyers in Florissant, Missouri will get you compensated for medical bills, lost earnings from work, pain and suffering and more..
If you’ve been hit by a reckless driver, you’re likely facing more than just property damage and minor injuries. The medical bills are mounting, you may be unable to work for weeks or months, and the insurance company is already looking for ways to minimize what they’ll pay.
Our skilled Florissant reckless driver accident attorneys know this because we’ve helped hundreds of Missouri families navigate these exact challenges.
At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, we handle reckless driving cases throughout Florissant and have done so since 1990. We understand the specific evidence needed to prove reckless behavior, from cell phone records to traffic camera footage.Â
Our Florissant reckless driver accident lawyers also know how to counter the aggressive tactics insurance companies use when facing these higher-value claims. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
How Our Legal Team Helps You With Your Reckless Driver Accident Claim in Florissant
When you call us after a crash, we get to work right away. Our Florissant reckless driver accident attorneys know evidence disappears fast, so we move quickly to build the strongest possible case on your behalf.
Here’s what we do for you:
- Investigate the crash: We gather police reports, traffic camera footage, cell phone records, and witness statements before they’re lost or deleted.
- Handle the insurance companies: We take over all communication with adjusters so you don’t say anything that can be used against you.
- Calculate your full losses: We account for medical bills, lost wages, future care needs, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
- Prepare for trial: We build every case as if it’s going to court. That preparation gives us real leverage in settlement negotiations.
- Coordinate your medical care: We help you access treatment and manage bills and liens while your case is pending.
You focus on getting better. We’ll handle the rest.
What Counts as Reckless Driving in Missouri?
Missouri law uses the term “careless and imprudent driving” to describe what most people call reckless driving. Under Missouri Revised Statute 304.012, every driver must operate their vehicle in a careful and prudent manner and exercise the highest degree of care.
A driver who ignores that standard and causes a crash can be held financially responsible for your injuries.
Common examples of reckless driving we see in Florissant cases include:
- Excessive speeding, such as driving significantly over the posted limit.
- Street racing or aggressive weaving through traffic
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Tailgating and brake-checking
- Wrong-way driving
- Road rage and deliberate aggressive behavior
- Texting or using a phone while driving at dangerous speeds
- Fleeing from police
Who Is Liable in a Reckless Driving Crash?
The reckless driver is the primary defendant in your claim, but they’re not always the only one. Other parties may share responsibility depending on how the crash happened.
- Employers: If the driver was on the job at the time of the crash, their employer may be liable for their actions.
- Vehicle owners: If someone lent their car to a person they knew was an unsafe driver, the owner can be held liable through a legal theory called negligent entrustment.
- Bars and restaurants: If a business overserved a visibly intoxicated person who then caused a crash, Missouri’s dram shop laws may allow you to pursue a claim against that establishment.
Identifying every liable party matters because it can mean access to multiple insurance policies, which increases the total compensation available to you.
What If the Reckless Driver Has No Insurance?
If the driver who hit you has no insurance or flees the scene, you still have options. Missouri requires all drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage, often called UM coverage. This is part of your own auto insurance policy and exists specifically for situations like this.
Your UM coverage can pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages when the at-fault driver can’t. We help you file that claim and fight your own insurer if they try to underpay.
How We Prove a Driver Was Reckless
Proving recklessness requires more than just your word against theirs. We build your case using hard evidence, and we move fast because some of it has a very short window before it’s gone.
- Cell phone records: We subpoena records to show if the driver was texting or using an app at the time of impact.
- Event data recorder data: Most modern vehicles have a “black box” that captures speed, braking, and steering inputs in the seconds before a crash.
- Traffic and surveillance video: We immediately request footage from nearby businesses, traffic cameras, and doorbell cameras before it gets overwritten.
- Witness statements: We track down anyone who saw the crash and get their account on record.
- Accident reconstruction experts: In complex cases, we bring in specialists who can scientifically recreate what happened and prove the driver’s conduct caused your injuries.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
Missouri law allows you to seek compensation for both your financial losses and the personal toll the crash has taken on your life. Every case is different, but most reckless driving claims include recovery for:
- Current and future medical bills, including surgery, physical therapy, and long-term care
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work
- Vehicle repair or replacement
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
In cases involving especially dangerous conduct, like drunk driving or street racing, Missouri law also allows for punitive damages. These are awarded on top of your actual losses and are meant to punish the driver and send a message that this behavior won’t be tolerated.
What If You Were Partly at Fault?
Insurance companies often try to shift some of the blame onto the injured person to reduce what they have to pay. Even if that happens, you may still be able to recover compensation. Missouri follows a pure comparative fault system. This means your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, but you can still recover even if you were partly responsible for the crash.
For example, if your total damages are $1,000,000 and you are found 4% at fault, you would only recover $960,000.
What Affects Your Settlement Amount?
No two cases are exactly alike, and several factors influence what your claim is ultimately worth.
Factor | Why It Matters |
Severity of Your Injuries | More serious or permanent injuries lead to higher compensation for medical care and pain and suffering. |
Strength of Evidence | Clear proof of recklessness, like video footage or a high BAC, supports a stronger claim. |
Available Insurance Coverage | The total coverage from all liable parties determines the ceiling on your recovery. |
Lost Income | Your settlement should account for past and future lost earnings, not just your current medical bills. |
Your Percentage of Fault | Any fault assigned to you reduces your total recovery, which is why we challenge unfair blame. |
What To Do After a Reckless Driving Crash in Florissant
What you do in the hours after a crash can make a real difference in your case.
Step 1: Call 911 and Seek Medical Care
Call the Florissant Police Department and request emergency services. Even if you feel okay, get checked out at a nearby hospital. Some serious injuries, like concussions and spinal damage, don’t show symptoms right away, and a medical record from the day of the crash is important evidence.
Step 2: Document the Scene
If it’s safe to do so, take photos of the vehicles, road conditions, skid marks, and your injuries. Get the names and contact information of any witnesses before they leave.
Step 3: Don’t Give a Recorded Statement
Do not speak to the other driver’s insurance company without our Florissant car accident attorneys present. Adjusters are trained to ask questions that can be used to reduce or deny your claim.
Step 4: Call Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers
The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can start preserving evidence and protecting your rights. There is no cost to speak with us, and we only get paid if we recover money for you.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim in Missouri?
In Missouri, you generally have five years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If a loved one was killed in the crash, the family has three years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim.
Five years may feel like a long time, but critical evidence like surveillance footage can be erased within days. Don’t wait to get legal help.
Skilled Reckless Driving Accident Law Firm in Florissant, Missouri
At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, we’re a family-run firm dedicated to standing up for injured people. We’re the only law firm in Missouri that focuses exclusively on auto accident cases, and that focus makes a real difference in how we handle your claim.
We treat every client like family, handle every detail of your case, and never stop pushing for the best possible outcome. If you’ve been hurt by a reckless driver in Florissant, don’t face this alone. Contact us now for a free consultation.
FAQs About Reckless Driver Accident Claims in Florissant
Does a Reckless Driver Need a Criminal Conviction for Me to Win My Civil Claim?
No. A criminal conviction is not required to win a civil injury case. The burden of proof is lower in civil court, and we can prove the driver’s recklessness using police reports, witness testimony, and other evidence.
Can I Still Recover Compensation If I Was Partially at Fault for the Crash?
Yes. Missouri’s pure comparative fault rule allows you to recover compensation even if you were partially responsible. Your total award is simply reduced by your percentage of fault.
How Long Does a Reckless Driving Accident Case Take to Resolve?
Most cases resolve within several months to a couple of years. The timeline depends on the severity of your injuries, how long your medical treatment takes, and whether a fair settlement can be reached without going to trial.
What If the Reckless Driver’s Insurance Isn’t Enough to Cover My Damages?
We look beyond the at-fault driver’s policy for additional sources of recovery. This can include your own UM/UIM coverage, claims against an employer, or a negligent entrustment claim against the vehicle owner.
Will My Reckless Driving Accident Case Go to Court?
Most cases settle before trial. However, we prepare every case as though it will go to court, which puts real pressure on insurance companies to offer a fair settlement rather than risk a jury verdict.
