Accidents happen to even the most experienced drivers. These accidents often lead to serious injury or even death.
Our Missouri car accident attorney has years of experience of the bigger firms around Missouri but will give your case the attention and detail of a smaller firm to get you the most amount of your settlement.
In fact, a fatal car accident occurs every 12 to 15 minutes in the U.S. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car accidents are the leading cause of death for U.S. citizens between the ages of 8 and 34.
Of the nearly 3 million individuals who suffer injuries as a result of a car accident, at least half of them suffer permanent disabilities of some type, which impair normal function, including paralysis and other neurological injuries.
According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, in 2011, 208 people were killed and 3,625 people were injured in car accidents involving an impaired driver. Alcohol was a factor in nearly 27% of those fatal crashes in Missouri.
At the Cottrell Law Office, our Joplin, MO car accident lawyers are experienced and effective advocates for injured victims. If you or your loved one was injured in a motor vehicle crash in Missouri, we are here to help.
To set up a free, no-obligation initial consultation, please contact our firm today!
What to Do After a Car Accident in Joplin, MO
Even if you are a safe and attentive driver, there is always a risk that you may be involved in a serious crash.
Traffic collisions impact every community in Missouri.
After an accident, it is imperative that you know how to take the proper steps to protect your health, your well-being, and your ability to bring a legal claim.
You should be sure to do the following four things after a crash in Joplin, Missouri:
1. Call the Police
Most auto accidents in Missouri should be reported to law enforcement. Under state regulations, any crash that resulted in an injury or is greater than $500 in property damage must be reported. It is in your best interest to ensure that an officer is dispatched to the scene — especially if another driver was at fault for the accident.
2. Obtain Information
The more information that you have, the better off you will be when it comes time to make a claim. Get the driver’s name, their insurance provider, and their vehicle information. In addition, take pictures of the crash and get the contact details for any eyewitnesses.
3. Seek Medical Attention
Every car accident injury should be evaluated by a physician. Without question, severe injuries require immediate emergency care. Beyond that, seemingly mild and moderate injuries should also be examined. Please know that you cannot bring a claim for personal injury compensation without seeing a doctor.
4. Call a Joplin Car Accident Lawyer
If you were hurt in a crash in Missouri, make sure you consult with an experienced Joplin auto accident attorney before you make any statement to an insurance company representative. Insurers are not on your side. Your lawyer will protect your legal rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Auto Accident Statute of Limitations in Missouri
Under Missouri law (Missouri Revised Statutes § 516.120), the statute of limitations for a car accident injury claim is five years — one of the longest deadlines in the entire country.
That being said, you should never wait to start the claims process. To get full and fair financial compensation, you need to present a strong legal case.
After an accident, you should collect evidence, obtain a copy of the Missouri Car Accident Report, and call a Joplin, Missouri car accident lawyer as soon as possible after a serious wreck.
Joplin Roadways and Traffic
Joplin has a population of approximately 50,150. Located in the four states region of Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kansas, and near Interstates 44 and 49, Joplin is a booming business district, thanks to economic incentives and a Chamber of Commerce that received a five-star ranking from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Joplin has also been recognized as the first city in America to earn distinction as a Certified Work Ready Community.
Joplin is also a commuter-friendly community, where 88% of workers can arrive at the office in less than 30 minutes.
When Do You Need a Joplin, MO Car Accident Attorney?
After a car accident, the trauma of your personal injuries is likely something you want to forget as soon as possible.
The disruption that your injuries and damages caused, make the need to resolve great, and the sooner you can get back to life as usual, the better.
How long resolving an auto accident case will take, depends on so many factors.
Although your Missouri car accident attorney can’t guarantee a successful resolution, nor can they predict how long it will take, being familiar with the factors that affect resolution, can make it easier to get through.
We’ll take care of everything else.
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Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Joplin, Missouri
The sad truth is that the greatest threat on the road is other drivers. Their negligence accounts for more accidents and more deaths than anything else.
The problem is, that there are so many different ways that others can drive negligently, and all of those ways are extremely dangerous.
Just a few common examples of driver negligence that leads to auto accidents include driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, driving while drowsy or fatigued, speeding, and distracted driving, including texting and eating.
Compensation Available for Injured Victims
Under Missouri law, injured victims are entitled to recover financial compensation for both economic and non-economic damages.
At the Cottrell Law Office, our auto accident lawyer in Joplin has the skills and experience needed to help car accident victims maximize their recovery.
You may be entitled to financial payment for:
- Medical bills;
- Physical therapy;
- Lost current and future wages;
- Pain and suffering;
- Emotional anguish;
- Long-term disability; and
- Wrongful death of a family member.
Distracted Driving in Joplin, MO
Distracted driving is becoming a major concern for highway safety. As the use of cell phones has increased, so has the number of auto accidents involving distracted drivers.
In 2013, more than 3,000 people were killed as a result of distracted drivers. Although the campaign to stop texting and driving is in full swing, cell phone use is not the only form of distracted driving.
Any activity that diverts a driver’s attention from the primary task of driving is a distraction and endangers the driver, passengers, and others on the roadway.
Distractions also include everyday tasks that many of us engage in all the time, such as eating and drinking, talking to passengers, grooming, using a GPS, and adjusting the radio or other electronics.
What Can the Cottrell Law Office Do For Me?
The Joplin, MO car accident attorneys at the Cottrell Law Office will get you the results you deserve. As our case results reflect, we have obtained verdicts or settlements in car accident cases ranging from 100,000 to more than 300,000 in Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma.
We handle more than car accidents, though. All types of motor vehicle accident cases are handled, including those involving commercial trucks, motorcycles, defective vehicles, pedestrian collisions, and other types of accident cases.
With more than 40 years of experience, we are dedicated to putting that experience to work to provide you with top-quality service and zealous legal representation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Missouri an at-fault or no-fault state?
Missouri is an at-fault state. The driver who caused the accident is responsible for the resulting damages, and you file your claim directly against their insurance company. Missouri does not use a no-fault or PIP system.
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Missouri?
Under Missouri Revised Statutes § 516.120, you have five years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit one of the longest deadlines in the country. For wrongful death claims, the deadline is three years. If a government entity was involved, a 90-day notice requirement may apply. Despite the generous deadline, waiting makes evidence harder to gather and witnesses harder to locate.
What is Missouri’s comparative fault rule?
Missouri follows pure comparative negligence under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 537.765 you can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the crash. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, but never barred entirely. For example, if you are 30% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you recover $70,000.
What are Missouri’s minimum car insurance requirements?
Missouri requires all drivers to carry minimum liability coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. Missouri also requires uninsured motorist coverage. These minimums often fall short of covering the full costs of a serious accident.
Should I give a recorded statement to the insurance company?
Not before speaking with an attorney. The other driver’s insurer is not on your side. Under Missouri’s pure comparative fault rules, statements you make after an accident can be used to assign fault percentages that reduce your recovery. You are generally not required to give a recorded statement to a third-party insurer.
What if the other driver was uninsured?
Missouri requires insurers to offer uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. If you carry it and the at-fault driver has no insurance, your UM policy may cover your losses. An attorney can help you file and negotiate a UM claim with your own insurer.
How much does a Missouri car accident lawyer cost?
Nothing unless we win. We handle all Missouri car accident cases on contingency no upfront fees, no hourly charges. Our fee is a percentage of your settlement or verdict, agreed in writing before we begin. If we do not recover compensation for you, you owe us nothing.
Schedule Your Free Car Accident Injury Consultation Today
At the Cottrell Law Office, our Joplin, MO car accident lawyers are standing by, ready to protect your rights.
If you have questions regarding car accidents or any other personal injury issues in Missouri, please contact our law firm for a free consultation.