According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, 989 fatalities resulted from automobile accidents in Missouri in 2023. This was a 6 percent decrease from 2022, when there were 1,057 roadway fatalities. If you are the victim of a car accident, you may be injured, perhaps unable to work and make a living, and dealing with an insurance company that refuses to pay you what your damages are worth. Being injured in a car accident caused by the negligence of another person can leave you unable to resume the life you had before the accident.
What you need now is a strong legal advocate who will fight for a full and fair settlement on your behalf. Car accident settlements depend heavily on your attorney’s experience, skill and disposition. When you have an attorney who is fully prepared to file a lawsuit and argue your case in court, you immediately have an advantage. Insurance companies have more respect for those who have strong legal representation and are much more likely to respond with an equitable settlement. Do not fight this battle on your own—Finney Injury Law is ready to help you achieve the best outcome possible.
Why Choose Finney Injury Law for Your Car Accident Case?
If you have been involved in a car accident, you are likely dealing not only with physical injuries, but emotional and mental trauma as well. Being forced to deal with a greedy insurance company at the same time can leave you feeling overwhelmed. Having a competent, highly skilled St. Louis personal injury attorney from Finney Injury Law by your side can make a significant difference.
The sooner you contact an attorney at our firm, the better able we are to protect your rights and your future. At Finney Injury Law, we are here for you when you need it most. We take this responsibility seriously because we fully understand what it is like to be injured, perhaps unable to work and make a living, and facing an uncertain future.
Car accidents are usually the fault of one driver who was either distracted, impaired, overly fatigued, or simply driving carelessly. Drivers have a duty of care to other drivers. This means every driver must follow all the rules of the road as well as all traffic laws. When a driver is negligent, his or her insurance company must make the injured party “whole,” to the furthest extent possible.
Chris Finney and Alex Ledbetter will fight zealously to ensure you receive a settlement that will fully cover all your damages. While you may never be “whole” after your car accident, we will work tirelessly to get you as close to that goal as possible. We know every single trick used by insurance companies to pay out as little as possible—and we know how to successfully counter those measures and secure full car accident settlements.
What is the Average Car Accident Settlement Amount?
It is hard to say what a car accident settlement “should” be. Your car accident settlement will depend on a variety of factors, including how extensive your injuries are and how long your recovery is likely to take. Whether liability is clear will also factor into car accident settlements. While the average car accident settlement is about $20,000, the unique circumstances surrounding your car accident will determine what your settlement will be.
If your injuries are extensive and you will never be able to return to work, your settlement could be over a million dollars. Your attorney is your best resource when determining your car accident settlement amount. Experience, knowledge, and skill will allow your attorney to accurately assess what your car accident settlement is worth. It is worth noting that car accident settlements are not considered income and, therefore, are not taxable.
What is Considered a “Good” Car Accident Settlement?
Only your attorney will know whether your car accident settlement offer is of fair value or not. The attorney’s assessment is based on many years of experience handling cases just like yours, along with information gathered on your specific accident. In other words, your accident—like every car accident—is unique in some way, and that “uniqueness” will influence your settlement. The measure of a “good” settlement is whether it fully covers all your damages, including medical expenses (current and future), lost wages, future lost wages, and pain and suffering. An attorney from Finney Injury Law will zealously advocate for not just a “good” settlement but a great settlement.
How Do You Determine Whether You Should Accept a Settlement or Continue to Trial?
If you are wondering whether you should accept an offered settlement, discuss the issue with your attorney. Determine whether the settlement will fully cover all your damages and get you as close to being made whole as possible. If the insurance company refuses to offer an equitable settlement, your attorney may determine that filing a lawsuit is the best course of action. In many cases, once a lawsuit is filed, the insurance company may decide to settle the lawsuit rather than face the expense and uncertainty of a trial. The case can be settled right up until the case goes to a jury to decide.
How Can Settlements Differ Depend on Whether You Are Working With An Attorney?
Insurance companies simply have more respect for plaintiffs who are legally well-represented. Experience has taught insurance companies that plaintiffs who are not legally represented are much more likely to be bullied and to accept a low settlement offer because they do not believe the insurer will offer more. Once an individual has a strong attorney by their side, the insurer will stop their bullying tactics because they know those tactics are no longer useful. It is important that you have a knowledgeable attorney from Finney Injury Law to negotiate on your behalf and to fight for a fair settlement.
How Finney Injury Law Can Help with Your Car Accident
Finney Injury Law is located in St. Louis but has the ability to help injury victims across the states of Missouri and Illinois. If you are facing significant injuries following a car accident caused by a negligent driver, you need someone who is willing to fight for your future. Chris Finley and Alex Ledbetter will do that and more. We offer exemplary client service along with legal knowledge and skills that are finely honed from years of experience helping people just like you. Contact Finney Injury Law today.