Automobile Injury Attorney Linn, MO
Linn, MO Personal Injury Lawyers
Call 866-382-4167 for a Free Consultation | Linn, MO Automobile Injury Attorney
Automobile injury attorney in Linn, MO. Injuries in auto crashes happen in a flash, and the emotional, physical and financial burdens they create are quick to materialize as well. If a negligent driver in Linn, MO injured you, you require an automobile injury attorney who will defend your rights. At Halvorsen Klote, we have dedicated our practice to fighting for those injured by the negligence of another when the whole world seems stacked against them. Insurance adjusters can seem heartless, but with the help of a knowledgeable attorney, you will get the justice and financial recovery you are owed. We provide the highest quality of legal representation to the vulnerable in Linn, MO, the Greater St. Louis area and Southern Illinois. You owe us no fees unless we win. Call a Halvorsen Klote automobile injury attorney in Linn, MO today at 866-382-4167 or reach out to us through our website for a free consultation.
We've gotten great results for our Linn, MO clients in a variety of auto accident claims, including:
Linn, MO 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 how to proceed going about getting a financial recovery for their damages. Below is a list of FAQs to help you better understand the process:
How Do I Know if I Have a Valid Claim?
In order to have a realistic chance of being compensated, you have to have sustained an injury that led to some amount of economic damages, for instance emergency room bills or time spent off work recovering, and accident had to be caused or contributed to by another party. If you suffered some bumps and bruises, but you never sought medical treatment, it's unrealistic to expect an insurance company to compensate you. If the accident was largely your fault, you may not have a case either.
Never assume that you don't have a case without speaking to an attorney first. Halvorsen Klote's Linn, MO 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 there's no dispute about who the at-fault driver was and your medical bills are minimal — for instance, one appointment with your doctor — include detailed records in your settlement letter, and ask for some extra money for the hassle. With milder injuries where fault is clearly established, it's unlikely an automobile injury attorney will be able to get you significantly more money.
But, with more significant injuries that 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 is not willing to compensate you fairly, 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 have just as much experience holding them accountable.
Other complications, such as if the other side denies liability, or if you were in a multi-vehicle accident, almost always require the assistance of an automobile injury attorney.
How Much Are My Automobile Injury Worth in Linn, MO?
The damages you are eligible for after a car accident are meant to compensate you for the financial, physical and emotional consequences of your injuries. With a skilled Linn, 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 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 negatively impacted by your injuries
How much compensation you receive for your automobile injuries is mostly based on how your injuries have affected your life.
How Are Noneconomic Damages Calculated?
The dollar amount a plaintiff receives for pain and suffering damages is determined through one of two methods:
- The Multiplier Method — With this approach, we multiply the total of your medical bills, lost wages and out-of-pocket expenses by a number between 1.5 and 5, depending on how severe your injuries were. The more disruptive the injury, the higher the number.
- The Per Diem Method — "Per Diem" translates from Latin to "per day." Using this method, your Linn, MO 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 your lawyer assigned $200 a day to your injuries:
For example, you suffered a whiplash 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 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 = a $45,000 financial recovery
$200 × 121 days (four months) = $24,200 in pain and suffering 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 Pays For My Medical Bills?
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, 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.
The law allows a variety of avenues to reduce medical liens. A talented Linn, MO automobile injury attorney will know best how 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 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 a chance with more significant injuries that your damages will exceed the policy limits. If that happens, we have a couple options. First, your Linn, MO automobile injury attorney can file an underinsured motorist claim with your own insurance company, asking them to make up the difference. 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 Linn, MO?
In most cases, liability is solely on the driver that caused the crash. However, depending on the specifics of your case, other parties may be liable:
- An car company may have negligently designed, manufactured, or tested a car component, leading to 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, causing a defect that contributed to the accident
- 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 the accident was caused by an unsafe construction site
What if I'm Being Blamed For My Accident?
An insurance adjuster may try to blame you for your accident in order to avoid paying you. Providing strong evidence, in addition to having an experienced automobile injury attorney fighting back against that tactic, will help prove you're not to blame.
If, as in some cases, you really were partially to blame for the accident, you can still make a recovery. Both Missouri Law 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, your right to compensation is barred 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 it's someone you know. While their insurance premiums might go up a little, that doesn't compare to the economic and noneconomic damages you've suffered because of their negligence. 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 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.
Depositions and mediations are common formal procedures in personal injury claims, but your automobile injury attorney will prep you for those and handle most of the work.
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 several years before it results in fair compensation. Many insurance adjusters immediately agree to a settlement demand letter once they know that there's an attorney on the case. Other times, 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 earlier than not, it's always in your best interest to wait to agree to a settlement until it's the maximum financial recovery you deserve. 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 Linn, MO automobile injury attorney receive our fees 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 win, you don't pay, so there's no reason to see money as a barrier to hiring one of our lawyers.
We see no reason 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 our other FAQs, have a look at our legal resources page or request a free consultation.
Other cases we handle in Linn, 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
Consult With an Automobile Injury Attorney in Linn, MO Today
We do what we do because we believe that an injury victim 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 stand up to insurance companies every day and know how to get our Linn, MO clients the best possible results. We pride ourselves on our client communication, and handle the entire legal process so you and your Linn, MO family can focus on healing. Speak to a Halvorsen Klote automobile injury attorney in Linn, 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.
