When you have suffered debilitating injuries in a car accident at Lake of the Ozarks, MO, you may be feeling overwhelmed. Get help holding the liable party accountable for your damages and recover the compensation you are entitled to by contacting Kirsch & Kirsch. Our car accident attorneys offer a 100% free consultation.
What Is the Average Settlement For a Car Accident in Missouri?
If you have been in a motor vehicle accident, you may be entitled to a settlement. No two car accidents are the same. Injuries and damages differ, and therefore, no set amount is given in car accident settlements. If the insurance company offers a settlement, it will depend on the damage caused in the automobile accident and the type of vehicles involved.
How Long After a Car Accident Can You Sue in Missouri?
If you decide to file a personal injury claim for injuries or damages you suffered in the state of Missouri, there are certain restrictions and statutes of limitations that you must follow. In Missouri, you have five years from the accident date to file a lawsuit. The statute of limitations is also five years to file a lawsuit for any property damage that resulted from the crash. After the five-year limitation, you may be excluded from filing a personal injury lawsuit seeking compensation for your injuries.
How Do You Know You Need a Car Accident Lawyer?
Car accidents can be extremely frightening and disrupting to your life. You or someone you love may have been severely injured, or your vehicle may have been too extensively damaged to drive. If you have never experienced a car crash before, you may not know what damages you can seek in a lawsuit. Lake of the Ozarks car accident lawyers can help you fight for compensation for your medical expenses, damaged property, and other losses.
How Will Comparative Negligence Affect My Lake Ozark, MO, Car Accident Claim?
Pure comparative negligence law states that the plaintiff is allowed to recover damages from the defendant in a motor vehicle accident based on the degree of fault assigned to each party in the accident.
Similar to many other states, Missouri is a pure comparative state. This is typically thought of as a shared percentage, and the amount you could receive for your damages will depend on what percent of the accident was your responsibility. For example, if you were found to be 20% at fault for the accident, you could only receive payment for 80% of the repairs for your vehicle or medical bills.
Never Talk to Insurance Adjusters Without Your Lake Ozark, MO, Car Accident Lawyer Present
The job of an insurance adjuster is to assess the damages of a motor vehicle accident. You shouldn’t speak with the insurance adjuster without your car accident lawyer present for several reasons.
- Insurance adjusters may attempt to make a fast and low settlement by saying things to trick or confuse you, such as giving you deadlines for accepting the settlement they offer or telling you that hiring a car accident lawyer is unnecessary and that they can assist you throughout the process.
- Ultimately, the adjuster’s job is to avoid paying out on his client’s behalf (the at-fault driver) by trying to blame you for the accident and attempting to make your insurance company pay for your own damages. By speaking with the insurance adjuster without your car accident lawyer, they may attempt to have you admit to having some fault in the accident.
- Even if you speak with an insurance adjuster and are very careful in your use of words, you may say something that varies slightly in a later conversation that the adjuster can use your words to question your credibility.
For these reasons, make sure you have a dedicated car accident lawyer working for you before you speak with the insurer.
What Steps Should You Take After a Car Accident in Lake Ozark, MO?
After a car accident, you will probably be confused and scared, not knowing what you should do next. There are some crucial steps you can take following an accident to ensure the best outcome for your situation.
First, call 911 or ask a bystander to phone the police if you are unable to do so. Once EMTs arrive on the scene, let them check you and any other passengers for injuries. It is essential not to skip this step, even if you feel that no injuries were sustained. A trained EMT will know what to look for under the given circumstances. If they suggest you go to the hospital for further treatment or diagnostics, it is highly recommended that you do so. Refusing medical treatment now could affect the outcome of your claim later on down the road.
Second, if you have not been severely injured and are able to walk around safely, it is important to document anything at the scene of the car crash that can help your lawyers identify who is at fault. Take photos of road conditions or construction zones near the collision, any vehicles involved in the accident, license plates, and anything that could have caused the accident.
Next, you must keep careful documentation of all your medical needs. You will want to document all doctor visits, emergency room visits, any medications you may be prescribed, and any physical therapy appointments that your doctor feels will help in your treatment.
Finally, you will want to seek advice from an experienced car accident attorney in Lake of the Ozarks, MO, to determine your legal options for filing car accident claims.
How Common Are Car Accidents?
Each year in the United States, millions of people are injured, and over 37,000 people die from car accidents. A staggering ninety-four percent of car crashes could have been prevented and were caused by bad decisions from drivers on the roadways. Car accidents are far too common in Lake of the Ozarks due to the area being a popular tourist destination with high traffic. Your car accident lawyer will scrutinize the details of your case to determine the cause of your accident so they can identify the liable party and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Our Ozarks Car Accident Lawyers Can Help
Our car accident lawyers in Lake of the Ozarks are here to fight for the compensation you deserve. Our personal injury attorneys are experienced in handling all types of accidents involving motor vehicles and are prepared to defend your case. Our job is to help ease your financial burden while we protect your rights as a victim. Contact us at Kirsch & Kirsch for a consultation to discuss the details of your car accident case and how a car accident lawyer at our firm can help you.