Injured In A Pedestrian Accident In Missouri? Here’s Exactly What To Do Next

Sansone & Lauber | | Pedestrian Accident Articles
Injured In A Pedestrian Accident In Missouri

If you were injured in a pedestrian accident in Missouri, you may be entitled to significant compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and the St. Louis pedestrian accident lawyers at Sansone & Lauber can help you fight for every dollar you deserve.

Below is a simple, step-by-step guide on what to do after a pedestrian accident, how Missouri law protects you, and how our firm builds strong cases for injured pedestrians in St. Louis and across Missouri.

Being hit by a car, truck, or SUV while walking is terrifying. One moment you’re crossing the street or walking along the road. The next, you’re on the ground in pain, wondering how you’ll pay your medical bills or get back to work.

You are not powerless and you are not alone. Missouri law gives injured pedestrians strong rights. In many cases, the driver — not the pedestrian — is at fault for failing to yield, speeding, driving distracted, or ignoring crosswalk laws.

Missouri also uses a pure comparative fault system, which means you can still recover money even if an insurance company claims you were partly at fault.

And right now, pedestrian safety is a crisis in Missouri, especially in the St. Louis region. In 2024, Missouri saw a record number of pedestrian deaths — 148 pedestrians killed statewide, the highest ever recorded. In the St. Louis area alone, recent crash reports show 23 pedestrians killed in St. Louis City and 36 in St. Louis County in a single year, making it the deadliest year on record for people walking.

If you were hit while walking anywhere in Missouri — in a crosswalk, at an intersection, on a shoulder, or even outside a crosswalk — you should talk to a Missouri pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Call Sansone & Lauber now at (314) 863-0500 or visit us at 7777 Bonhomme Ave, Suite 2100, St. Louis, MO 63105 for a free consultation. No fee unless we win.

Injured In A Pedestrian Accident In Missouri? Yes — You May Be Entitled To Significant Compensation

If you were injured in a pedestrian accident in Missouri, you may have a strong personal injury claim for compensation — even if you were outside a crosswalk or are being blamed — because Missouri law allows injured pedestrians to recover money as long as someone else was at least partly at fault.

Depending on the facts of your case, you may be able to recover money for:

  • Emergency room and hospital bills

  • Surgery, physical therapy, and future medical care

  • Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity

  • Pain and suffering

  • Scarring, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life

  • Wrongful death damages for grieving families

Missouri’s pure comparative fault rules mean your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault — but you are not barred from recovery even if an insurer claims you were mostly to blame.

Insurance companies know this and often try to inflate your share of fault to pay you less. Our job is to push back hard and prove what really happened.

Why Pedestrian Accidents Are So Serious In St. Louis And Across Missouri

Pedestrian crashes are different from car-on-car collisions. A person on foot has no protection against a 3,000- to 80,000-pound vehicle. Even “low-speed” impacts can cause life-changing injuries.

Recent data paint a disturbing picture:

  • Missouri experienced record pedestrian fatalities in 2024 — 148 pedestrians killed statewide, a 16% increase over the year before.

  • In the St. Louis region, 2024 was the deadliest year on record for pedestrians, with 23 deaths in St. Louis City and 36 in St. Louis County.

  • Many of these deaths are concentrated on high-speed, multi-lane corridors such as Grand, Kings highway, Broadway, Gravois, Lindbergh, Halls Ferry, Manchester, and Big Bend, where wide roads, fast traffic, and poor crossings create deadly conditions.

The takeaway is simple: this isn’t your fault for walking. Missouri agencies themselves recognize speed, distraction, and impairment by drivers as major causes of pedestrian deaths.

Common Causes Of Pedestrian Accidents In Missouri

Some of the most common causes we see in pedestrian accident cases in St. Louis, St. Charles, Jefferson County, and across Missouri include:

  • Drivers failing to yield at crosswalks

  • Speeding on city streets, arterials, and highways

  • Distracted driving (texting, social media, using GPS)

  • Drunk or drug-impaired driving

  • Left-turn and right-turn crashes where drivers focus on traffic, not pedestrians

  • Running red lights or stop signs

  • Poor visibility at night, especially on poorly lit roads

  • Backing-up crashes in parking lots, driveways, and alleys

  • Trucks, buses, or delivery vehicles (FedEx, UPS, Amazon, rideshare drivers) making unsafe turns or lane changes

  • Dangerous road design — missing crosswalks, broken sidewalks, and long crossing distances

Whatever the cause, our job is to prove exactly how the driver’s choices (and sometimes other parties’ choices) caused your injuries.

What To Do Right After A Pedestrian Accident In Missouri (Step-By-Step)

If you were just hit by a car or truck, you might be reading this from the hospital or at home recovering. Here is a simple, step-by-step checklist you can follow or share with a loved one:

1. Call 911 And Get Emergency Help

  • Ask for police and EMS.

  • Tell the dispatcher you are a pedestrian hit by a vehicle and describe your injuries.

  • Don’t move if moving makes your pain worse unless you’re in immediate danger.

2. Make Sure A Police Report Is Filed

  • When officers arrive, explain what happened in your own words.

  • Tell them if the driver was speeding, ran a light, or was on the phone.

  • Ask how to get a copy of the Missouri crash report later — that report can be powerful evidence in your case.

3. Get Medical Treatment Immediately — Even If You “Feel Okay”

Adrenaline hides pain. Serious internal injuries, concussions, and fractures can show up hours or days later. See a doctor or go to the ER and:

  • Describe every area that hurts.

  • Follow up with your primary doctor or specialist.

  • Keep all medical records, bills, and discharge instructions.

4. Get The Driver’s And Witnesses’ Information

If you are able (or ask someone to help):

  • Take a photo of the driver’s license and insurance card.

  • Write down the license plate number.

  • Get names, phone numbers, and emails of any witnesses.

5. Take Photos And Video Of The Scene

Photos can make or break a pedestrian accident case. Get:

  • The vehicle (including damage and location)

  • The crosswalk or intersection and any traffic signals

  • Skid marks, debris, and road conditions

  • Your visible injuries (bruises, cuts, torn clothing)

6. Don’t Apologize Or Argue About Fault

It’s natural to say “I’m sorry” even when you did nothing wrong. Avoid:

  • Apologizing

  • Arguing with the driver

  • Admitting fault or saying you “didn’t see” the car

Just focus on getting help.

7. Avoid Speaking To The Other Driver’s Insurance Company

Soon after the crash, the driver’s insurance company may call you and:

  • Ask for a recorded statement

  • Push you to “just tell us what happened”

  • Offer a small, quick settlement

You are not required to give a recorded statement. Politely decline and tell them your lawyer will be in touch.

8. Preserve Everything

Save:

  • Medical records and bills

  • Prescription receipts

  • Time-off work records

  • Photos, videos, and texts about the crash

Do not throw away torn clothing or damaged items — they may be evidence.

9. Talk To A Missouri Pedestrian Accident Lawyer As Soon As Possible

The sooner you call us:

  • The sooner we can preserve video footage (many cameras overwrite in days or weeks)

  • The faster we can interview witnesses while memories are fresh

  • The better we can protect you from insurance tactics

Call Sansone & Lauber at (314) 863-0500 for a free consultation — no fee unless we win.

How Missouri Pedestrian Laws And Comparative Fault Affect Your Case

Understanding Missouri pedestrian law helps explain why your case may be stronger than you think.

Pedestrian Right-Of-Way In Missouri

Under Missouri law:

  • Drivers must yield the right of way to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks at intersections when it’s safe for pedestrians to enter.

  • Drivers must slow or stop, if needed, to allow pedestrians to cross safely.

  • Drivers must use utmost care to avoid hitting pedestrians, including slowing down, honking when necessary, and being extra cautious around children and vulnerable people.

What If You Were Not In A Crosswalk?

Missouri law also says:

  • Pedestrians crossing outside a crosswalk must yield to vehicles.

BUT — and this is critical — that does not automatically make you “at fault” or kill your case. Instead, Missouri uses pure comparative fault:

  • Each party (driver and pedestrian) is assigned a percentage of fault.

  • Your compensation is reduced by your percentage, but you can still recover money, even if you’re mostly at fault.

Example:
If your full damages are $200,000 and you’re found 20% at fault for crossing mid-block, you can still recover $160,000 (80% of your damages).

Insurance companies love to yell “jaywalking!” to pay you less. Our job is to show how driver choices — speed, distraction, impairment, failure to yield — played the bigger role.

Types Of Injuries And Damages In Missouri Pedestrian Accident Cases

Because pedestrians are completely exposed, injuries are often severe, such as:

  • Traumatic brain injuries (concussion, bleeding, brain damage)

  • Spinal cord injuries and paralysis

  • Broken legs, hips, ankles, and arms

  • Pelvic fractures

  • Internal bleeding and organ damage

  • Severe road rash, scarring, and disfigurement

  • Emotional trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and depression

You may be entitled to compensation for:

Economic damages

  • ER and hospital bills

  • Surgery, rehab, and physical therapy

  • Future medical care and home modifications

  • Lost wages and decreased earning capacity

  • Transportation and out-of-pocket costs

Non-economic damages

  • Physical pain

  • Emotional distress

  • Loss of enjoyment of life

  • Scarring and disfigurement

  • Loss of companionship for spouses and families

In cases involving extreme recklessness (like drunk driving at very high speed), punitive damages may also be possible.

Who Can Be Held Liable In A Missouri Pedestrian Accident?

Every case is unique, but potential at-fault parties can include:

  • Negligent drivers (speeding, distracted, drunk, failing to yield)

  • Commercial drivers and trucking companies (18-wheelers, delivery trucks, work vehicles)

  • Rideshare drivers (Uber, Lyft) and, in some cases, rideshare insurers

  • Bus drivers and transit authorities

  • Property owners or businesses that allow dangerous parking lot layouts or fail to fix known hazards

  • Government entities responsible for dangerously designed intersections, missing crosswalks, or faulty signals (these cases have special notice rules and shorter time limits)

At Sansone & Lauber, we look beyond the obvious and investigate whether more than one party shares responsibility — because more liable parties can mean more insurance coverage and higher recoveries for you.

How Insurance Companies Try To Devalue Your Pedestrian Injury Claim

After a pedestrian accident, insurance companies often:

  • Blame you for “not paying attention” or “wearing dark clothes”

  • Argue you “darted out” or “came out of nowhere”

  • Claim you “weren’t really hurt” because you walked away from the scene

  • Offer a quick, lowball settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries

  • Spy on your social media and twist normal activities against you

  • Push you into a recorded statement to use your words out of context later

Remember: Their job is to pay as little as possible. Our job is the opposite — to build a case that proves what your injuries are really worth and why you deserve full compensation under Missouri law.

How Sansone & Lauber Builds A Strong Pedestrian Accident Case

Sansone & Lauber is a St. Louis-based personal injury law firm that has recovered many multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts for seriously injured clients in Missouri and Illinois. We handle pedestrian cases with the assumption that we may take them all the way to trial, which means we prepare from day one.

In a typical Missouri pedestrian accident case, we may:

  • Visit and photograph the scene at the same time of day and lighting as your crash

  • Obtain video footage from traffic cameras, businesses, homes, and dash cams before it’s erased

  • Download vehicle data (black box information) when available

  • Work with accident reconstruction experts to analyze speed, braking, and impact

  • Gather your complete medical records and consult specialists about your long-term prognosis

  • Calculate your full economic and non-economic damages, including future care and lost earning capacity

  • Handle all communication with insurance companies so you can focus on healing

  • Prepare your case for mediation, settlement negotiations, or trial

Throughout the process, we keep you informed, answer your questions, and help you make decisions that are right for you and your family.

You don’t pay any attorney’s fee unless we recover money for you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pedestrian Accidents In Missouri

1. Do pedestrians always have the right of way in Missouri?

Not always — but often.

In marked and many unmarked crosswalks at intersections, vehicles must yield the right of way to pedestrians who enter safely. Outside of crosswalks, pedestrians are supposed to yield to vehicles.

Even if you were outside a crosswalk, the driver still has duties: to keep a careful lookout, slow down, and avoid hitting people walking whenever reasonably possible.

2. What if I was jaywalking or got a ticket? Do I still have a case?

Yes, you may still have a case.

Missouri’s pure comparative fault system means your compensation is reduced by your share of fault, but you are not barred from recovery just because you were partly at fault.

Even if you crossed mid-block or against a signal, we may still prove the driver was:

  • Speeding

  • Distracted

  • Drunk or high

  • Failing to keep a proper lookout

Don’t assume you’re at fault because the police officer wrote you a ticket. Talk to us first.

3. How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident lawsuit in Missouri?

In most Missouri personal injury cases, including pedestrian accidents, you generally have five years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit.

However:

  • Certain wrongful death claims may have shorter deadlines.

  • Claims involving government entities can have strict notice requirements (sometimes as short as 90 days).

  • Lawmakers periodically consider bills that could shorten the time limit.

Because deadlines can be tricky and laws can change, it’s best to contact a lawyer as soon as possible after your pedestrian accident.

4. How much is my Missouri pedestrian accident case worth?

There is no fixed dollar amount. The value depends on:

  • The severity of your injuries and how long they last

  • Whether you can return to your old job or any job at all

  • Your medical bills, future care needs, and rehab

  • The amount of insurance coverage available

  • Whether multiple parties share fault (driver, company, government, etc.)

  • How much pain, suffering, and life disruption you’ve suffered

We carefully review every case, talk to your doctors, and often use experts to estimate future costs before advising you on settlement offers.

5. Should I talk to the insurance adjuster without a lawyer?

We strongly recommend that you do not give a recorded statement or sign anything for the other driver’s insurance company before speaking with a lawyer.

Adjusters are trained to:

  • Ask questions in a way that makes you sound partly at fault

  • Get you to minimize your injuries

  • Lock you into statements that may hurt you later

Let us handle those calls so you don’t accidentally damage your case.

6. What if my loved one was killed in a pedestrian accident?

First, we’re truly sorry if you’re facing this. A fatal pedestrian crash may give rise to a wrongful death claim under Missouri law. Surviving family members may be able to recover for:

  • Medical bills before death

  • Funeral and burial expenses

  • Loss of financial support

  • Loss of companionship, guidance, and services

Wrongful death cases have their own rules and deadlines, so it’s crucial to contact an experienced Missouri wrongful death lawyer quickly.

7. How much does it cost to hire Sansone & Lauber?

There is no upfront cost to hire us.

We handle pedestrian accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means:

  • No fee unless we win money for you

  • We advance the costs of investigation and experts in most cases

  • Our fee is a percentage of the final settlement or verdict

If we don’t recover money for you, you owe us no attorney’s fee.

Ready To Talk To A St. Louis Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?pedestrian accident lawyer st louis

If you or a loved one were injured in a pedestrian accident anywhere in Missouri — St. Louis, St. Louis County, Clayton, St. Charles, Jefferson County, Columbia, Springfield, Kansas City, or any other community — you don’t have to fight the insurance company alone.

Let Sansone & Lauber:

  • Answer your questions in plain English

  • Explain your options

  • Handle the insurance companies

  • Fight for the maximum compensation the law allows

Call Sansone & Lauber now at (314) 863-0500 or visit us at 7777 Bonhomme Ave, Suite 2100, St. Louis, MO 63105 to schedule your free consultation. No fee unless we win.