St. Louis Car Accident Lawyers

Whether you are driving down Page Avenue or traveling the four-mile stretch of I-70 through the city, amid the heavy traffic, it is not unusual to see car accidents on St. Louis roadways. In fact, traffic congestion resulting from a vehicle crash 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 result in life-changing injuries, or mark the end of someone's life, and one day, you may be the one who is injured.

The Bruning Law Firm's St. Louis car accident lawyers represent victims of auto collisions throughout Missouri and Illinois, fighting to secure maximum compensation for injuries caused by negligent drivers. Our family-owned personal injury firm represents car accident victims throughout Missouri and Illinois. For over 35 years, we have recovered millions in compensation, and our attorneys will work hard to do the same for you.

Proven Results

Our St. Louis car accident attorneys get results for personal injury claims, including:

• 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 cannot guarantee specific results, our attorneys 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.

St. Louis Car Accident Guide

Why Choose Our St. Louis Car Accident Lawyers

At The Bruning Law Firm you can count on our local St. Louis expertise through our knowledge of the 22nd Judicial Circuit and 21st Judicial Circuit courts. Our auto collision lawyers have cultivated relationships with local experts and accident reconstructionists over the years to help build a strong case strategy.

With over 35 years of experience, we have helped injured car accident victims recover millions in settlements and verdicts. The Bruning Law Firm is ready for trial and won't back down when insurers don't offer a fair settlement amount. Our reputation, local knowledge, and experience is what makes the difference. While other firms pawn their clients off on paralegals or case managers, The Bruning Law Firm pairs you directly with a car accident attorney who will be devoted to supporting you throughout the legal process.

Who We Help After a St. Louis Car Accident

The attorneys at The Bruning Law Firm represent injured victims in a wide array of car accident scenarios:

• Drivers injured by other motorists
• Passengers in any vehicle
• Pedestrians struck by vehicles
• Bicyclists hit by cars
• Accident survivors or family members who lost a loved one

Contact The Bruning Law Firm to schedule a free consultation for personal injury or wrongful death claims.

Common Injuries from St. Louis Car Accidents

Whether you're in a rear-end collision or a multi-vehicle pileup, you may suffer serious injuries that require extensive medical treatment, making the need for compensation dire. The car accident attorneys at our personal injury firm help victims with these painful and debilitating injuries through the legal process.

• Whiplash and Neck Injuries: These types of soft tissue injuries are the most common, and for many car accident victims, lead to chronic pain that never goes away.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): From mild concussion to severe traumatic brain injury, injured victims may experience life-altering changes and complications, creating an urgent need for legal representation through our traumatic brain injury attorneys.
• Spinal Cord and Back Injuries: Herniated discs may require extensive surgery and physical therapy. In severe cases, victims suffer spinal cord injuries that lead to paralysis and require higher compensation for these back injury claims.
• Broken Bones and Fractures: The force of impact in a crash can cause broken arms, legs, ribs, and facial bones. Some of these fractures may heal in time while others may need multiple surgeries to correct the damage.
• Internal Injuries: Organ damage and internal bleeding are some of the most concerning car accident injuries as they may not be immediately apparent and could quickly become life-threatening.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in St. Louis

Negligent drivers are the reason that vehicle crashes happen, making the at-fault driver liable and responsible for your injuries. 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. More than 3,600 vehicle occupants suffered injuries and 330 died in crashes on Missouri roadways who were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident.

Weather Conditions

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.

Speeding

According to the latest crash reports from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 4.155 total crashes happened because of speeding in a recent year. In those wrecks, 2,948 people sustained injuries, and 200 people died.

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. Driving too fast for conditions was a contributing factor in 17,364 traffic accidents statewide. These crashes injured 7,366 and killed 208.

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 incapacitating injuries or death.

Distracted Driving

Distracted drivers caused 17,417 traffic accidents in a recent year throughout Missouri. Nearly 7,000 people suffered injuries in those crashes, and 89 people died.

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

Alcohol-impaired drivers caused 5,480 crashes in a recent year. These wrecks injured 2,914 and killed 176. Alcohol impairment diminishes 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 or T-bone accident that occurs when the front of one vehicle collides with the side of another vehicle. More than 26,000 accidents resulted from a driver's failure to yield, injuring 13,214 and killing 157.

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. In Missouri, tailgating was a contributing factor in 19,129 crashes that injured 6,265 and killed 25.

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. Missouri reported 2,641 crashes resulting from fatigued driving, resulting in 1,155 injuries and 15 deaths.

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. In a recent year, Missouri reported 3,469 total auto accidents resulting from vehicle defects. These crashes injured 1,206 and killed 20.

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.

Types of Car Accidents We Handle

Our St. Louis car accident lawyers at The Bruning Law Firm represent victims injured in intersection accidents at Page Avenue, Kingshighway, and Lindbergh, and highway accidents on I-64, I-70, I-270, and I-44 to secure maximum compensation caused by at-fault drivers.

Injured drivers can count on our attorneys to provide legal representation in a variety of auto collisions, including:

• Rear-End Collisions: Drivers who fail to pay attention in traffic often cause rear-end collisions. Our rear-end collision attorneys fight for car accident victims who suffer whiplash and other injuries in these types of auto accidents.
• T-Bone Accidents: Known as intersection accidents, the at-fault driver crashes head-on into the side of another vehicle, which can result in severe injuries.
• Head-On Collisions: While rarer, head-on collisions leave car accident victims with life-threatening injuries and disfigurement, and many times, result in death.
• Hit-and-Run Accidents: Among the most frustrating types of crashes, the at-fault driver flees the scene, showing no regard for injuries, and resulting in uninsured motorist claims.
• Rollover Accidents: Rollover accidents involve vehicles rolling onto their sides or roof, often resulting in fatalities that leave families stricken with grief.
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Accidents: Car accident victims are the ones who ultimately pay the price when negligent drivers fail to have valid insurance, resulting in another scenario for uninsured motorist claims.
• Multi-Vehicle Pileups: Vehicle crashes are common on I-64, I-70, I-270, and I-44, paving the way for other motorists to get caught up in the fray.

St. Louis Car Accident Statistics

Understanding St. Louis car accident statistics is crucial for recognizing trends and improving road safety in the area. In recent years, the city has seen fluctuations in total crashes, injury crashes, and fatal accidents, with factors such as distracted driving, speeding, and hazardous road conditions playing significant roles. By analyzing this data, drivers can make more informed decisions, and policymakers can implement better safety measures.

Source: trailnet.org

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 to 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 were injured in a car accident in St. Louis, you could seek compensation for the expenses and quality-of-life impacts of your injury through a 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

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.

Missouri Car Accident Laws

Missouri law can affect your car accident case, making it imperative to have an auto collision lawyer on your side. The Bruning Law Firm has over 35 years representing clients in car wrecks and a full understanding of all applicable laws.

Statute of Limitations

The statute of limitations provides a maximum timeline of up to five years for most car accident injuries. While it may seem lengthy, investigations and evidence are best to handle immediately to have a stronger case. When accident survivors are injured in accidents caused by government entities, the deadline for making claims becomes much shorter. It is in your best interest to pursue your claim as soon as possible after the vehicle crash.

Comparative Fault

State law also allows for shared fault among Missouri motorists with personal injury claims. The rule of pure comparative fault applies, which allows injured drivers to recover compensation even if they are partly at fault. This shared liability means that as long as you are less than 99% at-fault for your injuries, you can still make your claim.

However, compensation for accident survivors is reduced by the assigned percentage. Insurance companies will often employ this tactic to minimize the settlement payout to give you less than you deserve, or worse, deny the claim entirely.

Minimum State Insurance Requirements

Missouri law has low insurance minimum requirements, and for many motorists, choosing this minimal coverage is most affordable. After a major vehicle crash occurs, it leaves everyone more vulnerable as these drivers are typically underinsured.

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.

The Bruning Law Firm Can Help

Let a St. Louis personal injury attorney from The Bruning Law Firm help you understand your options for obtaining compensation for the injuries you received because of someone else's careless or reckless actions. We are here to help, whether you live in the city, the Metro East, or the western suburbs.

To reach The Bruning Law Firm, schedule a free consultation 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 health. 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:

Our experienced STL car accident attorneys also work with hospitals and doctor's offices to secure your medical records and build detailed documentation of your injuries.

St. Louis Legal Information

Local knowledge makes all the difference in having better representation. At The Bruning Law Firm, we're familiar with the local courts and processes, making it easier on you.

Depending on the circumstances surrounding your personal injury case, you may need to eventually visit one of the local courthouses. When that time comes, we will discuss what you can expect in detail so you are comfortable with the process.

The circuit court locations you may need to visit are:

• 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

If you are involved in a federal case, such as a multidistrict litigation case, you may need to visit:

• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri
  Thomas F. Eagleton Courthouse
  111 S. 10th St.
  St. Louis MO 63102

Car Accident Resources

Learn more about car accidents and your legal options with these helpful resources:

• Responsibility In Bad Weather Car Accidents
• Steps To Take After A Car Wreck
• Causes of Rear-End Accidents
• Who is Responsible In A Chain Reaction Collision?
• Distracted Driving In St. Louis
• Drunk Driver Liability
• Head-On Car Collisions
• A Car Ran Me Off The Road, Now What?
• Hit and Run Legal Issues
• St. Louis Rear-End Accident Lawyers
• Determining Liability In A Rear End Car Accident
• How to Negotiate With Auto Insurance Companies
• Car Accident Lawsuit & Out-of-State Drivers
• Texting Drivers & Lawsuits
• Who Is at Fault for a T-bone Accident?
• Who Is at Fault in a Rear-End Accident?
• 4 Signs You Need a Lawyer After a Car Accident
• What NOT to do after a Car Accident
• What Are My Legal Rights After a Car Accident in Missouri?
• How Can A Car Accident Attorney Help Me?
• What is My Car Accident Case Worth?
• The Role Of Negligence In A Car Accident Case
• How to Calculate Pain and Suffering After a Car Accident
• How To File A Car Accident Claim
• How to Tell Who is At Fault in a Car Accident
• What should I do if I'm in a car accident?
• Missouri Car Accident Statute of Limitations
• What Do Car Accident Lawyers Do?
• What to Do After a Car Accident Injury
• Who Pays Medical Bills in a Car Accident?
• When to Hire an Auto Accident Lawyer
• Time Frame To File Auto Accident Claims
• Should You Accept a Settlement Offer?
• How Much Compensation After a Car Accident Should I Expect?
• How Long Does a Car Accident Settlement Take?
• How Much Do Car Accident Lawyers Charge?

Contact A St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer Today

The Bruning Law Firm has represented car accident victims in St. Louis for over 35 years. Our car accident attorneys have secured millions in verdicts and settlements for our injured clients throughout Missouri and Illinois, including the Metro East and west suburbs area. If you or someone you care about has been seriously injured in an auto accident, contact our St. Louis car accident lawyers for a free consultation and get started on your case. We only get paid if you win, and it costs nothing to find out how much your case is worth by calling (314) 735-8100.