O’Fallon Car Accident Lawyer
Statistically, most people will be in several car accidents throughout their life, which means that the likelihood you will suffer some level of personal injury in a car crash is significant. As auto accident attorneys serving communities like O’Fallon and the suburbs of St. Louis, MO, an O’Fallon personal injury lawyer from Hipskind & McAninch, LLC represents accident injury victims on a contingency basis for their personal injury claims. That means if you’ve been hurt in an accident, you don’t have to pay out of pocket to seek appropriate compensation from the negligent party.
Call today for a free case evaluation, where you can talk to the O’Fallon personal injury attorneys about your car accident case and the personal injury claims process.
Damages in an Auto Accident Claim
Illinois civil law defines three types of car accident damages: economic, non-economic, and punitive.
Economic Damages
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, you are entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, property damage to your vehicle and its contents, and more. Most insurance company adjusters will cover some of these expenses in their initial offers. However, the problem is that auto accident injury victims can rarely predict the full extent of their injuries or how long they’ll be out of work. This is why experienced personal injury attorneys are crucial; they work on a contingency fee basis, gathering complete medical records to accurately assess the total damages before negotiating a final settlement.
An experienced accident lawyer will calculate the anticipated economic damages and the damages already incurred.
Damages for auto accidents don’t end with reimbursement of medical costs, lost earnings, etc. Non-economic damages are meant to reimburse car accident victims for the pain and suffering associated with the crash. Illinois does not cap damages for pain and suffering. As a rule, the more severe the car accident injuries are, the greater the amount the car crash victim is entitled to. To maximize your claim and seek a fair settlement, you need experienced personal injury attorneys. Contact the O’Fallon personal injury attorneys today for a free consultation to discuss your case.
Naturally, an insurance company will try to minimize this portion of the car accident claims it receives, which is why you should have a personal injury lawyer representing your case.
Punitive Damages
These types of damages are awarded in cases where the driver’s negligence was egregious, or the car crash was an intentional act. Unlike economic and non-economic damages, punitive damages are capped at three times the economic damages.
If you believe that you are entitled to damages due to the extreme circumstances of your car accident, especially concerning personal injury claims, speak to an O’Fallon car accident lawyer from Hipskind & McAninch, LLC, today. We offer free consultations and will conduct a thorough investigation of your case. Call today to schedule your free consultation.
What other types of accidents do accident lawyers represent?
Car vs. car accidents are the most common type of motor vehicle damage accidents occurring in Illinois, making up a significant portion of all personal injury cases where a driver failed to exercise reasonable care and violated traffic laws. However, there are different varieties of motor vehicle accidents that also bear mentioning.
Truck Accidents
Because of their substantial mass and the types of cargo they carry, semi-truck accidents often lead to severe injuries for the drivers of smaller vehicles. This is why there are both federal and state rules for the maximum weight of a semi-truck, the hours that a driver can operate their rig, and stricter standards for drunk driving. When these rules are broken, multiple liable parties—such as the driver, the trucking company, or the cargo loader—may be held responsible. Experienced personal injury attorneys help their injury clients navigate this complexity to secure proper compensation.
Whether you’ve been involved in a car or truck accident, you need a car accident lawyer with experience filing truck insurance claims, especially when dealing with complex personal injury cases.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycles offer limited physical protection and are less visible on the roadway, which is why other drivers sometimes strike motorcyclists. This can lead to severe injuries for the motorcyclist, requiring expensive ongoing treatment. To successfully handle these challenging O’Fallon personal injury cases, strong legal representation is necessary. Your attorney will work quickly to gather evidence, which is crucial for proving liability and securing the compensation you deserve.
Mass Transit Accidents
Passengers on buses, trains, and other mass transit vehicles are subject to the decisions of the driver or operator. If you were injured as a passenger in a vehicle, you might be entitled to compensation. To successfully handle these complex O’Fallon personal injury cases, it is crucial to hire an attorney with a proven track record in dealing with transit authorities and large commercial carriers.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians and bicyclists have little protection from cars and trucks operating on the roadway. They are often the victims of distracted driving and other driver mistakes. If you’ve been struck by a car while walking or riding a bike, talk to an O’Fallon car accident attorney about seeking full compensation. Your dedicated legal team will fight to ensure you receive fair compensation and strive for the maximum compensation available for your injuries.
Common Car Accident Locations in O’Fallon
Our deep knowledge of O’Fallon traffic patterns, combined with local crash data, shows that certain intersections and roadways pose a higher risk to drivers and pedestrians. Crashes at these spots often lead to complex legal issues:
- Interstate 64 (I-64): High-speed, high-impact rear-end and merging collisions are frequent, especially near the IL-158/Exit 16 interchange.
- Highway 50 & Green Mount Road: The heavy retail and commercial traffic in this area leads to frequent distracted driving and failure-to-yield accidents.
- Scott Troy Road: As confirmed by local officials, the intersection of Scott Troy Road, Old Vincennes Trail, and Borchers Lane has been the scene of numerous severe crashes due to jurisdictional complexities and traffic flow issues.
- Route 40: High speeds and unexpected braking often result in serious multi-vehicle pileups.
If your accident occurred at one of these high-risk locations, our team is already familiar with the specific hazards and liability factors involved.
O’Fallon Car Accident Lawyer FAQ
What is the Statute of Limitations for a Car Accident in Illinois?
The deadline to file a lawsuit for a car accident in Illinois is typically two years from the date of the crash.
This strict deadline is known as the Statute of Limitations. If you miss this two-year deadline, you permanently lose your right to pursue compensation, regardless of how severe your injuries are or how clear the liability is. If the accident resulted in a wrongful death, the two-year clock starts from the date of death. It is vital to consult with an O’Fallon car accident attorney immediately to protect your claim.
What types of compensation can I recover after a crash?
We pursue maximum compensation that covers all three categories of damages under Illinois law:
- Economic Damages: These are measurable financial losses, including all current and future medical bills (from St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, physical therapy, etc.), lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and property damage.
- Non-Economic Damages: This category compensates you for the physical and emotional impact of the injury, such as pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional trauma, and disability.
- Punitive Damages: In rare cases of egregious or intentional misconduct by the at-fault driver, we may seek punitive damages, which are designed to punish the defendant.
Note: If your injuries were made worse due to medical negligence at the hospital, our comprehensive legal team can represent you in both the auto accident claim and a potential medical malpractice claim.
Should I talk to the insurance company or accept their first offer?
No, you should not talk to the at-fault driver’s insurance adjuster without consulting your lawyer first.
Insurance adjusters are trained to protect the company’s profits, not your best interest. They may:
- Ask for a recorded statement that they can twist to suggest you were at fault.
- Pressure you into accepting a quick, low-ball settlement before the full extent of your injuries is known.
If you accept their first offer, you will be required to sign a waiver of prosecution, which permanently prevents you from seeking any further money, even if your condition worsens six months later. Let the O’Fallon car accident lawyers at Hipskind & McAninch, LLC handle all communication.
How much does it cost to hire an O’Fallon car accident lawyer?
We represent all O’Fallon car accident victims on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing upfront.
We cover all the costs of investigation, filing fees, and expert witnesses. You are only responsible for paying our legal fees if and when we successfully secure a settlement or win a verdict for you. If we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing.
Car Accident Lawyers in O’Fallon: Get the Diligent Representation You Deserve
As dedicated O’Fallon personal injury attorneys, we focus on handling complex personal injury cases resulting from serious car accidents. Our primary goal is to secure maximum compensation for your debilitating physical injuries, emotional distress, and extensive medical expenses, ensuring a successful resolution for your O’Fallon personal injury claim.
We operate exclusively on a contingency basis, meaning you do not pay out of pocket for our professional legal advice or resources. We only collect our fees once your case is settled or we win in court. If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair amount, we are fully prepared to aggressively file a personal injury lawsuit in the St. Clair County Circuit Court. When you need a skilled personal injury lawyer to go the distance, trust us to utilize specialized resources like accident reconstruction experts to build the strongest possible claim.
Don’t settle for less than you deserve. Contact your O’Fallon personal injury lawyer at Hipskind & McAninch, LLC today for a free, no-obligation consultation.