When you have serious injuries from a car accident in Jefferson City, Missouri, you need serious legal representation. Our experienced Jefferson City car accident lawyers are willing to do what it takes to obtain the full financial recovery you deserve, whether it entails negotiating a fair settlement or litigating the matter in court.
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Need legal assistance with your car accident claim in Jefferson City, Missouri? Our skilled legal team at Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers is here to help. Call us at (573) 400-2046 for a free initial case evaluation today!
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You can trust the other driver’s insurance company will be working to reduce liability, so you can count on our experienced attorneys to be working to maximize your compensation every step of the way.
Our firm has 35+ years experience, a clear understanding of Missouri car accident law, and a no-nonsense approach.
Our award winning legal team levels the playing field with insurance companies. We have seen firsthand the effects of car crash injuries and know how to effectively stand up for the rights of injured victims. We provide an objective perspective in a stressful and emotional time, giving you immediate peace of mind and confidence that your case – and future – is in good hands.
Don’t wait to contact our car accident attorneys in Jefferson City, Missouri. We are available to answer your call 24/7, and case evaluations are always free.
How Our Jefferson City Car Accident Lawyers Can Assist
Our skilled attorneys are well-versed in Missouri auto accident law, with over 35 years of experience representing those injured in car crashes across the state. We understand the common challenges of car accident cases and are committed to overcoming them for each and every client.
We do what is necessary to secure the compensation crash victims deserve, as illustrated by the over $105 million our firm has obtained for injured clients. Our hardworking and down-to-earth legal team will guide you through every step of the legal process, protecting your rights and interests from the first meeting to the resolution of your claim.
Some ways our attorneys can assist with the entire process include the following.
- Assess your legal options: We will listen to your story and advise on your rights and options under Missouri law, such as pursuing an insurance claim against a liable driver or filing a lawsuit in civil court.
- Identify liability: You must seek compensation from the appropriate parties, so we carefully investigate what happened to determine the cause of the accident and what parties should be liable for your injuries.
- Build your case with evidence: During our investigation, we gather evidence, including police reports, video footage, and medical records, to present to insurers or in court to sufficiently prove liability and your damages.
- Calculate the value of your claim: You cannot trust insurance companies to accurately assess your losses, but our attorneys know how to consider all past, future, economic, and non-economic losses to ensure we demand the maximum compensation you deserve.
- Pursue an insurance settlement or lawsuit: We can negotiate directly with insurers on your behalf for a favorable settlement or, if we cannot reach one, pursue litigation in civil court.
Armed with a comprehensive understanding of your case’s worth, we can pursue a fair insurance settlement or, if necessary, opt for a lawsuit to seek the compensation you deserve.
You will have our firm’s full support and resources for the duration of your case, and we will always keep you informed on updates and developments. We are a family firm and we treat our clients like family, as well, so do not hesitate to reach out and learn more from our team today.
Reasons Car Accidents Happen
While some car accidents are just that – accidents, most car crashes are avoidable and happen due to driver misconduct. Sometimes, drivers violate traffic laws to cause collisions, but even a seemingly minor error in judgment can result in long-term damage, injuries, and losses for others.
Crashes can occur for many, many reasons, but the following are some common causes our Jefferson City car accident attorneys regularly see in cases we handle.
Impaired and Drunk Driving
Alcohol and drugs significantly impair judgment, reaction time, and coordination. Impaired drivers cause thousands of preventable fatalities annually, making drunk driving one of the deadliest choices on roadways. Even small amounts of alcohol affect driving ability, which is why Missouri enforces strict BAC limits and penalties.
Distracted Driving
Taking your eyes off the road for mere seconds can lead to catastrophic results. Cell phone use, eating, adjusting controls, and attending to passengers divert crucial attention from driving responsibilities. Distracted driving accidents have surged with smartphone prevalence, creating a modern epidemic on our roadways.
Driving with Excessive Speed
Speeding reduces driver control, extends stopping distance, and increases crash severity. Higher speeds mean greater impact forces, turning survivable accidents into fatal collisions. Speeding-related crashes account for nearly one-third of all traffic fatalities, making it one of the most significant contributing factors in serious accidents.
Failure to Yield the Right-of-Way
Disregarding right-of-way rules at intersections, merging areas, and pedestrian crossings causes numerous collisions. These accidents often result from driver impatience, confusion about traffic laws, or simple negligence. Such errors frequently lead to dangerous T-bone collisions with significant injury potential.
Tailgating and Following Too Closely
Maintaining insufficient following distance eliminates crucial reaction time needed for unexpected stops. Tailgating drivers cannot respond adequately to sudden braking, resulting in preventable rear-end collisions. These accidents commonly cause whiplash, spinal injuries, and concussions, even at relatively low speeds.
Fatigued and Drowsy Driving
Driving while exhausted mimics the impairment levels of intoxication. Drowsy drivers experience delayed reactions, impaired judgment, and can fall asleep at the wheel without warning. Fatigue-related crashes frequently occur during overnight hours and often involve vehicles departing their lanes at high speeds.
Improper Lane Usage/Change
Unsafe lane changes without signaling, checking blind spots, or ensuring adequate space creates serious collision risks. These dangerous maneuvers often trigger multi-vehicle crashes on highways and busy roads. Improper lane usage demonstrates negligence and disregard for fellow motorists’ safety.
Driving Too Fast for Conditions
Maintaining legal speed limits may still be dangerous during adverse weather, heavy traffic, or construction. Responsible drivers adjust speed according to current conditions. Rain, snow, fog, and ice demand significantly reduced speeds to maintain control and stopping capability.
Collisions with Deer
Vehicle-deer accidents cause substantial damage and injuries, particularly during dawn, dusk, and breeding season. These collisions occur suddenly when animals dart across roadways, giving drivers minimal reaction time. Rural and suburban areas experience higher frequencies of these potentially devastating wildlife encounters.
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Looking for a Jefferson City car accident lawyer near me? Call us at (573) 400-2046, our experienced legal team is available 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week to speak with you.
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Liability in Jefferson City Car Accidents
Determining and proving liability is necessary to ensure you pursue and obtain compensation from the right parties. To do so, our skilled attorneys investigate the factors that contributed to the crash, examining evidence and often working with accident reconstruction experts.
Establishing fault requires proving the other driver was negligent. This means they breached their duty of care—the legal obligation to drive safely and prevent harm to others, causing your accident and injuries.
After an accident, having our lawyers gather evidence is critical, including witness statements, photographs, police reports, and surveillance footage. All of this can help prove liability for your injuries.
While you might prove liability of another driver, fault is not always a completely clear concept. Missouri follows the “comparative fault” legal doctrine, meaning you can recover compensation even if partially responsible for the accident. This can significantly complicate the matter of liability, making the right legal representation even more important.
Allow our experienced Jefferson City car accident attorneys to establish liability, address any challenges, and fight for the total compensation you deserve.
What If I Was Partially Responsible For the Car Crash?
Often, insurance companies will try to shift some of the blame to an injured claimant. Sometimes, this is an attempt to avoid liability, but what happens if you were partially responsible for the crash?
Missouri follows a comparative negligence system for personal injury, including car accidents, which means your compensation may be reduced based on your percentage of fault. The good news is that even if you were partially responsible for the accident, you may still be able to recover damages with the help of our skilled Jefferson City car accident attorneys.
Missouri Revised Statutes Section 537.765 abolished the system that prohibited injury victims from recovering compensation if they contributed to their injuries. Instead, the law adopted the most liberal system of pure comparative fault. Under this system, you can seek compensation even if you were mostly to blame for the crash.
For example:
- If you were deemed 25% to blame for your crash, you should receive 75% percent of your deserved compensation.
- If you were deemed 75% to blame, you can still seek compensation for 25% of your losses.
Missouri’s laws regarding comparative fault and personal injury liability are complicated, including Missouri Section 537.067 regarding joint and several liability and liability for punitive damages among multiple parties. Because of these complex statutes, you want a local attorney who can apply the law to your case’s advantage.
Recovering Car Accident Costs
Missouri law holds liable parties responsible for covering your losses from the accident. However, you must request the proper amount to ensure you are not left with unnecessary and uncovered expenses.
The losses from a car accident can be wide-ranging. In fact, many people do not even realize the extent of their damages until they speak with our legal team at Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers. With our experience representing clients with serious auto-related injuries, we know how to dig deep and consider all possible losses to ensure we leave nothing uncovered in your claim.
The following are some costs our legal team regularly get covered in injury cases.
Medical Expenses
Car accidents can cause many types of injuries, from scratches to disabling catastrophic conditions like traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord injuries. You can seek compensation for all of your medical expenses, including:
- Emergency treatment
- Hospitalization
- Doctor and specialist appointments
- Surgery
- Physical therapy
- Medications and medical equipment
If your injuries require ongoing care beyond the resolution of your claim, we will work with your medical team and other experts to estimate your future costs. It is critical to include these future estimates in your demand to ensure you are not responsible for these bills down the road.
Lost Income
Many serious injuries keep people out of work, and lost income can add up quickly, whether it is wages, salary, commissions, self-employed earnings, or anything else. We seek compensation for lost income, and we also consider whether you can return to the same level of earning potential in the future. If not, we seek recovery for your lost future earnings, as well.
Pain and Suffering
Not all losses are measured in dollars, as injuries can cause severe physical and mental pain and suffering. You might experience physical pain, lose enjoyment in your life, have PTSD from the accident, or suffer depression from dealing with such serious and unexpected injuries and challenges.
While calculating the value of these non-economic damages is never simple or straightforward, our attorneys take these intangible losses just as seriously as your medical bills or lost income. We have methods of calculating what you deserve for pain and suffering, and we fight for every dollar.
Time Limit to File a Car Accident Claim in Missouri
In Missouri, the statute of limitations for filing a car accident lawsuit is five years from the date of the accident. While this might seem like a long time, much needs to happen before you reach the point when a lawsuit is necessary. Further, the longer you wait, the less evidence might be available, and the weaker the evidence might become.
It is always best to act quickly and seek legal help as soon as possible after your injuries are diagnosed.
Factors That Affect Car Accident Settlement Amounts
Every car accident is different, and every settlement will also be different. Several factors can influence the settlement amount in a car accident claim, including:
- The severity of your injuries
- Your medical expenses and future medical needs
- Lost income and whether you can return to work
- The extent of your pain and suffering
- Whether you have permanent disabilities or disfigurement
- If you were partially responsible for the accident
- Available insurance coverage of liable parties
No matter what your settlement should be worth, you can trust that our car accident attorneys at Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers will work tirelessly to maximize your recovery.
Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm For a Free Consultation Today
If you have been injured in a car accident in Jefferson City, never attempt the legal process alone. At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, we are the only firm in Missouri that focuses exclusively on Missouri auto accident law. With over $105 million recovered for our injured clients, we are your hardworking, down-to-earth legal team ready to assist you.
Contact us today for a free consultation. Let us oversee the legal process and secure the compensation you deserve.
Locations in Missouri near Jefferson City where we’ve assisted car accident injury victims include St. Louis, Cape Girardeau, Independence, Florissant, Kansas City, MO, Springfield, and more.
