What Should I Do After Being Hit By A Car In Missouri?

If you’ve been hit by a car while walking in Missouri, you can file a claim and hold the at-fault driver accountable for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term losses. What you do in the first few hours and days after the crash can make or break your case — and that’s exactly what this guide will walk you through.

Call 911 and Report the Accident Immediately

Even if you feel “okay,” call the police right away. Missouri law (RSMo § 300.110) requires drivers involved in pedestrian crashes to stop and report the incident. The responding officer will create an official accident report — your first crucial piece of evidence.

➡️ Pro Tip: Ask the officer how to obtain the report number or download a copy later from the Missouri State Highway Patrol or St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department records division.

Get Emergency Medical Treatment — Then Follow Up

Adrenaline masks injuries. Many pedestrians later discover concussions, internal bleeding, or soft-tissue damage hours after the impact. Always accept medical transport or visit the ER immediately.

Keep copies of:

• ER intake and discharge records

• Imaging results (X-rays, CT, MRI)

• Prescriptions and physical-therapy notes

• Receipts for medical devices or out-of-pocket costs

Those records prove the causal link between the crash and your injuries — critical for insurance negotiations and litigation.

Gather Evidence at the Scene (if possible)

If you can move safely, collect:

• Photos/video of the crash scene, skid marks, crosswalk, and traffic lights

• The vehicle’s license plate and driver’s ID/insurance info

• Witness names and phone numbers

• Weather and lighting conditions

• Nearby businesses or homes with security cameras

If you’re hospitalized, have a friend or family member return to photograph the area before conditions change.

Avoid Talking to the Driver’s Insurance Company

Within hours, the driver’s insurer may call you for a “recorded statement.”
Don’t give one.

Anything you say can be twisted to minimize your claim (“They said they were fine,” “They admitted crossing mid-block”). Refer them directly to your attorney instead.

At Sansone & Lauber, we handle all communication — preserving your case value and protecting you from insurance traps.

Understand Missouri’s Comparative Fault Rule

Missouri follows pure comparative negligence (RSMo § 537.765). That means even if you were partly at fault (e.g., distracted walking, crossing outside the crosswalk), you can still recover compensation — reduced by your percentage of fault.

Example:
If you’re awarded $200,000 but found 20% at fault, you still collect $160,000.
We fight aggressively to minimize any blame shifted onto you.

Know Your Deadline to File a Claim

The statute of limitations for pedestrian injury claims in Missouri is five years from the date of the accident (RSMo § 516.120).
But don’t wait — early investigation is key. Surveillance footage, skid marks, and eyewitness memories fade fast.

Track All Your Losses (Compensable Damages)

Pedestrian-accident victims in Missouri can pursue compensation for both economic and non-economic losses:

In catastrophic cases (TBI, spinal cord injury, multiple fractures), we also pursue future medical projections, life-care costs, and vocational-rehabilitation analysis using medical and economic experts.

Determine All Potentially Liable Parties

Pedestrian crashes often involve multiple defendants beyond the driver:

• A negligent employer (if the driver was on the job)

• A rideshare company (Uber/Lyft insurance tiers)

• A municipality (defective crosswalk or missing signage)

• A vehicle manufacturer (brake failure or unintended acceleration)

Identifying all responsible parties maximizes your recovery potential. Our investigation team subpoenas cell-phone data, dash-cam footage, black-box downloads, and municipal maintenance logs to prove negligence.

Why Hiring a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Matters

Pedestrian injury cases require experience with both traffic law and physics of impact. Insurance carriers know which firms will take a case to trial — and which will fold for a lowball offer.

Sansone & Lauber is known statewide for aggressive, trial-ready advocacy:

• $14.2 million motorcycle-accident verdict

• Seven-figure pedestrian and auto settlements across Missouri

• No-win, no-fee guarantee — we’re paid only when we recover compensation for you

Our attorneys reconstruct crash dynamics, cross-examine accident-reconstruction experts, and present compelling visual evidence to juries that show exactly what the driver did wrong.

Common Injuries After a Pedestrian Accident

Pedestrians lack protection, so injury severity is typically extreme:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis

• Pelvic fractures / leg crush injuries

• Internal organ damage

• Severe lacerations and scarring

According to MoDOT, the average pedestrian fatality rate in Missouri exceeds the national average, with most deaths occurring on 35–45 mph roads lacking safe crossings.

Proving Negligence in Your Case

To win, you must establish four elements:

1. Duty of care: The driver owed you a duty to operate safely.

2. Breach: They violated that duty (speeding, distraction, failure to yield).

3. Causation: That breach directly caused your injuries.

4. Damages: You sustained actual losses.

Evidence often includes:

• Police reports and citations

• Eyewitness testimony

• Surveillance or dash-cam video

• Cell-phone records showing distraction

• Vehicle-speed data

We coordinate expert accident reconstruction to prove visibility, reaction time, and stopping distance — often the deciding factors in six- or seven-figure outcomes.

Dealing with Insurance Adjusters and Lowball Offers

Insurance companies often:

• Argue you “darted out” or “weren’t in the crosswalk.”

• Request medical releases to comb through unrelated health records.

• Offer quick settlements far below your long-term medical costs.

Our firm documents every expense and demands full, itemized compensation. If they refuse, we file suit and prepare for trial — leveraging our reputation as trial lawyers who win to force fair payouts.

Pedestrian Accidents Involving Hit-and-Run Drivers

Sadly, Missouri sees hundreds of hit-and-runs each year. If the driver isn’t found, you may still recover under your own Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage.

Sansone & Lauber can:

• Work with police investigators to identify the vehicle

• Access nearby surveillance and traffic-cam footage

• File UM claims and pursue all available insurance layers

• Handle subrogation to prevent double billing

Special Rules for Pedestrian Accidents in Crosswalks

Under RSMo § 300.375, drivers must yield to pedestrians within marked or unmarked crosswalks at intersections.
Failing to yield is negligence per se.

If a driver violated a traffic signal or failed to stop at a red light, that can serve as automatic proof of liability (negligence per se under Missouri case law).

Pedestrian Accidents Involving Children or School Zones

Missouri drivers must use “the highest degree of care” when children are present. Cases involving school zones or parks often trigger enhanced liability and punitive damages for reckless driving or speeding in protected areas.

How Long Pedestrian Cases Take in Missouri

Typical time frames:

• Insurance claim: 3–6 months if liability is clear

• Litigation: 12–24 months if the insurer refuses to pay
  We keep clients updated every step and aim to resolve cases efficiently while maximizing value.

What to Expect When You Hire Sansone & Lauber

Free, no-obligation consultation
Immediate investigation & evidence preservation
Direct access to your trial lawyer (no case managers)
Aggressive negotiation & litigation strategy
Pay nothing unless we win

Our philosophy is simple: Every case gets trial-ready treatment from day one. That’s why insurers know we don’t bluff.

Steps to Protect Your Case Today

1. Call 911 and request medical evaluation

2. Collect evidence (photos, witnesses, report number)

3. Don’t talk to insurance reps

4. Follow doctor’s orders and keep all records

5. Call Sansone & Lauber before signing anything

The sooner we’re involved, the stronger your claim.

Why Pedestrian Accident Cases Matter in Missouri

Pedestrian safety is a growing crisis — fatalities are up 55% statewide since 2020.
Each case we handle isn’t just about compensation; it’s about forcing accountability and making Missouri roads safer for everyone.

Call Sansone & Lauber Today

If you were struck by a vehicle anywhere in Missouri — St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, Columbia, Jefferson City — don’t face the insurance companies alone.

We fight relentlessly to recover every dollar you deserve for your medical care, lost income, and long-term suffering.

📞 Call (314) 863-0500 for your free consultation with a dedicated Missouri pedestrian accident lawyer today.