Car accident laws vary from state to state. It’s in your best interest to know and understand the statutes specific to your state so you know how to protect your rights in the event of a car accident.
Learn about Missouri’s car accident laws to stay informed on the roads in this state.
What to Know About Missouri Car Accidents
Missouri is an “at-fault” car accident state. This means that the driver responsible for the accident is legally obligated to pay for any damages resulting from the crash. Typically, the at-fault driver’s car insurance company will pay for the cost of damages up to the driver’s policy limit, at which point the driver must then pay the outstanding balance out of their own pocket.
It’s also important to understand that Missouri has a statute of limitations that mandates the amount of time you have to bring a lawsuit regarding the car accident to court. Anyone who gets injured in a car accident has five years from the date of the accident to file a civil lawsuit.
The time limit is shorter for those wanting to file a wrongful death claim on behalf of a deceased relative killed in the accident. The statute of limitations for this type of claim is three years from the date of the person’s death.
Protecting Your Rights After an Accident
In order to protect your rights after an accident and increase your chances of recovering maximum possible compensation, we recommend taking the following steps immediately following the crash:
-
Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver.
-
Take clear pictures of the car accident.
-
Get medical attention for your injuries and retain medical records.
-
Stay at the scene until law enforcement officials arrive to document the accident.
-
Reach out to our car accident attorneys as soon as possible.
At DiPasquale Moore, our Kansas City personal injury attorneys know how to help you prove your case and recover maximum compensation for your sudden medical expenses.
Contact us today at (816) 888-7500 to learn how we can assist you.