Car Accident Lawyer in Jefferson City, Missouri

Car Accident Lawyer in Jefferson City, MO, Missouri. If you or a loved one have been in a car accident and were seriously injured, Burger Law is here to protect your rights and demand your complete compensation. Speak to an experienced car accident lawyer for free now at (314) 500-HURT or online.

More Information About Jefferson City, MO Car Accident Cases

Continue reading or select a car crash topic of interest below to get more information about your car accident case. If you or someone close to you has been injured in a car accident in Jefferson City, MO, reach out to an experienced Jefferson City, MO car accident lawyer at your first opportunity. Burger Law’s attorneys provide free case reviews. Call (314) 500-HURT to speak to a lawyer about your case today.

Hurt in a Car Accident? Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Jefferson City, MO

After being seriously injured in a Missouri car crash, you should not be left to worry about things like whether or not you can afford the medical care and treatment you need for your injuries or the time you need away from work to heal.

Your medical well-being and financial recovery should not be dependent upon you laboring and fighting at length with the insurance company regarding the car accident. Unfortunately, insurance companies are often more motivated to look out for their own bottom line than they are your well-being and recovery. Take your recovery into your own hands.

There is so much at stake when your health and financial well-being are on the line and chances are high that the insurance company will be unwilling to offer you an adequate settlement for your damages. You need an advocate, and Burger Law’s team of personal injury lawyers in Missouri is ready to fight tooth and nail in your name. Led by founder and prinicple attorney Gary Burger, the Jefferson City, MO car accident lawyers of Burger Law hold insurance companies and negligent individuals accountable for their actions. We fight for your rights and work to deliver the maximum recovery in your Missouri car accident case. Our law firm gets great settlement and trial results. Our team has recovered $200 million for those who have been harmed in Missouri and will work ceaselessly to get you the full recovery you deserve. Contact us now.

How Long Do I Have To File a Claim for My Car Accident in Jefferson City, Missouri?

After you or a family member are involved in a car accident, the countdown begins. That is why it is imperative to take legal action toward your recovery right away. You only have a certain amount of time to make a claim, and that time limit is determined by your state’s statute of limitations. In personal injury claims, the statute of limitations in Missouri is five years. The five-year countdown usually begins on the day the accident occured. There are, however, exceptions to this rule.

Missouri Revised Statute §516.140 states that there is a five-year limitation on any actions for any “injury to the person or rights of another, not arising on contract,” and not otherwise mentioned in the states’ statutes.

So, in order to file a lawsuit for your injuries that resulted from a motor vehicle accident, slip and fall, product liability claim, or any other type of negligence, you have five years from the date the negligence occurred to file an initial complaint in court. If you attempt to file a claim after the five-year deadline, the defendant can enter a “motion to dismiss,” which will be granted in most cases. Without filing within the statute of limitations, you do not necessarily have a rightful claim to compensation

While five years may seem like a plenty of time to put off your claim and file it later, filing a claim with the insurance company quickly after your injury is still vital. It is much more difficult to demand a good settlement after the five years has passed, as the other side will not have the threat of an expensive and lengthy trial hanging over their heads.

Exceptions to the Five-Year Statute of Limitations in Missouri Personal Injury Claims

There are four significant exceptions to the Missouri statute of limitations:

1. Missouri Revised Statute §516.170 — If you were under the age of 21 or were “mentally incapacitated” at the time the negligence occurred, you have five years from the date of your 21st birthday or the date the disability was removed.
2. Missouri Revised Statute §516.200 — If the person you are making a claim against leaves the state of Missouri after the negligence occurred, their time out of state does not count against the five years.
3. Missouri Revised Statute §537.100 — Wrongful death claims must be brought within three years of your loved one’s death.
4. Claims Against the State Government — Any claim against a government entity in Missouri must be filed within 90 days of the accident with the Missouri Office of Administration’s Risk Management Division.

Even if you believe that your claim has surpassed the statute of limitations, you should still talk to a car accident attorney in Jefferson City, MO to find out if you have any other options to pursue compensation.

Why Should I Pursue Compensation After My Jefferson City, MO Car Accident?

After being through a serious car accident, no one wants to go through months of paperwork, waiting and negotiating just to get the financial recovery they need. In fact, you may even be hesitant to initiate a claim at all or even think about pursuing a monetary settlement after being injured in a car accident in Jefferson City, MO.

It is common to feel uneasy or unsure about the prospect, but the truth is that Missouri civil tort law is designed to protect you and anyone else who has been injured or suffered loss because of someone else’s negligence. You did not deserve to be harmed in a motor vehicle accident, and it should not fall on you to cover the monetary costs and losses that follow. It would be unfair and perhaps even impossible for you to foot the bill when you have already suffered and did nothing wrong.

Or perhaps because your injuries were so catastrophic or your experience so emotionally taxing, it may seem unfair or even dirty to accept a settlement for your experiences. After all, there is no amount of money in the world that can save you from the suffering and anguish you have had to endure. Nothing can keep you from suffering the trauma or sustaining the injuries of that accident, but receiving compensation in your Jefferson City, MO car accident case can be a way to help make you whole and aide in your recovery following the collision. Receiving a settlement can:

• Help you get and pay for the medical care and rehabilitative treatments necessary for you to return to full strength and health, including chronic medical attention to help you manage your condition
• In your day to day life, help you make ends meet or allow you to stay on budget as planned, making sure you are compensated for the time you were forced to be away from work
• Restore you to wholeness, with money acting as the next-best substitute for your well-being
• Free up time, space and mental effort to heal physically and emotionally
• Offer validation of your experiences and suffering
• Renew your sense of justice and the law
• In a wrongful death case where your family member was killed in a car accident in Missouri, your claim can alieviate the financial burden of losing a source of financial support so that you and your family have the opportunity to grieve

Whatever the case or your reason for filing a claim, in order to collect compensation at a value that truly respects your suffering and losses and makes umakes you adequately whole again, you need to consult a reputable Jefferson City, MO car accident lawyer who will fight day after day to bring you justice.

For their side, the insurance company has a team working to avoid or reduce the amount they have to pay car accident victims like you. You should have the same dedicated and tactical support in demanding the full compensation Missouri law allows. With a talented Jefferson City, MO car accident lawyer, you can protect your rights and demand a great recovery. Our Jefferson City, MO personal injury law firm has been winning claims for car accident victims for over two decades and will demand full payment from the at-fault party’s insurance company. Our work is not over until they pay. Call (314) 500-HURT for a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our winning Jefferson City, MO car accident attorneys.
Should I File a Car Accident Claim if My Friend or Family Member Was At Fault?

Should I File a Car Accident Claim in Jefferson City, MO if My Friend or Family Member Was At Fault?

Navigating your injury claim after a car accident is difficult enough, and this can be made even more difficult when it was your own friend or family member who was responsible for the accident. Do not let that stop you. In truth, the pros far outweigh the cons and when you have significant injuries, it is almost always best to file the claim no matter what.

Filing an injury claim does not mean you are filing a lawsuit or suing the person you care about. A claim is just a document requesting that the liable party’s insurance company compensates you for the damages you incurred at the fault of their covered customer. It may suck to file an insurance claim, but this is the entire purpose of insurance. We pay a set amount every month, six months or year so that, in the event of an accident, the insurance company is there to cover emergency expenses. Regardless of whose fault it was and what your relationship to them is, when you are seriously injured in a car wreck, you should not be on the hook for your medical bills and other damages.
Understanding Missouri Car Accident Insurance Rules

Understanding Missouri Car Accident Insurance Rules

Missouri state law requires vehicle owners to have car insurance so that, in the event of an accident, any injured car accident victims have the means to collect a recovery for the burdens and losses incurred due to the collision. Missouri falls under the category of an “at-fault” state as opposed to a “no-fault” state. When you get in an accident in Missouri, it is the at-fault party’s responsibility to pay for your damages. Some states, by contrast, require everyone to maintain personal injury protection insurance. In these states, you would make a claim with your own insurance policy to cover your damages, regardless of who is responsible for the collision.

When you select an insurance policy, your policy will have specific policy limits. Policy limits refer to the maximum amount of money your insurance company will pay out for an auto accident. The cost of a car accident varies wildly, but states create policy limit minimum requirements to ensure each driver carries enough insurance to cover another person in the event that they cause someone harm. Missouri law requires drivers to carry liability insurance with policy limits of at least:

• $25,000 minimum coverage for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 minimum coverage for bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 (Missouri)/$20,000 (Illinois) minimum coverage for property damage

If your friend or family member is following the rules, they will have enough coverage to compensate you for your damages. If you have suffered more than the policy limits in damages from your car accident, a Burger Law auto accident lawyer in Jefferson City, MO will help you file an underinsured motorist claim with your own insurance company.

No matter the circumstances, it is critical that you consult a car accident lawyer in Jefferson City, MO first. Every case is different, and our experienced and savvy Jefferson City, Missouri car accident lawyers know how to maximize your financial recovery by pursuing all available forms of compensation and using the law to your benefit. Contact a car accident lawyer in Jefferson City, MO online or call (314) 500-HURT now.

Our Jefferson City, MO attorneys fight for the injured in many kinds of Missouri injury claims. Learn more about our areas of expertise below.

• Survival Action Lawyer in Missouri
• Truck Crash Lawyers in Missouri
• Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer in Missouri

How Much Can I Recover for my Missouri Car Accident Case?

How Much Can I Recover for my Missouri Car Accident Case?

The dollar amount of your settlement depends on a long list of details including the sum of your damages, or losses. For example, the payout from the insurance company may be limited by the policy limit, which is the highest total amount an insurance company will pay per accident and per person based on the policy. Comparative fault rules can also affect your recovery. If it is proven that you hold some blame for the events leading to your injuries, the compensation you recover will be lessened by the percent for which you were at fault for the car accident.

One of the most critical factors in your Missouri car accident recovery is whether or not you hire a lawyer. Burger Law’s dedicated, compassionate and unrelenting Jefferson City, MO car crash lawyers will help you maximize your recovery and get the compensation you truly deserve. To learn what you might be able to receive in your Missouri car accident injury case, check out our free online personal injury calculator.
Average Car Accident Settlement Amounts in Jefferson City, MO

Average Car Accident Settlement Amounts in Jefferson City, Missouri

Auto crashes are costly. Data gathered by the Insurance Information Institute tells us that expenses from deaths, injuries and property damage in auto accidents amounted to $474 billion in 2020. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, auto accidents cost society an estimated $7,300 per second in lost productivity alone.

It will not do you a lot of good to think about your case or frame your expectations in terms of the average car accident settlement. There are so many variables involved and there are multiple, complex details that affect the value of your damages and, ultimately, the dollar amount of your settlement.

Calculating an accurate average settlement figure is futile and irrelevant. Many cases (though we do not know how many) are settled confidentially, where all involved parties enter into a binding agreement not to disclose the terms of the settlement. This may be a condition of the settlement itself.

However, we do know that many car accidents with some sort of injury settle for somewhere between $15,000 and $20,000. Cases involving more severe injuries requiring extensive medical care can often reach $25,000 to $100,000, while injuries resulting in permanent disability or, in the worst cases, wrongful death, can result in damages of around $150,000 to millions of dollars. Because there is no Missouri law that puts a cap on damages in car accidents and other personal injury claims, these settlements are not limited by law, but rather by the coverage available and other relevant factors.
How Are Car Accident Settlements Calculated in Jefferson City and Missouri?

How Are Car Accident Settlements Calculated in Missouri?

Jefferson City, MO car accident settlements are generally a combination of the economic and noneconomic losses you have suffered due to the accident. Economic damages refer to all of your financial losses and expenses, for example emergency room bills, cost of surgery, rehabilitative treatment, assistive devices such as crutches or wheelchairs, money you lost out on from not being able to work, and repair or replacement of your vehicle. This includes your future medical bills, so if your injuries require a knee replacement, you should also be compensated for how much it will cost to have that replaced in 15 to 20 years.

Noneconomic damages are harder to define, but they seek to make you whole for the intangible ways your injuries have affected you. This is commonly referred to as “pain and suffering.” Noneconomic damages compensate you for anything from physical pain in the weeks, months or years after your accident, to any permanent disfigurement, to mental anguish and loss of your ability to enjoy life. There are different methods used to figure the value. One of the more common methods is using the value of your economic damages and multiplying it by a factor of anywhere from 1.5 and 5, depending on the severity of your injuries.

For example, if your economic damages were $5,000 and you agree on a multiplier of three, your total damages would be $15,000. However, say you love playing the piano, and now have limited use of your right hand because of nerve damage from the accident. That has a profound effect on how you can enjoy your life and live the life you want to live. In that case, if your economic damages were $200,000, you would receive up to $1 million in damages based on a multiplier of five.

Factors That Determine Your Car Accident Settlement in Jefferson City, MO

As the purpose of a car accident settlement is to fairly compensate you for your injuries, the severity of those injuries the the driving factor in how much your settlement might be. Other factors include how your injuries have impacted your life, the insurance policy in question, if you bear any responsibility for your accident and the abilities of your Jefferson City, MO car accident lawyer:

• The severity of your injuries — As more severe injuries lead to higher medical expenses and more time lost from work, they lead to higher settlements, especially when factoring 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 — both Missouri and Illinois have minimum insurance requirements for bodily injury, and while a skilled car accident lawyer may be able to get you more, there are times where you will be limited by the negligent driver’s and/or your insurance policy limits.
• If you are partially to blame — You can still receive a financial recovery if you were partially to blame, however the amount will be less. For example, if you are awarded $100,000 in damages but it is found that you are 30% to blame for your accident, you would receive $70,000. While in Missouri you can still receive compensation if you were 99% at fault, Illinois does not allow recoveries for people who are over 50% to blame.
• Your car accident lawyer — Insurance companies use a lot of tricks to try and devalue claims, and you need a skilled and aggressive attorney to combat those claims and make sure you get the money you deserve. Your car accident lawyer will also need to investigate your accident, prove liability on the part of the other driver and have a network of Jefferson City, MO medical and economic experts to precisely value your claim. If the insurance company will not offer a fair settlement in negotiation, you will need an experienced trial lawyer that will stand by your side and argue your case in front of a jury.

Contact Our Jefferson City, MO Car Accident Lawyers

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Contact Burger Law’s Jefferson City, MO Car Accident Lawyers

At Burger Law, we have been standing up for the injured for over 30 years and know how to get results for our clients. We hold the neligent accountable and have the knowledge and resources to make them pay when you are injured in Jefferson City, MO.

You deserve to be made whole after being injured in a car accident in Jefferson City, MO. Our team of experienced car accident lawyers will stop at nothing to bring you justice. Best of all, there is no upfront cost to you. We finance your case and get to work right away. You only pay when we win your case and secure maximum compensation. There is nothing to lose except the chance to recover fully. Contact us now.

Client Reviews

What our clients are saying about us

Juanita Matthews

Year of 2023

This law firm is absolutely amazing. They took on my case, when nobody else would! They fought hard for me when it seemed there was no hope. They kept me informed and always asked for my input before making decisions on my case. Gary puts himself into every case unlike most law firm owners. Gary and his team really care about every one of their clients, and fights hard to get you a fair settlement. They actually won my case out of court, and then reduced my fees to make sure I could get my car fixed and be able to get back to some normality. I would recommend Burger Law over and above any other firm! If you go somewhere else you aren’t getting the best!

Shaunda S.

7 months ago

I am very happy with the staff at Burger Law. I mostly worked with Michael Sheldon, and he did an amazing job. I trusted him completely with my case, and he did not disappoint. I would definitely recommend this team if your ever in need of good attorneys.

Emelia M.

3 months ago

Burger Law Firm is fantastic. Laura and Genevieve were so amazing and helpful throughout the entire process. They helped me with my personal injury case every step of the way and succeeded at getting me the results I desired.

Helen L.

a year ago

We had a great experience with Burger Law for representing us after a serious car accident. Truly impressed by how professional and supportive the entire team is. And, many thanks to Genavieve and Laura – you are amazing!

Judy M.

a year ago

They did an amazing job on my case! Communication with them was great!!! Kept me informed and in the loop with everything that was going on!!! Will definitely be the 1st ones I’ll call if ever I’m in another accident!!! Thank you very much!!!

Chelsea C.

5 months ago

Let me tell you something about Burger Law.. they are so attentive and kind. Jennifer is my savior!! I love the whole team!!! They are truly a miracle team!! I appreciate their business and would recommend it to others.

David D.

2 months ago

Absolutely the best law firm in the St. Louis area. No matter the size of your case you are treated as if you are the only client on the roster. Will explain anything thoroughly and they work around your availability. Very impressed and appreciative of the service.

Lisa B.

11 months ago

Gary and Casey took great care of me for 2.5 years as my lawsuit was finally settled. I feel he helped me achieve justice for me and my 4 children after their father died from medical malpractice and neglect. Thanks to Gary, my kids now have a great start to their college and adult lives. Thank you Gary and Casey, for fighting for us so hard at our most trying and difficult time in our lives thus far. Love and God bless from my family to yours!

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