Car Accident Settlement Amounts In Missouri- What Impacts Value

Sansone & Lauber | | Car Accidents
car accident settlement amounts in Missouri

Why Settlement Amounts Matter In Missouri Car Accident Cases

If you were injured in a car accident in Missouri, one of the first questions you may ask is: “How much is my car accident settlement worth?”

The truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Every accident is different, and settlement amounts depend on many factors — from medical expenses to how strong the evidence is against the at-fault driver.

At Sansone & Lauber, we have recovered millions of dollars for injured Missourians, including $14.2 million for a motorcycle crash and multi-million-dollar car accident verdicts across the state. We know exactly what it takes to maximize the value of a claim and fight insurance companies that try to lowball victims.

This blog will walk you through the Top 10 factors that determine car accident settlement amounts in Missouri so you know what to expect — and how the right legal team can fight for every dollar you deserve.

1. The Severity of Your Injuries

Settlement value rises with the severity of the injuries. Minor whiplash or bruises typically result in smaller settlements. But catastrophic injuries like traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord damage, fractures, or permanent disability dramatically increase case value.

Insurance companies often use injury severity as their starting point, but they frequently undervalue long-term consequences. That’s why having a Missouri car accident lawyer is critical — to ensure your settlement reflects not just your immediate treatment but your future medical needs and quality of life changes.

2. Medical Expenses — Past, Present, and Future

Medical bills are one of the largest drivers of settlement amounts. In Missouri, you can recover for:

  • ER visits, hospital stays, and surgeries

  • Diagnostic imaging (MRIs, CT scans, X-rays)

  • Prescription medications

  • Physical therapy and rehabilitation

  • In-home or long-term care

What many accident victims don’t realize is that you can also claim future medical costs. If you will need ongoing treatment, pain management, or corrective surgeries, your settlement should account for that.

3. Lost Wages and Lost Earning Capacity

If your injuries kept you out of work, you can be compensated for lost wages. But it doesn’t stop there. If your injury limits your ability to earn a living in the future — for example, if you were a construction worker who can no longer do heavy lifting — you may also recover lost earning capacity.

A skilled St. Louis car accident lawyer will often bring in vocational and economic experts to project how much income you stand to lose over your lifetime. This can add hundreds of thousands — or even millions — of dollars to a settlement.

4. Pain and Suffering

Not all damages are economic. Missouri law also allows victims to recover for non-economic damages like:

  • Physical pain

  • Emotional distress

  • Anxiety, depression, PTSD

  • Loss of enjoyment of life

  • Loss of companionship

Insurance companies notoriously undervalue pain and suffering. They often apply formulas or “multipliers” based on medical bills — but these don’t tell the full story. An experienced trial lawyer can paint the human picture of how your life has been changed, convincing juries (and insurers) to award full and fair compensation.

5. Comparative Fault in Missouri

Missouri follows a pure comparative fault system. This means that if you were partially at fault for the crash, your settlement is reduced by your percentage of fault.

For example: If your damages are worth $100,000 but you were found 20% at fault, your recovery drops to $80,000. Insurance companies use this law to blame victims and cut payouts. A strong attorney pushes back against these tactics and minimizes your share of fault.

6. Liability and Strength of Evidence

Settlement amounts also depend on how clear liability is. If the other driver ran a red light and multiple witnesses back up your story, the insurance company knows they have little chance of winning at trial. This forces them to offer more money.

But if fault is disputed, the insurer will try to lowball you. Strong evidence — police reports, accident reconstruction, black box data, medical records, and witness testimony — increases the settlement amount.

7. Insurance Policy Limits

One major factor in Missouri car accident settlements is the insurance coverage available. Missouri law requires minimum coverage of $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident for bodily injury. Unfortunately, many crashes involve only minimum coverage.

If damages exceed policy limits, recovery may require:

  • Suing the at-fault driver personally

  • Filing an underinsured motorist (UIM) claim through your own policy

  • Identifying other liable parties (e.g., employers, vehicle owners, manufacturers)

This is where having an aggressive legal team makes a huge difference — finding every available dollar.

8. Permanent Disability or Disfigurement

If a car accident leaves you permanently disabled, paralyzed, or disfigured, the case value skyrockets. These are considered life-changing damages, and Missouri juries are sympathetic to victims facing lifelong challenges.

These cases often involve structured settlements or lifetime compensation to ensure long-term care and financial stability.

9. The Defendant’s Conduct

In some cases, Missouri law allows for punitive damages if the at-fault driver acted with extreme recklessness, such as:

  • Drunk driving

  • Texting while driving

  • Street racing

Punitive damages are designed to punish the defendant and deter others. While not available in every case, when they apply, they significantly increase settlement value.

10. The Quality of Your Legal Representation

The most overlooked — but perhaps most important — factor is your choice of lawyer. Insurance companies know which firms will take cases to trial and which will settle cheap.

At Sansone & Lauber, we are trial lawyers first. Our record of multi-million-dollar verdicts in Missouri gives us leverage — insurers know we won’t back down. That alone can increase settlement offers by tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. We know how to win the highest car accident settlement amounts in Missouri.

Missouri Car Accident Settlement FAQs

Q: What is the average car accident settlement in Missouri?
There is no true “average,” but minor injury cases may settle for $10,000–$25,000, while serious injury cases often reach six or seven figures.

Q: How long does it take to get a settlement?
Anywhere from a few months to several years, depending on injury severity, liability disputes, and whether the case goes to trial.

Q: Do I have to go to court?
Most Missouri car accident claims settle out of court, but preparing as if you’re going to trial is the best way to maximize settlement value.

Why Choose Sansone & Lauber?How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in St. Louis

When you’ve been seriously injured, you need a Missouri personal injury lawyer who will fight aggressively for your rights. At Sansone & Lauber, we:

  • Have a proven track record of multi-million-dollar car accident verdicts and settlements

  • Know how to take on powerful insurance companies

  • Work on a contingency fee — no fees unless we win your case

  • Offer free consultations to explain your legal options

Call Today for a Free Consultation

If you’ve been injured in a car accident anywhere in Missouri, don’t settle for less than you deserve. Call Sansone & Lauber today for a free, no-obligation consultation at 314-863-0500.

We’ll review your case, explain your rights, and fight to secure the maximum settlement for you and your family.