Serious car accidents are often life-changing events and many are highly preventable. After a car accident, victims and their families must readjust to a new reality. In the meantime, medical expenses and bills won’t wait. Contact our Springfield car accident lawyers today to see how we can help you. We cannot undo the harm caused, but it can help you move forward after a serious accident.
Why Choose Our Springfield, MO Car Accident Attorneys?
At Douglas, Haun & Heidemann PC, we’ve seen firsthand the challenging nature of life after an auto accident. Our Springfield car accident lawyers are dedicated to pursuing fair compensation, so our clients can focus on what really matters during a difficult time – healing.
Types Of Compensation Available For Car Accidents in Missouri
When a person sustains an injury after an auto collision, many parts of their life can change. The total amount of compensation available depends on a variety of factors regarding each specific accident or situation. Because car accidents can cause such an impact on your life, Springfield personal injury attorneys can fight for compensation in a variety of categories including:
Medical Expenses
These expenses include any cost you incurred while seeking medical attention for your injuries. The final cost depends greatly on the severity of the injuries, but some examples of medical expenses that you may be able to seek compensation for include:
- Doctors’ visits
- Physical therapy appointments
- Surgical procedures
- Hospitalizations
- Future medical appointments because of your injury
Lost Earning Capacity
The road to recovery after a traumatic car accident injury is often a long one. Unfortunately, in some cases, the injuries you sustained may prevent you from performing your job at the same level you could before the accident or result in losing a loved one who was the main provider in your family. In these situations, hiring a Springfield wrongful death attorney will be beneficial because they will obtain compensation for lost earning capacity. Factors like life expectancy and occupational outlook are taken into consideration as well as how much your ability to work was impacted by the accident.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering compensation, otherwise known as noneconomic damages, focuses on the emotional distress that a plaintiff suffers during and after an accident. Certain states have caps on the amount of compensation that can be recovered for pain and suffering, which limits the amount of damages plaintiffs can be awarded. However, in Missouri, we do not have caps on general personal injury recovery pain and suffering damages, so make sure to file your car accident claims with a personal injury attorney today.
Is Missouri a Comparative Negligence State?
Yes. In the state of Missouri, we operate under a pure comparative fault rule. Under the rule, an individual can secure damages for any part of an accident that wasn’t his or her fault. For instance, if you were 30% responsible for the incident, you can collect 70% of the total damages from the defendant. You could also, technically, pursue a claim for 2% of the total damages under the rule if you were 98% at fault. A Springfield car accident lawyer can help you with this claim.
How Long Do I Have To File My Car Accident Claim?
The statute of limitations for car accidents in Missouri is 5 years. This means that you have five years from the time of an accident to file an auto accident lawsuit against the responsible party. If you are unsure about how the statute of limitations applies in your case, consult with our Springfield accident attorneys for case-specific information.
Proving Liability in Springfield, Missouri Car Accidents
While another driver is often responsible for causing an auto collision, he or she may not always shoulder the full responsibility. When we take on an auto accident case, our Springfield car accident lawyers collect as many facts as we can about the accident. Our attorneys reach out to accident reconstruction experts, injury experts, and other specialists who can tease out defining case details.
Sometimes we find evidence that strengthens our case against the defendant, such as information about illegal driving activities. Other times, our car accident lawyers in Springfield uncover third-party liability in the form of a manufacturing defect or a road construction hazard. Our firm handles car accident cases that involve professional drivers, uninsured or underinsured motorists, individuals engaging in illegal driving activities, and wrongful death.
How Do I Handle The Insurance Company?
In addition to pursuing actions against the primary defendant(s), the Springfield car accident lawyers at Douglas, Haun & Heidemann, PC often represent clients in front of insurance companies. Auto insurance companies may handle hundreds of accident claims a day.
While the individual may sympathize with a policyholder or accident victim, they ultimately follow protocols that reward lower payouts. Our team of car accident attorneys negotiates with and takes action (if necessary) against insurance companies that act in bad faith after an automobile accident. Our Springfield car accident attorneys can handle the insurance companies for you.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Car Accident?
After a serious accident, those involved must speak with police officers, insurance adjustors, and (sometimes) news crews. Anything you say during these exchanges can hurt your ability to obtain compensation, even if you believe the case is clear-cut. This is why it is so important to have a personal injury lawyer to help you navigate your case. Here are some tips for protecting your rights after an accident:
- Always agree to medical attention – Immediately after an incident, adrenaline may mask the feeling of an injury. Some injuries manifest days or weeks after.
- Record the scene – If you or someone with you can, take pictures of the scene and write down everything you remember. Human memory is not always accurate, and timely documentation strengthens the credibility of a case.
- Never admit any fault – Accidents happen quickly, and you may not understand every contributing factor at the time of the incident. Stick with the facts and speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
Neighborhoods We Serve
We have offices in Bolivar, MO and Springfield, MO – We proudly serve the neighborhoods and areas in our surrounding communities.
Robberson | Woodland Heights | Grant Beach | Webster Park | Cooper Estates | West Central | Rountree | Oak Grove | Bissett | Fairfield Acres | Seminole Holland | Southeast Springfield | Bradford Park | Ravenwood | Prairie View Heights | Brookline | Battlefield | Doling | Tom Watkins
Finding a Car Accident Attorney in Springfield, MO.
Moving quickly on a case improves our ability to collect evidence and start the lawsuit process. At Douglas, Haun & Heidemann, PC, our Springfield truck accident lawyers are here to help you through every part of an auto or truck accident case. Our firm has a 100-year legacy of success in the Springfield area, and a reputation for success. Contact our office today to get started.
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