Accidents can take place anytime, no matter how careful you think you are. A casual stroll in the park, a quick drive to the store, or a visit to a business premises. When an accident results in personal injury, your injury may disrupt your life for a significant period of time. Your ability to work and provide for yourself and your family may be impacted. Mounting medical bills may leave you on the brink of bankruptcy. If you have suffered a personal injury as a result of another person’s negligence or wrongdoing, you may be entitled to financial compensation. For more information about your rights and entitlements after a personal injury, contact the attorneys at Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe.
- With over a century of experience resulting in over a billion dollars in verdicts and settlements, we have been the voice of victims.
- We are committed to our client’s cause and fight passionately to get the best outcome possible for every client.
- Our nationally recognized lawyers strategically pursue all avenues of liability to demand accountability and maximize compensation for you and your loved ones.
If you have been injured as a result of someone’s negligence or wrongdoing, call Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe toll-free today at (877) 816-2600 to speak with one of our Independence personal injury attorneys. We offer free consultations.
Common Types of Personal Injury Lawsuits That We Handle in Independence
A personal injury occurs when someone suffers physical, emotional, or psychological harm due to another party’s negligent or intentional actions. These injuries can drastically alter a person’s quality of life, leading to substantial medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional trauma. Personal injury law protects victims by helping them recover compensation from those responsible for their injuries.
At Dollar, Burns, Becker, and Hershewe, our lawyers represent Independence residents in a wide range of personal injury lawsuits. The claims that we handle include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Insurance bad faith
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Premises liability
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Catastrophic injury
- Nursing home abuse
- Child injury
- Wrongful death
What Type of Damages Can I Recover?
If you have been the victim of another person or entity’s negligence or wrongdoing, the type of damages you can recover will depend on a number of factors including the severity of your injuries. You may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are tangible, pecuniary losses that can be quantified with documentation. Economic damages include medical expenses, lost wages, and lost earning capacity. Noneconomic damages are intangible, non-pecuniary losses and include pain and suffering, mental anguish, inconvenience, disfigurement, and loss of capacity to enjoy life. An experienced personal injury attorney will assess your case to account for all your damages, and fight for you to get full and fair compensation for your damages.
How Can a Personal Injury Attorney Help You?
Often when you have suffered a personal injury, your claim will be assessed by the insurance provider of the negligent party. You will have to prove that the party you have made a claim against owed you a duty of care and breached that duty. This is sometimes a complex task, which can involve investigating the cause of your injury, identifying every legally responsible party, gathering evidence to support your claim, and valuing your damages, When you have a knowledgeable Independence personal injury attorney in your corner, you can focus on your recovery while your attorney does the heavy lifting in your case. Your personal injury lawyer in Independence will investigate your case and represent your best interests against the other party.
How Much Will My Personal Injury Settlement Be Worth?
At Dollar, Burns, Becker, and Hershewe, we understand that money cannot erase your trauma, but it can provide crucial support for your recovery and future stability. Personal injury settlements serve as financial compensation for losses that you have suffered due to another party’s negligence or wrongful actions.
A comprehensive settlement should address both your immediate needs and the long-term impacts of the injury. However, no two settlements are the same, and the only way to estimate your potential award is to speak with an attorney.
Our Independence personal injury lawyer can help calculate the following losses so that you can recover the full and fair compensation that you deserve:
- Medical Expenses: A personal injury settlement covers all past and future medical treatments related to the accident, including emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation, prescription medications, and necessary medical equipment.
- Lost Wages and Income: You can recover compensation for missed work time, reduced earning capacity, and the loss of future income if your injury affects your ability to work in your chosen field.
- Pain and Suffering: Your settlement can help address the physical discomfort and emotional distress that you have experienced as a result of your injury, including anxiety, depression, and loss of enjoyment in daily activities.
- Property Damage: You may receive compensation to repair or replace any personal property that was damaged in the accident, such as your vehicle, electronics, clothing, or jewelry.
- Disability Accommodations: If your injury results in lasting impairment, you can receive compensation for lifelong care needs and adaptations to your living environment. This may include mobility equipment and modifications to your vehicle.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Case?
In Missouri, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury case is five years. While five years is a very generous time within which to file a claim, you should not delay in contacting an attorney after you have been injured. The sooner you take action in your case, the sooner the case can be resolved and you can focus on restoring your life. Discovering the evidence to support your claim might take a long time, so it is advisable that you contact an experienced Independence personal injury lawyer as soon as you can.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit
Filing a personal injury lawsuit requires careful attention to detail and proper timing. Unfortunately, some people unknowingly compromise their cases before seeking legal representation.
For example, waiting too long to seek medical care can worsen your injuries and give insurance companies reason to question the severity of your condition. It is vital to seek medical care right away to prevent these complications and establish a record of the incident.
Speaking of insurers, making statements to their representatives can affect your ability to recover compensation. These companies may use your words against you to reduce the final settlement or even deny your claim altogether. Insurers may also present quick, lowball settlements before you understand the full extent of your injuries and long-term needs.
Additionally, sharing details about your accident or recovery on social platforms can provide evidence that undermines your claim for damages. Instead, keep your experiences off social media and share these details with your attorney only.
Contact an Independence Personal Injury Attorney Today
If you have been injured as a result of another person’s negligence or wrongdoing, Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe can help you. Call us toll-free today at (877) 816-2600 to speak with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys in Independence.