Automobile Injury Attorney Arnold, MO
Arnold, MO Personal Injury Lawyers
Call 866-382-4167 for a Free Consultation | Arnold, MO Automobile Injury Attorney
Automobile injury attorney in Arnold, MO. Injuries in auto accidents happen without warning, and the emotional, physical and financial burdens they create are quick to materialize as well. If you were injured in a Arnold, MO auto accident, you need an automobile injury attorney who will defend your rights. At Halvorsen Klote, we have dedicated our practice to fighting for injury victims when they need help the most. Insurance adjusters may try to devalue your claim, but with an experienced attorney by your side, they will not be able to prevent you from collecting the full compensation you are owed. We serve the vulnerable in Arnold, MO, the Greater St. Louis area and Southern Illinois. You don't pay until you get the compensation you deserve. Speak to a Halvorsen Klote automobile injury attorney in Arnold, MO today at 866-382-4167 or reach out to us through our website for a free case evaluation.
We've gotten great financial recoveries for our Arnold, MO clients in a variety of auto accident claims, including:
Arnold, MO Automobile Injury Attorney: Frequently Asked Questions
Most injury victims have never had to make an injury claim before, and understandably have a lot of questions as to the process and how to proceed going about getting compensation for their damages. Below are some of the questions we get most frequently:
How Do I Know if I Have a Case?
In order to have a realistic chance of being compensated, your injury needs to lead to some amount of financial loss, such as an appointment with your doctor or time spent off work recovering, 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, you're unlikely to have a successful claim. If the accident was largely your fault, you cannot file a claim against someone else's insurance.
Fortunately, you don't have to rely on guesswork to understand if you have a case. Halvorsen Klote's Arnold, MO automobile injury attorneys are more than happy to discuss the validity of your claim for free.
Do I Need to Hire a Lawyer for an Automobile Injury?
Usually, yes, but not all the time. If there's no dispute about who to blame for the accident and your medical bills are minimal — for example, one emergency room visit — include copies of your records and bills in your settlement letter, and see if you can get a little more on top for the nuisance. In those types of situations, it's unlikely an automobile injury attorney will be able to get you significantly more money.
But, with more significant injuries that result in months of physical therapy or chiropractic appointments and result in lost wages, the insurance company is going to do whatever they can to pay you as little as possible. If the insurance company is not willing to pay the full extent of your damages, or is saying your injuries weren't caused by the accident, then you absolutely need a lawyer. Insurance adjusters know how to devalue claims; personal injury lawyers know how to fight back against them.
There are things besides significant injuries that require an attorney, such as if the negligent driver refuses to be held accountable, or if you were in a multi-vehicle accident, almost always require the assistance of an automobile injury attorney.
What Compensation Can I Recover For My Arnold, MO Automobile Injuries?
The damages you are eligible for after a car accident are intended to provide you with an equitable financial recovery for all the ways an injury affected your life. With a skilled Arnold, MO automobile injury attorney, you can be reimbursed for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages from time spent recovering
- Lost earning capacity if your injuries result in permanent disability
- Out-of-pocket 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 injuries prevent you from helping and giving affection to your spouse
How much compensation you receive for your automobile injuries is mostly based on the severity of your injuries.
How Much Will I Get for Noneconomic Damages?
The dollar amount a plaintiff receives for pain and suffering damages is determined through one of two methods:
- The Multiplier Method — With this approach, your economic damages will be multiplied by a number, typically between 1.5 and 5, using higher numbers for more significant injuries.
- The Per Diem Method — "Per Diem" means "per day" in Latin. With this approach, your Arnold, MO 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, using the same whiplash injury example, say $200 a day is a fair approximation of how your injuries affected you:
Say the negligent driver caused a whiplash injury, leading to $15,000 in economic damages, 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 economic damages × 3 for the noneconomic damages multiplier = $45,000 in final compensation
$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 unique case.
Will I Still Get Compensation if My Medical Insurance Covers My Medical Bills?
Yes. The settlement or judgment is based on all of your medical expenses, regardless of whether it was paid for by insurance or out of pocket. However, insurance companies and healthcare providers have a right place a medical lien on your compensation. 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 Arnold, MO automobile injury attorney will know best how to reduce those liens and make sure as little is taken out of your compensation as possible.
What If the Insurance Coverage is Limited?
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 severe injuries that your damages will exceed the policy limits. If that happens, we have a couple options. 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 Arnold, MO?
In most cases, the other driver is the only personal we can hold accountable for your injuries. However, depending on the specifics of your case, other parties may be liable:
- An auto company may may have produced a defective car component, and you can make a product liability claim
- In a truck accident, the trucking company may have failed to repair a truck, or may have required their driver to drive more hours than regulations allow
- A mechanic may have negligently worked on the car, which caused the wreck
- A bar or restaurant if someone got drunk at their venue, drove afterwards and caused your injuries
- A government entity responsible for designing and maintaining the safety of roads
- 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?
An insurance adjuster may try to blame you for your accident in order to devalue your claim. Having detailed evidence, in addition to having an experienced automobile injury attorney fighting back against insurance companies, will demonstrate that you aren't liable.
In some car accidents, both drivers really are each partially at fault. Both Missouri Revised Statute §537.765 and 735 ILCS 5/2-1116 followed the legal principle of "comparative fault." Meaning, each party pays for the percentage of fault they bear for the accident. In Illinois, you cannot make any recovery if you were more than half to blame.
What if I Was Injured as a Passenger?
If you were injured in a car that somebody else was driving, you would still file a claim against the at-fault driver, even if it was the person driving your car. While your friend's or family member's insurance premiums might go up a little, which is likely much less than your medical bills and lost wages. An automobile injury attorney will communicate with other side so you don't have to feel awkward.
Will My Claim Go to Trial?
It's very unlikely that you'll have to go to court 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?
That depends on your case and, usually, how complex it is. A personal injury claim can last anywhere from a month to three or four years before it reaches its conclusion. Many insurance adjusters immediately agree to a settlement demand letter once they've received notice 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 substantial investigation and expert testimony.
Most cases reach a conclusion within three to nine months. While while we understand that you'd like to receive your money soon, it's always in your best interest to hold out for the best possible financial recovery you're entitled to. Once you agree to a settlement, you can never go back and ask for more money later.
What if I Can't Afford an Automobile Injury Attorney?
Halvorsen Klote's Arnold, MO automobile injury attorney are paid through a contingency fee. That means we we get a portion of your final payout, and there are no upfront costs. If we don't secure any compensation for you, you don't owe us anything, so there's no reason to see money as a barrier to hiring one of our lawyers.
We don't believe that money should be an obstacle for people who just want to be fairly compensated for their injuries.
If you have any other questions about the claims process, check out the frequently asked questions area of our website, have a look at our legal resources page or call us at 866-382-4167.
Other cases we take on in Arnold, MO include:
- Fatal Car Accident Lawyer
- Auto Accident Attorney
- Bike Wreck Lawyer
- What to Do After a Car Accident
- Premises Liability Attorneys
- Motorcycle Accidents Attorney
- Lawyer for Bicycle Accident
- Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
- Injury Claim Lawyer
Speak to an Automobile Injury Attorney in Arnold, MO Today
We founded our practice on the idea that everyone should have access to the same standard of legal advocacy that large insurance companies have. Injuries are always unexpected and create fear and confusion. But we will be by your side every step of the way. We negotiate with insurance companies every day and know how to get our Arnold, MO clients the full financial recovery they deserve. We pride ourselves on our client communication, and handle the entire legal process so you and your Arnold, MO family can focus on healing. Call a Halvorsen Klote automobile injury attorney in Arnold, MO today at 866-382-4167 or contact us online for a complimentary case review.
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
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.
