Injured in a pedestrian accident in Pine Lawn, MO? Our skilled pedestrian accident lawyers in Pine Lawn, Missouri have recovered over $105+ million for our clients since 1990.
After a pedestrian accident you’re now dealing with mounting medical bills from SSM Health DePaul or Christian Hospital, insurance adjusters who question your every move, and the reality that you can’t work while you heal.
The driver’s insurance company is already building their defense, looking for ways to blame you for being in the crosswalk or crossing the street.
Our experienced Pine Lawn pedestrian accident attorneys know these cases inside and out, from investigating the scene on Natural Bridge Road to negotiating with insurance companies that try to take advantage of injured pedestrians.
At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, our family firm works on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we win your case. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Why Hire Our Attorneys After a Pedestrian Accident in Pine Lawn, MO?
Being hit by a car while walking is terrifying, and the road to recovery is rarely simple. You are dealing with serious injuries, piling medical bills, and insurance companies that are already working to minimize what they pay you.
At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, we have decades of experience helping accident victims in Missouri and are dedicated to pursuing the best possible outcomes for our clients. We are the only law firm in Missouri that focuses exclusively on auto-related accident cases, which means we know exactly how to handle claims like yours.
We work on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we win.
How Our Attorneys Can Help You With Your Pedestrian Accident Claim
When you call us, we get to work immediately. Attorneys Paul and John Beck handle your case personally from start to finish. You will never be passed off to a case manager.
Here is what we do for you:
- Investigate the crash: We visit the scene, pull surveillance footage from nearby businesses, and lock in witness statements before evidence disappears.
- Build your case: We gather police reports, medical records, and expert testimony to prove both liability and the full extent of your injuries.
- Handle all insurance communication: You should never speak to an insurance adjuster alone. We take over all contact so your words cannot be used against you.
- Negotiate or litigate: We push for a full and fair settlement. If the insurance company refuses, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Pine Lawn
Most pedestrian accidents are caused by driver negligence, not bad luck. Roads like Natural Bridge Road and West Florissant Avenue see regular pedestrian traffic, and careless drivers put walkers at serious risk every day.
Common causes we see in Pine Lawn pedestrian cases include:
- Failure to yield at crosswalks or intersections
- Distracted driving, including phone use
- Speeding through residential areas
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Backing out of driveways or parking lots without looking
Who Is Liable for a Pedestrian Accident in Missouri
Missouri is an at-fault state, which means the party responsible for causing the crash is financially responsible for your injuries. To hold a driver accountable, our Pine Lawn pedestrian accident lawyers must prove they were negligent.
Negligence means the driver had a legal duty to operate their vehicle safely, they failed to meet that duty, and their failure directly caused your injuries and losses.
In most Pine Lawn pedestrian cases, the at-fault party is the driver. However, other parties can also be liable, such as an employer if a delivery driver struck you while working, or a government agency if a dangerous road condition contributed to the crash.
Identifying every responsible party matters because it can significantly increase the compensation available to you.
What If You Were Partially at Fault
Missouri follows a pure comparative fault rule. This means you can still recover compensation even if you were partly responsible for the accident.
Under the pure comparative fault rule, your total compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault; for example, if you are found 4% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would only recover $96,000. Insurance companies routinely try to shift blame onto pedestrians, especially if you were crossing outside a marked crosswalk, to reduce what they owe. Having an experienced attorney in your corner helps prevent that from happening.
Missouri Pedestrian Right-of-Way Laws
Under Missouri Revised Statute 300.375, drivers must yield to pedestrians in both marked and unmarked crosswalks at intersections. When turning at an intersection, a driver must also yield to any pedestrian already in the crosswalk.
Pedestrians crossing outside of a crosswalk are generally required to yield to traffic. However, this does not eliminate a driver’s duty to exercise reasonable care and avoid striking someone on foot.
Insurance companies often use right-of-way rules to argue that a pedestrian was at fault. Our attorneys know how to push back against those arguments and protect your right to full compensation.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Pedestrian Accident
If a negligent driver caused your injuries, Missouri law entitles you to compensation for all the ways the accident has affected your life. Damages fall into three main categories.
Economic damages cover your measurable financial losses, including:
- Emergency room care, surgeries, and hospital stays
- Ongoing treatment such as physical therapy and specialist visits
- Future medical costs if your injuries require long-term care
- Lost wages from time missed at work
- Reduced future earning capacity if you cannot return to the same job
Non-economic damages cover the personal toll of the accident:
- Physical pain and emotional suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent scarring or disability
- Loss of companionship if your injuries affect your relationship with your spouse
Punitive damages may apply in cases involving extreme recklessness, such as a drunk driver. These are not tied to your losses but are meant to punish the at-fault party and deter similar behavior.
What If the Driver Was Uninsured or Fled the Scene
If the driver who hit you left the scene or has no insurance, you still have options. Missouri requires all drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage, known as UM coverage. This coverage is part of your own auto insurance policy and is designed to pay for your injuries in exactly these situations.
Our Pine Lawn personal injury attorneys immediately work with local police and request footage from traffic cameras and nearby businesses to help identify a hit-and-run driver. Even if the driver is never found, we can pursue your UM claim and fight for the maximum benefits available under your policy.
What to Do After Being Hit by a Car in Pine Lawn
What you do in the moments after a pedestrian accident can have a major impact on your health and your claim. If you are able, follow these steps:
1. Call 911 and Accept Medical Attention
Call emergency services right away and get checked by a medical professional, even if you feel okay. Serious injuries like concussions or internal bleeding may not show symptoms immediately, and a medical record from the scene connects your injuries directly to the crash.
2. Document the Scene and Gather Contacts
Take photos of the vehicle that hit you, your injuries, your torn clothing, skid marks, and the surrounding intersection. Get the names and phone numbers of any witnesses before they leave.
3. Do Not Give a Recorded Statement
The other driver’s insurance company may contact you quickly and ask for a recorded statement. Do not agree to this before speaking with a lawyer. These statements are often used to find reasons to deny or reduce your claim.
4. Call Beck & Beck for a Free Case Review
Contact our team as soon as possible. The sooner we get involved, the sooner we can preserve critical evidence and protect your rights.
How Long You Have to File a Pedestrian Accident Claim in Missouri
In Missouri, you generally have five years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If the accident resulted in a death, the family has three years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim.
While five years may seem like plenty of time, evidence disappears quickly. Surveillance footage gets overwritten, witnesses become harder to locate, and physical evidence at the scene is gone within hours. Contacting our team early gives us the best chance to build the strongest possible case for you.
Contact Our Pine Lawn Pedestrian Accident Law Firm for a Free Consultation
A pedestrian accident can change your life overnight. At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, our job is to make sure you are not left to deal with the fallout alone. We handle everything, from medical bill coordination to insurance negotiations to courtroom litigation, so you can focus entirely on your recovery.
With extensive experience and a steadfast commitment to injured Missourians, we will fight for the result you deserve. Contact Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers online for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use My Own Auto Insurance Policy If I Was Hit as a Pedestrian?
Yes, your own auto insurance policy’s uninsured motorist and medical payments coverages typically apply even when you are injured while walking.
Do I Need a Police Report to File a Pedestrian Accident Claim?
A police report strengthens your claim, but you can still file without one if we can gather other evidence such as witness statements, photos, or video footage.
Will My Health Insurance Be Reimbursed from My Settlement?
Yes, if your health insurance pays your medical bills, they will typically have a right to reimbursement from your settlement. This is called subrogation, and our attorneys negotiate these amounts to maximize the money you receive.
What If I Was Hit by a Delivery Van, Bus, or Government Vehicle?
These cases may involve additional defendants and can have shorter filing deadlines when a government entity is involved. Contact us immediately to protect your rights.
