After someone injures you in an accident, you need a car crash lawyer nearby. Finding a local auto accident law firm is the next step you should take after getting medical treatment, as they can help protect your legal rights and ensure that you get fair compensation for your injuries and other losses.
In Belleville, IL and St. Louis, MO, Hipskind & McAninch, LLC helps car accident victims through every step of the legal process to maximize their compensation. Our personal injury firm in Belleville, as well as our personal injury team in St. Louis, represents injured victims in car accidents, truck accidents, and motorcycle accidents. This guide serves as your resource when searching for a car accident lawyer near me, to help you learn more about the process and how we can help.
Understanding Car Accident Claims
Car accident claims arise every day, and most often, they are caused by driver errors. Distracted driving is the most common reason, with drivers focused on something other than the road ahead.
Speeding is another top cause since the faster a vehicle is traveling, the more time it needs to stop. When traffic slows ahead, a speeding driver can’t stop in time. Some intoxicated drivers put everyone at risk, and those who don’t adjust their driving to the weather conditions.
All of these can result in serious injuries for unsuspecting victims. Whiplash, traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal injuries, and fractures are the most frequent injuries sustained. If you have been hurt in a car accident that someone else caused, you will need to search for an auto accident attorney near me who can help prove fault. With laws that hold the at-fault driver responsible and modified comparative negligence rules that assign partial blame to victims, you don’t want to be unfairly faulted.
If you are assigned a high percentage of fault, you won’t be able to recover compensation. Insurers will always try to find ways to reduce or deny a settlement. Now is the time to look for the best car accident attorney near me to protect your legal rights.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident
Feeling confused and overwhelmed are very common feelings after a car accident among victims. Still, you should know what to do afterward to maximize your settlement.
Document the Scene and Gather Evidence
Our attorneys recommend that you call the police and report the accident. Do not agree to settle it privately with the other driver. Chances are, what they offer you will not be remotely close to the costs it will take to repair or replace your vehicle, or to cover your medical bills.
Take photos and videos of the scene and speak to any witnesses to get their contact information. When the police arrive, they will investigate and create a police report. You’ll want a copy of this document for your injury claim.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
If you’re seriously injured, the police may have the paramedics take you to the nearest hospital. Even if you don’t see visible injuries, don’t take a chance. Once you leave the scene, go to the hospital, an urgent care center, or your own doctor right away. Many severe injuries are not immediately noticeable, and getting care immediately ensures they won’t worsen. You’ll also have medical records that document how these injuries took place, which makes it harder for an insurer to dispute.
Report to Your Insurance Company
You are obligated to inform your own insurer that an accident took place, even if you are not at fault. The other driver will likely try to file a third-party claim, and this allows your insurer to get ahead on investigations.
When to Contact a Car Accident Lawyer
Search for a car wreck lawyer close to me as soon as you have sought treatment for your injuries. With time limits, it is critical not to waste a minute, even during the initial injury claim process. If the insurer tries to blame you or offers a low settlement, having an attorney on your side gives you a greater chance of getting the full and fair compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Hipskind & McAninch, LLC’s Car Accident Services
Searching for a vehicle accident lawyer in my area? Hipskind & McAninch, LLC is here for you. Let our car accident attorneys help you with:
- Comprehensive accident investigation and evidence gathering
- Dealing with insurance adjusters on your behalf
- Calculating the full value of your claim
- Aggressive negotiation and litigation when needed
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies have a variety of tactics they use to minimize settlement payouts for car accident victims. They have a friendly approach, which encourages you to be at ease, but insurance adjusters are trained to have this demeanor.
When they ask you to make a recorded statement, you should have your attorney take over all correspondence. Insurers will often twist your words and use that to offer a low settlement.
They count on your desperation to get through this and move on with your life, and will often offer a fast initial settlement. If you don’t know the full value of your claim, do not accept that money. Let our car accident lawyers review your injuries and damages to ensure you get what’s fair.
Other insurers will drag out their response times and make it difficult for you to put an end to your claim. If you have suffered serious injuries in a car crash, make sure your next step after medical treatment is to speak with a car accident attorney.
Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle
Among our other practice areas, we handle all kinds of car accident cases, including:
- Rear-end collisions
- T-bone and side-impact crashes
- Head-on collisions
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist claims
- Rideshare accidents with Uber and Lyft
Compensation in Car Accident Cases
In car accident cases, victims often incur many economic damages, or tangible losses. These tend to include medical bills from hospital stays, surgery, prescription medications, and physical therapy, as well as lost income and property damage.
Non-economic damages, or intangible losses, can also be sought for your emotional distress, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, disfigurement, and more. When you look at the harm you’ve endured as a result of someone else’s negligent driving, you should also factor in your future medical care and rehabilitation costs. If your first settlement offer isn’t reflective of these items, let our attorneys negotiate to get you full and fair compensation for your injuries.
Why Local Representation Matters
It matters where your lawyer is from, as local personal injury lawyers have the regional knowledge you need to have an advantage in your case.
Knowledge of Local Traffic Laws and Regulations
Traffic laws can vary in each jurisdiction, and a local attorney knows how these laws are applied. Local lawyers also know specific court protocols and filing requirements, not to mention any local precedents that could give you a leading edge. They also know the areas most prone to crashes and can use that information to help your case.
Relationships with Local Medical Providers
Local lawyers also have strong relationships with medical experts in the area, which means they can help ensure you have thoroughly documented your injuries. Testimony from local providers lends additional credibility to your claim.
Understanding of Regional Jury Tendencies
With local representation, your attorney can tailor their legal argument to resonate with the attitudes of those serving on the jury in your community. They will have insights on how juries tend to respond to your type of claim and be familiar with the judges and clerks, making it easier for them to predict and plan ahead.
Face-to-Face Availability for Clients
You could choose a big nationwide firm, but you might not ever meet your attorney in person. Local lawyers are more accessible and can come to you for an in-person meeting. Being in your proximity also gives them the ability to quickly visit your accident scene and get crucial evidence before it vanishes.
You get personalized service too, where someone cares about what you’ve experienced as a person and wants to fight to make things right for your future. You’ll ultimately have a better advantage in navigating the legal landscape with a local attorney who will seek maximum compensation on your behalf.
Why Choose Hipskind & McAninch, LLC?
As local car accident attorneys, Hipskind & McAninch, LLC has the proven results you need for your car accident case and will fight to get you the full and fair compensation you deserve for the injuries you’ve suffered.
You’ll experience personalized attention throughout your case while our lawyers work to take on every aspect and get you back on the road to recovery. While you might be worried about money with all the bills piling up, there are no upfront costs because we work on a contingency fee basis. Let us put our local expertise to work for you today and set up a free consultation to get started.