If you or someone you care about has suffered the emotional, physical, and financial impact of a serious car accident, you may be having a hard time figuring out what to do next. OnderLaw’s experienced personal injury attorneys are here to guide you every step of the way with your car accident insurance claim or lawsuit. Call a St. Louis car accident lawyer today for a free case consultation.

At OnderLaw, we hold auto accident at-fault drivers and insurance companies accountable for your injuries while you focus on your recovery. Our knowledgeable and compassionate attorneys are here to get justice for you.

Contact us now to schedule a free case evaluation regarding your car accident claim. It’s the first step to recovering compensation.

Why Hire a Car Accident Lawyer from OnderLaw?

Dealing with the legal aspects of a car accident is virtually impossible if you have been directly affected by a life-changing serious injury or death. You need an experienced car accident lawyer to take the reins of the legal process.

Personal injury cases and motor vehicle accidents can be very complicated. Only a qualified car accident attorney can investigate, analyze, build a compelling case, negotiate a fair settlement with insurance companies, or take the case to court if negotiations fail.

Insurance companies will often prey on the vulnerability of car accident victims and offer much lower settlements than they are entitled to. These low offers may not even cover the cost of medical expenses, let alone lost wages or pain and suffering.

Don’t let this happen to you. Contact a seasoned St. Louis car accident attorney from OnderLaw as soon as possible after being involved in a car accident, and let us and our law firm work to get the full and fair compensation you are owed.

OnderLaw has a long and successful history of getting our clients the justice they deserve. We have the knowledge, experience, and resources to research every detail of your car accident. We will build an ironclad case to negotiate with the insurance companies or take your case to court for a jury verdict.

 

Call us today to schedule a free consultation about your car accident case.

What Should I Do If I’ve Been Injured in a St. Louis Car Accident?

Being involved in a car accident can be shocking, frightening, and confusing, especially if you’ve been injured. These are the steps you need to take to ensure your immediate and future well-being.

  • Move away from danger – If the accident scene is near the road, you must move away from any further potential danger as soon as you can. If the involved vehicles are still functional, be sure to move them away from traffic and into a safer area. Failing to do so could potentially result in an even bigger traffic accident and more injuries or deaths.
  • Seek medical attention – If you know you’re injured, seek medical attention from trained professionals as soon as possible. Be aware that you may not immediately show symptoms for injuries that are internal. For this reason, you should always seek medical attention after you have been in a car accident. Never wait for days or weeks before your first appointment. Insurance companies use gaps in treatment as valid reasons to deny claims.
  • Contact the police – Contacting the police is always a wise choice after a serious car wreck. If you have sustained injuries, a dispatcher will send a team of trained medical professionals to give you the care you need.
  • Get a damage estimate – Bring your car to a repair shop for an estimate of the damage. They will write a report that indicates how much it will cost to fix or replace your vehicle. You can use that in your claim as proof of additional costs.
  • Additionally, you can file a police report, which your attorney will need to give to insurance companies when settlement negotiations begin. Make sure to get the responding officers’ names, badge numbers, and the case file number (if available). Be aware that it may be a few days before anyone can get the completed police report because the police also may have to do an investigation into the car accident.
  • Collect information – If your injuries don’t prevent you from doing so, you should collect the insurance and contact information from every party involved in the car accident. If there are witnesses, get their names and contact information as well. Take pictures of the scene of the accident, as well as any damage to your property. You should also document your injuries and your medical bills and treatment costs. Keep a record of all medical appointments related to the injuries you suffered in the car accident.

What Does an Accident Investigation Look Like?

When you hire OnderLaw, we will begin investigating the accident immediately. We have the resources, knowledge, and experience to thoroughly review every piece of evidence and find a way to prove another person was at fault.

Some of the crucial evidence our law firm will need to obtain includes:

  1. Traffic crash report
  2. Eyewitness statements
  3. Copies of your medical records and bills
  4. Accident scene evidence
  5. Photos and Vehicles involved
  6. Vehicle repair estimates and invoices
  7. All available insurance policies
  8. Video surveillance footage

When traveling on Missouri roadways, every individual (including drivers, passengers, and pedestrians) is legally obligated to maintain a ‘duty of reasonable care.’ Essentially, this means that every traveler is expected to be reasonably cautious on the road and must avoid putting themselves and others at risk for an accident.

If a traveler fails to maintain their duty of reasonable care, and that failure causes a car accident, that driver could be held liable for the accident.

This is known as negligence. Negligence refers to one party’s failure to act or not act in a way to prevent someone else from harm. Proving negligence can be complex, but your St. Louis car accident attorney will handle that for you.

There are five elements of negligence we will show existed at the time of the motor vehicle accident:

  1. Duty: The at-fault driver owed you a duty of care to act or not act in a way that would prevent you from getting hurt;
  2. Breach of duty: They breached their duty;
  3. Cause in fact: If it weren’t for their action or inaction, you wouldn’t have sustained an injury;
  4. Proximate cause: Their breach was the direct cause of your injury; and
  5. Damages: You suffered losses as a result of the accident.

In some cases, it is relatively easy to determine who is liable for a car accident. For example, a driver may drift into another lane and cause an accident because they behaved negligently by focusing on a text message instead of the road ahead and thus is responsible for the car accident injuries the accident victim sustained.

However, what happens when liability isn’t so obvious?

In the state of Missouri, liability is determined using ‘pure comparative fault’ laws. These laws allow liability to be split among the at-fault parties. This means that if both parties contributed to the cause of a car accident, then both parties may be found liable.

However, one party can be found more liable than another. For example, say that Driver A fails to use its blinker when changing lanes and collides with Driver B, who is traveling 15 miles over the speed limit. Driver A might be found 60% at fault for failing to use the vehicle’s blinker, while Driver B might be found 40% at fault for speeding. This means that if Driver B pursues a lawsuit, and the total damages are $250,000, they will get 40% less in compensation.

Within the state of Missouri, pure comparative fault laws make it so that even if you are 99% responsible for an accident, you are still legally entitled to collect on damages from a car accident. However, you will only be able to collect 1% of your total losses.

Reach out to one of our skilled car accident lawyers in St. Louis today to learn how OnderLaw can help your case.

What Type of Compensation is Available After a St. Louis Car Accident?

In St. Louis, there are several types of compensation you can collect after a serious vehicle collision. This compensation is meant to cover the financial losses you’ve experienced because of a car accident, as well as the emotional harm that you have suffered. The two main subcategories of compensation – or damages – you may be owed in an insurance claim or lawsuit are economic and non-economic damages.

This compensation includes, but is not strictly limited to:

If you’re pursuing compensation in a civil lawsuit, there’s another kind of damage you could seek, known as punitive damages. It is not available in insurance claims and isn’t intended to compensate an injured victim for their property damage, or other losses. Instead, it punishes the individual that caused the accident and aims to deter similar misconduct in the future.

A jury will only award punitive damages if you can provide clear and convincing evidence that the at-fault party caused intentional harm without just cause or acted in complete disregard for the safety of others.

Your dedicated St. Louis car crash lawyers will determine a fair monetary value for your case and ensure you receive fair compensation for all of the damages you incurred. This could include lost wages, property damage, medical bills, and more. You should not have to pay out of pocket for any of your expenses, especially when someone else caused your car crash injuries. We will fight vigorously to seek justice and recover the maximum financial award available.

Were you injured in a car accident?
Contact an Attorney Today

What Are the Most Dangerous Intersections in St. Louis?

In St. Louis, there are certain roadways and intersections that are more of a risk for drivers and their passengers. OnderLaw has compiled a map of the most dangerous car accident roads in St. Louis for your reference.

Sources
https://fox2now.com/news/map-of-the-most-dangerous-intersections-in-st-louis/(2017)

What Are the Most Common Causes of St. Louis Car Accidents?

Motor vehicle accidents and their associated serious injuries are a common occurrence throughout the country. Every day, people get hurt due to the mistakes of other people. When you encounter a driver who isn’t following traffic laws, you could suffer severe injuries.

The most common causes of car accidents include:

  • Distracted driving – Actions that take a driver’s eyes, hands, or focus off the task of driving, such as texting, changing the radio, or eating food.
  • Drunk driving – Operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol endangers everyone on the road. It reduces a person’s reaction time, alters sensory perception, and decreases motor skills.
  • Speeding – Traveling above the speed limit or driving too fast for road or weather conditions is dangerous. Excessive speeds make it difficult for a motorist to slow down or stop in an emergency or if traffic ahead comes to a standstill.
  • Road defects – Government entities are supposed to perform routine maintenance on all roadways to ensure there isn’t anything hazardous that can cause an accident. Unrepaired damage or defects is negligent and can lead to a devastating crash.
  • Fatigued or drowsy driving – Anyone who drives while feeling tired can suffer similar effects as someone under the influence of alcohol. It causes blurry vision, poor decision-making skills, and slowed reaction time.
  • Failure to obey traffic signs and signals – Many people ignore basic traffic laws. When a driver blows through a stop sign or red light, they could collide with another vehicle that should have the right of way.
  • Tailgating – Following another car too closely puts all vehicle occupants at risk of harm. If the car ahead must stop, you likely won’t have enough time to stop or swerve out of the way, which would cause a rear-end collision.
  • Reckless driving – Driving aggressively, weaving in and out of traffic, and changing lanes without using a turn signal are all examples of recklessness that can cause an accident.
  • Road construction – It’s imperative that people remain especially cautious in a construction area. Slowing down and obeying warning signs could prevent a crash.
  • Defective car parts – Sometimes, there are recalled faulty parts, such as brakes, tires, and steering systems. The manufacturer could be liable for an accident if there were an error during the design or manufacturing process.

What Are the Most Common Types of Car Accidents?

There are many different types of car accidents. No matter how your accident was caused, if a negligent party was involved, we can help you get compensation for costs like property damage and medical bills. In some cases, the pursuit of non-economic damages is possible as well. This is why you need an experienced accident lawyer from a seasoned law firm.

Some common types of car accident cases include:

Contact us today to discuss the specifics of your case and to schedule your free consultation with our legal team of experienced car accident attorneys.

What Are the Common Injuries Suffered From Car Accidents?

A traumatic car crash can lead to a range of injuries and medical expenses. Some heal independently, while other serious injuries require months or years of intensive medical treatment, physical therapy, and surgeries. If you wind up with a disability or impairment, you might need ongoing medical care and assistance performing daily tasks.

The most common injuries car accident victims sustain include:

An auto accident can be devastating when an injury results in lifelong medical complications. If you suffer from chronic pain, it can affect every area of your life.

A permanent disability might mean you have to quit your job and can’t maintain adequate employment. It’s an overwhelming experience to go through, but a capable car wreck lawyer from OnderLaw will be by your side every step of the way to help you overcome these obstacles, recover compensation for your suffered injuries, and move forward with your life.

What Is the Cost of a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer?

If you’re considering handling your case alone because you believe you will save more money in the long run, think again. Many victims of car crashes worry about the costs of seeking legal representation. They’re already struggling financially and don’t want to spend more money in an attempt to win compensation from an insurance claim or lawsuit. However, you’re more likely to recover a higher monetary award if you hire a law firm and one of their lawyers for your personal injury lawsuit than if you choose to take on the legal process alone.

At OnderLaw, we understand the financial burden you’re facing — from medical expenses to lost wages — and don’t want to add additional stress to your life. That’s why we take car accident cases on a contingency-fee-basis. That means you won’t have to pay us upfront to represent you. We don’t collect any of our legal fees or costs unless we win compensation for our clients. If we lose your case, you won’t owe us anything.

Reach out to OnderLaw today to speak with our experienced St. Louis auto accident attorneys.

Car accidents happen every day. You are not alone.
Our Attorneys Can Help

What Are the Deadlines for Filing Car Accident Cases?

Whether you want to file an insurance claim or lawsuit, there are deadlines for your car accident case that you must follow. Most insurance companies require that you notify them of an accident within a specific period if you want to pursue a settlement. Every auto policy is different, and you should request a copy to determine how much time you have.

If you choose to pursue a claim first, you should also be aware of the strict deadline for civil lawsuits. While some claims reach a settlement agreement rather quickly, others can take years to resolve. If the insurance provider ends up denying your motor vehicle claim, you might want to file a lawsuit in an attempt to recover a monetary award for your car crash. However, if the deadline for filing a lawsuit has already passed, you’ll lose your right to pursue compensation in a civil court.

Missouri laws require that you follow the statute of limitations for car accident claims if you want to sue another driver. The statute of limitations is five years. That means you have five years from the accident date to file suit; otherwise, you will lose the opportunity to seek financial compensation in this matter.

What Is the Accident Claims Process?

The insurance claims process is typically straightforward and less complicated than a lawsuit. Our well-practiced auto accident lawyers at OnderLaw can complete each step on your behalf and negotiate a favorable settlement that covers your damages.

  • Step 1: File claim. We will need to determine whether we’re filing a claim with the at-fault party’s auto insurance, your auto insurance, or both.
  • Step 2: Investigate. We will complete a thorough investigation into the crash to prove fault and collect relevant evidence.
  • Step 3: Demand letter. We will send the insurance company a demand letter that includes all the elements of the case, the evidence we found, and the settlement amount we believe is sufficient in covering your damages.
  • Step 4: Negotiations. Once the insurance company reviews our letter and evidence, they will perform their own investigation and determine if they agree with our findings. They will either approve or deny our settlement demand. If they deny it, we will try to negotiate a number we believe is appropriate. If we can’t come to an agreement, we might need to move forward with filing a lawsuit.

How to File a Lawsuit in St. Louis

Car accident case lawsuits are complex procedures. Your St. Louis, Missouri car accident attorney and their law office will take on this responsibility for you. We will begin by preparing the legal documents necessary to file. A complaint lays out all the elements of a case, including how the accident occurred, who caused it, and why we’re suing someone for damages. We also need to prepare a summons to send to the defendant. A summons is basically a notice that the at-fault party must appear in court for the complaint against them.

There’s an e-filing system in Missouri that allows our legal team to file your lawsuit and all associated documents online with the courts. That way, we can save time and money, so we don’t have to bring everything to the courthouse in person.

We will walk you through each step of the lawsuit. Multiple parts will require your participation. Unlike with motor vehicle insurance claims, you have to show up for depositions, where you answer questions about the case under oath, and mediations, where both sides try to reach a settlement agreement.

You will also have to respond to a list of Interrogatories and locate evidence requested by the defense attorneys in their Request for Production. It might seem confusing, but we will help you complete every document and obtain all evidence you need to find during the lawsuit. You won’t be alone during this process.

FAQs for Car Accident Cases

Our car accident clients usually have questions about their cases and legal options. We’ve answered a few of those questions below.

Contact a St. Louis Car Accident Attorney Today

To maximize your compensation after a car accident, it is imperative that you speak with a law firm with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as you can.

At OnderLaw, we guarantee that our law firm will work tirelessly to ensure that you receive every penny you are legally entitled to for your car accident claim.

A St. Louis car accident lawyer from our firm has decades of experience fighting for our client’s rights and seeking the justice and compensation they deserve. When you hire us, we will make you a priority at all times. We know how stressful this ordeal is and will work efficiently to resolve your case so you can move on with your life.

To discuss the details of your unique case, contact our offices today. We understand what you are going through, and we are here to help. It all starts with a free consultation.

  • Do wait at the crash scene for an officer to arrive and investigate the cause of the accident.
  • Don’t sign any forms the insurance company sends you until your St. Louis car accident attorney reviews them first.
  • Do seek medical treatment immediately after the accident, even if you believe your injury is minor.
  • Don’t admit any degree of fault.
  • Do file an insurance claim within the timeframe listed on the policy.
  • Don’t talk to the insurance adjuster. Your lawyer will handle all communication on your behalf.
  • The value of your damages will depend on various contributing factors. When an insurance company or jury is reviewing your claim, they might use some of the details below to come up with a fair settlement:
  • Type and severity of the accident injuries
  • Impact of the accident on quality of life
  • Duration of medically necessary treatment
  • Length of recovery
  • Whether the injury resulted in permanent impairment or disability and the impact of your injuries on future earnings
  • Amount of insurance coverage available
  • Mental and emotional trauma experienced
  • Daily disruptions, such as time away from work, canceled vacations, or missed special events
  • Total medical costs
  • Sufficient evidence provided during the case

Reports typically become available approximately ten days after an accident. Go to the Missouri State Highway Patrol website, fill out the downloadable form, and mail it to their records division along with the required fee.

Pain and suffering refer to the physical and mental trauma an accident victim experiences.

  • Physical pain and suffering refer to the actual injuries someone sustained. It doesn’t just include physical pain but also its impact on a person’s future and how much suffering they will have to endure.
  • Mental pain and suffering is the effect of an injury on someone’s emotional or mental well-being. It can include anxiety, fear, emotional distress, and other negative emotions experienced due to the accident.

If you discover the at-fault motorist doesn’t carry liability auto insurance, you can file a claim with your insurance company. Underinsured/Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM) provides compensation to accident victims if:

  • The negligent driver doesn’t have insurance;
  • The available liability coverage isn’t high enough to compensate for the total damages; or

The accident was due to a hit-and-run driver.