Automobile Injury Attorney Collinsville, IL | Personal Injury Lawyers | Car Accident Lawyers | Halvorsen Klote

Collinsville, IL

Automobile Injury Attorney Collinsville, IL

Collinsville, IL Personal Injury Lawyers


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

Automobile injury attorney in Collinsville, IL. Injuries in auto crashes happen in an instant, and the mental, physical and financial hardships they create are quick to materialize as well. If you were injured in a Collinsville, IL auto accident, you need an automobile injury attorney who will fight to get you justice. At Halvorsen Klote, we have dedicated our practice to fighting for those injured by the negligence of another when the whole world seems to have turned against them. Insurance adjusters can seem heartless, but with the help of a knowledgeable attorney, you will get the justice and financial recovery you deserve. We provide the highest quality of legal representation to the vulnerable in Collinsville, IL, the Greater St. Louis area and Southern Illinois. You don't pay unless we win. Speak to a Halvorsen Klote automobile injury attorney in Collinsville, IL today at 866-382-4167 or contact us online for a free case evaluation.

We've gotten great financial recoveries for our Collinsville, IL clients in a variety of auto accident claims, including:


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Collinsville, IL Automobile Injury Attorney: Frequently Asked Questions

Most people who call our office have never had to make an injury claim before, and understandably have a lot of questions as to the process and what the experience will be like. Below is a list of FAQs to give you a little bit clearer picture of what to expect:

How Do I Know if I Have a Valid Claim?

In order to have a case, you have to have sustained an injury that led to some form of economic damages, such as urgent care bills 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 valid claim. If you were responsible for your injuries, you cannot file a claim against someone else's insurance.

The good news is you don't have to rely on guesswork to understand if you have a case. Halvorsen Klote's Collinsville, IL automobile injury attorneys are more than happy to discuss your case for free.

Do I Need to Hire a Lawyer for an Automobile Injury?

There are some injuries where a lawyer won't be able to add much value to your claim. If there's no dispute about who to blame for the accident and you didn't need much medical treatment — for instance, one appointment with your doctor — include copies of your records and bills in your letter to the insurance adjuster, and ask for some extra money for the hassle. In those types of situations, an automobile injury attorney won't be able to add much value to your claim.

But, with more significant injuries that result in months of physical therapy or chiropractic appointments 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 you absolutely need a lawyer. Insurance adjusters know how to devalue claims; personal injury lawyers know how to get maximum compensation.

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 required.

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

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

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages from time spent recovering
  • Lost earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from making a living as you're used to
  • Miscellaneous expenses, such as hiring transportation to and from medical appointments
  • Noneconomic damages like pain and suffering, or loss of consortium if your spousal relationship is affected by your injuries

How much compensation you receive in your car accident settlement is mostly based on the severity of your injuries.

How Are Noneconomic Damages Calculated?

The dollar amount a plaintiff receives for noneconomic damages is determined through one of two methods:

  • The Multiplier Method — With this method, we multiply the total of your medical bills, lost wages and out-of-pocket expenses by a number between 1.5 and 5, using higher numbers for more debilitating injuries.
  • For example, the negligent driver caused a whiplash injury, leading to $15,000 in economic damages, and which led to neck pain 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 a pain and suffering multiplier = $45,000 in total compensation
  • The Per Diem Method — "Per Diem" translates from Latin to "per day." With this approach, your Collinsville, IL automobile injury attorney determines how much money a day of suffering is worth, and multiplies that by the number of days you suffered. So, if we stick with the same example, say $200 a day is a fair approximation of your pain and suffering:
  • $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 pain and suffering damages for your specific case.

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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 your insurance paid for it. However, your medical insurance company will place a medical lien on your settlement. That allows them to be repaid by the liable party's insurance, just as you are being compensated.

There are various legal remedies to reduce medical liens. A knowledgeable Collinsville, IL automobile injury attorney will know best how to reduce those liens and make sure as little is taken out of your financial recovery as possible.

What If My Damages Exceed the Policy Limits?

Missouri and Illinois have almost identical minimum auto insurance requirements:

  • $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 no guarantee that there's enough to cover all of your damages. 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 might determine that there are other liable parties who you can also make a claim against.

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

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

  • An auto company may may have produced a faulty vehicle component, leading to a product liability claim
  • In a truck crash, the trucking company may have failed to repair a truck, or may have forced their driver to drive more hours than regulations allow
  • A mechanic may have improperly repaired an automobile, which had a hand in the crash
  • A bar or restaurant if they served alcohol to a drunk driver that caused your crash
  • A government body responsible for designing and maintaining the safety of roads
  • A construction company if a construction site was not properly secured

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

An insurance adjuster may try to convince you that you were the at-fault driver in order to avoid paying you. Having detailed evidence, in addition to having an automobile injury attorney experienced in fighting back against that tactic, will help prove you're not to blame.

In some car accidents, both drivers really are each partially responsible for the accident. Both Missouri Revised Statute §537.765 and 735 ILCS 5/2-1116 followed the legal principle of "comparative negligence." Meaning, if you were 30 percent at fault for the accident, you can recover 70 percent of your damages from the other party. In Illinois, your right to compensation is barred if you were more than 50 percent at fault.

What if I Was Injured as a Passenger?

If you were injured as a passenger, you would still file a claim against the at-fault driver, even if that person is a friend or family member in Collinsville, IL. While your friend's or family member's insurance premiums might go up a little, which is likely far less than your economic damages. An automobile injury attorney can help make the process less personal.

Will My Claim Go to Trial?

It's very unlikely that you'll be required to go attend hearings or a trial for a car accident claim. The Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that less than five percent of tort claims go to trial.

Depositions and mediations are common formal procedures in personal injury claims, but your automobile injury attorney will make sure you're adequately prepared and will do most of the work themselves.

How Long Will I Have to Wait Until I'm Compensated?

That depends on a lot of things, such as the severity of your injuries, how clear negligence is and even the insurance company or adjuster we're negotiating with. A personal injury claim can last anywhere from six to eight weeks to three or four years before it's resolved. Many insurance adjusters start cooperating immediately once they know that the plaintiff hired a lawyer. Other times, a fair settlement is only offered right before trial begins, or the liability and insurance coverage elements are so complex that they require considerable investigation and time put in.

Most cases reach a conclusion within three to nine months. While we'd obviously like to resolve your claim soon, it's always the best idea to hold out for the maximum financial recovery you're entitled to. This is your only chance to receive compensation.

What if I Can't Afford an Automobile Injury Attorney?

Halvorsen Klote's Collinsville, IL automobile injury attorney receive our fees through a contingency fee. That means we we get a portion of your final payout, and you don't owe us anything upfront. If we don't secure any compensation for you, you don't owe us anything, so there's no financial risk involved in hiring our services.

We see no reason that money should be a barrier for people who just want to be fairly compensated for their injuries.

To learn more about the claims process, check out the frequently asked questions area of our website, have a look at our legal resources page or contact us online.

Other injury claims we take on in Collinsville, IL include:

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Speak to an Automobile Injury Attorney in Collinsville, IL Today

We founded our practice on the idea that everyone deserves the same standard of legal advocacy that large insurance companies have. An injury is shocking and create fear and confusion. But you don't have to go through the claims process alone. We negotiate with insurance companies every day and know how to get our Collinsville, IL clients the full financial recovery they deserve. We pride ourselves on our client communication, and do everything we can to make the claims process easy and seamless for you and your Collinsville, IL family. Call a Halvorsen Klote automobile injury attorney in Collinsville, IL now at 866-382-4167 or reach out to us through our website for a free consultation.


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.