Side-impact crashes have high rates of severe injuries and fatalities because the people inside the vehicle do not have the protection of bumpers. Bumpers, located on the front and rear of cars, absorb much of the impact of collisions, but they cannot help you in a St. Louis, Missouri side-impact accident.
The federal agency charged with highway safety recognizes the danger of side-impact crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a 261-page report on the dangers of side-impact collisions and the rules it created for vehicle manufacturers to install protections for drivers and passengers in the event of a side-impact collision.
A St. Louis side-impact collisions lawyer could help if you got hurt or a loved one died in a side-impact crash that was someone else’s fault. At Ben Crump Law, PLLC, our mission is to pursue justice for people who get hurt or killed because of the carelessness of others.
If we take your case, you will not have to pay upfront legal fees or out-of-pocket expenses. We handle car accident injury claims on a contingency fee basis, which means we do not get paid until you win. Our fees come out of the settlement proceeds or financial awards at the end of the case.
You can call us today at (800) 598-7557 to get started with a free consultation.
Awards in a St. Louis Side-Impact Collision Injury Case
Every accident case is different, so we cannot throw out a number to represent how much compensation you can go after if you got hurt or a loved one died in a side-impact collision that was someone else’s fault. We will need to talk to you and investigate your situation before we can determine the monetary value of your claim.
Some examples of financial awards you could recover are:
- Medical expenses. You can usually recover the reasonable cost of medical treatment you needed for your injuries. This category can include things like the ambulance, emergency room, hospital, doctors, surgery, X-rays, lab tests, physical therapy, and prescription drugs.
- Rehabilitation facility. A person with severe injuries might need intensive treatment for several weeks or months at a specialized rehabilitation center.
- Long-term care. Catastrophic injuries, like head trauma or spinal cord damage, can leave a person unable to live independently. Long-term care costs can be astronomical. You should not have to pay this expense if you did not cause the accident.
- Lost income. If you missed paychecks while receiving medical treatment and recuperating, we could add this loss to your claim. This category can include lost wages, salary, self-employment, and other forms of regular income.
- Diminished future income. You might not be able to keep up the same pace or perform the same tasks after a significant car crash. If you had to reduce your work hours or take a lower-paying job because of your injuries, you have a financial loss.
- Pain and suffering. This award refers to the physical discomfort and emotional distress you suffered because of the accident and your injuries. These items do not come with standard ways to measure them in terms of dollars, but we can calculate their reasonable value.
- Other intangible losses. Disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are some of the additional intangible losses a person can experience as a result of a car accident.
- Wrongful death. If your close relative died because of a side-impact collision that was someone else’s fault, we might be able to go after additional compensation for the legal beneficiaries.
These are but a few examples of the possible items for which a person could recover compensation after a St. Louis side-impact crash. You do not have to assess the monetary value of your claim.
A St. Louis side-impact collisions lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, can determine what losses you have experienced and pursue the at-fault party for compensation. Call us today to schedule a free consultation so you can tell us details about your accident and get your questions answered.
For a free legal consultation with a side-impact collisions lawyer serving St. Louis, call (800) 598-7557
Three Things to Do After a St. Louis Side-Impact Collision
What you do after a car accident can affect the compensation you can collect. We assume that, by the time you read this information, you have already received medical treatment for your injuries. If you did not, you should get medical attention right away.
Your medical records will be valuable evidence of the extent and severity of your injuries. Also, your chart will link your injuries to the crash. The longer the time between the accident and your medical attention, the more challenging it could be to prove that the collision caused the harm you suffered.
St. Louis Side-Impact Collisions Lawyer Near Me (800) 598-7557
An Insurance Company’s Claims Adjuster Is Not Your Friend
A claims adjuster for an insurance company might turn on the charm and badmouth lawyers, but the goal of that tactic is to keep you from having a lawyer protect your rights. The claims adjuster is not your friend. His job is to deny your claim or pay you pennies on the dollar.
An adjuster might ask you to give a recorded statement. If he does this, tell him to talk to your lawyer. A recorded statement is for the insurance company’s benefit, not yours. The insurer can take your words out of context and twist them into something you did not intend.
In Missouri, you have five years to file a lawsuit seeking money for your injuries and other losses, per Mo. Ann. Stat. § 516.120. Five years is considerable time, but your attorney will need that time to build a solid case for you. Also, an adjuster might drag out the negotiations with you, hoping that you will miss the statute of limitations deadline and lose your right to win compensation for the harm you suffered. Your attorney will make sure to file your lawsuit on time.
Stay Off Social Media
Anything that you post can backfire on you, even if the photo or posting is not about the accident. You might want to ask your friends and family not to post anything about the accident or your injuries. Your lawyer can give you guidance about how to deal with social media during your injury case.
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Talk to a Personal Injury Lawyer
You do not have to hire an attorney to manage your personal injury case, but you might find the legal process easier if you do. An insurer has teams of people working full-time to offer you a settlement that offers as little money as possible. It can help to have a St. Louis side-impact collisions lawyer advocating for you.
At Ben Crump Law, PLLC, we fight hard for the little guy against the multibillion-dollar insurance companies of the people who hurt others through carelessness. You can call us today at (800) 598-7557 for a free consultation. We want to help you, so call us so we can get started on your case.
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