Key Takeaways
- Missouri has no legal cap on car accident damages — your recovery depends on injury severity and available insurance coverage.
- Serious car accident cases in St. Louis typically settle between $25,000 and well over $100,000.
- Missouri's pure comparative fault rule lets you recover damages even if you are up to 99% at fault, though your award is reduced by your percentage of blame.
- Minimum insurance limits ($25,000 per person) are often insufficient for serious injuries — underinsured motorist coverage can help bridge the gap.
How Much Can You Sue for in a Missouri Car Accident?
There is no legal cap on the amount of damages you can sue for in a Missouri car accident lawsuit. The amount you recover will greatly depend on the limits of the at-fault driver's insurance policy and the severity of your injuries. In more serious cases, car accidents settle for between $25,000 and upwards of $100,000.
Typical car accident settlement amounts in Missouri can vary drastically as each case is unique. A car accident attorney in St. Louis can help you determine your case value by looking at past and future medical bills, your lost income, and property damage. Calculating how to calculate pain and suffering in a settlement will be based on economic damages against a multiplier to determine the full and fair amount you deserve.
Investigations and evidence are also important factors that determine how much you can receive in your car accident lawsuit. Missouri's pure comparative fault rules allow you to recover damages even if you are up to 99% at fault, though the higher the percentage of blame you are assigned, the more of your compensation award you will lose.
Insurance limits play a vital role as well. Exceeding the minimum insurance limits means you'll need to sue the at-fault driver personally for their negligence, or rely on your own underinsured motorist coverage. The Bruning Law Firm helps St. Louis car accident victims understand their rights under Missouri personal injury law and how to maximize compensation.
Can I Sue for a Car Accident if I Was Partially at Fault?
Yes, pure comparative fault in Missouri allows you to still sue the at-fault party for your injuries and losses. As long as you are not 100% at fault, you can take legal action though your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. When you understand how much is my car accident claim worth, you'll be scheduling a consultation right away.
What Is the Average Car Accident Settlement in Missouri?
The average settlement for a car accident in Missouri can have dramatic variances. There are some that settle for $15,000 while others can settle for over $1 million. Typically, the extent of injuries plays a huge role in what a victim receives. Those with the most significant injuries may settle for anywhere between $100,000 to well over $1 million.
Does Missouri Have Insurance Limits That Restrict How Much I Can Recover?
Insurance laws in Missouri require all drivers to minimally carry $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability and $25,000 for property damage. Medical bills in serious accidents can easily exceed these amounts and the policy will only pay out to the limit. When that happens, you will need to sue the driver or use your own underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage if you have elected to add it to your policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a cap on car accident damages in Missouri?
No, Missouri does not impose a cap on compensatory damages in car accident cases. The amount you can recover depends on the severity of your injuries, available insurance coverage, and the strength of your evidence.
What types of damages can I sue for after a car accident?
You can sue for economic damages such as medical bills, lost wages, and property damage, as well as non-economic damages in auto accident cases like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
How does Missouri’s comparative fault rule affect my settlement?
Under Missouri's pure comparative fault system, your settlement is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% at fault for the crash, your compensation would be reduced by 20%.
Contact The Bruning Law Firm
The Bruning Law Firm helps those injured in St. Louis car accidents understand their rights under Missouri personal injury law, fighting to recover the most compensation possible. There is no fee unless we win, so schedule your free consultation with our St. Louis car accident damage recovery attorneys by calling (314) 735-8100.