With nearly 4,000 miles of state-maintained roads, Missouri However, the state also reports tens of thousands of car accident-related injuries per year. Many car accident victims who are injured find themselves facing an uphill battle to receive compensation for an accident that wasn’t even their fault. When insurance refuses to budge, the next option is to sue the at-fault party.
Missouri Statute of Limitations for Accidents
Under Missouri law, car accident victims who have personal injury or property damage claims have five years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. There are many reasons for such statutes of limitations. First of all, evidence is critical in deciding the outcome of car accident cases, and time can often be the enemy in such cases. Some cases rely heavily on witness statements, while other evidence can degrade over time. Additionally, it’s important to bring cases to a resolution in a timely manner that is fair to each party involved. The timeline also gives victims time to seek medical treatment and pursue all of their avenues for recovering damages – both monetary and non-economic.
Filing a lawsuit in a timely manner can make a significant difference in each case. However, many victims don’t file within the 5-year deadline. Some common mistakes of those that fail to file a personal injury lawsuit include focusing on healing from injuries or thinking there’s plenty of time to gather evidence and file. Others accept early settlement offers, resulting in missing out on fair compensation. Because the nature of car accident injuries can be severe, some injuries may take time to manifest, while others require years or a lifetime of treatment.
What Can You Sue for After a Car Accident in Missouri?
Before you file a lawsuit for a car accident, you should know what exactly you can sue for. There are several misconceptions surrounding what damages can be recovered, and your own damages are dependent on the circumstances of your case.
People in Missouri commonly sue for:
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Surgeries, medications, and other treatment costs
How to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Missouri
The first step of suing for car accident damages is hiring a Missouri car accident lawyer. If you or a loved one sustained injuries during the accident, it’s important to have a skilled expert on your side who can represent your best interests. Your attorney will guide you through the rest of the lawsuit process, including gathering evidence, calculating damages, and serving as your advocate through court. Because each case is different, the amount of time it takes to settle a car accident case in court can vary from a few months to several years.
Filing a lawsuit in a timely manner can make a significant difference in your case. Before you accept a low settlement offer from an insurance company, discuss your case with an experienced Missouri car accident attorney at Dreyer & Tinney. Our team has over 30 years of experience representing car accident victims and helping them pursue the compensation that they deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a member of the Dreyer & Tinney law team.