We are personal injury experts who have achieved results for our clients in Joplin for over 40 years.
Missouri Car Accident Attorneys Will Protect Your Rights
Car and truck vehicular accidents are a leading cause of death in the United States and MO. Today’s car and truck drivers must adhere to complex laws and regulations that protect them from harm. But when an accident happens, it is often difficult to know who was at fault or what legal action will be necessary.
That’s why hiring an experienced Missouri Accident Attorney can be so beneficial. Our attorneys have over 40 years of combined experience helping injured drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. We understand the complexities of MO car accident cases and are dedicated to helping you get the compensation you deserve.
We Can Help if Your Loved One Has Been Injured
Insurance companies often refuse to take responsibility for their insured’s actions even where negligence is apparent. Our trial-experienced and aggressive car accident lawyers will hold the negligent driver and their insurance company accountable. They will help you recover the compensation you deserve in your Missouri car accident case. Our car and truck accident attorneys handle all types of motor vehicle accidents throughout the United States and anywhere in MO, such as:
Fatal Car Accidents Missouri Continue
The Statewide Traffic Accident Records System of the Missouri State Highway Patrol tracks Missouri fatal car accidents. The MO Traffic Safety Compendium provides detailed crash data and car accident statistics. These include factors like the number of people killed or wounded, car accident rates, circumstances at the time of accidents, speed, alcohol or drug involvement, as well as ages of drivers.
A fatal collision is when one or more individuals die from a traffic crash. The quantity of people killed includes those who died within 30 days of the car accident and because of injuries caused by the car accident. An injury crash involves individuals who experience disability as a result of the accidents and those with evident or probable injuries. A property damage crash is one in which no one is killed or injured, but someone’s property has become damaged.
According to the MO State Highway Patrol, 60.9% of all fatal accidents in this state involved only one vehicle. If you or someone you know has been involved in a car, truck, or motorcycle accident, click the link for more information.The car accident attorneys at Buchanan, Williams & O’Brien have been helping clients with personal injury claims for over 40 years. We have represented injured clients in all types of motor vehicle accidents. Our law firm is proud to have earned successful legal case results that have given clients what they were owed after personal injury accidents. Learn more about the team’s experience, case results, and how they can help you:
A Car Accident Attorney in Missouri Can Help
Suppose you were injured or experienced damage to your vehicle due to a car accident. In that case, you may consider contacting a car accident attorney to assist you in receiving compensation for your losses. A “statute of limitations” is a state law that sets a time limit within which you can bring a lawsuit. In this state, the statute of limitations that applies to a car accident litigation depends on whether it resulted in injury or death.
According to MO Revised Statutes section 516.120, anyone injured in an accident must file civil litigation within 5 years. This includes the driver, passenger, pedestrian, bicyclist, or motorcycle driver.
However, if the car crash caused an individual’s death, a family member or alternative representative must make a wrongful death claim three years from the day of the death. Principles for wrongful death cases, found in MO Revised Statutes section 537.100, set this deadline.
A wrongful death attorney from MO can be instrumental in ensuring you receive a fair settlement after the fatal car accident of a loved one. Car accident claims can become complicated, especially when another driver or a municipality is at fault. This is why an experienced car accident lawyer can help you maneuver the legal system for you and your family’s benefit.
The Dangers of Missouri Traffic Accidents
MO traffic accidents and those throughout the other 49 states are among the leading causes of death and injury. These include the following types of vehicular wrecks:
- Bicycle Accidents
- Bus Collisions
- Auto Collisions
- Commercial Truck Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Trucking Accidents
- 18-Wheeler/Semi Wrecks
MO Car Crash Statistics
There are several interesting facts and statistics involving MO car crashes. The knowledge of which may influence how drivers operate their vehicles.
- In 2015, 15-35 year-olds made up 39.2% of all those killed in traffic crashes, with nearly 20% being 15-24 years old.
- 74.6% of all reported MO crashes resulted in property damage only.
- 71.4% of all Missouri crashes happened during daylight hours, 76.1% on dry pavement, with only 17.3% occurring during inclement weather, such as fog, ice, rain, snow, etc.
- 34.2% of all fatal crashes involved speed, and 26.0% involved drugs or alcohol making those the two highest probable contributing circumstances in deadly crashes.
Many MO car accidents involve a single vehicle. Most can be avoided by taking reasonable precautions and driving responsibly. A Missouri car accident attorney can offer the right legal advice if you are involved in a collision with another vehicle.
Property Damage Claims During Auto Accidents in Missouri
Suppose your car is damaged in an accident, and the other driver is at fault. In that case, the liability insurance company insuring the negligent driver should pay for the damage to your car.
If the damage can be repaired, the insurance company has an obligation to restore the car to its original condition. If the vehicle cannot be repaired, the insurance company is responsible for paying you the total value of your vehicle.
Getting an affidavit from the insurance company may reduce or eliminate the amount you owe in sales tax when you purchase a replacement car.
If the other driver does not have insurance, or if there is a problem settling your claim with the insurance company, your insurance company should pay for the damage your vehicle suffered in the car accident if you have collision coverage. You must pay an additional premium for car accident coverage; not every policy has this coverage.
Sometimes there is a dispute about the amount the insurance company should pay to replace a vehicle after a car accident. The insurance should pay you the fair market value of the car. This is the amount of money it would take you to purchase the exact vehicle as a replacement. There are several places to get information about replacement value. The normal sources of information include your banker, a car dealer, “blue books” found at the library or a bookstore, or on several websites that give used car values.
If you have any questions about your car accident case or personal injury claim, call us today at 417-695-4774 or 800-371-8220 or email us. We will meet with you free of charge to discuss your case.
Insurance and Auto Accidents in Missouri
Many different types of insurance may provide help to you if you are in a car accident.
Your insurance policy may provide limited help for paying medical bills for you or anyone in your car, regardless of who was at fault in causing the car accident. Also, even if the car’s owner did not have medical payments insurance, you may have medical payments insurance on your vehicle that will help you with your medical expenses, even if you were not in your car when you were injured. Your health and accident insurance may pay for your medical care through your work.
Under some circumstances, you may have an obligation to repay the insurance company if the negligent third party pays you. If another careless driver injured you, the reckless driver’s insurance company is responsible for paying for your medical bills.
Suppose the negligent driver who injured you did not have insurance or did not have enough insurance. In that case, your insurance company may be responsible for paying your medical expenses under your uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.
If you are eligible for Medicare benefits, Medicare is responsible for paying your medical bills. If Medicare believes that another party is at fault, Medicare may delay paying your medical treatment to see whether the careless driver’s insurance company will pay your bills. If Medicare does pay your bills, Medicare may require you to sign an agreement that you will reimburse Medicare if the negligent driver pays you anything. If you are eligible for Medicaid benefits, Medicaid should pay your medical expenses. However, as with Medicare, Medicaid may delay paying your bills to see whether the careless driver’s insurance company will pay your bills, or they may pay your bills but require you to sign an agreement that you will reimburse Medicaid if you recover from the negligent driver.
My Claim After an Auto Accident in Missouri
Drivers injured in car accidents often have no prior experience with the legal system. For this reason, most people have many questions about how the process works, how long the lawsuit will take, and the cost, among other things.
In car accident cases, the plaintiff or the one filing a car accident claim has to show that the other driver is legally liable for the injuries car accident victims have suffered. That is also something that has to be established even if accident victims and their car accident attorneys file claims with the defendants’ insurance companies rather than filing lawsuits in court.
If injury victims want to recover compensation and have successful Missouri car accident claims, several things must be established. Our Missouri car accident lawyers will inform you about your case and promptly answer your questions. We will help you understand your claim and feel comfortable with the legal process.
Contact Us Today
We have 40+ years of experience protecting the rights of those injured in car accidents, handling personal injury cases all over the United States, and convenient locations throughout MO in St. Louis, Joplin, and Springfield. Contact us now and let us help you. We can meet you at a time and place convenient to you. And remember, you won’t owe us a single dime unless we successfully resolve your case—no upfront costs, no hidden fees: just outstanding service to you.
The trusted team of attorneys at Buchanan, Williams & O’Brien has been helping clients with personal injury claims for over 40 years.
Accidents in Missouri
Car accidents can result in severe and possibly expensive injuries to anyone involved. Even if the other driver bears most of the blame since MO is a “pure comparative fault” state, you will likely be judged partly responsible.
This means the amount you can recover for damages will be reduced by the percentage of blame you hold. In other words, if the court deems that you were 10 percent at fault in the car accident, you will be liable for 10 percent of all damages. If you are 75 percent at fault, you are responsible for 75 percent of the injuries. A qualified lawyer may be able to help you sort it out.
MO Accidents
If you’ve lost loved ones in MO accidents, your best chance of receiving a fair settlement is by hiring a car accident attorney. Car wrecks are undoubtedly complicated, and with all the potential consequences, seasoned St. Louis car accident lawyers like those at Buchanan Williams and O’Brien will know how best to proceed with your claim.
Contact an experienced car accident lawyer like BWO to get the powerful counselor and representative you deserve as you navigate the legal process. Only a car accident lawyer can adequately take the case to court, negotiate with insurance companies, and provide the right legal strategy to resolve your case successfully.
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