Not everyone is lucky to come out of an auto collision with nothing but a few scratches. Most victims would suffer serious and often even fatal injuries. Of the 6,569 car crashes investigated in the latest report by the Springfield Police Department, 26 accidents resulted in fatalities. [1]
If you have been involved in a car accident, the injuries and subsequent financial burden may leave you unable to enjoy life as you did before. Our Springfield car accident lawyers are here to ensure that you’re rightfully compensated for the consequences of someone else’s negligence.
Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit With Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers
Having our Springfield car accident lawyers handle the recovery process significantly increases the potential to win a big settlement in your auto accident case. They will pursue all options available under the law, independently investigate the car accident, file claims against all responsible parties, and recognize all of the tricks the insurance company might try to avoid paying.
When hiring a car accident lawyer from our team, you get access to decades of experience in winning major settlements on behalf of auto accident victims. We will thoroughly investigate your case, secure evidence, consult with experts in the field and aggressively negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to get you justice.
If the negotiations fall through, our Springfield personal injury lawyers will provide forceful advocacy to obtain a favorable outcome for your case in court.
You Have Limited Time to File a Car Accident Claim in Springfield, MO
The statute of limitations is a firm time limit in which you must file your claim. Missouri law requires that personal injury claims be filed within five years of the accident whereas wrongful death claims have to be filed within three years. [2]
Make sure to reach out to a Springfield car accident lawyer as soon as possible after the incident so that you have the best possible chance of getting fair compensation.
Types of Cases That Our Springfield Car Accident Attorneys Handle
The experienced auto accident attorneys at our law firm have handled a diverse range of cases. We rely on this expertise to ensure you win fair compensation for your claim, regardless of how the accident happened.
- Rear-End Collisions – Our car accident lawyers routinely deal with cases where a driver has failed to maintain enough safe space from the car in front and ends up crashing straight into it.
- Head-On Accidents – These crashes are typically caused by cars coming down the wrong way and having a full frontal collision with oncoming traffic.
- Rollover Accidents – Often occurring due to high speeds, cars can roll over following a T-bone collision or an impact with road obstructions.
- Blind Spot Collisions – Drivers changing lanes or making turns without checking blind spots will inadvertently turn into other vehicles.
The Most Common Causes of Motor Vehicle Accidents
Our Springfield car accident attorneys have handled numerous claims due to anything between failure to yield or obey street signals and speeding, failure to maintain a safe distance, and break checking.
Underlying reasons in most of the car accident claims we handle for clients include:
- Impaired Driving – Illegal driving activities such as DWI or DUI are common reasons for traffic accidents. Drunk driving accidents are also some of the most fatal.
- Reckless and Distracted Driving – Drivers who don’t follow traffic laws or engage in distracting activities while driving are often the cause of serious accident cases.
- Bad Weather – Poor visibility when the weather is bad, particularly due to heavy rain or fog, is another common cause of auto accidents that result in serious injury.
Additionally, some roads and intersections have proven to be particularly dangerous for motorists. The following are intersections in Springfield, MO where we generally see the most accidents:
- Kansas Expy & Sunshine
- Campbell & Republic
- Glenstone & Kearney
- Glenstone & Grand
- Campbell & Walnut Lawn
Financial Compensation Our Springfield Car Accident Attorneys Can Help You Secure
There’s no fixed amount awarded as compensation to car accident victims, and there are many circumstances that can affect auto collision settlements.
Our law firm has won settlements worth millions of dollars for clients, including:
- $18.5 million for a client injured in a head-on semi-truck crash
- $14.1 million for family members of a fatally injured motorcyclist
- $2.5 million in an underinsured motorist settlement for a rollover crash victim
Factors That Affect Auto Accident Settlement Amounts
The facts unique to each auto accident case greatly influence the settlement amount. Higher settlements can be expected in cases where gross negligence is found to have caused serious injuries. Settlements are also influenced by the behavior of the insurance company, the weight of evidence, and the following:
- The Extent of Losses and Injuries – The higher your injury and property damage expenses, the greater the settlement amount. Settlements will similarly be on the higher side if the victim is seriously hurt or fatally injured in the accident.
- Insurance Coverage Limits – If the defendant only carries the minimum insurance coverage required by personal injury law, which is $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident for injury, and $25,000 per accident for property damage, you might not be able to recover beyond these limits. If you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, you could potentially recover the difference from your insurance company.
- Share of Fault – Being a pure comparative fault state, Missouri assigns a share of fault to the victim and the defendant. If it’s proved, and not necessarily by the insurance adjuster, that you were 40% at fault for the accident, the defendant would only have to pay 60% of the damages, while you would be responsible for the remainder.
Legal Liability for Car Accidents in Springfield, MO
Negligent drivers are not always the only responsible parties in car accidents. There may be others that you could potentially claim compensation from, if they’re found liable for:
- Personal Injury and Wrongful Death – Compensation can be claimed for injury and death from all parties responsible for the accident.
- Medical Malpractice – If the driver is under medical treatment and their facility fails to inform them about the risks of driving, they would be liable for malpractice claims.
- Government Liability – Government entities can be held liable if accidents are caused by their official vehicles or negligence in fulfilling their responsibilities, such as road maintenance.
- DRAM Shop Liability – Third-party liability claims can also be filed against establishments that continue to serve liquor to an intoxicated person that subsequently causes an accident.
The Basis of Car Accident Claims
A successful car accident claim is based on establishing the defendant’s negligence. If they’ve breached the duty of care owed to you as a road user and you’ve suffered injuries as a result of the accident, such careless drivers will be liable for damages.
Solid evidence is required to establish how their negligent act contributed to the accident that resulted in your injuries. Working with experienced Springfield auto accident lawyers will help you do that effectively.
Damages That Our Springfield Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You Recover
An auto accident can completely turn your life upside down. What you’ll be entitled to receive compensation for primarily depends on the various factors unique to your case, such as:
Economic Damages
These are the actual financial losses you’ve suffered due to the accident. Examples of economic damages your personal injury lawyer can recover include:
- Medical expenses – All expenses on medical attention for injuries suffered in the accident can be claimed. This can include surgeries, ER visits, ambulance rides, medications, and future medical expenses.
- Lost wages – Your injuries may prevent you from returning to work or being able to work like you could before, so your claim can include lost earnings as well.
- Property destruction – You can also claim compensation for property damaged in the accident, including your vehicle and other valuables.
Non-Economic Damages
This represents compensation for non-financial losses, those that can’t be immediately quantified. Non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering – You’re entitled to be compensated for the emotional and physical distress suffered as a result of the accident.
- Permanent disability – Car accidents that cause disability or disfigurement have a lifelong impact, one that you deserve to get compensated for.
- Loss of enjoyment of life – Compensation can be claimed if the accident has left you unable to live your life the way you could before.
Wrongful Death
The family members of a deceased accident victim are deprived of their time with a loved one. They can file a wrongful death lawsuit to claim:
- Funeral expenses – Expenses related to the funeral, burial, and last rites of the deceased accident victim can be claimed.
- Loss of consortium – Damages can also be sought for the loss of companionship and spousal relationship due to the accident.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages aren’t awarded to compensate you for losses but to punish the negligent driver when it’s established that they caused the accident because of their gross negligence. They’re also referred to as exemplary damages, intended to set an example for others.
The Time It Takes to Settle Automobile Accident Claims
It can take several months to settle car accident cases in Springfield. A policy limit settlement may come sooner while you may have to wait around six months or more if it’s a complex claim that requires more negotiation.
Hiring a Missouri car accident attorney fast gives you an edge. Everything is handled professionally, the required evidence is secured, and negotiations are done from a position of strength. This puts you on track to recover the most compensation possible.
The Cost of Hiring a Car Accident Attorney
You have no upfront cost when you retain a Springfield personal injury attorney from our law firm to handle your car accident case. We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you don’t owe us anything unless we help you win. We will handle every step of the process—including the trial, if needed—without you having to pay a single cent.
We only get paid once you win a satisfactory settlement. Our fee will be a percentage of that confirmed settlement, as specified in our agreement with you upon hiring our services. This enables you to have effective legal assistance for recovering compensation after an accident without any financial burden.
Contact a Springfield Car Accident Lawyer Today!
Take advantage of our expertise in winning major settlements to get compensated by everyone who contributed to your accident and suffering. The car accident lawyers at our firm leave no stone unturned in their mission to recover compensation on your behalf.
Call (888) 424-5757 to connect with one of our personal injury attorneys for a free initial consultation. We’ll move quickly to create a robust claim backed by solid evidence to increase your chances of receiving maximum compensation.
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