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

Fairview Heights, IL

Automobile Injury Attorney Fairview Heights, IL

Fairview Heights, IL Personal Injury Lawyers


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

Automobile injury attorney in Fairview Heights, IL. The effects of an auto accident injury are immediate and severe. If you were injured in a Fairview Heights, IL auto accident, you need an automobile injury attorney who will get you the full compensation you need to be made whole again. At Halvorsen Klote, we stand by those injured by the negligence of another when they need it the most. Insurance adjusters can seem heartless, but with the help of a skilled attorney, they will not be able to prevent you from collecting the maximum compensation you deserve. We provide the highest quality of legal advocacy to the vulnerable in Fairview Heights, 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 Fairview Heights, IL today at 866-382-4167 or contact us online for a complimentary case evaluation.

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


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

Fairview Heights, 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 the experience will be like. Below are some of the questions we get most frequently:

Do I Even Have Autombile Injury Claim?

For a claim to be valid, you have to have sustained an injury that led to some form 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 your back hurt for a few days after the accident, but you never sought medical treatment, it's unrealistic to expect an insurance company to compensate you. If you were responsible for your injuries, your own insurance company can pay for your damages, but your premiums will go up.

Never assume that you don't have a case without speaking to an attorney first. Halvorsen Klote's Fairview Heights, IL automobile injury attorneys are more than happy to discuss the validity of your claim for free.

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

Usually, yes, but not all the time. If the other party accepts liability and you didn't need much medical treatment — for instance, one emergency room visit — send detailed records to the insurance company, and see if you can get a little more on top for inconvenience. With milder injuries where fault is not in dispute, an automobile injury attorney probably isn't necessary.

However, if your injuries are more severe, result in several physical therapy or chiropractic appointments and cause you to lose time off work, the insurance company is going to do whatever they can to pay you as little as possible. If the insurance company refuses to compensate you fairly, or is saying your injuries were pre-existing, then you absolutely need a lawyer. Insurance adjusters have a lot of experience minimizing payouts; personal injury lawyers know how to fight back against them.

Other complications, 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.

How Much Will I Receive For My Fairview Heights, IL Automobile Injuries?

The damages you recover after an automobile injury are intended to reimburse you for the economic, physical and emotional toll your injuries cause. With a knowledgeable Fairview Heights, IL automobile injury attorney, you can be reimbursed for:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages from time spent off work
  • Lost earning capacity if you can no longer work
  • 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 money you get for your automobile injuries is mostly based on the severity of your injuries.

How Are Pain and Suffering Calculated?

There are two commonly accepted ways to calculate noneconomic damages:

  • 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 debilitating injuries.
  • Say you suffered a moderate neck injury, leading to $15,000 in economic damages, and which led to physical discomfort for four months, and inconvenienced you because you had to wear a neck brace for a week. Your noneconomic damages might be assigned 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." Using this approach, your Fairview Heights, IL automobile injury attorney assigns a dollar amount to a single day of suffering, 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:
  • $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 individual case.

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

Will I Still Get Reimbursement 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 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 skilled Fairview Heights, IL automobile injury attorney will know best how to reduce those liens and make sure as little is taken out of your settlement 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.

Who Else Could Be Liable for My Auto Accident Injuries in Fairview Heights, IL?

In most cases, liability is solely on the driver responsible for the accident. However, depending on the specifics of your case, other parties may be liable:

  • An auto company may have negligently designed, manufactured, or tested a car component, leading to a product liability claim
  • If you were injured in a truck crash, there are a variety of regulations the trucking company may have violated
  • A mechanic may have negligently worked on the car, causing a defect that contributed to the wreck
  • A bar or restaurant if someone got drunk at their venue, drove afterwards and caused a crash
  • A government body responsible for keeping roads safe
  • A construction company if a construction site was not properly cordoned off

What if I'm Being Blamed For My Accident?

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

If, as in some cases, you really were partially responsible for the accident, you are not completely barred from compensation. Both Missouri Revised Statute §537.765 and Illinois Law followed the legal doctrine 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 it is determined that you were more than 50 percent liable.

What if I Was Injured as a Passenger?

If you were injured in a car that somebody else was driving, you still seek compensation from the negligent driver's insurance company, even if that person is a friend or family member in Fairview Heights, IL. While their insurance premiums might go up a little, which is likely substantially less than your economic damages. 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 be required to go attend hearings or a trial for your automobile injuries. The Bureau of Justice Statistics issued a study in 2005 that found that less than five 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 make sure you're adequately prepared and will handle most of the work.

How Long Will My Claim Take?

Each injury is different, and the more complicated a case, usually the longer it takes. A personal injury claim can take anywhere from six to eight weeks to three or four years before it's resolved. Many insurance adjusters start cooperating immediately once they've learned that you hired a lawyer. In other cases, they'll wait until the eve of trial to finally agree to what is fair, or the liability and insurance coverage elements are so complex that they require considerable investigation and expert testimony.

Most cases are settled from anywhere between a few months to a year. While while we understand that you'd like to receive your compensation as quickly as possible, it's always the best idea to hold out for the full, fair financial recovery you're owed. 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 Fairview Heights, IL automobile injury attorney are paid 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 win, you don't owe us anything, so there's no financial risk involved in hiring our services.

We don't believe that money should be an obstacle for people who just want to be fairly compensated for their injuries.

To learn more about the claims process, have a look at the frequently asked questions area of our website, have a look at our legal resources page or request a free consultation.

Other cases we take on in Fairview Heights, IL include:

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

Consult With an Automobile Injury Attorney in Fairview Heights, IL Today

We do what we do because we believe that everyone should have access to the same standard of legal advocacy that large insurance companies have. An injury is shocking and can leave you with a profound sense of uncertainty. But you don't have to go through the claims process alone. We stand up to insurance companies every day and know how to get our Fairview Heights, IL clients the best possible results. We pride ourselves on our client communication, and handle the entire legal process so you and your Fairview Heights, IL family can spend your energy on healing. Call a Halvorsen Klote automobile injury attorney in Fairview Heights, IL now at 866-382-4167 or reach out to us through our website 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.