If you have been involved in a car accident, contacting an automobile accident attorney as soon as possible is important in order to obtain the compensation you deserve. When the time comes to file your claim, there are several common mistakes that you need to avoid. The Cottrell Law Office is here to help you avoid those mistakes. Be...
Continue ReadingIf you have been injured in an auto accident and offered a very low settlement amount from the other driver’s insurance company, do not simply reject the offer and give up. Contact a Joplin auto accident attorney first because you may be able to negotiate. The reality is settlement is not a one-step process. In fact, the majority of...
Continue ReadingMost auto accident cases filed by Joplin auto accident attorneys are filed in the district or circuit courts of the state where the accident happened. Figuring out which court you need to file your claim in is based on the amount of damages you expect to claim. Bringing an auto accident claim in small claims court is not very...
Continue ReadingAside from the legal issue of damages, there are two very common legal issues that frequently cause delays in litigation of an auto accident case. Those two issues are liability and causation. That is, who is responsible for the injuries and did that guilty party’s conduct actually cause your injuries. These issues can often be complicated and the facts...
Continue ReadingA very common concern that many clients have following a car accident is what effect a pre-existing injury may have on their claims. Insurance companies will not hesitate to use a pre-existing condition or injury to discredit your claims and reduce your damages. It is true that pre-existing injuries can make an accident claim more complicated but our Rogers...
Continue ReadingBeing involved in a car accident is a serious situation, especially when serious injuries are involved. Negligence is the general theory involved in filing a claim for damages in a car accident case. As Joplin accident attorneys know, these claims become more serious when a drunk driver is involved. When a drunk driver causes an accident that injures someone,...
Continue ReadingIn the aftermath of an auto accident, many people are stressed or afraid, which causes them to freeze up, not knowing that actions to take. While most people know to exchange insurance and contact information, that is about as far as it goes. Unfortunately, if you fail to take a few crucial steps following an auto accident, you may...
Continue ReadingThe purpose of a damages award in an auto accident case is to make the victim “whole.” This essentially means compensating the victim for everything was lost as a result of the accident. The only way to accomplish that is through a monetary award, which an auto accident lawyer can help you do. What happens if the victim is...
Continue ReadingIt may not occur to everyone that drivers and passengers are not the only ones at risk of injury in car accidents. Unfortunately, the men and women who respond to these car accidents to provide assistance and investigate face a risk of injury as well. Every year, a significant number of first responders, law enforcement, tow truck drivers and...
Continue ReadingSo, you just filed a lawsuit after being injured in an auto accident. The first question you probably want to ask is whether or not you have to go to trial. Unless the court throws your case out at summary judgment, the only way you can avoid trial is if your case settles. Settling an auto accident case before...
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