Your Guide to Wildwood Car Accident Compensation
Wildwood is a quaint suburb on the western side of St. Louis County.
With a population of over 35,000, it is one of the largest cities in Missouri. Wildwood is popular for its many parks, trails, and reservations. It also offers quick access to the Meramec River on its southern border. Unfortunately, Wildwood’s fast and dangerous roads make car accidents a common occurrence. If you’ve been in a crash, you may be eligible for a lawsuit with the help of a Wildwood car accident lawyer.
When the damages of an accident start to pile up, your insurance company likely won’t cover all the costs. However, a lawyer has the resources to help you reach the settlement you deserve. They do this by building a legal case demonstrating what happened and how you should be compensated.
Wildwood Car Accident Statistics
Here are some interesting facts about Wildwood car crashes:
- Fatal crash rates in Missouri are still up from last year; there were nearly 200 fatalities by April which is 5% more than last year at that time.
- Missouri traffic went down 49% between March 13 and April 5, 2020.
- There were 879 traffic deaths in Missouri in 2019.
- The most common causes of fatal crashes are distracted driving, reckless driving (speeding), and intoxicated driving.
- There were an estimated 8 fatal crashes in Wildwood in 2017. In terms of proportion, Wildwood usually experiences fewer accidents than the average Missouri city.
- Seatbelts reduce the risk of accidents by approximately 45%. Note that the only way to receive compensation is by seeking the services of a Wildwood car accident lawyer.
Common Car Accident Injuries
One car crash can take a huge toll on your health and quality of life.
Below are some of the most common car accident injuries in Wildwood.
- Concussion
- Spinal injuries and paralysis
- Broken bones
- Brain injuries
- Internal injuries (bleeding, organ damage, etc.)
- Soft tissue injuries
Dangerous Roads Near Wildwood, MO
Given the large size of the town and its many parks, there are certain roads that drivers should watch out for.
These Wildwood roads are the most dangerous for drivers, bikers, and pedestrians:
- Highways: 40, 61, 91, 109, 100 (Manchester Road), 340 (Clarkson Boulevard)
- Major roads: Clayton, Wild Horse Creek, Shepard, Melrose, Ossenfort
- Park/rural roads: There are numerous backroads running along and through Wildwood’s parks. These roads are particularly dangerous, often due to poor visibility, high speed limits, and curviness. It is best not to drive on these roads at night, and to always be cautious.
Am I Eligible For a Wildwood Car Accident Lawsuit?
Not all car accidents fit the requirements of a personal injury lawsuit. One of the most important factors is that you are within the statute of limitations. This is the maximum amount of time after the accident that you can take legal action which is 2 years in Missouri and Illinois. There are exceptions, however, that your lawyer can examine.
Another important part of your case is mitigation. Car accident victims have a responsibility to take reasonable care of their injuries and other damages. Your lawsuit will outline exactly how the accident affected you, and mitigating damages will help keep this assessment accurate.
Finally, hiring a personal injury lawyer who is experienced and ready to fight for you is an very important step in the process. Your Wildwood car accident lawyer will be representing you and your interests to the court – you should ensure that he or she has your best interests in mind. Before hiring a Wildwood car accident lawyer, be sure to ask plenty of questions about their experience, their law firm’s litigation history, their resources, and their legal fees.
Benefits of Hiring a Wildwood Car Accident Lawyer
If you’re ready to pursue legal action after a car accident, you may begin by reaching out to a Wildwood car accident law firm. An attorney or clerk will speak to you about what happened so they can figure out what your legal options are. If a lawsuit is a viable option and they take you on as a client, the civil lawsuit process will start.
Your attorney will do most of the work throughout the process. One of your main tasks will be to supply them with evidence so that they can compile a list of damages and prove fault for falls on another party. Damages are the ways that the car crash affected your life financially, physically, and emotionally. This assessment is important as it will dictate what amount of compensation you and your lawyer will seek.
The settlement you receive in a lawsuit depends on liability, as ruled by the court. In Missouri, your proposed compensation can change if the court finds that the accident was at all your fault. They use a percentage system where if the crash was 30% your fault, they deduct 30% of your compensation from the final settlement. This prevents an “all-or-nothing” type of outcome in car accident lawsuits.
How Long Does a Wildwood Car Accident Case Take?
Car accident cases generally last between 6 months and 2 years.
Your case may be on the shorter end if your lawyer arranges an out-of-court settlement, which is a very common outcome. On the other hand, complicated lawsuits stuck with busy court schedules can last much longer. If you are concerned about the timeframe of a potential lawsuit, your lawyer can likely give you an estimate early on in the process.
What is My Wildwood Car Accident Case Worth?
The value of a lawsuit is a reflection of the damages the victim has suffered.
This is why it’s crucial that you keep all relevant evidence to give to your attorney. Standard forms of evidence include medical bills, details about how the accident happened, dates (when the accident happened, when you noticed injuries, etc.), and photographs.
The average car accident payout is around $20,000, but don’t give too much weight to any number. You have to be both eligible and win the case in order to receive compensation.
Call TorHoerman Law, Wildwood Car Accident Law Firm
The expert attorneys at TorHoerman Law are ready to help. We know the difficulty of recovering after an accident, and we can make the lawsuit process smooth and manageable for our clients.
Call us at 1-888-508-6752 today to arrange a free, no-obligation consultation. You can also try an Online Instant Case Evaluation on our website.
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