St. Louis Car Accident Lawyers
Have you or a loved one recently been hurt in a car accident? The St. Louis car accident attorneys at Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers can help you maximize your financial award. You may have the right to recover fair compensation for your medical bills, loss of income, and other damages. Call us today at (314) 444-4444.
Our AV-Rated attorneys have decades of combined experience fighting insurance companies and going up against the toughest adversaries for our clients. Our ability to win speaks for itself: we’ve won tens of millions in life-changing settlements and verdicts for crash victims and families across Missouri.
Contact our law office to discover how we can help you get the money you deserve. Your initial case evaluation is absolutely free.
How a Car Accident Lawyer at Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Car Accident in St. Louis
Why did your car accident happen? Who’s at fault? What’s your car accident case really worth? What happens if someone tries to point fingers and blame you?
These questions need to be answered with care – because the answers will have a massive impact on your financial future. That’s why the St. Louis personal injury attorneys should be your first call after your accident.
We have the experience, skills, and depth of resources to get the answers you need and the compensation you deserve.
While you focus your energy on getting better from the trauma of your accident and physical injuries, our award-winning attorneys will:
- Investigate the crash to figure out why it happened, who’s at fault, and who’s liable
- Gather evidence, including police reports, photos and videos, witness statements, medical records, vehicle maintenance records, and more
- Consult with experts as we build your case and figure out what it’s worth
- Negotiate to get you the best possible terms in a settlement
- Bring your case to a jury if insurance companies and other parties refuse to negotiate fairly
Our goal is to get you the best possible results, regardless of the time and effort it takes to get them.
Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning there’s no upfront cost to hire us to represent you after a car crash. You pay absolutely nothing unless we win your case. There is no risk involved, so don’t hesitate to call us for free consultation at a time and location that’s convenient for you.
Car Accident Statistics in St. Louis, MO
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Statistical Analysis Center, there were 14,338 car accidents reported in St. Louis City in 2020.
This reflected a slight drop from the year prior when there were 15,808 traffic accidents reported in the city.
In 2020, there were:
- 76 fatal car accidents
- 3,892 injury-causing crashes
- 10,370 collisions causing only property damage
On an average day, there are between 39 and 40 motor vehicle accidents in St. Louis. Roughly ten crashes result in injuries every day. Between one and two collision are deathly every week.
LATEST DATA REPORTED
The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported over 15,000 motor vehicle accidents in St. Louis in 2021. Sixty-four crashes were fatal, and nearly 3,950 caused an injury. Over 70 people lost their lives in these accidents.
Nearly 1,500 of these accidents involved a speeding driver, and 86 involved drunk or drugged driving. Around one-third of accidents caused property damage only.
On average, there were 41 crashes daily in St. Louis in 2021. Visit our statistics page to learn more.
What Damages are Available After a Car Accident Case?
Following a car collision, you should be able to recover money for your financial losses (economic damages) and pain and suffering (non-economic damages).
Our attorneys will fight aggressively to secure compensation for your:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Disability
- Chronic pain
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement
- Nursing care
If there’s clear and convincing evidence that someone else hurt you intentionally or showed a conscious disregard for your safety, then punitive damages might also be available. In the context of car accident cases, this is most typically awarded in situations where someone is killed or sustains catastrophic injuries in a crash with a drunk driver.
Understanding and Calculating Pain and Suffering Damages
Pain and suffering damages are non-economic in nature. This means they do not have a clear financial value. This makes them different from economic damages like medical expenses and lost wages which do have a definite monetary value.
Pain and suffering losses can be challenging to calculate. Courts and insurance companies often use complex formulas to determine these losses’ value. The most common is the multiplier method.
Under the multiplier method, a court, jury, or insurance company will choose a number between 1.5 and 5, depending on the seriousness of your injuries. They will then multiply that number by your economic losses to get a figure for your pain and suffering damages.
How Much Money Can I Get For My Car Accident?
The value of every accident case will be unique to its circumstances. Every crash is different, and so is every victim.
However, several factors will be relevant in the evaluation discussion of every case:
- The types of injuries you suffered
- Whether you’re expected to make a full physical recovery
- How long you’re forced to miss work and lose out on your income
- If your injuries will result in a permanent physical impairment or disability
- Whether you require assistance to perform daily tasks, like bathing or driving
- The extent that the trauma of being in a car accident has on you emotionally
- Your out-of-pocket costs, both today and in the future
- Whether you took proper steps to mitigate your injuries
- Whether you share any responsibility
- Your age at the time of the accident
- Whether the collision aggravated any pre-existing medical conditions
All of these factors, and others, must be considered when valuing an injury case. However, the extent of your injury is typically the most telling factor regarding valuation.
According to the National Safety Council, the average comprehensive cost of a car accident resulting in possible injuries is roughly $160,000. On the other hand, causing a disabling injury can result in total costs exceeding $1.2 million.
Every case is incredibly unique, so discussing the details of your crash with a car accident attorney is essential. We are available to take your call whenever you need help the most. Call our law firm to arrange a time to discuss the details of your case today.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in St. Louis?
Most car accident lawyers in Missouri use contingency fees. You may be familiar with flat or hourly fees, but contingency fees are different. Where as flat and hourly fees are charged regardless of the outcome of a case, contingency fees are contingent upon whether your attorney recovers compensation for your claim.
Under a contingency fee structure, if your lawyer fails to recover compensation, you will not owe them any attorney fees. However, if your lawyer successfully negotiates a settlement or obtains a verdict for your claim, they will take a percentage of your payment for the representation. This percentages typically ranges from 33% to 40%, depending on the case.
Also, car accident lawyers in St. Louis usually offer free consultations to prospective clients. Reach out to Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule yours.
What Are The Leading Causes Of Car Crashes?
Most car accidents are entirely avoidable events. Drivers on the road must demonstrate knowledge and skill before being issued a driver’s license. Everyone must exercise reasonable caution behind the wheel. The state of Missouri and the city of St. Louis have traffic laws in effect to keep everyone safe.
Despite these things, accidents still happen all too often. It’s usually because someone is negligent.
Negligence means displaying a lack of reasonable care under the circumstances and causing someone else to get hurt.
Some common examples of negligence that contributes to car accidents in St. Louis include:
- Texting and driving
- Other forms of distracted driving
- Speeding
- Drunk driving
- Fatigued driving
- Road rage
- Rushing through intersections to beat a red or yellow light
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Unsafe passing
- Illegal turns
- Failure to look for bicyclists or pedestrians
Sometimes accidents happen even when motorists are exercising due care. Some other common contributing factors to accidents include road defects, weather conditions, and vehicle malfunctions or defects (e.g., faulty brakes and defective airbags).
It’s crucial to identify every potential cause of your crash. The more we understand why your accident happened, the better prepared we will be to seek full compensation from all negligent motorists and parties on your behalf.
Legal Considerations For Missouri Car Accident Claims
Many different laws could affect your car accident claim in Missouri. The ones that apply most frequently are:
- At-fault insurance rules. Missouri is an at-fault state for auto insurance and auto accidents. Therefore, if you are in an accident, you will have to file an injury claim or lawsuit against the at-fault driver to recover compensation for your losses after the crash.
- Comparative fault. Missouri utilizes pure comparative fault rules in cases involving more than one at-fault party. If you share fault, these rules will reduce your damages to account for your percentage of fault.
- Statute of limitations. Missouri sets a five-year time limit on your ability to file a lawsuit after an accident. The clock starts ticking on the date of your accident. If you fail to file a claim by the five-year anniversary of your crash, you will be barred from recovering compensation.
There may be other legal considerations for your accident claim. The best way to learn about the laws that apply to your case is to contact an skilled injury lawyer. Call Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers for help today.
What Happens If I’m Blamed for My Car Accident?
The fact that you were blamed for your accident will affect your ability to recover compensation. Missouri operates under a pure comparative fault system. This means that your right to compensation isn’t barred, but your damages will be reduced to reflect your role in causing the crash.
For example, if you’re assigned 20% liability, your award will be reduced by 20%. That could mean getting a check for $80,000 when your case is valued at $100,000.
Other parties, particularly the insurance company, will try to point fingers and blame you. The less fault they share, the less they’ll have to pay. So if you do nothing, you could watch well-deserved money disappear.
Our expert car accident attorneys will be ready for these tactics and prepared to defend you every step of the way.
What if the Other Driver Does Not Have Insurance?
Missouri is an at-fault state for auto insurance and auto accidents. Every driver in Missouri is required to carry minimum amounts of liability insurance in the event they cause an accident. However, countless drivers fail to purchase insurance.
If you get hit by an uninsured motorist, you might have problems recovering compensation. Car accident victims may be able to file a lawsuit and collect a personal judgment against their assets. However, if the driver doesn’t have insurance, they likely don’t have good liquidity or assets.
You may also be able to claim against your own insurer. If you have insurance, you can claim to get money for the property damage to your car. If you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, you can file a claim with your insurer to get compensation for your injuries related to the motor vehicle accident.
What If I’m The Victim of A Hit And Run?
You may still have options for recovering compensation if you are the victim of a hit and run. The hit-and-run driver is ultimately liable for your crash. Therefore, if law enforcement can locate the driver, you may be able to file a claim against their insurance or file a lawsuit to collect a personal judgment against them.
However, fleding the scene after the wreck, likely, they don’t have insurance and/or sufficient assets to cover your claim. Therefore, you may need to look to your own insurance to recover compensation.
Missouri is an at-fault state. The law requires you to buy a minimum amount of bodily injury liability coverage (BIL) and property damage liability (PDL) insurance. However, these cover injuries that you cause in an accident. They won’t compensate you.
You can only recover damages from your insurance if you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM). This coverage protects you in the event of an accident with someone who doesn’t have adequate insurance.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
You should take several steps after a car accident. Taking these measures can protect your health and your injury claim.
At a minimum, you should:
- After a minor accident, move the cars to a safe place. In a minor accident without injuries, Missouri law requires you to steer your vehicles to a safe spot, assuming they are driveable.
- Contact 911. If you or anyone else in the accident is injured, you should immediately call 911. If no one is injured, you can call the non-emergency line of your local police department to report the crash. A police officer will document the scene and create a report. You can also request an ambulance/EMTs if you need emergency transportation to a hospital.
- Exchange information. You should exchange contact and insurance info with the other party. You will need this information for your injury claim. You should also get the contact information of any witnesses to the accident.
- Take pictures and videos. You should take pictures and videos of the accident scene and your injuries for your accident claim. Try to remember your speed at the time of the accident.
- Seek prompt medical treatment. If you are injured, you can take an ambulance to the hospital if you have serious injuries. Or, you can follow up promptly with your medical provider. Either way, you should get immediate medical attention. This will protect your health and provide evidence for your injury claim.
The final thing you should do is contact a car accident attorney for legal advice. Our team can help you understand and exercise your rights and options for recovering compensation after your wreck.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Crash in Missouri?
Missouri has a five-year statute of limitations that applies to most lawsuits. You’ll have just three years if it’s fatal. Missouri law requires drivers to report any accident that involves:
- Injury
- Death
- Or more than $500 in property damage
The quickest way is by calling 911. Law enforcement will respond to the call and complete an accident report with all the information.
Typically, you will have 30 days to report the accident if the police do not respond. The quickest way to do this is by visiting the nearest police station and completing the report. You can also access Missouri’s accident report form here.
How Long Will My Case Take To Settle?
It depends. Most cases — around 95% — settle. Insurance companies prefer not to risk the cost and unpredictability of a lawsuit if they can settle a claim for a reasonable amount. If you only have minor injuries, your claim could resolve quickly — usually in a matter of a few weeks or months.
However, if you have serious injuries, it may take longer to get fair compensation. You must reach maximum medical improvement (MMI) before understanding your prognosis and past and future medical expenses. Claims involving severe injuries can take up to a year to resolve.
Claims that proceed to a lawsuit take the longest to complete. These cases will have court appearances, discovery, hearings, negotiations, and (possibly) trial. Therefore, they can take a couple of months or more.
Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle
Accidents can happen in a variety of ways and cause many different injuries. That’s why Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers handles there cases. We frequently represent victims of:
- Distracted driving
- DUI
- Head-on
- Highway crashes
- Hit-and-run
- Multi-vehicle accidents
- Rear end accidents
- Reckless driving
- Single vehicle accidents
- Speeding accidents
- U-turn accidents
- And more
You could be entitled to substantial compensation if you’ve been injured in one of these accidents. Our team can help you protect your rights. Contact us today to get started on your claim.
What Types Of Catastrophic Injuries Can Result From a Collision?
Whether you’re in a rear-end collision, head-on crash, rollover collision, or any motor vehicle crash, the injuries you sustain can be catastrophic for you or a loved one.
Our law firm represents clients who, after being in a car accident, have sustained:
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Burn injury
- Trauma to the eyes and face
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Paralysis
- Amputation
- Nerve damage
- Chest injury
- Crushing injury
- Wrongful death and more
Always get medical attention as soon as you can after getting into a wreck. Prompt care will help to ensure your safety and set the stage for a successful claim, should you decide to pursue compensation. Then, don’t hesitate to reach out to our qualified auto accident lawyer near you.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced St. Louis Car Accident Attorney
At Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers, we have decades of combined experience fighting for car accident injury victims and families. Our St. Louis car accident lawyers have won over 50 million dollars in settlements and verdicts and are ready to help you fight for the justice you deserve.
Our law firm provides a free consultation, so give us a call or reach out to us online to arrange a time for you today.
Car Accident Testimonial
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Auto Repair Shops Near You
- Meineke Car Care Center – 728 S 4th St, 63102
- Auto & Truck Repair, Inc. – 2701 Delmar Blvd, 63103
- Alleyway Auto Repair – 2016 S 9th St Rear, 63104
- Custom Complete Automotive – 5406 Chippewa St, 63109
*Disclaimer – we do not endorse any of these or profit from having them listed on our website.
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Notable Neighborhoods We Serve
Central West End, Soulard, Lafayette Square, Downtown, The Hill, Benton Park, Old North, Tower Grove South, Shaw, St. Louis Hills, Skinker DeBaliviere, The Ville, Compton Heights, Forest Park Southeast, Carondelet, Lindenwood Park, Southwest Garden, Tower Grove East, Grand Center, Jeff-Vander-Lou, Hi-Pointe, Franz Park, St. Louis Place, Downtown West, Bevo Mill, Gravois Park, Benton Park West, Botanical Heights, DeBaliviere Place, Clayton-Tamm, Princeton Heights, McKinley Heights, The Gate District, Greater Ville, Holly Hills, Northampton, Wydown Skinker, Ellendale, Clifton Heights, The Southampton, Marine Villa, Walnut Park East, Walnut Park West, Wells-Goodfellow, Kings Oak, Carr Square, North Riverfront, LaSalle Park, Fox Park
