Have you been hurt in a car accident in Richmond Heights, MO? If so, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. A Richmond Heights car accident lawyer can help you assert your legal rights and hold negligent parties responsible for their actions.
Since 2002, Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers has recovered more than $70 million for our clients. We know Richmond Heights and how to win personal injury cases in the area. When it comes to car accidents in Richmond Heights, we are confident that our lawyers are your best shot at recovering damages.
If you’d like to hear more about our law firm and approach to car accident cases, call us at (314) 207-4399 to set up a free consultation.
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How Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You Recover Compensation in a Richmond Heights Car Accident Case
It’s true that some people choose to handle a car accident insurance claim and legal case on their own. However, that’s not always the best choice. A car accident lawyer can help you stand up to shifty insurance agencies and defendants trying to blame you for the crash. This will maximize your damages and put you in the best position to move forward.
Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers has over 30 years of experience handling personal injury cases. Our lawyers are highly regarded locally and nationally. We have been named members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Top 100 Trial Lawyers in America, and admitted to the Hall of Fame by the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys. Perhaps our most cherished achievement is our perfect “10” Avvo rating from our satisfied clients.
When a client comes to us in a car accident case, we take an individualized approach.
Most often, our representation involves:
- Candid legal advice
- Investigating the cause of the car accident
- Finding out who is responsible
- Calculating your damages
- Requesting and reviewing medical records
- Filing insurance claims
- Negotiating with insurance companies
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit and going to trial, if necessary
Call us to learn more about how we can tailor a strategy to help you after a car accident in Richmond Heights, Missouri. We are ready to set up a free consultation to hear about your car accident and needs.
How Common Are Car Accidents in Richmond Heights?
According to the Richmond Heights Police Department, there were 770 reported car accidents in 2022. This was 51 more crashes than in 2021. Of course, this only includes accidents that were actually reported to the police department. Many car crashes go unreported, particularly when people don’t realize they are hurt until long after the crash.
Types of Car Accidents in Richmond Heights
Like other parts of Missouri, Richmond Heights experiences many different types of car accidents. We are familiar with the various ways that collisions happen. This helps us recover the most compensation for our clients because we understand the details.
Some of the most common types of car accidents include:
- Rear-end accidents
- DUI crashes
- Highway accidents
- T-bone or broad-side collisions
- Head-on crashes
- Speeding accidents
- Distracted driving crashes
- Intersection accidents
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Left-turn accidents
- Rollovers
Sometimes car accidents are caused by multiple different factors. This is particularly common in multi-vehicle crashes and pile-ups.
Our lawyers will investigate the cause of the car accident so that we understand exactly how it occurred. Then we will use that information to hold the responsible parties accountable. It gives us an upper hand during negotiations and while in court.
Common Injuries Sustained in Car Accidents
Car accidents can result in mild to severe injuries. Unfortunately, many accidents also result in fatalities, which lead to wrongful death lawsuits.
We help clients with all types of car accident injuries, including:
- Brain injuries
- Head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Nerve damage and paralysis
- Broken and fractured bones
- Severe burns and lacerations
- Amputation
- Crushing injuries
- Whiplash and neck injuries
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
Many of our clients are left with a complex set of catastrophic injuries. We make every effort to understand the nature of the injury and the required treatment. This process may include reviewing your medical records, speaking with doctors, and hiring experts. These steps help us accurately calculate damages and provide the best advocacy going forward.
What Is the Value of My Richmond Heights Car Accident Case?
The value of your Richmond Heights car accident case will depend on the nature of your injuries and the impact on your life and emotional well-being. There is no set amount of compensation.
It is important to understand the value of your case so that you know what is fair during negotiations. This will prevent you from accepting a lowball or inadequate offer.
Some of the factors that can influence the value of your case include:
- The type of injury and required treatment
- The permanency of your injury
- The impact of your injury on your ability to earn income
- Emotional trauma associated with the car crash
- The effect of your injury on your quality or enjoyment of life
One of our first steps is to listen to clients and understand the full impact of the injury and car crash on their life. This helps us to calculate your damages and assign a value to your case.
Types of Damages You Can Recover After a Car Accident in Richmond Heights, MO
There are three different types of damages available in a Richmond Heights, MO car accident case. These include economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages.
Economic damages are compensation for financial losses that happen or will happen because of a car accident.
This commonly includes:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Physical therapy
- Burial expenses (if a wrongful death occurs)
- Out-of-pocket expenses
However, economic damages can include any financial expense that you incurred as a result of the crash.
Non-economic damages are damages arising from non-pecuniary harm. This usually means pain and suffering and emotional harm.
In many car accident cases, we recover compensation for:
- Mental anguish
- Physical pain and suffering
- Physical impairment or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Inconvenience
This form of damages can be just as significant for a plaintiff as economic damages.
The last form of damages is punitive damages. Punitive damages are a special category of damages that are meant to punish the defendant and deter bad behavior. This is different from reimbursing or compensating a victim for actual losses and harm.
Punitive damages are only available if the defendant intentionally harmed you or acted with a deliberate or flagrant disregard for the safety of others.
Punitive damages in car accident cases may be available, for example, in certain DUI cases or road rage cases. These are distinguishable from cases where the defendant caused a crash because they forgot to check their rearview mirror before merging.
How Long Do I Have To File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Missouri?
Missouri has a longer statute of limitations than other states when it comes to filing a car accident lawsuit.
Most car accident victims have five years from the collision date to file (or three years from the date of death for a wrongful death claim). They will most likely file an insurance claim and negotiate with insurance. If they can’t reach a settlement, they will file a personal injury lawsuit.
This deadline is important because if you miss it, you will lose your chance to recover damages. If you try to file a lawsuit after the deadline, it will most likely be dismissed. It’s best to speak with a lawyer immediately after a car accident so that you can keep track of important deadlines.
How Much Does a Richmond Heights Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
Most Richmond Heights car accident attorneys charge a contingency fee. A contingency fee is an arrangement where a lawyer takes a set percentage of the settlement or court award as their payment for the case. This is in place of hourly bills or a pay-as-you-go type of agreement.
A contingency fee arrangement is great for clients because it means you don’t pay your lawyer unless they win your case. You never have to worry about having enough money to pay. Plus, lawyers work harder for clients when they are paid on a contingency fee basis because if they lose the case, they won’t get paid a dime for their time.
Call a Richmond Heights Car Accident Lawyer For a Free Consultation
If you’re ready to learn more about your legal options after a collision, call a Richmond Heights car accident lawyer at (314) 207-4399 for a free consultation. Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers is available to hear your story and provide honest legal advice. We will work with you to create a strategy that gets you the compensation you deserve.
There’s no reason you should juggle a legal case and recover from injuries at the same time. Let the lawyers do that work while you focus on healing.
