What to Do If You’re Hit by a Car on Mizzou’s Campus?

College Campuses Like Mizzou Pose a Serious Risk to Pedestrians. Learn What You Can Do if You or Your Child Was Hit by a Car on Campus

The University of Missouri—better known as Mizzou—is the heart of Columbia and one of the largest universities in the Midwest. With tens of thousands of students, faculty, staff, and visitors moving across campus every day, it’s no surprise that the area sees a constant mix of pedestrians, bicycles, scooters, and vehicles all sharing the same space. Unlike many smaller campuses, Mizzou is spread out, with major roads cutting through or bordering key areas. Add in the fact that certain parts of campus are restricted to vehicles during the day but reopen later—often while students are still walking between classes, heading to dinner, or going out in the evening—and you have a situation where pedestrian accidents can and do happen.

If you or your child is hit by a car on Mizzou’s campus, what you do in the moments and days that follow can make a significant difference in both your physical recovery and your legal rights. 

Why Pedestrian Accidents Happen at Mizzou

Anyone familiar with campus knows how busy it gets, especially around places like Lowry Mall, Rollins Street, and the areas near the Mizzou Rec Center and Student Center. During class changes, thousands of students cross streets at the same time. Drivers—whether they are students, parents, delivery vehicles, or rideshare drivers—are often navigating unfamiliar routes, watching for parking, or trying to beat traffic.

At the same time, many pedestrians are distracted. It’s common to see students walking while looking at their phones, wearing headphones, or rushing to class. That combination—high foot traffic, changing traffic patterns, and distracted individuals on both sides—creates the perfect environment for a collision.

Missouri Law on Pedestrian vs. Motor Vehicle Accidents

Under Missouri law, drivers of motor vehicles are held to what is known as the “highest degree of care.” See RSMo. § 304.012. This is a heightened legal standard that requires drivers to exercise the utmost caution to avoid injuring others on the roadway, including pedestrians. That duty includes keeping a careful lookout, yielding when required, maintaining control of the vehicle, and adjusting to conditions—like heavy foot traffic on a college campus.

By contrast, pedestrians are only required to exercise ordinary care for their own safety. In other words, pedestrians must act reasonably under the circumstances, such as paying attention to their surroundings and avoiding obvious dangers, but they are not held to the same heightened standard as drivers.

As such, even if a pedestrian is distracted or not using a designated crosswalk, that does not automatically relieve the driver of responsibility. Missouri follows a comparative fault system, meaning a pedestrian can still recover damages even if they are partially at fault for the incident. In many campus-related cases, the focus becomes whether the driver could have avoided the collision by exercising the highest degree of care under the circumstances. Given the known congestion and pedestrian-heavy environment at Mizzou, drivers are expected to anticipate foot traffic and operate accordingly.

Seek Medical Care Immediately

After a pedestrian accident, your first priority should always be your health. Even if you think your injuries are minor, it is important to be evaluated as soon as possible. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries, and conditions like concussions, internal injuries, or soft tissue damage may not be immediately obvious.

If emergency services are called, accept transport if recommended. If not, follow up at an urgent care or with your primary care provider the same day or as soon as you can. Prompt medical treatment not only protects your health, but it also creates clear documentation connecting your injuries to the incident.

Get Information at the Scene If You Can

If you are physically able, try to gather as much information as possible before leaving the scene. This includes the driver’s name, contact information, driver’s license number, and insurance details. If there are witnesses—other students, faculty, or bystanders—ask for their names and phone numbers as well.

In many cases on campus, there may also be nearby surveillance cameras or campus police who respond to the scene. Make sure an incident report is created, whether through campus police or local law enforcement. That report can become critical evidence later.

If you are unable to collect this information due to your injuries, don’t worry—this is something an attorney can often help investigate after the fact.

Be Careful What You Say

It’s natural to want to apologize or downplay what happened, especially in a stressful moment. However, statements made at the scene can be misunderstood or later used against you. Avoid making statements about fault or saying that you are “fine” if you are unsure. Stick to the facts when speaking with police or others.

Understand That Insurance Companies Move Quickly

Shortly after the accident, you may be contacted by the driver’s insurance company. While they may seem helpful, their goal is to minimize what they have to pay. They may ask for a recorded statement or attempt to settle the claim quickly before you fully understand the extent of your injuries.

It is almost always a mistake to provide a recorded statement or accept a settlement without first speaking to an attorney who handles personal injury cases in Missouri.

Contact a Local Attorney Who Knows Mid-Missouri

Accidents on Mizzou’s campus are unique. They often involve campus-specific traffic patterns, local law enforcement agencies, and sometimes overlapping jurisdictional issues. Having an attorney who is based in Columbia and understands how these cases are handled locally can make a real difference.

An experienced local attorney can help gather evidence, obtain reports, identify insurance coverage, and deal directly with the insurance company so you can focus on recovery. Just as importantly, they can evaluate the full extent of your damages—medical bills, lost wages, future care, and pain and suffering—before any settlement is considered.

Being hit by a car on campus is a frightening experience, especially for students and families who are already dealing with the demands of school and daily life. The steps you take after matter. Getting prompt medical care, preserving evidence, and speaking with the right legal counsel can help ensure that you are protected.

At Duckworth Injury Law, we’re proud to be part of the Columbia community and to serve students and families throughout Mid-Missouri. If you or a loved one has been injured on Mizzou’s campus, you don’t have to navigate the process alone. Reach out today for a free consultation, and let’s talk about how we can help you move forward.