St. Louis Motorcycle
Accident Lawyer

Thompson Law works on contingency – you pay nothing upfront and no attorney fee unless we win. If we recover compensation, the fee is a percentage of that recovery, typically 30–40% depending on the case.

If we don’t win, you owe no attorney fees. Case costs such as filing fees may still apply, and Tyler will walk you through all of it during your free consultation

In Missouri, you generally have five years from the date of your crash to file a personal injury lawsuit (Mo. Rev. Stat. §516.120). In Illinois, the deadline is two years.

Some claims follow different and often shorter deadlines:

• Wrongful death (Missouri): 3 years
• Claims against a government entity: much shorter notice deadlines
• Minors: separate rules apply

Five years can sound like plenty of time, but waiting is risky – witnesses forget, footage gets deleted, and scene evidence disappears. Motorcycle cases rely heavily on that evidence, so the strongest ones are built immediately.

Yes. Not wearing a helmet does not bar your claim in either state.

• Illinois: no helmet requirement at all
• Missouri: riders 26 and older may ride without one if they carry qualifying health insurance

Insurers will still try to use it – arguing your injuries would have been less severe with a helmet. But that argument only applies to head injuries a helmet might have prevented. Not wearing a helmet has no bearing on a broken leg, road rash, internal injuries, or a crash the other driver clearly caused.
Tyler counters this tactic with the actual law and medical evidence.

Usually no. Most motorcycle crashes are caused by the other driver – a failure to yield, a left turn across your path, a missed blind spot. “Blame the biker” is a tactic to pay less. Tyler challenges inflated fault claims with crash-scene evidence, witness statements, and reconstruction. 

Almost never. The first offer is usually far less than a motorcycle case is worth, and serious rider injuries mean future costs often aren’t clear yet. Accepting it permanently gives up your right to more-  even if you worsen. Have Tyler review any offer first, free. This review is completely free and could mean the difference of tens of thousands of dollars.

It depends on your injuries and treatment length. Many cases settle within several months to a year; disputed or serious cases take longer, and trials can run one to three years. We won’t rush you to settle before maximum medical improvement – that almost always leaves money behind. 

You may still recover through your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, which insurers in both states must offer. You can also sue the driver directly, though collecting can be hard. Thompson Law finds every source of compensation – including underinsured (UIM) coverage when the driver’s limits fall short. 

Because motorcycle claims aren’t car accident claims. The injuries are worse, the dollar amounts higher, and the insurer’s whole strategy is convincing everyone the rider was at fault. Tyler spent twelve years on the insurance side – he knows exactly how these cases get devalued, and builds yours to withstand it.