Recovered Over $300 Million for Our 7,000+ Clients
When someone else’s careless actions cause you injury in St. Joseph, Missouri, what are your options for seeking compensation? An experienced attorney can help you file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party to seek compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses.
If you suffered an injury in Buchanan County, contact Holland Injury Law for a free consultation with an experienced lawyer. We’ll review your case, explain your options for pursuing the compensation you deserve, and answer your questions about what you can expect from the legal process.
Some of the most common causes of injuries to St. Joseph residents include car accidents, slips and falls, and defective products.
Broken Bones – Broken and fractured bones are most common in car accident and fall victims. Car accidents can result in broken arms, legs, and ribs, while falls tend to cause broken arms, wrists, and hips. Depending on the severity of these injuries, recovery may require surgery and extensive physical therapy.
Traumatic Brain Injuries – TBIs occur when the brain strikes the inside of the skull after a blow to the head. They’re common in both car accidents and falls and can range in severity from mild concussions to permanent brain damage causing physical and cognitive disability.
Soft Tissue Injuries – Muscles, ligaments, and tendons can suffer damage from various incidents. In slip-and-fall cases, victims often injure the soft tissues in their ankles and knees, while in car accidents, whiplash affects soft tissue in the neck. These injuries can lead to chronic pain conditions and reduced mobility.
Spinal Cord Injuries – If an incident results in the spinal cord getting pinched, it can lead to chronic pain conditions. However, if the spinal cord gets severed, it can cause permanent paralysis.
Injury victims in St. Joseph and greater Buchanan County can seek compensation for various losses, including:
Medical Expenses – Compensation for past and future surgeries, medical treatments, medical devices, prescription medications, and physical therapy
Lost Wages – Compensation for the income you lost while recovering and the income and benefits you will lose because of your injury’s impact on your ability to work
Permanent Disability – Compensation for accommodating any permanent disability you suffered, including if you have to modify your home or vehicle
Pain and Suffering – Compensation for the physical pain and emotional suffering you experience because of your injury
It’s essential to understand the steps to take after suffering an injury in St. Joseph. Some of the most important things to do to protect your right to seek compensation include:
Continue Medical Treatment – Always attend follow-up doctor’s appointments and continue your medical treatment until you’re healed or will not heal any further. This is vital for demonstrating the validity of your injury and the necessity of your treatments.
Keep Track of All Bills – Keep all bills you receive related to your injury, including medical bills. Your attorney will use these bills when calculating your economic damages.
Keep Records and Evidence – Keep a file containing evidence related to your case, including all correspondence with the at-fault party and their insurance company. It’s also a good idea to write down everything you remember about the incident so you can refer to it later on.
Avoid Providing a Recorded Statement – Sometimes, an insurance adjuster will ask you to provide a statement after an accident. You should not speak to them without first speaking with your lawyer. The insurance adjuster’s job is to get you to admit fault so they can deny your claim or reduce your settlement.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer – The best way to protect your rights is to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer who can handle all aspects of your case.
Missouri follows a pure comparative fault standard that reduces the compensation an injured party can receive based on their degree of fault. For example, if you were 30 percent at fault for the incident that caused your injuries, you would only recover 70 percent of the damages awarded by a jury at trial.
This rule also extends to the compensation you could receive through a settlement with the insurance company. If the insurance company estimates you are 20 percent at fault for the incident, they’ll only offer you 80 percent of what they otherwise would have.
Some states use a modified version of comparative fault that limits the degree of fault an injured party can have while still being able to seek compensation. However, under Missouri’s pure version of the rule, you can seek compensation as long as you are less than 100 percent at fault.
It’s crucial that you consult with an experienced injury lawyer who can protect your right to seek the maximum compensation by fighting attempts to attribute greater fault to you.
Under Missouri’s statute of limitations for personal injury, injured individuals have five years to file lawsuits against the liable parties. If you don’t file your lawsuit within this period, the Buchanan County Court may bar you from seeking compensation for your injuries.
While five years may sound like a long time to file your lawsuit, it’s important to start working on your case as early as possible so your attorney can gather the necessary evidence.
If any of the following scenarios describe your situation, it’s in your best interest to hire a personal injury attorney to handle your case:
The insurance company denied your initial claim
There is a dispute about the facts surrounding the incident that caused your injury
The insurance company offered a settlement that doesn’t cover your expenses
You have severe injuries with a lengthy recovery period
Multiple parties could be liable for your injuries
The experience of a personal injury attorney is a valuable asset that can help you recover more compensation and remove the headache of handling a case on your own while also recovering from your injuries.
Did someone else’s negligence cause your injury in St. Joseph, Buchanan County? Contact Holland Injury Law for a free consultation about your case with an experienced personal injury lawyer. Our firm has recovered over $300 Million for our 7,000+ clients, and we’re committed to helping you seek the compensation you deserve.
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