Automotive Injury Lawyers Serving Missouri & Illinois
Car accidents are one of the most common causes of serious and fatal injury in the Greater St. Louis area. When you sustain a serious injury in a car accident, insurance companies often work quickly to offer a settlement. If you accept a settlement, you waive your right to seek compensation through legal action. Unfortunately, the settlements offered by insurance companies are typically insubstantial – even when they initially look great. Before you accept an offer from an insurance company, call Brown & Brown for a free case review and let one of our car accident lawyers help you determine what your case is really worth. Dial 314-333-3333 today to reach our St. Louis, MO office, or if you are in Illinois, call 618-888-8888 to contact attorney Dan Brown today.
An Insurance Adjustor Has Asked to Meet with Me. What Should I Say?
Insurance adjusters work for the insurance company to save them as much money as possible. To do this, the insurance adjuster may try to make you admit that the auto accident is part or completely your fault. They may also try to make you admit that your injuries are not that severe, or that the auto accident was not that bad.
When speaking to an insurance adjuster, you should never make an admission of guilt, or make any statements about the results of the accident. The best thing you can do when speaking to an insurance adjuster about your auto accident is to have an experienced auto accident attorney present.
If you live in St. Louis or surrounding areas of Missouri or Southern Illinois and are in need of a car accident attorney, Brown & Brown can help. In Missouri, call 314-333-3333 and in Illinois call 618-888-8888 to schedule a complimentary consultation to learn more.
"After the shock wears off from an auto accident no matter how severe it was the pain & fear settle in. You need the experience only an attorney can provide. Brown & Brown became not only my attorneys but a team of people that took all of the anxiety away and worked very hard on my case. A special thanks to Ely for believing in me and winning my case. When it comes to any type of personal injury I wouldn’t consider calling anyone else. Many Thanks,"
Leading Causes of Car Accidents
Some of the top causes of car accidents include:
- Alcohol or drug use
- Speeding
- Driver distraction
- Erratic or aggressive driving
- Dangerous or poorly designed roadways
- Defective vehicles
While some of these things are beyond the control of the driver who causes an accident, most car crashes are the result of driver error or behavior.
When you work with Brown & Brown following a car accident, we will thoroughly investigate its cause to help ensure the proper party is held liable.
What do I do if the Car Accident Was Partly My Fault?
If you are involved in an auto accident that you are partially liable for, you may still be able to recover compensation for your losses. Depending on what state the auto accident occurred in, you might be able to show, through comparative negligence, that the other driver is responsible for a percentage of the accident.
Depending on how much the other driver is liable, and the type of comparative negligence applicable in your state, you may be able to recover the proportion of compensation for which they are responsible. This means that if the other driver is 70% responsible for the auto accident, then you will be able to recover 70% of your losses from them.
The Most Common Car Accident Injuries
Distracted Driving
While there can be several factors behind car accidents, distraction is one of the most common. Cited as a contributing factor, if not the main, in a majority of serious and fatal car accidents, distraction in much more than cellphone use. In fact, distraction refers to any behavior that a driver performs that is not directly related to operating the vehicle.
Common types of distracted driving include:
- Handheld cellphone use
- Hands-free cellphone or on-board electronic use
- Eating or drinking
- Programing or looking at GPS
- Adjusting the radio or a portable music player
- Personal grooming
Even talking to passengers can be a form of distraction, particularly when vision is shifted from the road to the passenger or backseat.
When distraction plays a role in a car crash, it is important that it be identified as a factor in order to seek proper compensation. During the investigative process, we will look for signs of distraction to help ensure all contributing factors are taken into account when we seek compensation for your injuries.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident
Following your car accident, the steps you take will have an impact on your ability to collect compensation. If at all possible, on the scene of the accident:
- Take pictures from multiple angles
- Get the vehicle, insurance, driver’s license, and contact info of all involved drivers
- Get contact info from all witnesses
- Cooperate with police and EMTs
- Contact your insurance company to report the accident
Gather information, cooperate and be courteous, but do not suggest to anyone you talk to that you are to blame for the accident.
As soon as possible after the accident:
- See your doctor for a full physical examination
- Contact Brown & Brown for a free consultation
Some injuries, including traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury, may not show immediate signs. It is possible to be released by EMTs only to have symptoms occur days or even weeks later. Seeing your doctor for a full physical examination is the best way to make sure all of your injuries are diagnosed, enabling you to begin treatment before irreversible damage occurs.
Damages in Car Accident Claims
Damages commonly sought following car accidents include:
- Emergency and on-going medical treatment
- Wages lost during recovery
- Wages lost due to continued inability to work at the same level
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
The cost for things like rehabilitation, home modifications or adaptive technology made necessary by your injury, and a loss of quality of life due to new limitations are often included in car accident injury claims. The best way to learn which damages you may be entitled to is through a free, one-on-one consultation with one of the car accident lawyers at Brown & Brown.
Car accidents resulting in a loss of life may qualify for a wrongful death lawsuit. Under this type of legal action, one of our attorneys will work to secure compensation for your family that may include:
- End of life medical expenses
- Funeral and interment expenses
- Projected lost income
- Loss of retirement or 401k benefits
- Loss of companionship
- Emotional suffering
Wrongful death lawsuits can be brought by surviving spouses or children and are designed to provide compensation for families who have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence. Call our St. Louis office at 314-333-3333 or if you are in Illinois, call at 618-888-8888 to contact attorney Dan Brown today.
What can I do if the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?
There are a few different options that you have if the other driver involved in your car accident does not have auto insurance. You may be able to recover compensation for your losses from your own insurance company, or you can file a personal injury claim against the driver of the other car instead of their insurance company.
The best way to find out what course of action you should take to recover your damages is to contact a Brown & Brown. Our auto accident attorneys will help you recover the compensation you deserve.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim?
In St. Louis, you generally have five years from the accident date to file a claim.
In Illinois, the statute of limitations is much shorter. Here, you only have two years from the accident date to file a claim. However, if you want to file a property damage lawsuit, you have up to five years.
Whether you live in St. Louis or Illinois, it's still crucial to act promptly. Gathering evidence and witness statements can become more challenging as time passes.
What Should I Do if the Other Driver Leaves the Scene?
If the other driver decides to leave the accident scene, it is considered a hit-and-run. Here are some steps to take if this happens:
- Ensure your safety and seek medical care if needed.
- Report the incident to the police immediately.
- Provide as much information as possible about the fleeing vehicle.
- Collect any available evidence, such as photos, videos, and witness statements, as well.
Your own insurance policy may cover hit-and-run accidents under uninsured motorist coverage. Our attorneys at Brown & Brown Attorneys at Law can help you understand the complexities of hit-and-run cases and pursue the compensation you deserve.
What Should I Do if My Insurance Company Denies My Car Accident Claim?
Start by requesting a detailed explanation of the denial. Review your policy to understand the coverage and determine if the denial was justified.
It’s also helpful to gather additional evidence that supports your claim, such as:
- Medical records
- Repair estimates
- Witness statements
If you believe the denial was unfair, seek legal assistance. The team at Brown & Brown Attorneys at Law can review your case, negotiate with the insurance company, and, if necessary, represent you in court to fight for your rightful compensation.
What if I Was in a Minor Accident?
Even if you were in a minor accident, consulting with a lawyer is still beneficial.
What may seem like a minor accident can sometimes result in unexpected medical expenses or vehicle repair costs. Additionally, insurance companies might offer a settlement that doesn’t fully cover your damages.
A lawyer can help assess the true impact of the accident, negotiate with the insurance company, and ensure you receive fair compensation.
What Are Common Mistakes To Avoid After a Car Accident?
In the wake of a car accident, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do (and not do) next. Here are some of the most common mistakes people should avoid after being involved in an accident:
- Not Seeking Medical Attention: You should still seek medical care even if you feel fine. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent. A medical evaluation ensures your health and provides documentation for your claim.
- Failing to Report the Accident: Always report an accident to the police and your insurance company. An official report is crucial for supporting your claim.
- Admitting Fault: Don’t make statements that could be misconstrued as admitting fault. Only discuss the facts when talking about the accident.
- Delaying Legal Advice: Waiting too long to seek legal advice can jeopardize your claim. Early consultation with a lawyer helps preserve evidence and build a stronger case.
- Accepting Quick Settlements: Insurance companies may offer settlements that are less than what you deserve. Consult with an attorney to evaluate any settlement offers.
Why Choose Brown & Brown
Brown & Brown was established over 30 years ago to help victims of serious injury in the Greater St. Louis area get fair and full compensation. Our team of dedicated and experienced car accident attorneys work tirelessly for our clients, building every case for trial to make sure all actions are taken to secure every penny car accident victims are due. We work on a contingency basis, so you pay nothing if we don’t win your case – and consultations are always free, so it costs you nothing to speak with us and learn if we can help.
Can’t I Handle My Car Accident Claim Myself?
Car accident claims can be very difficult to handle and many times insurance companies will try to use pressure tactics to prevent you from recovering the compensation you deserve. While some people may choose to handle their auto accident claim alone, those that choose to hire a Brown & Brown auto accident attorney almost always recover more compensation than they would have alone.
You may not need a car accident attorney if your injuries are minor, but it never hurts to have your case reviewed. The best way to learn if an attorney will be useful for your claim is by speaking to one; just be sure to do so before you accept an insurance offer and before the two-year statute of limitations to file a claim passes.
Patient Testimonial
"I got into a car accident with a friend of mine and my back was killing me. It wasn't my fault, I had no healthcare, and i was in bad shape. They helped me pay my hospital bills and made up for the time missed at work. Very professional and friendly. 10/10 recommend."
Contact Brown & Brown
To schedule a free consultation with one of our car accident lawyers in St. Louis and surrounding areas of Missouri, call 314-333-3333. In Illinois and surrounding areas of Southern Illinois, call 618-888-8888. Or, you can fill out the form on this or our contact page to book your appointment. Brown & Brown works to protect the rights of victims of serious injury living throughout the Greater St. Louis area.
