If you’ve been hurt in a car accident in St. Louis, Missouri, call Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers at (314) 207-9996 for a free case evaluation. You may be entitled to recover monetary compensation for medical bills, lost income from work, and other damages as a result of the accident.
For 35+ years, our experienced St. Louis car accident lawyers have worked to secure fair outcomes for Missouri residents injured in car accidents.
When you work with our our skilled legal team, we take on the insurance companies and handle all the legal details so you can focus on getting better.
Our experienced car accident attorneys in St. Louis, Missouri, never charge upfront fees, and you only pay if we win compensation for you. Contact us today to find out how we can help move your case forward.
Why Choose Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers for Your St. Louis Auto Accident Claim
Attorneys Paul Beck and John Beck have been representing people injured in auto accidents since 1990, and in that time we have recovered more than $105 million for our clients.
We know how overwhelming the days and weeks after a crash can feel, so we step in quickly to take the pressure off.
Local Insight That Strengthens Your Case
Because we regularly handle cases in St. Louis, we’ve seen how traffic moves and where trouble tends to happen. Intersections like Grand and Gravois, Goodfellow and Natural Bridge, and Lindell with Kingshighway Blvd deal with constant congestion and a higher-than-average number of crashes.
Our knowledge of these spots lets us see the likely chain of events in your crash. When we combine that familiarity with strong proof, we can lay out the facts in a way that makes it difficult for the insurance company to push back.
Standing Up to Insurance Companies
Insurance companies often move quickly to close a claim and pay as little as possible. We’ve dealt with these tactics for years and know how to push back.
Once we’re on your case, we handle every call and email so you’re not pressured or caught off guard. We make sure they have clear proof of your injuries, bills, and other losses before any talk about settling.
Committed Representation from Day One to Resolution
We build every claim as though it may end up in front of a jury. That approach sends a message to the other side that we’re serious. Many cases settle along the way, but our readiness to take the next step often leads to stronger offers.
From start to finish, our skilled legal team stays focused on getting you the best possible outcome.
Need help with your car accident injury claim in St. Louis, Missouri? Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers has 35+ years experience helping our clients recover maximum financial compensation. Call (314) 207-9996 for a free initial consultation!
How Our St. Louis Car Accident Lawyers Manage Your Case
When someone hires us after a wreck, we take over the stressful parts so they can focus on getting well. We don’t rush. First, we get the facts straight. Then we decide what needs to happen next. No case moves the same way, but we’ve learned the basics don’t change.
First meeting: We sit down, talk through what happened, and figure out what’s most urgent.
Fact-gathering: That means police reports, medical records, photos, video, and people who saw what happened. Sometimes we bring in outside experts.
Insurance contact: We deal with them directly so you’re not answering their calls.
Paperwork: We handle the forms and court filings so deadlines aren’t missed.
Negotiations: We push for a settlement that actually covers what you’ve lost, not just what they want to pay.
Ongoing advice: We keep you updated and explain the options when decisions need to be made.
The idea is simple—stay thorough, keep you informed, and keep the pressure on the other side. That way you’re not left wondering what’s going on or if your case is being handled right.
Types of Driver Negligence
In St. Louis, a lot of car crashes are the result of driver negligence. Some of the most frequent causes are:
- Distracted driving: Texting, eating, adjusting controls, or anything else that takes attention off the road.
- Speeding: Driving faster than the limit—or too fast for the conditions—makes it harder to stop or stay in control.
- Driving under the influence: Alcohol or drugs slow reactions and affect judgment, raising the risk of a crash.
- Aggressive driving: Tailgating, weaving between lanes, or other hostile moves can lead to serious accidents.
- Fatigue: Tired drivers may react slowly or even fall asleep at the wheel.
- Bad weather mistakes: Heavy rain, ice, or slick roads require extra care, but not all drivers adjust.
- Vehicle issues: Worn brakes, bald tires, or other defects can cause loss of control.
- Construction zones: Lane changes and detours can cause confusion for drivers not paying close attention.
What to Do Following a Car Accident in St. Louis
- Call the police: Officers from the St. Louis police department can put together an official report, get names and contact info from drivers and witnesses, and lock in details you might forget later.
- Be careful with your words: Trade your name, phone number, and insurance info, but skip the apologies or guesses about who’s at fault. Even small talk can come back to bite you.
- Get your own proof: If it’s safe, snap pictures of the cars, the street, any signs, skid marks, or injuries you can see.
- Let your insurance know about the wreck right away: Keep it to the facts—don’t accept blame or downplay how you feel.
- See a doctor, even if you think you’re fine: Some injuries hide for a day or two. Follow every instruction and save your paperwork.
- Talk to a lawyer sooner rather than later: Having our experienced St. Louis car accident attorneys in your corner early helps with the insurance company and keeping evidence safe.
- Skip social media for now: Even harmless posts can be twisted around and used against you.
How Fault is Determined in Missouri Car Accident Cases
In Missouri, fault is determined by using facts and evidence to show that the other party was negligent, failed to exercise reasonable care, and injured you as a result.
A strong case doesn’t rely only on the drivers’ individual accounts or the police report. Our skilled personal injury attorneys in St. Louis, Missouri, will dig into the facts personally. This involves going to the crash site, talking with people who saw what happened, reviewing photos, videos, dash-cam footage, and looking over the vehicle damage.
We may also work expert witnesses, or with reconstruction specialists to break down the chain of events in detail. The point is to put together a straightforward, evidence-driven account that’s hard for the other side to dispute.
Insurance companies usually start their own review right away, but if a claim ends up in court, the final call on determining fault is made by a judge or jury.
Shared Fault and Missouri’s Comparative Negligence Rule
Missouri follows a pure comparative negligence rule, outlined in Missouri Revised Statutes Section 537.765. This means each driver’s share of responsibility is measured in percentages.
If you’re partly at fault, your compensation is reduced by that percentage, but you can still recover the rest. For example, if you were found 35% at fault and your total damages were $50,000, you could still collect $32,500.
Insurance companies often try to increase a claimant’s share of fault to reduce what they must pay. Every percentage point that can be shifted to the other driver can increase the amount of compensation that you can recover.
Compensation for Damages
Missouri is what’s called a fault state, meaning the driver who causes a crash is the one legally responsible for covering the losses that result.
Damages you can recover in a car accident claim include:
Economic damages: these include hospital and doctor bills, rehab costs, therapy sessions, lost income if you’re out of work, car repairs or replacement, damage to other property. It can also include expenses like gas to get to appointments or medical supplies from the store.
Non-economic damages: these are the life changes you can’t show on a receipt. It could be lasting pain, visible scars, trouble moving, memory or thinking problems after a head injury, emotional struggles like anxiety or depression, or losing the ability to enjoy hobbies and time with loved ones.
Filing Your Claim Before the Deadline
Missouri law sets a time limit for filing a case after a car accident. For injury or property damage, it’s usually five years from the crash date.
There are shorter deadlines in certain situations. If someone dies from the crash, the family has three years to file. If the other party is a government agency, you may have as little as 90 days to give notice.
If you fail to file your claim before the deadline, the court won’t hear your claim. This is why acting early is imperative.
Assisting Victims of Auto Accident Injuries in St. Louis, Missouri, Since 1990
For more than three decades, our award-winning St. Louis car accident lawyers have focused on helping people in St. Louis County who are dealing with the aftermath of serious auto accidents.
Choosing Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers means you’re not shuffled to a call center or left without updates. You work with a team that hears your concerns, explains your choices in plain terms, and fights to maximize your financial compensation.
If you’ve been hurt in a St. Louis car accident, acting quickly can help protect your rights. Contact us today for a free consultation and practical guidance on what to do next.
In addition to St. Louis, locations in Missouri where we have assisted car accident injury victims includes: Florissant, Pine Lawn, O’Fallon, Doniphan, Cape Girardeau, Independence, Jefferson City, Kansas City, Springfield, Joplin, and more.