Have you been injured in a St. Louis car accident caused by a careless, reckless, or otherwise unsafe driver? If so, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries and related expenses. However, getting the money you are owed after a wreck is not always easy.
At the Sumner Law Group, LLC, we understand how devastating a car accident can be, both personally and financially. That’s why we are prepared to work tirelessly to pursue the full and fair compensation you deserve. We take an aggressive, strategic approach to every case we handle, which is how we’ve secured millions of dollars for our clients in settlements and verdicts.
To learn more about your legal options after a car accident in St. Louis, Missouri, continue reading – and don’t hesitate to contact our offices for a free case review with a St. Louis car accident lawyer.
What Are the Most Common Car Accident Injuries in St. Louis?
According to crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 40,000 people died in traffic crashes in the United States in just one recent year, and 2.28 million more were injured.
Traffic accidents often result in severe injuries due to the violent forces involved when multi-ton vehicles collide at speed. Here are a few examples of the common types of car accident injuries that can occur in St. Louis:
- Head and neck injuries
- Facial injuries and dental trauma
- Back and shoulder injuries
- Abdominal injuries and internal bleeding
- Arm, elbow, wrist, and hand injuries
- Dislocated or fractured bones
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Bruises, lacerations, and puncture wounds
- Soft tissue strains, sprains, and tears
- Leg, knee, ankle, and foot injuries
- Road rash and other burns
- Emotional and psychological injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Amputation and loss of limb
- Spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
- Partial or total paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
Can I Get Compensation for My Injuries?
If you were injured in a St. Louis car accident, Missouri law gives you the right to seek compensation from the parties responsible for your injuries. The most common way to do this is to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance provider.
If you can demonstrate that the other driver is liable for your injuries and other losses, you should be entitled to compensation from an insurance claim. If you cannot get the money you deserve from an insurance claim, you can demand it by filing a lawsuit.
In Missouri, you can recover compensation for your injuries after a car accident even if you were partially or mostly at fault for the wreck. Missouri follows a legal doctrine known as “pure comparative negligence,” which holds that injured parties are entitled to seek compensation from other at-fault parties, even if they are found to be 99 percent at fault.
However, the amount of compensation you can recover in a personal injury lawsuit would be reduced based on your percentage of fault. Because insurers make decisions based on what they believe will happen in court, you can expect a similar reduction in insurance settlement offers if they believe you are partially at fault. A knowledgeable attorney can evaluate your case and help you determine the best way to maximize your compensation.
Who Can Be Held Liable for My Car Accident Injuries?
In most car accident cases, one or more drivers are liable for injuries and other losses resulting from the crash. After all, most car accidents happen due to some form of driver error, such as distraction, failure to yield, or general carelessness.
However, several parties may share liability after a St. Louis car accident, including:
- Alcohol vendors – Under Missouri Statute § 537.053, alcohol vendors, such as bars, restaurants, and liquor stores, may be liable for injuries caused by drunk drivers if they knowingly provide alcohol to anyone who is visibly intoxicated or under 21.
- Manufacturers – The manufacturer of a defectively designed or manufactured car part may be liable if the component fails and contributes to a wreck.
- Local governments – Local governmental bodies responsible for road maintenance might be liable in a traffic accident if extremely poor road conditions or missing signage contributed to the crash.
- Other road users – In some cases, another road user who was struck in the collision may be liable. For instance, if a motorist or pedestrian darted in front of an oncoming vehicle, forcing the driver to slam on their brakes, the darting motorist or pedestrian may be at fault for a resulting rear-end crash.
- Employers – If the at-fault driver was traveling in a company vehicle or conducting work-related activities when the crash occurred, the employer could be held vicariously liable for their employee’s negligence.
- Parents and car owners – If a parent allows their dependent child to drive their car, the parent can be liable for any traffic accidents involving their child. Similarly, any car owner who lends their vehicle to another driver can be responsible for accidents involving their car.
Types of Compensation for Car Accident Injuries in St. Louis
Depending on the circumstances, you could be entitled to compensation for the following types of losses after a car accident in St. Louis, MO:
- The costs of medical care to treat your injuries
- The value of lost wages and benefits from missed time at work
- Losses in your future earning capacity
- Your pain, suffering, and lost quality of life
- Incidental costs, such as mileage expenses for traveling to the doctor
How Our Lawyers Help People Injured in St. Louis Car Crashes
The St. Louis car accident injury lawyers of Sumner Law Group, LLC, can help you seek the compensation you deserve by:
- Conducting an independent investigation into the crash
- Identifying liable parties and collecting valuable evidence
- Communicating with insurers and other parties on your behalf
- Interviewing witnesses and experts for supporting testimony
- Managing essential case documents and dates
- Negotiating aggressively to maximize your insurance settlement
- Taking your case to court and representing you at trial, if settlement talks fail
Contact a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer Today
When you need dependable legal help after a car accident in St. Louis, look no further than Sumner Law Group, LLC. We can answer your questions and evaluate your case at no charge during your initial consultation session. Contact us now.
