The Hoffmann Law Firm · St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis Car Accident & Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
When the injuries are serious.
Since 1998, we’ve helped victims of serious car crashes and catastrophic injuries in St. Louis. If you were injured in a car wreck, you work directly with Attorney Christopher Hoffmann, an experienced auto accident attorney who owns his Clayton practice. The consultation is free.
100% FREE
Free case review
Tell us what happened. We’ll review it and reach out. No cost, no obligation.
Every case is different; results depend on the facts. No fee unless we recover compensation for you. For injury crashes in the St. Louis area.
Since 1998
St. Louis car accidents only
No Fee
Unless we recover compensation
One Attorney
Your case is never handed off
Recognized by
Attorney Christopher Hoffmann
The attorney works your case.
From intake to resolution, your case is handled by Christopher Hoffmann. No hand-offs to paralegals or junior attorneys, no case managers. If the injuries are serious, you talk directly with Attorney Hoffmann.
We pursue the maximum available insurance recovery: policy limits identified and pursued, liability plus uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, and Missouri lien law used so medical bills get satisfied and clients keep more of what is recovered.
- Motor vehicle injury cases only, in one city, since 1998.
- Attorney Hoffmann personally prepares every case for trial.
- Locally owned and run. A Clayton office, not a national chain or referral network.
- Free consultations, and no fee unless we recover compensation.
★★★★★
4.9 out of 5 · 107 Google reviews
“The lawyers on TV just don’t compare for auto accident injury cases. Mr. Hoffmann is as good as they get.”
Kyle H., St. Louis
Case results
Cases we have handled
Serious motor vehicle cases, prepared by the attorney and resolved for the maximum available insurance recovery.
Wrongful death · Trucking company
The trucking company said its driver was not their problem.
A family lost someone in a crash with a commercial truck, and the company argued the driver was an independent contractor rather than their responsibility. We litigated the relationship, not just the wreck.
Resolved for the familyRear-end collision · Policy limits
Policy limits first, then the underinsured claim.
Our client was rear-ended, lost consciousness at the scene, and was left with a serious back injury. We recovered the full limits of the at-fault driver’s policy, then pursued an additional underinsured motorist claim on top of it.
Policy limits recoveredSpinal fusion · Missouri lien law
The surgery could not wait for the settlement.
A collision left our client needing spinal fusion surgery with no health insurance to pay for it. The operation went ahead on a lien basis, and when the policy limits came in, Missouri lien law satisfied the medical bills in full with only a small portion of the recovery.
Liens satisfied in fullMore case stories are on our results page.
A St. Louis firm, not a national chain
We know these roads, courts, and insurers
Since 1998, Attorney Christopher Hoffmann has represented injured drivers across St. Louis and the surrounding metro, from the city courts to the County courthouse in Clayton. Local knowledge often makes a real difference in how a claim is handled.
Case types
One practice, since 1998.
Motor vehicle injury cases only. If your case type is below, it is the kind of work we do every day.
Accidents
Crashes on Missouri roads, from city streets to the interstates.
Car Accidents
The core of the practice.
Truck Accidents
Semi and commercial carriers.
Motorcycle Accidents
Riders and passengers.
Pedestrian Accidents
Struck while walking.
Bicycle Accidents
Cyclists hit by drivers.
Uber & Lyft Accidents
Passengers and drivers.
Catastrophic Injuries
From motor vehicle crashes.
Next steps
What to do after a car accident
Four things to focus on in the hours and days right after a crash. Do these and you protect both your health and your claim.
Get medical attention
Even if you feel okay, get checked out. Some injuries show up hours or days later, and medical records tie your treatment to the crash.
Report the crash to police
Call 911 or the local St. Louis police and cooperate fully. The police report is a key document insurance adjusters rely on to determine fault.
Don’t discuss fault
Don’t talk about who was at fault with the other driver, witnesses, or insurance adjusters. Anything you say can be used against your claim later.
Keep every record
Save medical bills, repair estimates, time-off-work notes, and every piece of correspondence from insurers. These build the evidence behind your case.
Important warning
Do not sign a “Release of Claims” for property damage before having The Hoffmann Law Firm review it. Most releases include language that waives “any and all claims whatsoever,” meaning you could unintentionally give up your injury claim along with the property-damage settlement.
Documenting your case
Building a strong car accident claim
The difference between a good settlement and a great one is often documentation. Here’s what you can start on today; tap each section to expand.
Documenting property damage claims
If you have a property damage claim, three things strengthen it considerably:
- Photos: the damage, the rest of the vehicle exterior, and the interior. Clean the inside first. Photograph hard-to-see areas like the engine bay, trunk, frame rails, and suspension.
- Written estimate: from a dealership or collision center. Insurance company estimates are not admissible in court.
- Fair market value: print the Kelley Blue Book and NADA values today. If you wait six months, the number drops.
Also worth considering longer-term:
- Diminished value of your vehicle after repair
- All repair estimates and work completed
Photographing different collision types
Rear-end collisions. Photograph from behind, looking at the damage. Take pictures across the bumper (not just straight on) to show crumple depth. Open the trunk and pull back the rug to reveal floor damage and anything in the spare tire area. Photograph suspension if the car sits low or dips to one side.
Head-on collisions. Photograph the front bumper both straight-on and across, to show depth. Open the hood and document the engine compartment: radiator, A/C condenser, engine. Again, suspension if the car dips.
Side-impact collisions. Photograph along the side of the vehicle. Open the doors and document the door frame and foot-well damage.
Documenting your injuries in medical records
What goes into your medical records can make or break your injury claim. At every visit (ER, primary care, MRI, specialists, physical therapy), make sure these details are in the chart, whether or not there’s a dedicated field:
- That you were in a motor vehicle accident, and the date it happened
- The cause: “rear-ended at a stop sign,” “ran a red light,” “pulled across traffic,” etc.
- Every body part injured, and any radiating pain (e.g. neck pain radiating into the shoulder and down the arms)
- All of the above marked on any pain diagrams, with arrows showing radiating patterns
Settlement guidance
Maximizing your car accident settlement
Missouri car accident settlements depend on a handful of specific factors. Understanding them early can make a meaningful difference in what you recover.
How car accident settlements are calculated in Missouri
Settlements are typically negotiated between the injured party and the at-fault driver’s insurance company. The amount depends on three broad categories of damages:
Economic damages (quantifiable losses):
- Medical expenses (current and future)
- Lost wages
- Property damage
Non-economic damages (subjective but very real):
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
Punitive damages. In cases involving extreme negligence (drunk driving, for instance), punitive damages may be awarded to punish the at-fault party.
Factors that influence what your claim may be worth
- Severity of injuries. More severe injuries generally result in higher settlements.
- Type of accident. Distracted-driving and intersection collisions can affect how liability is assessed.
- Comparative fault. Missouri follows a pure comparative fault rule; your settlement may be reduced by your percentage of fault.
- Future medical treatment. Ongoing care should be factored in, not just today’s bills.
- Impact on quality of life. Long-term lifestyle changes from injuries can increase non-economic damages.
How to give your claim the best chance
- Document everything. Accident-related expenses, medical treatments, and how the injuries are affecting your day-to-day.
- Don’t rush to settle. Insurance companies often front-load low settlement offers. Talk with an attorney before accepting anything.
- Account for every type of damage. Not just medical bills; lost earning capacity and emotional trauma count too.
- Gather strong evidence. Police reports, witness statements, and supporting documentation, especially in serious cases.
- Understand your full injuries. Some injuries have long-term consequences that aren’t obvious at first.
- Work with a focused attorney. A lawyer who concentrates on car accidents knows how insurers evaluate claims and when they’re lowballing.
Every case is different; results depend on the facts.
Ready to talk?
Free consultation with Attorney Hoffmann
Talk to a St. Louis car accident lawyer, free. We’ll help you avoid statements that may hurt your case, and there’s no fee unless we recover compensation for you.