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You are here: Home / 2021 / Archives for January 2021

Archives for January 2021

Factors to Consider When Comparing St. Louis Car Accident Lawyers

January 6, 2021 by Christopher

Finding the right car accident lawyer doesn’t have to be difficult. You simply need to know what to look for when comparing potential attorneys.

The aftermath of a car accident is often complex. In addition to the physical and emotional trauma, you may also have to deal with car damages, insurance companies, other relevant authorities, and so on. The entire legal process on top of the piling medical bills and other expenses can be nightmarish. 

calling lawyer after car accident

Trying to find a good St. Louis car accident lawyer who will work for your benefit and not focus on benefiting themselves can feel like an added stress that you don’t need right now.

Here’s the thing: finding the right lawyer doesn’t have to be that difficult. You just need to know what to look for. 

Experience in Handling Car Accident Cases

It may sound obvious right now, but when you are in pain and dealing with a lot of stress, you may be tempted to call the first lawyer who pops up during your Google search. However, if you want a chance to get fair compensation for your injury, you need a lawyer who understands the complexity of a car accident and can help you file a claim that is all-encompassing and not just a way to get some money fast. 

Look for a Lawyer Who Keeps the Lines of Communication Open

Communication is key to building a winning car accident case, and that goes for both of you. You need to be honest with your lawyer and give all the accident details, including exactly how it happened. Even if you are partially at fault, keep in mind that Missouri is a comparative fault state, meaning that the blame can be shared between drivers. If you are found to be 20% at fault for the accident, you can still get 80% compensation. 

Your lawyer is responsible for keeping you in the loop about your case and engage in proactive communication. If you have to call them repeatedly to get an update on your case, this may be a bad sign.

Does the Lawyer Have the Resources to Take on My Case?

Car accident cases can get quite expensive, especially if the injuries are complex and involve different medical specialties and expert witnesses. For example, a case against a trucking company may involve accident reconstruction experts, safety experts, and medical professionals. If the lawyer lacks the resources to find and hire the right team of experts or cuts corners to save money, your case might be adversely affected.  

St. Louis Accident Lawyer Helpline

Finding the right St. Louis car accident attorney can be a challenging task. However, if you ask the right questions and look at these factors to decide if a lawyer can truly fight for your right and represent your best interests, it is possible to find the right attorney for your case.

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Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Car Accident Lawyer St. Louis

What You Need To Know About The Penalties For Driving Uninsured In St. Louis

January 5, 2021 by Christopher

Recent surveys show that about 13% – about 1 in 8 – drivers in Missouri are driving without insurance. 

Auto insurance is essential in our car-focused world. Having an insurance policy ensures that, if you hit someone and it’s your fault, their medical bills, injuries, and other expenses will be covered. 

However, what happens if you drive uninsured in St. Louis? Doing so is illegal and carries stiff penalties, but it’s more common than you may think. Recent surveys show that about 13% – about 1 in 8 – drivers in Missouri are driving without insurance. 

uninsured car accident st. louis

The Penalties For Driving Uninsured Depend On The Circumstances

There are several different legal penalties that drivers can incur if caught driving without insurance coverage in Missouri. These include:

  • Loss of driving privileges – A first-time offender may have their driving privileges suspended until they obtain adequate insurance. Second-time offenders will generally have their driving privileges revoked for 90 days, and third-time offenders for a full year.
  • Paying a reinstatement fee – This fee is generally $20 for first-time offenders, $200 for second-time offenders, and $400 for third-time offenders.
  • Paying a fine – There is generally no fine for a first offense, but a $500 fine may be charged for second and third-time offenses.
  • Jail time – No jail time is incurred for a first offense, but second or third-time offenders could spend up to 15 days in jail. 

In addition to this, “no insurance” tickets will never be removed from a driver’s record in Missouri. They will stay on the record permanently, which could affect an uninsured driver’s insurance rates in the future. 

Uninsured Drivers May Be Sued For The Damages Incurred By The Accident

If an uninsured driver hits you and is found at fault for the accident, they must pay for the damages caused by the accident. If the uninsured driver does not pay for the damages, they may lose their driving privileges for a year or until they provide proof to the Driver License Bureau that the accident damages have been settled.

As any uninsured motorist lawyer in St. Louis will tell you, one good thing about living in Missouri is that uninsured motorist coverage is mandatory for all drivers. If you have insurance and are hit by an uninsured driver, your insurance company will generally be responsible for providing you compensation.

To make sure that you never have to worry about penalties for driving uninsured – or the costs incurred by being hit by an uninsured driver – make sure you carry a Missouri auto insurance policy that meets the state’s minimum requirements! 

Involved in a Car Accident With an Uninsured Driver in St. Louis?

A St. Louis uninsured motorist attorney can help you recover the damages you deserve from your insurance company and the responsible party. If an uninsured driver has hit you, speak with an experienced lawyer today to ensure your legal rights are protected.

FREE Consulation

Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: uninsured driver

3 Common Myths About Uber Car Accidents

January 4, 2021 by Christopher

Here are 3 common myths about Uber accidents and how these claims are handled.

More and more people are using ride-sharing services in the US, with Uber being the market leader. Accidents involving Uber drivers are bound to happen since there are so many of them on the streets, but who covers the damages and what happens if you’re a victim are still unclear for many people.

Here are 3 common myths about Uber accidents and how these claims are handled.

st. louis woman requesting uber

Uber’s $1 million Insurance Will Always Get You a Huge Settlement

In its beginnings, Uber was not liable for accidents caused by its drivers because it claimed that they were independent workers, not employees per se. However, state legislation has changed in the meantime, and Uber now carries a $1 million insurance policy for every driver. This, however, doesn’t mean that the victims will always receive a huge settlement from the company or that they will be covered by it at all.

Uber’s insurance is a secondary policy, and the primary responsibility lies with the driver. Damages are generally covered by Uber only if the driver has an active ride in the app at the time of the accident. If an Uber driver causes an accident while circling, waiting for a client to search for a car, or even driving towards a client, the $1 million policy will generally not cover them. In fact, Uber drivers are more at risk in case of an accident because they might lose their personal auto insurance coverage if their insurance company decides that they were using the car for something other than personal use.

The Company Is Always Liable If You’re Hit by an Uber

As stated above, Uber’s policy will typically only cover the damages caused by an Uber driver if they were driving a passenger at the time of the accident. In any other situation, the driver’s own auto insurance will likely cover the damages. As you probably know, the basic auto policies required by law have rather low limitations. If your damage is substantial and you don’t carry underinsured motorist insurance coverage, you might have to sue the driver. 

Uber Drivers Are Not Covered by Company Insurance, Because They Are Independent Contractors

This is a myth that originated from the grey area of insurance coverage that was, in fact, very real when ride-sharing services were just started on the market. Nowadays, Uber, Lyft, and other transportation network companies are generally liable for the damage their drivers’ cause, even if they are not considered fully employed. 

Uber covers the following damages, depending on the situation:

  • $50,000 per individual for bodily damage, when the driver’s app is active and they are waiting for a ride
  • $100,000 per accident for bodily damage, when the driver’s app is active and they are waiting for a ride
  • $1 million for bodily damage, when the driver has passengers who requested a ride through the app

If you have suffered injuries while riding in an Uber or because an Uber hit you, contact an experienced St. Louis Uber accident attorney who will be able to navigate these grey areas, protect your rights, and fight to get you the compensation you are entitled to. 

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Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: uber accident

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    The images included on this site are not actual attorneys, events, or clients. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertisements. The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established. Attorney Chris Hoffmann handles car and truck accident claims throughout Eastern Missouri and Western Illinois. He represents injured clients in St. Louis, St. Charles, St. Peters, Clayton, East St. Louis, Alton, Hillsboro and Belleville, and other cities in St. Louis County, St. Charles County, and Jefferson Country, MO, and St. Clair County and Madison County, IL.