A car accident can upend your life in an instant. Medical bills start arriving before the bruises even fade, insurance adjusters are calling before you’ve had a chance to process what happened, and the pressure to settle quickly can feel overwhelming. At Bruntrager & Billings, P.C., we have been standing beside St. Louis accident victims for over 65 years, and we know exactly how to fight back.
Our car accident attorneys have recovered millions of dollars for clients across the St. Louis metropolitan area, including communities like Clayton, Mehlville, Affton, Hazelwood, Wildwood, Jennings, and beyond. If you have been hurt in a crash, you do not have to face the insurance companies alone. Call for a free consultation today; we are ready to help.
Why St. Louis Roads Are Particularly Dangerous
St. Louis has some of the most heavily traveled and most hazardous roads in Missouri. Interstates 44, 55, 64, and 70 create confusing patterns in and around the city, with many high-speed merge zones where collisions are common. The interchange near the Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge and the Highway 40/64 corridor through the central part of the city sees chronic congestion that contributes to rear-end crashes, commercial truck collisions, and aggressive driving incidents on a regular basis.
In south St. Louis County, heavily trafficked streets like Lindbergh Boulevard and Watson Road running through Affton and Mehlville are frequent sites of intersection crashes. Out west, the rapid development along Highway 100 in Wildwood has created a mix of high-speed traffic and residential cross streets that puts drivers at real risk. In North County, roads running through Hazelwood and Jennings have a disproportionate share of serious accidents, often involving speeding, pedestrian activity, or hazardous road conditions.
When accidents happen on city streets, they typically involve the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Crashes in the county fall under the jurisdiction of the St. Louis County Police Department or one of the area’s many municipal police departments. Obtaining the correct police report from the right agency is a critical early step in building your claim, and it is something our team handles as part of standard case intake.
Missouri Car Accident Law: What You Need to Know
Missouri operates under a pure comparative fault system governed by Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 537.765. This means that even if you were partially responsible for the accident, you can still recover compensation. Your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault, but you are not barred from recovery. Insurance companies know this and will often argue that you share the blame in order to reduce what they owe you. Having an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney in your corner ensures that fault is assessed fairly and that you are not accepting more blame than the evidence supports.
Missouri also has a five-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims under Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 516.120. While five years may seem like ample time, evidence degrades quickly. Surveillance footage gets overwritten, witnesses become harder to locate, and accident scene conditions change. The sooner you speak with a car accident lawyer, the stronger your case will be.
For accidents involving uninsured or underinsured drivers, which is a real concern in Missouri given the state’s higher-than-average rate of uninsured motorists, your own UM/UIM coverage may be your primary source of recovery. Missouri also requires drivers to carry minimum liability coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, but these minimums are frequently insufficient to cover serious injuries.
When the at-fault driver’s policy falls short, we look at every available source of recovery, including your own underinsured motorist coverage, umbrella policies, and third-party liability where applicable, such as when a negligent employer’s driver caused the crash.
Where We Serve: St. Louis City, County, and Surrounding Communities
Our firm represents car accident victims throughout the greater St. Louis area. Whether your accident happened downtown on Market Street, on a county highway in west St. Louis County, or on a residential street in South County, our attorneys know the local roads, courts, and insurance issues. We regularly handle cases for clients in:
- St. Louis City, including downtown, Soulard, the Hill, Forest Park, and midtown corridors
- South St. Louis County, including Mehlville, Affton, Lemay, Oakville, and Concord
- North St. Louis County, including Hazelwood, Jennings, Ferguson, Florissant, and Normandy
- West St. Louis County, including Wildwood, Ballwin, Chesterfield, Manchester, and Ellisville
- East St. Louis and the Metro East, where we are familiar with Illinois-side accidents and the cross-state jurisdiction issues they can create
No matter where in the region your accident occurred, Bruntrager & Billings has the local knowledge and courtroom experience to handle your case effectively.
Injuries We Handle
Car accidents produce a wide spectrum of injuries, from those that resolve in a matter of weeks to those that permanently alter how a person lives and works. The severity of an injury is not always apparent in the immediate aftermath of a crash, which is one reason why seeing a physician promptly after any serious collision is so important. Our St. Louis auto accident attorneys regularly handle cases involving:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Even a moderate TBI can affect memory, cognitive function, personality, and the ability to maintain steady employment. These cases require expert neurological testimony and careful long-term damages projections to ensure that future care costs are fully accounted for.
- Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis: Damage to the cervical or lumbar spine can result in partial or complete paralysis, a lifetime of medical care, adaptive equipment needs, and a complete loss of earning capacity. These are among the most consequential cases we handle, and we approach them accordingly.
- Broken Bones: Fractures of the wrist, pelvis, hip, and leg are common in high-impact crashes and frequently require surgery, hardware placement, and extended physical rehabilitation. The associated lost wages and long-term limitations can be just as significant as the initial medical costs.
- Whiplash and Soft Tissue Injuries: Despite being routinely dismissed by insurance adjusters as minor, soft tissue injuries can cause chronic pain and significantly limit a person’s daily function for months or years. We work with treating physicians to document these injuries thoroughly.
- Internal Injuries: Organ damage and internal bleeding may not be immediately apparent at the scene of a crash, which is why medical evaluation following any serious accident is essential, even when you feel relatively okay.
Whether you were treated at SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Mercy Hospital South, or another regional trauma center, our team will work directly with your providers to document the full scope of your injuries and build a complete picture of how the accident has affected your life.
Get the compensation you deserve after an auto accident.
Contact our experienced attorneys today for a free consultation.
How We Handle Your Case
Free Initial Consultation
Every case starts with a no-cost, no-obligation consultation. We review the details of your accident, assess the evidence available, and give you an honest evaluation of your options, including a realistic sense of what your case may be worth. You will leave the conversation with a clear understanding of the process and what comes next.
Thorough Investigation
A strong claim requires a strong foundation. Our team gathers police reports from the relevant jurisdiction, whether that is the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the St. Louis County Police Department, or a local municipal agency. We obtain medical records, secure surveillance and dashcam footage before it is overwritten, and bring in accident reconstruction specialists when the circumstances of the crash are disputed by the other side.
Aggressive Insurance Negotiation
Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, and they are skilled at it. Our car accident lawyers are experienced negotiators who understand the tactics insurers rely on and how to counter them effectively. We pursue full compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering, and we do not accept lowball offers without a fight.
Trial-Ready Litigation
Bruntrager & Billings is a trial firm. We do not just threaten to go to court as a negotiating tactic. We go. Our attorneys have litigated car accident cases in the Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis, the St. Louis County Circuit Court, and those in surrounding areas. Insurance companies know our reputation, which regularly translates into better settlement outcomes for our clients long before a trial date is ever set.
What to Do After a Car Accident in St. Louis
The steps you take in the hours and days after a crash can significantly affect the outcome of your claim. If you are physically able, here is what we recommend:
- Call 911 and request medical assistance even if injuries seem minor.
- If possible, get the other driver’s name, insurance information, and license plate number.
- Report the accident to your own insurance company, but avoid giving a recorded statement to the at-fault driver’s insurer before speaking with an attorney.
- Do not post about the accident on social media.
- Seek medical care promptly, even if you feel okay, because some injuries do not present symptoms right away.
One of the most important things we tell new clients is this: do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company without speaking to an attorney first. Adjusters are trained to ask questions in ways that can later be used to minimize or deny your claim. A brief conversation with our team before that call can make a meaningful difference.
Contact our Auto Accident Attorneys Team in St. Louis
If you or someone you love has been injured in a car crash anywhere in the St. Louis area, Bruntrager & Billings is ready to help. Our family of trial lawyers has been fighting for accident victims in this community for generations, and we bring that same commitment, local knowledge, and courtroom experience to every case we take.
Call or fill out our contact form to schedule your free consultation. There is no cost, no commitment, and no risk; just real answers from experienced St. Louis car accident attorneys who know how to get results.
Don’t let an auto accident derail your life.
Let our skilled attorneys fight for your rights and secure the best outcome for you.
FAQs
What Are Common Causes of Crashes in St. Louis?
St. Louis roads see crashes for many of the same reasons as anywhere else, but a few stand out, as distracted driving, speeding, drunk driving, and failure to yield are among the most frequent culprits. Weather and road conditions, particularly on busy highways like I-44 and I-70, also play a role. Knowing what caused your crash matters because it directly affects who may be responsible.
What compensation can I receive after a car accident?
Compensation can include medical expenses, future medical costs, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, property damage, and pain and suffering. In cases involving particularly reckless conduct, punitive damages may also be available. An experienced car accident attorney can help you identify the full scope of your damages and fight for everything you are owed.
Who Can Be Liable for My Injuries?
Liability in a car accident is not always limited to the other driver. Depending on the circumstances, a liable party could include a negligent driver, a vehicle manufacturer if a defect contributed to the crash, a government entity responsible for a dangerous road condition, or even an employer if the at-fault driver was working at the time. An attorney can help sort out who owes you compensation.
What if the other driver doesn't have insurance?
If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may still be able to recover compensation through your own insurance policy, specifically through uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. An auto accident lawyer in St. Louis can help you navigate these claims and ensure you receive the compensation you’re entitled to.
Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Yes, Missouri follows a comparative fault system, which means you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. An experienced vehicle accident attorneys can help you understand how fault is determined and how it affects your claim.
How long will it take to resolve my car accident case?
The duration of a car accident case can vary widely depending on factors such as the complexity of the case, the severity of injuries, the willingness of parties to settle, and court schedules. While some cases may settle within a few months, others might take years, especially if they go to trial. Your auto accident attorneys can provide a more accurate timeline based on the specifics of your case.
What should I avoid doing after a car accident?
Avoid admitting fault or making statements that could be interpreted as admitting fault at the scene of the accident. Don’t sign any documents or accept a settlement offer from an insurance company without consulting your auto accident attorneys. Additionally, avoid posting details about the accident on social media, as this information could be used against you.