Missouri & Illinois Auto Accident Attorneys
If you have been injured or a family member has been killed in a car wreck, you may be able to file a claim for compensation. At Keane Law LLC, we provide dedicated representation for our auto accident clients. Our experienced attorneys and support staff have a proven track record of success in obtaining the best results possible for our clients in Missouri and Illinois. We combine an aggressive approach negotiating with insurance companies and a personal, responsive approach to our dealings with our clients. Whether you have suffered as a result of an automobile accident, truck accident, motorcycle accident, or another motor vehicle accident, Keane Law LLC can maximize your recovery with a personal touch.
Common Auto Accident Injuries
Distracted driving, traveling over the speed limit, drugs and alcohol, and poor road conditions can lead to serious injuries in an auto collision. If you or a loved one was involved in a car accident due to the negligent actions of another driver, it’s likely one or a combination of the following injuries were sustained:
- Lacerations and cuts: Whether they result from the impact of your vehicle colliding with the other or being struck by loose objects within your car, lacerations and cuts can be painful and pose a risk for infections and other complications.
- Whiplash: In a car accident, your body moves quite suddenly. The trauma can strain muscles, ligaments, and other soft tendons without breaking bones, which can be extremely painful and take a lengthy period of time to heal.
- Head injuries: Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and other head injuries can cause immediate concern and long-term complications. As head injuries are difficult to diagnose, it’s imperative to seek medical treatment right away.
- Knee trauma: The sudden impact of a crash can cause your knee to strike the dashboard or other surrounding areas of your vehicle’s interior, creating pain in both the ligaments and kneecap. You could require a brace, crutches, stitches, or surgery to correct the damage, which prevents you from performing your daily activities.
- Broken ribs: Since the rib bones are so fragile, even the slightest impact can cause them to break. The injury is often painful and requires significant rest.
- Other broken bones: Car accidents put unnatural amounts of force on your body, and vehicle safety features can only do so much to protect you from the impact. Therefore, broken limbs such as arms, hips, and shoulders are common.
- Internal bleeding: The amount of force your body endures in an auto accident can cause internal damage, as well. It’s crucial to receive medical examination right away, as the injury can be fatal if not promptly treated.
- Herniated disc: When one or more vertebrae in your spine rupture or shift as a result of the collision, it’s likely that you have a herniated disc. The injury is painful and may require a brace, surgery, and lengthy rest to heal.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Not all car accident injuries are physical. It’s normal to suffer from mental and emotional injuries. Some routine daily activities, such as driving, can become overwhelming and worrisome after an accident occurs.
- Other psychological pain: Flashbacks of the accident and mental distress can greatly affect your daily lifestyle and may require expert psychological assistance.
Car Accident Laws
Certain car accident laws in Missouri and Illinois exist regarding the determination of which driver is at fault, statutes of limitations, and who receives compensation for damages incurred.
Missouri Car Accident Laws
Missouri is a “pure comparative fault” state, which allows financial recovery when the claimant (often, the person injured) was partly at fault for the auto accident. The amount of damages recovered in a claim is reduced by the same percentage as your level of fault in causing the crash.
For example, suppose the jury decides that your damages total $100,000 but determines you were 20% at fault. In this situation, you would receive 20% less of the total or $80,000.
Additionally, Missouri law has a statute of limitations on claims, whereby anyone injured in an auto accident has a strict time limit to file a claim. Those injured, whether they were a passenger, driver, motorcyclist, bicyclist, pedestrian, or involved in another way, must file within five years of the accident date. If the accident resulted in a loved one’s death, a family member or qualified representative must file a wrongful death lawsuit within three years of their passing, which can differ from the day of the accident.
Illinois Car Accident Laws
The car accident laws in Illinois differ from those in Missouri. Illinois is a “modified comparative fault” state, meaning that financial recovery is only given when the claimant is deemed 50% or less responsible for the accident. In most Illinois car accident cases, the jury is asked to calculate two items based on evidence: the amount of the plaintiff’s damages and the percentage of each party’s fault.
Under the Illinois modified comparative fault rule, the plaintiff’s reward is reduced by the percentage equal to their share of fault. However, if their share of fault is deemed greater than 50%, they are unable to claim any compensation. For instance, suppose the jury decides that your damages total $100,000 but also conclude that you are 40% responsible for the accident. In this situation, you would only receive $60,000.
In most cases, the statute of limitations affecting car accidents in Illinois is the same as the law that encompasses all personal injury cases. Whether you are the driver, passenger, or other participant, you have two years to file your claim. In situations where a person was killed in a car accident, the family member or representative has two years from the victim’s death to file.
Do You Need an Attorney for Your Auto Case?
You are hit by a car and suffer an injury. Do you need a car accident attorney? Your friends may tell you that you should simply negotiate with the insurance company on your own, because the lawyer will earn a percentage on your recovery. And they may be right. The attorneys at Keane Law LLC will not take your case unless we believe that you will be better off hiring us than doing it alone.
The fact is that the insurance company wants to pay you as little as possible. The adjusters receive bonuses and promotions based on how little they pay out. They may seem nice on the phone but their goal is to lowball you. The auto accident lawyers at Keane Law LLC know this because we used to work for them.
Dealing with an insurance company after an auto accident is tricky. Did the adjuster tell you that you were receiving the maximum amount of coverage (policy limits)? There may be other insurance money available—underinsured, uninsured, motorcycle insurance, homeowners’ insurance, umbrella insurance, etc. These coverages might add to the total pot of money (they may be stackable). Sometimes the adjusters don’t even know about the possibility of other coverages that can increase your payout. Keane Law LLC is experienced in insurance law, both on the plaintiff and defense side, and we can navigate this system for you.
An attorney will also be beneficial to you for medical reasons. No, we won’t treat your injuries—but we know how to get you the treatment you need, even if your insurance situation is messy. You also may have difficult-to-diagnose injuries; for example, chronic neck and back pain can persist for years, but not appear on the scans. Our attorneys can schedule consultations with top physicians who can help diagnose these diseases and injuries, allowing you to receive compensation from the person who caused them—the other driver.
Types of Compensation Available
As with any personal injury case, certain damages result from auto accidents that can be compensated. Available damages depend upon the severity of your injuries, amount of medical bills, permanency, and more.
In order to receive compensation for the pain and suffering you have endured, you need to prove the other driver was at fault, whether they were distracted, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or refusing to follow traffic laws. Additionally, you must prove that your injuries are a result from the accident. That’s where the assistance of an experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer is necessary – at Keane Law, we know the most effective strategies to prove your case and receive compensation.
Various types of compensation are available in car accident cases. They include:
- Medical expenses: When you are injured in an auto accident, medical bills and physical therapy bills begin to accumulate at a rapid pace. You may receive compensation for these costs, whether they be past, present or future.
- Pain and suffering: Following an auto accident injury, pain and suffering can limit your functionality. Compensation is available for everything you were forced to endure and will continuously experience.
- Lost wages: Any injury from a car accident will require some form of medical treatment, which forces you to miss time from work. The lost earnings can be computed as a sum and thus comprise a fraction of the total compensation.
- Loss of earning capacity: If your sustained injuries prevent you from being able to work your same job or keep you from working at all, you can claim compensation for your future pay.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Whether the inconvenience pertains to a loss of enjoyment of life or use of a body part stemming from accident injuries, damages are available to recover.
How We Can Help
At Keane Law, we have the experience and knowledge necessary to hold negligent drivers and their insurance companies accountable. Our goal is to assist injured victims recover the damages they deserve so they may resume their lives. We will guide you through every step of the process, so you are never left wondering where your case stands.
Our full-service legal representation and advice are geared toward ensuring client satisfaction. We view success in terms of client success, so we will do everything in our power to ensure you receive the compensation you so greatly deserve.
Contact the St. Louis Auto Accident Lawyers Today
If you or a loved one have been injured or killed in a car accident, it’s crucial to seek legal representation. Since you have a limited time to file your claim, you need the care and attention to detail that is necessary to reap the maximum benefits. The attorneys at Keane Law will handle your case with the professionalism and personalization required. You have suffered enough; let our attorneys help you regain your life. Call us toll-free at (877) 333-8181 or complete our online form for a free case evaluation.
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What Our Clients Have To Say
The attorneys at Keane Law are committed to ensuring our clients’ voices are heard. Whether we are representing one client in a personal injury case or fighting for many in a class action, we always have their best interests in mind. But don’t take our word for it. Here are a few testimonials from some of our clients.