Insurance companies move fast after a crash — sending adjusters to close your claim before the full extent of your injuries is known. An experienced car accident lawyer levels that playing field from day one.
(573) 499-0200 — free consultationWhen you've been injured in a car accident, you need an attorney who personally handles your case from start to finish. Chris Miller has represented car accident victims in Columbia and central Missouri since becoming licensed in 2012, bringing unique insight from his former experience as a government attorney — including at the Missouri Division of Workers' Compensation and Department of Labor.
Unlike larger firms where your case gets passed off to junior associates or paralegals, Bur Oak Legal gives every client direct access to Chris Miller. He manages your case from the free consultation through settlement or verdict — gathering evidence, dealing with insurance companies, and fighting for the full compensation you deserve.
If you've been injured in a crash in Boone County or anywhere across central Missouri, call (573) 499-0200 or reach out online for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win.
Before entering private practice, Chris Miller worked inside Missouri government institutions — gaining firsthand knowledge of how insurance companies and administrative bodies evaluate injury claims, what evidence decision-makers find persuasive, and how to build a case that holds up under scrutiny. That background gives Bur Oak Legal a strategic edge that most personal injury attorneys simply don't have. The firm has set statewide legal precedent in Missouri's appellate courts.
Missouri roads remain dangerous. Understanding the scope of the problem helps injured victims recognize that their situation is not unique — and that the legal system exists to hold at-fault drivers accountable.
Sources: MoDOT Statewide Traffic Data · NHTSA FARS Database
Car accidents take many forms. Bur Oak Legal represents injury victims across a full range of collision types throughout Columbia, Missouri and surrounding counties.
Rear-end accidents are among the most common crashes in Columbia. Whether caused by distracted driving, tailgating, or sudden braking, these collisions frequently cause whiplash, spinal injuries, and traumatic brain injuries that may not be immediately apparent. Don't accept a quick settlement before understanding the full extent of your injuries.
Failure to yield, running red lights, and improper turns are leading causes of intersection crashes in Boone County. These accidents often result in T-bone collisions that cause serious injuries to drivers and passengers alike. Establishing fault at intersections requires prompt evidence-gathering, including traffic camera footage and witness statements.
Complex multi-vehicle accidents and commercial trucking crashes involve additional layers of liability — including employer responsibility, federal safety regulations, and multiple insurance policies. These cases require the kind of thorough investigation and legal knowledge that comes from years of experience handling Missouri injury claims.
Distracted driving — including texting, phone use, and other in-vehicle distractions — is a leading cause of preventable accidents on Missouri roads. When another driver's inattention causes your injury, you have the right to seek full compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Missouri's winter ice storms, heavy rain, and foggy conditions contribute to hundreds of crashes each year in central Missouri. Even in bad weather, drivers have a legal duty to operate their vehicles safely. When a driver fails to adjust for conditions and causes a collision, they may be liable for the resulting injuries.
Being hit by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver doesn't leave you without options. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage under your own policy may provide compensation. Bur Oak Legal helps clients navigate these situations and pursue every available source of recovery under Missouri law.
Missouri law allows injured car accident victims to seek compensation for the full range of losses caused by the crash. Under Missouri's pure comparative fault system, you may recover damages even if you were partially at fault — your award is simply reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
Emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, prescription medications, and future medical treatment related to your injuries.
Income lost during recovery, plus loss of future earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work long-term.
Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, and the overall impact of the injury on your quality of life.
Repair or replacement costs for your vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the collision.
When a car accident claims a life, surviving family members may pursue compensation for funeral costs, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship under §537.080 RSMo.
In rare cases involving egregious conduct — such as drunk driving — punitive damages may be available to punish the wrongdoer beyond actual losses.
From the first call to the final outcome, Chris Miller personally handles every step of your car accident claim. Here is what the process looks like.
Call (573) 499-0200 or contact us online. We review the details of your accident at no charge and no obligation. You'll learn whether you have a viable claim, what it may be worth, and what the next steps look like — before you commit to anything.
We obtain police reports, medical records, and bills. We preserve surveillance footage, photograph the accident scene, secure witness statements, and consult expert witnesses when needed. Acting quickly matters — evidence disappears and witnesses' memories fade.
Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. We handle all communication with the at-fault driver's insurer and your own insurance company. We reject lowball offers and build the case for full compensation before any settlement is considered.
Most car accident cases settle, but we prepare every case as if it will go to trial. If the insurance company refuses a fair settlement, we are ready to file suit in Boone County Circuit Court and take your case before a jury. Our willingness to litigate changes the negotiation dynamic entirely.
Missouri car accident claims are governed by a pure comparative fault system under Missouri Revised Statutes §537.765, which means injured drivers can recover compensation even when they share partial responsibility for a crash — their damages are simply reduced by their percentage of fault. Personal injury lawsuits arising from car accidents must generally be filed within five years of the crash date under the statute of limitations at §516.120 RSMo. Wrongful death claims carry a shorter three-year window. Cases in Columbia are heard in Boone County Circuit Court. Missouri also requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance under §303.025 RSMo — currently $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury. When the at-fault driver is underinsured or uninsured, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage becomes critically important, and an experienced car accident attorney can help maximize recovery from all available sources.
After a car accident, insurance adjusters often contact victims quickly — sometimes within hours — with settlement offers. These early offers are almost always far below the full value of the claim, made before the full extent of injuries like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or soft tissue injuries is known. Recorded statements requested by adjusters can be used to reduce or deny your claim. Accepting a settlement and signing a release extinguishes your right to seek additional compensation, even if new medical complications emerge later. At Bur Oak Legal, we handle all communications with insurance companies on your behalf, reject inadequate offers, and build a complete picture of your damages — including future medical expenses and non-economic losses — before any settlement is discussed. Call (573) 499-0200 for a free consultation.
In Missouri, you generally have five years from the date of the car accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under the statute of limitations at §516.120 RSMo. Wrongful death claims must be filed within three years of the date of death. Acting promptly is critical — evidence degrades, witnesses' memories fade, and insurance companies use delay against claimants. A free consultation with Bur Oak Legal will help you understand your timeline and options.
Missouri follows a pure comparative fault system. You can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault — your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 20% at fault and suffered $100,000 in damages, you could still recover $80,000. Insurance companies often try to inflate a victim's fault percentage to reduce their payout. An experienced attorney helps counter those tactics.
Bur Oak Legal handles car accident cases on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win your case. There are no upfront costs, no hourly fees, and no obligation from a free consultation. Our interests are fully aligned with yours: we only get paid when you recover compensation for your injuries.
Car accident victims in Missouri can seek economic damages — medical expenses, lost wages, future medical care, property damage — and non-economic damages including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving egregious conduct like drunk driving, punitive damages may also be available. The specific value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries, the liability picture, and available insurance coverage.
Call 911 and get a police report — this is the foundation of your claim. Seek medical attention even if you feel fine; symptoms like whiplash or internal injuries often appear days later. Document the scene with photos. Get the other driver's name, insurance information, and license plate. Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with a lawyer. Then call Bur Oak Legal at (573) 499-0200 for a free consultation.
If you've been injured in a car accident, don't face the insurance company alone. Contact Bur Oak Legal for a free consultation. No obligation. No fee unless we win.
Serving Columbia, MO and all of central Missouri · 1902 Corona Road Suite 200, Columbia MO 65203