Disclaimer: Information on this website is of a general nature, may not apply to your case, and may not be current because laws are constantly influx.  The following information is not legal advice specific to any one case. Read the full disclaimer below.

Dr. Bradshaw and Auto Wrecks: In the majority of auto wreck cases, we have been able to settle the cases for our clients without even filing a lawsuit. Our fee in such cases is only 25%. This is a significant savings when compared to attorneys who charge anywhere from 1/3 to 50% at this level. Also, we have experienced success in negligence cases at trial, obtaining verdicts in excess of two million dollars..

Compensation and Recovery for Losses: If you have been injured in an automobile accident, there are many different types of recovery to which you are entitled.  Please keep in mind that the types of recovery vary depending on the facts of each case. The potential compensation and recoverable losses include:

• Hospitalization  

• Rehabilitation   

• Transportation  

• Out Patient Treatments

• Emergency Care  

• Prescriptions   

• Assistive Devices  

• Medical Supplies

• Lost Wages  

• Home Alterations   

• Vehicle Alterations

• Home Health Care - Nursing and Medical

• Pain

• Loss of Life's Enjoyments

• Future Medical Needs

• Future Lost Earnings

• Cover Costs (Paying someone to do tasks for you while unable to work)

• Consortium (Spouse's losses)

There may be other types of damages that you may be entitled to under the law.  For more information please contact our office in Springfield, Missouri at 417-890-8888.

If you have been in an auto wreck, there are several important things to consider.

Venue:  Venue refers to the place where a lawsuit may be brought into court.  In Missouri, in many injury (tort) cases, venue is often determined to be the county where the first injury occurred.

Time Limits: Time limits are often called "Statute of Limitations."  This means that after the wreck you only have a certain amount of time in which to file a lawsuit.  Currently the statute of limitations for large truck wrecks in the state of Missouri is five years from the date of the wreck.  Please keep in mind that there are exceptions to this rule, which can change the amount of time you have in which to file a lawsuit.  For instance, a minor may have more than five years but the parents may have only five years for the medical bills portion of the action. A wreck that results in death may shorten the time limit to only three years under the wrongful death statute.  Another example is when a wreck involved the Department of Correction and in these cases, the statute of limitations may be as short as one year.  And the exceptions go on and on... Additionally, there are exceptions to these exceptions.  Each state sets out their own statutes of limitations under the types of actions. Just as importantly, defendants may move and become difficult to find. If you have a potential action, seek out the qualified attorney as soon as possible.

Do's and Don'ts:

DO - Seek all necessary medical treatment from a qualified physician or emergency room as soon as needed.

DO - Keep all medical appointments unless there is a valid reason you have documented for not attending the appointment. Insurance companies sometimes try to reduce compensation and claims because of failures to attend appointments, called "failing to mitigate damages" and the courts allow them to do this.

DO - Get photographs of your vehicle showing any damage before it is repaired, given to an insurance company, or turned over to a scrap/junk yard. It is important to document the damage which was done to your vehicle. Once your vehicle is destroyed or repaired that portion of your evidence no longer exists.

DO - Keep track of any lost time from work including specific dates and times, including obtaining physician off-work notes covering time off work.

DO - Keep track of additional expenses you incur as a result of your injures, such as payments to others for assistance during your recovery. It is best to pay with a check and get a receipt so that there is proof of payment. Insurance companies often attempt to reduce reimbursement for these types of things if there is no proof of payment.

DO - Get photographs of the scene of the wreck showing skid marks, traffic control devices and the lay of the road. If you hire an attorney, be sure your attorney gets this information for you. This type of evidence disappears quickly and is another reason to obtain representation immediately. If you obtain photographs, it is important to obtain still and video pictures. This includes both traffic signals and lay of the road and any debris from the wreck. If you obtain video tape of a traffic signal, be sure and get two or three complete cycles of the signal. Additionally, contact local TV stations and newspapers to see if they have any footage of the wreck scene/area. TV stations often reuse film after only 7 to 14 days. Again, obtaining assistance as soon as possible is often beneficial in these cases.

DON'T - Give a recorded statement to the insurance company, if possible.

DON'T - Sign any documents, releases or checks from the insurance company without consulting an attorney.

Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Underinsured motorist coverage is an option on most insurance policies. This protects you in the event that the person who hits you, the liable party, does not have enough insurance to pay for your damages. If you have this coverage, you may be entitled to collect additional compensation from your own insurance company for your injuries after you have collected from the liable party. Please read your policy carefully as many policies specify that your liability limits under this coverage must be more than the limits carried by the liable party. This insurance is generally defined as excess or secondary, which means that all other applicable liability coverage must be exhausted before you can collect under this provision.