Automobile Injury Attorney Troy, MO
Troy, MO Personal Injury Lawyers
Call 866-382-4167 for a Free Consultation | Troy, MO Automobile Injury Attorney
Automobile injury attorney in Troy, MO. The consequences of an auto accident injury are immediate and severe. If you were injured in a Troy, MO auto accident, you need an automobile injury attorney who will fight to bring you justice and a fair financial recovery. At Halvorsen Klote, we have dedicated our practice to fighting for those injured by the negligence of another when they need help the most. Insurance adjusters can seem heartless, but with the help of a skilled attorney, you will get the justice and financial recovery you are owed. We serve the injured in Troy, 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 Troy, MO today at 866-382-4167 or reach out to us through our website for a free case review.
We've gotten full compensation for our Troy, MO clients in a variety of auto accident claims, including:
Troy, MO Automobile Injury Attorney: Frequently Asked Questions
For most of our clients, this is their first experience with the injury claims process. They understandably have doubts and uncertainties as to what to expect. Some of the most commonly asked questions we get are:
Do I Even Have Auto Accident Claim?
In order to have a case, you have to have sustained an injury that led to some form of financial loss, such as urgent care bills or lost wages, and accident had to be caused or contributed to by somebody else. If you you were sore for a few days after the accident, but your injuries didn't lead to financial loss, it would be difficult for you to make a personal injury claim. If you were responsible for your injuries, 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 Troy, MO automobile injury attorneys offer free consultations for people who were injured and aren't sure if they have a case.
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 expenses aren't very high — say, one appointment with your doctor — include copies of your records and bills in your letter to the insurance adjuster, and ask for a little more on top for inconvenience. 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 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 isn't coming close to giving you a fair offer, or is saying your injuries weren't caused by the accident, 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 other side denies liability, or if you were in a multi-vehicle accident, also make an automobile injury attorney necessary.
How Much Will I Receive For My Troy, MO Automobile Injuries?
The damages you recover after an automobile injury are intended to reimburse you for the financial, physical and emotional toll your injuries cause. With a knowledgeable Troy, MO automobile injury attorney, you'll be compensated for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages from time spent recovering
- Lost earning potential 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 injuries prevent you from helping and giving affection to your spouse
How much money you get for your automobile injuries depends largely 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, 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 significant injuries.
- The Per Diem Method — "Per Diem" means "per day" in Latin. With this approach, your Troy, MO automobile injury attorney determines how much money a day of suffering is worth, and multiplies that by the number of days you suffered. So, using the same whiplash injury example, say your lawyer assigned $200 a day to your injuries:
For example, you suffered a moderate neck 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 week. The pain and suffering might be given a multiplier of three. So:
$15,000 in medical bills and lost wages × 3 for a pain and suffering multiplier = $45,000 in total compensation
$200 × 121 days (four months) = $24,200 in pain and suffering damages (on top of your economic damages)
Your attorney will know the best way to calculate your noneconomic damages for your individual case.
Will I Still Get Reimbursement if My Medical Insurance Covers 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 claim. 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 talented Troy, 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 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
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, you can use your own policy's underinsured motorist coverage. Secondly, your attorney can find out if there are other liable parties.
Who Else Could Be Liable for My Auto Accident Injuries in Troy, MO?
In most cases, the other driver is the only personal liable for your injuries. However, depending on the specifics of your case, other parties may be liable:
- An auto manufacturer may may have produced a defective vehicle component, leading to a product liability claim
- If you were injured in a truck crash, the trucking company may have failed to maintain a truck, or may have required their driver to drive more hours than regulations allow
- A mechanic may have improperly repaired an automobile, which had a hand in the wreck
- A licensed alcohol vendor if someone got drunk at their venue, drove afterwards and caused your injuries
- A government authority responsible for keeping roads safe
- A construction company if the accident was caused by an unsafe construction site
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 devalue your claim. Having strong evidence, in addition to having an automobile injury attorney experienced in fighting back against that tactic, will demonstrate that you aren't liable.
If, as in some cases, you really were partially at fault 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, 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 it's someone you know. While your friend's or family member's insurance premiums might go up a little, that doesn't compare to the economic and noneconomic damages you've incurred as a result. An automobile injury attorney can help make the process less personal.
Will My Claim Go to Trial?
You probably will not be required to go attend hearings or a trial for your automobile injuries. The Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that more than nine out of 10 tort claims are settled before 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 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 take anywhere from six to eight weeks to three or four years before it results in fair compensation. Many insurance adjusters immediately agree to a settlement demand letter once they've learned 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 expert testimony.
Most cases reach a conclusion within three to nine months. While we'd obviously like to resolve your claim soon, 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, you can never go back and ask for more money later.
Is It Expensive to Hire an Automobile Injury Attorney?
Halvorsen Klote's Troy, 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 we only get paid at the conclusion of your claim. If we don't secure any compensation for you, you don't pay, so there's no financial risk involved in hiring our services.
We don't believe 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, 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 cases we take on in Troy, 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
Speak to an Automobile Injury Attorney in Troy, MO 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 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 Troy, MO clients the full financial recovery they deserve. We pride ourselves on our client communication, and handle the entire legal process so you and your Troy, MO family can spend your energy on healing. Call a Halvorsen Klote automobile injury attorney in Troy, MO now at 866-382-4167 or contact us online for a free consultation.
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.
