What’s the Average Car Accident Settlement in Missouri?

By James Roswold | September 23, 2025

What's the Average Car Accident Settlement in Missouri?You’re hurt, trying to heal, but the bills are piling up. You just want to know what’s fair, which is why you’re searching for the average car accident settlement in Missouri. Many people want a simple number to hold onto during a stressful time.

The average settlement for a Missouri car accident is approximately $21,600.

  • For the minor injury range ($5,000 to $25,000), the average is $15,000.
  • For the moderate injury range ($25,000 to $100,000), the average is $62,500.
  • And for severe and catastrophic injuries, the average would be $550,000.

These are average ranges, and your settlement is ultimately influenced by several factors including the total medical bills and lost wages, and how much of the accident, if any, is attributable to your own fault in accordance with Missouri’s pure comparative fault laws.

But the truth is, a single average number doesn’t tell your story. It doesn’t account for your specific injuries, your missed work, or the personal toll the car crash has taken. Relying on a generic average for car accident settlements can be misleading and cause more confusion.

Table of Contents:

Why One “Average” Number Doesn’t Help You

Thinking about an average settlement is like asking for the average price of a house in Missouri. An agent could give you a number, but it doesn’t tell you if that house is a one-bedroom fixer-upper or a six-bedroom mansion. They are both houses, but they are worlds apart in value.

Car accidents are the same. Some involve minor fender benders with a few scrapes. Others involve life-altering injuries that require lifelong care after a serious Missouri car accident.

Lumping them all together to get one average number doesn’t give you a useful answer for your specific situation. Your case has its own set of facts that determine its value.

The Real Factors That Shape Your Missouri Settlement

Your potential damage settlement is not a random figure. It is calculated based on specific details from your auto accident. Let’s break down what actually goes into determining what your case is worth.

Medical Bills You Have Now (and Later)

This is the starting point for most calculations. It includes everything from the ambulance ride to hospital stays, surgeries, and prescriptions. Your recovery doesn’t always end when you leave the hospital, either.

Future medical expenses are also a huge part of this. Will you need physical therapy for months or even years? Are more surgeries in your future? A medical expert can estimate these future costs so they can be included in your insurance claim.

These costs form the foundation of your economic damages. Every bill, from co-pays to the cost of medical equipment, is a piece of the puzzle that shows your total financial losses.

Lost Paychecks and Future Earning Power

Missing work means you are experiencing lost wages, and that hurts your finances right away. You can be compensated for the income you’ve already lost. But what if your injuries prevent you from returning to your old job, or from working at all?

If you’re injured and your ability to earn a living in the future is reduced, this is called loss of earning capacity. This can be a significant part of a settlement, especially for someone with a long career ahead of them. This is a very real loss that deserves compensation from the at-fault driver’s coverage.

The Damage to Your Car

This part is usually more straightforward. Your property damage claim is meant to cover the costs of vehicle repairs. If the cost of the repairs is more than the car is worth, the insurance company will declare it a total loss and you should receive its fair market value.

You may also be able to claim compensation for the cost of a rental car while your Missouri car is being repaired. It is important to keep all receipts related to your vehicle damage. This helps create a clear record of your expenses.

Your Pain and Suffering

This is where things get more personal. How do you put a price tag on physical pain or the emotional stress that comes from a traumatic accident? This is called “pain and suffering” or non-economic damages.

Insurance companies often use a formula to estimate this amount. They might take your total medical expenses and multiply them by a number, usually between 1.5 and 5. The multiplier gets bigger if your injuries are more severe, painful, or permanent, such as a spinal cord injury.

For example, a traumatic cord injury that leads to paralysis would command a much higher multiplier than a sprained wrist. The impact on your quality of life is a major consideration here. This part of the settlement acknowledges the human cost of the accident.

Missouri’s Pure Comparative Fault Rule

Here’s something important to know about Missouri law. Our state uses a system called pure comparative fault. This means your settlement can be reduced by your percentage of fault for the accident.

Let’s say a jury decides you are 10% to blame for the accident. Your final settlement award would be reduced by 10%. If your total damages were $100,000, you would get $90,000 because you were not the only driver responsible.

Insurance adjusters for the at-fault driver’s insurance know this rule well. They will often try to argue you were more at fault than you actually were to lower the settlement amounts they have to pay. An experienced personal injury lawyer can fight back against these tactics.

The Other Driver’s Insurance Limits

You can have a case worth a million dollars, but it won’t matter if the at-fault driver only has a minimum insurance policy. In Missouri, the Missouri minimum liability coverage is $25,000 for bodily injury per person. This creates a ceiling, or policy limits, on what the driver’s insurance company will pay out.

This is why having your own uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage is so important. It can help bridge the gap if the other driver doesn’t have enough insurance to cover damages. It’s a protection you buy for yourself against other drivers who may not have higher limits on their insurance policy limits.

Why You Need a Car Accident Lawyer

Trying to handle a car accident claim alone can be overwhelming. Insurance companies have teams of adjusters and lawyers working to protect their profits. A car accident lawyer levels the playing field.

An injury lawyer will investigate your accident, gather evidence, and accurately calculate all your damages. They handle all communications with the insurance companies, protecting you from adjusters who might try to get you to accept a lowball offer. A good law firm handles these cases every day and knows the tactics used to minimize payouts.

Most accident lawyers offer a free consultation to discuss your case. This is a chance to understand your rights and options without any financial commitment. They typically work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if your claim successful.

Average Missouri Car Accident Settlement Amounts

While a single average is not useful, we can look at some general ranges based on the severity of the injuries. Please remember, these are just ballpark estimates and not a guarantee of what you might receive. The settlement amounts for accident settlements can vary widely.

Your case has its own facts that will determine the final value. This information is meant to give you a general idea of how different injuries from a Missouri auto accident can result in very different outcomes. Car accident settlements are specific to the details of the crash.

 

Injury Severity Description of Injuries Potential Settlement Range
Minor Soft tissue injuries like whiplash, cuts, bruises. A few doctor visits, maybe some physical therapy. Fully recovered in a few weeks or months. $5,000 – $25,000
Moderate Herniated discs, simple bone fractures, concussions. Might need more extensive treatment and a longer recovery time. May have some lingering issues. $25,000 – $100,000+
Severe Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, or other permanent injuries. Requires major surgery and long-term or lifelong care. Could involve a wrongful death claim. Several hundred thousand to over $1,000,000+

 

Again, that table is just for general information. A “minor” whiplash injury that results in chronic pain could be worth more than a broken arm that heals perfectly. Every detail truly matters in your Missouri auto case.

What to Do to Protect Your Claim

After a car crash, the steps you take can have a big impact on your case. Your primary focus should be on your health. However, taking a few smart actions can protect your right to fair compensation later.

See a Doctor Right Away

Go to the ER or an urgent care clinic immediately after an accident, even if you feel fine. Some serious injuries, like internal bleeding or concussions, don’t show symptoms right away. This visit also creates a medical record that links your injuries directly to the accident.

If you wait weeks to see a doctor, an insurance adjuster might argue that something else caused your injuries. Don’t give them that chance to dispute your claim. It is critical to follow your doctor’s treatment plan completely.

Become a Good Record Keeper

Documentation is your best friend when pursuing legal action. Get a copy of the police report. Take pictures of the crash scene, the damage to each Missouri car, and your injuries.

Get names and phone numbers of any witnesses who saw what happened. Keep a simple journal about your recovery. Note your pain levels, how the injuries affect your daily life, and all medical appointments.

This detailed record can be powerful evidence to show your pain and suffering. It also helps your car accident lawyers build the strongest possible case for you. Keep every bill and receipt related to the accident including vehicle repairs.

Be Careful Who You Talk To

You can expect a call from the other driver’s insurance adjuster very soon. They may sound friendly and helpful, but their job is to pay you as little as possible. They might try to get you to give a recorded statement or admit some fault.

You do not have to talk to them. You should politely decline to give a statement until you have spoken with an injury lawyer from a reputable law firm. Anything you say can be used to weaken your claim.

Know Your Deadline: The Statute of Limitations

In Missouri, you generally have a limited time to file a lawsuit for a personal injury claim. This deadline is called the statute of limitations, and it’s five years from the date of the accident. If you miss this deadline, you will likely lose your right to get any compensation.

Five years might seem like a long time, but it can pass quickly. Evidence disappears, witnesses move, and memories fade. It is always better to start the legal process with an accident lawyer sooner rather than later.

Different types of claims might have different deadlines. For example, a wrongful death claim has a different statute of limitations. A lawyer who handles these practice areas can help you understand the deadlines that apply to your situation, whether it involves a car, truck, or motorcycle accident.

Conclusion

Figuring out a fair settlement for your car accident involves looking at many different parts of your story. It’s about your specific medical bills, your lost income, your property damage, and your personal suffering. Looking for a single number for an average car accident settlement in Missouri can’t possibly capture all of that.

By understanding the factors that build your claim, you are in a much better position. This knowledge empowers you to work with a qualified personal injury lawyer to secure the compensation you deserve. You can then focus on what really matters, which is getting the resources you need to heal and move forward with your life.

If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys is here to help. Call (816) 441-4228 or use our contact form to receive a free case evaluation.

Posted in Car Accidents