Learn how to secure compensation for a wrongful death in a car accident in St. Louis. Explore your legal rights and the steps involved.
Losing a loved one in a fatal car accident is an indescribably painful experience, leaving families not only grieving but often overwhelmed by the sudden financial and legal uncertainties. Understanding your legal rights is crucial in St. Louis, where the roads are bustling, and accidents are unfortunately frequent. This article aims to guide St. Louis residents through the complex landscape of securing compensation for the death of a loved one due to a car accident.
The impact of such a loss is profound and far-reaching, affecting every aspect of life. Beyond the immediate emotional toll, the financial repercussions can make the situation even more daunting. It’s essential to know that the law in Missouri provides mechanisms to support families during these trying times through wrongful death claims. These claims can offer compensation that covers everything from funeral expenses to the loss of future earnings and benefits, helping families find some measure of financial stability.
This legal professional has shown exceptional competence and dedication in their field. I highly recommend their services to anyone seeking legal representation that is committed to unwavering advocacy and support throughout the entirety of their case.
I would describe this lawyer as highly educated, sharp, and top of his game. Explains the car accident process and treatment options well. The lawyer said if they don’t pay you, we will have the jury take it from the insurance company. Great lawyer. Dynamic person.
Interviewed all the TV car accident lawyers and decided to call this law firm that had great reviews. So happy I did. What a difference!
Response from the owner: TV car accident lawyers are just mass production. This is not a good fit for litigated cases. Paralegals instead of lawyers. Monthly quotas for settlements. Car accident victims end up in a cattle call with the lawyers on TV.
Love my car accident lawyer. This law firm is a step above.
Response from the owner: Our lawyers train and track the best approaches on cases. Whether litigation in cases or the practicalities of certain treatment, the growth of our lawyers over time is paramount. Always staying ahead of and setting practice trends. Thank you.
Serious family member have a car accident injury? Look no further. This litigator is for real. Always two steps ahead of the other lawyer.
Response from the owner: This is a sad reality for car accident lawyers. The #1 passenger in an auto accident is a relative. Helping a family make it through this and putting the family back together is one of the most rewarding things I do as an automobile accident attorney.
This lawyer handles really big accident cases in St Louis. He is a lawyer, accountant and has his masters in tax so he gets the injury cases for individuals that can never go back to work or individuals own a business and cannot run it due to injury. He specializes in valuations of massive loss. Thank goodness a firm like this exists.
Response from the owner: Thank you. When accident are severe and you lose the ability to work or to continue a business, having an accounting and tax background is key. Valuing large losses are second nature for us.
Asked a trauma surgeon who operates on car accident victims who are the best injury lawyers that have taken his deposition. He said “by far” it was Mr Hoffmann. Interviewed several attorneys and this was a correct assessment. In a league of his own!
Response from the owner: Our attorney have deposed nearly all the trauma surgeons at every Level 1 Trauma Center in Saint Louis. These doctors save lives after a car accident. Whether controlling bleeding or reestablishing blood flow or bone structures, they are life savers.
Few lawyers in St. Louis can handle the biggest injury cases! This is one of them!
Response from the owner: Our law firm has made great efforts in terms of training to handle life changing injury cases. Whether in depth knowledge of the medical, loss of income and earning capacity, or lifetime medical care plans, our clients feel confident and know their case is in good hands. Thank you for the compliment.
Cannot say enough about this lawyer. Call if in an accident. This attorney handles the biggest car accidents in St Louis.
Response from the owner: Thanks Ash! Our biggest source of cases is our clients. Our second biggest referral source is defense lawyers telling their relatives to call us. Few lawyers can handle the largest cases. Our law firm welcomes and has trained for this. We don’t do mass production settlement like the lawyers on TV. Our clients can never go back to work. Their cases need massive focus and effort and often long fought litigation.
So glad I called attorney Hoffmann. This time I got it right! So glad I hired the Hoffmann Law Firm - professional, reliable and available.
Response from the owner: Thanks Taylor. Our lawyers answer the phone day, night, weekends and even during lunch. Being professional means training to beat the best defense lawyers. Client rely on us to get results and we do.
Great lawyer. Cares about his clients, knows his stuff and goes the extra mile. I recommend this lawyer for car wreck injury claim. Every other lawyer on TV would not even help with my property claim. This attorney did.
Response from the owner: Thank you for the kind words. Every case starts with a great client. You are correct the car accident lawyers on TV are mass production settlement mills. When injury clients fire them, we get their files and the cases are not worked up at all. Appreciate your confidence in us!
Major car accident injury in St Louis area for a family member. Four different lawyers we know said the same thing - call Chris Hoffmann. On another level.
Response from the owner: This is such a great compliment. Most of our cases come from prior client or lawyers that also do car accidents cases but the particular case is too large or too difficult. Being a lawyer and an accountant, we specialize in cases with total lost of income, earning capacity and/or often the inability to continue a family business. Evaluations such as these are second nature for our lawyers. Thanks.
Best in St Louis for auto accident cases. Nobody else is even close.
Response from the owner: So kind of you to leave this review. Whether our lawyers are going after big insurance or their lawyers, skill and experience are essential and win the day for our auto accident clients. Thanks!
This attorney is very smart, very experienced, returns phone calls and knows the answers when asked. One call and I knew this was a great law firm for auto accidents.
Response from the owner: Our law firm appreciates this. This is a comment we get from so many people who call…”none of the lawyers we called told me all the things that you did.” Whether we take a car accident case or not, helping people is a good thing.
5 Star Lawyer for sure! Best you will find in Saint Louis.
Response from the owner: Thanks for the 5 Star Rating. Reviews like this are great. Injury victims quickly figure out the TV advertisers are not good. We work hard at being the best we can be and it reflects in our representation of car accident victims.
Watch this lawyer in action. Was way better than all the others. Get this lawyer for an automobile accident for sure.
Response from the owner: Thanks for the recommendation. Besides doing cases, our attorneys train for this. Hard work, case knowledge and technique is key to success in car accident litigation.
Very pleased with The Hoffmann Law Firm. Lawyers are attentive, friendly and go the distance to force the settlement you want. The TV lawyers recommend low offers. This law firm gets the maximum.
Response from the owner: We get calls from car accident victims that had to fire the TV lawyers that they hired. They give the same two reasons: 1) they never spoke to a lawyer at the Big TV law firms, only a paralegal, and 2) the paralegal recommended they accept a low offer. At our law firm, you only talk to the lawyer and if an offer is low we tell you to sue. Thanks!
Several lawyers said to call this lawyer because he is the best. You will appreciate this law firm. Helped with the injury and property claims. Attentive and knowledgeable. Great reputation in St Louis.
Response from the owner: Thanks Lexi. Our #1 source of cases is other lawyers referring us cases that are too big for them to handle.
Would use this accident law firm. Best in Saint Louis. Highly rated and it shows. After one phone call, you just know this attorney is better. 5 Stars!!
Response from the owner: Thanks for recommending our lawyers in St Louis. There is a major difference in lawyers as you well know.
Car accident lawyers on tv are not good . Get this attorney ! He is a pro !!
Response from the owner: Thanks Nathan. TV lawyers market for car accidents, use paralegals instead of lawyers and give their employees settlement quotas hence forcing cheap settlements. At our law firm, you get a lawyer who keeps pushing forward for more.
Quality lawyer. Best law firm for a car accident. Advice was way better than other lawyers I called in St. Louis. Helped with property and injury.
Response from the owner: Thanks. The TV lawyer advertisers are just car accident settlement mills. As soon as people call a real attorney, they always tell us how much better and more helpful we were. Appreciate this.
This lawyer is big time. Smooth. The other lawyers on the other side were not nearly as good as this attorney. I recommend friends in St Louis to him for accident injuries and they all say the same thing…”that lawyer is great.”
Response from the owner: Very nice of you to say. Our lawyers work hard on auto accident cases.
Family used this car accident attorney after a crash. Located in St Louis. This lawyer answers the phone and will walk you through the process. Knows his stuff!
Response from the owner: Taking calls, going over the car accident injury and property process is important. Clients that call always say we are the only lawyers that explained everything. Much appreciated.
Tried the lawyers on TV. They were not good. Hired this car accident lawyer instead because he had great reviews. The reviews are correct. This attorney is as good as they get. He does big injury cases that need to be litigated.
Response from the owner: Car accident lawyers on TV do not litigate cases. It is mass production. They have quotas. Local attorneys are best on auto accidents.
Used this attorney for an auto accident. Highly recommend this lawyer in St. Louis. Communicates well.
Response from the owner: Communicating with clients is essential. Taking the client though the car accident claims process is important otherwise major mistakes can occur. It is an effort that we make. Thanks!
Fantastic law firm, I would recommend! Received free consultation related to an auto accident when my parked car was damaged by a baseball. Very supportive advice, these guys are good!
I was in a car accident in St.Louis and hired Chris as my lawyer. He was amazing!!! He helped me every step of the way and was able to get me a great settlement!!!Highly, highly, highly recommend him!
Response from the owner: Each step is important in a car accident. Thanks for recommending us for car accidents injury claims.
Let’s consider what types of compensation might be available, how liability is determined, and how a St. Louis wrongful death attorney can help. Whether you are just beginning to navigate these waters or are seeking to understand more about your ongoing case, this guide provides essential information to help you advocate for your rights and those of your loved one.
Wrongful Death Claims in Missouri
When a life is tragically cut short due to a car accident, the legal term often used is “wrongful death.” In Missouri, a wrongful death claim is a civil action that allows certain family members or representatives of the deceased’s estate to seek compensation from those responsible for the death. Understanding the basics of these claims is essential for families in St. Louis who are considering legal recourse.
What Constitutes a Wrongful Death?
A wrongful death in Missouri occurs when a person’s death is caused by any “act, conduct, occurrence, transaction, or circumstance” which, if the deceased had not died, would have entitled them to recover damages. In the context of car accidents, this typically involves proving that the death resulted from another party’s negligence or unlawful action.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?
Missouri law specifies a hierarchy of individuals who are eligible to file a wrongful death claim:
Primary Group: The spouse, children, or surviving lineal descendants of deceased children (e.g., grandchildren) have the first right to file.
Secondary Group: If no primary group members are available, the deceased’s parents can file the claim.
Third Tier: In the absence of the above relatives, the court can appoint a “plaintiff ad litem” to pursue the claim on behalf of the deceased’s estate.
Statute of Limitations
It’s critical to act within the legal time frames. In Missouri, the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim is three years from the date of the deceased’s death. This means that legal proceedings must be initiated within this period; otherwise, the right to compensation might be lost forever.
This law section ensures that the parties responsible for the death are held accountable while providing necessary financial support to the bereaved family. Understanding these foundational elements can significantly impact the success of a wrongful death claim in St. Louis, offering justice and financial relief during such a devastating time.
Types of Compensation Available in St. Louis
In the wake of a tragic car accident resulting in death, understanding the types of compensation that may be available is crucial for families in St. Louis. Missouri law allows for the recovery of several damages through a wrongful death claim. These are intended to compensate the deceased’s family for their loss and financial burdens.
Economic Damages
Economic or financial damages are the most straightforward and are intended to cover the tangible losses suffered due to the death:
Medical Costs: Expenses for any medical care the deceased required due to the accident before their death.
Funeral and Burial Expenses: Costs directly associated with the funeral and burial can be substantial.
Loss of Income and Benefits: This includes the present and future earnings the deceased would have provided to their family. Calculating this loss often requires expert testimony to estimate what the deceased might have earned had they lived.
Non-Economic Damages
These damages are meant to compensate for the intangible losses, which can be harder to quantify but are profoundly felt by the family:
Pain and Suffering of the Deceased: Before death, if there was a period of suffering.
Loss of Companionship, Comfort, Guidance, and Support: The emotional and social support the deceased would have provided to their family members.
Mental Anguish and Suffering: The psychological impact on the family members due to the loss of their loved one.
Punitive Damages
In cases where the defendant’s actions are found to be particularly willful, wanton, or egregious, punitive damages may be awarded. These are not meant to compensate the family but rather to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future. However, punitive damages are relatively rare in wrongful death cases and require clear and convincing evidence of the defendant’s malicious intent or extraordinary recklessness.
Understanding these types of compensation can help St. Louis families assess the full scope of their potential claim and set realistic expectations about the outcomes of their case. Legal guidance is crucial, as a skilled attorney can help articulate the extent of economic and non-economic losses, ensuring that the compensation sought truly reflects the magnitude of the family’s loss.
Proving Liability in Fatal Car Accidents
In St. Louis, as in the rest of Missouri, successfully claiming compensation for a wrongful death following a car accident hinges on proving that another party was liable for the death. This involves demonstrating negligence or a deliberate wrongful act. Families need to know how to establish liability in these tragic cases.
Establishing Negligence
To prove negligence in a wrongful death case stemming from a car accident, the plaintiff must generally demonstrate the following:
Duty of Care: The defendant was legally obliged to act reasonably towards the deceased. For drivers, this means following traffic laws and driving safely to avoid harming others.
Strong evidence is crucial to proving these elements. Common types of evidence in wrongful death claims include:
Police Reports: Often contain crucial details about the accident, including any citations issued and the officer’s observations and conclusions.
Eyewitness Testimony: Statements from people who saw the accident can support claims about what happened and the conditions leading to the crash.
Surveillance Footage: Video from traffic or nearby security cameras can be pivotal in showing exactly what occurred.
Vehicle Damage Reports: Assessments of the damage can help reconstruct how the accident happened and the impact forces involved.
Medical Records: Documenting the injuries suffered by the deceased can link the fatal injuries directly to the crash.
The Role of Expert Witnesses
Expert witnesses play a key role in wrongful death cases, especially when the details are complex:
Accident Reconstruction Experts: These professionals can analyze the evidence and recreate the accident scene, offering insights into the dynamics and cause of the crash.
Medical Experts: They can attest to the cause of death and explain how the accident led to fatal injuries.
Economic Experts: These specialists calculate the deceased’s potential lifetime earnings and the financial impact of their death on dependents.
Proving liability in a wrongful death claim is a legally complex process that requires a clear understanding of the law and access to various resources for gathering evidence. For families in St. Louis, partnering with an experienced wrongful death attorney can provide the necessary knowledge and experience to navigate this difficult time and ensure that all aspects of the case are thoroughly addressed.
Speak With a St. Louis Wrongful Death Attorney
The loss of a loved one in a car accident is a devastating event that no family should have to endure alone. While the emotional scars may never fully heal, the legal system in St. Louis offers a pathway to at least alleviate some of the financial burdens through wrongful death compensation. We’ve explored the critical aspects of wrongful death claims in Missouri, including the types of compensation available, how to prove liability, local legal considerations, the process of pursuing a claim, and the importance of choosing the right attorney.
Navigating this complex legal terrain can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. With the right legal guidance, you can focus on healing while your attorney handles the intricacies of your case, ensuring that your rights are protected and your loved one’s memory is honored with the justice they deserve.
If you are coping with the loss of a loved one due to a car accident in St. Louis, reach out to an experienced St. Louis wrongful death attorney as soon as possible. At The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C., we are committed to providing compassionate and competent legal representation to ensure your family receives the maximum compensation possible. We understand the emotional weight of your situation and are prepared to guide you through each step of your legal journey.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation where we can discuss your case, outline your legal options, and begin securing the compensation your family rightfully deserves.
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!
