Rear-end collisions rank among the most frequent auto accidents in Columbia, Missouri — particularly along Business Loop 70, Interstate 70, and Highway 63 interchanges. If another vehicle struck yours from behind, you likely face mounting medical bills, lost wages, and insurance companies eager to minimize your claim. Bur Oak Injury Law fights back.
Even seemingly minor rear-end collisions can cause serious injuries that affect your daily life for months or years. Many accident victims initially believe they escaped unharmed, only to discover significant injuries days or weeks later. Insurance adjusters move quickly to minimize those claims. Professional legal representation ensures your rights remain protected while you focus on recovery.
Insurance adjusters routinely downplay soft tissue injuries, dispute the connection between the collision and your symptoms, and pressure you to accept quick settlements before full medical treatment is complete. An experienced attorney levels the playing field.
Rear-end collisions commonly cause whiplash, spinal damage, and traumatic brain injuries that may not manifest immediately. Symptoms of spinal cord injuries or TBI can develop days or weeks after the accident. Prompt medical documentation is critical.
Under Missouri law, the rear driver carries a presumption of negligence — but the other driver's insurer will challenge this. Missouri's pure comparative fault system under RSMo §537.765 means even partial blame reduces your recovery. We build the case to prove liability.
Securing fair compensation requires documenting all economic damages — medical expenses, lost wages, property damage — and non-economic damages including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. We pursue every category.
We collect police reports, medical records, witness statements, and photographs. When needed, we work with accident reconstruction experts who can analyze skid marks, vehicle positions, and electronic data recorders to prove negligence definitively.
If the insurance company refuses a fair settlement, we file a personal injury lawsuit in Boone County Circuit Court. We never pressure injured clients to accept inadequate offers simply to avoid courtroom proceedings.
Before representing injured Missourians in court, Chris Miller served as a government attorney for the State of Missouri. He knows how insurance companies and state agencies evaluate injury claims — because he administered that system from the inside. That experience translates directly to stronger demand packages, sharper counter-arguments, and better outcomes for clients.
At Bur Oak Injury Law, your car accident case stays with Chris from the first call to the final outcome. No handoffs to associates or paralegals. When you call, you reach the attorney who will try your case.
We handle personal injury cases for Missouri residents injured in rear-end accidents involving cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Whether you were a driver, passenger, or cyclist struck from behind, Bur Oak Injury Law manages all aspects of your claim — from gathering medical records and police reports to negotiating with insurance companies and negligent parties.
Our approach includes documenting injuries thoroughly, calculating present and future medical treatment costs, and ensuring property damage receives proper compensation.
Chain-reaction collisions present complex liability questions. When Vehicle A rear-ends Vehicle B, pushing it into Vehicle C, multiple parties and insurance companies become involved. Determining the sequence of impacts and each driver's responsibility requires careful investigation, often including expert testimony from accident reconstruction specialists.
Bur Oak Injury Law has experience with these complicated cases, ensuring all negligent drivers face accountability while maximizing recovery for injury victims across central Missouri. If a commercial truck was involved, additional corporate liability may apply.
What you do in the hours and days after a rear-end accident can significantly affect the strength of your personal injury claim. Follow these steps to protect yourself.
From the first call to the final settlement check, Bur Oak Injury Law manages every aspect of your rear-end accident claim — so you can focus on healing while we fight the insurance companies.
Read what clients say about working with Chris Miller.
Missouri applies the rear-end collision doctrine, creating a rebuttable presumption that the driver who strikes from behind bears responsibility for the accident. Under Missouri's pure comparative fault system at RSMo §537.765, you can recover compensation even if you share some responsibility for the accident — your total damages reduce proportionally to your percentage of fault. If you are found 20% at fault, you recover 80% of total damages. Insurance companies frequently attempt to assign partial blame to rear-end collision victims — claiming the front driver stopped suddenly, had malfunctioning brake lights, or made an unsafe lane change. Rear-end crashes are also frequently caused by distracted driving — a driver looking at their phone rarely brakes in time. Having an attorney who investigates these claims thoroughly and counters defense arguments effectively is essential to maximizing your recovery.
Under RSMo §516.120, most personal injury claims in Missouri must be filed within five years of the date of the accident. For claims arising after August 28, 2026, Missouri's HB 1664 shortens that window to three years. Wrongful death claims arising from fatal rear-end crashes carry a three-year statute of limitations under RSMo §537.100 — see our wrongful death page for details. Contact Bur Oak Injury Law promptly after a rear-end accident in central Missouri — before speaking with any insurance adjuster — to protect all available sources of recovery. Call (573) 499-0200 or contact us online.
No fee unless we win. Serving clients across Columbia, MO and central Missouri.