What To Do If You Are a Pedestrian Hit by a Car in Columbia, Missouri

About the Author

Ethan Charles (“EC”) Duckworth is the founding attorney of Duckworth Injury Law. EC earned his law degree from the University of Missouri - Columbia, where he graduated in the top 10 of his class and served as an Editor of the Missouri Law Review. EC currently serves as a member of the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys (MATA) and is a graduate of the Ross T. Roberts Trial Academy. EC has represented hundreds of injury victims throughout his career, resulting in tens of millions of dollars in compensation recovered. EC routinely handles pedestrian accident personal injury claims in Columbia, Missouri. 

Learn What to Do if You or Your Loved One Was Struck by a Vehicle While Walking in Columbia, MO

Columbia, Missouri is known for being a walkable and active community. Residents, students, and visitors walk every day in high traffic areas such as the University of Missouri campus, Downtown Columbia (aka “The District”),  and along major corridors like Broadway, Providence Road, Stadium Boulevard, and College Avenue. With thousands of pedestrians moving through these areas daily, the risk of pedestrian accidents unfortunately remains real.

If you or a loved one has been hit by a car while walking in Columbia or elsewhere in Boone County, the experience can be overwhelming and confusing. Knowing what steps to take immediately after the crash can help protect both your health and your legal rights. The following guide explains what to do after a pedestrian accident in Columbia, Missouri and what options may be available to you.

Seek Medical Attention and Call 911

Your health should always be the first priority after a pedestrian accident. Even if you believe your injuries are minor, you should call 911 immediately so emergency responders can evaluate you. Pedestrian crashes often result in serious injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, fractures, spinal trauma, or internal bleeding, and some of these injuries may not become obvious until hours later.

Emergency responders from the Columbia Fire Department, the University of Missouri Hospital, or Boone County EMS typically respond to pedestrian accidents within the city. Victims are commonly transported to medical facilities such as University Hospital, Boone Hospital Center, or other MU Health Care facilities. Receiving prompt medical treatment not only protects your health but also creates important medical documentation that may later become critical in an injury claim.

Ensure Police Respond to the Accident Scene

After a pedestrian accident, it is important that law enforcement investigates the crash and prepares an official accident report. In Columbia, the responding agency is usually the Columbia Police Department, although the Boone County Sheriff's Office or the Missouri State Highway Patrol may respond depending on where the accident occurred.

The police report will typically document the location of the crash, statements from the driver and witnesses, the officer’s observations, and any traffic violations that may have occurred. This report often becomes a key piece of evidence when determining fault in a pedestrian accident case.

Preserve Evidence from the Scene

If your injuries allow, try to gather as much information as possible at the scene. Photographs of the intersection, crosswalk markings, traffic signals, vehicle damage, and your visible injuries can later help explain how the crash occurred. You should also obtain the driver’s name, insurance information, and vehicle license plate number if possible.

Pedestrian accidents in Columbia frequently occur in busy areas such as Broadway near Downtown Columbia, intersections surrounding the University of Missouri campus, Stadium Boulevard commercial areas, and Providence Road near campus housing and student traffic. Businesses located near these areas often have security cameras that may capture important video footage of the incident. Preserving this evidence quickly can be extremely important because surveillance footage is often deleted within days.

Understand Missouri Pedestrian Laws

Missouri law includes specific rules governing the interaction between pedestrians and drivers. Under Missouri law, drivers are generally required to yield the right‑of‑way to pedestrians crossing within marked or unmarked crosswalks when traffic control signals are not present. Drivers must slow down or stop when necessary to allow pedestrians to cross safely. It’s important to note, Missouri law requires drivers to exercise the highest degree of care when operating a motor vehicle. See RSMo. § 304.012.

At the same time, pedestrians must follow pedestrian signals and traffic control devices where they exist. If a pedestrian crosses outside a designated crosswalk, Missouri law generally requires the pedestrian to yield to oncoming traffic. Determining fault in a pedestrian accident therefore depends heavily on the specific facts of the crash. As to pedestrians’ standard of care, pedestrians are required to exercise ordinary care (a lower standard than drivers) in carrying out their actions. 

Missouri also follows a comparative fault system. This means that even if a pedestrian is partially responsible for the accident, they may still be able to recover compensation for their injuries, although their recovery may be reduced based on their percentage of fault.

Be Careful When Speaking with Insurance Companies

After a pedestrian accident, insurance companies often move quickly to contact the injured person. While they may appear helpful, their goal is often to minimize the value of the claim. You should be cautious about giving recorded statements or speculating about how the accident occurred. Check out our blog on why you should not give a recorded statement here.

Pedestrian accident victims are frequently dealing with pain, confusion, and shock immediately after the crash. Statements made during this time can later be used by insurers to argue that the pedestrian was responsible for the incident. For this reason, many injury victims choose to speak with an attorney before providing detailed statements to insurance companies.

Common Locations for Pedestrian Accidents in Columbia

Certain areas of Columbia experience heavier pedestrian traffic and therefore tend to see more pedestrian‑vehicle collisions. The Downtown Columbia district and the University of Missouri campus are among the most active pedestrian environments in the region. Large numbers of students cross streets throughout the day near Broadway, Ninth Street, College Avenue, and Rollins Street.

Other areas with frequent pedestrian activity include the Stadium Boulevard shopping corridor, Providence Road near campus and student housing, Business Loop 70 near commercial centers, and intersections connecting the Katy Trail and other pedestrian routes. Increased nighttime activity near restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues can also contribute to pedestrian crashes, particularly when visibility is reduced or drivers are distracted.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Columbia

Pedestrian accidents often occur because drivers fail to pay adequate attention to the roadway. Distracted driving caused by cell phone use is a frequent factor. Other common causes include drivers failing to yield at crosswalks, speeding through intersections, impaired driving, and limited nighttime visibility.

In a college town like Columbia, pedestrian activity continues late into the evening, particularly near Downtown Columbia and around the University of Missouri campus. When drivers are unfamiliar with heavy pedestrian areas or fail to anticipate foot traffic, serious accidents can occur.

Compensation After a Pedestrian Accident

Pedestrian accident victims may be entitled to compensation for the losses they suffer as a result of the crash. These damages may include medical expenses, hospital treatment, rehabilitation costs, lost income, and the physical pain and emotional suffering associated with the injury.

Because pedestrians lack the protection provided by a vehicle, injuries are often severe. Long‑term disabilities, permanent impairments, and future medical needs can significantly increase the value and complexity of a pedestrian injury claim.

Speak With a Columbia, MO Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

If you were struck by a vehicle while walking in Columbia, Missouri, you should not have to handle the aftermath alone. Investigating a pedestrian accident often requires gathering surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, analyzing traffic patterns, and evaluating Missouri traffic laws.

Duckworth Injury Law represents injured pedestrians throughout Columbia, Boone County, and Mid‑Missouri. Whether the accident occurred near the University of Missouri campus, Downtown Columbia, Providence Road, Stadium Boulevard, or elsewhere in the area, having a local attorney familiar with Columbia roads and traffic patterns can make an important difference when building a case.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident in Columbia, you may contact Duckworth Injury Law to discuss your case and learn about your legal options.