Automobile Injury Attorney Wildwood, MO
Wildwood, MO Personal Injury Lawyers
Call 866-382-4167 for a Free Consultation | Wildwood, MO Automobile Injury Attorney
Automobile injury attorney in Wildwood, MO. Injuries in auto wrecks happen without warning, and the mental, physical and financial burdens they create happen suddenly as well. If you were injured in a Wildwood, MO auto accident, you need an automobile injury attorney who will get you the financial recovery you need to be made whole again. At Halvorsen Klote, we have dedicated our practice to fighting for those injured by the negligence of another when the whole world seems to have turned against them. Insurance adjusters can seem heartless, but with a knowledgeable attorney by your side, they will not be able to prevent you from collecting the best possible financial recovery you are lawfully entitled to. We serve the injured in Wildwood, MO, the Greater St. Louis area and Southern Illinois. You owe us no fees until we win your case. Call a Halvorsen Klote automobile injury attorney in Wildwood, MO today at 866-382-4167 or contact us online for a free case review.
We've gotten great results for our Wildwood, MO clients in a variety of auto accident claims, including:
Wildwood, 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 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 Case?
In order to have a realistic chance of being compensated, your injury needs to lead to some amount of economic damages, such as 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 were never medically evaluated, you're unlikely to have a valid claim. If the accident was largely your fault, you may not have a case either.
Fortunately, you don't have to rely on guesswork to understand if you have a case. Halvorsen Klote's Wildwood, MO automobile injury attorneys are more than happy to discuss your case for free.
Is it Worth it to Get a Lawyer for an Automobile Injury?
Usually, yes, but not all the time. If the other party accepts responsibility and you didn't need much medical treatment — for instance, one urgent care appointment — send copies of your records and bills 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.
However, with more significant injuries that result in several physical therapy or chiropractic appointments 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 pay the full extent of your damages, 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 have just as much experience holding them accountable.
Other complications, 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.
What Compensation Can I Recover For My Wildwood, MO Automobile Injuries?
The damages you are eligible for after an automobile injury are intended to compensate you for the economic, physical and emotional consequences of your injuries. With a knowledgeable Wildwood, MO automobile injury attorney, you can be reimbursed 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
- Out-of-pocket 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 for your automobile injuries depends largely on how your injuries have affected your life.
How Much Will I Get for Pain and Suffering?
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, 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 approach, your Wildwood, MO automobile injury attorney assigns a dollar amount to a single day of suffering, and multiplies that by the number of days you suffered. So, with the above example, say your lawyer assigned $200 a day to your injuries:
For example, you suffered 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. Your noneconomic damages might be assigned a multiplier of three. So:
$15,000 in medical bills and lost wages × 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 determine your noneconomic damages for your unique case.
Will I Still Get Compensation if My Medical Insurance Pays For My Medical Expenses?
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 repaid by the liable party's insurance, just as you are being compensated.
The law allows a variety of avenues to reduce medical liens. An experience Wildwood, 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 financial recovery 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 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, your Wildwood, MO automobile injury attorney can file an underinsured motorist claim under your own policy, that can provide compensation for the rest of your damages. Secondly, your attorney can find out if there are other liable parties.
Who Else Could Be Liable for My Auto Accident Injuries in Wildwood, MO?
In most cases, the other driver is the only personal we can hold accountable for your injuries. However, there are other people and entities that may have contributed to your accident:
- An car company may may have produced a faulty vehicle component, and you can make a product liability claim
- If you were injured in a truck accident, there are a variety of regulations the trucking company may have violated
- A mechanic may have improperly repaired an automobile, which contributed to the crash
- A licensed alcohol vendor if they served alcohol to a drunk driver that caused your crash
- A government authority responsible for designing and maintaining the safety of roads
- 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 trick insurance adjusters use to devalue your claim. Providing strong evidence, in addition to having an experienced automobile injury attorney fighting back against that tactic, will demonstrate that you aren't liable.
In some car accidents, both drivers really are each partially responsible for the accident. Both Missouri Revised Statute §537.765 and 735 ILCS 5/2-1116 allow for what's called "comparative negligence." Meaning, each party pays for the percentage of fault they bear for the accident. In Illinois, you cannot make any recovery if you were more than 50 percent 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 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 have to go to court 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 prep you for those and handle most of the work.
How Long Will My Claim Take?
That depends on your case and, usually, how complex it is. A personal injury claim can take anywhere from a month to several years before it reaches its conclusion. 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 soon, it's always the best idea to hold out for the maximum compensation you're owed. This is your only chance to receive compensation.
What if I Can't Afford an Automobile Injury Attorney?
Halvorsen Klote's Wildwood, 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 reason to see money as an obstacle in hiring one of our lawyers.
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, have a look at the frequently asked questions area of our website, go to our legal resources page or call us at 866-382-4167.
Other injury claims we handle in Wildwood, 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 Wildwood, MO Today
We founded our practice on the idea 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 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 Wildwood, MO clients the best possible results. We pride ourselves on our client communication, and handle the entire legal process so you and your Wildwood, MO family can spend your energy on healing. Speak to a Halvorsen Klote automobile injury attorney in Wildwood, MO today at 866-382-4167 or contact us through our website 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.
