Were you injured in a car accident in Maryland Heights, MO?

At Schmittgens Injury Law Firm, we are plaintiff-focused car accident lawyers preparing every case with experience and dedication.

If a crash on Interstate 270 or Page Avenue left you injured, the insurance calls tend to start before your treatment is finished. Our Maryland Heights, MO car accident lawyer at Schmittgens Injury Law Firm handles those calls and builds the claim while you focus on recovery. Our founder Rob Schmittgens has represented injured drivers and passengers for ten years, and he works for the person who was hurt, not the carrier. Schedule a free consultation to learn what your claim involves.

Car Accident Lawyer Maryland Heights, MO

A car accident attorney handles the civil side of a crash, which is separate from any traffic ticket the other driver receives. We prove who was negligent, collect the police report and medical records, add up the full cost of the injury, and press the at-fault carrier for payment. If the carrier will not pay a fair amount, we file suit in the proper Missouri court.

According to IIHS crash data, nearly 40,000 people are killed on U.S. roads each year. The busy interstate corridors around Maryland Heights carry real risk. A claim succeeds when the evidence shows that one driver failed to use reasonable care and that the failure caused the injury. Proving that connection, between the other driver’s conduct and the harm you suffered, is the core of every case we take.

Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle in Maryland Heights

Our attorneys take motor vehicle injury claims across the full range of severity, from a rear-end tap that aggravates an old back condition to a high-speed wreck on the interstate. How the crash happened changes the way fault is proven, but the core work stays the same: show who was careless, document the injuries, and pursue the real value of the claim. These are the collisions we see most often in Maryland Heights.

Rear-end collisions. A driver who strikes you from behind was usually following too closely or looking away from the road. These wrecks often produce neck and back injuries that feel minor at the scene and worsen over the next several days. We document the treatment record so the carrier cannot claim the injury came from somewhere else.
Intersection and T-bone crashes. Side-impact collisions usually come down to who had the right of way. We look for signal data, nearby camera footage, and independent witnesses before that proof disappears.
Head-on collisions. These carry the highest injury severity because the force of both vehicles meets on impact. Fault often traces to a driver crossing the center line while impaired or distracted, and we build a medical record that matches the seriousness of the harm.
Multi-vehicle crashes. When several cars are involved, each carrier tries to shift blame onto the others. We map the order of impacts and pursue every insurance policy that applies to the wreck.
Low-speed collisions. A low-speed crash is not automatically a harmless one, because sudden impacts still strain the neck and lower back, and carriers routinely undervalue these claims by pointing to light damage on the bumper.
Rollover crashes. A vehicle that leaves its wheels may point to a road defect, a tire failure, or an evasive maneuver. We examine each possible cause, including whether a defective part played a role.
Rideshare accidents. Uber and Lyft crashes bring in commercial coverage that changes depending on whether the driver was waiting for a request, heading to a pickup, or carrying a passenger. We identify which coverage tier applies to your claim.

Why Choose Schmittgens Injury Law Firm as my Car Accident Lawyer in Maryland Heights, MO?

Plaintiff-Side Auto Injury Experience

Rob Schmittgens has spent ten years representing injured plaintiffs, never insurance companies. He was admitted to the Missouri Bar in 2016 and the Illinois Bar in 2017, and he practices in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. Before opening the firm, he handled auto injury and workers’ compensation claims at several St. Louis area firms, from intake through resolution. Our personal injury lawyer in Maryland Heights, MO has the experience that makes a difference.

Missouri and Illinois Credentials

Rob graduated with honors from Quincy University in 2013 and earned his law degree at the UMKC School of Law. He is a member of the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys and the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, or BAMSL. Auto injury cases at our firm run on a contingency basis, which means no fee unless we recover money for you.

Understanding Car Accident Cases

Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Car Accident Cases

Compensation in a Missouri auto injury case splits into two parts that settle on different schedules. Property damage, meaning the vehicle itself, usually resolves within a few weeks. The injury portion stays open until treatment is complete, and the size of the vehicle repair says nothing about the value of the bodily injury claim.

Common categories of damages include:

Emergency and follow-up medical treatment
Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
Back injuries and other lasting physical harm
Pain and suffering and emotional distress
Vehicle repair or replacement value

The bodily injury figure is built from more than the bills on hand. It also accounts for treatment your doctors expect down the road, income lost while you could not work, and the effect a lasting injury has on daily life. Presenting that full picture, backed by records and provider opinions, is what separates a fair result from a quick lowball offer.

Liability depends on negligence, and Missouri follows pure comparative fault. A driver found 20 percent responsible can still recover 80 percent of the damages. Carriers know this rule, and they push to assign more fault to the injured driver, which is why early documentation of the scene matters so much.

What Are Important Aspects of a Car Accident Case?

A handful of practical issues shape nearly every motor vehicle claim. Knowing them early protects the value of the case.

Insurance adjusters work for the carrier, not for you
A recorded statement given days after a crash can be used against you later
Soft tissue injuries may not show symptoms right away
Vehicle data can be lost once the car is repaired or scrapped
Speeding contributes to a large share of serious crashes, according to NHTSA research

What Is The Car Accident Case Timeline?

Auto injury claims follow a fairly predictable case timeline, though the length depends on how serious the injuries are and how the carrier behaves.

Property damage and rental coordination in the first weeks
Medical treatment until you reach maximum improvement
Records gathered and a demand sent to the carrier
Negotiation, which commonly runs one to three months
Suit filed if the offer stays too low, followed by discovery and, if needed, trial

Missouri sets a five-year deadline to file a car accident lawsuit under section 516.120, one of the longer windows in the country. Waiting still carries risk, because evidence fades and witnesses move on.

What Should You Bring to Your Car Accident Consultation?

Bringing a few documents to the first meeting makes the review faster and more accurate.

The crash report or its report number
Photos of the vehicles, the scene, and any injuries
Insurance details for every driver involved
Medical records and bills you have received so far

Anything you do not have yet can be requested once we take the case. The first meeting costs nothing, and you will leave it with a straight assessment of whether the claim is worth pursuing.

Most Dangerous Locations for Car Accidents in Maryland Heights, MO

Maryland Heights sits at the meeting point of several heavily traveled routes, and crash volume climbs where local traffic feeds onto the interstates. State transportation data has tracked steady injury and fatality counts across these corridors, and the Dorsett Road interchange at Interstate 270 draws particular attention for its collision frequency. The diverging diamond design there was meant to ease congestion, yet heavy merging and unfamiliar traffic movements keep producing crashes. Route 141 and Page Avenue carry commuter and casino traffic that peaks on evenings and weekends, which adds to the risk along those stretches.

Surface streets with frequent crashes:

Dorsett Road
McKelvey Road
Fee Fee Road
Schuetz Road

Highways and freeways with frequent crashes:

Interstate 270
Interstate 70
Route 364, the Page Avenue Freeway
Route 141, the Maryland Heights Expressway

Federal motor vehicle data shows crashes remain a leading cause of injury nationwide, and the same patterns hold on these roads.

Reach Out to Schmittgens Injury Law Firm to Schedule a Consultation

If a crash in Maryland Heights left you hurt, speak with our attorneys before you give the at-fault carrier a recorded statement. We will review the report, check your coverage, and tell you honestly whether you have a claim worth filing. Contact us to set up a free consultation, and we will explain the next steps in plain terms.

Schedule A Free Consultation

No fees until we win.

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Testimonials

    
 
 
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   Chelsea J 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Highly recommend Rob for personal injury representation! He was personable, professional, and resolved our case with impressive speed. We are very grateful for his help!
  
 
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   Ben L 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I can’t recommend Rob Schmittgens highly enough. If you have any legal questions or need trusted guidance, he is absolutely the person to call. Rob is honest, straightforward, and incredibly knowledgeable—he tells you exactly what you need to hear, not just what you want to hear. What sets him apart is his integrity and professionalism. He genuinely cares about his clients and takes the time to make sure you fully understand your options. In a field where trust is everything, Rob is the real deal. Simply put, he’s the best in the business. I would recommend him without hesitation.
  
 
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   Angela C 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I love how one-on-one Rob is. Being consistent, considerate, and compassionate he accommodated my feelings and my time.  Having someone to advocate for you when you need it is most important, with all the while treating you fairly. Very good with communication and overall validation.
  
 
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   Howard M 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I cannot recommend Rob Schmittgens highly enough. As an attorney myself, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with Rob on cases, referring clients to him, and watching his growth over the years into the exceptional lawyer he is today. What sets Rob apart is not just his legal skill—though he is sharp, strategic, and relentlessly effective—but the way he genuinely cares about the people he represents. Rob approaches every case with intention. He listens, he communicates, and he makes sure his clients feel supported and understood at every stage of the process. At the same time, he brings an aggressive, results-driven mindset when it matters most. He knows when to be compassionate and when to push, and he strikes that balance better than almost anyone I’ve worked with. Trust is everything in this profession, and Rob is someone I trust implicitly—with my clients, with my cases, and with my own reputation. That’s not something I say lightly. If you’re looking for an attorney who is not only highly capable but also deeply committed to doing right by you, Rob is exactly who you want in your corner. On top of all of that, Rob is just a genuinely great guy. He’s the kind of person you enjoy working with, the kind of lawyer you want on your team, and the kind of friend you’re lucky to have. He’s also a fantastic dad, which says a lot about who he is at his core. And, of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that he’s very lucky to have met me—but in all seriousness, I’m the one who feels lucky to know him.
  
 
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   John B 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I was injured in an auto accident that ended up totalling my car. The insurance company wasn't even offering enough for me to fully replace the vehicle on top of the fact that I needed to go be seen by a doctor and have treatments to repair my injury. I talked to Rob who was able to walk me through the process of making sure the insurance company compensated me for all of these issues. I chose his firm to represent me and in a very short periood of time he was able to settle with the insurance company so that I was able to purchase a replacement vehicle, covered all of my medical expenses and was able to reduce the medical costs to put money back into my pocket.  I highly recommend using Schmittgens Injury Law Firm. They will treat you right and have your best interest represented.
  
 
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   Matt K 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very personable, communicative and Rob delivered. Highly recommended
  
 
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   Kim G 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The firm is very professional, always answered my calls and explained everything in detail really appreciate the professionalism will definitely use you again if needed
  
 
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   Julia K 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I contacted Rob about a potential case, and he thoroughly answered all of my questions and helped me figure out a complicated situation. I would highly recommend Rob and his firm if you are in need of legal services and are looking for a knowledgeable and professional attorney!