Key Takeaways
- Hiring a car accident lawyer is essential when you have serious injuries, disputed fault, or are facing lowball insurance offers.
- Look for experience in car accident cases, a strong track record, contingency fee billing, and excellent communication.
- The Bruning Law Firm charges no fee unless you win — your attorney's percentage comes from the final settlement or verdict.
- Missouri has a 5-year statute of limitations, but acting sooner leads to stronger outcomes.
Car accidents happen every day in Missouri, but they don't happen to you every day. When you find yourself in this situation, you may think about filing a claim for your injuries with the at-fault driver's insurance company. If you have serious injuries and file without a car accident lawyer, you may be leaving money on the table. A good lawyer has a strong impact on case outcomes, helping you to recover financial losses beyond your immediate medical bills.
The Bruning Law Firm has experienced St. Louis car accident attorneys that fully understand Missouri car accidents laws to help you recover maximum compensation. This guide explains when you need a lawyer, what to look for before hiring one, costs, and red flags to avoid for the most favorable outcome possible.
When Do You Need a Car Accident Lawyer?
Whether you need a lawyer for a minor car accident or not ultimately depends on several factors. It all boils down to injuries, and serious injuries are entirely possible even in minor accidents. You certainly won't want to be without a St. Louis car accident lawyer when you have suffered severe or catastrophic injuries.
What most car accident victims don't think about is how their injuries could impact them down the road. You might have medical expenses piling up, but what about your long-term recovery? Your life may be permanently altered from your injuries, and if you try to handle your case on your own, you will likely get a settlement that doesn't include your future medical needs, your lost income potential, or the mental anguish that often comes with major car accidents.
Disputed fault or having multiple parties involved also makes a car accident case more complex. If any of the drivers involved were uninsured or underinsured, it can add other challenges. Along with insurance companies offering lowball offers or creating delays to make you desperate for any pittance of money they offer, it simply makes sense to hire a car accident lawyer to ensure you get the full and fair amount you deserve.
What to Look for in a Car Accident Lawyer
There are plenty of car accident lawyers in St. Louis, though knowing what to look for will ensure you pick the best one for your case.
Experience
The first thing to make sure your Missouri car accident attorney has is experience in personal injury law. More specifically, they should also have represented numerous car accident victims throughout the years.
Track Record
Next, you need to make sure that your St. Louis car accident lawyer has a track record of winning settlements and verdicts. While no attorney can ever win them all or guarantee an outcome, a history of recovering high settlements and verdicts shows success.
Contingency Fee Basis
Money grows tighter by the day for car accident victims as the added weight of medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses strains family budgets. The Bruning Law Firm charges no fee unless we win, making it easier for you to get strong strategies and aggressive representation in your corner.
Resources
You don't pay our attorneys anything unless we win, and while we work for you, we're putting our resources out there to investigate and build your case. Most people don't have what is needed to bring in experts to reconstruct the accident or explain severe injuries. Our St. Louis personal injury lawyers use our extensive reach to build a solid case that shows who was negligent and liable in your accident.
Communication and Accessibility
National law firms spend a lot of money on advertising, though they don't have that local edge. When you are in a car accident in St. Louis and the surrounding areas, it makes more sense to hire a car accident lawyer who is local to the area, has expertise in car accident laws here, and is available to meet with you anytime.
How Car Accident Lawyers Get Paid
One of the biggest concerns that injured victims have is how much does a car accident lawyer cost in St. Louis. Fortunately, The Bruning Law Firm takes that worry off the table by using a contingency fee model. Under this plan, your attorney only gets paid if you win. They take a percentage of 33 to 40% of the compensation award, which is discussed with you before you officially hire them.
There are no upfront costs or hourly rates for most car accident cases. While you will pay a percentage at the end if you win, it comes right out of the settlement or jury award. Since car accident attorneys are more likely to get you a far higher amount than if you tried to navigate this process alone, you'll still wind up with a better financial outlook when the case is resolved.
Red Flags When Choosing a Car Accident Lawyer
With many car accident lawyers across the country and in St. Louis, you want to avoid the common pitfalls when choosing one to hire. If you notice any of the following red flags, keep looking before choosing an attorney.
Guarantees a Specific Outcome
One of the biggest warning signs of a bad lawyer is one that guarantees you a specific settlement amount or that they will win your case. A lawyer who works on contingency fee will most likely take a case if they think they've got a good shot at winning it, but a good lawyer will never promise you a specific outcome or settlement amount.
Pressure to Sign
Good lawyers are happy to meet with you for a free initial consultation and discuss your legal options. However, bad lawyers will pressure you to sign instead of letting you think about what you want to do or talk to other attorneys. At The Bruning Law Firm, we want you to think about the options we present and make sure you feel the most comfortable with our car accident lawyers before you sign.
Lack of Experience in Car Accident Cases
Not every lawyer has car accident case experience, and choosing one that lacks it could be detrimental to your case. They might be a great attorney for medical malpractice, but if they don't regularly represent injured victims in car accident cases, they won't be the right fit.
Poor Communication
Even experienced attorneys can be horrible at communicating or leave you in the lurch waiting for a response. Choose a car accident attorney who you feel comfortable with and who is always available. If they return a missed call promptly and truly listen to your concerns, it is a good sign that you've found someone you can count on the lead the way through the legal process.
The Car Accident Claim Process with a Lawyer
If you've never hired a car accident attorney before, you might be wondering what you can expect throughout the car accident claim process when you have one to help you. Knowing that can help you feel more comfortable with the process. If you're unsure whether you need legal help, here are 4 signs you need a lawyer after a car accident.
- Initial consultation: Our St. Louis car accident lawyers offer a free initial consultation where we evaluate your case to determine if you have a valid claim and provide you with options on what to do next.
- Investigation and evidence gathering: Once hired, we take on investigations to gather more evidence such as traffic camera footage, surveillance videos, and interviewing witnesses while looking more deeply at the police report and photos you've taken from the accident scene.
- Filing: Next, if you are in the initial claim stage, our lawyers can help you file with the at-fault party's insurer. If you are beyond this point and have been offered an insufficient settlement or are being falsely blamed, we can file a lawsuit.
- Negotiations and settlement or trial: Starting with negotiations, we will work to secure maximum compensation on your behalf. If that doesn't produce the desired result, our lawyers will be ready to hold all liable parties accountable at trial.
In Missouri, you have 5 years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit, and waiting any longer than that is generally when it's too late to hire a car accident lawyer. Five years may seem like a lot of time, but the sooner you take legal actions, the more likely your case will have favorable results.
Car accident cases can settle in a matter of 3 to 6 months when they have fewer complications. However, if you have severe injuries, there are multiple liable parties, or fault is disputed, it could take up to a year or longer. The Bruning Law Firm helps St. Louis car accident victims understand their rights under Missouri personal injury law and fights to get them maximum compensation as quickly as possible. Learn more about how to select the best St. Louis car accident lawyer for your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a car accident lawyer cost?
In Missouri, a car accident lawyer can cost anywhere from 33% to 40% of your final settlement or court verdict. This contingency fee model allows you to get representation without paying any fees. In the event they do not win, you do not pay.
Can I switch car accident lawyers mid-case?
Yes, you can change lawyers mid-case for a Missouri car accident case. If you feel that they are not communicating properly or don't have your best interests at heart, you can make the switch and it shouldn't hurt your case.
How long does a car accident case take?
It depends on the specific factors in your car accident case as to how long it can take. The severity of your injuries, disputes in liability, and added complexities such as multiple involved parties can all play a role on the timeline. Some may take just a few months while others will take a year or longer to resolve.
Will my case go to trial?
Not likely, though the possibility isn't zero. Most car accident cases will settle before a trial date can ever be set. While it may take several rounds of negotiations, your case has a greater chance of settling outside of the courtroom walls. If you have a more complex case, your attorney may feel going to trial is more likely. A good St. Louis car accident lawyer will always prepare for the possibility of trial from the very start of a case to be ready for anything.
Contact The Bruning Law Firm for a Free Consultation
The Bruning Law Firm has over 35 years of experience helping St. Louis car accident victims understand their legal rights and options while fighting for their maximum compensation. Our family-owned law firm in Missouri is committed to seeking justice for injured parties. There is no fee unless we win, so call (314) 735-8100 today to schedule your free consultation with our St. Louis car accident injury attorneys.