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(314) 500-HURTAfter being injured in a car accident in St. Louis or anywhere in Missouri, call (314) 500-HURT immediately to speak to an experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer for free.
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Over 600 five-star client reviews on Google and more than 210 video testimonials!
We have more than 100 years of combined litigation experience in St. Louis
Our firm boasts a track record of success, providing justice to our clients.
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When a driver breaks the rules of the road and injures or kills another person, they should be held responsible. If you are injured in a car accident, your case may have difficult legal, insurance and damage issues that require a seasoned car accident attorney to resolve. Burger Law knows how car crashes impact our clients’ physical and financial health and will help you get the compensation you deserve. We are a St. Louis personal injury law firm that has successfully recovered millions of dollars to compensate car accident victims and their families. To get started on your recovery and protect yourself and your family, call Burger Law at (314) 500-HURT or complete our contact form.
Our lawyers have helped car accident victims for more than 3 decades. Some of our notable recoveries include:
If you were injured through no fault of your own in St. Louis or anywhere in Missouri, see how much your claim may be worth by using our free personal injury calculator.
When you are in a car accident, your body is subjected to extreme stress. You are very seriously injured, but the damage extends beyond the lacerations, bruises or broken bones you can see. In addition to medical bills, these injuries can have a number of financial, physical and emotional consequences, making it critical that you take action right away.
Burger Law´s car accident attorneys set themselves apart by winning full compensation for car accident victims in St. Louis, Missouri, and other places throughout the Midwest. If you have been injured in an auto accident, act now and contact us to recover your damages. This may include medical expenses and treatment, property damage, lost wages, reduced future earnings, long-term disability, pain and suffering and other damages. Our St. Louis and Missouri car accident lawyers answer all legal questions for free. Your dedicated car crash lawyer will help you understand your legal situation and guide you through the process.
Check out 6 Questions You Must Ask Before Hiring A Car Accident Injury Lawyer
Burger Law has received numerous awards, honors and accolades from our peers and from the people we serve. As the highest- and most-reviewed law firm in the Midwest, we are proud to offer the injured and vulnerable throughout Missouri the prowess of a big firm with the personalized attention of a small firm. In our 30 years, we have handled hundreds of cases in trial, and your claim will be directly overseen by our found and principal attorney.
When someone else injures you because they broke the rules of the road and did not care about your safety, you deserve a full financial recovery for all of your damages, not just the damage to your car and a visit to a Missouri or St. Louis emergency room. Car accident injuries can carry an immense physical and emotional toll, and in order to be whole again, you need fair and maximum compensation for all of them. In general, there are two types of damages you can receive in a personal injury case: economic damage and noneconomic damage. In some cases, you may also seek punitive damages.
Economic damages are essentially compensation that can be objectively verified and do not change depending on how an insurance company or jury evaluates them. Your Burger Law auto crash lawyer will help you receive compensation for:
Non-economic damages are harder to quantify, and often, receiving maximum compensation for them will require the evaluation of a jury. They refer to the impact of your injuries on your emotional health and ability to enjoy life. Missouri Senate Bill 239 defines noneconomic damages as:
Your noneconomic damages will be higher if you sustain a “catastrophic personal injury,” which Missouri Senate Bill 239 defines as:
Punitive damages are meant to punish a defendant for incredibly dangerous actions and deter future reckless behavior. For example, when we sue drunk drivers, we do it so they think twice before getting behind the wheel and intoxicated again. In the state of Missouri, Senate Bill 591 stipulates that to win punitive damages, your accident lawyer must prove by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant intentionally harmed the plaintiff without just cause or acted with a deliberate and flagrant disregard for the safety of others
While these cases may be rare, our accident lawyer team has seen them before and fought to make sure that reckless people who cause other St. Louis and Missouri residents’ injuries know exactly how dangerous the actions were.
Using Burger law was an excellent choice for me. They were always ready to answer any questions I had and kept me informed as the process went along. Any issues that arose were quickly cared for and I was informed. They are kind and customer-oriented. You will enjoy your experience them!!
I had a wrongful death claim and I live over 2000 miles away. Berger law was highly recommended in my state from multiple lawyers, That says a lot. The process took awhile but they were always quick to reply and ready to communicate. Above and beyond professionalism. Highly recommend.
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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.
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I was referred to Burger Law after a car accident and Gary and Team did not disappoint. They took great care of me. Gary, Mike and Amanda kept in contact and I could easily reach them by email or phone and receive a quick reply. They settled my case and made sure I was fairly compensated. I highly recommend the Burger Law Firm.
Car accident cases are complicated, and many different factors bear weight on the outcome of your case. Burger Law experienced car accident attorneys have experience representing and winning all manners of car accidents, including different acts of negligence and various resulting injuries. Learn more about our capabilities regarding any type of car accident case by exploring our site or speaking with a car crash lawyer now at (314) 500-HURT.
Though there are some potentially dangerous conditions and events outside of our control that can contribute to accidents, you may be surprised to learn that driver error accounts for the vast majority of the auto accidents that take place every year. In fact, a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the Department of Transportation estimates that human operators are responsible for 94% of accidents that take place.
The top five most common causes of car accidents in St. Louis, MO are distracted driving, driving under the influence, aggressive driving, fatigued or drowsy driving and speeding. Learn more about these top five car accident causes below.
No; Missouri is an at-fault state, which means that drivers are financially responsible for any injuries or damages they cause in an accident. In particular, it is a pure comparative fault state which means that even if a party is partially to blame for the collision, they may receive a financial recovery for their damages, less the percent of liability they are assigned. For example, if you were injured in a car crash but your actions made you 20% responsible for the incident, you could recover 80% of your damages.
Once you are injured in an auto accident, the Missouri statute of limitations dictates how long you have after the date of the accident to file your claim.
If you have been injured in a car accident in Missouri, the clock is already ticking for when you can make your claim. Do not wait, call the auto accident law firm of Burger Law now at (314) 500-HURT to get justice and maximum compensation for your injuries. We start working on your case right away, and do not rest until we win your case.
Want to know what the statute of limitations is for another state? click here.
As the purpose of a car accident settlement is to fairly compensate you for your injuries, the severity of those injuries is 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 St. Louis car accident lawyer:
We offer free consultations and are available 24/7 to take your call. Live chat, text, and virtual meetings are available.
Car accident settlements are typically calculated by multiplying your economic damages by a number between 1.5 and 5, depending on the severity of your injuries and how they have affected you.
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.
Car accidents are expensive. According to the Insurance Information Institute, deaths, injuries and property damage in motor vehicle 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 loss of productivity.
In terms of the cost of paying out the average car accident settlement, it can be difficult to pinpoint an exact figure as many settlement amounts are confidential. But generally, most car accident 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 result in damages of hundreds of thousands of dollars if not millions.
Car Accident injuries can range in severity from minor bumps and bruises to major injuries that can include broken bones, serious concussions and even death. Here are a list of the most common injuries that can result from a car accident:
Missouri has its own auto accident-related problems, traffic laws and roadway safety efforts. Information about the traffic accidents that occur and the injuries they cause is public information. You can learn more about Missouri safety policies and campaigns to help protect yourself and your family and make the St. Louis and Missouri roads safer for everybody. When you are seriously injured in an auto accident, call Burger Law’s car accident lawyers immediately at (314) 500-HURT.
When you are injured in a car accident, the first step you should always take is to go to a doctor to make sure you are ok. No matter how tough you may think you are, your injury could be life-threatening. After you have received the necessary medical attention immediately after your accident, speak with our car accident firm in St. Louis to make sure that the other party is held fully liable and that all of your bills and needs are taken care of.
We are prepared to get you a great financial recovery.
If you were injured in a car accident and it was not your fault, it is highly likely that you will need a St. Louis car accident lawyer to represent you. If you are not injured and you feel that the insurance company is being cooperative and fair with you, you may choose to complete your claim without the help of a lawyer. However, if you are hurt, the insurance company is fighting you, or the at-fault party is trying to accuse you of negligence, you need a lawyer to protect your right to complete compensation for your losses. If any of the following apply to your car accident, you must speak with one of our Car Accident Lawyers in St. Louis as soon as possible.
Any time an accident results in injuries of any kind, the loss of life or severe property damage to your vehicle or other property, you need a great car accident lawyer like the personal injury attorneys of Burger Law on your side. Your car accident lawyer has the resources and knowledge to adequately assess the true total value of your case—something individuals without extensive car accident claim experience will not be able to do. If you need medical attention because of your accident, speak to a lawyer right away.
If the insurance company is paying all of your medical bills and seeing to the replacement of your vehicle and any lost wages, then you may not need to pursue a car accident claim. If they are not working with you and are trying to get you to settle for partial medical coverage or are trying to intimidate you or put the blame on you for the accident, then stop speaking with them immediately and call our car accident attorneys now at (314) 500-HURT.
If you are seriously injured and your injury requires medication, lengthy rehabilitation, physical therapy, surgery or other medical treatment strategies to bring you back to full health, then you need an attorney to ensure you get all of the benefits you need in perpetuity.
If the other driver refuses to admit they caused the accident and is willing to dispute you, then you absolutely need to speak to a car accident lawyer in St. Louis to protect your claim. If the other driver did admit responsibility and they are cooperating, then you may not need a car accident lawyer.
Any time your case involves disputed facts, multiple parties, insurance coverage issues or other factors that are not straightforward, you need a skilled car accident attorney to help you prove your case. If there are multiple parties involved, you were hit by a commercial vehicle, or the accident was a hit and run—in all these situations, you need to work with a lawyer to make sure you get the best possible outcome for you as the victim.
While working with the insurance adjuster may seem like a good idea at the time, it is important to remember that insurance companies are looking out for their own best interests and NOT yours. Though straightforward accidents that do not result in injury can often be resolved reasonably without the involvement of a personal injury lawyer, there are certain times when a car accident victim should always enlist the help of an experienced professional. With this in mind, if your car accident left you seriously injured or if any of the following statements are true, it is imperative that you seek help from the experienced St. Louis car accident lawyers with Burger Law. When you hire a car crash lawyer, we advocate on your behalf and ensure that the insurance companies do not get away with bullying you to accept an unjust and incomplete settlement.
Read More: What Do St. Louis Car Accident Lawyers Do?
The St. Louis car accident lawyers of Burger Law recommend taking the following steps if you have been in a car accident in Missouri:
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In civil cases like car accident claims, the burden of proof is a preponderance of the evidence, which is lower than the “beyond reasonable doubt” standard in criminal cases. However, in order to secure a financial recovery from an insurance adjuster or a jury, you must still present evidence that shows how someone else’s negligence caused you injuries. Some of the most common pieces of evidence needed to prove a car accident claim are pictures, eyewitness testimony, police reports, W2s or pay stubs, medical records and evidence of noneconomic damages:
Photographs are invaluable in car accident cases. While you should take pictures of the damage to both vehicles, you’ll want documentation of other conditions at the scene, including:
These pictures will be important when your Burger Law car accident lawyer consults with our network of auto crash experts to determine what caused the crash and who is liable.
If there were other people who witnessed the crash, be sure to get their information. They’ll be able to corroborate your story and attest to essential factors in the crash, such as if the other driver was looking at their phone instead of the road.
Police officers are trained to assess who was at fault in an accident. When officers arrive at the scene, they’ll interview both parties and anyone else who was a witness, as well as examine the accident scene. Be sure to get the name and badge number of the responding officer or officers, and ask them how you can obtain a copy of the report. While police reports aren’t necessarily conclusive, the objective evaluation of a trained law enforcement officer is incredibly persuasive.
In order to receive compensation for the damage to your car, you’ll need to have the bills and estimates your mechanic gave you. If you recently did repairs or modifications, be sure to provide records of that to the insurance company and your lawyer as well. It may help prove that your vehicle wasn’t at fault or that a mechanic or the car’s manufacturer is liable for your accident.
If your injuries forced you to miss time off work, you also deserve to be compensated for any wages you lost, even if your employer offers sick leave. You’ll need evidence of how much you earned in a typical day or week and how much time you missed off work.
Of course, you’ll also want to be compensated for any injuries you receive. Hold onto bills and request medical records from emergency room visits, follow-up appointments and any necessary tests or surgeries. Sometimes, an insurance adjuster will lie and tell you your treatments weren’t necessary or that the accident couldn’t have caused your injuries. But they’re not doctors, and they have no right to overrule a medical professional’s opinion. Your medical records will prove that they are responsible for compensating you for the injuries you sustained in the crash.
A significant portion of the compensation you are entitled to is noneconomic damages, which compensate you for things like pain and suffering and mental anguish. The insurance company will try to downplay this as much as possible, but there is evidence you can bring to demonstrate how the accident has affected you:
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“I’ve dedicated my entire life to helping our clients receive full compensation for their injuries.”
Gary Burger
Founder | Injury Attorney
Gary Burger
Gary Burger has dedicated his career to standing up against bullies. The founder and principal attorney of Burger Law | St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer has helped hundreds of Missouri and Illinois individuals and families recover th …
Years of experience: 30 years
Location: St. Louis, MO
Frequently asked questions
Car Accident FAQs answered by our experienced attorney Gary Burger.
In Missouri, there is a time limit of 30 days to file a police report after being in a car accident.
Your attorney may need to file a lawsuit if the insurance company for the at-fault driver refuses to pay the full value of your claim.
A few of the roads that are considered most dangerous due to the number of car accident-related injuries and fatalities (including pedestrians and cyclists injured by vehicles) in St. Louis City and County include:
*feel free to pull from the 2023 Trailnet report for more info: https://trailnetprod.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Crash_
A law in Missouri states that if you do not have insurance for yourself or the vehicle you are driving and get injured in an accident at the fault of someone else, you are not entitled to a financial recovery of your non-economic damages (only your medical costs will be covered) from the at-fault party’s insurance policy per RSMo. § 303.390 – However, there are some exceptions.
Car accident cases involving multiple defendants can be complicated. During the process of your case against multiple defendants, your attorney may gather information and evidence such as police reports, witness statements and photographs or video footage of the scene of the accident. During the litigation process, your attorney will handle discovery and take depositions of multiple defendant parties to determine liability. During this time, you may also want to hire a car accident lawyer in St. Louis to represent your case. Each party involved in the accident likely has an insurance agent and a lawyer whose job is to negotiate the best settlement for their client. Having an attorney by your side during this time offers protection from insurance agents, lawyers, and tactics from all of the parties involved.
While every car accident case is unique, some of the most important evidence is often police reports, witness testimony, photos and videos of the crash, and expert witness testimony.
Car accident cases can take anywhere from several weeks to several years to settle. Insurance coverage, liability disputes, injuries, and the willingness of the at-fault party’s insurance to negotiate can determine the length of time to resolve a claim.
You do not need to accept the settlement offered by the insurance company. You have several possible responses when an insurance company makes an offer:
Side-impact crashes are so dangerous because the doors and side panels of many vehicles are one of the least-protected areas of the car, which means that the driver and passengers often take the force of a side-impact crash.
It’s almost never too late to hire an attorney for a car accident. However, there are two exceptions: when the statute of limitations has passed and if you have already accepted an insurance company’s offer.
No, since it is making you whole after a loss rather than income you gained, it is generally exempt from federal and state income tax
Collect all of your medical records and bills, and lost wage records, and submit them to the at-fault driver’s insurance company with a demand for payment to settle your bodily injury claim. If the at-fault driver’s insurance company will not offer an amount of money sufficient to fully compensate you for your injuries and damages, consider consulting with an attorney.
There are a number of reasons why your case can take a long time to settle, including but not limited to: the insurance company can take a long time to review your medical and lost wage records and delay making a good settlement offer; your medical providers are taking a long time to complete requests for medical records; your medical providers will not reduce liens; a lawsuit has been filed and your case is moving through the court system at a slow pace.
This depends on the statute of limitations in the state where the accident occurred. In Illinois you have two years from the date of the accident to file; in Missouri, you have five years from the date of the accident to file.
It depends – it can be worth it to hire a lawyer if you have serious injuries and you receive medical treatment, even in a minor impact collision. If you have minor injuries and do not receive much medical treatment, it is difficult for a lawyer to add value to your case. Still, you can find a car accident lawyer who offers free consultations to review your case and determine whether they can add value or if you would be better off handling your claim on your own.
A family member (as provided under Missouri and Illinois law) of the decedent may have a claim for wrongful death against the driver of the vehicle in which the decedent was a passenger, or the driver of the other vehicle involved in the car accident, depending on which driver was at fault.
Generally no, you are not liable for your spouse’s negligence in causing a collision, unless you were somehow negligent in causing bodily injury to another person. There are rare circumstances in which you can be held liable if your spouse causes a car accident, such as if you permitted your spouse to drive your vehicle when you had reason to know that your spouse posed a risk to the safety of other drivers. In this rare instance, you could be liable under the legal theory of negligent entrustment of your vehicle to your spouse.
We offer free consultations and are available 24/7 to take your call. Live chat, text, and virtual meetings are available.
or call us at
(314) 500-HURT
Genevieve and Laura have assisted me in my personal injury claim and have made the process so much less stressful. They are extremely knowledgeable, professional, and attentive. Laura is always on top of everything and very sweet. I had no idea how to navigate this process and they have made me feel at ease and like they truly cared about the outcome.
It has been a long 4 years, but it is finally over! Burger law did a great job handling my case. Grant Doty answered all my questions, promptly returned my phone calls, frequently kept me updated and insured me that he was fighting for me. Jennifer Zini also did a wonderful job, great customer service. It was pleasure getting to know the Burger Law team!
After a driver unexpectedly pulled out right in front of my motorcycle & I suffered injuries, the at-fault driver’s insurance company offered me a $10,000 settlement. I hired Burger Law & they won a $109,000 settlement. I was very happy with the outcome. They were easy to work with & fully explained each step of the process & kept me informed along the way.
At Burger Law | St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer, we are a team of personal injury attorneys who have earned many distinctions and peer-reviewed awards for our civil litigation and trial work in Missouri and Illinois. A few of the honors we have earned include the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Top 100 Trial Lawyer Award, a Martindale-Hubbell AV rating, Super Lawyers selection as one of the top attorneys in the field of personal injury and board certifications in Civil Litigation.
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We offer free consultations and are available 24/7 to take your call. Live chat, text, and virtual meetings are available.
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(314) 500-HURT
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