We tend to think of rear-end collisions as fender benders, but when they occur with substantial force, they can cause devastating injuries. Despite making up only 17.3% of two-car collisions, there were 3,400 deaths in rear-end collision accidents in a single recent year and hundreds of thousands of injuries.
If you or a close family member experienced injuries in a rear-end accident in St. Louis, call our St. Louis car accident lawyers at Meyerkord & Kurth for skilled legal counsel to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve. Contact us for a free consultation today.
Why You Should Choose Meyerkord & Kurth
A rear-end collision happens in an instant but often ends with long-term consequences. These consequences are the damages in a rear-end collision claim. Missouri’s car accident laws require an injury victim to file a claim against the at-fault driver. With legal representation by Meyerkord & Kurth, you can expect the following benefits:
- An investigation to prove the at-fault driver’s liability
- The experience, knowledge, and resources of an entire legal team and staff behind your case
- A results-oriented approach by a law firm with a history of recovering over $450 million for our injured clients
- A “preeminent law firm” rating by prestigious Martindale-Hubbell and a listing in Super Lawyers to put a powerful voice behind your case
Our rear-end collision lawyers in St. Louis offer injury victims a free consultation and only charge a fee after we recover compensation.
What Causes Rear-End Collisions In St. Louis?
St. Louis is a bustling community with many high-traffic areas and high-speed interstates. In a rear-end collision, the front end of one vehicle collides with the rear end of the car directly in front. The most common causes of rear-end collisions include the following:
- Following too closely (tailgating)
- Speeding (which causes longer stopping distances)
- Distracted driving
- Aggressive driving
- Unsafe lane changes
- Improper merging
- Abrupt stops by the driver in the front vehicle
In most cases, the rear driver is responsible for a rear-end collision, or tailgate accident. If the front driver stops suddenly, such as for an animal on the road or another hazard, they may be liable for damages to injury victims in the rear vehicle under the state’s fault-based insurance laws.
Proving Liability and Damages In a Rear-End Collision Accident
Missouri’s pure comparative negligence insurance laws require an injury victim to file a compensation claim against the responsible party in an accident to recover compensation for property damage and injury expenses. An insurance company requires compelling evidence of liability. This means an injury victim must show that the at-fault driver had the responsibility to take all reasonable measures to avoid causing an accident, they violated this duty through careless or reckless actions (negligence), and the violation directly caused the injury. Finally, an injury victim must prove that they suffered damages from the accident.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Rear-End Collision in St. Louis?
The crash force of a rear-end collision has the greatest impact on those in the front vehicle in a rear-end collision because they often don’t see the crash coming and cannot brace themselves. A rear-end collision propels the motorist forward and then snaps them back against the seat, causing trauma to the skeletal structures, soft tissue, and brain from the rapid back-and-forth motion. In addition to property damage costs, after suffering significant injuries, a rear-end collision accident victim in St. Louis can recover damages such as the following:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical expenses
- Lost earnings
- Future income loss/diminished future earning ability
- Compensation for pain and suffering
In some cases, additional compensation is available for those with catastrophic injuries that cause disability, loss of enjoyment of life, or specific damages such as disfigurement or traumatic limb loss. Wrongful death benefits may be available to family members after a rear-end collision in St. Louis if it causes fatal injury.
Call the Rear-End Accident Lawyers at Meyerkord & Kurth
It may seem evident who is at fault in a rear-end collision, but insurance companies commonly dispute these claims, particularly when they happen at low speeds with little damage to a vehicle, but cause substantial injuries such as whiplash. Instead of leaving your claim in the hands of an insurance company that is not on your side, call Meyerkord & Kurth at (800) 391-4318 to assertively argue for your best interests throughout the claim process.