Rear-Ended & Not At Fault In Missouri? Why You Should Call A Car Accident Lawyer Immediately

Sansone & Lauber | | Car Accidents
Rear-Ended & Not At Fault in Missouri

Rear-Ended & Not At Fault in Missouri?

If you were rear-ended in Missouri and you’re not at fault, you should speak with a Missouri car accident lawyer immediately—because the insurance company starts building its defense right away, and waiting hurts your case. Call Sansone & Lauber now at 314-863-0500 for a free consultation and “No Fee Unless We Win” representation.

Most people think a rear-end crash is “open and shut.” Sometimes it is. But insurance companies rarely pay full value just because liability looks obvious.

They look for ways to reduce what they pay—by questioning injuries, pushing recorded statements, blaming you for a “sudden stop,” arguing a chain-reaction wasn’t their driver’s fault, or claiming your treatment was “too much.”

The sooner you call, the sooner Sansone & Lauber can:

  • protect evidence

  • shut down insurance games

  • document your injuries correctly

  • and push your claim toward maximum value

Call 314-863-0500 now.

Why rear-end crashes are “easy” only in theory

Insurance companies use the same playbook every time

Even when you are clearly not at fault, insurers often try to:

  • get you on a recorded statement (so they can cherry-pick words later)

  • delay (because delays weaken cases and make people desperate)

  • minimize injuries (“soft tissue,” “pre-existing,” “you waited too long”)

  • argue comparative fault (“you stopped short,” “your brake lights didn’t work,” “you changed lanes”)

  • rush a quick settlement before the full medical picture is known

Sansone & Lauber says it directly: the longer you wait, the more time the insurance company has to build a defense—and the call costs you nothing.

Call Sansone & Lauber at 314-863-0500. The sooner you call, the sooner they can help you.

Missouri rear-end law basics (simple and important)

1) Missouri law requires drivers to keep a safe distance

Missouri has a statute that prohibits following another vehicle more closely than is “reasonably safe and prudent” based on speed, traffic, and road conditions. In plain English: rear-end crashes often happen because the rear driver was too close, too fast, distracted, or not paying attention.

2) Missouri recognizes a “rear-end collision doctrine” in litigation

Missouri courts have discussed cases submitted under the “rear-end collision doctrine.”
That matters because rear-end impacts commonly support a strong liability position—but it is not automatic, and insurers will still look for any facts to muddy the water.

3) Missouri uses comparative fault rules

Missouri adopted pure comparative fault (meaning percentages of fault can reduce damages rather than automatically bar recovery). That is exactly why insurers try to pin any percentage of blame on you.

Example (simple): If your damages are $100,000 and they convince a jury you were 20% at fault, your recovery can be reduced to $80,000. That is why you need counsel early—before the defense narrative hardens.

Call Sansone & Lauber at 314-863-0500 to protect liability while the evidence is fresh.

What you should do in the first 24 hours after being rear-ended

If you can, do these immediately:

  • Call 911 and insist on a crash report

  • Take photos/video:

    • all vehicles (all angles)

    • license plates

    • skid marks, debris, traffic signals

    • your injuries (even if they look minor)

  • Get witness names and numbers

  • Get medical care the same day (urgent care/ER if needed)

  • Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer

  • Do not “tough it out”—delayed treatment is used against you

  • Call a lawyer immediately

Call Sansone & Lauber now at 314-863-0500. Their consultation and legal advice are free, and they state they work on contingency (“No Fee Unless We Win”).

Common rear-end injuries insurers love to “downplay”

Rear-end collisions frequently cause injuries that worsen over days, not minutes:

  • whiplash and cervical strain

  • herniated discs (neck/back)

  • headaches and migraines

  • concussions and mild traumatic brain injuries

  • shoulder injuries (seatbelt trauma, labrum tears)

  • knee injuries (dashboard impact)

  • aggravated pre-existing injuries

Insurance companies often pretend these are “minor.” Your job is to get treatment. Your lawyer’s job is to prove the injury, connect it to the crash, and demand full value.

Call Sansone & Lauber at 314-863-0500—waiting hurts your case.

The biggest mistakes people make after a rear-end crash (and how to avoid them)

Mistake #1: “I’m not at fault, so I’m fine.”

Not at fault does not mean the insurer will pay quickly or fairly.

Mistake #2: Waiting too long to treat

Gaps in care are the #1 tool insurers use to argue:

  • “You weren’t really hurt,” or

  • “Something else caused it.”

Mistake #3: Giving a recorded statement

Recorded statements are designed to lock you into phrasing that can be used later.

Mistake #4: Settling before you know the full medical picture

Once you sign a release, your claim is usually over—even if symptoms worsen.

Do not gamble with your case value. Call Sansone & Lauber at 314-863-0500 now.

What your Missouri rear-end case may be worth (what drives value)

Every case is different, but the value typically rises with:

  • objective injuries (MRI findings, surgical recommendations)

  • clear liability (rear-impact facts + strong evidence)

  • strong medical documentation (consistent treatment timeline)

  • wage loss and future earning impact

  • pain, limitations, and life disruption

  • future care needs (PT, injections, surgery, rehab)

A good lawyer does not guess. They build a damages model and prove it.

Call Sansone & Lauber at 314-863-0500 to get a real evaluation, not an insurance estimate.

Rear-end crashes that get complicated fast (and why you need a lawyer early)

Chain-reaction crashes (multi-car pileups)

In a multi-vehicle rear-end crash, insurers fight over:

  • who hit whom first

  • whether the middle car was pushed

  • whether the front car stopped suddenly

Early investigation matters.

“Sudden stop” / “brake check” arguments

Insurers commonly argue you “stopped short.” A lawyer can counter with:

  • traffic patterns

  • intersection design

  • witness statements

  • vehicle crush analysis

  • phone distraction evidence

Uninsured or underinsured drivers

Missouri requires drivers to carry liability insurance, but uninsured driving still happens.
If the at-fault driver has minimal coverage, your own UM/UIM may become critical—another reason to get legal guidance immediately.

Call Sansone & Lauber at 314-863-0500.

Deadlines: don’t wait until “later”

Missouri has a five-year statute of limitations that commonly applies to personal injury actions.
But here’s the problem: you can be “within time” and still destroy your case by waiting.

Evidence disappears far sooner than deadlines. Video gets overwritten. Cars get repaired. Witnesses disappear. Injuries become harder to connect.

Waiting hurts your case. Call Sansone & Lauber at 314-863-0500 today.

FAQs (high-volume questions people search after a rear-end crash)

Should I get a lawyer if I was rear-ended and it wasn’t my fault?

Yes—because insurers still fight injury claims, try to shift blame, and push fast settlements. A lawyer protects your evidence, your medical documentation, and your payout.

Call Sansone & Lauber at 314-863-0500 now.

Is the rear driver always at fault in Missouri?

Rear drivers are often strongly positioned as at fault, especially under following-too-closely principles.
But insurers may argue exceptions (sudden reversing, unsafe lane change, brake light issues). That is why evidence matters immediately.

What if the insurance company says I stopped suddenly?

That is a common defense tactic. Your lawyer can use evidence (scene facts, witnesses, vehicle damage, traffic patterns) to prove the stop was normal and the rear driver failed to maintain a safe distance.

Can I still recover if they claim I’m partially at fault?

Missouri uses comparative fault principles that can reduce damages by percentage rather than automatically bar recovery.
This is exactly why insurers try to assign you some blame—don’t let them set the narrative.

How long should I wait before seeing a doctor?

Do not wait. Rear-end injuries often worsen over 24–72 hours, and delays get used against you.

How much is my rear-end injury claim worth?

It depends on injuries, treatment, wage loss, future care, and evidence strength. A real evaluation requires a case review and medical documentation.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Missouri after a car accident?

Often, Missouri’s five-year limitations period applies to injury actions.
But evidence issues make it critical to act immediately.

Do I have to talk to the other driver’s insurance adjuster?

You are not required to give a recorded statement that harms you. Talk to a lawyer first.

Why choose Sansone & Lauber (and why calling now matters)Rear-Ended & Not At Fault in Missouri?

When you are rear-ended, the insurer wants time. You want momentum. Sansone & Lauber explicitly emphasizes that delay gives the other side time to build a defense, and they offer free consultation and legal advice with a contingency model—“No Fee Unless We Win.”

They also have independent credibility signals for St. Louis personal injury work, including:

  • Super Lawyers profile listing for Ben Sansone as a top-rated personal injury attorney

  • Justia attorney profile for Benjamin J. Sansone

Most importantly, they are reachable now.

Call Sansone & Lauber at 314-863-0500. Waiting hurts your case. The sooner you call, the sooner Sansone & Lauber can help you.