Even if you follow every traffic law and pay close attention to your surroundings, there is no way to completely eliminate the risk of an accident. Other drivers may act carelessly or recklessly and collide with your vehicle through no fault of your own. When this happens, you should not have to pay for the consequences of other people’s actions.

The liable person’s insurance company may contact you after a car crash, offering to settle your claim. No matter how friendly they seem, they are not on your side. Do not let them take advantage of you—let an experienced injury attorney protect your rights and pursue fair compensation on your behalf.

Help is available from our dedicated Webster Groves car accident lawyers, who have decades of experience supporting injured victims through the legal process. At OnderLaw, we put the client first, providing custom-tailored support to get you the compensation you deserve.

Liability for a Car Wreck in Webster Groves

Filing a lawsuit after a car accident generally involves proving that one or more people involved were legally negligent in some way. Every person who operates a motor vehicle in Missouri takes on a “duty” to obey the law and watch out for other drivers. Anyone who fails to act responsibly behind the wheel has violated that duty and can be held liable for any harm they cause.

However, the court will also assess your behavior in the moments leading up to the accident. Insurance companies will try to blame you for your own injuries, making it important to stand up for your rights with help from our car crash lawyers. Any amount of fault a court assigns to you for causing or worsening your injuries through your own negligence will lead to less compensation.

Time Limit for Auto Collision Claims

Additionally, Missouri Revised Statutes § 516.120 sets a time limit of five years after a car crash to begin filing a lawsuit. At OnderLaw, our Webster Groves attorneys will ensure that your car accident claim is filed on time and protect your right to pursue compensation.

Evidence in a Traffic Accident Case

Establishing who is at fault for causing a car crash can sometimes be as simple as referencing the report filed by a responding police officer. If a driver was cited for a traffic violation right before the crash, this could serve as strong proof of their liability. In other situations, such as rear-end and distracted driving accidents, it may be necessary to incorporate evidence from various sources, including:

  • Eyewitness testimony
  • Photos of the accident scene
  • Dashboard or surveillance camera footage
  • Assistance from accident reconstruction experts

Guidance from our experienced auto accident attorneys in the area can be vital to collecting and preserving relevant evidence for a strong claim.

Compensation for an Auto Collision

A car accident claim can seek compensation for both economic and non-economic losses stemming from a wreck, including:

  • Medical expenses
  • Vehicle damage, as well as related costs like rental car fees
  • Lost work income and/or working ability
  • Emotional and psychological suffering
  • Physical pain and discomfort
  • Various long-term effects of permanent disfigurement or disability, like lost consortium and lost enjoyment of life

At OnderLaw, we stand by car accident victims every step of the way in the process of recovery. Our seasoned car wreck lawyers in Webster Groves are here to listen to your story, understand the full scope of your situation, and pursue the compensation you need to move forward with your life.

Get in Touch with a Webster Groves Car Accident Attorney

If a recent wreck caused by someone else left you with physical, financial, and personal losses, filing a lawsuit might be crucial to protecting your financial future. You should not have to pay for the consequences of someone else’s actions.

A Webster Groves car accident lawyer from our firm will provide the dedicated legal support you need in this difficult time. We’re not just on your side—we’re by your side. Call OnderLaw today to learn how we can help you.

Webster Groves Car Accident FAQs

How Do I Know If I Have a Valid Car Accident Claim?

Since the vast majority of successful car accident lawsuits in Webster Groves and throughout the state of Missouri are built around legal negligence, the best way to determine whether you have valid grounds to file suit over an auto accident is to figure out whether someone else involved in the wreck was legally negligent. In practice, this means proving that all the following conditions apply to your situation:

  • The defendant being sued owed you a duty of care requiring responsible and rational behavior under specific circumstances—something all licensed drivers owe to everyone else on the road in Missouri;
  • The defendant breached their duty by doing something specifically reckless, careless, or illegal, such as committing a traffic offense or driving while distracted;
  • This breach of duty was the primary cause of a crash that likely would not have happened without it;
  • The crash was the primary cause of your injuries, requiring professional medical care.

When Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?

While every case is different, and each car accident victim may be dealing with different injuries and losses in the aftermath of their wreck, it is almost always best to contact legal counsel as soon as possible after a car accident. On top of helping you collect and preserve important evidence, our trusted Webster Groves car accident attorneys can also assist you when negotiating with insurance adjusters representing car insurance providers.

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim?

Under Missouri Revised Statutes § 516.120, most people who get hurt in auto collisions have a maximum of five years after the incident first happened to formally file suit over it. In practice, though, it is always better to start the litigation process as quickly as possible after a crash so that evidence and witnesses to support your claim are still relatively accessible.

What Evidence Do I Need to Support My Car Accident Claim?

To achieve a positive result from any personal injury claim, you must prove that someone else is legally at fault for your injuries and that your injuries are severe enough to require compensation. For a car accident claim in Webster Groves, you may need:

  • Copies of all medical reports and bills generated by treating physicians;
  • Testimony from eyewitnesses to the wreck or accident reconstruction experts;
  • Notes about the physical, emotional, and psychological effects of a serious injury;
  • Pay stubs, tax records, and other documentation needed to establish income loss;
  • Car repair bills and other documentation proving financial losses related to property damage;
  • Footage from surveillance or dashboard cameras showing the accident as it actually happened;
  • Photos and videos of the accident scene, damage to vehicles involved, and crash-related injuries at various stages of the healing process.

Gathering this information can be overwhelming, especially if you are recovering from injuries. This is where our car accident attorneys can begin to help. Not only can we take care of the legal filing, deadlines, and court and negotiation processes, we can also carry much of the burden of proving your case. While it’s still important for you to provide as much documentation as possible, we understand that evidence like police reports, medical records, witness statements, and surveillance video can require sleuthing that you may not be ready to undertake. We can help you to do this so that you can focus on healing.

What Compensation Can I Seek in a Car Accident Case?

Since every case is unique, the total financial value of a car accident case could range from a few hundred dollars to several hundred thousand—or even more—dollars, depending on the circumstances. In general, though, a successful lawsuit or settlement demand should allow recovery for the full value of all economic and non-economic consequences of the wreck, including expected future losses that have not yet fully manifested by the time the legal process begins.

A lawyer experienced in car accident injuries, and wrongful death lawsuits can help you determine what courts in your area generally award plaintiffs in these types of cases. Our auto accident lawyers will provide educated legal opinions about what you may expect to recover in your car accident claim. Of course, nothing is guaranteed in the courtroom, but at least you will have an idea of what injured people have settled for or won in court for claims similar to yours.

What If the Other Driver’s Insurance Company Offers Me a Settlement?

Most car accident claims end with private settlement agreements rather than civil court verdicts, and it is not necessarily a bad idea to negotiate with car insurance companies for an insurance settlement or to accept an offer made by such a company. That said, no one who is injured in a Webster Groves car accident should accept any offer from insurance—especially not an opening offer—without first discussing the matter with a qualified and reliable attorney.

Insurance companies will always look out for their financial security over your best interests. They are not on your side, but our committed legal professionals at OnderLaw will be.

Call us for a free, no-obligation, confidential consultation if you are injured in a car accident in Webster Groves. We will let you know if you are entitled to more than an insurance company offers, and you will never pay us a dime unless you win your claim. We’re here to help, as neighbors and as legal advocates.