Motor vehicle accidents have many causes: inattentive drivers, intoxicated drivers, dangerous weather conditions and even poor road maintenance. No matter what the cause, the impact can be devastating. Contact our firm today to schedule a consultation and case evaluation with an attorney.
Learn More About Motor Vehicle Accidents Claims
At Kolker & Germeroth, L.L.C. in Clayton, we provide motor vehicle accident victims in St. Louis and throughout Missouri with excellent trial representation. To learn more about our practice in this area, see our Motor Vehicle and Boat Accidents page.
Below we have included some general information about motor vehicle accidents. To learn more about how we can help you with your case, contact us today for a free initial consultation.
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With more than 15 years of experience, each of our attorneys has a track record of success in motor vehicle injury litigation. Our firm has secured multiple verdicts and settlements in excess of $1 million.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, do not hesitate to get in touch with one of our experienced attorneys. Contact us today for a free consultation with a lawyer.
No-Fault Insurance
When a driver has been in an accident, no-fault auto insurance allows the driver to collect from his or her insurance company no matter who was at fault. Not every state has a no-fault insurance structure, but those that do have very specific laws governing when, how much and for how long the injured party may collect. Contact Kolker & Germeroth, LLC in Clayton,to schedule a consultation with a personal injury attorney to discuss how Missouri views fault and to determine how the laws may affect your right to recover damages for injuries.
How No-Fault Insurance Works
No-fault insurance is a system in which auto insurance pays benefits to the insured driver in case of an accident. The insurance compensates the insured driver for monetary losses, no matter who was at fault. This is contrary to systems in which the at-fault driver's insurance company must pay the bulk of the compensation after an investigation and determination of fault by the insurance companies or the courts.
The system is designed to streamline the process of payments to injured people and to lower the burden on the courts. Under the no-fault insurance system, it can be more difficult to sue an at-fault driver for damages; the insured typically must have been quite seriously injured in order to take such legal action. On the other hand, monetary recovery for the insured is more certain under no-fault insurance because the compensation is immediately available through the insurance policy of the injured party. No-fault insurance policies often have a cap on the compensation they will pay.
The no-fault insurance system prevents injured parties from receiving a windfall due to the accident, but it also ensures compensation no matter who caused the accident. In a no-fault state, the other driver will also receive compensation from his or her insurance company if that driver sustained certain economic losses. The specifics of no-fault insurance laws vary widely by state.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
If you have a no-fault insurance policy, it is probably called a personal injury protection (PIP) package. PIP insurance pays for the medical expenses of the insured driver and the passengers who were injured in an auto accident. PIP insurance typically covers things like medical bills, wage loss and funeral expenses, but not pain and suffering or vehicle damage. This varies by state and particular insurance policy. The PIP packages have limits on what they will pay.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
How you handle the situation after a motor vehicle accident can make a significant difference in your monetary recovery. Dealing with insurance companies can be especially tricky. In addition, the no-fault and fault insurance systems vary widely by state. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer from Kolker & Germeroth, LLC in Clayton, Missouri, will help to clear up the confusion these systems can cause.
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