St. Louis Car Accident Attorney

Have you suffered life-altering harm in a car accident that somebody else caused? Missouri law allows you to demand compensation for what happened, but recovering that compensation could prove challenging. Fortunately, you don’t have to pursue your case on your own.

Richard H. Sindel, Inc., represents St. Louis residents who’ve been hurt in car accidents and need help getting back on their feet. We’ll stand up to the big insurance companies and fight for the compensation you deserve while you focus on recovery. Contact us today to learn more during a free consultation with a car accident attorney in St. Louis, MO.

Protecting Your Rights After a Car Accident in St. Louis

Insurance companies move quickly after a car accident to limit their legal exposure. You can beat them to the punch by taking steps of your own, such as:

• Seeking prompt medical attention, even if you seem unharmed
• Reporting the accident to the police
• Taking photos and videos of accident damage and visible injuries
• Collecting names and contact information of any witnesses
• Refraining from speaking with insurers before speaking with an attorney
• Contacting a personal injury law firm as soon as possible

Our law firm can step in early to prevent insurers from taking advantage of you and reducing your payout. Protect your rights by moving quickly and seeking legal guidance immediately.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in St. Louis

Far too many car accidents in St. Louis result from one person’s dangerous decisions. Some of the most common causes of accidents our law firm sees include:

• Distracted driving, particularly texting or phone use
• Speeding and aggressive driving
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Following too closely and unsafe lane changes
• Failure to obey traffic signals or signs
• Hazardous weather or road conditions

Our car accident lawyers will carefully investigate the collision to determine who bears responsibility and then seek the justice you deserve. 

Common Car Accident Injuries

It doesn’t take a high-speed collision or head-on crash to cause devastating harm. Even a seemingly minor impact can lead to injuries like:

• Whiplash and soft tissue injuries
• Broken bones and complex fractures
• Neck and back injuries
• Internal injuries and organ damage
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Traumatic brain injuries

The emotional damage of a serious car crash too often goes overlooked. Many victims face anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress symptoms caused by both the accident and its aftermath. Our St. Louis law firm takes these unseen injuries just as seriously as those that appear in CT scans, MRIs, and medical records.

Determining Liability in Missouri Car Accident Cases

To recover compensation, you must provide clear proof that another party caused the accident that injured you. More than one party may share responsibility for the accident. Depending on the circumstances, liable parties may include:

• Another driver
• The employer of a negligent driver
• A vehicle manufacturer
• A government entity responsible for road conditions

Our lawyers carefully analyze the circumstances of the crash to identify every liable party. This approach not only strengthens your case but also increases your potential recovery. One critical step in our investigation is to gather the right documentation that tells the full story of what happened and supports your version of events. When building your case, our attorneys will likely seek the following:

• Police reports
• Accident scene photos and videos
• Witness testimony
• Medical and financial records
• Expert analysis

This thoroughness helps us calculate the full value of your claim and identify all parties who should contribute to your recovery.

Compensation Available in Missouri Car Accident Claims

A car accident affects far more than your immediate health. Victims often struggle with significant financial strain and lasting emotional trauma as they fight to recover from their physical injuries. A successful claim can account for all of these losses, including:

• Current and future medical expenses
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Some car accident victims accept quick settlements to address their immediate financial concerns and put the incident behind them, only to discover the compensation fails to accurately reflect the full scope of the harm they’ve endured. Never agree to a settlement without letting an experienced car accident lawyer assess your claim.

Important Car Accident–Related Laws to Know

If you want to protect your rights and build the strongest claim possible, it’s essential to understand the laws that will shape your case. Those laws include the following.

The Statute of Limitations

Under Missouri law, you typically have five years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you will likely lose your right to recover compensation forever. Act fast to avoid severely limiting your legal options.

Insurance Requirements

Missouri requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance coverage, which includes:

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 per accident
• $25,000 for property damage

Unfortunately, these limits often fail to cover the full damage of many car crashes. When that’s the case for you, our attorneys can seek to identify additional avenues for recovery.

The Comparative Fault Rule

Missouri follows a pure comparative fault system for car accident liability. Under this rule, you can still recover compensation if you contributed to the accident. However, your percentage of fault will impact your recovery.

For example, if you recover $100,000 and the court determines you bear 20 percent of the responsibility for the accident, your compensation will decrease by that 20 percent, and you will ultimately recover $80,000.

Insurance companies will often try to take advantage of this rule by assigning more fault to the victim than the facts support. A skilled attorney can push back against these tactics and protect your recovery.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Pursuing Your Claim

Small mistakes can have serious consequences for a car accident claim. Here are some of the most common errors to avoid:

• Waiting Too Long to Seek Medical Care: Any gaps in medical care can cause your injuries to worsen while also allowing other parties to claim those injuries weren’t serious enough to require treatment. You should always see a healthcare provider as quickly as possible, even if you feel “okay” after the accident.
• Speaking to Insurers Without Legal Guidance: Insurance companies often ask questions in a way that can get victims to say things that can be used against them later. Avoid discussing the accident with them until you’ve spoken to an experienced personal injury attorney.
• Accepting Quick Settlements: Insurers will pressure victims to accept fast, lowball settlements before they understand the full impact of their injuries. Remember that the first offer is not likely to reflect the full value of your claim.
• Posting on Social Media: Insurance companies scan social media for anything that might contradict your version of events. Don’t post about the accident until after your case resolves.
• Waiting Too Long to Call a Lawyer: Most mistakes occur before victims have received clear guidance from a knowledgeable attorney. Speaking with one right away can help you protect your claim.

Contact a St. Louis Car Accident Attorney Today

The law firm of Richard H. Sindel, Inc., has proudly protected the rights of Missourians since 1937. We understand the challenges you face after a serious car accident, and we stand ready to fight for the recovery you deserve. Contact us today for your free consultation.