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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 injured in a car accident, complex legal, insurance, and damage issues may require an experienced car accident attorney. A St. Louis car accident lawyer at Burger Law knows how car crashes impact our clients’ physical and financial health. We 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 victims. 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:
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
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:
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:
These are some of the most common types of car accident injuries and involve the head and neck. The force is created when a vehicle in motion is struck from a direction that it isn’t traveling. These types of injuries can lead to neck pain, back issues, spinal issues, tenderness in the shoulders, and many other medical issues.
These injuries are caused by the forceful motion of the brain inside the skull to the point that bruising or swelling can occur. Concussions can lead to loss of motor functions and loss of memory and can even be paralyzing.
Bones injuries are caused by either abrupt force that shatters the bone, or an amount of weight or pressure that causes the bone to bend and break. Car Accidents can easily lead to broken bones due to the force involved in the accidents. Broken bones can take some time to heal and often require lengthy amounts of rehabilitation before they are back to 100%.
These are never immediately apparent but can quickly cause death if not seen immediately. Internal bleeding occurs when the organs inside your body are either punctured or ruptured from the force of an accident.
These injuries occur when your spine attempts to control the motion of your body against an extreme amount of force. The spinal cord is integral to the motor functions of your body. Any damage to your spine can often result in serious injuries throughout other areas of the body.
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.
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 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.
For disputed facts, multiple parties, or complex insurance issues, you need a skilled car accident attorney to 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. Simple accidents without injuries can often be resolved without a lawyer, but serious cases need professional help. If seriously injured or the following apply, seek help from St. Louis car accident lawyers at Burger Law. Hiring a car crash lawyer ensures insurance companies don’t pressure you into accepting unfair settlements.
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:
You may wonder if getting a lawyer after a car accident is even worth it.
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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. Officers will interview both parties, witnesses, and examine the accident scene upon arrival. Get the responding officers’ names and badge numbers, and ask how to 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.
To get compensation for car damage, submit mechanic bills and estimates. Provide recent repair or modification records to your lawyer and insurance company. This may show your vehicle wasn’t at fault or that the mechanic/manufacturer is liable.
You deserve compensation for lost wages, even if your employer provides sick leave, due to injury-related absences. Provide evidence of your usual earnings and the amount of time missed from 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. An insurance adjuster may falsely claim your treatments were unnecessary or that the accident didn’t cause 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 may downplay it, but you can present evidence showing how the accident has impacted you:
Founder | Injury Attorney
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
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.
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
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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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