When someone loses their life in a car accident in St. Louis, Missouri, families face an overwhelming mix of grief and financial uncertainty.
Beyond the immediate pain of loss, you’re suddenly dealing with funeral costs, lost household income, and questions about how to move forward without your loved one’s support.
Insurance companies know you’re vulnerable right now. They may contact you quickly, hoping to settle for less than your family deserves. Some will even try to shift blame to your loved one to reduce what they have to pay.
Our experienced St. Louis fatal car accident lawyers take on the insurance companies so you can focus on your family. We know Missouri law inside and out, and we understand the unique challenges families face after losing someone in a crash.
Our job is to protect your rights and secure the financial support your family needs during this difficult time.
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Lost a loved one in a fatal crash? Call (314) 207-9996 for a free consultation with our fatal car accident attorneys in St. Louis, Missouri.
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How Our Attorneys Help Families After a Fatal Car Accident in St. Louis
Securing fair compensation after losing a loved one in a fatal car accident requires both legal expertise and genuine compassion for your family’s situation.
Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers approaches each St. Louis wrongful death case with dedication, skill, and understanding of the deeply personal nature of your loss. Here’s how our law firm works to maximize compensation for St. Louis families:
- Immediate investigation — We launch a comprehensive investigation into the crash, preserving critical evidence, consulting with accident reconstruction experts, and identifying all possible sources of liability and insurance coverage.
- Personal attention to your family — We take the time to understand your family’s specific needs and circumstances, allowing us to tailor our approach to what will best support you through this difficult time.
- Aggressive negotiation — With decades of experience dealing exclusively with Missouri auto accidents, our experienced St. Louis fatal car accident lawyers know how to negotiate effectively with insurance companies to secure a settlement that reflects the true value of your loss.
- Trial-ready representation — While many cases settle out of court, we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. Insurance companies know our reputation and that we won’t hesitate to fight for your family in court if they don’t offer fair compensation.
- Clear, consistent communication — We keep you informed at every stage of the legal process, explaining complex legal matters in plain English so you always understand where your case stands.
- Zero upfront fees — Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. This ensures our interests are aligned with yours and that quality legal representation is accessible regardless of your financial situation.
By entrusting your case to our firm, your family can focus on healing and remembering your loved one, confident that your legal matters are being handled with care, skill, and determination.
During this time of profound grief and uncertainty, having dedicated legal advocates can make a crucial difference in securing the justice and financial support your family deserves.
Common Causes of Fatal Car Crashes
Most deadly car accidents happen because someone made a dangerous choice behind the wheel. Understanding what caused your loved one’s crash helps us build a stronger case against the responsible driver.
Drunk driving remains one of the deadliest behaviors on Missouri roads. Alcohol slows reaction time and impairs judgment, turning vehicles into deadly weapons in drunk driving accidents.
Distracted driving has become increasingly dangerous with smartphones. When drivers text, make calls, or check social media, they’re not watching the road and cause distracted driving crashes.
Excessive speeding makes crashes more likely and more deadly. Higher speeds mean drivers have less time to react and speeding accidents cause more severe injuries.
Commercial truck accidents are often fatal for people in smaller cars. The size difference between an 18-wheeler and a passenger car means the car’s occupants face devastating injuries in truck accidents involving 18-wheelers.
Reckless driving includes behaviors like running red lights, illegal passing, and road rage incidents that put everyone at risk.
Who Can File a Missouri Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
A wrongful death claim is a lawsuit filed when someone dies because of another person’s negligent or wrongful actions. This means the death was preventable and happened because someone else made a dangerous choice.
Missouri law is very specific about which family members can file these lawsuits. Not everyone has the legal right to bring a claim, even if they were close to the person who died.
Who Has the Right to File Under Missouri Law?
Missouri Revised Statute 537.080 creates a clear order for who can file a wrongful death lawsuit:
The first priority goes to the surviving spouse, children, or parents of the person who died. If your loved one was married, had children, or their parents are still alive, these family members have the first right to file.
If none of these family members exist, then siblings or their descendants can file the lawsuit. This includes brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews.
When no qualifying family members are available, a court can appoint someone called a “plaintiff ad litem.” This person acts on behalf of those who would be entitled to receive money from the case.
Compensation Available for Fatal Car Accident Cases
While no amount of money can bring back your loved one, a wrongful death lawsuit can provide financial security for your family’s future. Missouri law recognizes that families suffer both financial losses and emotional trauma when they lose someone.
The goal our our experienced Saint Louis car accident attorneys is to help your family maintain financial stability and hold the responsible party accountable for their actions.
Types of Damages in Wrongful Death Cases
Economic damages cover the financial losses your family faces. These include medical bills from your loved one’s final treatment, funeral and burial costs, and the income they would have earned over their lifetime.
We also calculate the value of services your loved one provided, like childcare, household maintenance, or caring for elderly relatives. These contributions had real economic value to your family.
Non-economic damages compensate for losses that don’t have a specific dollar amount. This includes the love, companionship, guidance, and emotional support your loved one provided.
Punitive damages may be available if the at-fault driver’s behavior was especially reckless. These damages punish the wrongdoer and send a message that such behavior won’t be tolerated.
Missouri’s Three-Year Deadline for Wrongful Death Claims
Missouri gives families three years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This deadline is firm – if you miss it, you lose the right to seek compensation forever.
The clock starts ticking on the day your loved one died, not the day of the accident. Even if the accident happened months before the death, the three-year period begins when your family member passes away.
Shared Fault in Missouri Fatal Accident Cases
Insurance companies often try to blame the victim to reduce what they have to pay your family. They might claim your loved one was speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, or somehow contributed to the crash.
Missouri follows pure comparative fault rules. This means your family can still recover compensation even if your loved one shared some blame for the accident.
For example, if a jury decides your loved one was 25% at fault, your family can still collect 75% of the total damages. Even if your loved one was mostly to blame, you can still recover something for their smaller share of responsibility.
Our Investigation Process for Fatal Crashes
We start investigating immediately because evidence disappears fast. Our team moves quickly to preserve crucial proof before it’s lost or destroyed.
Every fatal crash investigation follows our proven process. We document the scene, interview witnesses, and gather all available evidence to build the strongest possible case for your family.
Key Evidence We Collect
Evidence Type | How It Helps Your Case |
Police reports | Official documentation of what happened and who was at fault |
Vehicle black box data | Shows exact speed, braking, and steering at the moment of impact |
Surveillance footage | Provides unbiased video of how the crash occurred |
Witness statements | Independent accounts that support your family’s version of events |
Cell phone records | Proves if the at-fault driver was texting or calling during the crash |
We also work with accident reconstruction experts who can recreate the crash using scientific methods. These experts help juries understand exactly how the accident happened and why the other driver was responsible.
Why Choose Our St. Louis Fatal Car Accident Lawyers?
We understand that no family should have to fight insurance companies while grieving. That’s why we handle everything for you – from dealing with police reports to negotiating with insurance adjusters.
Our firm is family-run, and we treat every client like family too. We know the pain you’re going through because we’ve walked alongside hundreds of families facing similar losses.
- Exclusive Missouri Focus: We’re the only law firm in Missouri that handles only auto accident cases
- Proven Track Record: We have decades of experience successfully representing accident victims and their families since 1990.
- No Upfront Costs: You never pay attorney fees unless we win your case
- Always Available: You can reach out to our team whenever you need support.
When insurance companies see that Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers is representing a family, they know we mean business. We’re not afraid to take cases to trial if they won’t offer fair compensation.
St. Louis Auto Accident Law Firm With 35+ Years Experience
No family should have to fight for justice alone after losing someone they love. Our experienced attorneys understand the pain you’re going through and the financial pressures you’re facing.
We are dedicated to helping Missouri families seek justice from negligent drivers. Our down-to-earth approach means we explain everything in plain English and keep you informed every step of the way.
During this incredibly difficult time, let our family help yours get the justice and financial security you deserve. Contact Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers at (314) 207-9996 or visit us online for immediate assistance.
Locations where our attorneys have assisted clients include Florissant, Pine Lawn, O’Fallon, Clayton, Brentwood, Chesterfield, St. Charles, Ladue, Ballwin, Arnold, and more.
