When two cars hit each other at a busy St. Louis intersection, figuring out who caused the crash is rarely simple. Sometimes one driver ran a red light, but the other driver was driving a little over the speed limit. Many people think if they made a small mistake, they cannot get any money for their medical bills. Luckily, Missouri law works differently.
What Is Pure Comparative Fault?
Missouri follows a legal rule called pure comparative fault. This rule means you can still collect money for your injuries even if the crash was partly your fault. The law simply reduces your total money payout by the percentage of blame put on you.
How the Percentages Change Your Settlement
Let us look at a simple example to see how this works in real life:
- Imagine your total damages add up to $100,000 for hospital bills and lost wages.
- The insurance adjusters or a jury decide you were 20 percent at fault because you were speeding.
- The other driver was 80 percent at fault for turning left right in front of you.
- In Missouri, you can still collect 80 percent of your total money, which comes to $80,000.
Even if a driver was mostly at fault, like 90 percent responsible, they can technically still ask for 10 percent of their damages under Missouri law.
Why Insurance Adjusters Blame You
Insurance companies know how comparative fault rules work. They often try to push more blame onto you so they do not have to pay full value. They might say you were distracted or driving too fast without real proof. The more fault they stick on you, the less money their company has to pay out.
Gathering Proof to Show What Really Happened
To stop the insurance company from blaming you unfairly, you need strong evidence:
- Dashcam Footage: Videos show exact car positions and speeds.
- Witness Statements: People who watched the crash can tell the truth.
- Black Box Data: Modern cars store speed and braking details.
- Accident Reconstruction: Experts can study dent angles and skid marks.
Getting Help with Your Claim
Do not let an insurance company trick you into taking the blame for a wreck you did not cause. Having a skilled legal representative on your side keeps the insurance adjusters honest. If you are dealing with a complex claim, talk with a knowledgeable St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer to make sure you get a fair settlement.
