Automobile Injury Attorney Moberly, MO
Moberly, MO Personal Injury Lawyers
Call 866-382-4167 for a Free Consultation | Moberly, MO Automobile Injury Attorney
Automobile injury attorney in Moberly, MO. Injuries in auto crashes happen without warning, and the mental, physical and financial burdens they carry are quick to materialize as well. If you were injured in a Moberly, MO auto accident, you require an automobile injury attorney who will defend your rights. At Halvorsen Klote, we stand by injury victims when the whole world seems to have turned against them. Insurance adjusters can seem heartless, but with the help of an experienced attorney, you will get the justice and financial recovery you are owed. We serve the vulnerable in Moberly, MO, the Greater St. Louis area and Southern Illinois. You owe us no fees until you get the compensation you deserve. Call a Halvorsen Klote automobile injury attorney in Moberly, MO now at 866-382-4167 or contact us through our website for a free consultation.
We have experience with many different automobile injury claims, including:
Moberly, MO 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 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 case, your injury needs to lead to some amount of economic damages, such as urgent care bills or lost wages, and accident had to be caused or contributed to by somebody else. 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, your own insurance company can pay for your damages, but your premiums will go up.
Never assume that you can't make a successful claim without speaking to an attorney first. Halvorsen Klote's Moberly, MO automobile injury attorneys offer free case evaluations for people who were injured and aren't sure of the validity of their claim.
Is it Worth it to Hire 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 example, one urgent care appointment — send detailed records to the insurance company, and ask for some extra money for the nuisance. With milder injuries where fault is clearly established, 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 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 trying to convince you that 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.
There are things besides significant injuries that require an attorney, such as if there is a dispute over liability, or if your injuries occurred in a multi-vehicle accident, also make an automobile injury attorney necessary.
How Much Will I Receive For My Moberly, MO Automobile Injuries?
The damages you are eligible for after an automobile injury are meant to compensate you for the economic, physical and emotional toll your injuries cause. With an experienced Moberly, MO automobile injury attorney, you'll get a financial recovery for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages from time spent recovering
- Lost earning potential if your injuries result in permanent disability
- Other related expenses, such as hiring household services for chores you can't do while you're injured
- Noneconomic damages like pain and suffering, or loss of consortium if your spousal relationship is negatively impacted by your injuries
How much money you get in your car accident settlement is mostly based on the severity of your injuries.
How Much Will I Get for Noneconomic Damages?
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, 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." Implementing this method, your Moberly, 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, with the above example, say $200 a day is a fair approximation of how your injuries affected you:
For example, the negligent driver caused a whiplash injury, leading to $15,000 in medical expenses and lost wages, and which led to physical discomfort for four months, and further disrupted you because it forced you to wear a neck brace for a week. 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 (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 individual case.
Will I Still Get Reimbursement if My Medical Insurance Pays For 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, your medical insurance company will place a medical lien on your compensation. 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 skilled Moberly, MO 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 My Damages Exceed the Policy Limits?
Missouri and Illinois have nearly the same 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
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. 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 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 Moberly, MO?
In most cases, liability is solely on the driver that caused the accident. However, there are other people and entities that may have contributed to your accident:
- 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, which caused the crash
- A bar or restaurant if someone got drunk at their venue, drove afterwards and caused your injuries
- A local, state or federal entity responsible for keeping roads safe
- 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 devalue your claim. Having strong evidence, as well as an experienced automobile injury attorney fighting back against insurance companies, will help prove you're not to blame.
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 doctrine 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, you cannot make any recovery if it is determined that you were more than 50 percent to blame.
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 it's someone you know. While they may have to pay a moderate amount more for insurance, which is likely substantially 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?
You probably will not have 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.
Depositions and mediations are common formal procedures in automobile injury claims, but your automobile injury attorney will prep you for those and do most of the work themselves.
How Long Will I Have to Wait Until I'm Compensated?
That depends on your case and, usually, how complex it is. 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 know that there's an attorney on the case. 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 substantial investigation and time put in.
Most cases are settled within three to nine months. While while we understand that you'd like to receive your compensation as quickly as possible, it's always in your best interest to hold out for the best possible compensation you're owed. This is your only chance to receive compensation.
Is It Expensive to Hire an Automobile Injury Attorney?
Halvorsen Klote's Moberly, MO 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 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 a barrier for people who need quality legal representation to make a full financial recovery.
To learn more about personal injury claims, have a look at our other FAQs, go to our legal resources page or call us at 866-382-4167.
Other injury claims we take on in Moberly, 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 Moberly, 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 can leave you with a profound sense of uncertainty. 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 Moberly, MO 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 Moberly, MO family. Call a Halvorsen Klote automobile injury attorney in Moberly, MO now at 866-382-4167 or reach out to us online for a complimentary 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.
