Motorcycle Accidents In Missouri: Your Rights After A Crash

Sansone & Lauber | | Motorcycle Accidents Blog
Motorcycle Accidents In Missouri

Motorcycles symbolize freedom on Missouri roads—the open highway, the wind in your face, and the thrill of the ride. But when an accident happens, that freedom can turn into devastation in an instant.

Riders are far more vulnerable than drivers in cars or trucks, and the aftermath of a motorcycle crash often leaves victims with life-changing injuries, financial stress, and an uphill battle for justice.

At Sansone & Lauber, we know what’s at stake after a motorcycle accident.

As aggressive St. Louis motorcycle accident lawyers, we fight for riders across Missouri to secure maximum compensation and hold negligent drivers accountable.

This guide explains everything you need to know about your rights after a motorcycle crash in Missouri, including laws, insurance rules, common defenses, and how an attorney can help you rebuild your life.

Why Motorcycle Accidents Are Different

Unlike car accidents, motorcycle crashes almost always leave the rider on the losing end. Missouri highways, city streets, and rural backroads pose unique dangers for bikers, and when something goes wrong, there is no steel frame, airbags, or seatbelts to protect you.

  • Motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to die in a crash than occupants of passenger vehicles (NHTSA).

  • Even at low speeds, a collision can cause catastrophic injuries like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or compound fractures.

  • Juries often face bias against motorcyclists, unfairly assuming that riders are reckless thrill-seekers.

That’s why it’s critical to have a Missouri motorcycle accident attorney who knows how to fight those stereotypes and prove the facts.

Missouri Motorcycle Laws Every Rider Should Know

Understanding Missouri’s motorcycle laws is essential both for safety and for protecting your rights after an accident.

  1. Helmet Law

    • Riders under 26 must wear a helmet.

    • Riders 26 and older may ride without a helmet only if they carry health insurance that provides medical benefits for motorcycle accidents.

  2. Lane Splitting

    • Lane splitting (riding between cars) is not legal in Missouri.

  3. Licensing

    • Riders need a valid Class M endorsement to operate a motorcycle.

  4. Comparative Fault

    • Missouri follows a pure comparative negligence system. Even if you are partly at fault, you can still recover damages—though your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

For example, if a jury finds you 20% at fault because you weren’t wearing a helmet, but the driver was 80% at fault, you can still recover 80% of your damages.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in St. Louis and Across Missouri

Motorcycle crashes rarely “just happen.” Most are the result of another driver’s negligence. At Sansone & Lauber, we frequently see these causes:

  • Left-Turn Accidents: A car turns left across a rider’s path.

  • Distracted Driving: Texting, GPS, or phone use causes drivers to miss motorcycles.

  • Following Too Closely: Rear-end collisions are especially dangerous for riders.

  • Drunk or Drugged Driving: Impaired drivers fail to react in time.

  • Unsafe Lane Changes: Drivers fail to check blind spots.

  • Road Hazards: Potholes, gravel, or debris pose far greater risks to motorcycles.

Proving the cause of the accident is crucial to holding the right party accountable.

The Most Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Motorcycle accidents often leave victims with catastrophic injuries that require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, or lifelong care. Common injuries include:

  • Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

  • Spinal Cord Injuries & Paralysis

  • Multiple Bone Fractures

  • Severe Road Rash & Burns

  • Internal Organ Damage

  • Amputations

These injuries don’t just cause physical pain—they result in lost income, massive medical bills, and permanent lifestyle changes.

What to Do Immediately After a Motorcycle Accident in Missouri

Your actions after a crash can make or break your case. Here’s what you should do:

  1. Call 911 – Get medical help and create an official accident report.

  2. Seek Medical Treatment – Even if you feel okay, adrenaline can mask serious injuries.

  3. Document the Scene – Take photos of the vehicles, your bike, skid marks, and road conditions.

  4. Get Witness Information – Eyewitnesses can provide crucial testimony later.

  5. Do Not Admit Fault – Even a simple apology can be twisted against you.

  6. Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in St. Louis – The sooner you call Sansone & Lauber, the sooner we can protect your rights.

Your Legal Rights After a Missouri Motorcycle Accident

As an injured rider, you have powerful rights under Missouri law. These include:

  • The Right to Seek Compensation: For medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.

  • The Right to File a Wrongful Death Claim: If a loved one was killed in a motorcycle crash, family members can pursue damages.

  • The Right to Hold Negligent Drivers Accountable: Whether it’s a careless driver, a trucking company, or even a government agency responsible for unsafe roads.

  • The Right to Legal Representation: Insurance companies will try to minimize payouts—having an attorney levels the playing field.

Missouri Motorcycle Accident Compensation

Compensation in Missouri motorcycle accident cases can cover both economic damages (financial losses) and non-economic damages (quality-of-life losses).

Economic Damages

  • Past and future medical bills

  • Lost wages and loss of earning capacity

  • Property damage (repair or replacement of your bike)

  • Rehabilitation and long-term care

Non-Economic Damages

  • Pain and suffering

  • Emotional distress

  • Loss of enjoyment of life

  • Permanent disfigurement or disability

Punitive Damages

In cases of extreme recklessness—like drunk driving—courts may award punitive damages to punish the offender.

How Insurance Companies Try to Limit Your Claim

Insurance companies are not on your side. Their goal is to pay you as little as possible. Common tactics include:

  • Arguing you were speeding or riding recklessly.

  • Blaming your injuries on lack of a helmet.

  • Offering a lowball settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries.

  • Using your own statements against you.

At Sansone & Lauber, we fight back with evidence, expert witnesses, and aggressive negotiation—taking cases to trial when necessary.

How a St. Louis Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Helps You

When you hire Sansone & Lauber, you’re not just hiring a lawyer—you’re hiring a team that has won millions of dollars for injury victims across Missouri. Here’s what we do:

  • Investigate your accident with accident reconstruction experts.

  • Collect medical records, police reports, and witness statements.

  • Counter bias and stereotypes against motorcyclists in court.

  • Negotiate aggressively with insurance companies.

  • Take your case to trial if they won’t pay what you deserve.

We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win.

Missouri Motorcycle Accident Statistics

To understand the risks, consider these numbers:

  • In 2024, more than 1,600 motorcycle crashes occurred in Missouri.

  • Over 1,300 riders were injured, many with life-changing consequences.

  • St. Louis County and the City of St. Louis consistently rank among the highest in the state for motorcycle accidents.

These numbers aren’t just statistics—they represent lives turned upside down. That’s why we fight relentlessly for every client.

Time Limits: Missouri’s Motorcycle Accident Statute of Limitations

In Missouri, you generally have five years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, if the accident involves a government entity (unsafe roads, defective signals), you may have far less time.

Waiting too long can destroy your case. Contact a St. Louis motorcycle accident attorney immediately to protect your rights.

Why Choose Sansone & Lauber

  • Proven Results: Millions won for Missouri accident victims.

  • Aggressive Representation: We don’t back down from insurance companies.

  • Client-Focused: We treat your case like it’s our only case.

  • Trial Experience: We are not afraid to take your case to court.

When you’re facing medical bills, lost wages, and uncertainty, you need more than promises. You need results.

Frequently Asked Questions About Missouri Motorcycle Accidents

1. Do I need a lawyer after a motorcycle accident in Missouri?
Yes. Without an attorney, insurance companies will pressure you to accept less than your case is worth. A motorcycle accident lawyer protects your rights and maximizes your recovery.

2. What if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?
You can still recover damages, though compensation may be reduced if the defense argues your injuries were worsened by not wearing one.

3. How much is my case worth?
Every case is different, but factors include your medical expenses, lost wages, severity of injuries, and whether the defendant’s conduct was especially reckless.

4. How long will my case take?
Some settle in months, others may take longer if they go to trial. At Sansone & Lauber, we prepare every case for trial from day one.

5. What does it cost to hire a St. Louis motorcycle accident lawyer?
Nothing upfront. We work on contingency—you pay only if we win.

Call Sansone & Lauber Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident in Missouri, don’t wait. The insurance companies already have lawyers working against you.

Contact Sansone & Lauber today for a free consultation. Let us fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.

📞 Call now: (314) 863-0500