Honestly, nobody ever thinks they’re going to be the one on the shoulder of I-70 waiting for a state trooper. But the reality of car accidents in Missouri is a lot messier than what you see on a TV commercial for a law firm. In 2025, we saw about 906 people lose their lives on our roads. That’s actually a bit of a "win" since it’s down from the 955 deaths we saw in 2024, but tell that to the families in Jackson County, which consistently leads the state in fatalities.
You’ve probably heard people say Missouri is a "no-fault" state. Wrong. It’s actually a pure comparative fault state. Basically, this means the insurance companies are constantly playing a game of "who’s more to blame?" Even if you were speeding a little, you can still get paid—just less than you would if you were driving like a saint.
The Real Stats Nobody Mentions
Everyone talks about snow and ice. But did you know that over 70% of Missouri crashes happen on dry pavement during the day? It's true. We get comfortable. We stop paying attention because the sun is out and the road looks fine.
Distracted driving is hitting all-time highs here. Missouri finally passed the "Sideshow Bill" and stricter hands-free laws recently, but people still can't put the phones down. If you're going 60 mph on the way to Columbia and look at a text for five seconds, you’ve traveled the length of a football field blind. That is terrifying.
Why the "Five-Year Rule" Is Moving (Fast)
For decades, Missouri had one of the most generous timelines in the country. You had five years to file a lawsuit. That’s basically forever in legal terms.
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But things are changing right now. In the 2026 legislative session, lawmakers have been pushing House Bill 68. This bill is a massive deal because it wants to chop that five-year window down to just two years for accidents happening after August 2025.
Why does this matter to you?
Because if you get rear-ended in Springfield and think, "I'll deal with this later," you might find out that "later" doesn't exist anymore. Two years sounds like a lot, but medical treatments for things like traumatic brain injuries or spinal issues can take 18 months just to stabilize.
Who Pays When the Other Guy Has Nothing?
Missouri requires "25/50/25" coverage.
- $25,000 for one person's injuries.
- $50,000 total for everyone in the crash.
- $25,000 for property damage.
Kinda low, right? If you total a new Ford F-150, that $25,000 for property damage isn't even going to cover half the truck. And if you end up in the ICU at Barnes-Jewish, $25,000 for medical bills is gone in about four hours.
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This is why Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage is mandatory in Missouri. You’re basically paying for protection against the thousands of people driving around St. Louis and KC without a dime of insurance.
The Pure Comparative Fault Trap
Here is where it gets technical but super important. Missouri uses "pure" comparative fault.
Imagine you’re in a crash and your total damages—medical bills, lost work, your car—add up to $100,000.
If the jury decides you were 20% at fault because you didn't use a turn signal, you don't get $100,000. You get $80,000.
The wild part? Even if you were 99% at fault, you could technically still sue for that 1% from the other guy. Not that it’s usually worth the legal fees, but the law allows it.
Insurance adjusters know this. They will record your phone call and try to get you to admit you were "distracted" or "in a rush." Every percent they pin on you is money they keep in their pocket.
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What Actually Causes the Wrecks?
It's not usually the "act of God" stuff.
- Speeding: Involved in nearly 40% of fatal crashes.
- Impairment: Alcohol and drugs are still a massive problem, especially in rural counties where there are fewer Ubers.
- The "Run-Off-Road": Over half of Missouri’s fatal accidents only involve one vehicle. Someone clips a shoulder, overcorrects, and it's over.
The 2026 Survival Guide
If you actually find yourself in a wreck, stop doing what the movies show you.
First, call the police. In Missouri, you are legally required to report any accident with injuries or property damage over $500. If you don't, the Department of Revenue can actually suspend your license.
Second, take photos of everything. Not just the cars. Take photos of the skid marks, the street signs, and even the weather. Evidence disappears the second the tow truck arrives.
Third, get checked out. Adrenaline is a hell of a drug. It masks pain. You might feel "fine" on the side of the road, but wake up three days later unable to move your neck. If you wait three weeks to see a doctor, the insurance company will argue that you got hurt doing something else.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your policy: See if you have "Underinsured" (UIM) coverage. It's different from "Uninsured." It protects you if the guy who hit you has the state minimum but your bills are higher.
- Dashcams: Honestly, for $100, this is the best insurance you can buy. In a state where fault is everything, video is king.
- The Clock: If your accident happened recently, assume you only have two years to act. Don't wait for the old five-year rule to save you.
- Report it: Use the Missouri Form 1140 if the police didn't show up or if the other driver was uninsured. You have to do this within a year of the crash.
Missouri roads aren't getting any less crowded, and with the new laws in 2026, the stakes for a mistake are higher than ever. Stay buckled, keep the phone in the console, and remember that "Missouri nice" doesn't apply to insurance adjusters.