How a St. Louis Lawyer Can Help You After a Car Accident

After facing a car accident in St. Louis, Missouri, dealing with insurance companies can be a frustrating experience. Insurance agents often place the company’s interests over yours, resulting in inadequate compensation for damages you have suffered. 

In that regard, lawyers in St. Louis can play a key role in ensuring that you don’t get taken advantage of. Helping victims seek compensation is a common responsibility of theirs, and they know how to guide you through the process. 

In St. Louis, car accidents happen more than we’d like. For instance, in 2020, St. Louis witnessed 73 fatal accidents within the first ten months. With close to 300,000 people driving around each day, accidents are bound to happen.

So, in this article, let’s explore how a car accident lawyer in St. Louis can be a crucial requirement when negotiating with insurance companies. We will also explore what to look for when hiring to ensure you find the best lawyer. 

They Can Help in Negotiating a Settlement

One of the first things your St. Louis car accident lawyer will do is take over communication with the insurance company. This relieves you of the burden of dealing with insurance agents. Moreover, it ensures that all interactions are strategic and designed to benefit your case.

Your lawyer will promptly report the accident to the insurance company, ensuring all details are accurately documented and filed. Lawyers also know how to phrase statements to avoid inadvertently accepting blame or minimizing your injuries.

Often, insurance companies want to settle claims quickly and for the lowest possible amount. Your lawyer can counter these tactics. They will factor in medical expenses, lost pay, damage to your car, and even emotional suffering at times. A good St. Louis lawyer won’t accept offers that don’t adequately compensate you.

Even if negotiations reach an impasse, lawyers often know alternative methods for resolution. For instance, they can help bring in a neutral third party as a mediator. They may also recommend bringing in an arbitrator whose decision will be respected by both parties. 

They Can Help Gather Strong Evidence

As TorHoerman Law suggests, documenting important accident information is critical. Car accident scenes can change rapidly, and crucial evidence can disappear if not documented promptly. It doesn’t matter if the accident was not your fault. You still have an important responsibility to collect evidence. 

A report from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch observes that drivers prefer to flee rather than pull over after a crash.  When this happens, a lawyer can work with an accident reconstruction expert to:

• Secure the accident scene to prevent tampering.
• Take photographs and videos to document skid marks, vehicle positions, and damage.
• Interview witnesses before they forget what happened.

Reconstruction experts can recreate the accident and analyze factors like speed, impact angles, and the sequence of events. This collaboration is crucial in establishing liability and demonstrating how the accident occurred. More importantly, it can help your case if things have to go to court. 

Eyewitnesses often provide valuable insights into how the accident occurred. Lawyers are skilled at conducting interviews to extract relevant information from witnesses, including their contact information for future reference. 

In some cases, surveillance cameras or nearby businesses may have recorded the accident. A good St. Louis lawyer can act swiftly to obtain this footage before it’s overwritten or erased. 

What to Look for When Hiring a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer?

Most people will focus on the lawyer’s experience and cost. However, the concept of experience is complex, and you want a lawyer who has the right kind. Obviously, one important factor to consider is their track record with car accident cases. 

In addition to that, you should also research the lawyer’s reputation in the legal community and among clients. You can peruse online reviews and testimonials in order to gain insight into their credibility. 

Trial experience can also be important. Yes, a lot of these cases are settled outside the court through mutually agreed settlement amounts. Still, it’s useful to find a lawyer who is prepared to go to trial if needed.

Lastly, discuss the lawyer’s fee structure upfront. This would include talking about contingency fees and any additional costs. Ensure that the fee arrangement is clarified thoroughly beforehand.

The last thing you want is to win your case but then get slammed with huge lawyer fees. 

Conclusion

Hiring a St. Louis car accident lawyer is a prudent step when dealing with the aftermath of a car accident. They not only excel in negotiating settlements but also in gathering strong evidence and securing eyewitness accounts. 

In essence, the role of an experienced lawyer goes beyond legal representation. They serve as investigators and negotiators who maximize your compensation and ensure justice prevails.