Car Accident Lawyer in Webster Groves, Missouri

If you or a loved one have been in a car accident and were seriously injured, the attorneys of Burger Law will ensure you are made whole again by demanding your complete compensation. Consult an experienced car accident lawyer at no cost to you at (314) 500-HURT or online.

More Information About Webster Groves, MO Car Accident Cases

Continue reading or select a car crash topic of interest below to get more information about your car accident case. After being seriously hurt in a car accident in Webster Groves, MO, reach out to an experienced Webster Groves, MO car accident lawyer at your first opportunity. Burger Law’s attorneys provide case consultations at no cost to you. Call (314) 500-HURT to speak to a lawyer about your case today.

Hurt in a Car Accident? Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Webster Groves, MO

After being injured in a Missouri car accident, 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.

You should not have to be subject to a difficult, technical and often frustrating fight with the insurance company and their lawyers just to get the compensation needed to make you whole again. Unfortunately, insurance companies are often more motivated to look out for their own bottom line than they are your well-being and recovery. Do not leave your life and well-being in their hands.

There is so much at stake when your health and financial well-being are on the line and the insurance company is unlikely to willingly offer you an adequate settlement for your damages. You need someone on your side, and our Missouri personal injury legal team is ready to take on the insurance company in your name. Gary Burger and the car crash attorneys of Burger Law hold insurance companies and negligent individuals accountable for their actions. We defend your rights and see that you receive the maximum recovery in your Missouri car accident case. Our legal team gets great settlement and trial results. We have secured $200 million for our clients and will work dilligently 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 Webster Groves, 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 as soon as possible. The law limits how long after being injured you can make a move to recover compensation, and that time limit is established by the statute of limitations under state law. Missouri has a five-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. The five-year timer usually begins on the day the accident occured. However, there are exceptions to this rule in specific circumstances.

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 must file an initial complaint with the court within five years of the act of negligence. If you miss this deadline and try to file anyway, the person you are filing a claim against can enter a “motion to dismiss. In most cases, the judge will grant this motion. 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, making a claim with an 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, since the at-fault party will not be motivated by the treat of of an expensive and laborious trial ahead of them if they do not meet your demands.

What are the Exceptions to Missouri’s Five-Year Statute of Limitations in 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.

If you suspect that the statute of limitations for your claim may have passed, you should still talk to a car accident attorney in Webster Groves, MO to learn if any of excpetions to the five-year statute apply to your case.

Why Should I Pursue Compensation After My Webster Groves, 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. Many of us are dubious about even filing a claim or pursuing a monetary settlement after being injured in a car accident in Webster Groves, MO.

It is normal to be unsure about “suing” someone, but the truth is that Missouri civil tort law was written to protect you and others like you who have been harmed and suffered loss when someone else acted with negligence. No one deserves to be hurt in a motor vehicle accident, and you should not be stuck having to figure out how to pay for your medical care and make up for the financial costs and other damages that follow. It would be unfair and may not even be possible to expect you to cover the bill when you have already suffered and have not done anything wrong.

Or perhaps because your injuries were so catastrophic or your experience so emotionally taxing, collecting a settlement may seem unfair. 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. Though it will not undo the trauma or reverse the crash from happening, being compensated in your Webster Groves, MO car accident case can make a major difference in your life after the collision. Receiving fair compensation can:

• Help you get and pay for the medical treatment and care necessary for you to return to full strength and health, including ongoing therapies to help you manage your condition
• In your daily life, help you budget and meet your ongoing daily life needs, replacing income lost in your time away from work
• Restore you to wholeness, with money acting as the best-available substitute for restoring your well-being
• Free up time, space and mental effort to heal physically and emotionally
• Provide a sense of closure and acknowledge your experience
• Renew your sense of justice and the law
• If you lost a family member in a fatal car accident in Webster Groves, MO, a wrongful death case can help ease the financial burden of losing a source of financial support so that you and your family have the chance to grieve

Whatever the case or your reason for filing a claim, to collect a settlement or court judgment for a sum that does your pain and loss justice and adequately restores you to wholeness, you should speak with an experienced Webster Groves, MO car accident lawyer who will fight day after day to bring you justice.

The insurance company has a team working to avoid or reduce the amount they have to pay car accident victims like you. You deserve legal counsel of the same caliber demanding the full compensation you are allowed under Missouri law. With a talented Webster Groves, MO car accident lawyer, you can protect your rights and maximize your recovery. Our Webster Groves, MO personal injury law firm has been working together to hold the negligent accountable and collect recoveries for the injured for over two decades and will demand that you receive full compensation for your damages from the at-fault party’s insurance company. We do not rest until you are paid. Call (314) 500-HURT to get a free case review with one of our winning Webster Groves, MO car accident attorneys.

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

When dealing with the already difficult legal process of obtaining a recovery after a car accident, things can be made even more difficult when the party responsible for your injuries is someone you know. Do not let that stop you. In truth, the pros far outweigh the cons and any time you are dealing with injuries and other damages, 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. By making a claim, you are requesting fair compensation for the damages you have suffered from their insurance company. We all pay for insurance for this very reason. 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

Missouri state law requires vehicle owners to have car insurance so that, in the event of an accident, those who are injured have a way to compensated for the expenses and losses incurred as a result of the car wreck. 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. Other statesthat follow the “no-fault” rule require all drivers to carry personal injury protection insurance. If you are in an accident in one of these such states, you would use your own insurance policy to cover your damages, regardless of who is responsible for the collision.

The insurance policy you choose comes with 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 injuries and other damages. If you have suffered more than the policy limits in damages from your car accident, an auto crash lawyer in Webster Groves, MO like those at Burger Law will pursue all possible means of compensation, such as an underinsured motorist claim with your own insurance company.

Whatever the circumstances, it is critical that you consult a car accident lawyer in Webster Groves, MO first. Every case is different, and our experienced and reputable Webster Groves, Missouri car accident lawyers know how to maximize your financial recovery by pursuing all available forms of compensation and exercising your legal rights. Get in touch with a car accident lawyer in Webster Groves, MO online or call (314) 500-HURT now.

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

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

The amount of money you receive in y our car accident case depends on a long list of details including the sum of your damages, or losses. For example, depending on the total value of your damages, the settlement you receive from the insurance company could be limited by the policy limit, which is the maximum amount an insurance company will pay per accident and per person based on the policy. The amount you receive will also be affected by comparative fault. If you shared some blame for the accident, your recovery will be diminished by the percent for which you were at fault for the car accident.

One of the most significant deciding variables in your Missouri car accident recovery is whether or not you hire a lawyer. Burger Law’s dedicated, compassionate and unrelenting Webster Groves, 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 claim, use our free online personal injury calculator.

Average Car Accident Settlement Amounts in Webster Groves, Missouri

Car accidents are expensive. Data gathered by the Insurance Information Institute tells us that expenses from deaths, injuries and property damage in traffic accidents cost $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 is difficult and unwise to think about Missouri car accident settlements in terms of the average settlement figure. This is largely because each car accident is unique and there are multiple, complex variables that play into the value of your damages and the outcome of your claim.

Calculating an accurate average settlement figure is futile and irrelevant. A significant number of cases are resolved confidentially, where all involved parties enter into a binding agreement not to disclose the terms of the settlement. For the defense, they may require the nondisclosure agreement as a condition of settling the case.

However, we do know that many car accidents that involve an injury settle in the $15,000 to $20,000 range. Cases involving more severe injuries that require significant medical care can often reach a settlement range of $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. There is no law in Missouri that limits the total a car accident victim can receive. Instead, the compensation in these cases is decided by the amount of insurance coverage available, how extensively your injuries have disrupted your life and caused you pain and other important factors.

How Are Car Accident Settlements Calculated in Missouri?

Webster Groves, MO car accident settlements are generally a combination of the economic and noneconomic losses you have sustained 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, medications, money you lost out on from not being able to work, and property damage to your car. This includes your future medical bills. Your Webster Groves, MO car accident lawyer will work with medical experts to anticipate the future costs of your care, such as the need for another knee replacement surgery in 15 years or ongoing therapy for chronic symptoms.

Noneconomic damages are harder to define, but they seek to compensate you for the intangible ways the accident affects you. This is commonly referred to as “pain and suffering.” Noneconomic damages cover 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. It is typically calculated by multiplying your economic damages by a number between 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 Webster Groves, 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 Webster Groves, 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 Webster Groves, 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.

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Contact Burger Law’s Webster Groves, 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 know how to fight back against bullies like resistant insurance companies and get our Webster Groves and Missouri clients the financial settlement they are owed.

You deserve to be made whole after a Missouri car accident harms you and disrupts your way of life. 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.