Car Accident Claims

Even if you were driving on a recently expired license, you generally have the right to pursue a claim from the party at fault for the car accident.

Driving on an expired license is illegal in Missouri. And this begs the question: Can you still get a settlement if you’re injured in a car crash and have an expired license? Does the state of Missouri allow the at-fault party or your insurer to assert an expired license defense to reduce the compensation amount? The answers may surprise you!

Can You Still Pursue and Collect Damages for Your Injuries?

Generally, Yes! Even if driving with an expired license is illegal, you still generally have the right to pursue a claim against the at-fault party’s liability coverage. 

Will showing the at-fault party or police your expired license hurt your claim?

No. Again, not having a driver’s license is completely separate from your injury case. An expired license is never a cause of an accident. It is the negligent actions that lead to an accident.

How Can You Pursue a Claim for Damages?

You need to be confident in your understanding of the compensation claim process and applicable laws to prove your claim has merit. But let’s face it; Missouri personal injury laws are complicated and can take you years to learn and understand. So what should you do?

The best way to avoid wasting time is to speak with an experienced car accident attorney. Car accident lawyers understand the laws and processes surrounding personal injury claims. They can help you evaluate your legal options, collect evidence, and file your claim as required by law. Your lawyer can also protect your rights if the negligent driver’s insurer tries to use your unlicensed status as a reason to dismiss or reduce your claim.

What if the At-Fault Driver Also Has an Expired License?

If the negligent driver had a valid license when they purchased their liability coverage, but it expired later, their insurer should generally take care of all the damages and injuries incurred. Your claim can only be affected if evidence proves the at-fault driver was unlicensed when they purchased their liability coverage. Having the support of a St. Louis injury lawyer will help you combat any evidence and defense tactics that insurance companies may use to hurt your chances of recovering compensation.

What if You’re Partially At-Fault?

In Missouri, partially involved parties can pursue a compensation claim as long as they can prove they were not 100% at fault. For instance, if you are found to be 10% at fault, the defendant’s insurance company will generally be required to pay 90% of the possible compensation.

What Types of Damages Can You Claim?

Your claim for damages depends on the losses you may have incurred in your car accident. However; you can generally recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Property damages
• Physical injuries
• Pain
• Permanent disability
• Emotional damages
• Death

Speak With an Experienced St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer 24/7

Were you injured in a car crash while driving with an expired license? Our team at The Hoffmann Law Firm is here for you and ready to help you get the compensation you are legally entitled to. Contact us 24/7 to discuss your rights and legal options.

How much money you get from a car accident settlement will depend on several factors, including property damage, medical expenses, injuries, and your ability to work.

If you have suffered injuries resulting from a car accident in St. Louis, Missouri, you may be entitled to a settlement. Missouri is not a no-fault state. This means that anyone involved in a car accident can file a claim for compensation against the at-fault driver under Missouri’s comparative fault system, based on a percentage of fault assigned to them.

It is not always easy to file a claim against someone. However, you only have five years to file a personal injury claim against another person in the state of Missouri. Hiring an experienced personal injury law firm in St. Louis can help you understand your rights and what compensation you might be eligible for. 

Determining Compensation Amount

How much money you get from a car accident settlement will depend on many factors. These factors include the severity of the damage to your personal possessions, your medical expenses, and the extent of your injuries. Your car accident lawyer will also consider how long you cannot work when deciding on how much to ask for. If you were off work for a significant amount of time due to injuries, your lawyer might be able to negotiate a bigger car accident settlement. 

Proving Car Accident Liability

Your lawyer will want to make sure that you have enough evidence to support your claim. This often means that your case will undergo thorough investigation and discovery to gather additional evidence. This might include gathering witness testimony, surveillance footage, medical records, and pictures from the accident scene.

Proving accident liability on the other driver’s part is also extremely important to receiving compensation for your injuries. An injury can be proven by way of medical records, police reports, photos, and testimony. The more evidence you have about the injuries, the better chance that your settlement will be high enough to pay for all of your medical bills and other expenses.

Getting a Fair Settlement

If you have suffered serious injuries after a car accident, you deserve to be compensated for your pain and suffering. Because most car accident cases are settled out of court, it can be difficult to receive a fair settlement representing the maximum offer you could receive. For this reason, it is critical to choose a St. Louis car accident lawyer who has experience handling cases similar to yours. The attorney will be able to use that experience to benefit your case.

It can be easier to receive a bigger settlement if you have an attorney on your team in many cases. An experienced personal injury lawyer will know when to ask for a settlement and when to avoid them. You won’t have to worry about wasting time and money going to court over your accident if a court trial will not likely yield better results. An experienced lawyer will save you time and money because they know the ins and outs of the car accident settlement process.

Car accidents are on the rise in St. Louis. In 2020, fatal car accidents were up 11% from the prior year. If you have been involved in a car accident in St. Louis, it is a good idea to consult with a car accident attorney about your case. This way, you will have a good understanding of what options are available to you. If you’ve been involved in an accident, contact The Hoffman Law Firm 24/7 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney today.

If you’ve been involved in a car accident, the last thing you want is the insurance company dragging out your case. Unfortunately, this is very common.

Car accidents are not easy on victims, and many suffer from the event for a long time. If you or a loved one are in this situation, the last thing you want is to have the insurance company you filed a claim with drag the case and not respond promptly to your inquiries and requests. 

However, this scenario is, unfortunately, quite common. Many insurance companies drag out cases hoping that the victim will miss a deadline or give up on the claim to avoid such a hassle. If you have filed a car accident claim and the insurance company is dragging its feet, it’s time to do something about it. 

Why Would the Insurance Company Drag Out the Case?

It’s an easy answer for people with experience in the legal realm. Still, most people may not consider that insurance companies are for-profit businesses and will put their bottom-line above the claimant’s best interest. 

By dragging out the case and not responding with as much urgency as you had when filing your claim, insurance companies often manage to discourage you from pursuing the claim further. Meanwhile, your medical bills, transportation costs, and other expenses are accumulating, you may be unable to work, and it’s normal to be under stress.

This is how insurance companies convince claimants to accept their first settlement offer, which is almost always well under what they are entitled to get. 

How To Deal With the Insurance Company After a Car Accident

For the reasons we have mentioned, it is highly recommended that you speak with an experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer as soon as possible after a car accident.

Don’t worry about the cost of hiring a lawyer: at The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C., we work for a contingency fee, which means that we only get paid if and when we get you compensation.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana can significantly impair motor coordination, reaction time, and overall judgment.

Across the United States, states have been decriminalizing and legalizing the recreational use of marijuana. In total, 15 states and the District of Columbia have approved laws supporting marijuana legalization for adults. Another 36 states also have approved the drug for medical use.

In Missouri, medical-use marijuana is legal for those with qualifying conditions. Patients and caregivers who qualify must register with the state Department of Health and Senior Services. While that makes it safe for cardholders to purchase and possess marijuana, there are still limitations to how and when it can be consumed. 

Marijuana’s Impact on Driving

While this legislation will mean new regulations, one area under scrutiny is how new laws will impact car accident rates related to driving under the influence of marijuana. While driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is still illegal, there is still a major concern about its threat to road safety. 

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana can significantly impair motor coordination, reaction time, and overall judgment. It reported that the risk of being in a car accident doubles when an operator is under the influence of marijuana, regardless of the driver’s age, ethnicity, or gender. 

Problems With Gathering Evidence After an Accident Involving Marijuana

When an accident happens, it can be more difficult to show significant proof that an individual was impaired due to marijuana use. Typical sobriety tests are only effective on 30 percent of stoned or impaired drivers. A drug test can be considered inaccurate, as THC can remain in the bloodstream and urine for days after consumption and upwards of one month.

Additionally, test results are not immediate and may be taken a while after the driver exhibits any impaired behaviors or symptoms.  While law enforcement officers are trying to find a method to help detect impairment, it will take time for a sufficient testing practice to emerge. 

What To Do After a St. Louis Accident Involving Marijuana

If you were injured in an accident with a driver under the influence of marijuana, you might be entitled to compensation. In Missouri, the law determines who is at fault or responsible during a car accident. This could include speeding, texting, failing to obey signs or traffic lights, and many more reasons. Impaired drivers — those under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or illegal substances — are among the largest contributors to overall car accident statistics and fatalities in Missouri. 

Whether you seek legal representation to pursue the responsible party or protest a legitimate ruling, we can help you. Marijuana-specific cases can be complicated. You will greatly benefit from the assistance of a St. Louis marijuana car accident lawyer who can help protect your legal right to compensation.

Understanding what information to collect if you are involved in a St. Louis car accident is vital in order to protect your rights.

There are many things cities want to achieve. However, being seen as one of the country’s most dangerous cities isn’t on anyone’s list. Unfortunately, St. Louis has been considered the 2nd-most accident-prone city in the US for years at this point. 

As a St. Louis resident, no matter how careful you are on the road, there’s a chance you’ll get into an accident. If that happens, you need to know what to do if you want to be fully compensated for your trouble and injury. 

Why You Need to Collect the Facts of Your Accident

Following an accident, the first thing you need to do is collect as much information as you can. Getting the names, addresses, and phone numbers of all people involved can help your insurance claim a lot. 

Although writing down a license plate can help, you should also try to get the other driver’s insurance company and vehicle ID number, if this is possible and it is safe to do so. Due to the stress of being in an accident, many people forget to collect information, making their case a lot harder. 

What Car Accident Information You Need to Collect

If you ever find yourself in a car accident, knowing what information to collect would come in handy. That’s why we’ve come up with a checklist of the important information you need to record.

Driver’s Personal Information

First, you need to collect the name and address of the other driver for your insurance company. You should also collect their phone number and possibly an email address. 

Driver’s Insurance Information

When it comes to insurance information, it’s important to collect the basic information from the insurance car’s proof. That includes the name of their insurance company and their unique policy number. 

Car Information

You need to take note of the other vehicle, write down the brand, model, and year. Then, take note of the registration information and license plate number. You should also consider taking a couple of photos for your own record if the other driver agrees. 

How Can a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer Help You

If you were injured in a car accident, one of the best ways to get compensated for your injuries and property damage is by working with a skilled St. Louis car accident lawyer on your claim. A good lawyer will help you document your injuries and seek the treatment you need. 

Being in an accident is never easy. An experienced lawyer at The Hoffmann Law Firm, who’s handled many similar cases, can evaluate your situation and take the necessary steps to help protect your legal rights after an accident.

Many people do not realize that a social media post can harm their St. Louis car accident injury claim.

It’s usually a good rule of thumb to be very cautious when using social media. This rule applies even more so when you have recently been in a car accident. Although many people don’t consider it, a seemingly innocent social media post can harm your St. Louis car accident injury claim.

Before you go and post to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok, let’s first examine how social media posts could hurt your future St. Louis car accident settlement.

Insurance Adjusters Are Watching

Insurance adjusters are usually quite skilled at what they do, and they have come up with plenty of clever tricks for saving their employers money. Insurance adjusters might attempt to view your social media pages to argue against your claim.  

For example, let’s say you are claiming that you badly hurt your leg in your recent car accident. If an insurance adjuster goes to your Instagram page and sees pictures of you hiking a week after the accident, they could deny your personal injury claim arguing that if you are well enough to go hiking, your leg must be fine.

Overusing Social Media Can Be Dangerous 

We all know that social media is often used to project an image to the public that is not often the truth. Someone can appear to be living an incredible life on social media, but in reality, be hurting on the inside. This is why you must be extra careful to post on social media if you seek damages for psychological injuries suffered from a car accident.

Opposing attorneys might argue that you are not really psychologically traumatized by your St. Louis car accident based on your excessive or overly positive social media posts. This is not to suggest that you need to post about how traumatized you are all of the time, but it is best to exert caution before posting anything. 

Public Record

Never forget that anything you say on social media becomes a matter of public record, whether your account is private or not. Generally, anything you say or post on social media about your St. Louis car accident could effectively be used against you in a court of law. 

Avoid speaking about your car accident on social media in any capacity. Take particular care never to admit any guilt. 

What You Can Do

The first thing you can do is to make sure that all of your social media accounts are set to private. Although this will not completely protect you, it will make it harder for adjusters and attorneys to find your posts. You should also avoid accepting new followers who you do not personally know. 

It would help if you also got in touch with an experienced attorney who can advise you and help protect your legal rights after a car accident. Our experienced legal team is here to help. If you have been involved in a St. Louis auto accident, give us a call 24/7 for a free case evaluation.