If you have been injured in a car accident in Missouri, getting compensation for your damages can be an uphill task. No matter how careful and attentive you are as a driver, accidents happen. Whether you are the driver or a passenger in a vehicle involved in a car accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your injury. If you have been injured in a car accident caused by another’s wrongdoing or negligence, you need an experienced Independence car accident attorney to fight for you.
- At Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe, we are committed to our clients and fight passionately to get the best outcome for every case.
- With over a century of experience and over a billion dollars in verdicts and settlements, we have successfully been the voice of victims.
- 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 in a car accident, 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.
What You Should Do After a Car Accident?
If you have been involved in a car accident, the actions you take immediately after the accident are very important. What you do and say will have an impact on your claim for compensation. If you are involved in a car accident, you are required to stop at the scene. You should not leave the scene of an accident until you are cleared to do so by a law enforcement officer. If you are not seriously hurt and taken to the hospital, you should do the following:
- Contact the police
- Exchange contact details, driver’s license and insurance details, and vehicle registration information with everyone involved in the accident
- Take photos of the scene of the accident
- Get contact information from any eyewitnesses at the scene
- Do not admit fault
- Visit a doctor even if you have no visible injuries
- Contact a car accident attorney in Independence
Compensation Available in Car Accident Claims
By filing a car accident claim in Missouri, you have the right to recover compensation for the damages that you suffered in the collision. Medical expenses form the foundation of most claims, including immediate emergency care, ongoing treatment, rehabilitation services, and future medical needs related to the accident. You have the right to recover compensation for all past and future treatment.
In addition, your car accident settlement can account for:
- Lost wages and reduced earning capability
- Property repairs and replacements
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering
- Disability accommodations and home/vehicle modifications
- Loss of consortium for affected family members
Can I Get Compensation if I Was Partly at Fault for the Accident?
Missouri is an at-fault insurance state. This means that the insurance of the party who was at fault for the accident covers the damages from the accident. The insurance companies will always try to avoid fault for the accident and limit how much money they pay out. This is why it is important to have an experienced car accident lawyer in Independence who understands the tactics the insurance companies use to avoid taking responsibility.
Missouri is a pure comparative negligence state. This means that even if you were 90% at fault for the accident that caused your injury, you are not barred from seeking compensation. In such a case, your damages would be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you. For example, if your damages are $100,000 and you are found to be 90% at fault, your damages will be reduced by $90,000 and you will be entitled to $10,000. Do not let the insurance companies shift all the fault to you. Get an experienced Independence car accident lawyer who will fight for you and limit any fault attributable to you.
How Can a Car Accident Attorney Support My Case?
Your car accident claim may seem relatively straightforward. Perhaps a driver ran a red light and T-boned your vehicle while you had the right of way. Maybe you were stopped at a stop sign when a distracted driver rear-ended you. However, these cases can be more complex than they initially appear, and insurance companies are not necessarily focused on protecting your best interests.
In these situations, you need someone in your corner. An Independence car accident lawyer from Dollar, Burns, Becker, and Hershewe can be your advocate throughout your claim, from the initial investigation to the final resolution and settlement. Their support will begin with a thorough investigation of your accident.
Your lawyer can work with expert witnesses, such as medical professionals and accident reconstruction specialists, to help prove the nature and extent of your injuries and the circumstances leading up to the accident. They will also handle communication with insurance companies, protecting you from making potentially damaging statements or accepting unfair settlement offers.
Your attorney will also understand local laws, court procedures, and deadline requirements, preventing costly mistakes that could harm your case. They will also manage complex paperwork, file court documents when necessary, and prepare your case for trial if a fair settlement proves impossible. By having a car accident lawyer on your side, you can present the strongest possible claim for compensation.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Independence
Independence sees its fair share of car accidents every year, causing severe injuries to the people involved. Many of these collisions are caused by driver negligence, such as:
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving behaviors
- Impaired driving
- Distracted driving, such as texting or interacting with passengers
- Failure to obey traffic signals and stop signs
- Unsafe lane changes and improper merging
- Following too closely in heavy traffic
- Driver fatigue, especially on long commutes
- Reckless driving near school zones and residential areas
However, many other factors may also lead to motor vehicle collisions. For example, weather conditions, such as ice and snow in the winter months, can make driving very dangerous, especially on elevated roadways and highway ramps. Road construction zones create hazardous conditions with sudden lane shifts, confusing temporary signage, and reduced speeds that some drivers fail to observe. Poorly maintained roads with potholes, missing guardrails, or inadequate drainage systems can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles, even when practicing safe driving habits. An attorney from Dollar, Burns, Becker, and Hershewe can help you determine the cause of the accident and thus who is liable for the damages that you sustained.
Missouri State Insurance Requirements
In Missouri, all motor vehicle drivers must carry liability insurance that meets specific minimum coverage amounts. This is because Missouri is a fault state that requires at-fault drivers to pay for any accidents that they cause. Liability insurance coverage provides financial protection for both the policyholder and other parties involved in an accident.
These minimum amounts are as follows:
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury
- $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $25,000 per accident for property damage
In addition to liability coverage, all policies must also include uninsured motorist coverage of at least $25,000 for bodily injury per person and $50,000 for bodily injury per accident. If a driver is involved in an accident caused by a motorist without insurance or a hit-and-run collision, this policy helps protect their financial interests.
Most drivers fulfill this requirement by purchasing standard policies from auto insurance companies. However, some entities—such as large businesses or religious organizations—may qualify for self-insurance certificates. Missouri also accepts proof of financial responsibility in certain situations, though this option is less common among individual drivers.
All insurance policies must remain active and current, or the driver could face serious penalties, such as license suspension and fines. Although drivers must meet the minimum coverage levels, these amounts may not be enough to cover all damages after a collision. To protect their assets and ensure adequate protection, many motorists invest in higher coverage limits.
What Evidence Should I Collect After the Crash?
Car accident claims can be tricky to prove. You will need to supply sufficient evidence that proves the following facts:
- The at-fault driver had a duty to operate their vehicle safely and comply with Missouri traffic laws.
- The at-fault driver breached this duty of care by committing a negligent act or failing to act in some way.
- This breach of duty directly caused your car accident and you suffered damages as a result.
Gathering evidence immediately after an accident can strengthen your claim significantly. Start by photographing all vehicles involved from multiple angles, capturing both overall damage and specific details. Document the accident scene, including road conditions, traffic signs, and weather conditions. If visible injuries exist, photograph them as well.
Collect contact information from other drivers, passengers, and witnesses. Record license plate numbers, insurance details, and driver’s license information from all involved parties. Note the presence of security cameras at nearby businesses that might have captured the accident.
In the days and weeks after the accident, request a copy of the police report from the law enforcement agency that responded to your accident. Maintain detailed records of medical treatment, including emergency room visits, follow-up care, prescriptions, and rehabilitation services. Keep receipts for all accident-related expenses, from medical bills to rental car costs. Document missed workdays and any impact on your daily activities through a written journal.
When you are ready to initiate your claim, bring all of this evidence to your Independence car accident lawyer. Your attorney will assess these documents and use them to begin building your claim. If you are unable to collect this information at the time, do not worry—your lawyer will launch a comprehensive investigation to uncover vital evidence on your behalf.
Get a Free Consultation with an Independence Car Accident Attorney
If you have been injured in a car accident 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 Independence car accident attorneys.