St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer

The cost of legal representation depends on the attorney and the fee agreement for the case. Thompson Law can explain its fee structure during your initial consultation.

Not every accident requires an attorney. However, an attorney may be particularly helpful when you have significant injuries, disputed liability, substantial damages, an uninsured or underinsured driver, or an insurance company disputing your claim.

There is no standard value for a car accident claim. Your injuries, medical expenses, lost income, future treatment, liability, comparative fault, insurance coverage, and the long-term impact of the accident can all affect what your claim may be worth.

Being partly at fault does not necessarily prevent you from recovering compensation under Missouri’s comparative fault rules. Your recovery may be reduced according to your share of fault, depending on the facts of the case and applicable law.

Your own insurance policy may provide uninsured motorist coverage, depending on the circumstances and policy terms. Missouri law addresses uninsured motorist coverage in §379.203.

Before accepting an offer, make sure you understand what it covers and whether it accounts for your current and expected losses. Once a settlement is accepted and the appropriate documents are signed, you may give up the ability to pursue additional compensation. Consider obtaining legal advice before accepting an offer, particularly if you have significant or ongoing injuries.

There is no standard timeline. Some claims resolve relatively quickly, while others take longer because of ongoing medical treatment, disputed liability, complex damages, insurance issues, or litigation.

Some injuries may not be obvious immediately after a collision. If symptoms develop later, seek appropriate medical evaluation and explain when the symptoms began and how they relate to the accident.

Depending on the case, evidence can include accident reports, photographs, videos, witness statements, medical records, vehicle damage, surveillance footage, employment records, and other documentation.

Evidence that the other driver was texting or otherwise distracted may be relevant to determining who was responsible for the crash. That could include phone records, witness statements, video footage, or other evidence, depending on the circumstances.

Evidence that the other driver was intoxicated may support your position on liability and could raise additional legal issues depending on the circumstances. Police reports, test results, witness statements, and other evidence may be relevant; however, the effect on a civil claim depends on the facts and applicable law.

Missouri generally provides a five-year limitations period for many personal injury actions under §516.120, but exceptions and different deadlines may apply. The deadline can depend on the circumstances of your case, so do not assume the general five-year period applies to you