If you’ve been in a car accident in Missouri, time is not on your side, especially when filing a lawsuit. Knowing your legal deadline is critical.
If you’ve been in a car accident in Missouri, time is not on your side, especially when filing a lawsuit. Whether you’re recovering from serious injuries, dealing with insurance delays, or unsure if your case even qualifies, knowing your legal deadline is critical.
In Missouri, you typically have five years to file a lawsuit after a car accident, but the reality is often more complex. Let’s explain what that means, when you should act, and how to protect your right to compensation.
FREE CASE EVALUATION
Much better than Morgan & Morgan. It is not the firm. It is the lawyer.
"Of all the lawyers I have met, this one is a true professional. This attorney goes against the biggest law firms and wins!"
Response from the owner:The compliment is much appreciated. Like every profession, it all starts with training our lawyers to be the best at every aspect of car accident cases. But the foundation of a great case is a great client. Thanks!
I'd say this lawyer is in the top three of the best you'll ever see. Add this attorney to the interview list if you ever get in an automobile accident. This Law Firm is on another level.
Response from the owner:Much appreciated. Techniques that an attorney or any professional uses are paramount for success. This is part of our lawyers training and preparation. It leads to success. Thank you!
People say this is the best car accident lawyer in St.Louis. Yep! Seeing this attorney in action is incredible.
Response from the owner:Great compliment. We work hard to be the best. Our lawyers also work very hard to help other lawyers in our profession. Not matter what, a cases is only as good as the client is. Thanks!
Hire them!!!
Response from the owner:Thanks! Referrals and recommendations from prior car accident clients is our #1 source of cases. People who grew to trust us send family and friends.
The Hoffman law firm is truly professional. After hiring them I was truly relieved and knew I was in good hands. Highly recommend!
Response from the owner:Being in good hands is important. Many lawyers take cases with little experience and little resources. Our firm specialized decades ago. We are focused exclusively on accident cases.
Definitely recommend Mr. Hoffmann if you get into a car accident, this lawyer is top shelf.
They are the best law firm I have encountered in my lifetime. Great for any accident!
Great experience with this law firm. Excellent help with the car accident process. Definitely use them again.
The lawyers on tv just dont compare for auto accident injury cases. Mr.Hoffmann is as good as they get.
Response from the owner:Thank you. The TV attorneys are just settlement mills. People are hiring a paralegal, not a lawyer. Our law firm is different. You are represented by an attorney and we do not have settlement quotas.
If you have ever watched any lawyers, you will agree this is one of the best automobile accident litigators in Saint Louis County.
I would describe this lawyer as highly educated, sharp, and top of his game. Explains the car accident process and treatment options well. The lawyer said if they don’t pay you, we will have the jury take it from the insurance company. Great lawyer. Dynamic person.
Very good car accident lawyer. Gets the job done.
Interviewed all the TV car accident lawyers and decided to call this law firm that had great reviews. So happy I did. What a difference!
Response from the owner:TV car accident lawyers are just mass production. This is not a good fit for litigated cases. Paralegals instead of lawyers. Monthly quotas for settlements. Car accident victims end up in a cattle call with the lawyers on TV.
Love my car accident lawyer. This law firm is a step above.
Response from the owner:Our lawyers train and track the best approaches on cases. Whether litigation in cases or the practicalities of certain treatment, the growth of our lawyers over time is paramount. Always staying ahead of and setting practice trends. Thank you.
Serious family member have a car accident injury? Look no further. This litigator is for real. Always two steps ahead of the other lawyer.
Response from the owner:This is a sad reality for car accident lawyers. The #1 passenger in an auto accident is a relative. Helping a family make it through this and putting the family back together is one of the most rewarding things I do as an automobile accident attorney.
This lawyer handles really big accident cases in St Louis. He is a lawyer, accountant and has his masters in tax so he gets the injury cases for individuals that can never go back to work or individuals own a business and cannot run it due to injury. He specializes in valuations of massive loss. Thank goodness a firm like this exists.
Response from the owner:Thank you. When accident are severe and you lose the ability to work or to continue a business, having an accounting and tax background is key. Valuing large losses are second nature for us.
You are a great lawyer! Thank you.
Response from the owner:That is a great compliment. Thanks.
Asked a trauma surgeon who operates on car accident victims who are the best injury lawyers that have taken his deposition. He said “by far” it was Mr Hoffmann. Interviewed several attorneys and this was a correct assessment. In a league of his own!
Response from the owner:Our attorney have deposed nearly all the trauma surgeons at every Level 1 Trauma Center in Saint Louis. These doctors save lives after a car accident. Whether controlling bleeding or reestablishing blood flow or bone structures, they are life savers.
Few lawyers in St. Louis can handle the biggest injury cases! This is one of them!
Response from the owner:Our law firm has made great efforts in terms of training to handle life changing injury cases. Whether in depth knowledge of the medical, loss of income and earning capacity, or lifetime medical care plans, our clients feel confident and know their case is in good hands. Thank you for the compliment.
Cannot say enough about this lawyer. Call if in an accident. This attorney handles the biggest car accidents in St Louis.
Response from the owner:Thanks Ash! Our biggest source of cases is our clients. Our second biggest referral source is defense lawyers telling their relatives to call us. Few lawyers can handle the largest cases. Our law firm welcomes and has trained for this. We don’t do mass production settlement like the lawyers on TV. Our clients can never go back to work. Their cases need massive focus and effort and often long fought litigation.
So glad I called attorney Hoffmann. This time I got it right! So glad I hired the Hoffmann Law Firm - professional, reliable and available.
Response from the owner:Thanks Taylor. Our lawyers answer the phone day, night, weekends and even during lunch. Being professional means training to beat the best defense lawyers. Client rely on us to get results and we do.
Great lawyer. Cares about his clients, knows his stuff and goes the extra mile. I recommend this lawyer for car wreck injury claim. Every other lawyer on TV would not even help with my property claim. This attorney did.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the kind words. Every case starts with a great client. You are correct the car accident lawyers on TV are mass production settlement mills. When injury clients fire them, we get their files and the cases are not worked up at all. Appreciate your confidence in us!
Major car accident injury in St Louis area for a family member. Four different lawyers we know said the same thing - call Chris Hoffmann. On another level.
Response from the owner:This is such a great compliment. Most of our cases come from prior client or lawyers that also do car accidents cases but the particular case is too large or too difficult. Being a lawyer and an accountant, we specialize in cases with total lost of income, earning capacity and/or often the inability to continue a family business. Evaluations such as these are second nature for our lawyers. Thanks.
This attorney is very smart, very experienced, returns phone calls and knows the answers when asked. One call and I knew this was a great law firm for auto accidents.
Response from the owner:Our law firm appreciates this. This is a comment we get from so many people who call…”none of the lawyers we called told me all the things that you did.” Whether we take a car accident case or not, helping people is a good thing.
5 Star Lawyer for sure! Best you will find in Saint Louis.
Response from the owner:Thanks for the 5 Star Rating. Reviews like this are great. Injury victims quickly figure out the TV advertisers are not good. We work hard at being the best we can be and it reflects in our representation of car accident victims.
Watch this lawyer in action. Was way better than all the others. Get this lawyer for an automobile accident for sure.
Response from the owner:Thanks for the recommendation. Besides doing cases, our attorneys train for this. Hard work, case knowledge and technique is key to success in car accident litigation.
Very pleased with The Hoffmann Law Firm. Lawyers are attentive, friendly and go the distance to force the settlement you want. The TV lawyers recommend low offers. This law firm gets the maximum.
Response from the owner:We get calls from car accident victims that had to fire the TV lawyers that they hired. They give the same two reasons: 1) they never spoke to a lawyer at the Big TV law firms, only a paralegal, and 2) the paralegal recommended they accept a low offer.
At our law firm, you only talk to the lawyer and if an offer is low we tell you to sue. Thanks!
You will love this car accident lawyer.
Response from the owner:You are the best! Thanks for the review. Our attorneys work hard but it all starts with a great client.
Several lawyers said to call this lawyer because he is the best. You will appreciate this law firm. Helped with the injury and property claims. Attentive and knowledgeable. Great reputation in St Louis.
Response from the owner:Thanks Lexi. Our #1 source of cases is other lawyers referring us cases that are too big for them to handle.
Would use this accident law firm. Best in Saint Louis. Highly rated and it shows. After one phone call, you just know this attorney is better. 5 Stars!!
Response from the owner:Thanks for recommending our lawyers in St Louis. There is a major difference in lawyers as you well know.
Great law firm thanks Leah for the referral
Response from the owner:Appreciate you recommending our law firm. Car accident litigation is all we do and specializing allows us to focus.
Car accident lawyers on tv are not good . Get this attorney ! He is a pro !!
Response from the owner:Thanks Nathan. TV lawyers market for car accidents, use paralegals instead of lawyers and give their employees settlement quotas hence forcing cheap settlements. At our law firm, you get a lawyer who keeps pushing forward for more.
A+ attorney. Smart. Helpful. Great for automobile accident cases. Located in saint louis, missouri. Use him!
Response from the owner:Thanks. Car accident cases are difficult without the right attorney and great clients. Much appreciated.
Quality lawyer. Best law firm for a car accident. Advice was way better than other lawyers I called in St. Louis. Helped with property and injury.
Response from the owner:Thanks. The TV lawyer advertisers are just car accident settlement mills. As soon as people call a real attorney, they always tell us how much better and more helpful we were. Appreciate this.
Get this lawyer if you have an automobile accident. Simply the best!
Response from the owner:Thanks Lizzy. Recommendations from other is the best way to find a car accident attorney.
This lawyer is big time. Smooth. The other lawyers on the other side were not nearly as good as this attorney. I recommend friends in St Louis to him for accident injuries and they all say the same thing…”that lawyer is great.”
Response from the owner:Very nice of you to say. Our lawyers work hard on auto accident cases.
Family used this car accident attorney after a crash. Located in St Louis. This lawyer answers the phone and will walk you through the process. Knows his stuff!
Response from the owner:Taking calls, going over the car accident injury and property process is important. Clients that call always say we are the only lawyers that explained everything. Much appreciated.
Tried the lawyers on TV. They were not good. Hired this car accident lawyer instead because he had great reviews. The reviews are correct. This attorney is as good as they get. He does big injury cases that need to be litigated.
Response from the owner:Car accident lawyers on TV do not litigate cases. It is mass production. They have quotas. Local attorneys are best on auto accidents.
Very very good at injury claims for car wrecks. Use this St Louis attorney. Two thumbs up!
Response from the owner:Thanks for the review! All we do is accidents. When you specialize, your knowledge base and practice skills grow. Thanks!
Used this attorney for an auto accident. Highly recommend this lawyer in St. Louis. Communicates well.
Response from the owner:Communicating with clients is essential. Taking the client though the car accident claims process is important otherwise major mistakes can occur. It is an effort that we make. Thanks!
Best for car accidents in St Louis. Use this attorney.
Response from the owner:Thanks. Great clients make for great cases!
This lawyer is great for car accident injury claims. Did an uninsured motorist case. Very good attorney.
Response from the owner:Car accidents can be insured or uninsured. The claims are much different. Thanks for the review.
Great lawyer if you are in an auto accident. I recommend this attorneys office.
Response from the owner:Thanks J. Glad we got your auto accident case completed and that for telling others about our lawyers.
Very good car accident attorney. Did my and my relatives claims and paperwork. Highly recommend.
Response from the owner:Thanks for recommending our law firm on car accident cases.
Fantastic law firm, I would recommend! Received free consultation related to an auto accident when my parked car was damaged by a baseball. Very supportive advice, these guys are good!
Response from the owner:Thank you!
Recommend this attorney for auto accidents.
Response from the owner:Thanks for recommending our attorneys for an automobile accident.
Best St Louis lawyer for car accidents.
Response from the owner:Thanks Tana. Appreciate this!
Great Lawyer!!
Response from the owner:Thank you
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Lawsuits in Missouri?
Under Missouri Revised Statutes § 516.120, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including those from car accidents, is five years from the crash date.
What does this mean in plain terms?
If your accident happened on March 10, 2025, you have until March 10, 2030, to file a lawsuit in court. If you miss that deadline, your case is likely barred, no matter how strong your evidence is.
Important Exceptions That Could Shorten (or Extend) Your Deadline
Missouri’s five-year rule isn’t always set in stone. Some situations could drastically change your timeline:
1. Wrongful Death Lawsuits – Only 3 Years
If someone died in the crash, the family has just three years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim.
2. Claims Against the Government – Shorter Deadlines
If your crash involved a government vehicle (e.g., a city bus or a police car), you may have to file a notice of claim within 90 days to one year, depending on the agency.
3. Minors or Mental Incapacity
If the injured party is under 18 or mentally incapacitated, the clock doesn’t start ticking until they’re legally able to file.
Why Waiting Can Hurt Your Case—Even With 5 Years to Sue
Yes, Missouri gives you five years. But waiting that long is a bad idea. Here’s why:
- Evidence disappears: Skid marks fade, cars are repaired or scrapped, and surveillance footage is deleted.
- Witnesses vanish: Memories fade, people move, or change contact info.
- Insurance companies use delay against you: They may argue your injuries weren’t serious or even caused by the crash.
Legal Tip: The best time to start building your case is immediately after the accident. Even if you’re not ready to sue, talking to a lawyer early gives you more options.
When You Should File Sooner Than Later
- You’ve got medical bills piling up.
- Filing quickly can speed up negotiations and help you recover faster.
- The insurance company is stalling or denying your claim.
- Don’t wait for them to “do the right thing.” A delay tactic could eat into your lawsuit window.
- You suffered severe or permanent injuries.
- Major injury cases need expert witnesses, long-term care projections, and deep investigation. The earlier your attorney starts, the better.
Do I Need a Lawyer to Sue for a Car Accident in Missouri?
You’re not legally required to have a lawyer, but you absolutely should if your injuries are severe or the other driver disputes fault.
At The Hoffmann Law Firm, you work directly with an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney, not a case manager or paralegal. We handle everything: medical records, accident reconstruction, insurance negotiations, and yes—if necessary—filing your lawsuit before the deadline.
FAQ: Missouri Car Accident Lawsuit Deadlines
Can I sue after the 5-year limit if I didn’t know I was injured right away?
Possibly. Missouri allows for “delayed discovery” in some rare cases, but you’ll need strong legal evidence. Don’t wait to get advice.
Is the statute of limitations different for property damage?
Yes. You also have five years to sue for vehicle damage, which is separate from your injury claim.
What if the other driver left the scene or wasn’t insured?
You still have legal options—through uninsured motorist coverage or by suing the driver personally. Don’t delay.
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late—Speak With a St. Louis Car Accident Attorney Today
If you were injured in a car crash, the clock is already ticking. Even if you think you have time, waiting every day could make your case harder to win.
Call The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. at (314) 361-4242 for a free consultation. There are no fees unless we win. We’ve been fighting for St. Louis accident victims for over 25 years.
FREE CASE EVALUATION
