At Burger Law, we believe that results matter. Our Mount Vernon, MO clients want to know that we are giving 100 percent to a case and win the best possible settlement on their behalf. The following are some recent examples of car crash settlements we have won for clients:

• $300k Utility Terrain Vehicle Settlement
• On-Ramp Accident Leads to $327,000 Settlement
• $90,000 Settlement after Car Accident
• Head on Collision
• Rear End Accident Leads to $35,000 recovery

Injured in an Auto Accident? Contact a Mount Vernon, MO Auto Accident Lawyer

After an auto accident in Mount Vernon, MO, you should be focused on getting your injuries treated. You should not have to worry about fighting your insurance company for the medical care you need, or wondering whether you are going to receive the financial compensation you need for the car accident, or even court dates and legal jargon. The Burger Law Mount Vernon, MO auto accident attorneys can center all their efforts on all of the above.

Our lawyers are ready to fight for your rights, making sure that you get complete compensation for the recovery you deserve and return to a normal life. Call one of our Mount Vernon, MO auto accident lawyers right now at (314) 500-HURT or fill out our online contact form. They are prepared to confidentially discuss the specifics of your case for free with no obligation.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Auto Accidents in Mount Vernon, MO?

Auto accidents happen in what often feels like a blink of an eye. Though there are several possible hazardous conditions and events outside of our control that can contribute to crashes, most auto accidents are caused by driver error. Research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that human operators are responsible for 94 percent of crashes that occur.

Some of the common causes of Mount Vernon, MO car crashes are:

• Distracted Driving
• Texting and Driving
• Drunk Driving
• Speeding
• Hit and Run
• Construction Zones
• Failing to Yield
• Rain or Bad Weather
• Reckless Driving, including:
• Cutting another car off
• Tailgating
• Weaving in and out of traffic
• Running red lights
• Blocking a car or changing speed to prevent another car from changing lanes, passing, etc.
• Refusing to use turn signals
• Forcing a car off the road
• Using high beams to interfere with another driver’s ability to see

What Is the Average Car Accident Settlement Amount in the Mount Vernon, MO Area?

Auto accidents are expensive. According to research from the Insurance Information Institute, property damage, injuries and deaths in auto accidents cost $474 billion in 2020. The NHTSA, approximates that auto accidents cost society $7,300 per second in productivity lost.

It can be difficult to pinpoint a precise amount as many settlements are confidential, in terms of the average car accident settlement in Mount Vernon, MO, or anywhere for that matter. However, generally speaking, most of auto crash settlements come in between $15,000 and $20,000. Injuries requiring more extensive medical care often reach $50,000 to $100,000, while injuries resulting in permanent disability or, in the worst cases, wrongful death, can bring about damages of hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not millions.

In addition, we have extensive experience winning the following cases for our Mount Vernon, MO clients:

• Car Accident Attorney in Missouri
• Premises Liability Lawyer in Missouri
• Car Crash Lawyer in Missouri

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Mount Vernon, MO?

The state of Missouri's statute of limitations dictates how long you have after the date of your injuries from a Mount Vernon, MO auto accident to file your claim.

• In general terms, according to Missouri Revised Statute §516.120, you have 5 years from the date of your injury to file your personal injury claim in Mount Vernon, MO or elsewhere in Missouri.
• If you were mentally incapacitated at the time of the injury or under the age of 21 at the time, Missouri Revised Statute §516.170 states that you have 5 years after the date you turn 21 or that your "legal disability" ends.
• If you are hurt by someone who was a resident of the state when the injury happened, but later left the state before you filed a lawsuit, Missouri Revised Statute §516.200 stipulates that the time the defendant is out of Missouri does not apply toward the 5 years.

If you have been injured in an auto accident in Mount Vernon, MO, the clock is already ticking for when you can make your claim. Do not hesitate, call the auto accident law firm of Burger Law today at (314) 500-HURT or reach out to us online to get justice and complete compensation for your injuries. We begin working on your Mount Vernon, MO claim immediately and do not stop until we win.

What Are the Factors That Determine an Auto Accident Settlement in Mount Vernon, MO?

As the meaning of a car accident settlement is to adequately compensate you for your injuries, the severity of those injuries is the compelling factor in how much your settlement could be. Other factors include the insurance policy in question, how your injuries have impacted your life, if you are to blame in any degree for your accident and the capabilities of your Mount Vernon, MO auto crash attorney:

• The severity of your injuries — As more serious injuries lead to higher medical expenses and more time lost from work in Mount Vernon, MO, they lead to higher settlements, particularly when adding in the pain and suffering multiplier.
• How your injuries have impacted your life — The greater the effect on your mental, emotional and physical well-being, the higher the noneconomic damages will be.
• The insurance policy — Missouri has a minimum insurance requirement of $25,000 for bodily injury, and while a skilled Mount Vernon, MO auto accident lawyer may be able to get you more, there are times where the compensation is dependant upon the negligent driver's and/or your insurance policy limits.
• If you are partially responsible — With comparative negligence policies like Missouri law observes, you can still receive financial compensation if you were partially to blame; yet, the total amount will be less. For example, if you are awarded $100,000 in damages but it is found that you are responsible for 30 percent of the blame for your accident, you would receive $70,000. You can still receive compensation in Missouri, even if you were 99 percent at fault.
• Your car accident lawyer — You need an aggressive and skilled Mount Vernon, MO attorney to combat the insurance company's tricks. Your auto accident attorney will also need to conduct an investigation into your accident, prove liability on the part of the other driver and have a network of economic and medical experts in the Mount Vernon, MO area and throughout MO to precisely value your claim. If the insurance company will not extend a fair settlement in negotiation, you will need an experienced trial attorney with courtroom savvy that will argue your case in front of a jury.

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What Do I Do After an Auto Accident in Mount Vernon, MO?

Auto accidents are not a pleasant experience, and they are often startling and frightening. But, it is important to stay calm following a crash. You should follow these steps to ensure everyone’s well-being and to receive the premier results from your claim in Mount Vernon, MO:

• Check to see if you or anyone else is injured. The most important thing in a Mount Vernon, MO car crash is everybody's well-being and safety. Check to see if anyone is injured and how severe their injuries are. If there are serious injuries to you or anyone else, call 911 immediately. If you can and it is safe to do so, render first aid to anyone who needs it.
• Get to safety. If anyone is severely injured, do not move them until emergency medical personnel get there, and warn other motor vehicles of the accident. If you are unable to move your vehicle, turn on the emergency lights and exit to get to the side of the road when it is safe. Otherwise, move your vehicle to the side of the road and out of the way of oncoming traffic to avoid a multi-car accident.
• Phone the police. Call the Mount Vernon, MO or county police if you have not already dialed 911. Missouri Revised Statute §303.040 demands Missouri motorists to report any motor vehicle crash that ends in death, personal injury, or over $500 in property damage. If you are unsure as to the extent of the damage or how bad your injuries are, call the police and err on the side of caution. Not only is it the law, but police in Mount Vernon, MO are trained to provide an official, accurate account of what happened in accidents, and their report will go a long way in proving your claim and holding the other party accountable.
• Collect evidence and document the accident scene. Take pictures of all vehicles involved, any injuries you sustained and other parts of the scene, like the roadway around the crash. A lack of tire marks may help prove that the other driver was distracted and is responsible for the car crash. If the other driver was drunk, take pictures of the authorities arresting them.

  You should also trade insurance information with the other driver. If there were bystanders who could be eyewitnesses, collect their contact information so your Mount Vernon, MO auto accident lawyer can take official depositions from them. It is also a good idea to write down everything you remember about the crash, as your memory will be freshest in the immediate aftermath, and some seemingly insignificant details may slip your mind that later turn out to be crucial.

• Get medical treatment. Even if you do not think your injuries are severe, it is a good idea to go to an urgent care facility in the Mount Vernon, MO area after a car accident. Occassionally, with some injuries, you may not deal with symptoms immediately, and adrenaline can frequently disguise pain after a crash.
• Reach out to Burger Law. When you are seriously hurt in a car crash, it is necessary to find an informed lawyer who can help you navigate the twists and turns of your case. An experienced attorney who fights back against resistant insurance companies is frequently the lone way you can truly get maximum compensation for your damages. We have more than 70 years of combined experience standing up for the injured in Mount Vernon, MO. We know car accident claims and will be able to figure out exactly how much you are owed. Speaking with us about your claim is free, so do not approve a settlement offer prior to asking an auto accident attorney if it is really fair. Additionally, we are experienced trial lawyers, so if we cannot negotiate a fair financial recovery, we will take the fight in front of a judge and jury.

  Give us a call now at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online.

What Should I Look For When Selecting an Auto Accident Lawyer in Mount Vernon, MO?

When it comes to selecting an auto accident lawyer in Mount Vernon, MO, it is important to do your homework and find the ideal lawyer for the finer points of your case. Here are some key factors to ponder:

• Experience: An experienced auto accident lawyer knows the intricacies of the legal system and be able to help you fight against bullying insurance companies. Burger Law has nearly 30 years of experience in the Mount Vernon, MO area, and throughout Missouri, standing up to prosecutors and insurance companies on behalf of our clients.
• Specialization: Different attorneys are accomplished in different aspects of the law, and it is critical to locate one who specializes in car crash cases. The Burger Law Mount Vernon, MO auto accident lawyers are not only well versed in car crash cases, we dedicate our careers to handling cases like yours and doing whatever it takes to get you full compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, other out-of-pocket expenses and the pain and suffering you have incurred due to your injuries.
• Reputation: It is also important to locate an attorney who has a good reputation and is known in the community. Ask around for recommendations and read online reviews, and you will notice Burger Law’s distinguished track record throughout the Mount Vernon, MO area.
• Communication: It is important to locate a lawyer in Mount Vernon, MO who is easy to talk to and is willing to answer your questions. Gary Burger has literally written the book on absolutely essential questions to ask before you select an attorney. We always ensure you know what is transpiring in your case. Additionally, we deal with all documentation, negotiation and litigation, also keeping you aware throughout these processes. Give us a call today at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online.