Fenton, MO

Automobile Injury Attorney Fenton, MO

Fenton, MO Personal Injury Lawyers

Call 866-382-4167 for a Free Consultation | Fenton, MO Automobile Injury Attorney

Automobile injury attorney in Fenton, MO. The effects of an auto accident injury are immediate and severe. If a careless driver in Fenton, MO injured you, you require an automobile injury attorney who will fight to get you justice. At Halvorsen Klote, we fight for those injured by the negligence of another when they need help the most. Insurance adjusters may try to cheat, but with the help of an experienced attorney, they will not be able to keep you from the full compensation you are rightfully entitled to. We provide exceptional legal representation to the vulnerable in Fenton, MO, the Greater St. Louis area and Southern Illinois. You owe us no fees until you get the compensation you deserve. Speak to a Halvorsen Klote automobile injury attorney in Fenton, MO now at 866-382-4167 or contact us online for a free case review.

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

Contact Our Firm Today

Autombile Injury Attorney Fenton, MO | Personal Injury Lawyers | Injury Claim Lawyers | Auto Accident Law Firm Near Fenton

Fenton, MO Automobile Injury Attorney: Frequently Asked Questions

For most of our clients, this is the first time they've had to be a part of the injury claims process. They understandably have a lot of questions as to the process and how to proceed going about getting compensation for their injuries. Some of the most commonly asked questions we get are:

How Do I Know if I Have a Case?

In order to have a case, your injury needs to create some form of financial loss, such as emergency room bills or lost wages, and accident had to be caused or contributed to by another party. If you suffered some bumps and bruises, but you were never medically evaluated, it's unrealistic to expect an insurance company to compensate you. If the accident was largely your fault, you cannot file a claim against someone else's insurance.

Never assume that you can't make a successful claim without speaking to an attorney first. Halvorsen Klote's Fenton, MO automobile injury attorneys offer free consultations for people who were injured and aren't sure if they're eligible for compensation.

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

There are some cases 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 — say, one emergency room visit — include copies of your records and bills in your settlement letter, and see if you can get some extra money for the hassle. 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 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 is not willing to compensate you fairly, 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 entitled to. Insurance adjusters know how to devalue claims; personal injury lawyers know how to fight back against them.

Other complications, such as if there is a dispute over liability, or if you were in a multi-vehicle accident, also make an automobile injury attorney required.

How Much Are My Automobile Injury Worth in Fenton, MO?

The damages you are eligible for after an automobile injury are meant to reimburse you for the financial, physical and emotional consequences of your injuries. With a talented Fenton, MO automobile injury attorney, you'll get a financial recovery for:

Medical expenses
Lost wages from time spent recovering
Lost earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from making a living as you're used to
Other related expenses, such as hiring transportation to and from medical appointments
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 depends largely on how your injuries have impacted your life.

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 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.

Say the negligent driver caused a moderate neck injury, leading to $15,000 in economic damages, and which caused you to have neck pain for four months, and inconvenienced you because you had to wear a neck brace for a few days. Your noneconomic damages might be assigned a multiplier of three. So:

$15,000 in medical bills and lost wages × 3 for a pain and suffering multiplier = a $45,000 financial recovery

The Per Diem Method — "Per Diem" translates from Latin to "per day." Using this approach, your Fenton, MO automobile injury attorney assigns a dollar amount to a single day of suffering, and multiplies that by the number of days you suffered. So, if we stick with the same example, say your lawyer assigned $200 a day to your injuries:

$200 × 121 days (four months) = $24,200 in noneconomic damages (on top of your medical bills and lost wages)

Your attorney will know the best way to calculate your pain and suffering damages for your specific case.

Will I Still Get Compensation if My Medical Insurance Pays For My Medical Bills?

Yes. All of your medical expenses will be included in your settlement or judgment, even if your insurance paid for it. However, insurance companies and healthcare providers have a right place a medical lien on your compensation. That allows them to collect the money that paid for your injuries from your compensation.

There are various legal remedies to reduce medical liens. An experience Fenton, MO automobile injury attorney will know best how to reduce those liens and put as much money as possible in your pocket.

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

While the negligent driver may have a policy with higher limits, 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 Fenton, MO?

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

An auto manufacturer may have negligently designed, manufactured, or tested a car component, leading to a product liability claim
If you were injured in a truck accident, there are a variety of regulations the trucking company may have violated
A mechanic may have negligently worked on the car, which had a hand in the accident
A licensed alcohol vendor if someone got drunk at their venue, drove afterwards and caused a crash
A local, state or federal body responsible for designing and maintaining the safety of roads
A construction company if a construction site was not properly cordoned off

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 avoid paying you. Providing detailed evidence, in addition to having an automobile injury attorney used to fighting back against that tactic, will help prove you're not to blame.

If it's true that you were partially to blame for your injuries, you are not completely barred from compensation. Both Missouri Law and 735 ILCS 5/2-1116 allow for what's called "comparative fault." 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, you cannot make any recovery if it is determined that you were more than 50 percent at fault.

What if I Was Injured as a Passenger?

If you were injured as a passenger, you still seek compensation from the liable driver's insurance company, even if it was the person driving your car. While they may have to pay a moderate amount more for insurance, that doesn't compare to the medical bills and lost wages you've incurred because of their negligence. An automobile injury attorney can help make the process less personal.

Will I Have to Go to Court?

You probably will not have to go to court for your automobile injuries. The Bureau of Justice Statistics issued a study in 2005 that found 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 make sure you're adequately prepared and will handle most of the work.

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 several years before it's resolved. Many insurance adjusters immediately agree to a settlement demand letter once they've received notice that you hired a lawyer. In other cases, they'll wait until the eve of trial to finally agree to what is fair, or there are complexities to the case that require substantial investigation and expert testimony.

Most cases are settled within three to nine months. While we'd obviously like to resolve your claim earlier than not, it's always in your best interest to hold out for the best possible compensation you're entitled to. Once you agree to a settlement, your right to get additional compensation is barred.

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

Halvorsen Klote's Fenton, MO automobile injury attorney work on a contingency fee basis. That means we take a percentage of your final compensation as our attorneys' fees, 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 financial risk involved in hiring our services.

We see no reason that money should be a barrier for people who need quality legal representation to make a full financial recovery.

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 contact us online.

Other injury claims we take on in Fenton, MO include:

Autombile Injury Attorney Fenton, MO | Personal Injury Attorney | Car Crash Lawyers | Auto Accident Attorneys Near Fenton

Hire an Automobile Injury Attorney in Fenton, MO Today

We founded our practice on the idea that an injury victim deserves 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 we will be by your side every step of the way. We fight back against insurance companies every day and know how to get our Fenton, MO 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 Fenton, MO family. Call a Halvorsen Klote automobile injury attorney in Fenton, MO now at 866-382-4167 or contact us through our website for a free case evaluation.

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.

Hands down one of the best firms I’ve ever worked with. My big thing is communication and not only did they have great customer service, but their staff was also incredibly helpful. I will definitely be referring.

P J

I dont know where to even begin, Greg and Joel were nothing short of incredible. I was involved in a fairly serious head on collision, incurred a mound of medical debt and completely totaled my vehicle. Needless to say, I was not at fault. The other parties insurance company was not having any of it, […]

Andi Z.

Joel and Greg did a great job handling my case. Not only did they help me legally, but they were very patient and explained complicated details in a way that anyone could understand. I would recommend them to anyone that I know. Thanks, guys!

Christopher L.

I have referred several clients to Joel and Greg, including members of my own family. Their detail-oriented approach produces outstanding results which speak for themselves. Consider HK Law for your personal injury needs - you will not regret your decision.

Luke P.

Halvorsen Klote does really excellent work. Joel and Greg are professional, easy to work with, and truly care about their clients. If you're looking for a personal injury lawyer, look no further--Halvorsen Klote has a great record of success.

Brendan B.