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Who Is Liable If a Teenage Driver Causes a St. Louis Car Accident?

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Liability in an accident caused by a teen can be influenced by a lot of factors.

Teenagers behind the wheel are statistically the most prone age group to having accidents. Not only are they more likely to be in a fatal crash, but they can cause financial and legal problems to their parents as well. It’s clear why parents of teenage drivers often remind them to drive safely and responsibly.

However, accidents do happen. Therefore, it’s important to act responsibly, know your rights, and choose the right approach when you are dealing with the aftermath.

teenage driving accident

What You Need to Know If Your Teenage Child Was in a Car Accident

Liability in an accident caused by a teen can be influenced by a lot of factors. They are connected to the graduated licensing system, which only gives teens a certain degree of freedom at a time.

Here are the levels that a teen goes through during their first years as licensed drivers:

  • At 15, they can apply for an instruction permit. If they pass the test, they are allowed to drive, but only accompanied by a parent, grandparent or driving instructor until they are 16 years old.
  • Teen drivers who are at least 16 years old may drive only when accompanied by a person who is at least 21 years old and has a valid driver’s license.
  • A teen can get an intermediate license when they are 16 or older, by meeting certain conditions (at least 182 days of carrying an instruction permit, no alcohol-related convictions in the last year, no traffic convictions in the past 6 months, 40 hours of driving practice with a parent, legal guardian or instructor). A teen with an intermediate license can drive unsupervised, but only in certain conditions
  • At age 18 and more, the teen can apply for a full driver’s license.

As you can see, teen driving is strictly regulated, in an attempt to reduce the risks that come with this age. Unfortunately, many teens break these rules or are encouraged by their own parents in doing so.

Liability in case of an accident will be determined by examining the licensing level the teen is at, the conditions of driving that would apply, and if the parent tried to prevent the situation, knew about it or enabled it. 

The parent of a teen can be held liable for an accident if:

  • A friend of their teenagers was driving the car owned by the parent (owner’s liability)
  • The parent owns the car driven by the teen (negligent entrustment)
  • The parent is aware of their teen breaking the limits of their license

Speak With an Attorney

Whether the accident was a minor one or not, in a teen driver case it’s recommended to discuss the details of your accident with an experienced St. Louis auto accident attorney. They can evaluate your case and make sure your legal right to compensation is protected.

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Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

What Is a Letter Of Protection – Do You Need One After a Car Accident?

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letter of protection car accident

A letter of protection is a document sent to a medical professional by your St. Louis auto accident lawyer in the name of the person injured in an accident.

This document is essentially a guarantee that the medical treatment will be paid from a future settlement. Even if the car accident victim has medical insurance, they may not accept it as a guarantee of payment for services, as the insurance company that holds the health policy may refuse to cover any treatment from car accidents or other events.

This is often the case in vehicle collisions, as by law all Missouri drivers must carry auto insurance, which will also cover medical expenses.

Do You Need a Letter of Protection?

In some cases, it may be the only way to access medical treatment. Standard health insurance plans often don’t cover any injuries sustained during work-related accidents or car collisions because they know there are other insurance companies that should take care of these cases.

For work-related injuries, you have worker’s comp, and for car accidents, you have auto insurance. However, when you’re the victim of a car accident and still don’t know how the outcome of your claim will turn out, medical professionals may require this extra guarantee that the services they provide will be paid for.

There’s also the issue of how auto insurance carriers actually pay for your medical bills. Usually, they may not cover the costs of your treatment as you are receiving it but may wait until your treatment is done and receive all your bills at once. Then, they often use the bulk of your bills to negotiate a settlement, which can also account for future medical expenses that are estimated, so there’s a chance they get to pay less than what you should get.

This is a problematic tactic for the doctor treating you since it’s possible to see a patient for months without a guarantee that these services can be paid for.

What Happens If You Don’t Win Your Case?

The letter of protection is a contractual agreement where your doctor accepts to treat you on credit and waits until the case is finalized to recover their money. However, if you do not win a case, you are still responsible for paying back the money, and the medical professional is entitled to recover it just like any other debt. A letter of protection does not mean you’re exempt from paying the bills.

This makes it even more important to work with a St. Louis car accident attorney to ensure your legal right to compensation is protected after an auto accident.

Speak With a St. Louis Car Injury Lawyer

Have you been the victim of a car accident? Reach out to a St. Louis car injury lawyer for a FREE case evaluation. An experienced attorney can help you work to recover the full amount of compensation you are entitled to.

FREE Consulation

Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

How to Find a Good Doctor After a St. Louis Auto Accident

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If you’re involved in a car accident and need treatment, you, unfortunately, can’t always go to your family doctor, especially if you’re the victim and plan to file a car accident claim against the other driver.

One clear reason is medical in nature: your family doctor simply might not be able to give you the best care if they have little to no experience with car accident cases and their potential injuries. However, the other reason has to do with the intricate world of insurance companies.

car accident doctor

Why You May Need a No-Fault Doctor

A no-fault doctor specializes in treating auto accident victims, which is perfect for you, as this way you are getting treated by someone who fully understands what a car accident can do to a person.

If you also want to file a car accident claim, you will need a rather detailed history of all your medical treatments and procedures you’ve received during your auto injury treatment. A no-fault doctor is aware of this, and as a result can help you document all your medical treatments so that you do not have to piece them all together later on, which can help speed up the process.

Additionally, the no-fault doctor will also know what’s needed to prove your claim from a medical point of view, so they may run the right tests and even refer you to the specialists you need.

How to Find a No-Fault Doctor

Ideally, you’ll want to turn to a practice with doctors with experience in car accident injuries, and one who encompasses different specialties, as you may require several types of treatments or procedures.

One way to find a good no-fault doctor is to ask your St. Louis car injury lawyer. Through their own experience, they can recommend a good doctor that can provide proper medical care and who can help you in your car accident claim.

If you have not yet spoken with an attorney, or need to find a doctor fast, there are some other options available:

  • Asking friends and families, especially those who’ve filed car accident / personal injury claims in the past
  • Speaking to your family doctor and asking for a recommendation
  • Using the internet, especially forums where people tell their experience visiting a particular no-fault doctor. These practices may have very fancy websites, but you’re really interested in what people think of them, so it’s a good idea to also search for people’s experiences with these doctors as well.

Speak With an Attorney ASAP

Your car accident settlement is typically decided through negotiating, which is why your case will greatly benefit from the experience of a qualified attorney. If you need to file a claim, reach out to a St. Louis car accident lawyer right away. They may also help you find a good no-fault doctor to take care of your injuries.

FREE Consulation

Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

TMJ Car Accident – Jaw Pain After a Car Crash

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When it comes to a car accident, TMJ disorders often occur when the joints are damaged, leading to mild or severe pains that can even prevent you from eating or speaking comfortably.

TMJ stands for “temporomandibular joints,” which are the joints that connect your jawbone to your skull. They are placed on each side of the head and play a critical role in allowing you to move your jaw, and therefore speak, eat, and even make facial expressions.

It’s one of the most used joints in your entire body, and when these joints are damaged it can create quite a lot of discomfort. One scenario where your TMJ can suffer damage is a car accident.

How Does This Happen?

The full causes of TMJ disorders aren’t yet known, and some people can develop these pains in their jaws even without a clear cause. But when it comes to a car accident, TMJ disorders occur when the joints are damaged, leading to mild or severe pains that can even prevent you from eating or speaking comfortably.

A direct blow to your TMJ during a car crash can cause a lot of damage. These joints sit right in front of the ear, so the direct impact is more common than you think. However, the TMJ can be affected if you suffer a blow to any of the other following regions as well:

  • The jawline
  • The head
  • The ear,
  • Or even your teeth

Apart from the obvious pain or soreness when moving your jaw, TMJ injuries can even present with more severe symptoms such as:

  • Pain that feels like a toothache
  • Ear pain
  • Headaches
  • Muscle spasms in the jaw region
  • Tongue pain
  • Dizziness or vertigo.

If you feel any pain in your jaw after a car accident, it’s vital to seek medical attention at once, especially if it’s coupled with other symptoms. A doctor may need to run a few different tests to see exactly what’s causing the jaw pain to provide proper medical treatment.

Can You Get Compensated?

If your jaw starts hurting after a car accident, seeking medical attention right away will also help you prove that the pain itself is a result of a car accident. This way, you can then file a car injury insurance claim and receive compensation for all the medical treatment resulting from your injuries, as well as any other pain and suffering.

Don’t assume these pains will go away with time, or by using home remedies. Damage to your jaw can affect your life in ways nobody expects. If you can’t move your jaw without feeling stabs in your TMJ, then things, like speaking or even properly eating a meal, become increasingly more difficult.

Speak to a Lawyer Now

Speak with a St. Louis car accident attorney before filing a claim, especially if you are dealing with less frequent injuries like TMJ damage. If you experience jaw pain after a collision, get in touch with a lawyer right away to see what your best legal options are.

FREE Consulation

Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

3 Things To Consider Before Accepting a Car Accident Settlement

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Before you accept the insurance companies’ settlement offer, there are three important things you should consider.

The aftermath of a car accident can take a toll on you emotionally and financially. A quick payout offered by the at-fault driver’s insurance company sounds like a dream. They are offering you some quick cash you can then use to get yourself back on your feet.

However, before you sign on the dotted line and accept their offer, there are three things you should consider:

insurance adjuster offering pen to sign settlement offer

1. How Much Your Case Is Worth

The insurance company knows how much your case is worth. After all, they have a lot of experience with this sort of thing. But do you?

A car accident settlement should account for:

  • Medical bills
  • Pain and suffering
  • Property damage
  • Mental health treatment
  • Future medical needs related to your current injuries/conditions
  • Costs you’ve added because of the accident (like car rental costs if yours cannot be used)

When you add all these costs, especially the future ones that have to be estimated, that can reach a big final amount, and there is simply no way an insurance company will offer that right in the beginning. Instead, they will usually present a lowball offer and urge you to accept it. And if you’re pressed for time, you may want to accept it, even if it’s nowhere near what you’re entitled to.

2. Those Parts the Insurance Adjuster Doesn’t Mention

The settlement document can have some clauses the insurance company won’t take the time to explain to you. One of the most damaging is a liability release.

This, if you sign it, generally means you waive your right to seek any future reimbursements or damages that may appear later in the game. So, for instance, if your medical condition worsens and you need more treatment than initially thought, you cannot go back to the insurance company and re-negotiate, even if technically you’d have this right. You should carefully read the settlement to have a full understanding of what you’re signing.

3. How Much They Insist You Should Accept the Offer

Again, the insurance company knows exactly what your case is worth. And sometimes, car accident claims can be worth a lot, which is bad news for the company. So they offer a lower settlement and try to convince you to sign it.

They may be very adamant that this is a generous offer, that they’re sympathetic to your situation, and that you should accept the offer fast. They may even threaten to pull the offer soon to give you an extra jolt. The thing is, if the insurance seems a bit desperate to get you to sign, it may be because your case is worth a lot, more than you ever thought.

Speak With an Experienced Attorney Before You Sign Anything

Don’t sign any settlement before you discuss it with an experienced attorney. Your case may be worth a lot more than the insurance company is claiming. Your attorney can review the details of you case and help you protect your right to the full amount of compensation you are entitled to.

FREE Consulation

Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

Are You Required to Have Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Missouri?

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Drivers in Missouri are required to carry different types of auto insurance policies, and some may wonder if all of them are really necessary.

In other words, what type of insurance do you actually need in Missouri?

missouri car insurance car accident

The Two Main Types of Auto Insurance

There are two auto insurance policies all Missouri drivers are required to carry. The first is the standard auto insurance, which protects you in case you get into a car accident. This will cover your own medical costs, as well as pay for any damages you’ve created if you are at-fault for the accident.

The other type of insurance is one some drivers may think is not as necessary as the first: the uninsured motorist insurance. This type of policy kicks in when you are in a car accident with another driver who does not have any auto insurance, as well as in a situation where the at-fault driver flees the scene (known as a hit and run offense).

Many believe that because auto insurance is mandatory in the state, then there is no real need for this type of insurance. Plus, the chances of becoming the victim of a hit and run are also rather low, right?

However, it’s not exactly true. For one thing, an estimated 14% of Missouri drivers do not have auto insurance at all, either because their policy expired, or they are driving without a valid driver’s license (you need proof of insurance to renew your license in the state). An AAA Foundation report found that 30 people have been killed during a hit and run in Missouri in 2016, and that’s not accounting for the number of cases where the accident resulted in injuries or property damage.

These Policies Are Non-Negotiable

The standard auto insurance and the uninsured motorist coverage are mandatory in the state, and failing to carry them can result in a fine or even a suspended license.

However, as you can see, even if they were not mandatory, it still would have been a good idea to carry both these protections, as you never know who you will encounter on a Missouri road.

There are, of course, other types of insurance policies that may increase your protection in the event of a car accident. For instance, uninsured motorist coverage does not cover property damage, so if you’re in an accident with an uninsured driver and need to pay for car repairs, this policy will not cover it. You may be able to cover these costs through your standard policy and an additional insurance policy to protect your vehicle.

Should You Speak With an Attorney?

If you were the victim of a car accident, you should talk with an experienced lawyer to see what your legal options are. Reach out to a St. Louis car injury attorney now for a case consultation.

FREE Consulation

Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242