Have you recently been hurt in a motor vehicle crash in Missouri? If so, you’re likely in pain, dealing with a lot of sudden expenses, and wondering how you can put your life back together again. You might be wondering whether you should contact a car accident attorney for help, yet worrying about the cost of doing so. The reality is that, without an attorney, you might not be able to get the money you’re entitled to—and the good news is that help is available at no out-of-pocket cost to you.
The best time to contact a personal injury lawyer is immediately after an accident. The second-best time is now.
What Compensation Could You Be Owed?
In Missouri, a driver who causes a car accident is financially responsible for its consequences. In other words, if someone hit you, they might owe you money for your:
- Past and future medical care
- Lost wages/salary and decreased earning potential
- Property damage, including repairing or replacing your vehicle
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life from ongoing impairment
You should not be on the hook for the costs of an accident that was someone else’s fault. However, getting that person to pay you fairly is likely to be easier said than done.
What to Do After a Motor Vehicle Accident in Missouri
So, how do you prove that someone else was responsible for the car accident? You can lay the groundwork for a strong case by taking the following steps:
- Gather evidence at the scene if you’re able to, including the other driver’s contact info, videos of the wreckage, and photos of your injuries.
- Seek medical attention to have your injuries documented and treated.
- Be careful what you say about the accident to others—especially if the other driver’s insurance provider contacts you.
Finally, contact an experienced Missouri car accident attorney for help. Most lawyers—including those with Ryan R. Cox & Associates, LLC—offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, which means you only pay them if they win your case.
Why Prompt Legal Intervention Is Important
The sooner you get legal help after a car accident in Missouri, the better. First, you’ll need evidence to prove that the other driver is to blame for what happened, but this evidence won’t be available forever. The accident scene will be cleaned up. Security camera footage will be deleted or recorded over. Eyewitnesses’ memories will fade. Without the prompt intervention of an attorney, you may not recover the evidence you need to back up your claim against the other driver.
Furthermore, while the at-fault driver’s insurance provider should pay for the compensation you’re owed, things aren’t likely to be so simple. As a for-profit business, the insurer has every incentive to pay you as little as possible. Its adjusters may contact you, ostensibly to check in on you or get started on your claim. In reality, the adjuster is looking for anything they can use against you, from recorded statements they’ll twist to serve their purposes to medical records they can use to undercut your case. The company also has a team of defense lawyers to fight any claims that go to trial, and you’ll be at a considerable disadvantage without legal counsel of your own. A lawyer can interact with the insurance company for you, protecting you from the hardball tactics they use to shortchange accident victims.
Contact Ryan R. Cox & Associates, LLC Immediately
Ready to get the legal help you need to demand fair compensation for what you’ve suffered? Then contact Ryan R. Cox & Associates, LLC today for a free consultation. While you focus on getting better, we’ll get busy:
- Investigating the accident
- Recovering critical evidence to build your case
- Interacting with insurance companies on your behalf
- Negotiating for a fair settlement offer
Don’t wait—the sooner you contact us, the more our St. Charles car accident lawyers can do for you.