Common Causes of Car Accidents in Missouri

Most car accidents in Missouri trace back to a short list of preventable driver behaviors, including distracted driving, speeding, impaired driving, and failure to yield the right of way. After a crash on a Missouri road, determining what it is likely to cause it helps you protect your health and any claim you may have. Our attorneys at Landon Miller Law see these same patterns repeat across cases throughout the state.

Driver Behavior Behind Most Car Accidents in Missouri

Human choices cause most collisions on roads from Kansas City to St. Louis and the rural highways in between. The behaviors below show up repeatedly in police reports across the state, and many of them are completely avoidable with a little more care behind the wheel. The most frequent culprits include:

• Distracted driving, especially texting or holding a phone
• Speeding and driving too fast for conditions
• Impaired driving from alcohol or drugs
• Failure to yield at intersections and merges
• Following too closely, which leads to rear-end crashes

Distracted driving sits at the top of the list for a reason. Missouri now bans holding or supporting a phone while driving under the Siddens Bening Hands Free Law, found in the RSMo § 304.822, which took full effect in 2025 and makes it easier to show a texting driver’s fault after a wreck.

Road and Weather Conditions in Missouri

Not every collision is caused solely by driver error. Missouri’s weather can shift rapidly, creating dangerous conditions on major routes such as Interstate 70 and Interstate 44.

When motorists fail to adjust their speed, following distance, or driving behavior to match the conditions, the risk of a serious crash increases significantly. Common contributing factors include:

• Rain, fog, snow, and ice that reduce traction and visibility
• Construction zones with shifting lanes and sudden stops
• Poorly lit rural roads and unmarked intersections
• Potholes and uneven pavement that affect vehicle control

Bad conditions rarely excuse a driver who ignores them. A driver still must slow down, leave space, and stay alert when the weather or the road turns dangerous, and a failure to do so can make that driver responsible for the harm that follows.

What Does the Cause of Your Car Accident Mean for Your Claim?

The cause of a crash shapes who pays for your medical bills, lost income, and vehicle damage. Missouri follows a pure comparative fault rule, so even partial fault on your part does not bar recovery. However, it can reduce the amount you collect.

Strong evidence makes the cause clear. Photos from the scene, the police report, witness contact information, and prompt medical records all help connect another driver’s conduct to your injuries and to the losses you face now. The sooner that proof is gathered, the harder it is for an insurer to shift blame onto you.

Talk With Our Columbia Car Accident Attorneys Today

If another driver’s choices left you hurt on a Missouri road, our firm can review the crash report, the evidence, and the options for covering your losses. Call Landon Miller Law at (573) 658-1919 or send us a message to talk through what happened and where you stand.