Missouri averages well over 150,000 reported traffic crashes every year, according to data from the Missouri Department of Transportation. The vast majority of those accidents aren't random or unavoidable — they stem from the same handful of preventable behaviors. Understanding what causes car accidents in Missouri matters, because it also determines who is at fault, and fault determines who pays.
Here's a look at the four most common causes of car accidents in Missouri, and what they mean if you've been hurt in a motor vehicle accident.
1. Distracted Driving
Distracted driving has become the defining road safety problem of the smartphone era, and Missouri is no exception. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that driver distraction is a factor in roughly 8–9% of all fatal crashes nationally — a figure that almost certainly undercounts the problem because distraction is difficult to confirm after the fact.
Missouri law prohibits texting while driving for all drivers. Novice drivers under 21 face a broader prohibition on all handheld device use while operating a vehicle. But distraction extends well beyond phones — eating, adjusting a GPS, reaching into the back seat, or even a heated conversation with a passenger can take a driver's attention off the road long enough to cause a serious crash.
In personal injury cases, proving distracted driving often requires cell phone records, dashcam footage, witness statements, or the driver's own social media activity around the time of the crash. Evidence moves fast — preserving it early matters.
Why Distracted Driving Claims Can Be Complex
Insurance companies often contest distracted driving allegations because the behavior is difficult to document. The at-fault driver rarely admits they were on their phone. Building a strong distracted driving case often requires subpoenaing cell phone records, reviewing traffic camera footage, and gathering eyewitness testimony from other drivers or pedestrians who witnessed the crash.
2. Speeding
Speed is a factor in nearly a third of all traffic fatalities nationally. The physics are straightforward: stopping distance increases exponentially with speed, and the force of impact in a collision increases with the square of velocity. A vehicle traveling 60 mph needs nearly twice the stopping distance of one going 45 mph. A crash at 60 mph transfers roughly four times as much energy as one at 30 mph.
Missouri's rural roads and long stretches of interstate create conditions where drivers routinely exceed posted speed limits. Central Missouri highways like I-70, US-63, and US-54 all see speed-related crashes with unfortunate regularity. Excessive speed can also factor into liability even when it isn't the direct cause of the initial collision — for example, if a driver going too fast couldn't stop in time to avoid a hazard they would have missed at legal speeds.
Speeding and Shared Fault
Sometimes both drivers are speeding when a car accident occurs. Missouri's comparative fault rule still allows injured drivers to recover, as long as another party was at least partly responsible. If you were driving above the speed limit but another driver ran a stop sign and caused the collision, you can still pursue a personal injury claim for the portion of fault that belongs to the other driver.
Was another driver's negligence responsible for your accident?
At Bur Oak Legal, Chris Miller handles personal injury claims across central Missouri. There's no fee unless we win, and consultations are free. Don't let the insurance company minimize what happened to you.
Talk to Chris Miller →3. Impaired Driving
Under Missouri law (RSMo § 577.010), a person commits the offense of driving while intoxicated if they operate a vehicle in an intoxicated or drugged condition. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.08% for drivers 21 and over — but alcohol impairment begins well below that threshold. Reaction times slow, peripheral vision narrows, and judgment deteriorates at much lower BAC levels.
Drug-impaired driving — including prescription medications, marijuana, and illegal substances — is increasingly common and harder to detect than alcohol impairment. Missouri DWI checkpoints and increased patrols during holidays reflect the ongoing severity of this problem on Missouri roadways.
If an impaired driver caused your car accident, the civil case is typically strong. DWI arrests and convictions are admissible evidence in a civil lawsuit, and Missouri courts can allow punitive damages in cases involving egregious conduct — though that determination is highly fact-specific and never guaranteed.
Drunk Driving vs. Drug-Impaired Driving
Drunk driving — alcohol impairment above the legal limit — accounts for a large share of fatal car crashes. Drunk drivers cause thousands of preventable collisions each year across Missouri. Drug-impaired driving presents different evidentiary challenges: there is no roadside equivalent of a breathalyzer for drugs, so these cases often rely on field sobriety testing, blood tests, and officer observations. Both forms of impairment are treated seriously in both criminal and civil proceedings.
4. Running Red Lights and Stop Signs
Intersection crashes are among the most violent accident types because vehicles often strike each other at high speed from the side — the broadside or "T-bone" configuration that vehicle safety systems are least equipped to protect against. Running red lights and stop signs is the primary cause of urban intersection crashes in Missouri.
These accidents are often straightforward from a fault standpoint — traffic signal records, intersection cameras, and witness testimony frequently make clear who had the right of way. But straightforward liability doesn't always mean simple claims: insurance companies still dispute damages, dispute injury severity, and look for any percentage of fault to assign to the victim.
Common Injuries in Intersection Crashes
T-bone collisions frequently cause serious injuries including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, and internal injuries. The side door of a vehicle offers far less protection than the front or rear, meaning occupants on the struck side face the greatest risk. Seeking immediate medical attention after any intersection crash is critical — some serious injuries are not immediately apparent at the scene.
How Missouri's Comparative Fault Law Affects Your Car Accident Claim
Missouri follows a pure comparative fault rule under RSMo § 537.765. This means that even if you were partially at fault for an accident — perhaps you were driving slightly over the speed limit when someone ran a red light and hit you — you can still recover damages. Your award is simply reduced by your percentage of fault.
This is an important protection for Missouri car accident victims. Many people assume that because they weren't perfect drivers, they have no case. That's not how Missouri law works. If the other driver was 80% at fault and you were 20% at fault, you can still recover 80% of your total damages.
Insurance companies know this rule well, and they use it strategically — trying to inflate your share of fault to reduce their payout. Having an attorney who understands how comparative fault is argued and negotiated makes a real difference in the final settlement amount.
Missouri Car Accident Statistics: How Bad Is the Problem?
Preliminary data from the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety and the Missouri Department of Transportation shows that Missouri roadways see some of the highest crash rates in the Midwest. In recent years, Missouri recorded one of its deadliest year-over-year trends, with thousands of people killed and tens of thousands injured in traffic collisions. Boone County, Jackson County, and St. Louis County see disproportionately high crash volumes due to population density and high-traffic corridors.
Kansas City and the surrounding Jackson County area account for a significant portion of Missouri's serious accident totals each year. Urban intersections, highway interchanges, and commercial corridors are common crash sites. Understanding these Missouri car accident statistics helps explain why the state has invested heavily in roadway safety campaigns and enforcement efforts.
Other Contributing Factors to Car Accidents in Missouri
Beyond the four major causes described above, several other contributing factors account for a meaningful share of Missouri car crashes:
Aggressive driving and road rage. Tailgating, aggressive lane changes, and road rage incidents have increased on Missouri roadways in recent years. Drivers fail to exercise reasonable care when they allow frustration or anger to override their judgment. Improper lane changes and failure to yield the right of way are among the most common traffic violations cited at crash scenes.
Drunk driving and alcohol impairment. Drunk driving — distinct from broader impaired driving — remains a leading cause of fatal crashes in Missouri. When a drunk driver kills or seriously injures a family member or loved one, the crash is often preventable in the most direct sense: the driver chose to get behind the wheel while over the legal limit.
Weather conditions. Missouri experiences ice, fog, heavy rain, and snow — all of which significantly increase crash risk. Many drivers fail to adjust their speed and following distance for weather conditions. Missouri law does not excuse speeding or improper lane usage simply because of adverse weather — drivers are expected to operate safely under the conditions present. Staying informed about weather alerts and staying vigilant during winter and severe weather months can prevent many accidents.
Property damage and economic losses. Not every crash results in personal injury, but many drivers still face significant property damage and legal options worth exploring — including disputes with insurers over repair costs, diminished vehicle value, and rental reimbursement. An attorney can help navigate these claims even when injuries appear minimal.
When to Contact a Personal Injury Attorney in Missouri
Not every car accident requires a lawyer. But if you suffered serious injuries, if fault is disputed, or if the insurance company is offering a quick low settlement, you need legal guidance before you sign anything. A personal injury attorney can help you understand the full value of your claim — medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future treatment costs — and fight for a fair recovery.
Bur Oak Legal represents car accident victims throughout central Missouri. Attorney Chris Miller handles personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis: no fee unless we win. If you were injured in a Missouri car accident and want to understand your legal options, contact us for a free consultation.