Personal Injury
Missouri Accident Lawyers
If you or a loved one has been injured or suffered a hardship as the result of an accident caused by an act of negligence, you should not be responsible for the medical bills that need to be paid. You should be reimbursed for those costs, as well as for the wages lost because of the injury. You should also be compensated for the pain and suffering you have been put through.
At Whiteaker & Wilson, PC d/b/a Law Office of Stuart P. Huffman, our goal is to get you the compensation you deserve. Our attorneys have decades of experience achieving that goal in even the most challenging personal injury cases.
Compensation for Negligence in All Its Forms
Our lawyers represent people in Springfield and the surrounding Missouri communities in all types of personal injury cases, including:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Bus accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Products liability
- Slip-and-fall accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Construction accidents
- Warehouse accidents
We are focused on helping victims of catastrophic injuries, such as:
- Brain injury and trauma
- Neck, back and spinal cord injury
- Amputation and loss of limb
- Burn injury
We also represent families who have lost loved ones due to wrongful death.
What We Can Do to Make Your Case a Success
Our attorneys have a long track record of success in pursuing compensation for accident victims because we know how to investigate accidents and take on major opponents, such as product manufacturers and insurance companies. If these opponents are not willing to agree on a settlement, we will not hesitate to take them to trial to get results.
Our experience in personal injury claims is paired with a strong dedication to client interests. One of the ways we demonstrate that dedication is simple but important: We return client phone calls and respond to e-mails in less than 24 hours, so you can be certain that we will always be here for you to answer your questions or just listen to your concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury Claims
At Whiteaker & Wilson, PC d/b/a Law Office of Stuart P. Huffman, we understand that the aftermath of a car accident, a slip and fall, or any other personal injury can be confusing and full of difficulty. We are here to help guide you and answer your questions, including:
Do I really need an attorney for a personal injury case?
You do. While no law says you cannot work directly with the insurance company involved, insurance companies do not exist to pay claims. They exist to make money. Claims adjusters are trained on how to minimize claims by deflecting blame back on victims, delaying the process to create anxiety so that victims will accept lowball offers and otherwise finding ways to deny fair payments.
An experienced attorney will protect your interests and fight for a fair outcome. The insurance company has a host of lawyers on its side, and you should not go into this process unarmed and alone. Merely having attorney representation signals to the insurance company that you are serious about your claim.
How can I afford an attorney for my personal injury claim?
At Whiteaker & Wilson, PC d/b/a Law Office of Stuart P. Huffman, we recognize that personal injury victims are seldom in the position to pay for an attorney’s services upfront – but cost should never stop someone from obtaining quality legal representation.
Like most personal injury lawyers, we operate on a “no recovery, no fee” or contingency fee plan, starting with a free initial consultation. That means you only pay a fee if we successfully obtain compensation for you, and our fee is just a percentage of the damages you receive.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Missouri?
While there are some exceptions to the rule, personal injury victims in Missouri enjoy a relatively long statute of limitations for filing their claims. You generally have five years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit, unless the injury was due to medical malpractice.
For medical malpractice claims, you generally have two years from the date the injury was discovered to file your claim. However, you should never wait that long to begin the process, since valuable evidence can be lost as time proceeds and the filing process can be complex.
Will my personal injury claim settle, or do I have to go to trial?
The vast majority of personal injury claims are eventually settled through negotiations. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, only 3% – 5% of personal injury cases go to trial. Those are usually complex cases that involve medical malpractice or product liability claims, or cases in which multiple defendants may share the blame for a victim’s injuries.
A smart personal injury lawyer always proceeds as if a claim will eventually end up at trial since that puts the insurance company “on notice” that they are unwilling to accept unfair results at the negotiating table and unafraid to litigate on their client’s behalf.
Start With a Free Initial Consultation
We work on contingency. That means you pay attorney fees only if your case is successful. For a free initial consultation with a Springfield personal injury attorney, call us at 417-413-5858 or send us an e-mail.
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