Automobile Injury Attorney Versailles, MO
Versailles, MO Personal Injury Lawyers
Call 866-382-4167 for a Free Consultation | Versailles, MO Automobile Injury Attorney
Automobile injury attorney in Versailles, MO. Injuries in auto wrecks happen in a flash, and the mental, physical and economic hardships they carry are quick to materialize as well. If a careless driver in Versailles, MO injured you, you require an automobile injury attorney who will fight to get you justice. At Halvorsen Klote, we have dedicated our practice to fighting for injury victims when the whole world seems stacked against them. Insurance adjusters may try to cheat, but with an experienced attorney in your corner, they will not be able to keep you from the maximum financial recovery you are lawfully entitled to. We provide the highest quality of legal advocacy to the injured in Versailles, MO, the Greater St. Louis area and Southern Illinois. You owe us no fees unless we win. Speak to a Halvorsen Klote automobile injury attorney in Versailles, MO now at 866-382-4167 or reach out to us online for a free case evaluation.
We've gotten great results for our Versailles, MO clients in numerous types of auto accident claims, including:
Versailles, MO Automobile Injury Attorney: Frequently Asked Questions
Most of our clients have never had to make an injury claim before, and understandably have doubts and uncertainties as to what to expect. Below is a list of FAQs to give you a little bit clearer picture of what to expect:
Do I Even Have a Personal Injury Claim?
For a claim to be valid, your injury needs to lead to some form of financial loss, such as 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 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 may not have a case either.
The good news is you don't have to rely on guesswork to understand if you have a case. Halvorsen Klote's Versailles, MO automobile injury attorneys are more than happy to discuss your case for free.
Is it Worth it to Hire a Lawyer for an Automobile Injury?
Usually, yes, but not all the time. If the other party accepts liability and your medical bills are minimal — for example, one emergency room visit — include detailed records in your settlement letter, and see if you can get a little more on top for inconvenience. In those types of situations, an automobile injury attorney won't be able to add much value to your claim.
But, if your injuries are more severe, require ongoing medical treatment and result in lost wages, the insurance company is not going to willingly pay for all those damages. If the insurance company refuses to compensate you fairly, or is saying your injuries weren't caused by the accident, then a lawyer is likely the only way you'll get what you deserve. Insurance adjusters know how to devalue claims; personal injury lawyers know how to get maximum compensation.
Other complications, such as if the negligent driver refuses to admit fault, or if your injuries occurred in a multi-vehicle accident, also make an automobile injury attorney required.
What Compensation Can I Recover For My Versailles, MO Automobile Injuries?
The damages you are eligible for after an automobile injury are meant to compensate you for the economic, physical and emotional consequences of your injuries. With a talented Versailles, MO automobile injury attorney, you'll get a financial recovery for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages from time spent recovering
- Lost earning potential if your injuries prevent you from making a living as you're used to
- Out-of-pocket expenses, such as hiring transportation to and from medical appointments
- 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 how your injuries have affected your life.
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 approach, your economic damages will be multiplied by a number, typically 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." With this method, your Versailles, 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, using the same whiplash injury example, say your lawyer assigned $200 a day to your injuries:
Say you suffered a whiplash 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 few days. Your noneconomic damages might be assigned a multiplier of three. So:
$15,000 in economic damages × 3 for the noneconomic damages multiplier = $45,000 in total compensation
$200 × 121 days (four months) = $24,200 in pain and suffering damages (in addition to your medical bills and lost wages)
Your attorney will use the method that applies best to your individual case.
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, your medical insurance company will 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.
The law allows a variety of avenues to reduce medical liens. A knowledgeable Versailles, 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
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. 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 might determine that there are other liable parties who you can also make a claim against.
Who Else Could Be Liable for My Auto Accident Injuries in Versailles, MO?
In most cases, liability is solely on the driver that caused the crash. However, there are other people and entities that may have contributed to your accident:
- An auto company may may have produced a faulty car component, leading to a product liability claim
- In a truck crash, the trucking company may have failed to repair a truck, or may have forced their driver to drive more hours than regulations allow
- 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 local, state or federal entity responsible for designing and maintaining the safety of roads
- A construction company if a construction site was not properly secured
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. Providing detailed evidence, as well as an experienced automobile injury attorney fighting back against insurance companies, will demonstrate that you aren't liable.
If, as in some cases, you really were partially responsible for your injuries, 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 to blame.
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 liable driver's insurance company, even if that person is a friend or family member in Versailles, MO. While their insurance premiums might go up a little, which is likely far 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 I Have to Go to Court?
You probably will not be required to go attend hearings or a trial for a car accident claim. The Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that more than nine out of 10 tort claims are settled before 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 a month to several years before it's resolved. Many insurance adjusters immediately agree to a settlement demand letter once they know that there's an attorney on the case. Other times, 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 substantial investigation and expert testimony.
Most cases reach a conclusion from anywhere between a few months to a year. While while we understand that you'd like to receive your financial recovery as quickly as possible, it's always the best idea to wait to agree to a settlement until it's the full, fair compensation you deserve. You only have chance to receive compensation.
What if I Can't Afford an Automobile Injury Attorney?
Halvorsen Klote's Versailles, MO 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 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 an obstacle for people who just want to be fairly compensated for their injuries.
If you have any other questions about automobile injury claims, check out our other FAQs, go to our legal resources page or request a free consultation.
Other injury claims we take on in Versailles, 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 Versailles, MO Today
We do what we do because we believe 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 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 Versailles, 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 Versailles, MO family. Speak to a Halvorsen Klote automobile injury attorney in Versailles, MO today 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.