Tuesday, August 12, 2014

When You Are In a Car Accident All By Yourself

Can you make sense of your car insurance policy if you are injured in a single car accident?

Various situations can cause a single car accident.

Accidents involving only one car are called single car accidents. They may happen when a deer runs into your car, or your car is damaged in a hailstorm while parked in your driveway, or someone strikes your car with an object. The award for compensation for single car accidents depends on the type of coverage in your insurance policy and the regulations of your state.

Various Types of Insurance Coverage

Liability insurance - provides coverage for property damage and bodily injuries caused to a third-person by an insured person.
Collision insurance - provides coverage to an insured vehicle for damage caused in a collision with another vehicle.
No-fault insurance - coverage is provided for the property damage and bodily injuries sustained by the insured person.
Comprehensive insurance - provides coverage for damage resulting due to loss or theft, rain, hail, earthquake, floods, vandalism, damage caused by animals, etc. This type of insurance covers all aspects which are caused by damage other than collision with another vehicle.

The applicable coverage of your policy depends on the provisions in your insurance policy and also the laws of the state where the accident takes place. For example, an accident caused by a deer hitting your car may be covered under collision insurance or comprehensive insurance depending on the interpretation of the provisions of the insurance policy.

Read Carefully About Exclusions

According to St. Louis car accident attorneys, unless a particular type of damage is excluded from the coverage list of your policy, you may be compensated for damages and injuries incurred. Hence, it is pertinent that while buying a policy you should ask about all the possible scenarios and damages which may or may not be covered by your insurance policy. While buying an insurance policy, you should also keep in mind the cost of the insurance premiums, deductibles, and the value and age of your car. It may not make sense to buy a comprehensive insurance policy for an old car which is already in a bad state.

Statute of Limitations For Filing a Claim

The next important step is to ensure that the claim is filed within the time limit specified in the policy. If you have had a car accident, you should contact your insurance agent to check the procedure for filing a claim and the time limit available. In case of personal injuries, this time limit is called the statute of limitations. You must file you personal injury claim and lawsuit within this time frame or else your claim and lawsuit may not be accepted.

If You Need Help From a St. Louis Car Accident Attorney

If you are intoxicated when you get into a single car accident, there may be other issues such as being arrested for drunk driving. In this case your insurance company may deny paying for your damages and you may also be penalized by a increase in your insurance premium. An accident involving a pedestrian is an extremely serious scenario which may involve a civil lawsuit and criminal prosecution.

If you have recently been injured in a single car accident, do not let the absence of a guilty party keep you from seeking compensation. Contact The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. at (314) 361-4242. We may be able to help you recover your damages.

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Filing a Bodily Injury Claim

Car accidents can be quite traumatizing and the injuries may take a long time to heal.

Car accident victims often have to spend a lot of money on medical treatments. However, they can make a bodily injury claim and recover the expenses from the insurance company.

Filing a Bodily Injury Claim

A bodily injury claim can be filed after consulting the doctor following an accident. The claim must be filed with the insurance company of the driver responsible for the accident. It can be filed by the injured party whether he or she was driving an automobile, riding a bike, or walking along the street.

During the claim process, an insurance adjuster works with the victim; however, it is extremely important to be cautious during the process, because even a slightest mistake can jeopardize the compensation. So, all documents associated with the accident, together with the medical treatment details, should be maintained properly during the claim process. It is essential to update the insurance company about the progress of the treatment until the appropriate settlement is paid.

Keeping a Record of the Medical Treatment Received

In order to receive the appropriate settlement, St. Louis car accident lawyers advise proper recording of the treatment. A detailed medical report should be obtained from a medical professional to show the degree of the injury and treatment received. The record should include the following details:

• Date of the injury
• Cause of the injury
• Diagnosis and treatment period
• Required medication
• Disability or scarring
• Required pain management treatment
• Possible future disabilities

Necessary Documents the Insurance Company May Require

Medical reports, expenses incurred, and radiology reports have to be prepared to corroborate the claim with the insurance company. This makes it necessary to document all medical reports and expenses incurred during the recovery period. It should include expenses for medications, transportation expenses to and from the clinic, and support received while dealing with the injury.

Details of psychological issues should also be recorded by the doctor treating the patient. Psychological issues should not be taken lightly, since it can have a damaging effect on any person involved in an automobile accident.

Although an injured person can discuss the settlement with the insurance company directly, he or she should be ready to provide evidence on the events leading to the injury, including the degree of pain experienced and treatment received. However, an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney can facilitate the collection of these records. Aside from collecting the necessary records, the lawyer can also discuss the bodily injury claim with the insurance company on your behalf. Contact The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. at (314) 361-4242.

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Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Car Accidents Involving a Commercial Vehicle

A car accident is a traumatic event that may result in physical and mental pain and suffering; sometimes lasting a lifetime for many people.

Compensation received for the injury and damages helps the victim with the treatment and payment of medical and other expenses. However, the situation becomes complicated when the car accident involves a commercial vehicle.

Receiving Compensation for Injuries and Damages

The companies behind commercial vehicles are a difficult lot to handle. They are seldom willing to part with their money to pay compensation for the injuries and damages even if they know that their vehicle’s driver is at fault. St. Louis car accident lawyers offer tips on steps that one must take after getting involved in an accident with a commercial vehicle. Armed with this knowledge, the victim may increase the chances of receiving compensation for injuries and damages.

Steps to Take After a Car Accident

After a car accident with a commercial vehicle, the most important thing to do is to stay calm and collect information which can be useful in the claim process. If you are not severely injured and can move around safely, ask the other passengers of your car and the commercial vehicle’s driver if they are alright. A checklist of things to do is as follows:

Call the police or emergency services using your cell phone to seek help.
Ask for the commercial vehicle driver’s license number and insurance information. You must also share your insurance information and license number with the other driver.
If you have a camera, take pictures of both the vehicles ensuring that you shoot the licence plate and the damaged areas.
Look around for witnesses to the accident and ask them what they saw.
Write down the details of the events that led to the accident, including all the minor details that you can remember. Ask your co-passengers to write down their recollection of the accident.
When you are receiving medical treatment after an accident, do not forget to take pictures of the injuries that you have sustained.

Legal Help to File a Claim

When you decide to file a claim against the driver of the commercial vehicle, you may consider consulting with a competent St. Louis car accident attorney to litigate your compensation case. You may find it extremely difficult to prove the fault of the commercial vehicle driver on your own as there could be several factors affecting the case.

The driver may be speeding, driving recklessly, or may be driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The driver may have overworked or have had lack of sleep and was thus tired.
The vehicle may have had a brake failure or some other mechanical failure. This is the responsibility of the company’s repair crew or the vehicle manufacturer.

The governing laws for commercial vehicle insurance vary from state to state and some are federal laws. A commercial firm in violation of any of these laws is liable to pay a hefty compensation. Thus an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney will be very helpful in ensuring that your case gets through. The attorney will use the information you collected at the accident site, the driver’s log, vehicle inspection and safety records, and other pieces of evidence. Call The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. at (314) 361-4242 for a free consultation.

Photo credit: Barry Lewis via Flickr

Friday, July 18, 2014

Car Accidents and S.L.A.P. Injuries

A car accident can cause severe trauma to the shoulder, a complex joint that connects different parts of the body.

S.L.A.P. stands for Superior Labral Tear From Anterior to Posterior, and it occurs when a shoulder is dislocated. A shoulder can get dislocated when someone is involved in a car accident because the impact can cause severe trauma to the shoulder. A shoulder is one of the most complex joints in the body as it connects different parts of the body.

Symptoms of a S.L.A.P. Tear

A S.L.A.P. tear is an extremely serious condition and has symptoms which are quite similar to other shoulder injuries. The symptoms for a S.L.A.P. tear are as follows.

• A popping or clicking sound from the shoulder.
• A dull throbbing ache in the shoulder joint.
• Pain in the shoulder when lifting a weight above the head.
• Pain in the shoulder at certain positions.
• A feeling that the shoulder is going to pop out or get dislocated.
• A decrease in the range of motion of the shoulder.

A trained medical professional will be able to inspect the injury and give a correct diagnosis. It is essential that the victim meets a health care professional to get the injury examined for planning the further course of treatment. The doctor will usually carry out an X-ray or MRI of the shoulder to check the extent of the injury and whether a S.L.A.P. tear has occurred.

Treatment Options For S.L.A.P. Tears

There are two types of treatment available for S.L.A.P. tears depending on the severity of the injury. The first is a conservative one in which the doctor prescribes medication to get rid of the swelling and pain. Once the swelling is gone the victim has to begin physical therapy, in which the therapist makes the victim undergo rigorous sessions of exercise to strengthen the shoulder muscles, improve flexibility of the shoulder joint, and increase range of motion which has been severely affected by the injury. The duration of the physical therapy depends on the severity of the injury.

The next course of treatment is arthroscopy, which is a surgical treatment for correction of the S.L.A.P. tear. In this case a small incision is made and the surgical instruments are inserted to repair the tear. This surgery is followed by physical therapy similar to the conservative treatment and the duration of therapy depends on the severity of the injury.

Receiving Medical Treatment After a Car Accident

If you have been involved in a car accident, you should see your health care provider for a check-up, even if you feel alright after the crash. Many injuries do not show any symptoms initially and then start troubling your day to day life at a later stage. A S.L.A.P. tear is one such injury and a minor pain in the shoulder should never be ignored.

If a serious injury is not treated on time, it may affect your life severely in the future. So, timely medical attention should be sought. The next step is filing a claim to receive compensation for your medical expenses. Call The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. at (314) 361-4242 to learn about your legal options.

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Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Car Accidents and Eye Injuries

If you have sustained an eye injury in a car accident, seek the help of a St. Louis car accident attorney to receive compensation.

Exam by an ophthamologist.

The eyes are considered one of the most important body organs as they help us in all aspects of our day to day lives. When you are involved in a car accident, you are quite susceptible to receive an eye injury. Eye injuries can be caused by shattered glass entering the eye, or by the impact of the head on the dashboard or steering wheel. An eye injury should always be taken seriously and immediate medical help should be sought.

Types of Eye Injuries

Orbital Blowout Fracture - a fracture of the bones surrounding the eye and occurs when the face hits the dashboard.
Eyelid Injuries - the most common form is eyelid lacerations which occur when a blunt object hits the eyelid causing deep cuts. Other eyelid injuries are black eyes in which the tissue around the eye fills up with blood following a trauma. A black eye generally heals by itself with a cold compress and pain relievers, whereas lacerations generally require plastic surgery for repair.
Optic Nerve Injury - also called traumatic optic neuropathy and the symptom is a decrease or complete loss of vision. Severity of optic nerve injury determines whether the condition can be cured by surgery or not.
Retinal Tear - a condition in which the retina separates from the underlying tissue inside the eye. The most common symptom of retinal tear is flashing lights and floaters in the vision.
Eye Haemorrhage - a haemorrhage occurs mainly due to an impact of the head with a blunt object, causing bleeding in the anterior chamber of the eye, for example, the region between the iris and the cornea. The symptoms are blurred vision and pain in the affected eye.
Ruptured Globe Injury - the outer membranes of the eye are affected by the trauma, thus causing severe pain, vision loss, and fluid leakage from the affected eye. Other symptoms include facial pain and swelling, double vision, redness, and abnormal pupils.

Medical Treatment for Eye Injuries

In case you have sustained an eye injury in a car accident, you must seek immediate medical attention, especially from an ophthalmologist. The ophthalmologist will be able to inspect the eye to establish the type of injury and suggest a suitable course of treatment. A timely detection of an eye injury and correct surgery and treatment can prevent permanent vision loss.

If the accident has been caused by a negligent driver, you may seek advice of a St. Louis car accident lawyer to file for compensation for the injuries sustained. Call The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. at (314) 361-4242.

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Wednesday, March 5, 2014

When Your Claim Exceeds Your Policy Limit in a Car Crash

When Your Claim Exceeds Your Policy Limit

The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C.

If you have been injured in a car wreck, you may have already heard the term policy limits being thrown around by the insurance adjusters and lawyers.

What does that mean, and how does it affect your claim?

Insurance is not infinite. There is a set amount designated as the most a carrier will pay out on a claim. The number varies depending on the type of coverage.The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. will be happy to assist you in figuring it out if you were injured in an accident and are trying to recover your medical expenses from an at fault driver.

Policy Limits

Policy limits are presented as two numbers. Missouri law has set the minimum amount of liability coverage at 25/50, so let’s use that as our example. If you are hurt in an accident where the driver has opted for the minimum amount of liability insurance, then regardless of the amount of your bills, his insurance company is only obligated to pay out $25,000. This is a per person amount for bodily injury. Unless he has other assets, there may not be much else you can do to him.

The second number, 50, is per accident. So if a driver runs a red light and causes a wreck that injures 5 people, the insurance company will only pay out up to $50,000. It can be complicated trying to work this all out with the other drivers’ insurance company, which is why we recommend utilizing a car accident attorney.

What if your medical expenses totaled $50,000 and their policy limit is $25,000? Fortuantely, Missouri also has a minimum 25/50 law for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. You are allowed to file a claim against your own insurance company to make up the difference.

St. Louis Car Crashes

A smart Nodaway County motorist opted for higher uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. When he was struck by another vehicle in an intersection, the cost of his injuries exceeded the $25,000 liability policy of the other driver by $59,000. Not including the cost of his future care as a result of permanent disability. His own insurance company agreed to a $500,000 settlement amount on top of the $25,000 that had been paid by the at-fault drivers insurance company. The fact that he had the foresight to prepare for a worse case scenario not only ensured that the medical bills were paid, but that he was also compensated for future expenses. Had he not, he would have been left with a debilitating injury and a hospital bill balance of $9,000.

When considering the amount of coverage you need, consider all of your assets and make sure your policy limits equal or exceed them.

There are other options available to you besides just what a liable motorist can be forced to pay. If you sense that his insurance will be inadequate in relation to your expenses, consult with a St. Louis car crash attorney before giving up.

Injured in a car accident?

Call The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. at (314) 361-4242

Schedule a free consultation

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The Common Risks Associated With Teenage Drivers

The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C.

Car accident rates for people between the ages of 16 to 19 are higher than in any other age group. In the United States, traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers.

A 2008 study on Missouri car accidents reports that there were 195 fatalities associated with a driver between the ages of 15 to 20. When their inexperience is coupled with distractions or road hazards, it is probable that a crash will take place. If you were injured in an accident with a minor driver bring your case to a Missouri car accident attorney. If they were reckless or negligent with their driving, you are entitled to recover the damages caused.

Lack of Skill and Experience

The most obvious factor with a teenage driver is their lack of skill. While they are tested before being granted a license to drive, those tests do very little to prepare you for real life circumstances. While you will probably not be able to file a claim based solely on inexperience, you may be able to against the owner of the car if it can be proved that they knew that the driver posed a risk to others.

The Danger of Over Confidence

Speaking of risk, teenagers love to take them, especially boys. The license gives them an over confidence and they feel compelled to take risks to test the limits. Speeding, tailgating, and making illegal turns are just a few ways in which they will do that. A 63 year old St. Louis resident was severely hurt when a teenager took the risk of making a quick left turn. Without enough time to react, the elderly man struck the vehicle causing him to sustain injuries so severe that he required hospitalization for months. The insurance carrier for the teenager settled the case for $2.15 million.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is another risky behavior that teenagers tend to participate in. Studies conducted just this December show that 11 deaths occur every day as a result of texting and driving. Most of which are caused by teenagers. As we close out the year 2013, there have been over 300,000 accidents and 3,000 teenage fatalities directly related to text messaging. It has replaced drunk driving as the leading cause of accident fatalities. If you have reason to believe that the teenager who caused your accident was sending text messages at the time, you should consult with a Missouri car accident attorney immediately. With a problem like this that has grown to such epidemic proportions, we need to send a zero tolerance message to those who choose to risk our lives.

Youth and inexperience should not discourage an injured individual from seeking compensation after an accident. In fact, it is a disservice to not hold a teenager liable for their actions. Keep in mind that they have years of driving ahead of them. The sooner they learn that reckless behavior has consequences, the sooner they will begin to drive in a safe manner. Consult with The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. at (314) 361-4242 if you were recently injured in a crash with a teenager. You have a right to collect compensation, and an obligation to hold them accountable.

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Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Missouri Texting and Driving Laws

The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C.

There is no question that texting while driving puts yourself and others at risk of a car accident.

There is an abundance of information published about the risk of doing so. As a result, many states have taken action and banned texting while driving completely. Missouri is not one of them.

In 2009 the Missouri legislature focused their attention on young drivers when they banned texting while driving for anyone under 21. This means that Missouri is one of only six states to allow drivers 21 and older to text and drive legally. Some feel that banning drivers under 21 from texting and driving is sufficient. However, the reality is that adults text and drive almost as much as teens.

One study showed that 15% of younger drivers have reported seeing their parents text while driving. And while 34% of teens say they have texted while driving, 27% of adults admitted to sending or receiving text messages while behind the wheel. Clearly the issue lies, not only with young drivers, but with all drivers, young and old.

Texting and driving is not something to be taken lightly. In fact, one report claims that in 2011 23% of auto collisions, around 1.3 million, involved cell phone use. It is also reported that 5 seconds is the minimal amount of time you take your attention away from the road when you are texting. This means that if you are driving around 55 MPH, you would drive the length of a football field without looking at the road. Since texting makes a car crash almost 23 times more likely, it is advisable to never text and drive.

St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer

Texting and driving is dangerous no matter what age a person is. If you have been injured in car accident because another driver was texting and driving, contact The Hoffmann Law Firmright away. Since 1998, we have been successfully securing judgments for victims of auto accidents in Missouri. When our team takes your case, you can be certain everything will be done to protect your rights and get you the full compensation you are entitled to.

Call us today at (314) 361-4242 to schedule a free consultation.

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Monday, March 3, 2014

Pedestrian Accident Lawyer St. Louis – Car Accident Lawyer

Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

At The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. our focus is on helping people recover full financial damages for injuries and wrongful deaths caused by motor vehicle accidents.

Pedestrian accidents often injure those who are most vulnerable — school children walking to and from school, or elderly persons trying to cross busy streets. Another common type of pedestrian accident occurs when a car hits a pedestrian in the crosswalk because the driver is looking at traffic, and not at the pedestrian.

The seriousness of pedestrian injuries depends upon how fast the car was traveling. Leg injuries can range from torn cartilage and tendons to broken bones (fractures of the kneecap (patella), tibia and fibula of the lower leg, and femur in the upper leg). If the pedestrian is thrown into the air, injuries can include brain damage, herniated discs, internal injuries to the kidney or spleen, and liver lacerations.

Pedestrian accidents are almost always very serious. As a result, it’s extremely important to obtain full financial compensation so the injured person can receive the medical care and rehabilitation services they will need.

Ensuring You Get Maximum Compensation for Your Injuries

At The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. our focus is on helping people recover full financial damages for injuries and wrongful deaths caused by motor vehicle accidents. With more than 15 years of personal injury experience, attorney Christopher Hoffmann has handled hundreds of car, truck and pedestrian accident cases in Missouri and Illinois.

We handle a variety of pedestrian accident cases, including those caused by a car or truck driver who:

Failed to yield the right of way to a pedestrian
Ignored a stop light or traffic signal
Failed to stop when a school bus arm was extended
Failed to look right when turning right into a crosswalk
Was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Was speeding or driving recklessly

You deserve full and fair compensation for your losses. Our goal is to ensure you are treated fairly by the insurance company and that you receive the money you need to maximize your physical recovery.

Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

To speak with an experienced trial lawyer about your pedestrian accident, call (314) 361-4242or fill out our online contact form. We offer free consultations in all personal injury cases and you never pay attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Preparing For a Car Accident Before it Happens

The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C.

It is important to be prepared before a car accident occurs.

The steps you take when you are involved in a car accident may sound very simple on paper. The reality is when you are involved in a car accident, it is very easy to panic and forget what correct steps to take. Failure to obtain the correct information could result in financial loss. Panicing and fleeing the scene could get you into legal trouble. Therefore, it is important to be prepared ahead of time, so that if you are involved in an accident, you know what to do.

Make a List
It is a great idea to keep a checklist of things to do after an accident. You could write this checklist down and put it in your glove compartment or keep the list digitally on your cell phone. As previously mentioned, the steps may seem pretty straightforward, but making sure you take every necessary action will benefit you greatly in the long run.

Collect as Much Information as Possible
Cell phones can be of great assitance when you are involved in an accident. Without making a big deal, it may be a good idea to use your cell phone to take a picture of the other driver’s license plate and even the driver themself. This may help in proving that you were in an accident with that car and driver.

In addition, write down details about the accident. Take note of the physcial description of the other driver and vehicle, including the vehicle’s make, model, color, and other details. Write down how the accident occurred and what damage resulted. Call the police and pass this information along to them.

Approach any witnesses who may have seen the accident and ask for their name and contact information. Accident witnesses often prove to be very valuable.

Drive Safely
While car accidents are often not compeltely avoidable, you can avoid being the cause of an accident by being a safe driver. Avoiding distractions, driving the speed limit, and obeying traffic laws are just a few simple ways that you can avoid being the cause of an auto accident.

Contact a Car Accident Lawyer

It is a good idea to contact a car accident lawyer soon after being involved in an accident. An experienced attorney can help you uncover evidence and help you receive financial compensation for damages and medical bills resulting from an accident.

If you been involved in a car accident in Missouri, contact The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. Our St. Louis car accident lawyers have a proven track record of getting results for our clients in Missouri and Illinois.

To schedule a free case evaluation call us today at (314) 361-4242.

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Friday, February 21, 2014

St. Louis Lawyer - The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C.

St. Louis Lawyer

St. Louis Car Accident and Personal Injury Attorney

The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. has been representing car accident and personal injury victims in Missouri and Illinois for over 15 years!

Each year thousands of people are injured in Missouri and Illinois due to car accidents and other types of auto-related accidents. If you have been involved in an accident, you may be concerned about recovering from your injuries, paying medical bills, repairing your car or struggling financially due to loss of income. You may also be wondering whether or not you need the assistance of a personal injury lawyer.

The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. has been helping injured victims recover financially for more than 15 years. Our practice areas include:

Personal injury refers to a type of tort law. It is associated with cases where a person has been hurt due to the recklessness, carelessness or negligence of another person. The victim should then be compensated if he or she has been injured as a result of these acts.

At The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C., we understand that monetary compensation can never return a person’s health or erase the lasting effects of a personal injury. However, it can alleviate many of the day-to-day problems confronted by the victim and their family.

It is important to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after an accident. The longer you wait, the more difficult it can become to gather all of the evidence. Also, the time allowed by law to file a claim is limited.

Contact Us Today!

If you feel that you or someone you love has a personal injury case, contact Christopher Hoffmann at The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. today by calling (314) 361-4242.