Between the traffic on Gravois, Kingshighway, and the I-44 and I-55 corridors, South City sees more than its share of serious collisions. If you were hurt in one of them, you’ve probably already discovered that the insurance company’s version of a fair settlement doesn’t come close to covering what the crash is actually costing you.
That gap is why it’s often so important to work with a legal professional from the beginning. The South City personal injury attorneys at Drafahl Law Firm helps injured South City residents pursue full compensation for their medical care, lost income, and everything else the collision took from them.
Call our firm at (314) 300-6260 to schedule your free case evaluation today.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Protect Your Claim in South City
From the moment a crash happens, your claim is on the line and is affected by what you say and do. A car accident lawyer protects your claim as much as possible by taking the following steps:
- Preserving evidence: Your attorney sends preservation letters for surveillance and dashcam footage, photographs the scene and vehicles, and locates and speaks to witnesses.
- Shielding you from insurance adjusters: The friendly insurance adjuster on the other end of the phone is not working for you; they’re working to protect their bottom line. Your lawyer becomes the point of contact so you don’t accidentally say something that will harm your claim.
- Filing a lawsuit when necessary: When a settlement can’t be reached, your attorney will file a lawsuit and try it in front of a judge and jury if it gets to that point.
Each of these steps is important, especially in the early stages of your case.
Why South City Accident Victims Choose Drafahl Law Firm
Insurance companies often take a law firm’s willingness to litigate into account when evaluating a claim, and they may adjust their offers accordingly. South City clients choose Drafahl Law Firm because we’ve built our practice around that reality:
- Because we build every case to be trial-ready from the start, the other side can’t count on wearing us down into a discounted settlement, and that leverage often shows up in the offers our clients receive.
- We intentionally take fewer cases than we could, which means your claim gets the attention it deserves.
- Our attorneys have been recognized by Super Lawyers, and we have hundreds of 5-star Google reviews from clients and their families.
If you’re looking for a team that cares about the outcome of your case as much as you do, there’s no need to look any further.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in South City
Understanding what caused your crash matters, because proving the other driver’s negligence is the foundation of your claim. In South City, the collisions we see most often trace back to the following:
- Distracted driving, especially phone use
- Speeding and aggressive driving
- Red-light and stop-sign violations at busy neighborhood intersections, where T-bone collisions cause some of the worst injuries
- Impaired driving, particularly late at night and on weekends
- Failure to yield, including left-turn crashes at intersections
Whatever caused your collision, the earlier that evidence gets preserved, the harder your claim is to dispute.
How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Missouri?
Deadlines shape every Missouri car accident case, and misunderstanding either one can cost you your recovery. Missouri generally gives you five years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit longer than most states.
Families pursuing a wrongful death claim face a shorter statute of limitations, and must file their claim within three years from losing their loved one. Insurance claims will have shorter deadlines, and there are also exceptions that can change the statute of limitations for lawsuits.
Then, practically speaking, there are reasons to file your claim before you get anywhere near the deadline. Critical evidence like surveillance or dashcam footage can be overwritten within days or weeks of the crash, and the longer you wait, the harder it can be to find witnesses who actually remember what happened.
Get Started Today by Scheduling Your Free Consultation with Our South City Car Accident Lawyer
Missouri law gives you a limited window to pursue a car accident claim, and evidence often gets harder to obtain the longer you wait to get started. The sooner you have someone investigating on your behalf, the stronger your case will be.
Drafahl Law Firm offers free consultations to anyone injured in a South City crash, and you’ll speak with someone who will actually listen to what happened. If we take your case, you pay nothing unless we win.
Reach out today at (314) 300-6260 and we can discuss what steps to take next.