A car accident can be an incredibly traumatic event with far-reaching consequences. Injuries resulting from a crash can cause damage that stays with you for the rest of your life. Even if you will fully recover from your injuries, the financial setback can be long-lasting. Recovering fair compensation after a crash is essential for rebuilding your life.
Dickman Law has been helping accident victims for years. The firm has a long history of recovering substantial compensation for its clients. If you’re in need of a car accident lawyer in Columbia, MO, you can schedule a free consultation over the phone or by filling out the online contact form on this site.
What a Car Accident Lawyer in Columbia, MO Can Do for You
When you hire a Columbia, MO car accident lawyer, they can help you with every aspect of the legal process for obtaining compensation. Some of the steps your attorney is likely to take on your behalf as they pursue legal action against the liable party include:
- Investigating your case in order to establish liability and gather evidence in support of your claim
- Determining what damages you are eligible to claim and calculating their value
- Filing paperwork with the at-fault party’s insurer or the court
- Going through the steps of the pretrial process
- Negotiating with opposing counsel in an attempt to reach a settlement agreement
- Representing you in court
When you hire an attorney to deal with the legal fallout of your accident, it frees you up to focus on your health. The knowledge that your financial future is in the hands of an experienced professional can significantly reduce your stress, which will aid in the recovery process.
For a free legal consultation with a car accidents lawyer serving Columbia, call 573-744-4878
Damages You Can Pursue After a Car Accident
If you get seriously injured in a car accident, you can pursue several different types of damages. The specific damages that apply to your case depend on what exactly happened and the injuries you suffered. Recoverable damages can be divided into three categories: economic, non-economic, and punitive.
Economic Damages
Economic damages account for all the financial losses you suffer as a result of your car accident. Common economic damages include:
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Decreased earning ability
- Property damage
- Necessary modifications to your home or vehicle
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are not monetary, so assessing their value can be difficult. Most non-economic damages have a significant impact on the lives of those who suffer them. As a result, the amount awarded for these damages tends to be substantial.
Common non-economic damages include:
- Permanent disability, scarring, or disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are used to punish the liable party for their actions. Punitive damages are only awarded in a small portion of car accident cases. An experienced Columbia, MO car accident attorney can help determine if your case qualifies.
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File Your Lawsuit on Time
Under Missouri law, car accident victims generally have five years to file a lawsuit after a crash. While this is one of the longest personal injury statutes of limitations in the country, that does not mean that you should unnecessarily delay the filing of your lawsuit. Hiring an attorney early will put them in the best position to collect evidence and build a strong case in your favor.
Furthermore, you must realize that there are exceptions to the statute of limitations that could mean you actually have far less than five years to file your lawsuit. Delays could result in the deadline passing without your knowledge. Hiring an experienced attorney shortly after your accident is the best way to ensure that all deadlines get met.
You should also note that exceptions work both ways. That means that just because the five-year mark may have passed, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your options for pursuing compensation passed with it.
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Have Your Lawyer Review All Settlement Offers
Insurance companies have a plethora of tricks they will use against potential claimants to put themselves in a position to deny or devalue the claim. One of these is to approach a car accident victim shortly after the crash, offering them a check to settle their case quickly. While they attempt to portray this as a kind gesture, in fact, it is an underhanded attempt to trick you.
If you accept this offer at face value, you will forfeit your right to pursue further compensation. The truth is, the amount they are offering is likely only a small percentage of what your claim is actually worth. Although most car accident cases eventually end in a settlement, it is critical to have a lawyer review any offer before you agree to a deal.
An experienced car accident attorney in Columbia, MO will be well aware of all the tactics used by insurance adjusters and will know how to fight back. Your lawyer will be able to negotiate with the insurance company as they work to reach a fair settlement deal.
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Car Accident Lawyers Get Paid Based on Results
Car accident attorneys and other personal injury lawyers do not charge their clients in the same manner as most other lawyers. Rather than billing clients by the hour and charging a substantial fee to retain their services, these lawyers charge a single fee, which will be assessed at the conclusion of your case.
The fee you will pay your car accident lawyer is based entirely upon how much money you recover from the liable party. Your attorney will receive a fixed percentage of the compensation they are able to secure on your behalf.
With this fee system, you can rest easy, knowing that your attorney will do everything they can to ensure you recover as much money on your behalf as possible. Failure to secure a settlement or court-ordered payout will mean that your attorney will not be paid for their services.
Contact a Columbia Car Accident Lawyer Today
After a car accident, it is crucial to find a law firm with both experience in handling your type of case and a history of recovering significant compensation for the victims of these accidents. Dickman Law has been helping car accident victims get the money they need and deserve after a crash for years.
Contact Dickman Law today by phone or through the online contact form on this site to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury attorney in Columbia, MO.
Call or text 573-744-4878 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form