St. Louis Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers
Almost everyone will be involved in a car crash at some point in their life. Thankfully, most crashes are minor, and many victims walk away with nothing worse than a few bumps and bruises.
However, serious accidents can be life-changing. They can result in severe injuries that put you out of work for weeks or months. That means no paychecks to keep up with your daily living expenses, let alone your medical bills. In addition to the financial burden, the psychological toll of a crash can be overwhelming, and you may experience depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
At Cofman Townsley, our experienced St. Louis motor vehicle accident lawyers are dedicated to fighting for justice and ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve. Don’t trust just any firm with your case and your family’s future. Contact us today for a free consultation and to learn how we can help.
Types of Motor Vehicle Accidents We Handle
Anyone who uses St. Louis’s roads is at risk of being injured in a collision or accident. That’s why our legal team has the resources and experience to handle all types of cases involving motor vehicle accidents, including:
- Car Accidents: Many of us take driving for granted, but every trip requires undivided attention and focus. When drivers speed, get distracted, or fail to yield, they can cause serious accidents resulting in whiplash, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), and other serious consequences.
- Truck Accidents: When fully loaded, big trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds! Because of their enormous size, trucks are more strictly regulated on the road. These regulations can make truck accident cases more complex, but we have the experience to deal with trucking companies and their insurers.
- Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcycles not only are more exposed than other vehicles, but also lack built-in safety features like seatbelts and airbags. When riders crash, they’re much more likely to be injured than people in passenger vehicles. Unfortunately, riders are often blamed by insurers for their crashes, but we have the experience to help riders get fair treatment and maximum compensation.
- Pedestrian Accidents: St. Louis has many walkable areas, but pedestrians face serious risks every time they travel around the city on foot. When drivers are distracted or fail to yield at crosswalks and intersections, they can strike and seriously injure pedestrians. If you were hurt while walking, we have the experience to help you file a strong claim against the at-fault driver.
- Rideshare Accidents: Whether you were injured as a rideshare passenger or because a rideshare driver collided with your vehicle, it’s important to have experienced legal representation. Establishing fault can be difficult, but our lawyers can help you sort through the chaos and get the money you deserve.
Common Injuries in Motor Vehicle Accidents
Though modern vehicles are safer than ever, drivers and passengers can still suffer serious injuries during crashes. Many of these injuries can result in long-term disability and expensive medical bills.
Our legal team can help if you’ve suffered any of the following types of injuries during your accident:
- Head Or Brain Injury: Car accidents can result in skull fractures and traumatic brain injuries, which can be debilitating and even life-changing for victims and their families.
- Spinal Cord Injury or Paralysis: The forces generated during crashes can put enormous pressure on the spinal cord. When it’s damaged or severed, victims may become partially or completely paralyzed at and below the injury site.
- Broken Bones or Fractures: Broken bones are among the most common car accident-related injuries. In addition to being extremely painful, they can also result in disability and loss of income while they heal.
- Internal Injuries or Organ Damage: Car accidents can be so forceful that internal organs may be damaged inside the body. These injuries aren’t always immediately obvious, but they can be life-threatening if not treated immediately, often resulting in long-term complications.
- Emotional or Psychological Trauma: It’s common for car accident victims to develop emotional and psychological trauma after crashes. Depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop, as can phobias surrounding driving or riding in vehicles. This can be extremely detrimental to working and daily life.
Determining Fault in Motor Vehicle Accidents
Fault is sometimes clear-cut after a crash. In other cases, it requires a more in-depth investigation. Regardless of how obvious the fault appears, it must be established by collecting evidence, analyzing the crash scene, interviewing witnesses, and more.
There are typically two parties who can be held liable for crashes in St. Louis:
- Other Drivers: Drivers who were speeding, driving under the influence, running red lights, driving while distracted, or violating other traffic laws cause most of the crashes in our city. We hold these drivers liable by collecting evidence such as police reports and dashcam footage to prove they were negligent in the moments before the crash.
- Third Parties: In some cases, vehicle manufacturers, parts manufacturers, and repair shops can be held liable if an equipment failure resulted in a crash. For example, if a tire was defective or brakes were improperly installed, a company might be responsible for the crash.
It’s important to note that Missouri follows a pure comparative fault system for awarding compensation in injury cases. This system allows people who are partially at fault to still recover damages after accidents.
However, the amount of money you can receive is reduced by your percentage of fault. That means if you’re 25% at fault for a crash, a $10,000 settlement would be reduced by 25%, giving you $7,500.
Compensation Available to Motor Vehicle Accident Victims
Car accident victims in St. Louis are eligible to receive two types of compensation for their damages:
- Economic Damages: This includes compensation for current and future medical bills, current and future lost wages (as well as diminished earning capacity), and property damage.
- Non-Economic Damages: This includes compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. This type of damage isn’t always included, especially in first offers from insurance companies, but an experienced lawyer can help you get fair compensation.
Why Choose Cofman Townsley?
There’s no shortage of car accident firms to choose from in the St. Louis area, but there’s only one Cofman Townsley. We’re proud to have served injured victims in our great city for more than 50 years, and our decades of experience mean we know what it takes to win. In fact, we’ve recovered more than $1 billion for our clients since 1973.
From the moment you contact us, you’ll get peace of mind knowing your claim is in good and capable hands. We’ll handle everything about the legal process, from evidence collection and damage calculation to communicating with the insurance company and negotiating your settlement. Best of all, our consultations are always free, and you’ll never see a bill from us unless we win your case.
Contact Our St. Louis Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers Today
Ready to take your first step towards compensation? You’re in the right place, and we’re ready to help. Contact us today, and let us know what happened. We’ll review the facts of your case, prepare a plan, and help you move forward with your life.