Free Consultation with a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer
Don’t talk to an insurance claims adjuster before speaking with The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. We can help you avoid making statements that may affect the outcome of your case. The consultation is free; you don’t pay unless we get you money!
Get immediate medical treatment for the injuries sustained in the car accident.
Report the accident to the police and fully cooperate with the authorities.
Do not discuss the fault with other parties, including the driver and the insurance company.
Maintain records of all medical bills and other expenses related to the car accident.
Documenting Property Damage Claims
If you have a property damage claim, you need the following three things for your St. Louis car accident lawyer to make a claim:
Estimate – Written estimate from a dealership or collision center (insurance estimates are not admissible in court)
Fair Market Value – Printout of the Kelly Blue Book Value and NADA Value – Do this today! Print this immediately. If you wait six months, the car will be worth less.
Photos – Get photos of the damage, the rest of the outside of the car, and the interior. Clean out the inside of the vehicle before taking pictures. Remove floor mats if they look bad. When photographing the damage, make sure to get tough to photograph areas, including damage extending into the engine, trunk, frame rails, and suspension.
Consider long-term impacts when documenting property damage:
Assess any potential diminished value of your vehicle due to the accident.
Keep records of all repair estimates and work done on your vehicle.
Documenting Property Damage Claims For Different Collisions
Rear-End Collisions: Take photos from behind the vehicle, looking at the damage for rear-end collisions. Make sure to take pictures from angles looking across the bumper, not just at it, to show how far it is smashed in. Open the trunk and pull back the rug to photograph any crumping of the trunk floor and damage in the spare tire area. Take photos of this and the broken suspension if the car sits low or dips to one side.
Head-on Collisions: For head-on collisions, take photos of the front bumper and across the bumper to show the depth of damage. Open the hood and photograph any damage extending into the engine compartment, including the radiator, air conditioning, or engine. Take photos of the broken suspension if the car sits low or dips to one side.
Side-Impact Collisions: With sideswipe accidents, take photos looking down the side of the car. Open the doors and take pictures of the door frame or foot-well damage.
WARNING: Do not sign a “Release of Claims” for property damage. Has your lawyer reviewed any releases? Most releases include language that releases “any and all claims whatsoever”; hence, you would mistakenly be releasing your injury claim and any other claim as well as property.
Documenting Your Injuries in Medical Records
Documenting your injury in your medical records is a must! When going to the ER, Primary Care Doctor, MRI, Specialists, Physical Therapy, or any other provider, make sure to write the following on the medical records whether there is a spot for it or not:
State that you were in a Motor Vehicle Accident and write when it occurred.
Write the Cause of the accident: for example, I was rear-ended at a stop sign, the car ran a red light and hit me, ran a stop sign, pulled across traffic, came into oncoming traffic, etc.
List all body parts injured and any pain radiating from one body part to another.
Mark all body parts on the pain diagram and draw arrows or lines regarding radiating pain – for example, neck pain radiating into the shoulder and down arms or low back pain radiating into the buttocks and legs.
REMEMBER: If records are completed electronically, ask the provider to see the documents to ensure everything is listed correctly.
Maximizing Your Car Accident Settlement
At The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C., we understand that securing a fair settlement after a car accident is crucial for your recovery and financial stability. Several factors can influence your settlement amount in Missouri, and our experienced attorneys work diligently to maximize your compensation.
Understanding Car Accident Settlements in Missouri
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Car accident settlements in Missouri are typically negotiated between the injured party and the at-fault driver’s insurance company. The settlement amount is calculated based on various factors, including:
Punitive Damages: In extreme negligence, such as drunk driving accidents, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the at-fault party.
Economic Damages: These are quantifiable losses such as:
Medical expenses (current and future)
Lost wages
Property damage
Non-Economic Damages: These are more subjective and can include:
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Loss of consortium
Factors Influencing Settlement Amounts
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Several factors can impact your settlement amount:
Severity of Injuries: More severe injuries typically result in higher settlements.
Type of Accident: Certain accidents involving distracted driving or occurring at intersections may affect liability determination.
Comparative Fault: Missouri follows a “pure comparative fault” rule, which means your settlement may be reduced by your percentage of fault in the accident.
Future Medical Treatment: This should be factored into your settlement if you require ongoing care.
Impact on Quality of Life: Significant lifestyle changes due to injuries can increase non-economic damages.
How to Maximize Your Car Accident Settlement
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Document Everything: Keep detailed records of all accident-related expenses, medical treatments, and how the injuries have affected your daily life.
Don’t Rush to Settle: Insurance companies often offer quick, low settlements. Be patient and consult with your attorney before accepting any offer.
Consider All Damages: Ensure all damages are accounted for, including less obvious ones like loss of earning capacity or emotional trauma.
Gather Strong Evidence: This includes police reports, witness statements, and expert testimonies, especially in cases involving fatal car accidents.
Understand the Full Extent of Your Injuries: Some injuries may have long-term consequences. Work with medical professionals to understand the full scope of your injuries and future needs.
Negotiate Effectively: Our experienced attorneys know how to negotiate with insurance companies to secure maximum compensation.
Remember, the average car accident settlement can vary widely based on the specific circumstances of each case. At The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C., we have the knowledge and experience to evaluate your case thoroughly and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
Why Choose Us as Your Car Crash Attorney in St. Louis?
At The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C., we dedicate ourselves exclusively to representing individuals who have suffered injuries in car crashes in the St. Louis area. With over 25 years of experience, our firm’s principal, Christopher Hoffmann, specializes in managing car accident claims. This deep experience has equipped our firm with the strategic insight to handle challenging cases effectively. Our track record is robust, marked by the recovery of millions of dollars for injured clients.
Our commitment is centered on ensuring that victims of motor vehicle accidents secure full and just compensation. This commitment extends even to cases involving uninsured or underinsured motorists. To enhance the likelihood of a favorable outcome, our car crash attorney, St. Louis,meticulously prepares every case as though it will proceed to trial, involving:
A thorough investigation of the accident scene.
Interviews with witnesses.
Collection of robust evidence to establish the fault of the opposing driver.
We are adept at managing even the most complex cases. At The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C., we are relentless in our pursuit to obtain the complete value of your claim, never settling for less. We stand ready to bring your case to court when insurance companies fail to offer a fair settlement.
How Do I Receive Full Compensation?
It usually takes work to determine the right compensation amount that someone in an auto accident deserves. Only an experienced St. Louis Car Accident Attorney can consider all factors and help get the maximum possible compensation for the losses suffered in the car accident. It’s crucial to schedule a free consultation with a car accident lawyer in St. Louis soon after an accident. Delays or failures to do so can jeopardize the chances of getting the full compensation to which you may be entitled.
Only give a recorded statement or sign a settlement after consulting an experienced attorney. It is essential to determine the actual value of the case before an agreement is approved, and only a competent St. Louis car accident attorney can do so.
Helping You Recover Maximum Compensation
Our legal team works hard to help you recover the maximum compensation for lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, disability, and reduced quality of life. Because of our strong focus on motor vehicle accident claims, the chances are excellent that we have handled a claim similar to yours.
From intersection collisions resulting in broken bones to high-speed highway crashes resulting in a brain or spinal cord injury, our experience, legal knowledge, and investigative resources can be immediately put to work in determining the exact cause of your car accident. We have experience with all types of car accidents, including:
We have also helped clients secure financial recovery after drunk drivers, uninsured or underinsured motorists, or in a construction zone injured them.
Whether you suffered a herniated disk from a rear-end accident on an exit ramp or your family is suffering from the premature death of a loved one hit by a drunk driver, you need compensation and justice.
We know how to deal with insurance companies that try to minimize claims. We understand their tactics and work diligently to overcome them. We aim to secure full and fair compensation for our clients so that they have the resources they need to move forward.
What types of compensation may I receive?
Cost of medical treatment, including hospitalization, prescription drugs, doctor visits, ambulance fees, and physical therapy
Emotional pain and suffering
Loss of income
Repair or replacement of the vehicle
Diminished earning capacity
Loss of companionship
Funeral costs in case of wrongful death
Rental car fees
Punitive damages
Determining Fault in a St. Louis Car Accident
Determining who is at fault in a car accident is a matter of deciding who the negligent driver is. Determining this can be a complicated process. To increase the chances of a positive outcome, our firm prepares every case as if it will go to trial: investigating the car accident, interviewing witnesses, and gathering evidence to prove the other driver was at fault. We are fully prepared to handle the most complicated cases.
A negligent driver behaves thoughtlessly or carelessly, causing harm or injury to another person. Examples of negligent driving include:
Our law firm has the resources and experience to recreate the accident and show how the negligent driver led to the seriousness of your injuries.
What Other Parties May Be Held Liable in an Accident?
Bar or restaurant in cases of car accidents caused by drunk drivers
Trucking companies that have flouted regulations
Mechanics who failed to repair a vehicle properly
Government authorities who failed to maintain proper roadway conditions
Manufacturers for creating defective vehicles or parts
When you come to the St. Louis car accident law firm, we will investigate your case thoroughly, using experts such as accident reconstructionists to help us show how the accident happened. By gathering evidence and building strong arguments, we maximize our ability to recover full compensation for our client’s car accident injuries.
Free Consultation with a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer
Don’t talk to an insurance claims adjuster before speaking with The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. We can help you avoid making statements that may affect the outcome of your case. The consultation is free; you don’t pay unless we get you money!
