In today's world, it is easier than ever to fall into the bad habit of distracted driving. With smartphones and all the diverting possibilities they offer, people may sometimes lose track of how they are driving, which can lead to catastrophic consequences.
However, distracted driving is only one of many hazards that can harm innocent bystanders and drivers. If a driver was acting in a way that was negligent, careless, or reckless, and you or a loved one suffered an injury because of it, you may be wondering if there is any way to seek justice.
The St. Charles County
car accident lawyers at
Coyne, Cundiff and Hillemann, PC are here to tell you that there is hope. We believe that you should not
have to pay for the poor conduct of another driver and we are here to
make things right. Start out by telling us about what happened to you during a
free case evaluation.
Working with an attorney has many benefits including give you the time you need to focus on recovery. You may want to consult an attorney if your claim has been denied or you are facing difficulties in getting what you need from the insurance company. At Coyne, Cundiff and Hillemann, PC, we offer free case evaluations and can help you understand your opportunities for financial recovery. At it's core, an attorney can advise you of your rights and give you the information you need to make the right decision for you.
To qualify for a personal injury case, you must have been harmed by a situation that arose from negligence. Negligence is defined as a failure to act in a reasonably safe manner or the failure to take precautions that any reasonable person would agree are important. If you believe that the accident you were involved with was caused by reckless driving of some sort, the auto accident attorneys at Coyne, Cundiff and Hillemann, PC may be able to help.
Did any of the following actions on the part of another driver cause your accident?
There are times, also, when the driver who caused the accident may not be at fault due to a flaw with the car's design or the manufacture of certain parts. It is possible that a car may have been defectively designed or created, and that a failure of a mechanism within the vehicle caused the accident.
If you need legal assistance, call us at 636.561.5599 right away. Schedule your free consultation today!
A statute of limitations is a time limit that restricts how long after an accident has occurred you will be allowed to pursue legal restitution. Statute of limitations usually varies from one state to the next. According to Missouri Revised Statutes § 516.120, you have up to 5 years after your accident to file a lawsuit. If you fail to file your claim within this time period, your case may be dismissed.
Missouri has a law known as the "Pure Comparative Fault Rule," which allows a victim of a car accident to recover compensation for their injuries, even if they are 99% responsible for the accident. The amount of compensation the individual may receive is determined by the percentage of fault they played in the accident.
Are car accident reports pubic record? Yes, in Missouri most accident reports will be open to the public, which means that you, your insurance company, and police will have access to the accident report filed on the date of your car accident. If you wish to request a copy of your accident report from the records office, you may need to pay a fee, or you can request a copy from your insurance company if they have already obtained a copy for their records.
Can car accidents cause PTSD? Yes! In fact, the American Psychological Association claims that motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of PTSD among the general population. Post-traumatic stress disorder can result from any experience that had a traumatic or particularly fear-inducing impact on an individual. If you believe you have suffered PTSD from your auto accident, you may be eligible to receive compensation! Contact our firm immediately.
When am I required to report my car accident to the police? In Missouri you are required by law to report your accident if one or more of these 3 situations is true:
Are auto accident settlements taxable? In general, recipients of car accident settlements do not need to pay taxes on the compensation they receive. The general rule is that if the compensation you are receiving is meant to replace an out-of-pocket expense, you do not need to pay taxes on it because you already paid the taxes at the time you paid for treatment, repairs, etc. However, this is not typically the case when it comes to replacing lost income. If you have questions about whether or not your settlement will be taxable, you should contact a tax professional to discuss your situation.
What is the average car accident settlement amount? Most insurance companies utilize a multiplier system when determining how much to offer in their settlement. However, every accident is different. It's important that you discuss your case with a professional car accident lawyer in order to ensure that any settlement you are being offered by the insurance company is fair. Don't put your settlement at risk by blindly accepting their offer!
What should I do if I'm hit by an uninsured driver in Missouri? If you have been the victim of a hit and run, it is important that you report your accident to the authorities immediately so that they can begin the investigative work necessary for tracking down the responsible party. If you have been the victim of an accident with an uninsured driver, it is likely that your insurance company will help to cover the damages sustained by your person (but not the damages to your vehicle). This insurance coverage is known as Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UIM) and is required by the state of Missouri. Have more questions about what to do? Contact our firm today! We're here to help.
Contact us right away for legal assistance from our St. Charles County auto accident attorneys. Free consultation - don't wait until it's too late!
Looking for more information about car accidents in Missouri, or how to handle your own car accident case? Check out some of our latest blog posts: