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In 2021, more than a thousand people were killed in car accidents in the state of Missouri. The sad thing is that a lot of these accidents could have been easily avoided had the at-fault driver been a bit more careful, and followed the rules of the road.
What is even more unfortunate is that many of the victims of these road accidents were innocent, but somehow found themselves dealing with serious injuries after being crashed into by negligent drivers.
Such situations are the reason why car accident lawyers exist, to help personal injury victims of a car accident get compensated for the pain, and suffering, they have endured through no fault of their own.
In St Louis, Missouri, Powell Law Firm has been helping car accident victims for many years, and during that time, we have won millions of dollars from large insurance companies on behalf of our clients.
We offer a free consultation for all car accident victims, to discuss the possibility of financial compensation after having suffered personal injury or, in the worst-case scenario, the wrongful death of a family member. Come to our St Louis office today!
What Causes Serious Car Accidents?
The causes of car crashes can usually be traced to a combination of factors that, in most cases, could have been avoided had the other driver been more careful. Despite the best efforts from the authorities to educate drivers on how to stay safe on the road, innocent people continue to suffer serious injuries daily.
Some of the common types of car accidents are:
Driving at extremely high speeds
Distracted driving, for example, texting while driving
Driving while intoxicated or impaired
Failure to give way to pedestrians
Driver fatigue which results in poor concentration
Failure to stop at red lights or stop signs
Following too closely, known as tail-gating
Unsafe lane changes or improper passing
Backing up without paying due attention
Vehicle defects
Poor road maintenance
10 Types of Car Accidents That Can Cause Injury
Car accident lawyers usually find themselves dealing with personal injury cases in which the types of car accidents experienced by the victims are similar. This is because drivers keep repeating the same mistakes over and over again. Below are some of those accidents that usually end up causing a serious injury:
Hit-And-Run Accidents
In cases where the driver at fault is worried about getting into trouble because they are, for example, a drunk driver, or driving without a license, the driver might flee the scene of the accident. Such situations might require experienced car accident attorneys to track down the driver so the victim can recover compensation.
Head-on Collisions
One of the worst types of auto accidents is a head-on collision, due to the likelihood of serious injury or death. When dealing with such a car accident case, the consequences for the driver who caused it can be very severe.
Intersection accidents
These are usually caused by impatient, or inattentive, drivers who fail to stop at a red light or stop sign. This type of car crash can be deadly for innocent victims who would have entered the intersection confidently, knowing that they have the right of way.
Rear-End Collisions
A rear-end collision is usually caused by following too closely to the driver in front, without leaving enough room to stop in case of emergency braking. As far as injuries go, this type of car crash is not as bad as some on this list, but a car accident lawyer should be contacted nonetheless.
Multi-Vehicle Pile-Up
One of the most difficult car crash claims that Clayton, MO car accident lawyers have to deal with is a car wreck involving multiple vehicles. These types of collisions are a nightmare for both the car accident lawyer and the insurance company being sued, because of the difficulty of establishing who the at-fault driver is. It usually takes some time before this type of accident claim is settled.
Road Construction Accidents
Whenever certain areas of the road are undergoing construction or maintenance, drivers need to exercise extreme caution, because a lot of very serious collisions have happened in those areas. The job of a car crash lawyer will be to prove that their client ended up being injured due to the lack of proper warnings or barricades by the construction company personnel.
Sideswipes
Drifting out of one's lane, trying to make a pass without looking carefully to see if the way is clear, or drunk driving, are some of the major reasons for a sideswipe accident. This type of car accident is not a serious collision and rarely results in victims getting seriously injured. However, damages can still be awarded regardless of the severity of the injury.
Rollovers
The worst type of auto accident, that nobody ever wants to be in, is a rollover. In cases where the occupants were not wearing seatbelts, or the car does not have airbags, this can easily be a fatal accident. Sudden turning to avoid a collision, or a blown front tire, are the usual causes of rollovers.
T-bone Crash
Another type of intersection crash is the T-bone, in which one vehicle slams into the side of another vehicle which is attempting to drive across its lane. Passengers sitting on the side on which the crash happens are usually the ones who sustain the worst injuries, which can prove to be fatal, depending on whether the other car was speeding or not.
Truck Accidents
A truck accident claim is usually handled as separate from other types of accidents due to the seriousness of this type of accident. Some of the worst road disasters ever recorded involve a truck, especially when combined with drunk driving, and the number of fatalities can be staggering.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents can be fatal, but those lucky enough to survive might experience one or more of these common car accident injuries:
Head injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Severe neck and back pain
Dislocated, fractured, or broken bone
Disfigurement
Burns
Lacerations
Organ damage or internal bleeding
Steps to Take Immediately After a Car Accident
The following is a list of what to do in case of a road accident:
Take Care and Seek Safety
Before considering anything else, the victim's safety is the most important thing. Filing a report and seeking compensation is worthless if the victim dies of injuries sustained in the crash, or is involved in a secondary accident.
Check How Badly the Car Has Been Damaged
Take pictures if possible because these will be very important when determining the damages that can be awarded from an insurance claim.
Call the Police
One of the most powerful resources a personal injury lawyer needs to successfully win a Clayton car accident settlement lawsuit is a detailed police report.
Seek Medical Attention
Even in cases of minor injuries, it is wise to seek medical assistance, because some injuries are not immediately apparent, and also, a medical report is essential when trying to prove how much the victim suffered and how much they spent on medical bills.
Call Powell Law Firm
When all this has been done, it will be time to visit Powell Law offices, the best car accident lawyer in St Louis MO, for a free consultation to discuss the details, the nature of the auto accident, and the chances of receiving sizeable damages from the other party's insurance company.
Missouri Law Regarding Car Accident Cases
With regards to car accidents, Missouri is an "at-fault" state. What this means is that, in St Louis, Mo, car accident lawyers advise their clients that, by law, every driver must have the minimum amount of liability coverage from an approved insurance company for use in case of a car accident that results in personal injury, death, or property damage.
What Is the Statute of Limitations?
According to Missouri Revised Statutes section 516.120, the statute of limitations regarding car accident claims in St Louis, Mo is five years for personal injury lawsuits and three years for wrongful death claims, starting from the day that the deceased passed away.
Why Hire an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer?
Besides offering legal representation, and providing legal advice, the major reason for hiring a Clayton, MO accident lawyer is to make sure the victim receives as much compensation as possible for the pain and suffering they have endured. In Clayton, MO there are three main types of damages that a victim can receive, which are discussed below.
Damages Clayton Car Accident Lawyers Can Win for You
With the right car accident lawyer working on the case, victims can expect to be awarded the following damages:
Medical expenses covering all medication, procedures, rehabilitation, aftercare, and psychological treatment that the victim might have had to go through as a result of the accident
Lost income compensation for time taken off work while recovering, inability to return to the same level of productivity due to injuries, or loss of employment due to permanent disability
Non-economic damages such as pain and suffering the victim had to endure. These are determined by the court and not always awarded as easily as economic damages
Other Clayton Practice Areas
When Is the Right Time to Call Powell Law Firm?
Any victim of a car accident in Clayton, Mo deserves the best legal representation possible and that is Powell Law. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that the victim will only pay once they have reached the best settlement agreement to compensate for their injuries.
Come to our St Louis offices and explore the various legal options available to win the maximum amount possible for any pain and suffering endured.