Car Accident Lawyers in Missouri

Serving Clients Throughout the State from St. Louis

There are an estimated six million vehicle accidents on the roadways every year, nearly half of which result in serious injuries. Unfortunately, this makes a person's chances of being in a dangerous car accident extremely high. If you've been injured in a car crash, we urge you to contact our firm as soon as possible.

At Kolker Law Firm, we are dedicated to fighting for the justice that our clients deserve. We know how difficult it can be to recover after a serious car accident, especially if major injuries and property damaged occurred. For this reason, our lawyers are here to guide you through this confusing process. From hospital bills to therapy costs, we will fight for the compensation our clients deserve.

With decades of combined legal experience, our personal injury attorneys have the knowledge and courtroom experience needed to take on even the most complex cases. When you enlist our services, we will work hard to retain compensation for any lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, as well as other costs. If you've been injured in a crash, it is crucial that you seek legal support from a Missouri car accident attorney right away.

What to Do After a Car Accident

After a car accident, you might be shaken and not thinking clearly, but there are three very important steps that you should try to remember. Always make sure everyone is ok first. If someone is hurt, get the proper medical help. Once immediate injuries are addressed, remember these three steps:

• Step 1: Contact authorities to document the facts of the accident
• Step 2: Take photos of the damage and collect insurance information
• Step 3: Contact a lawyer and get compensated for your injuries

Most Common Causes of Car Accidents

With the number of car accidents rising every year, driving on the road has become riskier. Unfortunately, not all drivers maintain the standards required to drive safely.

Some of the most common causes of car accidents include:

• Reckless Speeding
• Negligent Lane Changing
• Distracted Driving
• Texting While Driving
• Poor Road Conditions
• Driver Exhaustion

Who Is Responsible for Injuries Caused in a Car Accident?

When a car accident occurs, there are several questions that are brought into play. Not everyone is aware of what their rights are or what options they must pursue legal action against the negligent party.

It is the legal action that is often the most confusing, especially when you consider the multiple parties who may be responsible for the accident. The negligent party may vary depending on the exact cause of the crash but identifying this is a very important step in the process.

Responsibility in a Distracted Driving Crash

In a distracted driving crash, the most common party who may be responsible for the injuries is the driver whose actions take their eyes of the road or hands off the steering wheel. This may include texting while driving or turning to look for something in the back seat.

However, there may be other matters to consider such as a situation wherein a passenger acts in a way to deliberately distract from the driver’s attention to the road. This may mean actions that block the driver’s vision or intrude on the driver’s control of the vehicle.

Responsibility in a Drunk Driving Crash

Liability in drunk driving accidents almost always falls on the drunk driver, unless another driver partakes in equally dangerous and reckless actions. However, this doesn’t mean liability falls solely on the driver who was intoxicated.

In Missouri, dram shop laws allow for additional and separate legal action should a person sustain injury after a drunk driving accident in which the driver was served alcohol after being visibly intoxicated. In these cases, the bar, establishment, or social host who served the already drunk individual more alcohol and allowed them to drive holds a share of liability.

Other Parties Who May Be Responsible

Auto manufacturers, part manufacturers, and even negligent companies may be accountable if the items they produce are defective. These defects can cause potential problems and put others at serious risk of a crash and subsequent injury.

Is Missouri an At-fault State for Car Accidents?

Missouri is an at-fault state, meaning that each driver uses their car insurance to cover the other’s damages and injuries. Missouri, like many other states, uses a system called “comparative negligence.” This means the insurance companies conduct an investigation to determine who was responsible for the car crash.

The amount of fault they assign determines who is considered most responsible for the crash, which determines how much each party is able to collect in insurance coverage.

Contact Our St. Louis Car Accident Attorneys

The state of Missouri has one of the longest statutes of limitations in the country for filing an injury claim, but it's advisable to file your car accident claim as quickly as possible. Details of your accident are most clear immediately following the accident, so don't wait! If you believe your car accident was caused by the negligence of another driver, collect all the information you have at your disposal and get in touch with Kolker Law Firm today!

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