Do you need a Car Accident Lawyer in St. Louis?
St. Louis is a bustling city with a lot to offer both visitors and residents alike. However, as home to nearly 300,000 residents, St. Louis has more than its share of traffic. Whether you are driving down Page Avenue or traveling the four-mile stretch of I-70 through the city, it is not unusual to see car accidents on St. Louis roadways. In fact, traffic congestion resulting from an accident on the highway is one of the most common driving complaints in the region. However, these accidents are not just an annoyance to other drivers. They could very well mark the end of someone's life, or the end of their life as they knew it.
If you suffered injuries or lost a loved one in a motor vehicle accident in St. Louis, a skilled St. Louis car accident lawyer from The Bruning Law Firm can help you understand how to seek fair compensation for your medical bills and the other financial and psychological costs of your injury. Our legal team is devoted to helping injury victims obtain the compensation they need after experiencing a serious car accident. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Why Choose The Bruning Law Firm as Your St. Louis Car Accident Lawyers
The Bruning Law Firm has served injured victims throughout Missouri for more than 35 years. During that time, we have obtained millions of dollars in compensation for our clients, and some of our notable successes include:
- A $2.5 million judgment for a client who became injured when a faulty airbag failed to deploy during an accident.
- A $750,000 settlement for the family members of an individual who died because of a rear-end collision involving a semi-truck.
While we guarantee no results, we can promise to work tirelessly to get the best possible outcome for our clients. Contact The Bruning Law Firm today to see what we can do for you.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in St. Louis
St. Louis sees many serious weather events each year, including snow, ice, rain, fog, sleet, and wind. Each can create hazards for drivers that include difficulty controlling the vehicle, difficulty seeing other vehicles and objects due to visibility issues during a storm, and difficulty coming to a safe stop on wet or slippery road conditions. However, while it is easy to blame the weather for many of St. Louis' car accidents, human error is as much of a cause of accidents here as it is in other parts of the country.
As noted by Missouri State Highway Patrol Public Information and Education Director, Cpt. John Hotz, “Nearly every crash that occurs is preventable…. Over 90 percent of these crashes were the result of someone simply making a poor decision, primarily: driving too fast, driving distracted, or driving impaired.”
Hotz added that many of the fatalities on the roadways throughout Missouri stem from vehicle occupants not wearing their seat belts. Approximately 67 percent of the vehicle occupants killed in crashes on Missouri roadways were not buckled up at the time of the accident.
Speeding
More than 300 people die on Missouri roadways each year because of speeding. Nationally, speeding is a factor in about one-quarter of all fatal car accidents and accounts for more than 9,000 deaths a year. Speeding refers not only to driving faster than the posted speed limit, but also driving too fast for the traffic or weather conditions of the road.
Speeding creates many hazards, including:
- Reducing the amount of time a driver has to perceive a danger on the roadway and respond to it by depressing the brakes.
- Increasing the amount of distance that the brakes need to pull the weight of the vehicle to a complete stop. Larger vehicles require more stopping distance, and all vehicles require more stopping distance on wet or slippery road surfaces.
- Reducing the effectiveness of the vehicle's protective features, such as the steel frame, the seat belts, and the airbags.
- Increasing the severity of the crash, which translates to a higher likelihood of serious injuries or death.
Distracted Driving
Distracted drivers cause more than 3,000 fatal accidents each year in the U.S.
A driving distraction is anything that:
- Causes the driver to take his or her hands from the wheel, which is known as a manual distraction.
- Causes the driver to stop watching the roadway, which is known as a visual distraction.
- Causes the driver to stop focusing on safe driving, which is known as a cognitive distraction.
Texting and other cell phone use are of particular concern with drivers because it provides all three types of distractions. In the time it takes a driver to read or reply to a text when traveling at highway speeds, his or her vehicle will have traveled the length of a football field. That is a long distance to go without both hands on the wheel while not watching the road or thinking about driving safely. Other types of driving distractions include eating or drinking, visiting with other passengers, adjusting the stereo or vehicle controls, or paying attention to external factors such as billboards, other vehicles or people, or even the scenes of previous accidents on the roadside.
Alcohol Impairment
Drunk driving accidents caused by alcohol-impaired drivers result in 28 deaths a day in the U.S., and many thousands more are injured because of drunk driving each year. Alcohol impairment diminished the skills that a driver needs to operate a motor vehicle safely, such as the ability to track a moving target, maintain lane position, brake effectively, control speed, and respond appropriately in emergencies.
Missouri, like most states, has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of 0.08 grams of alcohol per deciliter of blood. If a driver's breath or blood reveals a BAC of 0.08 or higher, police can charge a driver with a DUI. However, many drivers do not realize that alcohol impairment does not start when a driver's BAC reaches the 0.08 limit. It actually starts with the first drink. By the time the driver reaches the legal impairment limit, he or she has already lost short-term memory, the ability to concentrate on the task of driving safely, the ability to control speed, perception, and the ability to process information, such as a changing traffic light.
Failure to Yield
All drivers are required to yield the right-of-way to other lanes of traffic or roadway users in certain circumstances such as:
- At red lights or stop signs, or when traveling through a traffic circle.
- At marked crosswalks.
- When a school bus has stopped and extended its stop sign.
- When making a left turn at an intersection that does not have a green arrow for the turn lane.
- When making a U-turn or turning onto a roadway from a parking lot or private drive.
- When backing out of a parking space or a private drive.
Failure to yield is the most common cause of intersection accidents, including the often-deadly broadside (T-bone) accident that occurs when the front of one vehicle collides with the side of another vehicle.
Tailgating
Tailgating, or following too closely, is the most common cause of rear-end accidents, which occur when the front of one car collides with the rear of another. Rear-end accidents are among the most common types of accidents to occur in the U.S. involving more than one vehicle. While often regarded as “whiplash crashes” or minor accidents, rear-end accidents account for about 29 percent of accidents involving serious injury.
Following another vehicle too closely creates yet another reduction in the time you have to perceive a hazard. If the driver in front of you slows down or stops, you may not have enough distance to pull the weight of your vehicle to a stop before it collides with the lead car. Tailgating is frequently considered a form of aggressive driving, which is a series of traffic offenses that a driver commits generally in an attempt to get through congested areas. Other types of aggressive driving include speeding, running red lights, and making improper lane changes.
Fatigued Driving
Any driver can be responsible for driving while exhausted, and most drivers have done this. However, fatigue often creates deficits in the skills needed for safe driving that mimic the deficits created by alcohol impairment, such as the inability to stay in one travel lane and difficulty braking, controlling one's speed, or responding to emergency driving situations. Driver fatigue is of particular concern for night shift or swing-shift workers, as well as long-haul truck drivers, who often drive during the late-night hours when the body instinctually wants sleep.
Auto Defects
Not all car accidents are the result of another driver. Defective auto parts can also cause an accident, particularly if the defects involve the vehicle's tires, braking, or steering mechanisms—as these parts are responsible for how well you control the car and avoid striking other vehicles or objects. The manufacturers and distributors of cars and car parts are responsible for ensuring that these parts do not pose an unreasonable danger when used as instructed. Failing to uphold this responsibility can result in a product liability claim against the manufacturer or distributor.
Seeking Compensation for Your St. Louis Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents can produce some of the most serious injuries a person can experience, including traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries, which both frequently result in permanent disabilities that can diminish an individual's ability to complete personal tasks independently or earn an income. Other types of car accident injuries include broken bones, burns, abrasions, soft tissue injuries, damage to the spinal vertebrae and discs, and internal injuries.
If you suffered serious injuries in a car accident in St. Louis, you could seek compensation for the expenses and quality-of-life impacts of your injury through a personal injury lawsuit. In Missouri, you must file your car accident claim in court within five years after the date on which the accident occurred.
The Type of Compensation You Can Claim
In Missouri, car accident claimants can use the civil court system to seek the recovery of both economic and non-economic damages. Damage refers to the compensation one receives for harm done. Economic damages refer to compensation for the expenses you incurred because of the accident. Non-economic damages refer to compensation for the psychological impacts of your injury.
Some commonly claimed damages in St. Louis car accident cases include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Property damage you incurred in the accident, such as damage to your car
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of the enjoyment of life
If the car accident killed a close family member, you could work with an attorney to recover compensation through a wrongful death claim. Additionally, sometimes courts will award punitive damages in cases where it finds the defendant acted with egregious negligence or intentional wrongdoing. Punitive damages serve to punish the wrongdoer and send a message to others. Your attorney can advise you whether taking your case to court and seeking exemplary damages makes sense in your case.
A lot of car accident victims wonder how much their auto accident claim is worth. It's impossible to place an exact dollar figure without a thorough assessment of your claim. Your lawyer will need to consider numerous factors, including the severity of your injuries, the percentage of fault the other driver has for causing the accident, insurance policy limits, and the laws in the state, among others. However, your attorney will evaluate your claim and calculate the fair compensation you need to cover all your injuries and losses.
Proving Liability
To prove liability, you must show:
- The at-fault party owed you a duty of care. The duty of care is what a reasonable person would take in similar circumstances to protect the safety and property of others from the consequences of their actions. The duty of care that a driver in St. Louis owes to other drivers on the roadway is to operate his or her motor vehicle safely and legally.
- There was a breach in the duty of care. The breach refers to the actions that the at-fault party took that violated the duty of care. A breach in the driver's duty of care involves any unsafe or illegal action, such as speeding, impaired driving, or failure to yield.
- The breach resulted in the accident, which caused your injury and led you to experience impacts on your quality of life and financial expenses.
St. Louis Car Accident FAQs
There are so many questions after a car accident. You have likely suffered the loss or damage to your personal property and injuries and impacts on your health. You may not know exactly the best path to take after an accident and how to navigate the aftermath while still protecting your rights. Below are some of the most commonly asked questions by victims of car accidents; use this guide to help you take the next steps after a motor vehicle accident.
Should You Talk to the At-Fault Party's Insurance After a Car Accident?
You may be surprised at how quickly your phone will ring with a representative of the opposing insurer on the line hoping to get your statement and ask you questions. As an accident victim, you may believe initially that these individuals have your interests in mind. Many victims are often surprised by an insurance company's quick response and involvement in an accident case.
Make no mistake, the insurance company is likely acting solely in their own interest, and their motivation to speak with you sooner rather than later will try to resolve your case as quickly as possible and prevent you from taking additional steps to protect your rights.
Do not entertain conversation or solicitation for information from the representative of the at-fault party's insurance company. These claims representatives may want to speak with you with the sole purpose of finding out information that they can hold against you and your claim.
An insurance adjuster or other involved party can use anything you say against you. Statements about the accident or information regarding your injuries and care can delegitimize your claim or reduce the amount of compensation they offer you in a settlement.
You are not required to speak with the representatives of the opposing insurance company. Take great care not to partake in any conversations with an insurance adjuster or representative in the aftermath of an accident. You may have an obligation to notify your insurer of an accident, but you must not agree to any statements or provide any further information. What you say to your insurer can influence the outcome of your case and the compensation available to you. In fact, the insurer may use your own words against you to try and place blame on your for causing the accident and your injuries.
Contact The Bruning Law Firm today to discuss your legal options after a car accident and to have us communicate with insurance companies—including your own.
Is a Lawsuit Necessary After a St. Louis Car Accident?
Many people are hesitant to contact an attorney after a car accident because they are unsure if they want to proceed with a car accident lawsuit against the parties responsible. A common misconception is that all car accident cases must resolve through a lawsuit. The reality is quite the opposite. The majority of car accident claims resolve in settlement negotiations with an insurance company. If you cannot settle in negotiations, you may then proceed to a lawsuit in court.
A dispute over fault for an accident may require a lawsuit to resolve. In some situations, an insurer may deny your claim based on their own fault determination. In these cases, you may need to pursue recovery through legal action. Another case that may require a lawsuit is when you can't agree to the damages sustained in a car accident. In severe injuries, the insurer may not offer reasonable compensation for your losses.
When a case proceeds to a lawsuit in court, a trial will go on and the court will determine fault and compensation. This leaves the decision for liability and damages in the court's hands.
The Bruning Law Firm is here to help. Contact us today to see what we can do for you.
When Do You Need a Lawyer After a Car Crash in St. Louis?
Is There a Limit on the Time You Have to File a Claim or Lawsuit?
Can You Seek Recovery for Losses If You Were in a Hit and Run?
What Should You Do If You Are in a St. Louis Car Accident?
The Bruning Law Firm Can Help
To reach The Bruning Law Firm, Contact online or call (314) 735-8100 to speak with one of our experienced St. Louis auto accident attorneys.
We Can Visit You In A STL Hospital To Discuss Your Auto Claim
Making sure you keep your medical records is only as important as finding the right hospital to help you get back to healthy. Your top priority should be your health. That’s why our compassionate attorneys are available to visit injured clients wherever is most convenient. Often times that includes meeting with patients in hospitals such as: - SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital,
- Kindred Hospital St. Louis,
- Mercy Hospital St. Louis,
- Des Peres Hospital,
- St. Luke’s Hospital, or
- Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
St. Louis Legal Information
- 22nd Judicial Circuit of the State of Missouri St. Louis City Circuit Court Carnahan Courthouse 10 N. Tucker Blvd. St. Louis MO 63101
- 21st Judicial Circuit of the State of Missouri St. Louis County Circuit Court 105 S. Central Ave. Clayton MO 63105
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri Thomas F. Eagleton Courthouse 111 S. 10th St. St. Louis MO 63102
