If you have been injured in an automobile accident in Missouri, you deserve financial compensation for the injuries and damages you suffered. We can help. While a personal injury claim can’t turn back the clock and prevent the accident that injured you from happening, it can help you overcome some of the financial hurdles associated with automobile accidents. Contact FortmanSpann today. Although we no longer represent clients who were injured in automobile accidents, we can connect you with an experienced St. Louis County, Missouri car accident lawyer from our network. They will help you understand your options and keep you informed as you go through the process.
When Should I Call a Car Accident Attorney?
Insurance companies will waste no time after an accident to start an investigation. Before speaking with anyone, contact us at FortmanSpann to discuss your rights.
If I Sue for Liability, What Might I Expect to Recover?
Every accident is different and, as such, much of what you can expect to recover depends largely on the individual circumstances. In general though, personal injury damages are awarded in two categories – compensatory and punitive. Compensatory damages are those related to victim compensation for things like lost wages, lost future potential earnings, pain and suffering, medical costs, and similar. Punitive damages are those above and beyond compensatory damages and are imposed on the liable party or parties to punish and deter future action.
It is important to remember that insurance companies are in the business of making money and the last thing they want to do is pay you what you deserve. Don’t let them cheat you out of your rightful compensation!
How Much Time Do I Have to Pursue a Claim for Personal Injury?
Statute of limitations provides a limited time for filing personal injury claims and they vary from state to state. In general, the more time that passes after an accident, the less effective your case may be. If you wait too long, you may have no claims left to pursue. Therefore, it is crucial that you contact us as soon as possible after the accident.
DUI/DWI Victim?
If you’ve been involved in a drunk-driving crash, we can help. You deserve justice. Victims of DWI/DUI in Missouri have the right to:
- Be notified in a timely manner of all trials and hearings
- Be treated fairly and with dignity throughout all legal proceedings
- Communicate with the prosecuting attorney
- Make a statement to the court during sentencing
- Receive protection from the accused party throughout the criminal justice and claim process
- Have an advocate or support person at all court proceedings, subject to the rules of evidence
- Seek restitution through a persona injury claim including, in some cases, punitive damages.
If you are a DWI/DUI victim, please contact us for further assistance. We can help refer you to an attorney experienced in assisting DUI/DWI victims.
Hazardous Roadway?
Hazardous road conditions play a role in thousands of accidents every year. While drivers assume certain responsibilities when they get behind the wheel, the owners or caretakers of the roads must also reasonably ensure the safety of drivers and their passengers.
Common Road Hazards
- Potholes
- Poor lighting
- Debris in lane
- Bad weather or acts of God
- Ruts
- Loose rock or gravel
- Poorly marked shoulders/lanes
- Oil on the road
- Badly marked work zones
- Badly marked intersections
- Improper signage
- Malfunctioning signage or lights
If you had an accident as a result of any of these hazards, please contact us for further guidance.
Understanding Accident Laws in Missouri.
Did you know that most car, truck, SUV, and motorcycle accidents do NOT result in criminal charges? This is because auto accidents are considered a civil matter unless someone involved actually broke the law like leaving the scene of an accident or driving while intoxicated.
The goals of a civil lawsuit are:
- To prove that you’ve been injured in some way
- That the person or people you are suing injured you
- That the law requires them to compensate you for those injuries.
The Three Ways Someone is Liable for Your Injuries:
- Negligence: Negligence is carelessness or failure to prevent something when a reasonable person should have know it was likely to happen. This is the most common type of claim in automobile accidents.
- Intentional Wrong: An intentional wrong is when someone deliberately did something to you. This is often associated with cases in which the driver deliberately broke the law.
- Strict Liability: Strict liability usually applies to cases where a defective product caused an auto accident. Strict liability hold manufacturers legally liable for injuries caused by their defective products. Examples of strict liability cases included defective child car seats, tire tread separation, and SUV rollovers. Please see our page on Product Liability for more information.
Recoverable Damages
Some of the more common economic and non-economic damages claimed in automobile accidents include:
- Emergency medical care
- Doctor’s visits and hospital bills
- Future doctor’s visits and hospital bills
- Medical equipment and prescriptions
- Physical therapy
- Chiropractic care
- Loss of martial intimacy due to injuries
- Mental and emotional anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages or employment
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Funeral costs
- Loss of future wages of a deceased “breadwinner”
What if You Are Partially Responsible for The Accident?
In Missouri, you are allowed to sue even if you are partly responsible for your own injuries. Under a rule called comparative negligence, a jury will decide how much you are at fault and reduce your compensation accordingly. For example, if a jury were to award you $1 million and assign you with 30% responsibility, your recovery would be adjusted to $700,000.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer
If you have been injured as a result of an accident, call us today. We can help you find an experienced attorney for your situation. We are conveniently located in Florissant, Missouri, but have connections throughout the state of Missouri- including St. Louis County, St. Charles County, St. Genevieve County, Franklin County, Jefferson County, and more. You are also welcome to call or stop by our office for a free initial consultation. It is in your best interest to work with a team of legal experts while dealing with a personal injury case, so please feel free to contact us for help finding one!
