Kirkwood Personal Injury Attorney

In far too many cases, these injuries and fatalities were entirely preventable, yet they were not prevented. Those who should have been responsible failed in their obligations and forever changed lives. These individuals and entities who failed to keep others safe deserve to be held accountable for the harm they have caused, and Drafahl Law Firm will work with victims to make that happen. 

Drafahl Law Firm provides skilled and compassionate representation to those harmed in accidents and we will bring our legal knowledge to your case if you have been hurt or a loved one has been killed.

Give us a call at (314) 300-6260 or contact us online today to find out more. 

Why Drafahl Law Firm is the Best Choice For Your Personal Injury Needs

More than 1000 Missourians die annually because of unintentional injuries, the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services reports.  Every single one of those deaths is a tragedy, and so are the many non-fatal injuries sustained daily in the state of Missouri each year.

Drafahl Law Firm is committed to our clients, and we value the trust they have placed in us. Our firm wants to earn your trust as well. There are many reasons that we should do that including:

• Our many professional successes. Our peers recognize that we are skilled lawyers who are well-equipped to represent injured clients, which is why we have been designated as Missouri Super Lawyers and chosen to be among the Top 40 Under 40 Civil Plaintiffs Trial Lawyers. These professional successes mean you can feel confident in our ability to represent you in your injury claim.
• Our many satisfied clients. You need an attorney you can trust who cares about you. Our past client testimonials show that you can find that lawyer at our firm. Our clients have said we made them feel like family, didn’t back down, and made the insurer pay more than promised. We want to try to do the same in your case. 
• Our trial experience. We have spent endless hours in court and have honed our legal skills so we can maximize your chances of prevailing in trial. In fact, we have won numerous multi-million dollar verdicts in injury claims in just the past few years alone.  This trial experience ensures we’re always able to go the distance on your case and, it also makes it easier to settle since insurers are more likely to make you a fair offer for compensation when they know we aren’t afraid to go to court and we won’t back down. 

You can also count on us to be on your side because we don’t charge any legal fees unless we recover compensation for your injury claim. 

Awards & Memberships

When Can Accident Victims Make a Personal Injury Claim

Not every accident gives rise to civil liability — but many do. A victim can pursue a claim to recover compensation for an accident if they can prove:

• The defendant had some type of legal obligation or duty to them like the duty to drive safely or to only release products that had been demonstrated safe when used as intended or to keep their dog from biting without provocation. 
• The defendant did not live up to their legal obligations. They may be strictly or automatically liable for certain failures, such as a failure to stop a dog from biting or to release unsafe products. Or they may be liable if you can show a hypothetical average person would have been less negligent under the same circumstances.
• The defendant’s failure was the direct cause of damage. You will have to show you were harmed because of the wrongful, unsafe, or improper actions of the defendant. You will also have to show the extent of harm, including the medical bills you incurred, the wages you lost, the decline in your earning power, the pain that you experienced, or the emotional distress you experienced

Drafahl Law Firm has a long history of helping clients to identify defendants who the law says can be held responsible for their losses — and of helping those clients to prove why those defendants are to blame. We can do the same for your accident case so you can fight for justice. 

If your car was hit by a large commercial vehicle and caused you injury, call our truck accident lawyers in Kirkwood to pursue the justice you deserve.

Injured in Kirkwood?

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Common Types of Personal Injury Claims

Any injuries caused by a failure to fulfill a legal obligation can result in an injury claim. However, some types of incidents are far more common than others. Drafahl Law Firm has represented many clients experiencing some of these common injury causes including:

• Auto crashes include crashes with cars, trucks, or other commercial motor vehicles, pedestrians, bike riders, motorcycle riders, and rideshare drivers. 
• Dog bite incidents
• Defective product injuries 
• Slip and falls
• Injuries on unsafe properties 

We also help clients who have sustained catastrophic injuries from all different causes. This includes people who have suffered an amputation, experienced severe burns, suffered traumatic brain injury, or experienced damage to their spine.

In claims arising from all of these types of incidents, we can put together strong and compelling evidence not only of how your accident happened but also of the extent of your loss so you can be fully compensated for economic and non-financial damages and “made whole” In your accident’s aftermath.

Compensation for Personal Injury Claims in Kirkwood

If you’ve been injured in Kirkwood because of someone else’s actions or neglect, the law gives you the right to pursue compensation for both your financial and non-financial losses. It’s important to know which damages could be included in your claim. 

Out-of-Pocket Financial Losses 

After an accident, the bills can really add up. Personal injury claims allow you to recover the full cost of your past and future medical treatment – this includes ER visits, surgery, prescription drugs, lab tests, mobility aids, as well as ongoing care or rehabilitation. 

You can also seek financial compensation for what you paid to repair or replace any damaged property, like your car or phone, and for money spent on travel or home help during recovery. If injuries force you to take time off work or limit your ability to work as you used to, you can claim your lost wages or even future loss of income. 

Pain and Suffering 

Pain and suffering damages are a type of compensation intended to cover the physical pain, emotional distress, and ongoing discomfort caused by an injury. Unlike medical bills or lost wages, these damages don’t pay for out-of-pocket expenses. They recognize how the injury has affected your daily life, your happiness, and your ability to enjoy normal activities. 

Scarring and Disfigurement

Catastrophic injuries sometimes lead to scarring, disfigurement, limb loss, or other permanent changes. The settlement or verdict can include compensation for the impact on your body image and confidence. 

Loss of Family Relationships 

Some losses affect more than just you. If your injury damages your marriage or close family relationships, you may be able to claim compensation for losing companionship, affection, or the ability to support your loved ones as before.

Punitive Damages 

Missouri law allows for Punitive damages only in limited cases where there is evidence someone’s conduct showed a deliberate disregard for the safety of others. 

510.261.  Punitive damages, restrictions on award of — proper award, when — civil actions, initial pleading not to contain claim for punitive damage award. — 1.  Except as otherwise provided by statute, punitive damages shall not be awarded unless the claimant proves by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant intentionally harmed the plaintiff without just cause or acted with a deliberate and flagrant disregard for the safety of others.

These are meant to punish the wrongdoer and send a warning to others, not to make up for what you lost.

Every accident is different, and the types of damages you can claim depend on what you’ve experienced. If you’ve suffered harm in Kirkwood, a personal injury attorney familiar with Missouri law can look closely at your situation and help you get fair compensation.

Statute of Limitations For A Kirkwood Personal Injury Claim

If you get hurt and want to seek compensation in Missouri, you need to pay attention to the statute of limitations. This law sets a clear deadline for when you can bring a personal injury lawsuit, and missing it could mean losing your right to recover any damages. Generally, people have five years from the date the injury or accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Missouri courts. 

516.120.  What actions within five years. — Within five years:

(4)  An action for taking, detaining or injuring any goods or chattels, including actions for the recovery of specific personal property, or for any other injury to the person or rights of another, not arising on contract and not herein otherwise enumerated;

This window applies to most situations – whether you’re dealing with a car crash, slip and fall, or other accidental harm

Exceptions to the Rule

Not every case fits the standard deadline. The law recognizes certain situations where the clock gets halted or starts at a later date. For example, if someone is a minor when hurt, the five-year countdown won’t begin until they turn 21. 

If you are dealing with mental incapacity, the limit may pause until you regain decision-making abilities. In rare cases, if the negligent party hides their involvement or leaves Missouri for a period, the time for filing could be extended.

Different Deadline for Government Claims

Suing a government body – like a city or state agency – comes with a much shorter timeline. Claims often have to be started with notice given in as little as 90 days, which is a major change from the ordinary five-year window. It’s important to move especially fast with government cases to avoid missing out altogether.

No two cases are the same. Working with a lawyer as soon as you know you’re hurt is a smart way to make sure time doesn’t run out on your claim

How Much Does A Kirkwood Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?

Instead of charging by the hour or asking for a lump sum from day one, most personal injury attorneys handle these cases through a contingency fee arrangement. This means their fee comes out of whatever money you receive at the end. If you don’t win, you owe nothing for their services. 

For many firms in the area, this might be between 35 and 40 percent of the verdict or settlement, but it can vary depending on how complex your case is and whether it ends up in court rather than settling. Everything should be listed in your written agreement before the case begins. 

Handling Out-of-Pocket Costs 

Besides the lawyer’s fee, other expenses sometimes come up – like charges for getting medical records, filing paperwork at court, or hiring experts to support your claim. Firms often cover these costs initially and then take reimbursement when your case ends with a payout. It’s smart to ask your lawyer exactly how these costs are handled so there won’t be surprises. 

With contingency arrangements, most injured people in Kirkwood can get legal support even if they don’t have extra money available. 

Make sure you talk to your attorney so you understand exactly what to expect with fees and costs as your case moves forward.

Call Drafahl Law Firm Today For Help With Your Personal Injury Claim

Drafahl Law Firm cares about every personal injury client, and we work hard from day one to make sure that we are always putting together a solid case. We gather evidence from the accident scene, find experts, get police reports, help you keep a pain journal, and do everything possible to both show how you were harmed and demonstrate the extent of your loss so you can be fairly compensated. 

When you are ready to find out more about the assistance we can offer, you can give us a call at (314) 300-6260 or contact us online.

You’ll be able to get personalized guidance on the services we can provide and we’ll get started working for you from day one so you can get the justice you deserve.