A car accident in Affton can happen in an instant. What follows can last for far longer – significant injuries, lost wages, and destroyed vehicles. You’ll also run into an insurance adjuster whose job is to close your claim for as little as possible. You don’t have to accept the insurer’s version of what your case is worth.
A St. Louis auto accident attorney at Drafahl Law Firm fights for Affton crash victims and will pursue the full compensation Missouri law allows.
Call us today at (314) 300-6260 to schedule your free case evaluation.
How Drafahl Law Firm Approaches Affton Car Accident Cases
Insurance companies pay attention to which law firms are willing to try cases, and that reality shapes how we handle every Affton car accident claim. Our approach is backed by:
- A reputation as a premier trial firm; insurers and defense firms know our trial results, and that reputation often motivates better settlements for our clients
- Recognition by The National Trial Lawyers Top 100
- Millions recovered for accident victims across our years of practice
We prepare every case as though it’s headed for a courtroom. Most settle, but our clients generally benefit from the fact that the other side knows we’re ready to fight.
What an Affton Car Accident Lawyer Does That You Can’t Do Alone
You can file a claim yourself, but some parts of a car accident case are incredibly confusing and difficult for injured victims to handle. A lawyer can:
- Subpoena evidence to prove your case, like the other driver’s phone records, commercial vehicle data, and anything else that might help prove your case.
- Push back on arguments that you were partially at fault by using accident reconstruction and evidence so it’s not just your word against theirs.
- File a lawsuit and try the case if a fair offer is never presented. Doing this while injured and without legal training is not easy.
An unrepresented claimant generally has a harder time getting what they truly deserve. Working with a lawyer levels the playing field in many ways.
Why Car Accidents Happen in Affton
Many crashes in Affton are the result of choices drivers make behind the wheel. These are the causes that come up again and again.
Distracted Driving
Drivers looking at phones, adjusting navigation, or reaching for something in the car cause a large share of Affton collisions. On busy roads like Gravois, a few seconds of inattention is all it takes to miss stopped traffic ahead.
Speeding
Driving too fast for conditions shortens reaction time and turns minor mistakes into serious crashes. Speed is a factor in collisions on both major corridors and neighborhood streets.
Impaired Driving
Alcohol and drugs remain a persistent cause of serious crashes, particularly at night and on weekends. Impaired drivers misjudge distances, drift between lanes, and react too slowly to avoid collisions.
Failure to Yield
Left turns across oncoming traffic and rolling stops at intersections can lead to T-bone crashes, which are often very severe. These accidents cause impact at the side of the vehicle where occupants have the least protection.
Tailgating
Following too closely leaves no room to stop when traffic slows suddenly, making rear-end collisions one of the most common crash types in stop-and-go South County traffic.
Whatever caused your crash, establishing the other driver’s negligence is the foundation of your claim, and a lawyer can help you with this.
Missouri Car Accident Laws That May Affect Your Case
A few Missouri laws shape nearly every car accident claim, and knowing them helps you understand your position.
Missouri is an at-fault state. Unlike no-fault states, Missouri allows injured people to pursue the at-fault driver’s insurance directly for their full damages, including pain and suffering.
Comparative fault applies. Missouri follows pure comparative fault, meaning you can recover compensation even if you share blame for the crash; your compensation is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. Insurers use this rule aggressively, so expect them to argue your share should be higher than it is.
The statute of limitations is five years, which means most car accident lawsuits must be filed within five years of the crash. This is longer than most states allow, but claims involving government entities can require formal notice within as little as 90 days, so the safest thing you can do is speak with a lawyer early.
Insurance minimums are low. Missouri requires only $25,000 per person in bodily injury coverage, which serious injuries can exceed quickly. When that happens, your own underinsured motorist coverage may become an important part of your recovery, or you might have to file a lawsuit against the responsible party.
Start Your Claim With an Affton Car Accident Attorney
The days after a crash shape everything that follows; evidence fades, deadlines approach, and early settlement offers tempt people into accepting less than their injuries will ultimately cost. Getting a lawyer involved early gives you much more protection than if you try to handle it on your own.
An Affton personal injury attorney knows how insurers evaluate Affton car accident claims and how to push back when the offer doesn’t match what you’re experiencing.
Call now for a free consultation with an Affton car accident attorney.