An unexpected car accident in St. Louis, Missouri, can leave you with physical injuries, emotional trauma, and overwhelming financial burdens overnight.
Most people find dealing with the complexities of insurance claims, proving liability, and dealing with opposing parties extremely challenging.
Our experienced St. Louis car accident lawyers are dedicated to helping injured victims of auto accidents just like you by thoroughly investigating each case, gathering crucial evidence, and aggressively advocating on your behalf.
Need help with your auto 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 consult today!
Why Choose Our Car Accident Lawyers in St. Louis, Missouri?
With more than three decades experienced with Missouri car accident law, attorneys Paul Beck and John Beck have recovered more than 105+ million dollars for our clients. We will negotiate with insurance companies, ensuring you receive a fair settlement covering your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Here is how we can help:
Local Expertise:
Unlike some firms that market their services in St. Louis from other parts of Missouri, our law firm is physically located here. Our intimate knowledge of the local legal landscape gives us an edge in handling your case effectively.
Direct Communication:
At our firm, you will communicate directly with attorneys John and Paul Beck, not a junior legal assistant. This ensures you receive personalized attention and expert legal advice throughout your case.
Protection of Rights:
Our skilled legal team will protect your rights and interests, preventing insurance companies from denying or devaluing your claim.
Specialization in Motor Vehicle Accidents:
Our firm specializes purely in motor vehicle accidents. We have the expertise to handle even the most complex cases.
In St. Louis, car accidents can impact your life in various ways. You might suffer from physical injuries, emotional trauma, loss of income, and more. Our experienced St. Louis car accident attorneys understand these challenges and are committed to helping you through this difficult time.
Reasons Car Accidents Happen
St. Louis, Missouri, has a higher-than-average rate of car accidents compared to other regions in the state. There are a a number of reasons this.
- Driving with excessive speed
- Distracted driving
- Impaired and drunk Driving
- Aggressive and reckless driving
- Fatigued and drowsy Driving
- Failure to yield right-of-way
- Following too closely
- Unsafe road and weather conditions
- Collisions with deer
Determining Fault and Proving Liability in a Car Accident
To establish liability in a car accident, you must show that the other party was negligent. But what is negligence? Negligence is when a driver fails to exercise reasonable care and injures someone as a result.
This could include speeding, running a red light, or failing to yield the right of way. Then there is what is called “the burden of proof”. Which means that the person who was injured must then provide evidence that the other driver was at fault.
Our award-winning St. Louis car accident lawyers prove liability by presenting evidence such as:
Police Reports: The reports from the St. Louis Police Department provide an official account of the accident and often include the officer’s opinion on fault. A police report can provide an objective account of the accident, often including details about who was cited for traffic violations.
Eyewitness Testimony: Witnesses who saw the accident can offer an unbiased account of the events leading up to the crash. The testimonies of these individuals can provide extremely helpful support for your claim.
Photographs and Videos: Visual evidence from the scene, including photos of the vehicles, road conditions, and any visible injuries, can be instrumental in bolstering your claim. Dashcam footage from your vehicle can also provide key insights into who caused the crash.
Traffic Camera Footage: If the accident occurred in an area with traffic cameras, this footage can provide clear evidence of how the accident happened and who was at fault.
Expert Analysis and Accident Reconstruction: In some cases, experts may be called upon to analyze the scene and provide an opinion on how the accident occurred and who was likely at fault.
Traffic Laws and Violations: Violations of traffic laws, such as driving the wrong way, or drag racing in a neighborhood while your friends video it, can indicate fault.
Driver Statements: And then of course, statements made by folks involved in the accident can provide valuable insights into how the crash occurred.
When Fault is Shared
Missouri operates as an “at-fault” state regarding car accidents, meaning that the party responsible for causing the accident is also liable for the resulting damages. However, determining fault isn’t always straightforward, especially when multiple parties may share some responsibility for the collision.
Missouri follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule, allowing accident victims to recover damages even if they are partially at fault. Under this rule, the compensation you can receive is reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you. For instance, if you are found to be 30% at fault for the accident, your compensation will be reduced by 30%.
This means that in accordance with Missouri Section 537.067, even if you played a role in causing the accident, you can still recover a portion of your damages, but your share of the fault will limit your recovery.
Example of Shared Fault in a Car Accident
Say you were involved in a car accident in St. Louis and the investigation reveals you were speeding, but at the the same time, the other driver ran a red light. If the court determines that you were 20% at fault and the other driver was 80% at fault, you would still be eligible to recover 80% of your total damages.
Looking for a “car accident lawyer near me” in St. Louis, Missouri? Our skilled legal team works on a contingency fee basis and there is no fee until we win. Call (314) 207-9996 for a free case evaluation.
Types of Damages You Can Recover
After a car accident in St. Louis, Missouri, you can seek compensation for various damages associated with the accident. These are generally categorized into two main groups: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages are quantifiable losses with clear financial records to support the claim. They include:
- Medical Expenses: Covers past, present, and future medical costs related to your injuries, such as hospital bills, doctor visits, medication, physical therapy, and rehabilitation.
- Lost Wages: Compensates for income lost due to your inability to work while recovering from your injuries. This may include lost wages, bonuses, and commissions.
- Loss of Earning Capacity: If your injuries permanently impact your ability to work and earn a living, you may be entitled to compensation for future lost wages.
- Property Damage: It covers repairing or replacing your vehicle or other damaged personal belongings.
Non-economic damages are subjective losses that can be more challenging to quantify. They include:
- Pain and Suffering: This encompasses the physical and emotional pain you’ve endured as a result of the accident.
- Mental Anguish: Covers emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and other psychological effects of the accident.
- Loss of Consortium: This refers to the loss of companionship, love, and intimacy due to your injuries.
- Scarring and Disfigurement: Compensation for emotional and psychological distress caused by visible scars or permanent physical deformities.
Calculating the Value of Your Settlement
Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Every car accident case is unique, with various factors influencing its potential value. Here are some key considerations:
Severity of Injuries: The extent and seriousness of your injuries significantly impact the value of your claim. More severe and long-lasting injuries typically result in higher compensation.
Current and Future Medical Costs: Current and anticipated future medical costs associated with your injuries play a significant role.
Income Lost Because You Were Unable to Work: The amount of income lost due to your inability to work is a factor in determining the value of your claim.
The Impact The Injuries Have on Your Daily Life: If your injuries limit your daily activities, ability to work, or overall quality of life, it strengthens your case.
The At-Fault Party’s Insurance Coverage: The at-fault party’s insurance policy limits can influence the final settlement amount.
The Strength of Your Evidence: Establishing a clear case for the other driver’s negligence strengthens your claim.
Whether Or Not You Share Fault For the Accident: Missouri’s comparative negligence law can affect the value of your case if you share some fault for the accident.
St. Louis, Missouri
Every year thousands of incidents involving car accident injuries are reported in the city of St. Louis. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, St. Louis City consistently ranks among the highest in the state for traffic accidents.
The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has prioritized reducing traffic-related fatalities through its Show-Me Zero initiative. They are aiming for no more than ZERO deaths by 2030.
In the first quarter of 2025, Missouri saw 201 fatalities, a slight increase from the same period in 2024. The second quarter showed a slight increase, with 216 fatalities reported, this is no doubt a very troubling statistic and far from goal of reaching zero.
So, these statistics quickly paint a sobering picture of the risks drivers face everyday on the roads of St. Louis.
For example, imagine you are on I-64, coming home from an event at the Fabulous Fox, and suddenly you are sideswiped by a drunk driver merging on to the freeway.
Or possibly you are going downtown to meet some friends at Ballpark Village and you are t-boned on S. Broadway by a distracted driver who ran a red light.
If you have been in a car wreck in St. Louis, Missouri, there are a number of helpful resources available in the community.
- Wicke Auto – Offering a wide range of auto repair services Wicke can help out if you need to get your car fixed. Their shop is located at 453 N Newstead Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108.
- STL Auto Care – The technicians here can take care of any repair services you need. They are located at 8500 Gravois Rd, St. Louis, MO, 63123.
- Benchmark Auto Repair – The team here has experienced mechanics, competitive pricing and offers complete repair services. They are located at 2233 Mccausland Avenue.
- Master Auto Repair of Webster – This shop offers services such as brake repair, tire repair, oil changes, wheel alignments, and more. You can find them at 8216 Watson Road, St Louis, MO, 63119.
Assisting Victims of Auto Accident Injuries Since 1990
When you’ve been hurt in an auto accident in St. Louis, Missouri, the last thing you should have to worry about is haggling with the insurance company. Let our accomplished St. Louis car accident attorneys handle your financial recovery efforts, so you can focus on recovering physically. We’ll do everything from A to Z.
Don’t have health insurance and weren’t able to get the medical care you need for your car accident injuries? We can connect you with a doctor who can help. Not sure your case has the evidence it needs? We’ll gather supporting documentation to prove your injuries.
At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial hardships car accidents can cause. We are committed to providing compassionate and aggressive legal representation to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
We believe in holding negligent parties accountable and getting clients the necessary resources to move forward. Don’t hesitate to contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll answer your questions, review your case, and guide you through the legal process.
In addition to St. Louis, locations in Missouri where our skilled legal team has assisted car accident victims includes: Florissant, Pine Lawn, O’Fallon, Doniphan, Cape Girardeau, Independence, Jefferson City, Kansas City, Joplin, and more.
