Were you injured in a car accident in Columbia, MO? An experienced Columbia car accident attorney at Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers can help you fight to recover compensation for medical costs, lost wages, pain, trauma, and more. Call us today at (314) 444-4444 for a free case review.
Since we opened our doors in 2010, we’ve dedicated our practice to fighting for accident victims like you. We’ve recovered hundreds of millions in settlements and verdicts and have over 100 years of combined experience in personal injury law.
If you were injured in an accident, contact our law offices in Columbia, Missouri today to schedule a free consultation with a car accident lawyer.
How Can Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers Help After a Car Accident in Columbia, MO?
After a car accident, you only have one chance to recover the fair compensation you deserve. The compensation you win can dramatically change your life in Columbia, Missouri.
You deserve an experienced Columbia personal injury lawyer in your corner. At Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers, our AV-rated attorneys have been recognized by Super Lawyers and the National Trial Lawyers “Top 100 Trial Lawyers”.
We can help you maximize your compensation award by:
- Launching an immediate investigation into your crash
- Obtaining police reports, video footage, witness statements, and any other evidence that can support your case
- Enlisting the help of respected experts whom the insurance companies will take seriously
- Preparing and filing all insurance and legal documents
- Providing skilled legal advice to help you make important decisions
- Calculating the fair value of your injury claim and rejecting lowball offers
- Negotiating fiercely with the at-fault driver’s insurance companies for a top-dollar settlement
- Representing your interests in court if necessary
Car accident injuries can be extremely expensive. To learn more about how an experienced lawyer can help, call our Columbia car accident attorneys for a free case evaluation today.
How Common Are Car Accidents in Missouri?
In 2021, 1,016 people were killed in traffic accidents across the state of Missouri. Another 5,266 people were seriously injured in those crashes.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 127,485 car accidents were reported statewide in 2022. At least 45,456 people suffered reportable injuries, and another 964 people were killed.
2,008 crashes were reported in Boone County alone in 2022. 521 of those crashes caused at least one injury, and 15 fatal car wrecks were reported.
We Handle All Types of Car Accident Claims
At Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers, we handle all types of car accident cases, including those involving:
- Speeding accidents
- Distracted driving accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- T-bone collisions
- Head-on crashes
- Rollover accidents
- Highway crashes
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Accidents involving dangerous lane changes
- Intersection accidents
- Left-turn accidents
- Parking lot accidents
- Self-driving car accidents
- Single vehicle accidents
- Multi-vehicle accidents and pileups
- Trucking accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Sideswipe accidents
- Rideshare accidents
Our wrongful death attorneys are also prepared to fight for you if a loved one dies in a fatal car accident.
What Is My Columbia Car Accident Case Worth?
Many different factors will play a role in determining how much your personal injury case is worth, including:
- The severity of the injuries you suffered
- The circumstances of the car accident
- Whether you are expected to recover fully or suffer a permanent disability
- Your medical treatment costs
- Whether you will require long-term medical care or rehabilitation
- Whether you can continue working
- Whether you experienced a decrease in earnings due to the injury
- How the crash has impacted your quality of life and emotional health
- Whether you share any blame
Many other factors can be relevant to your case value. Don’t expect the insurance company to point out factors that might increase your case value.
You can learn more about your case value and how to pursue the fair compensation you deserve by calling an experienced Columbia car accident attorney.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Car Accident Victims in Columbia?
When you file a car accident lawsuit in Missouri, you can seek compensation for your economic and non-economic damages. The types of losses you have experienced will dictate the types of damages you can recover.
Some common examples of the types of compensation you may be entitled to receive include:
- Current medical bills
- Lost wages
- Future medical expenses
- Reduced future earning potential
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Nursing care
- Property damage, including vehicle repairs
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD and fear
- Diminished quality of life
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of consortium in wrongful death cases
Punitive damages, while rare in Missouri, may also be awarded if there is evidence to prove the defendant acted intentionally or with reckless disregard for human life.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Missouri?
Most car accident attorneys in Columbia work on a contingency fee basis. During your free case review, we’ll discuss our fee structure in detail.
Generally speaking, there are no upfront costs. Our attorneys’ fees are taken as a percentage of your settlement or verdict. You do not pay any attorneys’ fees unless we recover compensation in your case.
Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for a Motor Vehicle Accident in Missouri?
Missouri follows a pure comparative negligence law. Your damages will be reduced in proportion to the percentage of fault assigned to you. If you were 35% responsible for the crash, you can take home 65% of your compensation. You only lose your right to damages if you were 100% responsible.
Our Auto Accident Attorneys in Columbia Will Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Accident Injuries
Our law firm is here to fight for you regardless of the types of injuries you sustained in the crash. Remember, even if you are expected to recover, injuries can impact your life in unexpected ways.
At Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers, we often represent injured clients who have suffered:
- Broken bones
- Nerve injuries
- Whiplash injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Back injuries
- Organ damage
- Burns
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
Even if you’re still receiving medical care, it never hurts to consult a lawyer. We offer free initial consultations so that you can start the legal process without any risk. While you focus on recovering, we’ll handle the legal issues.
What Causes Most Car Wrecks in Columbia, Missouri?
While car crashes can happen for many different reasons, some of the most common causes of car accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Texting while driving
- Failure to yield the right-of-way at intersections
- Tailgating
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving
- Illegal or dangerous turns
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Drunk driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Fatigued drivers
- Road hazards
Because multiple people could share blame for the crash, it’s important to identify all factors that played a role in your crash.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Car Accident in Missouri?
Negligence is the underlying cause of most auto accidents in Missouri. Drivers are negligent when they fail to exercise reasonable caution under the circumstances at the time.
The four elements of a negligence case are:
- Duty of care
- Breach of duty
- Causation
- Damages
In plain English, you must have evidence to prove that the defendant made a mistake that directly caused your accident and injuries.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Columbia
The steps you take after a car wreck can be extremely important.
After a car accident, you should:
- Call 911 for emergency assistance and remain at the scene
- Cooperate with the police officer who is preparing the accident report, but don’t apologize for the collision
- Exchange contact information and insurance details with the other driver
- Document the accident scene by taking photos and videos
- Seek medical attention quickly, even if your injuries don’t seem to require emergency case
- Avoid signing any insurance documents or making a recorded statement without a lawyer’s advice
- Contact an experienced lawyer to learn more about your legal options
Many accident victims don’t entirely understand what caused their accident. If you apologize, it can make it more difficult to recover compensation if it later turns out that the accident wasn’t your fault.
Seeking medical attention is equally important. If you wait too long to see a doctor, the at-fault party can claim that your injuries weren’t accident-related. Of course, your injuries could also become much worse.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Car Accident in Missouri?
A five-year statute of limitations applies in most Missouri personal injury cases. If you fail to file a personal injury lawsuit within five years of the accident, you lose your right to sue for damages.
Contact a Columbia Car Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you were involved in a car accident in Columbia, MO, call Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers for legal advice today. An experienced Columbia car accident lawyer can help you stand up to the insurance company and fight for the full compensation you deserve.
