While backup accidents often do not cause the kind of damage that a high-speed accident may, they can still lead to injuries and other damages that you need to be compensated for. If you or a loved one was injured by a careless driver, call a Burger Law car accident lawyer today at [dynamic-phone-number] or contact us online.
As of May 2018, all newly manufactured cars in the U.S. are required to have backup cameras. However, there are a lot of older cars on the roads, and some people may not look at the camera when backing up, or they may not use them correctly. When someone backs up into your vehicle and injures you, you are owed compensation. If the at-fault driver’s insurance company is being difficult — which they probably will be — you need an aggressive attorney by your side to make sure you are treated fairly. Burger Law has recovered over $180 million in verdicts and settlements for their clients in car accidents and other types of injury claims. We know how to stand up to bullies and hold them accountable. As experienced trial attorneys, we will stand fiercely by your side from your initial consultation to the successful resolution of your claim.
If you were injured in a backup accident in St. Louis, or anywhere in Missouri, see how much your claim may be worth by using our free personal injury calculator.
Backup Accident Statistics | St. Louis Backup Accident Lawyers
According to the National Safety Council, one out of four collisions can be blamed on poor backing techniques, and those crashes cause more than 500 deaths and 15,000 injuries every year. Many of these accidents can be attributed to distracted driving, such as texting or setting up a GPS system. The most common deaths are in backup pedestrian accidents.
Immediately after, and in the days and weeks after, there are several things you need to do both for your health and for a successful resolution to your claim:
Check to see if anyone is severely injured — If someone sustained significant injuries, render aid if you can, call 911, and do not move them unless it is for moving them out of harm’s way. If you sustained significant injuries, do not move until help arrives.
Take pictures and videos — If your accident took place in a driveway or a parking lot, as you will not be in danger of oncoming traffic it might be best to get out of your car right away and take pictures of the vehicles as they are currently positioned. That can help an expert witness testify to how the accident likely occurred. Also, take pictures of the surrounding area and damage to your vehicle.
Exchange information with the driver — It is important not to get upset or angry with the driver who backed into you. Ask for their insurance information, and get their name and contact info. Give them yours when they ask for it. If the other driver drove off, take pictures of their vehicle and write down what information about it you can, but do not chase them.
See if there were any eyewitnesses — If other people witnessed the accident, get their info so they can corroborate your side of the story. If evidence in the case is limited, their accounts can keep your accident from becoming a “he said, she said,” claim.
Call the police — If you did not call 911 for someone’s injuries, call a non-emergency police number and have the police come and make a report. Police are trained to assign fault in car accidents, and will make a police report that goes a long way in proving the other driver caused the accident. If you did not call the police immediately following the accident, you should still go to the nearest police station and file a report in the days that follow.
Get medical attention — Even if you do not think your injuries are severe enough to warrant a trip to a St. Louis emergency room, you should still get checked out by a doctor. In order to make an injury claim and get compensation for your medical bills and non-economic damages, you will need to have a record of your injuries.
Notify both your and the other driver’s insurance companies — Most insurance companies have a 30 day window when you can file a claim. File a claim against the at-fault driver’s policy first, but still notify yours. They can step in if your damages exceed the other driver’s policy limits. Cooperate with the insurance companies, but stick strictly to the facts when speaking to them. Insurance adjusters may dishonestly try to use your words against you later. Do not give a recorded statement before talking to an attorney.
Call Burger Law — We offer free consultations, so there is no reason not to talk to us to see if the insurance company is giving you a fair offer. We will be honest with you about how much value we can add to your claim. We know how to win car accident cases; if the insurance adjuster is saying they do not have to compensate you or they cannot offer more, do not believe them until you speak with us first.
While most people in St. Louis do not have to make many injury claims in their life, we deal with insurance companies and stand up to bullies every day. Call Burger Law now at [dynamic-phone-number] to discuss the details of your case for free.
How a St. Louis, MO Backup Injury Lawyer Can Help
If you were a pedestrian who was injured, you will likely need a lawyer to ensure you are compensated for all of your medical bills. Insurance adjusters love to use tricks to devalue your claim, such as saying your injuries are preexisting or that the accident was too low-impact to cause them.
Work quickly to establish the best legal strategy for getting you full compensation
Ensure you get the full medical treatment you need
Negotiate with the insurance adjuster on your behalf
Keep you updated on the status of your claim
Provide you with sound legal advice based on our experience and expertise, while leaving the ultimate decisions about your claim to you
Try to reach a fair settlement offer through mediation
Fight for you in front of a judge and jury if we cannot secure a fair settlement offer
With over 30 years of experience, we know the personal injury claim process inside and out. Let us handle the legal aspect of your case so you can focus on healing.
CALL BURGER LAW TODAY
St. Louis Backup Accident Lawyers | Burger Law
You should not have to pay because somebody else broke the rules of the road and refuses to take responsibility for their actions. At Burger Law, our St. Louis car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no upfront costs and you do not pay until we win your claim. If someone injured you in a backup accident, call Burger Law today at [dynamic-phone-number] or fill out our online form.
