St. Louis Car Accident Attorneys

Common Causes of Car Accidents

A driver may be liable for damages when their negligent actions cause a car accident. Negligence implies a failure to act with the level of care that a reasonably prudent person would have exercised under similar circumstances. Understanding the common causes linked to driver negligence can clarify when you may have a car accident claim.

It is crucial to note that negligence isn't always easy to prove. It often requires substantial evidence, such as witness testimonies or technical analyses, like accident reconstruction, to demonstrate a driver's failure to meet standard care expectations.

In addition to driver behavior, external factors such as poor road maintenance and inadequate signage can also play a significant role in accidents. These conditions can exacerbate common negligent behaviors like speeding or failing to yield, putting even cautious drivers at risk.

Common causes of car accidents linked to negligence or carelessness include:

• Distracted Driving. Distracted driving involves texting, talking on the phone, eating, or interacting with in-car technologies that divert attention from the road.
• Speeding. Exceeding the speed limit reduces a driver's ability to react quickly to road changes or hazards, increasing the likelihood of losing control and causing a crash.
• Driving Under the Influence. Operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs significantly affects judgment, reaction times, and motor skills, leading to dangerous driving behaviors.
• Reckless Driving. This includes aggressive maneuvers like tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, and ignoring traffic signals, which can all result in accidents.
• Failure to Yield the Right of Way. Neglecting to yield when required can lead to collisions, particularly at intersections or when merging lanes.
• Drowsy Driving. Fatigue can impair concentration and reaction times, making staying alert and focused while driving more challenging.
• Failing to Adapt to Poor Weather Conditions. Negligence in adapting driving to weather conditions, such as rain, snow, or fog, can cause drivers to misjudge stopping distances or visibility, potentially leading to accidents.

Common Types of Car Accident Injuries

Car accidents have the potential to inflict severe physical and emotional trauma on those involved. The force of impact during a collision can result in catastrophic injuries, significantly altering a person’s life and ability to function. These injuries might require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation. They may even cause long-term or even permanent disabilities, underlining the need for victims to explore their legal options for recovering compensation in the wake of a crash.

Understanding the different types of injuries resulting from a car accident is crucial for determining the appropriate medical response and legal action. The nature and severity of injuries often influence the level of compensation sought, encompassing immediate medical expenses and potential long-term care costs.

Mental health conditions stemming from accidents, such as anxiety or depression, often accompany physical injuries and are an essential consideration in comprehensive legal claims.

Common Car Accident Injuries Include:

• Whiplash. Whiplash involves soft tissue injuries in the neck resulting from the rapid back-and-forth motion of the head during a collision, especially in rear-end accidents. The sudden acceleration and deceleration can force the neck into extreme positions, causing muscles and ligaments to stretch and tear.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs). TBIs can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage. They can occur when the brain is violently shaken inside the skull. The impact of a crash can cause the head to strike a hard surface, or a TBI might result from a rapid change in velocity.
• Fractures and Broken Bones. Collisions often result in fractures, particularly in the arms, legs, ribs, and facial bones, due to the immense force on the body. Bones may break from the direct impact with vehicle parts or during ejection from the car.
• Spinal Cord Injuries. Severe collisions can compress, fracture, or dislocate vertebrae, damaging the spinal cord. Injuries to the spinal cord can lead to partial or complete paralysis, significantly impacting mobility and quality of life.
• Internal Injuries. The intense pressure or trauma during an accident can bruise or rupture organs, requiring urgent medical attention. Damage to internal organs, such as the liver, spleen, or lungs, can be life-threatening and may not present immediate symptoms.
• Lacerations and Abrasions. Broken glass, sharp metal fragments, or being thrown against hard surfaces can cause cuts ranging from minor scrapes to deep wounds, potentially leading to significant blood loss or infection.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The shock and fear experienced during and after an accident can trigger emotional and psychological responses that may require treatment.

Recoverable Damages in a Missouri Car Accident Lawsuit

When pursuing a personal injury claim for car accident injuries, you can seek compensation for economic and non-economic damages, which aim to make you as “whole” as feasibly possible after a crash. Economic damages cover quantifiable financial losses incurred due to your injuries, such as medical bills and lost wages. Non-economic damages are intended to compensate for the intangible losses that don’t have a specific monetary value, like your pain and suffering.

Understanding the full scope of recoverable damages means accurately assessing both current costs and future needs. This includes projected future medical expenses, ongoing therapy or rehabilitation, and adjustments to accommodate changes in lifestyle or ability to work. Legal counsel can guide you in collecting comprehensive documentation to substantiate these claims.

The outcome of a successful claim can significantly ease the financial burden of recovery, allowing victims to focus on healing rather than financial stress.

Our St. Louis Car Accident Lawyers Can Work to Secure Maximum Compensation for All Economic and Non-Economic Damages, Including:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income
• Reduced earning potential
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of enjoyment of life

What is the Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Lawsuits in Missouri?

In Missouri, the statute of limitations for filing a car accident lawsuit is generally five years from the accident date. Failing to bring your claim within this period typically results in the court dismissing your case, preventing you from recovering any damages.

Although five years is a long time, acting promptly can significantly enhance the likelihood of a favorable outcome. Early involvement allows for timely evidence gathering and witness interviews while details are still fresh, which can be pivotal in substantiating your claim.

It’s important to note that certain elements, such as claims for minors or municipal liability, might operate on different timelines. Consulting with a legal professional ensures all aspects of the statute are appropriately considered.

How to Prove Negligence

• Duty of Care: You must indicate that the other driver owed you a duty of care. All drivers have a legal responsibility to handle their cars safely and follow traffic laws to protect others on the road.
• Breach of Duty: You then need to demonstrate that the driver breached this duty. Examples include speeding, running a red light, distracted driving, drunk driving, or failing to yield. Evidence like police reports, eyewitness statements, traffic camera footage, or cell phone records can help establish this.
• Causation: It must be proven that the driver’s breach of duty had directly caused the accident and your resulting injuries. For example, if a driver had run a stop sign and collided with your vehicle, the act of running the stop sign is the direct cause of the crash.
• Damages: Lastly, you will need to provide evidence of actual damages resulting from the accident. This can include medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. Medical records, repair invoices, and financial documentation help substantiate this.

What to Do After a Car Accident in St. Louis

The immediate aftermath of a car accident can be overwhelming and even chaotic, especially if anyone has suffered serious injuries. You should still do everything you can to take specific steps to preserve evidence and protect your ability to recover compensation down the road.

Knowing what to do immediately after an accident in St. Louis can significantly affect your claim. Begin by ensuring the safety of everyone involved and, if possible, move vehicles out of the flow of traffic to prevent secondary accidents. Documenting the accident through photos and notes can serve as crucial evidence.

Another critical step involves notifying your insurance company promptly while being cautious about the information shared, as initial statements can affect the outcome of your insurance claim. Early on, consulting with a legal professional can help clarify the legalities involved and guide you through the process to maximize your compensation.

After a car crash, you should make every effort to:

• Check for Injuries & Call Emergency Services. Assess your condition and that of any passengers to determine if immediate medical attention is required. Contact emergency services to report the accident to the police and request an ambulance if necessary. If possible, move to a safe location and wait for first responders. Avoid moving anyone severely injured unless it's dangerous to leave them where they are.
• Wait for the Police. Do not leave the accident scene until a law enforcement officer arrives. The responding officer will document the scene by taking notes and photographs and speaking with all parties involved, including witnesses. They will use this information to create a police report that provides an official account of the accident, which can be valuable evidence when pursuing a personal injury claim. Request a copy of this police report for your records.
• Document the Scene. Use your phone to take photos or videos of vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signals, and visible injuries. Note the time, date, and weather conditions.
• Exchange Information. Obtain names, phone numbers, addresses, driver's license numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance details of all drivers involved in the collision. Limit unnecessary conversation and do not say anything that might imply fault or suggest your injuries are minor, as anything you say could be eventually used against you. Try to get the contact information for any witnesses, too.
• Seek Medical Attention. Prompt medical evaluation can uncover injuries that aren't immediately apparent, help prevent complications, and establish a medical record that can support your injury claim. If you feel fine, visit a healthcare provider to check for injuries. Follow all prescribed medical treatments and retain all related documents.
• Speak to a Car Accident Lawyer in St. Louis. Our team at Sedey Harper Westhoff is ready to help you understand your rights and legal options after you suffer injuries in a car crash. If the collision resulted from negligence, our St. Louis car accident attorneys can fight to get you just compensation.

Dealing With Insurance Companies in Car Accident Claims

Dealing with insurance companies after a car accident can often be daunting for victims. Insurers are typically focused on minimizing payouts, which can lead to reduced settlement offers that do not fully account for the actual costs of the accident. Maintaining a detailed record of all evidence and communications with the insurer is critical to support your demands.

At Sedey Harper Westhoff, we assist clients by managing insurance communications and negotiations. Our legal insight enables us to navigate insurers' tactics better to undermine claims. This includes reviewing policy details comprehensively to ensure all potential coverages are considered and activated if applicable.

Dangerous Intersections in St. Louis

Car accidents can happen just about anywhere. However, some intersections are notorious for being the site of numerous collisions.

The design and layout of certain intersections can contribute to their danger, often involving high traffic volumes or complex traffic signals that can confuse drivers. Improvements in these areas could involve better signage, increased lighting, or revamped lane markings.

For local drivers, being aware of these “accident hotspots” and staying vigilant when navigating through them can help reduce the likelihood of collisions. Community efforts to petition for safety improvements can further enhance driving conditions at these intersections.

Some of the Most Dangerous Intersections in the St. Louis Area Include:

• Exit from Interstate 64 and Grand Boulevard
• Hampton Avenue and Interstate 44
• Interstate 64 and Grand Avenue
• Interstate 70 and Salisbury Street
• Union Boulevard and Bircher Boulevard

How Sedey Harper Westhoff Builds a Strong Case

Our team takes a detail-oriented approach to every car accident case, including:

1. Investigating the Accident: Gathering evidence like police reports, witness statements, and accident reconstruction data.
2. Proving Negligence: Establishing that the other party’s careless or reckless actions caused the accident.
3. Calculating Damages: Accurately assessing your medical costs, lost income, and non-economic damages.
4. Negotiating with Insurers: Fighting for a fair settlement that reflects the true value of your claim.
5. Litigating in Court: If negotiations fail, our St. Louis personal injury lawyers are prepared to take your case to trial to secure justice.

Contact Our St. Louis Car Accident Attorneys Today

At Sedey Harper Westhoff, we are committed to helping car accident victims get the justice they rightfully deserve. Being involved in a car accident can be very overwhelming, leaving you with not only physical injuries but also with financial and emotional burdens that impact every part of your life. If you’ve been injured because of someone else’s negligence, don’t face the legal process alone. We are here to guide you through every step, ensuring you have a strong advocate on your side. Contact us today for a consultation to discuss your case and explore your legal options. Let us fight for your rights and pursue the settlement you need to cover medical costs, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and more.

We take pride in our empathetic and personalized approach to representation. Every client’s story is unique, and we make it our mission to understand the full impact your accident has had on your life. Our team ensures that clients feel supported and valued throughout the legal journey.

Our attorneys combine compassion with a strong, strategic pursuit of justice. We are well-versed in the complexities of Missouri car accident laws and are prepared to manage cases of all sizes, whether they involve minor injuries or catastrophic harm. We thoroughly investigate every claim, gathering evidence, consulting with experts when needed, and building the strongest possible case to advocate for your best interests.

At Sedey Harper Westhoff, we invite you to leverage our extensive resources, deep legal knowledge, and unwavering commitment to fairness in representation. We work tirelessly to ensure your voice is heard and that accountability is achieved. With our firm on your side, you can focus on healing and rebuilding your life while we handle the legal challenges.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, know that you do not have to go through this process alone. Reach out to our dedicated legal team today to schedule your free consultation and take the first step toward justice and fair compensation.

Don't wait to discuss your case. Call (314) 819-0963  or contact us online now to speak with our St. Louis car accident lawyer.

Car Accident FAQs

What if the other driver doesn’t have insurance?

Missouri requires uninsured motorist coverage, which can help compensate you if the at-fault driver lacks insurance. Our attorneys can help you navigate these claims.

Can I still recover compensation if I’m partially at fault?

Yes. Missouri follows a pure comparative fault rule, meaning your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 20% at fault, you can recover 80% of the damages.

What evidence is most important in a car accident case?

Key evidence includes police reports, medical records, photographs of the accident scene, witness statements, and any video footage from dashcams or nearby cameras.

Should I accept the insurance company’s initial settlement offer?

Insurance companies often offer low initial settlements to save money. Before accepting any offer, consult a car accident attorney to ensure you receive fair compensation.

How long does it take to resolve a car accident case?

The timeline varies depending on the complexity of the case. While some claims settle within months, others may take longer if litigation is necessary.