Auto Accident Injury in St. Louis, MO

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in St. Louis? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in and around St. Louis, MO that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in St. Louis, Missouri

According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents and an estimated 38,000 were killed. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol 55,112 people were injured in auto accidents in 2019. The most common causes for accidents were drivers just running into each other, and fixed objects.  In addition, there were a total of 47,786 crashes in the St. Louis area alone. That makes up nearly 30% of all crashes in Missouri.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.

File a Police Report

Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police report. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department requires drivers to immediately report any vehicular accident that causes more than $500 in property damage, kills or injures someone, or damages an unattended vehicle or other property, to police. If the accident severity warrants a report, officers will handle it on scene and you can contact the Records and Services Department to file your own within 30 days of the accident, or inquire about a copy.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:

• Full name, address, phone number and email address
• Driver’s license state and number
• Auto insurance company name, policy number and phone number

Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it. 

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.

Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:

• Burn injuries
• Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
• Brain and head injuries
• Broken bones
• Spinal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries

Missouri is a fairly populous state, and costs for settlements surrounding only accidents involving fatalities were over $1.3 billion in 2018 according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. St. Louis as a city is right in line with the national average cost of $60,000 for any accident involving an injury. Even only property damage claims range in the tens of thousands of dollars.

Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Laws in Missouri

Liability Laws for St. Louis

When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process.

Missouri law requires that all motor vehicle drivers and owners maintain some type of motor vehicle liability insurance coverage. The minimum level of coverage required by state law is $25,000 per person for bodily injury and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury.

Statute of Limitations in St. Louis

Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while some others may give you up to six years. In Missouri, you only have five years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit or seek a claim.

This may seem like a long time but there are so many costs and injuries that can arise months or even years after an accident. This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near St. Louis, MO

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in Missouri!