Missouri Answer and Defenses — Motor VehiclAccidenten— - Long Keywords: Missouri, answer, defenses, motor vehicle accident, long Description: In the state of Missouri, when defendants are served with a lawsuit regarding a motor vehicle accident, they are required to respond by filing an answer with the court. An answer is a written document that outlines the defendant's response to the allegations made against them. This response typically includes admitting or denying each allegation and may raise various defenses to the claims brought by the plaintiff. There are different types of answers and defenses that can be utilized in a motor vehicle accident case in Missouri. Some common ones include: 1. General Denial: This defense involves the defendant denying all the allegations made by the plaintiff. By filing a general denial, the defendant is requesting the plaintiff to provide sufficient proof for each claim made. 2. Contributory Negligence: In Missouri, the doctrine of contributory negligence may be used as a defense. It asserts that the plaintiff's own negligence contributed to the accident and their injuries. If proven, this defense can reduce the defendant's liability or potentially result in the case being dismissed. 3. Comparative Fault: Missouri follows a pure comparative fault system, which allows defendants to argue that the plaintiff's negligence was greater than their own. This defense seeks to assign a percentage of fault to each party involved and reduces the defendant's liability accordingly. 4. Statute of Limitations: A defense based on the statute of limitations asserts that the plaintiff filed the lawsuit after the legally permitted time frame. In Missouri, the statute of limitations for filing a motor vehicle accident claim is typically five years from the date of the accident. 5. Assumption of Risk: This defense argues that the plaintiff knowingly and voluntarily assumed the risks associated with participating in a potentially dangerous activity or operating a motor vehicle in a specific manner. It aims to limit or eliminate the defendant's liability based on the consent and acknowledgement of risk by the plaintiff. It is important to note that these are just a few examples of the possible answers and defenses that may be applicable in a motor vehicle accident case in Missouri. Each case may have unique circumstances, requiring a thorough evaluation to determine the appropriate legal strategy to pursue. Consulting with an experienced attorney is crucial to ensure proper application of these defenses and to protect the defendant's rights and interests.