Missouri Car Accident Attorneys That Get Results

With any type of legal claim, results matter. You want to know that you are giving your case to the best possible lawyer, and that they are going to fight hard to make sure you get 100 percent of the recovery and compensation you deserve. A car accident lawyer saying they are the best is one thing; a lawyer with client testimonials and results that can prove it is another. Below are several of our recent victories:

How Do I Know If I Have a Car Accident Case in Missouri?

In order to prove a personal injury claim, you must demonstrate the five elements of negligence:

1. Duty of Care — You must show that the other side owed you a responsibility to act in a reasonable manner to prevent causing injury or harm. Under Missouri Revised Statute §304.012, anyone behind the wheel of a car is to "exercise the highest degree of care." Meaning, any driver automatically owes everyone else on the road a duty of care.
2. Breach of Duty — Then you must show that they failed in their responsibility. Were they looking at their phone instead of the road? Were they drunk? Or driving recklessly? Did they run a red light?
3. Cause-in-Fact — Did the accident cause your injuries? For example, did you sustain a debilitating neck or back injury because you were rear-ended?
4. Proximate Cause — This determines the cause of the accident. Did the driver run a red light because they were not paying attention? Or because their car had faulty brakes? If it is the latter, a manufacturer may be liable for your injuries instead of the driver.
5. Damages — Lastly, you have to show how you sustained financial harm because of the injuries. In car accident claims, this is usually lost wages and medical expenses. Once we show your financial losses, we will work to prove your pain and suffering damages as well.

A lot of times, the negligent party and their insurance company will argue against one or several of those elements in order to reduce or eliminate your payout. Experienced Missouri car accident attorneys will not let them get away with it. At Burger Law, we fight back against people who do not want to take responsibility, and we always demand maximum compensation. Our team will help you understand if you have a car accident claim. Call us now at (314) 500-HURT.

What Kind of Issues Come Up In Missouri Car Accident Claims?

Ideally, the negligent driver's insurance company would have enough coverage and the willingness to fairly compensate you for your injuries. But far too often complications arise and the other side does not want to do the right thing. Some of the issues our car accident attorneys see the most in Missouri are:

• The other driver has no insurance — Missouri requires drivers to have at least minimum liability insurance coverage. But some drivers do not follow the rules, and you may be left wondering how you are going to get compensation for your injuries. Our car accident attorneys have filed hundreds of uninsured motorist claims for our clients against their own insurance companies. However, just because it is your own insurance does not mean they will readily agree to pay you – you still need a lawyer to fight for your rights.
• The other driver does not have enough insurance — Each insurance policy has policy limits, which determine the maximum amount of coverage available after an accident. If your damages exceed the at-fault driver's policy limits, we can file an underinsured motorist claim on your own policy. We can also look for other insurance policies that may cover your accident.
• The other driver will not admit fault — There are some reckless people out there who do not want to take responsibility for their actions. If the other driver will not admit fault or is trying to blame you for the accident, we will gather evidence and take depositions of all parties – under oath – to demonstrate how the other driver caused your injuries.
• The insurance company is trying to lowball you — Insurance adjusters use a lot of tricks to devalue claims, and most times an attorney is needed to get them to be fair. If they continue to lowball you after we send a settlement demand package, we will immediately file a lawsuit, litigate the case and prepare for trial. Often, simply the presence of tough and experienced trial car accident attorneys like those at Burger Law is enough to get the insurance company to make an offer that is truly fair; they know they will lose if we go to court. We have gotten a lot of great settlements on the eve of trial.

Our car accident attorneys always try to settle a case quickly. However, if there are issues at play and the other side does not want to pay you fairly, we are prepared to take them all the way through trial. We fight for our Missouri clients until there is nothing left to fight. We have dealt with all of these issues and more hundreds of times and have won countless Missouri car accident cases in jury trials. We know how to apply the law to injury claims and get our clients the recoveries they truly deserve.

What Kind of Questions Should I Ask a Car Accident Attorney in Missouri?

Choosing the right car accident attorney in Missouri for your claim is arguably the most important thing you can do for your case. You need to be sure that they can get the results you deserve, and that they will give you and your claim the case, diligence and personal attention you deserve. Below are the top six questions you should ask when you consult with an attorney before allowing them to take on your claim:

1. What is your fee structure? How your car accident attorneys get paid impacts how much you will actually recover. We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning we take a percentage of your final compensation as our fees, and only after we win your case. The benefit of a contingency fee is a lawyer will only take on the case if they believe they can win and believe they can add substantial value to it, since we are the ones who will be financing our work until we get you your settlement. We do not get paid unless you get paid.
2. How much do you think my claim is worth? A good car accident attorney is going to be honest with you about how much they believe your claim is worth, and whether or not they can add value to it. There may be certain factors, like pre-existing injuries, insurance policy limits or whether or not you bare any of the blame, that affect how much you are owed in compensation. You do not want to pick a lawyer who unrealistically promises millions of dollars for a relatively mild whiplash injury, or one who thinks an accident that resulted in permanent disability is worth just $10,000. Ask for details about how similar cases often settle, what may increase your settlement and what factors may lower your final compensation.
3. Do you have experience with my kind of car accident? If you were injured in a car accident, you obviously want to find a lawyer who specializes in auto claims. However, what about the other aspects of your claim? If your were injured in a hit and run, you need a lawyer who understands uninsured motorist claims and has gone up against an injured person's own insurance company before.
4. Are you experienced trial lawyers? The vast majority of personal injury claims are settled before trial. But if the insurance company refuses to be fair in negotiations and mediation, you want someone who can prove your case in front of a judge and jury. Often, the threat of a trial is necessary in order to get a fair settlement offer. If your attorney does not have a history of success at trial, there is a strong chance you will not get all the money you are owed.
5. How do you communicate with clients? Most attorneys are not going to be able to answer their phone 24/7, especially if they are good at their jobs and are fighting for other clients. Still, you want to know that they will be there to answer your questions when you need them to. Do they have a strong support staff who can answer the phone in their absence? Do they prioritize client communication, and promptly call you back if you have left a message?
6. Who will be handling my claim? To be sure, a good law firm will have paralegals and associate attorneys who are capable legal professionals and indispensable to how the law firm functions and obtains victories. But you want to be sure the people who are working on your case have the experience and knowledge to get the great results you deserve.

Burger Law is unique among many auto accident law firms in Missouri in that we have the experience and resources of a large firm, but the personal touch and commitment to our clients of a small firm. Your case will never be ignored or forgotten about, and we will give everything necessary to win your claim.