Missouri Vehicle Accident Lawyers

Missouri Auto Accident FAQ

Q: What should I do after a car crash?

A: Of course, your first priority should be making sure everyone involved is safe and gets the medical attention they need. But afterward, try to avoid saying anything that could be interpreted as accepting blame for the accident, because it may be used as evidence against you later. Call the police for help.

If you think you were injured in any way, see a doctor. Even if it's just a minor injury, this is a good precaution for both your health and any lawsuit you may file in the future. Save all the papers and photos you get from law enforcement, doctors, repair shops and other agencies you visited because of the accident. If you decide to file a claim, they'll be valuable evidence.

Q: Why should I consider filing a Missouri auto accident lawsuit?

A: If everything is happening the way it should, you may not need to pursue legal action after an accident. But it's rare that everything happens the way it should. The other driver (and his or her insurer) may claim the accident was your fault in order to avoid paying; your own insurance company may refuse to pay a legitimate claim; or you may have injuries that go beyond what they are willing to cover. In all of those cases, and in any other case where you feel your rights are being violated, you should at least speak to an auto accident lawyer to see whether you have a case.

Q: Will I have to go to court if I file a car accident claim?

A: It's not likely that you'll end up on the witness stand. Most auto accident lawsuits are settled out of court, because once you hire a lawyer, insurance companies realize that you mean business. Depending on how far along in the process you get before settling, you may have to give a deposition, which is legal testimony given outside of court. If a case does go to court, it's a sign that the insurance company refuses to pay the full value of your claim. In that case, you may still be able to avoid testifying, depending on the case.

Q: How long do I have to think about filing a car accident lawsuit in Missouri?

A: It depends. That is why it is crucial to contact a Missouri auto accident attorney immediately. Because the difference is often not clear, it's always better to start your claim as soon as you decide you'd like to file one. And if a government agency is involved, the limitations become more complicated -- so it's important to move fast.

Q: How can I tell who's legally at fault for my accident?

A: There are no hard-and-fast rules, but there are a few situations in which one driver is usually assumed to be at fault. For example, in a rear-end accident involving two cars, the driver in the back is almost always legally liable. Similarly, drivers turning left are almost always at fault in an accident involving another vehicle that was going straight, assuming the straight driver had a green light. And drivers who hit pedestrians and bicyclists are usually found at fault. But in all of these cases, there are exceptions, especially if the other party was breaking a law. For a free consultation on your case, call Page || Cagle.

Q: I think the accident might have been partly my fault. Can I still file a claim?

A: Yes! For one thing, your judgment may have been impaired in the heat of the moment, especially if you sustained a serious injury. And the law often assigns fault differently from the way a human being might. But more importantly, Missouri law uses a principle called comparative fault to determine compensation in auto accident lawsuits.

This rule says that if you were partly at fault, the amount you can collect is reduced by the amount of fault you bear. That is, if a jury decides you were 35% at fault for your accident, the amount of damages you'll receive will be reduced by 35%. Of course, if you're not at fault at all, you can collect the full amount of your winnings. If you're not sure how much fault you bear or whether you have a good case, call Page || Cagle for a free consultation with an experienced auto accident attorney.

Q: The other driver's insurance company keeps on calling me to offer a settlement. Should I just take it so I can end this thing?

A: If you're sure that the amount of money they're offering will cover all of your costs and injuries, you might want to accept their offer. But it's important to know that accepting money from an insurance company usually means you can't pursue legal action. So if you're not yet sure what your costs will be, or you know their offer won't cover everything, you should politely decline. Call Page || Cagle for help in determining how much your claim is really worth.

Q: What if the person who hit me didn't have any insurance? Or it was a hit-and-run accident?

A: In both of those cases, you should be able to file a claim with your own insurance company, as long as you have collision coverage or uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. (A hit-and-run driver legally counts as an uninsured motorist, since you can't get his or her insurance information.)

If you don't have the insurance, you may still be able to sue a third party, such as a government agency that didn't maintain the road well enough. Unfortunately, insurance companies often find thin excuses to avoid paying legitimate UM/UIM or hit-and-run claims. If you're having this kind of trouble, call Page || Cagle for help.

Q: How much does it cost to hire Page || Cagle to file a Missouri auto accident claim?

A: The attorneys at Page || Cagle work on contingency, a special kind of fee arrangement where we never take payment up front. If you win, our fee will be paid from a percentage of your winnings, which we will agree on before we formally take your case. If we lose, we get nothing. So there's very little risk for the client. This arrangement allows everyone to have access to justice, even people who don't have enough extra money for attorneys' fees. For the same reasons, we also offer free consultations to potential clients. If you're considering a Missouri car crash lawsuit, call Page || Cagle for a free evaluation of your case. We can be reached by calling 1.866.620.5757 or 314.322.8515.

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1232 Washington Avenue,
Suite 220
St. Louis, Missouri 63103
P: (314) 322-8515
Toll Free: (866) 620-5757
john@pagecagle.com