St. Louis Car Accident Attorney

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Auto accidents are stressful. Getting your car repaired, seeking medical attention, and missing work can be overwhelming and cause you to suffer substantial expenses and losses. If you were not at fault for the car accident, you shouldn’t have to be responsible for covering the financial burdens.

The person who caused the crash should. However, seeking just compensation can be challenging and add greater frustrations to this difficult situation. Fortunately, you can have an attorney handle your case and take care of all the legalities, relieving you of some of your stresses and allowing you to focus on your healing.

At Miller & Hine, our St. Louis car accident attorneys are here to assist in navigating the complex process of seeking the financial compensation you deserve. We have 50 years of combined experience and fully understand St. Louis personal injury laws. Our team delivers personalized attention and can develop an individualized legal strategy to pursue financial recovery on your behalf. We’ll handle your case with professionalism and sensitivity, informing you of the possible courses of action and keeping you updated on the progress.

To discuss your case with one of our car accident lawyers in St. Louis, contact us at (314) 413-2053. We offer free initial consultations.

St. Louis Car Accident Quick Links

How to Establish Fault in a Missouri Car Accident Case

Although you know that the other driver caused your car accident, you must prove to the at-fault party’s insurance company (and possibly a judge or jury) that their customer is responsible. Typically, this burden requires you to demonstrate that the other driver acted (or failed to act) in a way a reasonable person would have under similar circumstances. In other words, you must prove negligence.

To show that another driver was negligent, you must establish that they:

The elements listed above provide a simplified version of establishing fault in an auto accident case. The process can be extremely complicated and requires gathering and analyzing quite a bit of evidence.

Our St. Louis car accident attorneys conduct a full investigation of these matters, scouring the details to determine what happened and who was at fault. We work to ensure that the liable party is held responsible.

Common Injuries in Car Accidents

Depending upon the severity of the accident, a motor vehicle collision can result in injuries ranging from mild to catastrophic. Common injuries associated with car accidents include:

A catastrophic injury can lead to long periods of hospitalization, an inability to earn income, and, potentially, a short or long-term disability. However, even relatively minor injuries can create immense financial and emotional hardship. Nerve damage can make routine tasks extremely difficult and often requires extensive physical therapy to treat. A fracture or broken bone can prevent you from working and earning income.

Additionally, some injuries are often referred to as invisible injuries. An invisible injury is one that is not apparent to the eye. This includes many forms of mild brain injury, nerve issues, and internal injuries. Invisible injuries can be notoriously difficult to prove in car accident cases and often require medical experts to prove.

What Is the Average Settlement for a Missouri Car Accident Case?

The settlement amount for auto accidents varies. Each case is unique, and various factors affect the compensation victims receive. Thus, how much you might get will depend on the facts.

Variables impacting car accident settlement amounts include, but are not limited to:

Is Missouri a No-Fault State for Car Accidents?

Another factor affecting compensation is whether you were partially responsible for the collision. Missouri is a pure comparative fault state. That means you can pursue financial recovery for accident-related losses and expenses, but your settlement may be reduced by your percentage of fault.

For instance, if it’s determined that you should be awarded $10,000, but you were 15% responsible, your award amount is decreased to $8,500. Because much needs to be considered when seeking compensation, it may be in your best interests to discuss your case with our car accident lawyers in St. Louis.

We have handled numerous personal injury cases and know what a fair settlement looks like. Our team can evaluate your case and the offers made by the insurance company. We can let you know whether the amount is just and are prepared to negotiate with the insurer to protect your best interests.

Time Limits in Missouri Car Accidents

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident in Missouri, it is important that you speak with an attorney as soon as possible for many reasons. The first is that the moment the accident is reported, the other party’s insurance company will begin building a case against you.  They may reach out to get a recorded statement from you and attempt to use your own words against you. The sooner you have an attorney on your side, the less likely you will be to have an insurance company take advantage of you.

The second reason is that you need an attorney to begin building a case on your behalf. This includes talking to eyewitnesses, collecting evidence from the scene of the accident, and getting a full understanding of the scope and extent of your injuries. The longer you wait, the less credible witnesses become, the more likely evidence like tire tread marks will be lost, and the greater chance that other evidence like video surveillance footage can be destroyed.

Lastly, but perhaps most importantly, there are strict time limits set by state law that set a statutory window for you to file a lawsuit. This is known as the statute of limitations. In Missouri, you have five years from the date of the accident (or the discovery of your injuries) to file a lawsuit as outlined in Missouri Revised Statutes § 516.120. If you fail to do so, you may be barred from filing an action.

Will My Car Accident Case Go to Court?

Most auto accident cases are settled outside of the courtroom through negotiations with the other party’s insurance company. However, in certain circumstances, these matters may need to be taken to trial. Generally, this happens when the parties can’t agree on a fair compensation amount.

If your case needs to be decided by a judge or jury, it is important that you have a law firm representing you that has experience and has been successful at trial.   At Miller & Hine, we are ready to represent you in court. Employing a team approach, we combine our knowledge, skills, and talents to build a compelling legal strategy for our clients.  We approach every case as though it will go to trial.  This allows us to build strong cases and, for many clients, results in a more favorable settlement offer before trial becomes necessary.

A St. Louis car accident attorney from our firm will explore the necessary legal options to pursue justice for you.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

When pursuing a car accident claim or lawsuit, you have the burden of proving your case. You must present evidence to support your assertions that the other party was negligent and you are owed compensation.

After an auto accident, you can take several steps to protect your health and future interests:

Put 50 Years of Combined Experience on Your Side Today

People often think that hiring an attorney is expensive. At Miller & Hine, we work on a contingency basis, which means you do not owe us legal fees unless we win your case. Our St. Louis car accident lawyers will work diligently to pursue the compensation you deserve.

Visit our Testimonials page to see what our clients have to say about working with our firm!

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, call our skilled St. Louis car accident attorneys at (314) 413-2053 or submit an online contact form for a free consultation.