Were you hurt in a collision? No matter how many precautions we take, car accidents are unfortunately unavoidable. They can happen in the blink of an eye, and when they do, victims are often left facing physical, mental, emotional, and financial consequences.
When you’re involved in a car accident, there are many factors to consider. From insurance claims and liability to medical treatment and more, dealing with the aftermath of a crash is a lot to handle, but you’re not alone—a Gladstone personal injury lawyer can help.
At Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers, we can represent you as your car accident lawyer in Gladstone. With decades of collective experience backing us, our attorneys have secured more than $1 billion in compensation for personal injury victims. You can count on us.
Missouri’s Fault-Based Insurance System
Missouri follows a traditional “fault” or “at-fault” car insurance system. This means that the person who caused the accident is responsible for covering the cost of the damages stemming from the incident.
In practice, the at-fault driver’s insurance company usually pays for the other party’s medical bills, lost income, vehicle damage, and other related costs.
It’s worth noting that Missouri drivers are required to carry liability insurance with at least the following minimums:
- $25,000 for bodily injury per person
- $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 for property damage
These limits can be quickly exceeded in even moderately serious collisions, especially if multiple people are injured or significant vehicle damage is present.
In those cases, additional compensation may need to be pursued directly from the at-fault party or through other insurance policies, such as underinsured motorist coverage.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Gladstone
Car crashes happen for many reasons, and understanding the underlying cause is an important part of determining liability. Let’s take a look at common contributing factors that your Gladstone car accident lawyer will consider when exploring the details of your case:
- Distracted driving: This includes texting, using a GPS, and eating behind the wheel, among other activities that take your full attention away from the road.
- Speeding: Going above the posted speed limit or driving too fast for road conditions is a frequent cause of serious accidents.
- Impaired driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can increase your risk of getting into a crash. It’s important to know that Missouri state laws prohibit people from driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher.
- Weather conditions: Rain, ice, and fog can make roads dangerous. As a result, these conditions require you to take extra caution. Drivers who fail to adjust to the conditions can be held liable for collisions that happen as a result.
- Running red lights or stop signs: Traffic control violations are a major source of collisions at intersections.
- Following too closely: Rear-end accidents often occur when a driver fails to leave enough space between vehicles.
- Failure to yield the right of way: This includes making improper left turns or merging into traffic without caution.
Police reports, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and other evidence can help establish what caused the accident and who is at fault.
Contact our Kansas city personal injury lawyers now.
Types of Damages Available
Victims of car accidents can pursue compensation for a range of losses. Often referred to as “damages,” these generally fall into two categories:
- Economic damages
- Non-economic damages
Economic damages are the measurable financial losses that result from a collision:
- Medical bills—both past and future
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Vehicle repairs or replacement
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages cover more subjective losses:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring or disfigurement
In cases involving particularly reckless behavior, like drunk driving or intentional misconduct, punitive damages may also be awarded.
These are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter them from engaging in similar conduct in the future. However, they are relatively rare and subject to specific legal standards in Missouri.
Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents in Missouri
In Missouri, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim or lawsuit after a car crash is five years from the date of the collision. While this is a longer period than in many other states, it’s still important to call a Gladstone car accident attorney as soon as possible.
Otherwise, if you wait too long to take legal action, your claim might be dismissed altogether, even if you have a strong case. Furthermore, if the incident resulted in a fatality and you’re filing a wrongful death claim, the statute of limitations is three years from the date of death.
It’s also worth keeping in mind that insurance claims—especially those involving property damage—may have much shorter timelines imposed by the policy. Reporting an accident to your insurer promptly is often a condition of coverage.
Reach Out to Our Car Accident Law Firm in Gladstone Today
If you’ve been hurt in a collision, it wouldn’t be surprising to hear that you feel overwhelmed by the entire situation. However, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone—let our car accident attorneys in Gladstone build a case and advocate for your rights.
At Foster Wallace, we don’t believe you should have to bear the financial burden as a result of someone else’s negligence. That’s why we dedicate ourselves to fighting for the compensation that personal injury victims like you deserve to receive.
Get in touch with us today. The sooner you call us, the sooner we can help you take the first step toward holding the responsible parties accountable.
