After you get hurt in a car accident in St. Charles County, MO, you might wonder who’s responsible for paying for your injuries and other losses. Some states use a no-fault insurance system to handle car accidents. Under this system, injured drivers and passengers generally file a claim with their own auto insurance to cover their losses.
However, Missouri is not a no-fault state for car accidents. Instead, injured drivers and passengers must identify who’s liable for their injuries and file an insurance claim against the at-fault party’s insurer to seek compensation for their losses. Our St. Charles County, MO, car accident lawyers explain how to recover compensation after a crash.
Who’s Responsible for Your Injuries in a Missouri Car Accident?
Since Missouri uses a fault-based auto insurance system, the specific circumstances of the crash determine who’s liable for your injuries. For example, if a drunk driver hit you, they would most likely be liable for your injuries because they broke the law and failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the collision.
Alternatively, if the accident happened due to a defective part in your car, the manufacturer might be liable for your injuries. It’s up to you and your legal team to identify how the crash happened and who caused it so you can hold them accountable. Depending on how the crash happened, the potentially liable parties may include:
- Other drivers
- The other driver’s employer
- Vehicle or parts manufacturers
- Government agencies
Missouri Auto Insurance Requirements
Under Missouri law, all drivers registered in the state must carry liability insurance to pay for injuries they cause in a crash. Crucially, liability insurance does not cover your own injuries or property damage when another driver or entity is 100% at fault for the collision. (You can purchase collision or comprehensive coverage for additional financial protection, but the state doesn’t require you to buy it.) Missouri’s minimum auto insurance requirements are:
- $25,000 per accident in property damage coverage
- $25,000 for injuries to one person in an accident
- $50,000 for injuries to multiple people in an individual accident
What If You Are Partially Liable for a Collision?
Some states don’t let you recover compensation after a crash if you played a role in causing it. Thankfully, Missouri is not one of those states. Under Missouri law, drivers who contribute to their own injuries in a collision can still seek compensation from the other driver or another liable party, though their compensation is reduced by their degree of fault. For instance, if you’re 15 percent liable for a crash, your compensation is reduced by 15 percent. You can seek compensation for your injuries no matter your degree of fault as long as it’s not 100 percent.
Potential Compensation in a Missouri Car Accident Claim
Your compensation in a car accident claim depends on your injuries and other factors, but it could include money for:
- Lost income
- Reduced future earnings
- Current medical expenses
- Future medical treatments
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life
- Damaged personal property
Deadline to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in St. Charles County, MO
Missouri law generally gives you five years from the date of a car accident to file a lawsuit. However, critical evidence can disappear or deteriorate within days or weeks of a collision. Talking to a lawyer right away gives you a better chance of recovering full compensation for your losses.
Contact Our St. Charles County, MO, Car Accident Attorneys Now
The Missouri car accident lawyers at Ryan R. Cox & Associates, LLC have decades of experience with personal injury cases and can help you recover the money you need after a collision. Call now or complete our contact form for a free case evaluation.