St. Louis Rear-End Accident Lawyer

If you were injured in a rear end collision, it is important to seek medical help if you are experiencing any pain, as well as, the guidance of a seasoned lawyer who can assess and determine the best plan of action for your claim. Burger Law is a full-service auto accident law firm that serves people injured in any type of car accident with high-quality support while fighting for their recovery. To get started on your free case evaluation, call Burger Law now at (314) 500-HURT or complete our online contact form.

If you were injured in a rear end accident in St. Louis, or anywhere in Missouri or Illinois, see how much your claim may be worth by using our free personal injury calculator.

The rear ended accident lawyers at Burger Law are dedicated to assisting the injured in the St Louis area recover from accidents. We know that collision injuries can be damaging to a person’s physical and financial health, and we are ready to fight for your recovery. We have recovered over $180 million in verdicts and settlements for individuals and families injured in car accidents, and we offer the highest standard of support and guidance for our St Louis clients. Burger Law stands firmly by our belief that when a person is injured as a result of another individual’s negligent acts, they should not be required to pay for representation in order to receive fair compensation. We work on a contingency-fee basis, and we do not expect you to pay any expenses unless we win your case.

How Common Are Rear End Accidents in St. Louis, Missouri?

According to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, rear end accidents account for 29 percent of all auto accidents, or over 2.5 million accidents a year. Rear end accidents cause 6.8 percent of all fatal crashes.

According to data from the Missouri Traffic Safety Compendium, in Missouri in 2021 there were 8,943 “front to rear” crashes that resulted in personal injury (36.58 percent of the total), and 67 that resulted in death (17.22 percent of the total).

According to the 2020 Illinois Crash Facts & Statistics, the state had 58,332 total “front to rear” crashes, 12,131 of which caused injury and 72 of which caused death.

How Do I Get Compensation For My Rear End Accident Injuries in St. Louis?

Your path to getting maximum compensation starts immediately after your accident. The most important thing after any accident is to make sure everyone is safe, and to call 911 if anybody is severely injured. If your injuries do not require immediate medical care, take the following steps to ensure your claim goes as successfully as possible:

• Get evidence at the scene — It is imperative to document the scene as best you can. Take pictures or videos of the damage to both cars and the surrounding areas, including how the vehicles are positioned. If there are any eyewitnesses, get their names and contact info so they can corroborate your story if the other driver does not take responsibility for the accident. Note if there are any cameras in the area; your St. Louis car accident lawyer may be able to get access to them for more evidence.
• Call the police — If no one was severely injured, call a non-emergency police number and have them come to the scene. They will evaluate the scene and take statements in an effort to determine fault in the accident. A police report is a key piece of evidence in car accident claims.
• Exchange information with the other driver — Get their contact info and their insurance information. You do not have to be confrontational; you are not trying to get anyone in trouble; you are just doing what you need to after any car accident.
• Make a claim with the other driver’s insurance company, and notify yours — Call their insurance company to make a claim as soon as possible. They will give you a claim number and assign an adjuster to your case. Do not give a recorded statement without speaking to an attorney first. You should also notify your insurance company, even if you will not be making a claim through them.
• Get the full medical treatment you need — If your injuries do not require a trip to the emergency room, you should still go to your doctor to get checked out within a day or two of the accident. Make sure to get all the medical treatment a doctor recommends; whether that means follow-up appointments, a chiropractor, physical therapy, using crutches or a neck brace for a while or surgeries for more severe injuries. In order to get compensation for your injuries, you will need documentation of all your medical bills.
• Keep records of your other damages — You can keep a journal describing how your injuries impact your daily life to help make a claim for your pain and suffering damage. Keep a record of the days you missed off work, and make sure to compile your W2s and pay stubs for your lost wages claim. Also keep receipts and detailed records of the out-of-pocket expenses related to your injuries.
• Hire an experienced car accident lawyer — If the insurance adjuster is not being fair, speak to a lawyer in order to understand the full value of your claim. You are legally owed compensation for:
  • Economic damages, such as your medical bills, property damage, lost wages and out-of-pocket expenses
  • Non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering and mental anguish

  An experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer will be able to gather evidence and work with experts to full calculate your damages. On your behalf, they will fight against the insurance company, negotiate for the best possible settlement and take your case to trial for if they have to.

You only have one shot to get full compensation for your injuries. Inquire about a free consultation with a St. Louis car accident attorney today at (314) 500-HURT.

Why Do Rear End Car Accidents Occur in St. Louis, MO?

The driver in the rear is usually at fault for a rear end accident. Most of the time, that is because they were unable to see the vehicle in front of them stop or decelerate. Reasons for that include:

• Distracted driving, such as:
  • Texting and driving
  • Being engaged in conversation
  • Grooming
  • Eating
  • Changing temperature or radio controls
  • Changing clothes
  • Daydreaming
• Drunk driving or drug-impaired driving
• Fatigued or drowsy driving
• Speeding
• Reckless driving
• Tailgating, or following to closely
• Aggressive driving

While it is true that a rear end accident is usually the rear driver’s fault, that does not mean that the other driver will not try to blame you, or that an insurance adjuster will not try to devalue your claim. A dedicated and aggressive St. Louis rear end accident lawyer like those at Burger Law will be able to prove negligence and hold the other driver for all of your damages.

If I Rear Ended Someone in St. Louis, Am I Automatically At Fault?

Missouri law presumes the rear driver to be at fault in a rear end accident. In Doggendorf v. St. Louis Public Service Company 333 S.W.2d 302 (1960), the St. Louis Court of Appeals ruled that:

if one person has his vehicle in a portion of the highway where he should have it or is entitled to have it in view of the course in which he is proceeding, and some other person traveling behind him in the same direction overtakes him and permits his vehicle to run into the rear of the one ahead, the proof of a collision under such circumstances makes out a prima facie case of specific negligence against such other person in charge of the overtaking vehicle.

In simple terms, prima facie means that if you hit the rear of someone else’s car, it is assumed that you are at fault. But that does not mean you and your St. Louis car crash attorneys cannot fight back if the other person really was at fault. Some examples of the driver in front being at fault include:

• If their vehicle had broken tail or brake lights
• If they merged onto the street or changed lanes too suddenly for you to react
• They slammed on the brakes for no legitimate reason
• The lead driver backed into you while you were not moving
• They were driving erratically due to being impaired or reckless driving

Comparative Negligence in a Rear End Accident

Of course, there may be some combination of factors that cause a rear-end accident, and both drivers may share some fault. Under the doctrine of comparative negligence, if more than one person is at fault, each party is liable for the amount of fault they share for the accident. Meaning, if your damages total $100,000, but you were 30 percent at fault, you would be able to make a $70,000 recovery. In Missouri, you can still recover compensation if you were 99 percent at fault. In Illinois, you are not eligible for compensation if you were 50 percent at fault or more.

Speak to a St. Louis Rear End Car Accident Lawyers Today

The St. Louis rear ended accident attorneys at Burger Law offer legal services throughout Missouri. If you’d like to learn about what to do after a rear-end collision, seeking medical treatment for rear end accident injuries, or anything in between, contact the Burger Law firm today. We look forward to providing you with the highest standard of legal advocacy. Call us today at (314) 500-HURT or fill out our online contact form.

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• Multi-Vehicle Accidents
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