1. Brown & Crouppen Law Firm
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, rear-end motorcycle accidents, left-turn motorcycle accidents, intersection motorcycle accidents, lane splitting accidents, drunk driver motorcycle accidents, distracted driver accidents, road hazard motorcycle accidents, uninsured motorist motorcycle accidents, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, witness interviews, expert coordination, evidence gathering, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, wrongful death claims
Background: Since 1979, the firm’s Missouri motorcycle accident attorneys have helped clients recover over $1 billion in settlements and verdicts. Award-winning firm with accomplished trial attorneys prepared to take cases to court if necessary. Experienced with complex cases involving government entities. Notable results include $200K settlement for rear-end motorcycle accident and $375K settlement for severe motorcycle injuries. Licensed and in good standing with the Missouri State Bar.
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Contact: https://www.brownandcrouppen.com
Consultation: Free consultations available. Contingency fee arrangement (no upfront cost; if you do not get paid, they do not get paid).
2. Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, intersection motorcycle accidents, negligent driver motorcycle accidents, drunk driver motorcycle accidents, distracted driver accidents, catastrophic injury motorcycle accidents, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, future medical care claims, pain and suffering damages, loss of enjoyment of life damages, wrongful death claims
Background: Principal attorney E. Ryan Bradley began his legal career as an insurance defense attorney and brings this insight to cases. The firm secured the largest recovery for a motorcycle crash in Missouri history at $14,250,000. Experienced in fighting against insurance company tactics to limit payouts under comparative negligence rules. Licensed and in good standing with the Missouri State Bar.
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Contact: https://thebradleylawfirm.com
Consultation: Free consultations available. Contingency fee arrangement.
3. Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, bus accidents, pedestrian accidents, personal injury, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, intersection motorcycle accidents, left-turn motorcycle accidents, drunk driver motorcycle accidents, distracted driver accidents, failure to follow traffic laws accidents, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, insurance claim negotiation, defense against fault allegations, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, wrongful death claims
Background: The firm has won over $50 million in life-changing settlements and verdicts for injured victims. AV-rated legal team with decades of combined experience. Available 24/7/365 to take calls. Experienced in defending clients against comparative negligence tactics. Licensed and in good standing with the Missouri State Bar.
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Contact: (314) 444-4444 | https://schultzmyers.com
Consultation: Free consultations available. Contingency fee arrangement.
4. The Floyd Law Firm
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, speeding motorcycle accidents, negligent driver motorcycle accidents, distracted driver accidents, single-vehicle motorcycle accidents, road hazard motorcycle accidents, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, wrongful death claims
Background: St. Louis motorcycle accident attorneys with 98-percent recovery success rates on personal injury claims they have handled. Experienced in investigating crashes to determine liable parties and calculating damages for settlement negotiations. Understands Missouri’s 5-year statute of limitations and fault-based insurance system. Licensed and in good standing with the Missouri State Bar.
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Contact: https://www.thefloydlawfirm.com
Consultation: Free consultations available. Contingency fee arrangement.
5. Hipskind & McAninch, LLC
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, intersection motorcycle accidents, negligent driver motorcycle accidents, drunk driver motorcycle accidents, road hazard motorcycle accidents, pothole accidents, uninsured motorist motorcycle accidents, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, evidence preservation, insurance claim advocacy, fault dispute defense, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, wrongful death claims
Background: Attorneys work diligently to hold at-fault parties liable while clients focus on healing and recovery. Experienced in advocating with insurance companies and disputing accusations of fault or negligence. Understands Missouri’s comparative negligence system and motorcycle laws. Licensed and in good standing with the Missouri State Bar.
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Contact: https://www.hm-attorneys.com
Consultation: Free consultations available. Contingency fee arrangement.
Motorcycle Accident Laws and Regulations in Missouri
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: Five years from the date of the accident. This is one of the longer statutes of limitations in the United States.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims: Three years from the date of death.
Fault vs. No-Fault State: Missouri is a fault-based (at-fault/tort) state. The person at fault for the accident is liable for the expenses and damages.
Comparative Negligence Rules: Missouri follows a pure comparative negligence system. You can recover compensation even if you are up to 99% at fault for the accident, but your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 25% at fault and awarded $100,000, you would receive $75,000.
Minimum Motorcycle Insurance Requirements:
Bodily Injury: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property Damage: $10,000 per accident
Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident (required)
Helmet Laws: Missouri has a universal helmet law. ALL motorcycle operators and passengers must wear helmets regardless of age. Missouri has one of the lower rates of traumatic brain injuries from motorcycle accidents due to this requirement.
Eye Protection Requirements: Not specifically required by statute, but helmets with face shields or goggles are recommended.
Lane Splitting/Lane Filtering: Lane splitting is ILLEGAL in Missouri. Motorcyclists may not ride between lanes of traffic.
Motorcycle Licensing Requirements: Missouri requires a Class M instruction permit, license, or endorsement on a driver’s license. Riders must pass a knowledge test and skills test to obtain the endorsement.
Motorcycle Equipment Requirements: Motorcycles must have headlights, taillights, turn signals, mirrors, and compliant exhaust systems.
Damage Caps: Missouri does not have caps on compensatory damages in personal injury cases. Punitive damages are available in cases involving egregious conduct.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage: Required by law. Riders must have at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury uninsured motorist coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Missouri?
A: Missouri has a five-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, which is one of the longer timeframes in the United States. For wrongful death claims, you have three years from the date of death. However, it is advisable to begin your case as soon as possible to preserve evidence, interview witnesses while memories are fresh, and ensure you receive timely medical treatment documentation.
Q: Do I have to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle in Missouri?
A: Yes. Missouri has a universal helmet law requiring ALL motorcycle operators and passengers to wear helmets regardless of age. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, states with universal helmet laws like Missouri see fewer instances of traumatic brain injuries following motorcycle accidents. Helmets reduce the risk of head injuries by 69% and reduce the risk of death by 37%.
Q: Can I still recover damages if I was partially at fault for my motorcycle accident in Missouri?
A: Yes. Missouri follows a pure comparative negligence system, which means you can recover damages even if you were partially at fault, up to and including 99% fault. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 30% at fault for the accident and your damages total $100,000, you would recover $70,000. Insurance companies often try to assign more fault to motorcyclists to reduce payouts.
Q: What compensation can I recover in a Missouri motorcycle accident case?
A: Missouri motorcycle accident victims may recover economic damages including current and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, property damage, and rehabilitation costs. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, and loss of consortium. The average motorcycle accident settlement is approximately $73,000, though amounts vary significantly based on injury severity and circumstances.
Q: Is lane splitting legal in Missouri?
A: No. Lane splitting is illegal in Missouri. Motorcyclists may not pass or overtake vehicles in the same lane or ride between lanes of traffic. If you were lane splitting at the time of an accident, this could be considered a contributing factor to the crash under Missouri’s comparative negligence system, potentially reducing your compensation by the percentage of fault assigned to you.