Being involved in a car accident in Independence, Missouri, is one of the most frightening and stressful experiences someone can go through.
For 35+ years, our experienced Independence car accident lawyers have fiercely advocated for people who’ve been injured in motor vehicle accidents.
At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers we focus our entire practice on Missouri auto accident law, and we’ve recovered more than $105 million for our clients.
That experience gives us the insight and drive needed to hold the insurance companies accountable. We take an aggressive, hands-on approach to every case and treat each client like family. If you’ve been injured in a car crash, our experienced car accident attorneys in Independence, Missouri, can help.
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Need assistance with your auto accident injury claim in Independence, Missouri? Our experienced legal team is available 24 Hours a Day 7 Days a Week and can help you recover maximum monetary compensation. Call (816) 382-6915 for a free consult!
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What Our Independence Car Accident Lawyers Will Do To Help You
When you call us after a crash, we move quickly. We know how important it is to preserve important evidence before it disappears. That includes getting photos of the scene, checking for cameras nearby, and talking to people who saw what happened.
We also look over the police report and any other records that help us understand the details.
We Look at the Full Picture
In many cases, more than one person or company might be responsible. It’s not always just the other driver. Sometimes a commercial vehicle, an employer, or even a poorly maintained road plays a role.
Attorneys Paul Beck and John Beck will figure out who all the players are and which insurance policies might apply. When there’s more than one policy, that can help increase the total compensation available to you.
We Measure the Long-Term Impact
Your medical bills matter, but so does your ability to work, care for yourself, and keep up with daily life. We’ll work to understand the full scope of how the crash affected you—now and later. Then we’ll build your claim around that.
We Deal With Insurance Directly
Once we have a strong claim, we’ll take it straight to the insurance company. Most of the time, we can get a fair result through negotiation. If they push back or drag things out, we’re ready to go to court. Either way, you’ll have someone on your side who knows how to handle it.
Reasons Car Accidents Happen
The most common reasons car crash injuries occur involve the following factors:
- Exceeding the speed limit
- Driving while distracted
- Alcohol impairment
- Failure to yield
- Drowsy driving and driver fatigue
- Tailgating and following other cars too closely
- Improper usage of lanes
- Unsafe weather and road Conditions
- Crashes with deer
Determining Fault and Proving Liability
Missouri follows a fault-based system, which means the driver who caused the accident is financially responsible for the harm they caused.
Before any insurance payout or settlement can happen, there needs to be proof showing who was at fault and how their actions led to the crash.
What You Need to Show to Prove Fault
To hold someone accountable, you have to prove that they acted carelessly or broke a traffic rule. That could include anything from speeding, ignoring a stop sign, or texting behind the wheel. Once that behavior is documented, you need to connect it to the accident. This is where evidence becomes crucial.
What Evidence Helps Most
The most useful evidence usually includes police reports, photographs from the scene, statements from people who saw the crash happen, and any video footage if it’s available.
When fault is unclear or disputed, experts may be brought in to reconstruct the crash and explain what likely happened. This can help clear up disputes when stories don’t match.
How Shared Fault Works in Missouri
If both drivers did something wrong, Missouri applies a pure comparative fault rule. That means you can still recover compensation even if you were partly to blame, but your amount is reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if you were 35% responsible, your total recovery would be reduced by that same percentage.
Why Fault Matters in Your Claim
Fault doesn’t just affect who pays—it also affects how much. Insurance companies will review every detail to argue for a lower payout, especially if they can shift some blame onto you. That’s why our experienced Independence car accident attorneys build a case using solid, well-documented evidence from the start.
Steps To Take Immediately Following a Car Accident
After a car crash, your safety and health should always come first—but the steps you take at the scene and shortly after can have a major impact on your ability to file a strong personal injury claim.
While some evidence can be recovered later, many of the most critical details are only available right away, which is why acting quickly and thoughtfully is so important.
- Call 911 Right Away: Contact emergency services immediately. Police can secure the scene and file a crash report, while EMTs can assess injuries and transport you for urgent care if needed.
- Accept Medical Attention at the Scene: Even if injuries seem minor, it’s important to be evaluated. Many serious injuries—especially to the head, neck, or spine—may not show symptoms right away. Seeking prompt care also helps connect your injuries to the crash in medical records.
- Take Photos of Everything You Can: Use your phone to capture images of the vehicles, road conditions, any skid marks, traffic signs, and your injuries. These photos can later support your claim by documenting the scene from your point of view.
- Gather Contact and Insurance Details: Exchange license, registration, and insurance information with the other drivers involved. If there are witnesses nearby, politely ask for their names and phone numbers in case you need statements later.
- Obtain the Police Report: Make sure to request a copy of the official crash report once it becomes available. This document often includes driver identities, vehicle descriptions, and key details that our experienced Independence car accident lawyers can use when contacting insurers.
- Consult With a Lawyer Quickly: Reach out to our skilled Independence personal injury lawyers to help secure additional evidence, such as surveillance footage or traffic camera video, and communicate with the insurance company on your behalf.
These actions can strengthen your case and ensure your legal rights are protected from the very beginning.
Compensation You Can Receive After a Car Accident
If the other driver was at fault, you may be entitled to financial compensation that covers both your direct expenses and the broader impact the accident has had on your life.
Damages are typically split into two categories: economic and non-economic.
Economic Damages
These are the measurable financial losses you’ve experienced or will likely experience as a result of the accident:
- Emergency medical care and hospital bills
- Ongoing treatment, including physical therapy or surgery
- Prescription medications and medical equipment
- Future medical care for long-term injuries
- Lost wages if you missed work
- Loss of future income if you can’t return to the same job
- Vehicle repairs or replacement
- Home or vehicle modifications due to a permanent disability
Non-Economic Damages
These cover the personal, emotional, and physical toll of the accident:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disfigurement or disability
- Loss of companionship or support if your injuries affect your relationships
Compensation can vary depending on the details of your injury and its long-term impact, which is why it’s important to speak with an experienced legal representative as soon as possible.
Filing Your Claim Before the Deadline
In Missouri, you typically have five years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under RSMo §516.120. This deadline gives you time to understand the full impact of your injuries and gather the evidence needed to support your claim.
In serious cases, such as those involving long-term recovery or permanent disability, it may take years before you reach a point where damages can be accurately calculated. However, that doesn’t mean you should wait to get legal help.
It’s critical to contact our award-winning Independence car accident lawyers early so the investigation can begin right away. Over time, eyewitness memories fade, physical evidence can be lost, and footage from traffic or security cameras may be erased.
These are all pieces of evidence that can be hard to recover later, and without them, your ability to prove what happened may be compromised.
If the crash caused a fatality, the deadline is shorter. A wrongful death claim must be filed within three years from the date of death, not the date of the wreck.
To protect your right to seek compensation, talk with a lawyer who understands how to navigate these deadlines under RSMo Section 516.120.
Skilled Auto Accident Injury Law Firm in Independence, Missouri
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Independence, Missouri, we know how overwhelming the next steps can feel. At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, our job is to make the legal side easier so you can focus on recovering.
We’ve helped people across Missouri recover damages for medical bills, lost income, and other serious losses, and we’re ready to do the same for you. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
Our law firm has helped victims of auto accidents throughout the state of Missouri including Kansas City, St. Louis, Florissant, O’Fallon, Pine Lawn, Cape Girardeau, Doniphan, Jefferson City, Columbia, Kirksville, Springfield, and more.
