A car accident suddenly disrupts your routine—part of getting back to normal means recovering your car accident costs. Our car accident lawyers explain what you need to know about recovering car accident costs in Missouri.
Do I have to file an insurance claim?
Recovering car accident costs is not automatic. You must file an insurance claim to receive compensation. The paperwork you submit should document your losses and the amount you are claiming in compensation.
Missouri law requires the insurance company to respond to the claim within ten days. Within 15 days, they must advise you of whether they are accepting or denying the claim.
Is Missouri an at-fault state?
What you recover for your car accident costs is based on fault in the State of Missouri. The driver who causes the accident is liable for damages. They are liable for their own losses as well as the damages of others. Determining compensation begins with investigating fault and who is responsible to pay damages.
What is comparative fault?
Even if you share some blame for the accident, you may still recover a portion of your costs. More than one person can be to blame for a car accident. Fault is not necessarily divided equally – it is determined based on the actions of each individual. When there is comparative fault, a party may be 1% at fault, 99% at fault or anywhere in between.
The amount that you receive is reduced by your percent of fault, but it can still be worthwhile to file a claim. An experienced car accident lawyer can help you understand how comparative fault may impact your case. They can also help you prove fault and your right to compensation.
What if I have damages in the future?
Car accident costs may include damages that occur in the future. Medical bills and lost wages are two examples. It may require extra evidence to show to a reasonable certainty that medical care needs are going to continue long term. An expert may help explain what future damages are expected.
Without accounting for future costs, your compensation may be much lower than your true losses. Be sure to include future damages as you work to recover your car accident costs.
Can I appeal if my insurance claim is denied?
If your insurance claim is denied, you have the right to appeal. You also have the right to file a legal claim. The insurance company may deny your claim or offer you a low settlement in hopes that you give up. But you have important rights, including the right to appeal or take your claim to court.
What is pain and suffering?
Pain and suffering represent the physical and emotional harm of an accident. They represent the ways that you suffer because of an accident other than financially. The amount that you receive reflects the severity of the accident.
There is no cap on pain and suffering damages for car accidents in Missouri. To receive pain and suffering damages, you must take the appropriate steps to claim them. Because they are based on the severity of the accident, demonstrating your injuries and the impact on your life is critical to fairly recovering for pain and suffering.
How do I file a car accident lawsuit?
To file a car accident lawsuit, prepare the required legal documents and submit them to the court with jurisdiction. It isn’t enough to make a claim to the insurance company. Each court has local procedure for what documents to prepare and how to submit them.
Should I hire a lawyer for recovering car accident costs in Missouri?
A lawyer can help you evaluate the costs you deserve to recover, gather evidence and assist with the procedural steps to make your claim. They can review any settlement offers you receive to determine if you are fairly recovering your car accident costs. If you have more than minor property damage, or if fault is disputed in your case, a lawyer ensures your legal rights are protected.
Lawyers for recovering car accident costs in Missouri
Do you need help recovering car accident costs in Missouri? Call our lawyers for your free consultation. We feel that those who are injured should not be obligated with expenses associated with their case. Contact us today to see how we can help you recover car accident costs in Missouri.
