St Louis Car Accident Attorney

Whether you’re commuting, shopping, or simply taking a spin, car accidents can make your day take a turn for the worst. Car crashes are life threatening and often leave their victims with miserable injuries that last for years. When you’re stuck with difficult damages and serious injuries that put a financial burden on you and your family, it is time to talk to St. Louis car accident attorneys. They can investigate your claim and find out who can be held liable for your injuries if you weren’t at fault.

Find out how much in damages you can claim and the next steps for your car accident claim. You can get fair representation with our help. Contact Hipskind & McAninch, LLC today for a free consultation with a St Louis personal injury lawyer. 

Source: farrislaw.net

What Is the Average Settlement for a Car Accident Claim in Missouri?

The settlement amount for a car accident is entirely dependent on the type of damages that you suffered. Currently, the average is between $3,000 to $15,000. It’s difficult to provide an exact average settlement amount for a car accident in Missouri since every case is unique and settlement amounts can vary widely based on the specific circumstances of the accident and the injuries sustained. However, there are a few factors that can impact the settlement amount in a car accident case, including the severity of the injuries, the number of medical expenses incurred, and the amount of lost income due to the accident. In general, settlement amounts for car accident cases in Missouri can range from a few thousand dollars to several hundred thousand dollars or more, depending on the specific factors involved. In cases involving serious or life-altering injuries, such as spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, settlement amounts can be much higher.

What Influences Your Car Accident Case Personal Injury Settlement?

If you have been injured in a car accident in Missouri, you should consult with an experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer to discuss your legal options and the potential value of auto accident claims. An attorney can help you understand your rights and work to ensure that you receive the full and fair compensation you deserve for your car accident injuries.

Severity Injuries

The severity of your injuries will have a significant impact on your settlement amount. More severe injuries will typically result in higher compensation since they may require more extensive medical treatment and may have a greater impact on your quality of life. For example, a spinal cord injury that results in paralysis will likely result in a higher settlement than a broken bone.

Medical Expenses

The number of medical expenses you have incurred as a result of the accident will also impact your settlement amount. This can include expenses for emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical care. The higher your medical expenses, the higher your settlement amount may be.

Lost Income

If you have had to miss work as a result of your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for lost income. This can include wages you have already lost as well as future earnings you may miss out on as a result of your injuries.

Property Damage

If your car was damaged in the accident, you may be entitled to compensation for repairs or replacement. The amount of compensation you receive for property damage will depend on the cost of the repairs or replacement.

Comparative Fault

Missouri follows a comparative fault system, which means that if you are found to be partially at fault for the accident, your settlement amount may be reduced. For example, if you were speeding at the time of the accident, you may be found to be partially at fault and your settlement amount may be reduced.

How Can Your St. Louis Car Accident Attorney Help You?

Your car accident attorney has a variety of talents that can benefit you during your pursuit of your car accident settlement. St. Louis car accident lawyers can provide the following:

Legal Expertise

An experienced car accident lawyer has a deep understanding of the laws and regulations governing personal injury cases. They can help you understand your legal rights and work to ensure that you receive the full and fair compensation you are entitled to. For example, if you were involved in a minor accident but still suffered injuries, a lawyer can help you understand your options for seeking compensation and negotiate with the car insurance company on your behalf.

Evidence Gathering

A car accident lawyer can help you gather and preserve evidence to support your case. This can include collecting witness statements, reviewing police reports, and obtaining medical records. If you were involved in a minor accident but believe that the other driver was at fault, a lawyer can help you gather evidence to support your claim and build a strong case.

Settlement Negotiation

Insurance companies often try to settle car accident cases quickly and for as little money as possible. An experienced car accident lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to ensure that you receive a fair settlement. When you were involved in a St. Louis car accident but the insurance company is offering you a settlement that doesn’t fully cover your medical expenses, a lawyer can negotiate for a higher settlement.

Court Representation

If your case goes to court, a car accident lawyer can represent you in front of a judge and jury. They can present evidence and argue your case to the court, working to ensure that you receive the full compensation you deserve. When you were involved in a St. Louis car accident but the other driver’s insurance company is refusing to pay for your medical expenses, a lawyer can represent you in court. They will argue that the other driver was at fault.

Steps to Take After Experiencing Louis Car Accidents

Once you’ve been injured in a severe car accident, you should take the following steps:

Check for Injuries and Call 911

The first priority is to check yourself and others involved in the accident for injuries. Call for emergency medical assistance if anyone is seriously injured. The 911 hotline will also contact the police and report the accident. The police will arrive, allowing you to provide as much information as possible about your car accident. Mention the vehicles involved and any injuries.

Move to a Safe Location

If possible, move your vehicle to the side of the road or a safe area to avoid causing a traffic hazard.

Exchange Contact Information

Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver involved in the accident, including their name, address, phone number, insurance company, and policy number.

Gather Evidence

Take photos of the accident scene, including any damage to the vehicles and the surrounding area. Get the contact information of any witnesses who saw the accident.

Get Medical Attention

Even if you don’t feel injured, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible to rule out any hidden injuries that may emerge later on.

Call Your Insurance Company

Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the accident and provide them with the details of the accident.

Consult With St. Louis Car Accident Attorneys

Start consulting with a personal injury attorney who can help you understand your legal rights and options for seeking compensation.

How Long After a Car Accident Can You Sue in Missouri? 

In Missouri, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit after a car accident is five years from the date of the accident. This means that you have up to five years to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for your injuries and damages. It’s generally advisable to begin the process of seeking compensation as soon as possible after a car accident. This allows you to gather evidence and build a strong case, and may also help you negotiate a settlement with the insurance company more quickly. Waiting too long to pursue legal action can also make it more difficult to collect evidence and witness testimony, which can weaken your case. While you have up to five years to file a lawsuit after a car accident in Missouri, it’s generally advisable to begin the process as soon as possible after the accident.

Reasons that your statute of limitations may be extended include:

Delayed Discovery

You may not be aware of the injury or harm they have suffered until years after it occurred. In such cases, the statute of limitations may be extended to allow the injured party to file a lawsuit or bring criminal charges.

Fraudulent Concealment

If the other party has concealed their wrongdoing, the statute of limitations may be extended to allow the plaintiff to bring a lawsuit. This is often the case in cases of financial fraud, where the defendant has hidden their wrongdoing and the plaintiff was not aware of it until much later.

The Victim is a Minor or Incompetent

In some circumstances, the statute of limitations may be extended for minors or individuals who are incapacitated due to mental or physical disabilities. This is because they may not have been able to bring a lawsuit within the normal time limit.

Continuous Harm

In cases where harm is ongoing, such as in cases of environmental pollution or exposure to toxic substances, the statute of limitations may be extended to allow for a lawsuit to be filed at a later time. This may not apply to car accidents, however. 

Criminal Investigations

In cases where a criminal investigation is ongoing, the statute of limitations may be extended to allow for the prosecution of the defendant.

Is Missouri a No Fault State for Car Accidents?

Missouri is not a “no-fault” state for car accidents. Instead, Missouri is an “at-fault” or “tort” state. This means that in the event of a car accident, the driver who is determined to be at fault for causing the accident is typically responsible for paying for the damages and injuries resulting from the accident. 

Under Missouri law, drivers are required to carry liability insurance to cover the cost of any damages or injuries they may cause in an accident. The liability insurance typically includes coverage for bodily injury and property damage liability. If a driver is found to be at fault for an accident, their insurance company may be responsible for paying for the damages and injuries resulting from the accident.

Missouri law also allows individuals to sue the at-fault driver for damages beyond what their insurance policy covers, such as pain and suffering, lost wages, and other expenses. This is different from a no-fault state, where drivers typically turn to their own insurance coverage to pay for damages and injuries, regardless of who was at fault for the accident.

Common Types of Car Accidents

St. Louis car accidents can happen for a number of reasons. Common car accident types include the following:

Rear End Collisions

These types of crashes occur when one car hits another from behind. They are often caused by tailgating, distracted driving, or sudden stops.

Head on Collisions

Head-on collisions occur when two cars traveling in opposite directions collide with each other. They are often the result of driver error, such as driving on the wrong side of the road or attempting to pass another car.

T-Bone Collisions

T-bone collisions occur when a car is hit on the side by another car, forming a T-shape. They are often caused by failure to yield or run red lights.

Sideswipe Collisions

These occur when two cars traveling in the same direction collide with each other. These accidents are often the result of a driver drifting out of their lane.

Single Car Accidents

These are accidents in which only one car is involved. Single-car accidents can be caused by a variety of factors, such as driver error, poor road conditions, or vehicle malfunctions.

Multi-Vehicle Car Accident

St. Louis car accidents involving multiple cars often occur in heavy traffic or in poor weather conditions.

Rollover Car Accidents

Rollover accidents occur when a car rolls over onto its side or roof. They are often caused by sharp turns, high speeds, or a vehicle’s center of gravity being too high.

Common Types of Damages You Might Experience in a St. Louis Car Accident 

St. Louis car accident lawyers will help you estimate your damages to make sure you get fair compensation. These include:

Property Damage

This includes the cost to repair or replace your vehicle or any other damaged property in the accident.

Medical Expenses

This includes the cost of any medical treatment you received as a result of the accident, such as hospital bills, doctor’s visits, medication, and rehabilitation.

Lost Income

If you were unable to work as a result of the accident, you may be able to claim the income you lost during your recovery.

Pain and Suffering

This includes physical and emotional pain and suffering that you experienced as a result of the accident, such as physical pain, mental anguish, and emotional distress.

Wrongful Death

If a loved one was killed in the accident, you may be able to claim damages for wrongful death, which can include funeral expenses, lost income, and loss of companionship.

Reasons Car Accidents Happen 

Your St. Louis car accident lawyer has seen many types of car accidents and can find neglect across a variety of cases. You may experience:

• Truck Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Uber Accidents
• Pedestrian Accidents
• Bicycle Accidents

Here are some of the most common types of accidents seen on the roads: 

Distracted Driving

When a driver diverts their attention from driving, they become a danger to themselves and others. Examples include using a cellphone which causes texting and driving accidents. Other distractions include eating, grooming, or reaching for objects while driving.

Speeding

Driving above the posted speed limit or driving too fast for current road or weather conditions can make it difficult to stop or avoid obstacles. This causes speeding accidents.

Drunk Driving

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs impairs judgment, vision, and reaction time, significantly increasing the risk of accidents.

Reckless Driving

Reckless driving includes erratic, aggressive driving, or illegal driving behavior, such as tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, or running red lights.

Fatigued Driving

Driving while drowsy or tired can affect a driver’s ability to react quickly, make sound decisions, and maintain control of their vehicle.

Vehicle Malfunction

Poor maintenance of a vehicle, such as worn tires, malfunctioning brakes, or broken lights, can lead to accidents due to mechanical failure.

Ignoring Traffic Signs and Signals

Failure to obey traffic signs, signals, and road markings can lead to accidents, such as failing to yield the right-of-way, turning illegally, or driving in the wrong direction.

Tailgating

Following too closely to the vehicle in front can result in rear-end collisions, especially in heavy traffic or sudden stops.

Poor Weather Conditions

Drivers who fail to adjust their driving behavior to accommodate changing weather conditions, such as driving too fast in rain, snow, or fog, increase the risk of accidents.

What Happens If More Than One Person Caused My Car Accident?

Car accidents can become more complex when there are multiple parties involved. In some cases, the other drivers aren’t responsible but rather it was a construction company or the local state. When there is more than one party, the following may occur:

Multiple Insurance Claims

Each driver’s insurance company will typically investigate the accident to determine fault and determine whether to pay for damages and injuries. In some cases, if who is to blame is disputed, each driver’s insurance company may file a lawsuit against the other driver’s insurance company to determine fault and compensation.

Comparative Negligence 

Some states have comparative negligence laws that assign a percentage of fault to each driver based on their actions leading up to the accident. In these cases, compensation for damages and injuries may be reduced based on each driver’s percentage of fault.

Lawsuits

If the accident results in serious injuries or extensive property damage, one or more drivers may choose to file a lawsuit against the other drivers to recover compensation beyond what is provided by insurance.

Criminal Charges if Applicable 

When one or more drivers were engaging in criminal behavior at the time of the accident, such as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they may face criminal charges in addition to civil liability for the accident.

As soon as you’ve been in a terrible car wreck, it is time for you to speak to a St. Louis car accident lawyer. They can guide you on your next steps and make sure you receive fair compensation for your injuries. Our St. Louis car accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means that you pay us only after we win. Call Hipskind & McAninch, LLC now for a free consultation.