“St. Louis Car Crashes: What You Need to Know”
In St. Louis, car crashes are all too common. Every day, there are hundreds of accidents – some minor, some serious – that lead to property damages, injuries, and even deaths. The number of car crashes in St. Louis is significant and on the rise. In 2018 alone, more than 24,000 motor vehicle collisions were reported in the city.
For those involved in these accidents, it’s important to take the right steps to protect yourself and your rights. This means understanding what your legal options are after a crash and how to get the compensation you deserve for any damages or injuries you sustain. That’s why it’s essential to understand the basics of car accident law in St. Louis and why seeking the advice of an experienced lawyer is essential if you’ve recently been involved in a crash.
The Basics of Car Accident Law in St. Louis
In Missouri, victims of car accidents have certain rights that must be protected under state law. All drivers have a duty to exercise reasonable care when operating a motor vehicle and failure to do so can result in liability for any damages or injuries caused by a crash. This means that if another driver is found to be negligent or careless in a crash that causes injury or property damage to another person, they may be held liable for any resulting losses through a personal injury lawsuit or other legal action.
Under Missouri law, motorists have the right to sue for monetary compensation if they have sustained physical injury or property damage as a result of someone else’s negligence or reckless driving behavior. These claims can include medical bills, lost wages due to time away from work, pain and suffering, and other losses related to the crash such as car repair costs.
In addition, Missouri has a statute of limitations on filing personal injury lawsuits related to car crashes which requires victims to file their claim within five years of the accident date. If you fail to do so during this timeframe, then you may be unable to recover any compensation even if you were injured due to another driver’s negligence or recklessness.
Why You Need a Lawyer After a Car Crash in St. Louis
If you’ve been involved in a car crash in St. Louis, no matter how minor it might seem at first glance, it’s important that you take appropriate steps to protect your legal rights and seek out experienced legal advice as soon as possible following the incident. An experienced lawyer can help you assess whether you have grounds for filing a claim against another driver or their insurance company for any damages or injuries caused by their negligence or reckless behavior on the roadways.
A lawyer can also help make sure that your rights are fully protected under state law and ensure that any necessary paperwork is completed correctly and filed on time within the five-year statute of limitations period set forth by Missouri state law. They can also advise you on how much compensation may be available based upon your individual circumstances and guide you through each step of the process so that you get the maximum amount possible for your case.
Having an experienced lawyer on your side after a car crash is essential if you want to make sure that your rights are fully protected and that any resulting settlements or awards are maximized for your benefit. The legal system is complicated and navigating it without professional assistance can be difficult – especially when dealing with complex matters such as personal injury cases stemming from motor vehicle collisions in St. Louis.
By having an experienced lawyer on your side who understands both Missouri state law as well as local regulations regarding car crashes, you can rest assured knowing that your case will be handled with care and attention while taking into account all relevant legal aspects so that justice is served appropriately and fairly in light of the situation at hand.