Injured in a Car Accident

Proving you did not cause a staged car accident can be an uphill task. However, there are things you can do to prove the other driver’s negligence caused the collision.

Car accidents are a daily occurrence on major highways and roads in the U.S. In fact, it’s estimated that 18,510 car crashes happen every day in the U.S. alone.

Due to the large number of car crashes, property-casualty insurances pay billions of dollars in accident claims. However, some individuals with bad intentions are deliberately staging auto collisions and submitting insurance claims for fake injuries and auto damages. At the same time, they are putting innocent drivers at risk and making them unsuspecting participants in a fraud scheme. Let’s discuss staged car accidents and what you can do if you are involved in one.

Staged Car Crash Explained

A staged car crash happens when a fraudulent driver intentionally sets up a car crash and makes it appear as another unsuspecting driver caused it. As a result, everything about the accident, such as the witnesses, injuries, and the vehicle damage, is fake. The goal of the dishonest driver is to blame you for the collision and file a fraudulent insurance claim against you or your insurer. Here are different types of staged accidents you should be on the lookout for:

1. T- Bone Accident

This occurs when a fraudulent driver waits for you to pull out of an intersection and then intentionally drives into the side of your car, causing a T-bone collision. You may not know that the driver may have fake eyewitnesses who may claim you were driving aggressively, or you ran a stop sign or a red light.

2. Wave In Accidents

This happens when a driver waves you to merge into a lane. Unsuspectingly, you’ll proceed thinking they have yielded the right of the way, only for them to accelerate and cause an accident. Then, when questioned about the accident, they will claim you made a dangerous lane change and injured them.

3. Swoop and Stop Accidents

In most cases, the rear driver is at fault in a rear-end collision. However, the fraudulent driver may take advantage of this by getting in front of you and deliberately slamming on their brakes to cause a rear-end collision.

4. Start and Stop Collisions

This usually happens on congested roads. The dishonest driver in front of you will accelerate and lure you into doing the same and then abruptly slam on their brake, causing a rear-end collision.

How Do You Prove the Other Driver Is Trying to Scam You?

Proving you did not cause a staged car accident can be an uphill task. However, there are things you can do to prove the other driver’s negligence caused the collision. First, you need to inform the police and identify any camera that might have recorded the crash as it happened. Second, collect information from any eyewitnesses who saw the accident happen and can testify it was staged. Most importantly, speak with an experienced St Louis car accident attorney to help you hold the fraudsters liable.

Speak With a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer

If you have been involved in a staged car accident, contact The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. 24/7. We’ve been helping accident victims for over 20 years and can help you understand your legal rights after a car accident. Contact us today for a free case review.

The aftermath of any car accident can certainly be stressful and confusing. Accidents involving a rental car can significantly add to that stress and confusion.

Accidents involving rental cars can be much more complex because it’s hard to establish who was at fault and who will pay for any injuries or property damages.

If you’re ever on the receiving end of an accident involving a rental, it’s only natural to wonder what to do next. Remember, you not only have to deal with the other driver, but you also have to settle matters with the rental company.

Step 1: Collect Contact and Insurance Information

Note that although you had a car crash with a rental, your accident will still be treated like any other car accident in Missouri. So the first thing you should do is collect contact and insurance information. Because you’re dealing with a rental car, you’ll also have to get information about the car rental company.

Make sure that you get the driver’s insurance information, but if they don’t have it at hand, their name and contact info will suffice for now. The driver should also provide their rental insurance paperwork.

Step 2: Contact a Law Enforcement Officer

After collecting information, your next step should be to contact the authorities. The responding officer should arrive at the scene in good time to control the situation. The officer will document the accident in a police report.

Step 3: Assess the Rental Agreement Between the Driver and the Rental Company

You need to establish what kind of agreement the driver had with the rental company. It’s worth noting that no law requires rental companies to have rental insurance. As such, most rental companies provide the minimum liability insurance coverage required by the state as part of their agreement.

If the driver in the rental car had comprehensive insurance coverage, then their insurance policy is likely to cover any damages or injuries on your part. However, if the driver is underinsured, you can generally file a claim against the rental company.

Step 4: Call the Car Rental Company

Contact the car rental company and inform them of the accident. Avoid apologizing or saying anything that may be considered as admitting fault. Doing so may ruin your chances of getting fair compensation.

Step 4: Call a Reputable Personal Injury Lawyer

Next,  it is highly recommended that you speak with an experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer to initiate your injury claim process. Navigating the complex field of insurance law can be difficult on your own. An experienced attorney can guide you through the process and help you combat the tactics insurance companies use to minimize or deny your claim.

St. Louis Car Accident Lawyers

Have you been injured in an accident involving a rental car? Contact The Hoffman Law Firm today to ensure your legal rights are protected.

Dental injuries resulting from a car accident can be very costly to treat, and their impact may be felt for years.

When you think of car accident injuries, dental injuries probably aren’t the first thing that pops into your mind. However, dental injuries rank among the most common injuries that one can suffer after a car crash. These injuries can be incredibly costly to treat, and their impact can be felt for years.

Common Dental Injuries: Direct and Indirect Injuries

Dental injuries can be categorized into two types: direct and indirect injuries. For example, if you were speeding and an object hits your mouth during the accident, you might suffer a direct dental injury. On the other hand, if your mouth was open, and the impact of the accident caused it to close, your lower teeth may be knocked by your upper teeth, causing an indirect dental injury. 

Common Types of Dental Injuries

Here are common dental injuries you might suffer after an auto collision.

• Fractured teeth: This is one of the most common dental injuries. It can take the form of fractured teeth’ enamel, pulp, or dentin. This injury often results in sensitivity or tenderness to the fractured part.
• Tooth luxation: Were you in an accident, and now your tooth is displaced in a manner that, when touched, moves in all directions? You could have suffered tooth luxation. This occurs when the ligaments that hold your tooth in place are disrupted. Immediate dental care will help place your tooth back to its initial position and fix other hidden injuries.
• Avulsed tooth: This occurs when your tooth is knocked out of its socket. You need to seek dental care immediately to re-implant the affected tooth before it dies.

Dental injuries can be mild or severe. The severity of a dental injury typically depends on the amount of force present during an accident. 

How to Get Compensation for Dental Injury After a Car Accident

The insurance company will not compensate you for your dental injuries unless you provide concrete proof of the injuries. One of the best ways to do this is through an x-ray. An X-ray will go a long way in showing the extent of the injury and treatment required. Also, ensure you safely keep all the dental care records, including surgery and implant documents.

Some of the damages you may be entitled to in your dental injury case include medical bills and lost wages. You could also get compensation for pain and suffering if your dental injury alters your look or eating habits. 

If you have been injured in a car accident it is highly recommended that you speak with an experienced attorney. They can help you gather relevant evidence, interpret the laws for you, protect your rights and interests and negotiate with the insurer on your behalf.

St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer

Any injury suffered after an auto crash can have a lasting impact on the victim’s health, finances, and life. If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence, you are generally entitled to compensation for your losses. Our St. Louis car accident attorneys are committed to protecting the rights of injury victims in and around St. Louis, Missouri. Give us a call 24/7 for a FREE case evaluation.