Automobile Injury Attorney Webster Groves, MO
Webster Groves, MO Personal Injury Lawyers
Call 866-382-4167 for a Free Consultation | Webster Groves, MO Automobile Injury Attorney
Automobile injury attorney in Webster Groves, MO. The effects of an auto accident injury are immediate and severe. If you were injured in a Webster Groves, MO auto accident, you need an automobile injury attorney who will defend your rights. At Halvorsen Klote, we fight for those injured by the negligence of another when the whole world seems stacked against them. Insurance adjusters may try to deceive you, but with an experienced attorney in your corner, you will get the justice and financial recovery you are owed. We serve the vulnerable in Webster Groves, 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 Webster Groves, MO now at 866-382-4167 or reach out to us online for a free case review.
We've gotten great financial recoveries for our Webster Groves, MO clients in numerous types of auto accident claims, including:
Webster Groves, 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 the experience will be like. 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, you have to have sustained an injury that led to some amount of economic damages, 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, you're unlikely to have a valid claim. 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 Webster Groves, MO automobile injury attorneys are more than happy to discuss your case for free.
Do I Need to Get a Lawyer for an Automobile Injury?
Usually, yes, but not all the time. If there's no dispute about who to blame for the accident and your medical expenses aren't very high — for instance, one urgent care appointment — send copies of your records and bills to the insurance company, and see if you can get some extra money for the nuisance. In those types of situations, it's unlikely an automobile injury attorney will be able to get you significantly more money.
However, with more significant injuries that require ongoing medical treatment 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 refuses to give you a fair offer, or is saying your injuries were pre-existing, then you absolutely need a lawyer. Insurance adjusters know how to devalue claims; personal injury lawyers know how to get maximum compensation.
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, almost always require the assistance of an automobile injury attorney.
How Much Are My Automobile Injury Worth in Webster Groves, MO?
The damages you are eligible for after a car accident are intended to compensate you for the economic, physical and emotional consequences of your injuries. With an experienced Webster Groves, 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 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 affected 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 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" translates from Latin to "per day." Using this approach, your Webster Groves, 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, with the above example, say $200 a day is a fair approximation of your pain and suffering:
For example, the negligent driver caused a moderate neck injury, leading to $15,000 in medical expenses and lost wages, 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. The pain and suffering might be given a multiplier of three. So:
$15,000 in medical bills and lost wages × 3 for the noneconomic damages multiplier = a $45,000 financial recovery
$200 × 121 days (four months) = $24,200 in noneconomic damages (on top of your economic damages)
Your attorney will know the best way to calculate your noneconomic damages for your specific case.
Will I Still Get Compensation 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, insurance companies and medical 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 Webster Groves, MO automobile injury attorney will be able to work with your insurance company and healthcare providers 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 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 no guarantee that there's enough to cover all of your damages. If that happens, we have a couple options. First, your Webster Groves, MO automobile injury attorney can file an underinsured motorist claim under your own policy, asking them to make up the difference. 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 Webster Groves, 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 car company may may have produced a defective vehicle 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 allowed
- A mechanic may have negligently worked on the car, which contributed to the accident
- A licensed alcohol vendor if someone got drunk at their venue, drove afterwards and caused a crash
- A government entity 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?
Shifting blame is a common tactic insurance adjusters use to devalue your claim. Providing strong evidence, as well as an automobile injury attorney used to fighting back against that tactic, will help prove you're not at-fault.
In some car accidents, both drivers really are each partially liable. Both Missouri Revised Statute §537.765 and 735 ILCS 5/2-1116 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 half liable.
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 their insurance premiums might go up a little, that doesn't compare to the economic and noneconomic damages you've suffered as a result. 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 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 My Claim Take?
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's resolved. Many insurance adjusters start cooperating immediately once they've received notice that the plaintiff hired a lawyer. 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 without waiting a long period, it's always in your best interest to wait to agree to a settlement until it's the maximum compensation you deserve. You only have chance to receive compensation.
What if I Can't Afford an Automobile Injury Attorney?
Halvorsen Klote's Webster Groves, 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 win, you don't pay, so there's no reason to see money as an obstacle in hiring one of our lawyers.
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 car accident claims, check out the frequently asked questions area of our website, have a look at our legal resources page or call us at 866-382-4167.
Other injury claims we handle in Webster Groves, 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
Hire an Automobile Injury Attorney in Webster Groves, MO Today
We founded our practice on the idea that everyone should have access to the same standard of legal advocacy as the insurance companies that are trying to keep them from the financial recovery they are owed. Injuries are always unexpected 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 Webster Groves, MO clients the best possible results. We pride ourselves on our client communication, and handle the entire legal process so you and your Webster Groves, MO family can focus on healing. Call a Halvorsen Klote automobile injury attorney in Webster Groves, MO now at 866-382-4167 or contact us online for a complimentary 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.
