Average Pedestrian Accident Compensation in Missouri (2024)

By Zane T. Cagle | October 13, 2024 | Pedestrian Accidents

Many people who pursue compensation after an accident wonder what the average pedestrian accident compensation in Missouri is. Unfortunately, there is no way to accurately answer this. Each injury compensation is different based on your injuries, the available evidence that supports your case, and the insurance coverage available.

Your legal guidance also affects compensation, and talking with an attorney can also give you a closer estimate of your compensation.

Compensation for injuries after a pedestrian accident that was not your fault can be necessary because these collisions with motor vehicles can be life-altering and potentially deadly for pedestrians.

Pursuing compensation with the insurance carrier of the at-fault party can recover these financial and emotional losses while also holding the party accountable. Understanding what influences the value of compensation may help you understand what your case may be worth.

How Do Your Injuries Affect Your Pedestrian Accident Case?

The severity of your injuries is one of the primary factors that impact how much compensation is available to you.

After a collision between a pedestrian and a motor vehicle, the pedestrian often suffers significant and catastrophic injuries. This could include neck and back injuries, spinal cord injuries, nerve damage, internal organ failures and other damages such as amputation, and traumatic brain injuries. Even a collision at low speeds, such as in a parking lot, can result in severe injuries.

There are several reasons why serious injuries result in higher compensation:

1. Medical costs. When you have serious injuries, you likely need more significant medical intervention and treatment, as well as the potential for long-term rehabilitation and medical care. More serious injuries are also more likely to have permanent complications. All of these things increase your medical bills and require more compensation
2. Income. Serious injuries also typically mean you can’t work full-time for a longer period of time. The wages you are not earning or are only partially earning should also be considered in your compensation. The longer you are physically unable to return to work, the higher the compensation. If you are permanently disabled and unable to return to work, compensation should also consider this loss.
3. Personal losses. A more serious injury will also likely cause you more personal and psychological loss. The loss of a limb is traumatic and is going to impact how you complete daily tasks for the rest of your life. Permanent injuries naturally cause pain, suffering and emotional distress. While not a financial loss that is easy to calculate, it can be critical part of your compensation claim.

Ultimately, insurance law follows a “made whole doctrine” in which the insured party should be indemnified of all loss, returning the person to the state they were in before the accident. Insurance companies may attempt to circumvent this doctrine, however, because doing so would require a more substantial settlement, especially in cases of permanent injury.

What Else Affects the Outcome of a Case?

Your injuries are the primary factor influencing what is full and fair compensation. However, whether you can recover that full and fair compensation can rely on numerous other aspects of your accident and the experts you work with after the accident. There are several other factors which can impact your compensation’s value, including:

• Attorney. Working with legal representation makes you more likely to get maximum compensation after a pedestrian accident. An attorney investigates, gathers available evidence, and builds your case. Your attorney negotiates and fights for you against the insurance carrier.
• Evidence. Despite seemingly clear liability, insurance companies may contest claims by disputing the severity of injuries or denying the necessity of medical treatments. Evidence plays a crucial role in demonstrating the extent of injuries and substantiating the economic and non-economic losses.
• Court. A court verdict can result in higher compensation, and an attorney who has a reputation for successful trial verdicts is more likely to secure fair compensation outside of court.
• Fault. A case handled in court can determine the percentage of each party at fault and ensure each party is responsible for their liability. If you were partially responsible for the accident, this can reduce the compensation you earn.

Pedestrian accident cases are most often against the insurance carrier of the at-fault driver. These insurers work hard to prevent you from getting full and fair compensation. Navigating these difficult issues is easier with legal support, and means you are more likely to get the financial recovery you deserve.

FAQs

What Is the Average Compensation for a Pedestrian Accident in Missouri?

There is no average compensation for a pedestrian injury accident in Missouri. Every accident has unique factors that impact the value of its compensation. While “pedestrian accident injuries” is a broad category, there are rarely identical scenarios including how the incident occurred, type of injuries and insurance coverage. Each injured person is unique and deserving of individual evaluation and help rather than generalizations, and averages.

The severity of your injuries is the main impact on the value of compensation, but there are numerous other factors. Your attorney can help you get a better estimate.

How Much Can I Recover for My Injuries?

The amount you can receive from a pedestrian accident personal injury claim will vary depending on the severity of your injuries and the long-term impact they have on your life. Generally, injuries leading to permanent damage result in higher compensation due to the indefinite loss of earning capacity and the pain and suffering caused by the traumatic injury. Examples of some of these extensive injuries include multiple fractures, amputations, facial injuries, and traumatic brain injuries.

How Long Do Most Pedestrian Accident Cases Take?

The amount of time a pedestrian accident case takes to address depends on many factors and can be entirely unique to your own case. A case may take longer if:

• Your injuries take significant time to fully heal or reach maximum improvement.
• You do not have expert legal representation.
• Your case is complex, and your fault is in question.

Your case may also take longer if it continues to court, but a court verdict may secure you higher and fairer compensation.

How Long Do You Have to Pursue a Pedestrian Accident Case?

After a pedestrian accident, you should take action quickly to pursue compensation because the statute of limitations is five years from the date you were injured. If you fail to meet the statute of limitations, you can be forever barred by Missouri law from recovering compensation regardless of the injuries or the circumstances.

You should work with an attorney quickly if you believe you have the grounds for a case. If you wait, evidence can be lost, and your case may be more difficult.

Work With The Cagle Law Firm After a Pedestrian Accident

After a pedestrian accident, The Cagle Law Firm can offer compassionate and expert legal representation. Contact our firm today.

About The Author

Zane T. Cagle

Zane T. Cagle is the founding president and lead trial attorney at The Cagle Law Firm. With a strong dedication to his clients, he has built a reputation for his tenacious representation in personal injury cases, ensuring each client's unique story is heard.Areas of Practice: Personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death.Bar Admissions: Supreme Court of Missouri, Illinois & Kentucky. Superior Court of U.S. Virgin IslandsEducation: Washington University School of Law.Awards: Super Lawyers, Top 40 Under 40 by The National Trial Lawyers Association, 10 Best in Missouri for Customer Satisfaction.

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