Alton, IL - Halvorsen Klote

Alton, IL

Automobile Injury Attorney Alton, IL

Alton, IL Personal Injury Lawyers


Call 866-382-4167 for a Free Consultation | Alton, IL Automobile Injury Attorney

Automobile injury attorney in Alton, IL. Injuries in auto crashes happen without warning, and the mental, physical and economic hardships they create are quick to materialize as well. If you were injured in a Alton, IL auto accident, you require an automobile injury attorney who will defend your rights. At Halvorsen Klote, we stand by those injured by the negligence of another when the whole world seems stacked against them. Insurance adjusters can seem heartless, but with a knowledgeable attorney in your corner, you will get the justice and financial recovery you are owed. We provide exceptional legal representation to the injured in Alton, IL, the Greater St. Louis area and Southern Illinois. You don't pay until we win your case. Speak to a Halvorsen Klote automobile injury attorney in Alton, IL today at 866-382-4167 or contact us through our website for a complimentary consultation.

We have experience with a number of automobile injury claims, including:


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Autombile Injury Attorney Alton, IL | Personal Injury Lawyers | Injury Claim Lawyers | Auto Accident Law Firm Near Alton

Alton, IL Automobile Injury Attorney: Frequently Asked Questions

Most of our clients have never had to make an injury claim before, and understandably have a lot of questions as to the process and what to expect. Below is a list of FAQs to give you a little bit clearer picture of what to expect:

Do I Even Have Auto Accident Claim?

In order to have a realistic chance of being compensated, you have to have sustained an injury that led to some amount of financial loss, for instance emergency room bills or lost wages, and there has to be another party who is at least partially at fault for the accident. If you suffered some bumps and bruises, but you never sought medical treatment, it would be difficult for you to make a personal injury claim. If you were responsible for your injuries, you cannot file a claim against someone else's insurance.

Fortunately, you don't have to make that decision alone. Halvorsen Klote's Alton, IL automobile injury attorneys offer free case evaluations for people who were injured and aren't sure if they have a case.

Is it Worth it to Hire a Lawyer for an Automobile Injury?

Usually, yes, but not all the time. If the other party accepts liability and your medical bills are minimal — for example, one emergency room visit — send detailed records to the insurance company, and ask for some extra money for the nuisance. With milder injuries where fault is clearly established, an automobile injury attorney probably isn't necessary.

However, if your injuries are more severe, require ongoing medical treatment and don't allow you to work for a period, the insurance company is going to do whatever they can to pay you as little as possible. If the insurance company refuses to give you a fair offer, or is trying to convince you that your injuries weren't caused by the accident, then a lawyer is likely the only way you'll get what you are owed. Insurance adjusters have a lot of experience minimizing payouts; personal injury lawyers know how to have just as much experience holding them accountable.

There are things besides significant injuries that require an attorney, such as if the other side denies liability, or if your injuries occurred in a multi-vehicle accident, also make an automobile injury attorney necessary.

How Much Are My Automobile Injury Worth in Alton, IL?

The damages you recover after an automobile injury are meant to provide you with an equitable financial recovery for all the ways an injury affected your life. With a talented Alton, IL automobile injury attorney, you can be reimbursed for:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages from time spent recovering
  • Lost earning potential if your injuries result in permanent disability
  • Miscellaneous expenses, such as hiring a nanny or take care to look after your kids
  • Noneconomic damages like pain and suffering, or loss of consortium if your spousal relationship is affected by your injuries

How much compensation you receive for your automobile injuries is mostly based on the severity of your injuries.

How Are Noneconomic Damages Calculated?

There are two commonly accepted ways to calculate pain and suffering damages:

  • The Multiplier Method — With this method, your economic damages will be multiplied by a number, typically between 1.5 and 5, depending on how severe your injuries were. The more disruptive the injury, the higher the number.
  • For example, you suffered a whiplash injury, leading to $15,000 in medical expenses and lost wages, and which caused you to have physical discomfort for four months, and further disrupted you because it forced you to wear a neck brace for a short period. The pain and suffering might be given a multiplier of three. So:

    $15,000 in medical bills and lost wages × 3 for the noneconomic damages multiplier = $45,000 in final compensation
  • The Per Diem Method — "Per Diem" means "per day" in Latin. Implementing this approach, your Alton, IL automobile injury attorney determines how much money a day of suffering is worth, and multiplies that by the number of days your injuries affected you. So, if we stick with the same example, say $200 a day is a fair approximation of how your injuries affected you:
  • $200 × 121 days (four months) = $24,200 in noneconomic damages (in addition to your economic damages)

Your attorney will know the best way to calculate your noneconomic damages for your specific case.

Autombile Injury Attorney Alton, IL | Personal Injury Lawyers | Injury Claim Lawyers | Auto Accident Law Firm Near Alton

Will I Still Get Reimbursement if My Medical Insurance Pays For My Medical Expenses?

Yes. All of your medical expenses will be included in your settlement or judgment, even if they were partially or fully covered by insurance. However, insurance companies and medical providers have a right place a medical lien on your claim. That allows them to be compensated by the liable party's insurance, just as you are being compensated.

There are various legal remedies to reduce medical liens. A knowledgeable Alton, IL automobile injury attorney will be able to work with your insurance company and healthcare providers to reduce those liens and put as much money as possible in your pocket.

What If My Damages Exceed the Policy Limits?

Missouri and Illinois have very similar laws regarding minimum auto coverage:

  • $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

The other driver could have those, or other policy limits, but there is still a chance with more significant injuries that your damages will exceed the policy limits. That doesn't mean we can't get more compensation than the limits. First, you can use your own policy's underinsured motorist coverage. Secondly, in their investigation your attorney might uncover other liable parties who you can also make a claim against.

What Other Parties Could Be Held Accountable for My Auto Accident Injuries in Alton, IL?

In most cases, the other driver is the only personal responsible for your injuries. However, there are other people and entities that may have contributed to your accident:

  • An auto company may have negligently designed, manufactured, or tested a vehicle component, and you can make a product liability claim
  • In a truck crash, there are a variety of regulations the trucking company may have violated
  • A mechanic may have improperly repaired an automobile, which caused the accident
  • A licensed alcohol vendor if someone got drunk at their venue, drove afterwards and caused a crash
  • A local, state or federal entity responsible for keeping roads safe
  • A construction company if the accident was caused by an unsafe construction site

What if The Insurance Company is Saying the Accident is My Fault?

Shifting blame is a common trick insurance adjusters use to avoid paying you. Having strong evidence, in addition to having an automobile injury attorney used to fighting back against that tactic, will demonstrate that you aren't liable.

In some car accidents, both drivers really are each partially to blame. Both Missouri Law and Illinois Law allow for what's called "comparative negligence." Meaning, each party pays for the percentage of fault they bear for the accident. In Illinois, your right to compensation is barred if you were more than 50 percent to blame.

What if I Was Injured as a Passenger?

If you were injured as a passenger, you still seek compensation from the negligent driver's insurance company, even if that person is a friend or family member in Alton, IL. While their insurance premiums might go up a little, that doesn't compare to the economic and noneconomic damages you've sustained as a result. An automobile injury attorney can help make the process less personal.

Will My Claim Go to Trial?

It's very unlikely that you'll have to go attend hearings or a trial for a car accident claim. The Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that only four percent of tort claims go to trial.

You'll likely have to take a deposition and may have to attend a mediation, but your automobile injury attorney will prep you for those and do most of the work themselves.

How Long Will My Claim Take?

Each claim is different, and the more complicated a case, usually the longer it takes. A personal injury claim can last anywhere from six to eight weeks to three or four years before it reaches its conclusion. Many insurance adjusters start cooperating immediately once they know that you hired a lawyer. In other cases, a fair settlement is only offered right before trial begins, or there are complexities to the case that require considerable investigation and expert testimony.

Most cases reach a conclusion within three to nine months. While we'd obviously like to resolve your claim without waiting a long period, it's always the best idea to hold out for the best possible compensation you're owed. Once you agree to a settlement, you can never go back and ask for more money later.

Is It Expensive to Hire an Automobile Injury Attorney?

Halvorsen Klote's Alton, IL automobile injury attorney work on a contingency fee basis. That means we take a percentage of your final compensation as our attorneys' fees, and you don't owe us anything upfront. If we don't secure any compensation for you, you don't pay, so there's no reason to see money as an obstacle in hiring one of our lawyers.

We don't believe that money should be an obstacle for people who need quality legal representation to make a full financial recovery.

If you have any other questions about automobile injury claims, check out our other FAQs, have a look at our legal resources page or call us at 866-382-4167.

Other cases we handle in Alton, IL include:

Autombile Injury Attorney Alton, IL | Personal Injury Attorney | Car Crash Lawyers | Auto Accident Attorneys Near Alton

Speak to an Automobile Injury Attorney in Alton, IL Today

We do what we do because we believe that an injury victim should have access to the same standard of legal advocacy as the insurance companies that are trying to keep them from the compensation they are owed. Injuries are always unexpected and can leave you with a profound sense of uncertainty. But we will be by your side every step of the way. We stand up to insurance companies every day and know how to get our Alton, IL clients the best possible results. We pride ourselves on our client communication, and do everything we can to make the claims process easy and seamless for you and your Alton, IL family. Call a Halvorsen Klote automobile injury attorney in Alton, IL today at 866-382-4167 or reach out to us online for a free case evaluation.


Joel Halvorsen

Joel Halvorsen

Attorney at Law

Joel Halvorsen and his partner Greg Klote founded the Halvorsen Klote law firm on the principle that injured people and their families should have access to the same quality legal representation as large insurance companies.


Greg Klote

Greg Klote

Attorney at Law

Greg Klote is a partner and founder of Halvorsen Klote.

Greg has successfully fought for people who were injured through no fault of their own. He became a lawyer to help make a difference in the lives of those who have been wronged and treated unfairly.