Sunday, February 2, 2014

St. Louis Car Crash Attorney – Car Wreck Lawyer

St. Louis Car Crash Attorney

At The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C., our personal injury practice focuses on helping victims of car crashes in St. Louis, Missouri, and the surrounding area.

When you or a loved one has been injured in a St. Louis car crash, it is critical that you speak to a lawyer as soon as possible. If you wait too long, critical evidence relating to fault and injury causation may be lost, witnesses may disappear and memories may fade.

At The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C., our personal injury practice focuses on helping victims of car crashes in St. Louis, Missouri, and the surrounding area. When we take your car crash injury claim, we immediately begin the process of investigation and evidence collection to secure and preserve the evidence. We work with skilled accident reconstruction experts and professional investigators. We know what it takes to win tough cases.

Efficient, Effective St. Louis Car Crash Lawyer

We understand the difficulties your injuries present. You have doctor’s visits and medical bills, plus you may have to take time off from work or school. Add in the stress of dealing with an insurance company and you can quickly feel overwhelmed.

That’s why you need to be represented by an experienced St. Louis car crash lawyer like Christopher Hoffmann. He will handle every aspect of your case so you can focus on getting better. From beginning to end, you can count on us to be there. We value open communication with every client, and we will always keep you up to date on what’s happening with your case.

Even if the driver who hit you was uninsured, you still have options. Attorney Chris Hoffmann will analyze your own insurance policy and help you recover under uninsured/underinsured coverage.

If you lost a loved one in a fatal St. Louis auto accident, we can help you pursue a wrongful death claim. We know money can’t replace your loss, but it can give you the resources you need to begin moving forward.

Contact a St. Louis Car Crash Injury Lawyer

If you were seriously injured in a St. Louis car accident, you can call our office at (314) 361-4242. You can also fill out our online contact form. We offer a free initial consultation with a lawyer in all personal injury cases, and you never pay attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Trucking Companies and Negligent Hiring & Retention Practices

Trucking Companies and Negligent Hiring Practices

Trucking Companies and Negligent Hiring & Retention Practices

The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C.

There are close to 800,000 truckers employed in the United States traveling 250 million miles per day on our highways.

We travel alongside them without giving much thought to the person behind the wheel. What kind of training have they had? How is their driving record? When was the last time they took a break and slept? Thankfully the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration does ask these questions and has enacted laws to try and ensure that other motorists are safe from large commercial trucks. If you, or a family member, have been hurt recently in a collision with a truck, contact a Missouri truck accident attorney as soon as possible. There is a lot of evidence to explore in these types of claims, and the sooner an attorney can get to it, the sooner you will receive your compensation.

Responsibility to the Public

With over three million registered 18-wheelers in the United States, commercial trucking is big business and has a tremendous responsibility to the public. One of the biggest challenges they face is in hiring their drivers. The FMCSA has guidelines that require all prospective drivers undergo a thorough background check, plus previous employers are mandated to turn over employment records spanning back three years. Failure to do so could cause a trucking company to hire a driver who has a history of driving recklessly.

Background Checks and Driving Records

For just a few dollars a trucking company can easily check the background and driving record of an applicant. An Arkansas based trucking company failed to do this with a new hire and it ended up costing them a $7 million dollar jury award to the family of another motorist killed by their new hire. They took the applicant at his word that he had a clean driving record even though he had had his license revoked two times in the past.

A similar scenario in Missouri occurred, except in that case the trucking company was aware of the drivers’ poor history and still allowed him to drive one of their 18-wheelers. He rear ended a passenger car, pushing it across the center line head on into another vehicle. Evidence showed that he had exceeded the weekly hour limit for driving at the time of the accident. The companies insurance company balked at a settlement until faced with the prospect of an additional claim for bad faith. In the end they paid out to the plaintiff the million dollar policy limit.

Following Due Diligence Procedures

All employers share a due diligence to make hiring choices that will not harm others. Plus they have a duty to ensure that their employees remain qualified for the job. Equally important to careful screening of applicants, is the importance of tracking performance and letting an employee go if his abilities begin to decline.

Trucking companies are big business and have the resources to fight claims aggressively. It is not beneath an insurance adjuster to try and mask evidence or change facts. It is imperative that you hire an equally aggressive Missouri truck accident attorney if you, or a family member, have been hurt in a collision with a commercial vehicle.

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

Photo credit: C P Storm

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Saturday, February 1, 2014

Catastrophic Injury or Fatality Caused by Vehicle Ejection

Catastrophic Injuries Caused by Vehicle Ejection

Catastrophic Injury or Fatality Caused by Vehicle Ejection

The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C.

Being involved in a sudden car crash is a frightening experience.

At one moment you are riding along and then, in a blink of an eye, your life may be changed forever. In the minutes after an accident, victims are most likely to feel confused and disoriented as they try and make sense of their surroundings and sudden pain. Those who have been ejected from the vehicle will most likely feel dazed and wonder how they came to be outside of the car. If you have been in acar accident and are now suffering trauma from having been ejected, ask acar accident lawyer for advice on how to proceed with a claim.

Being Ejected From a Vehicle

Injuries sustained from an occupant ejection crash will be severe as the victim not only was harmed by the initial collision, but again when they hit the ground. In late November, 3 individuals lost their lives when they were ejected from a van in a single vehicle crash. The high rate of speed at which the body is thrown from a vehicle causes them to hit the ground with such force that serious, if not fatal, injuries are inevitable. Multiple broken bones are commonly seen in patients who have been ejected from a car as well as severe head and neck trauma.

A Missouri mom was ejected from her vehicle after another car strayed over the center line and hit hers head on. The extent of her injuries was so severe that it took over 3 months before she could safely be released from medical care and is now permanently disabled. The insurance company had no choice but to settle her claim for $1.6 million when presented with evidence that her quality of life had been adversely affected by the accident forever.

The Protection Seat Belts Offer

Seat belts are designed to help prevent vehicle ejection in the event of an accident. Most states, including Missouri, only require them to be worn by those occupying the front seat of a vehicle. Unless you are a minor, there are often no laws regarding their use in the back seat. Many people feel that the metal surrounding them bars the need for a seatbelt in a vehicles rear seats. This is not the case. If the car rolls over, any unbelted passengers will most likely be ejected regardless of where they are seated. Doors can also spring open from the force of a collision, causing passengers to propel out of the car or go through one of the side windows, which are not nearly as capable as windshields at keeping victims of car accidents from being tossed out of a vehicle.

St. Louis Car Crash Lawyers

Due to the probable severity of the injuries, you should contact a car accident lawyer if you were ejected from a car. Hospital bills accumulate quickly, and there is a high probability that you are going to need continued medical care for some time. It is important to seek the advice of an experienced attorney who can get you the compensation you will need.

If you have been injured in Missouri auto collision, contact The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. by calling (314) 361-4242 or contacting us online to schedule a free consultation.

photo credit: digitizedchaos

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Do I Need a Lawyer? Why Hire a Personal Injury Attorney

Do I Need a Lawyer?

The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C.

Why It’s Important to Hire a Personal Injury Attorney if You Were Injured in an Accident

Attention: Before you speak with any insurance company, contact The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. to discuss your case. Prevent the insurance company from obtaining your recorded statement and using it against you. Adjusters are trained to make you give a statement that is detrimental to your claim. The recorded statement is the insurance company’s #1 priority.

Even though you pay them a monthly premium , insurance companies do not represent you . They represent shareholders, and their job is to make a profit by collecting premiums and paying out as little as possible. That is why they have claims adjusters and a host of investigators and lawyers on staff. The role of each of these people is to ensure that the insurance company does not pay one penny more than is necessary — and far less if they can get away with it.

Studies have shown that injured people who hire an attorney to handle their serious injury claim walk away with more compensation than those who do not hire a lawyer, even after the attorney’s fees are paid.

Attorneys can do several things for accident victims:

Your insurance company will try to settle your case for the lowest possible amount. An experienced attorney understands the true value of your injury claim and can advise you on whether to settle or whether to fight for all the compensation you deserve.
The insurance company will try to settle your case early, before all of your expenses are known. An experienced personal injury attorney, like Christopher Hoffmann, understands that serious injuries can have consequences long after the initial accident. A lawyer who works for you — and you alone — will advise you not to settle too soon.
The insurance company has its own lawyers working to limit your financial recovery and even to find loopholes so they do not need to pay you at all. Your attorney is your own legal advocate dedicated to protecting your interests. Having your own lawyer levels the playing field. Even attorneys who do not practice personal injury law usually retain a skilled personal injury attorney to represent them or their family members if they are injured.

Learn more about why hiring The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. is a smart move. To discuss your accident claim with an experienced attorney who is dedicated to car accident cases, please call us at (314) 361-4242 or fill out our contact form. Your consultation is free, but our service is invaluable.

St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer - Are You an Injury Victim?

St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer

At The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C., we have been representing are personal injury victims for more than 15 years in Missouri and Illinois.

A serious personal injury is a major and unexpected setback. If you were hurt in Missouri or Illinois it is important for you to work with a lawyer who has extensive experience handling cases in the local area. There is no substitute for local knowledge.

At The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C., we dedicate our practice to securing full and fair compensation for people who suffer injuries in motor vehicle accidents in St. Louis, Missouri, and Illinois. With more than 15 years of experience, St. Louis car accident lawyer Christopher Hoffmann understands what is expected of attorneys in our community, and uses that knowledge to build strong cases.

When you hire our firm, your case will be handled at all times by experienced St. Louis personal injury attorney Christopher Hoffmann. He does not pass cases off to inexperienced associates or paralegals.

Part of what makes our personal injury practice so successful is that we have access to respected experts who help build cases. In car accidents, we often work with accident reconstructionists to recreate how the accident really happened. We investigate cases thoroughly, with the help of outside investigators when needed.

Whether you were hurt in a St. Louis car crash or an auto accident in Illinois, you will receive strong, skilled representation from The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. We know how to negotiate with insurance companies to get fair settlements. When settlements are not forthcoming, we never hesitate to go to court to protect our clients’ rights.

Contact a St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer

If you were seriously injured in a Missouri or Illinois car accident or any other type of accident, you can call our office 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (314) 361-4242. You can also contact us online. We offer a free initial consultation with a lawyer in all personal injury cases, and you never pay attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Recent Missouri Auto Accident Statistics

The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C.

Missouri is a beautiful place to live or visit. This means that Missouri highways are highly trafficked.

Travelers passing through, tourists, commercial vehicles, visitors, and Missouri residents all share the roads. Unfortunately, heavy traffic means that the likelihood of an accident is increased. Drivers can practice safe driving habits and be very cautious but accidents still happen. In Missouri, Highway 44 is even more likely to be an accident site.

When an accident is caused because of someone else’s negligence, it is important that you contact a Missouri auto accident attorney who can help you to hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions and obtain the compensation for any vehicle damage or injuries you sustain in the crash.

Consider some recent Missouri Car Accident Statistics:

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported the following statistics in regards to Missouri accidents last year:

There was a total of 142,966 car accidents
There were 786 fatalities that resulted from these accidents
This comes to a total of one car accident death every 11 hours
There were 51,060 individuals who suffered injuries in car accidents
This amounts to an injury from a car accident every 10 minutes
On average a motorcyclist is injured or killed on Missouri roads every 3.9 hours

Causes of Missouri Auto Accidents

The leading cause of auto accidents in Missouri is speeding. Speeding accounts for about 38.2 percent of fatal crashes and 17.3 percent of the total number of auto accidents.

Another major contributing cause of fatal auto accidents is drunk driving. Drinking and driving caused 26.8 percent of fatal crashes, according to the report. Drinking and driving contributed to the cause of 4.4 percent of total accidents in Missouri.

Motorcycles were involved in 1.8 percent of Missouri auto accidents. But because motorcycles offer less protection to riders, 80 percent of motorcycle accidents result in personal injury or fatality.

The same is true of car accidents involving pedestrians. These accidents are far less frequent, accounting for a very small percentage of total accidents. But these accidents are very likely to result in significant personal injury or wrongful death for pedestrians when they do occur. About 91.2 percent of these cases are fatal or result in injury.

Missouri Auto Accident Attorneys

If you have been involved in a car accident, you need an experienced Missouri car accident attorney to advocate for you and to look out for your best interests. Insurance companies will try their best to minimize your claim and take advantage of you if you are not represented by an attorney who understands the true value of your claim.

In order to receive the full compensation to which you are entitled from insurance companies or any negligent parties whose actions contributed to causing the accident, you should contact the Missouri car accident lawyers at The Hoffmann Law Firm as soon as possible after an auto accident.

At The Hoffmann Law Firm we will work to build a strong case right from the start so you can receive the maximum compensation you are entitled to. Call us today at (314) 361-4242 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.

photo credit: KristinNador

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Car Accidents Involving Uninsured Drivers

The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C.

It is complicated issues such as these that make seeking the advice of a Missouri car accident attorney of utmost importance as soon as you are involved in a collision.

It seems unfair. You insure your car with a reputable company and make sure to pay your premiums on time. You drive safely and have a clean driving record. Then one day,bang… you are hit from behind by an uninsured or under-insured motorist.

What are your options?

Car insurance is meant to help recover losses sustained in a car accident. In most instances the insurance company of the driver found to be at fault for the accident pays for all damages and medical expenses that result from the collision. So what happens when the at-fault driver does not have any or adequate coverage?

Figuring out what to do next can be confusing. A good Missouri car accident attorney can study your case in depth to determine the best course of action. If they see that the offending driver has assets and available funds they may advise you to file a personal injury claim against them in civil court. If they determine that this would not be beneficial, because there is no viable way for the defendant to pay, then you may have to file with your own insurance company. This is unfortunate as it may count against you and raise your premiums even though you did not choose to collide with someone irresponsible.

Filing a lawsuit against a company that in the past has served you is not an easy task. Sometimes it is first necessary to file a breach of contract suit. Missouri car accident lawyers know that in most instances the insurance company is going to fight hard against these claims. They are expecting solid proof not just of your injury and damage to your car, but also hard evidence that the other motorist was in fact lax in their own coverage.

The wording of your policy and whether or not there are any limits set will determine the amount that may be awarded to you. A Missouri car accident attorney who is familiar with and deals primarily with un-insured or under-insured car accident cases will know best how to read the language of your policy and fight for you to get you all of the compensation you deserve.

For example, one recent case involved a woman who suffered from a herniated disc after a collision with an under-insured motorist. After exhausting the drivers insurance and getting their client the maximum allowed by his policy, they then pursued a case against her own insurance company to help pay the difference. Her insurance claimed that the settlement was more than adequate but her attorney was able to prove that her injuries were a direct result of the accident and the insurance company decided to settle before going to trial.

Missouri Car Accident Lawyer

It is complicated issues such as these that make seeking the advice of a Missouri car accident attorney of utmost importance as soon as you are involved in a collision.

Each individual case is different.

At The Hoffmann Law Firm we give attention to detail in each individual case. We can evaluate your case for free and help you determine what the best course of action will be in your case.

Call us today at (314) 361-4242 or contact us online.

photo credit: State Farm