What is a Personal Injury?
In some cases, an accident is just an accident. However, when another party’s negligence or carelessness causes an accident, a personal injury has occurred. If you’ve been injured by another person or entity, and those injuries stemmed from negligence, carelessness, or a known hazard that should have been removed, you have the right to file a personal injury claim. A personal injury claim allows you to recover damages from the negligent party. To file a personal injury claim, you must be able to prove liability. The experienced St. Louis personal injury attorneys at Finney Injury Law can help determine fault and evaluate the validity of your claim.
Four elements go into determining liability. First, did the person or entity owe a duty of care? Drivers on the roadways have a duty of care to follow all traffic laws and rules and drive in a manner that does not put others in harm’s way. Property owners have a duty of care to ensure their property is safe for invitees and licensees—those with a clear or implied invitation to be on the property.
The second element is whether the duty of care was breached. For example, a driver who is driving 20 miles over the speed limit is potentially placing other drivers at risk, so they have acted negligently. If a spill occurs in a grocery store and employees and the manager have walked past it multiple times without fixing the problem or placing a hazard sign, then they have breached their duty of care.
Third, did injuries result from the breach of duty of care? The third element has been met if you suffered injuries in a slip-and-fall or were injured in an auto accident. And finally, have your injuries cost you money? If you have hospital and doctor bills related to your injury, lost wages, lost future wages, and pain and suffering, then all four elements of proving liability have been met. If you are the victim of another’s negligence or carelessness, reach out to the experienced St. Louis personal injury attorneys from Finney Injury Law.
How Can the St. Louis Personal Injury Attorneys from Finney Injury Law Help?
When you have been involved in an accident which is due to the negligence of another, you may not know which way to turn or how to protect yourself during this difficult time to receive the medical treatment you need as well as compensation from the negligent party. Your injuries may be so serious that you are unable to return to your regular job, which means you are also unable to pay your regular monthly expenses.
At some point after your accident, you could feel rather hopeless about your health and future and may have no idea how to convince the insurance company to provide an equitable settlement. This is where the St. Louis personal injury attorneys at the Finney Injury Law come in. We have significant experience helping people just like you. We understand the emotional roller coaster you may be on during this time and will compassionately work hard on your behalf to minimize the negative aspects of your accident. Finney Injury Law practices in the following areas:
Accident Law
The most common types of accidents involve cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, buses, and pedestrians. Unfortunately, not every driver shares the road safely with others. Those driving a passenger vehicle must not only watch for motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians, as well as for larger vehicles such as commercial trucks and buses.
Our current society places a high value on multi-tasking, and these behaviors quite often influence how we drive. Distracted driving is quickly becoming the number one cause of auto accidents. We eat entire meals as we drive, program the GPS, talk on the phone, text, turn around to see what the children are doing in the back seat, talk to our passengers or daydream, or “zone out” on our way to and from work. These distractions are highly likely to result in an accident and, in some cases, an accident with fatal consequences.
Truck drivers can also be distracted but are equally likely to be fatigued from spending too many hours behind the wheel. Because a truck driver is operating a vehicle that is 25 or 30 times the size of a passenger vehicle, the results of a collision can be particularly deadly. Both trucks and buses must be properly maintained, including brake and tire checks before each trip. These large vehicles take much more time and distance to stop. Therefore, it is important that passenger vehicles always leave plenty of distance between their vehicle and the truck or bus.
Motorcyclists and bicyclists are a vulnerable group, as they are not nearly as visible to other drivers, plus they have none of the protections afforded by those in a car, truck or bus. When a motorcyclist or bicyclist is struck by a car, truck or bus, death or serious injury is likely. Pedestrians are also an extremely vulnerable group. Like bicyclists and motorcyclists, pedestrians have no steel and glass surrounding them, no safety belt and no airbag. Finney Injury Law has been helping victims of these types of accidents for years. We can take your case all the way to trial, when warranted, and will fight the insurance company to ensure you are taken care of after the accident.
Mild to Severe Brain Injuries
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, you could look the same on the outside, while inside you are forever changed. Brain injuries, whether mild, moderate or severe, can become one of the most complex injuries, causing long-term devastation to the victim and his or her family. Most traumatic brain injuries result from an auto accident (auto, truck, bus, bicycle, motorcycle, or pedestrian), an act of violence, a sports injury, or medical malpractice. A relatively mild concussion may not result in lifelong medical issues, but can nonetheless cause significant physical, mental, and emotional problems for. Brain injuries not only cause physical symptoms but also come with a wide array of cognitive and emotional issues. A person with a traumatic brain injury might not be able to return to work for weeks, months, or even forever.
When more severe brain injuries occur, the victim might require long-term medical care and never return to the life they enjoyed prior to the accident. Brain injuries are also among the most likely to lead to financial devastation. Insurance may not pay for the necessary treatments and when a lawsuit is filed, the insurance company may attempt to give you a quick but very low settlement. Because brain injury cases can be complex, it is imperative that you contact the St. Louis personal injury attorneys from Finney Injury Law to ensure your rights are properly protected.
Premise Liability
If you were injured on someone else’s property, and you have extensive injuries because the property was not properly maintained, you need a solid premise liability attorney who will work hard on your behalf to ensure you are equitably compensated. Premise liability cases typically deal with slip and fall accidents caused by spilled liquids, tracked-in snow or ice, defective sidewalks or staircases, items left in the walking path of a store, poor construction, or building code violations. Slip and fall accidents occur in grocery stores, restaurants, bars, public restrooms, retail stores, sidewalks, escalators, and stairs. Slip and falls can also happen in theme parks, in swimming pool areas, and on cruise ships.
The responsibility of property owners varies according to local, state and federal law, however no matter where you live, properties must be maintained to prevent injury, and when an injury does occur, the injured party is entitled to seek damages for compensation regarding medical bills, lost wages and applicable pain and suffering. The premise liability attorneys at the Finney Injury Law will thoroughly investigate your accident and subsequent injuries to determine what you are entitled to in compensation. We will deal with insurance companies and medical providers, helping you get back to the life you had prior to the accident.
Childcare/Daycare Negligence & Injury
The worst nightmare of virtually every parent is daycare negligence or abuse. Most parents who have to work have little choice in whether to leave their children in a daycare facility. Unfortunately, negligence is a reality in many daycare centers across the United States due in part to a lack of regulation. When a caregiver fails to act in an appropriate manner, and a child is injured, our legal system can help provide accountability and compensation. Even the most minor lapse in care at a childcare or daycare facility can have tragic consequences.
For this reason, daycare providers must always act carefully to keep the children in their care safe and secure. One of the greatest causes of daycare injuries is a simple lack of supervision, and many daycare facilities far exceed the recommended ratio of child to adult. If the negligence of a daycare provider has injured your child, Finney Injury Law can help. We know all aspects of daycare and childcare facility negligence and understand the accompanying statutes of limitations involved in these cases. Do not waive your rights to monetary or other benefits in a daycare or childcare negligence case.
Do I Really Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Following an accident caused by the negligence or carelessness of another individual or entity, you may wonder whether you should contact a St. Louis personal injury attorney or handle your claim on your own. There are many reasons to speak to a personal injury lawyer, including:
- Your personal injury lawyer will zealously protect your right to recover compensation for your damages. Whether you’ve been injured in a slip-and-fall accident or another premises liability accident, an auto accident, a construction accident, or your child has been hurt in a daycare accident, your focus needs to be on recovery. This is not a time when you need to be asked by a hospital administrator how you will pay your medical bills, questioned by an investigator, or pushed into giving statements to your own or the other person’s insurer. Once you have hired a personal injury attorney, they will immediately intervene on your behalf. As your legal representative, everyone involved will deal with your attorney rather than you.
- Certain potentially complex tasks will be taken care of by your personal injury attorney, including recognizing and anticipating legal issues before they arise. Your personal injury attorney will discuss the accident with you, advising you of your rights, and helping you avoid saying anything that could be misconstrued.
- As soon as your personal injury attorney is on the job, they will begin a comprehensive investigation into your accident. This may include requesting a police report, obtaining any video evidence, speaking to witnesses, and even conducting an accident reconstruction. If there were adverse conditions at the site of the accident, your personal injury attorney will document these conditions.
- Your injuries will thoroughly be documented by your attorney who will speak to your healthcare providers to determine how long your recovery will take and what medical interventions will be necessary. Your attorney will also calculate future lost wages, if applicable, by considering your age, education, job prior to the accident, and the likelihood of advancement in your career.
- Negotiations for a full and fair settlement will take place between your attorney and the insurer. If no settlement can be reached, your attorney will file a lawsuit against the insurer and argue your case in court.
When Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
You should hire a personal injury lawyer as quickly as possible following your accident. The sooner your St. Louis personal injury attorney is on the job, the better for you. In some cases, evidence can disappear soon after an accident occurs. As an example of this, if your accident involves a large commercial truck, then almost immediately after the accident, the trucking company’s lawyers and investigators will descend on the scene of the accident. Their goal will always be to discredit you in any way possible, limiting the liability of the trucking company’s insurer. If you don’t hire a personal injury lawyer for weeks or months after the accident, you have lost the window of opportunity for your personal injury lawyer to have access to the evidence at the scene.
How Do I Find the Right Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me?
Finding the right St. Louis personal injury attorney can seem like an overwhelming task when you are injured and struggling to survive financially. Some people ask for referrals from family members, co-workers, or friends. If no one you know has ever hired a personal injury attorney, consider contacting the Missouri Bar or looking online for personal injury lawyers near you who are experienced in your type of accident.
At Finney Injury Law we know that you can choose from any number of St. Louis personal injury attorneys. We believe that if you give us the opportunity to speak with you through a free consultation and case review that your choice will be clear. We have been helping people in similar situations for many years. We know the laws governing your accident and are highly skilled negotiators and experienced litigators. We are always 100 percent prepared to take a claim to court, which makes us a formidable opponent to insurance companies.
Contact the St. Louis Personal Injury Attorneys from Finney Injury Law
The Finney Injury Law wants to help those in the St. Louis area who have suffered an auto accident, a brain injury, a slip and fall, or whose child has been injured in a daycare situation. We will work hard to obtain the compensation you are entitled to and will always be compassionate to your situation.
We understand that no two personal injury claims are alike. Your accident, your injuries, and your situation are unique. We strive to obtain a settlement that reflects your losses while keeping you informed of the progress of your case every step of the way. At Finney Injury Law we have the resources and experience to handle your case.
We diligently support every injured client throughout the process, answering questions in a thorough, yet easy-to-understand manner. If you’ve suffered an injury due to the negligence of another, contact Finney Injury law for the help you need.