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What If I Can’t Afford a Lawyer for My Car Accident Case?

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Car accidents often leave victims with personal injuries, property damage, lost wages, and other problems that are not only stressful but also put a financial strain on them. Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident usually means negotiating with insurance companies, giving statements to the police, being seen by doctors, and so on.

In this context, it’s easy to see how things can get overwhelming, especially for those who have never dealt with legal or serious medical issues before. Hiring a lawyer is certainly a great idea. However, you may be wondering: who can really afford it?

man speaking to st. louis car accident lawyer

What Is a Contingency Fee?

Most people are familiar with the fact that a lawyer is paid on an hourly basis and that the costs of legal help can be quite high. With this belief in mind, it’s understandable that so many people hesitate to hire a lawyer, even if they really need one. 

Fortunately, in personal injury cases, the fees are established differently. Most lawyers who specialize in these types of cases will work on a contingency fee. 

Essentially what this means is that in instead of taking a fixed fee or demanding an hourly fee, regardless of the outcome of your case, personal injury lawyers agree to receive their fee only if they get you a settlement or if they win the case in court. This protects car accident victims from being left with medical and legal expenses on top of a losing case. It also provides a guarantee that your lawyer will do their best to get you the biggest amount possible.

The Contingency Percentage

When you are browsing for a St. Louis car accident lawyer, you are obviously looking for the best one out there. Naturally, there are expensive lawyers and more affordable ones. Contingency fees are defined as a percentage of the final settlement you will get. 

You can expect a contingency percentage ranging between 20 and 40 percent, with 33% being a common choice. This percentage can vary with the complexity of the case, and it may go higher if the case goes to court.

Other Payment Details You Should Know About

Besides establishing the contingency fee, you should discuss payment details with your lawyer during your first consultation (which is usually free). Be clear about when the fee will be paid, who pays for the legal taxes (which are separate from your lawyer’s fee), and if there is any arrangement possible regarding medical fees that you can’t afford. 

Yes, You Can Actually Afford a Lawyer 

As you can see, hiring a St. Louis auto accident attorney is significantly less risky due to the contingency fee system. If your personal injury lawyer demands a fixed fee, it’s likely a sign that they are not confident in winning the case. 

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Are Dashcam Videos Admissable in St. Louis Auto Accident Claims?

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Dashboard cameras, or dashcams, are increasing in popularity as a security measure for Missouri drivers. They are no longer present just in law enforcement vehicles, but regular people often purchase these pieces of equipment and install them in their own cars.

You may be wondering: in the event of a St. Louis car accident, is that footage admissible?

dashcam after car accident

Are Dash Cams Legal in Missouri?

The short answer is yes. Currently, there are no legal restrictions for dash camera usage in the state of Missouri. Many other states, however, do impose certain restrictions on dash cameras. So, if your accident takes place out of state and the matter needs to be resolved elsewhere, restrictions will likely apply to your car accident claim.

Dash cameras record and store videos, and are designed to operate independently. The driver does not need to perform any action while driving to activate it. Some more expensive equipment can have different types of features, such as parking mode where they continue to record video footage even when the vehicle stops.

Are These Videos Admissible?

According to Missouri courts, you can admit video footage of an accident into evidence. Most of the time, these cases go through one of the drivers’ insurance companies, who may or may not have dashcam policies. However, even if the company is reluctant to accepting dashcam videos or denies introducing them into evidence, your St. Louis car accident lawyer could argue it’s relevance and take the matters in front of a judge.

However, that doesn’t mean all dash camera footage is valuable or can help a case. For instance, if the video footage is of low quality (grainy, blurry, etc.) then it may not effectively show what happened at the scene.

This is often an issue particularly if the accident takes place at night. Most people purchase more affordable cameras that have a difficult time recording when there is little light, so it’s possible for the footage not to reveal anything important.

Speak With an Attorney

In the event of a car accident where you get injured, you may be entitled to compensation. Please contact an experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer before you file a claim with the other driver’s insurance company. These cases require a lot of evidence that proves your side of the story, and an attorney can help you acquire it. 

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Is It Ever a Bad Idea to Speak With an Attorney After an Auto Accident?

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Hiring a lawyer seems like an expensive and complicated business. A lot of people are worried that they can’t afford a lawyer’s fee while others are simply wondering if they actually need a lawyer. 

When it comes to car accident victims, in most cases the injured person has to deal with their own insurance company, with the other driver’s insurance company or with a different plan, like health insurance or workers’ compensation. Some individuals trust that insurance companies are well-intentioned enough to cover all the needed expenses of a car crash victim.

calling an attorney after car accident

Well, it’s good to know what real-life cases teach us when it comes to car accident claims. 

Insurance Companies Use Tactics to Reduce a Settlement

It might sound cynical to some, but insurance companies are for-profit companies and their interest is to spend as little as possible on insurance claims. They hire insurance adjusters and teams of lawyers who aim for the same goal: minimizing the company’s costs. They are directly motivated to do so through incentives and commissions.

On the other hand, some car accident victims look for quick money and they try to exaggerate their injuries. You might have even heard of people who have succeeded in such a scheme. Remember, insurance fraud is a crime in all states. Do not exaggerate your injuries.

You Might Not Be Aware of the Extent of Your Damage

Experienced St. Louis car accident lawyers have seen enough cases to know that one should be aware of possible future expenses. This is why you should only sign a release paper if your doctor doesn’t foresee any future complications or further treatment. 

Your attorney is aware of legal limitations, possible medical expenses, and other factors that can influence your settlement. Relying on their expertise instead of trying to navigate through a complicated legal system while you are still recovering from car accident injuries is not very effective. 

Why It’s Usually Best to Work with a Lawyer 

In conclusion, speaking a car accident attorney is never a bad idea. Most experienced car accident attorneys offer a free consultation and can help you understand what you may be entitled to. That way, you can focus on your recovery while they negotiate with the insurance company and make sure you get the compensation you need to recover and move forward.

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Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

How Can a Traumatic Brain Injury Affect Your Life After an Auto Accident?

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A traumatic brain injury (TBI) following a car accident can change your life profoundly and forever. While rehabilitation is possible, many TBI victims will have to face new challenges that will affect the way they live their life.

Because the impact of a traumatic brain injury can be so severe, a personal injury claim must account for all the ways the condition will alter a person’s life. A team of doctors will be able to assess the effects of a TBI on a patient and an experienced St. Louis auto accident attorney can help a victim receive proper compensation. 

brain injury in auto accident

The Effects of Traumatic Brain Injuries

The effects of a TBI can be long-lasting or even permanent. Depending on the severity of the injury, TBI can cause permanent physical or even mental disability. Even the patients who appear to recover from the injury may still face some challenges and experience life-long symptoms.

As a result, tasks that were once routine, such as putting on clothes, brushing one’s teeth or driving to work may become a challenge or even impossible to perform. 

A TBI can also affect a patient’s personal life and lead to several cognitive impairments. For example, a TBI victim may have a difficult time remembering family members’ names or placing an order at a restaurant. 

A traumatic brain injury can affect a person on different levels – physical, cognitive, behavioral, sensorial, and so on.

Here are some of the effects TBI victims can experience: 

Physical Effects

Cognitive Effects

  • Difficulty focusing
  • Memory problems
  • Slurred speech
  • Difficulty processing information
  • Confusion
  • Repetitive gestures or usage of words
  • Difficulty with language processing
  • Problems with planning or abstract thinking

Behavioral Effects

  • Fluctuating emotions
  • Aggression
  • Depression
  • Lack of awareness
  • Lack of motivation
  • Irritability
  • Impulsivity

Sensory Effects

  • Loss of smell
  • Bad taste in the mouth
  • Decreased or loss of hearing
  • Partial or total loss of vision
  • Blurred vision
  • Difficulty judging distance
  • Difficulty perceiving temperature.

Why Speak With an Auto Accident Lawyer?

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a car accident, then you need someone by your side who will protect your rights and fight for fair compensation. 

A traumatic brain injury can affect all aspects of your life and proper compensation should account for all the damage. We’re talking here about medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. 

An experienced auto accident lawyer who worked on TBI cases before will know what to expect from such a diagnosis and how to negotiate with the insurance company to get you the full amount of compensation you are entitled to. 

A TBI requires complex investigations to assess the full extent of the damage. Recovery is often long, painful, and costly. And, the impact of such an injury can have on a person’s life is often devastating. Reach out to an experienced lawyer to get justice.

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Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

St. Louis Car Accident in a Work Zone

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Work zones can increase the risk of a car accident, even though they are typically marked by signs warning oncoming cars of what’s ahead.

Work zones are those areas under constructions that cannot typically be fully isolated, such as those you can find on highways. Circulation cannot be stopped completely so the construction firm will take other measures to ensure safety.

But if an accident occurs, who’s liable?

st. louis work zone

What Causes Work Zone Accidents?

Many work zone collisions are the result of driver negligence, specifically not being careful while crossing near a work zone, which puts everyone else present at risk, from the driver to the workers, and other vehicles.

Here are some examples of when a driver is liable for these accidents:

  • Speeding
  • Ignoring construction signs and signals
  • Distracted driving
  • Inadequate merging
  • Road rage, which causes the driver to act erratically

However, some work zone accidents may be caused by the construction company or its employees. Here are some examples of when this could be the case:

  • Using inadequate signs, or creating confusion among drivers
  • Using equipment which generates excessive lights, that could momentarily create vision-impairments
  • Creating road debris, and not removing it from the road promptly
  • Failing to provide a detour when needed, etc.

How to Prove Liability

If you are in a car accident that occurred in a work zone, one of the first steps to getting compensated is to answer the question: who is responsible?

Note that in Missouri you can have more than one party at-fault for a collision. Even you, the victim, could share part of the blame. You may think a driver caused a work zone accident because they are slightly speeding. Upon investigating, it is found that the accident was made worse because of road debris left on the road, which led to the speeding driver losing control of the car. In this case, both parties may be liable to pay you damages.

At the same time, you can also be found partly negligent because you are on your phone at the time of the accident. Your liability is calculated at 20%, which means you will only collect 80% of your total damages.

Proving liability involves building a case that shows who is responsible for the collision, and should, therefore, cover your damages. To do it, you will need sufficient evidence from the accident that can paint an accurate picture of events to convince the insurance company to award you a fair settlement.

Speak With a St. Louis Car Accident Attorney

When you’re going up against multiple liable parties, or a company with legal representation, it is very important to have experienced legal representation on your side as well. Reach out to a St. Louis car injury lawyer now for further assistance in your work zone collision case.

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Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

What If I Am Unable to Return to Work After a Car Accident injury?

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A car accident can leave victims with limited mobility, lost functions in their bodies, or dealing with chronic pain and other impairing conditions. Reaching MMI (Maximum Medical Improvement) and returning to your old job can take a long time. A lot of victims are surprised to find out that they don’t fit their old job anymore.

car accident victim with a spinal cord injury

It’s possible that your health condition after the accident just doesn’t allow you to simply return to work after healing your injuries. In this case, you can go through vocational rehab, which helps you readapt and go back to work. You can either return to your old job or go through a professional reconversion altogether.

When Should You Return to Work After a Car Accident?

In general, the sooner, the better. Recovering from car accident injuries is no vacation. Besides the physical challenges, you will deal with mental problems that can go worse the more time you spend off work. 

In some cases, the victim doesn’t have to wait to reach the MMI to get back to work. Depending on the doctor’s recommendation, you might be able to work again in certain circumstances, even as you recover. Going back to your daily routine and being active will speed up your recovery. 

Not to mention, if you don’t get back to work once your doctor says it’s ok, you might lose your benefits. Check your medical record after each evaluation, since some doctors may give you the OK in writing and not mention it verbally. Once you are given the green light for returning to work, you must notify your employer immediately. 

At the same time, once you are back to work, don’t push yourself over the limits that were recommended by your doctor. If your condition worsens, the insurance company will likely put it on your personal decision to work more than recommended.

Vocational Rehab (VR)

If the car accident caused any type of impairment or disability, vocational rehabilitation will help you adapt professionally. 

You will be assessed by a specialist and together you will identify points that need to be addressed. They will evaluate your aptitudes and determine if you will need special conditions or assistance at work. Your career counselor will help you make a list of possible careers you can pursue, and help you look for available jobs.

Speak With a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer

A car accident can have serious consequences that can affect all aspects of your life, not just your health. 

If you want to have a smooth way back to work and receive all the benefits you are entitled to, hiring an experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer is the best decision. They are aware of the benefits you can receive and are able to negotiate with the insurance company to get you the best outcome while you focus on your recovery. 

FREE Consulation

Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242