Ways To Maximize Car Accident Settlement in Missouri

After a crash, many injury victims search for ways to maximize a car accident settlement in Missouri, especially when medical bills, vehicle repairs, and lost income start piling up. While it’s tempting to accept the first offer from an insurance company, the initial settlement offer may not reflect the total cost of the accident. Injured drivers in Missouri can claim compensation for tangible and intangible losses through a well-planned legal strategy.

Understanding what to do (and what not to do) after a car accident can help you negotiate a settlement that covers the full extent of your injuries, lost time at work, and other ways the crash will impact your future.

Hire a Car Accident Lawyer

With over 50 years of combined experience, Ley de lesiones de Northland has helped Missouri drivers recover millions in car accident settlements. Our thorough knowledge of Missouri law, insurance company tactics, and injury valuation allows us to build strong, results-driven strategies for every case.

Whether the injuries are moderate or severe, we focus on maximizing the value of each claim. By guiding clients through each step, we help ensure they are positioned to recover the full compensation they are legally entitled to.

Document Everything From the Scene

All your documentation from the crash site could prove essential for your case. Take photos of the damage, road conditions, license plates, and injuries to help prove what happened. Afterward, keep medical bills, receipts, doctors’ notes, and records of missed work.

In Missouri, proper documentation preserves the strength of your case while protecting against insurance companies disputing the seriousness of your injuries. If you crashed on an interstate or main road, like I‑29 or North Oak Trafficway, note the precise location. The more detailed your records, the easier it is to show your losses stem from the accident and to prove you have a valid claim.

Avoid Talking to the Insurance Company Without Guidance

One of the biggest errors you can make is to talk to an insurance adjuster without first speaking to an attorney. Insurance company officials utilize tactics to elicit statements that enable them to reduce your claim payment. Don’t agree to a recorded phone call, don’t sign a medical authorization form, and don’t accept an offer without first getting it reviewed.

Missouri insurers may present initial settlement offers that fail to match what victims deserve, particularly when claims involve emotional distress or projected medical costs. Let an experienced Missouri car accident attorney review the insurer’s communications so you avoid unintentional missteps that could weaken your leverage down the road.

Be Cautious About Posting on Social Media After the Accident

Anything you share online can serve as evidence against you in legal situations. Insurance companies and defense attorneys monitor social media to seek information that could discredit your injury claims, including harmless posts. Insurance companies and defense attorneys might use photographs of you smiling or traveling as evidence to dispute your injury claims, even if those pictures do not represent your true condition.

Do not post updates about the accident, your injuries, or your daily life until your case is over. You should also take the time to change your privacy settings and ask your friends not to tag you in photos or check-ins. Abstaining from social media preserves the strength of your case and also avoids words from being misconstrued or taken out of context.

Follow All Medical Advice and Attend Every Appointment

Preserving your case requires strict adherence to your treatment plan. Failure to fill gaps in your care, skipping appointments, and not completing your prescribed course of treatment open your case up to questions about the legitimacy and seriousness of your injuries. Insurance providers often state that injured individuals are fully recovered despite ongoing issues or that their reported pain levels are exaggerated.

By retaining every medical record and following up with recommended specialists, communicating with your healthcare providers, and being honest about ongoing symptoms, you establish a clear medical record tying the accident to your need for recovery and preserving your claim from unwarranted disputes about the legitimacy of your injuries.

Preguntas frecuentes

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Missouri?

In Missouri, you have five years from the date of the collision to file a car accident lawsuit. This deadline is firm, and missing it means you lose the right to seek compensation. Deadlines for claims involving government vehicles or wrongful death may be shorter. Identify which deadline applies to you as soon as possible to protect your legal rights.

How Many People Died In Missouri Car Accidents Last Year?

MoDOT reported 989 traffic fatalities in Missouri in 2023, a 6% decline from the 1,057 fatalities in 2022. The risk of getting into an accident is high even on those mundane daily commutes that you take along well-traveled roads. Check the time of day, the weather, and road conditions. All of these can factor into your claim, especially if they can connect your accident to public safety issues.

What Are the Leading Causes of Fatal Car Crashes in Missouri?

Missouri data shows that, in 2022, speed was a contributing factor in 34.3% of fatal crashes and alcohol/drug impairment in 23.1% of fatal crashes. These reckless behaviors are common in negligent driving crash investigations. When reckless behavior leads to your accident injury, it can yield potentially greater compensation for your case.

Is It Safe to Drive During Peak Hours?

If you commute during peak traffic hours, chances are you drive on some of the busiest streets in Missouri. Any motorist can be vulnerable to catastrophic accidents, even on well-known roads. Should you be hurt in an accident during these high-traffic periods, recording the state of the roads, the volume of traffic, and drivers’ dangerous actions can help build a solid claim.

Contact a Missouri Car Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, Northland Injury Law can help you understand your rights and help you pursue fair compensation. Our team has decades of experience managing serious crash claims throughout Missouri. Schedule a consultation today to review your case.