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.

Auto Accident Attorney in Springfield, St. Louis or Kansas City, MO

When it's time to call a Springfield, St. Louis or Kansas City, MO auto accident attorney, you'll find the help you need at the office of Brad Bradshaw, M.D., J.D., L.C. With a reputation for taking on insurance companies and winning, we bring the kind of expertise that you need to get the outcome you want. We'll make sure you're fully covered so you can concentrate on getting better!

We don't settle for less than you deserve when you've been hurt in a car accident. Whether through mediation or at trial, we make sure you can stay financially secure while getting the medical help you need. We keep our fees affordable and we are available for you to talk to at any time when you have questions or concerns. Depending on your situation, we'll help you get compensation for such matters as:

• Hospitalization, doctor care and rehabilitation
• Transportation
• Prescriptions
• Assistive devices and medical supplies
• Lost wages
• Home and vehicle alterations
• Home health care
• Future medical needs
• Future lost earnings
• Paying someone to do necessary tasks that you can no longer perform
• Any financial losses your spouse may experience

It's important for you to see us as soon as possible after your accident so we can make sure you follow the right guidelines. If you can't come to us, we'll come to you. We will always include you in every decision and explain the steps we need to take. We will work with you as a team!

When you need a Springfield, St. Louis or Kansas City, MO auto accident attorney, choose the dedicated representation of Brad Bradshaw, M.D., J.D., L.C. Dr. Bradshaw has received training from some of America's greatest trial lawyers. He knows what is needed and he'll leave no stone unturned to get you your rightful compensation! Don't wait, call us today.

If you have been in a car 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.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage: Uninsured motorist coverage protects you in the event that the person who hits you, the liable party, does not have any insurance. In some cases, depending on how your policy is written, you may also be covered in the event of a hit-and-run type accident if the police are unable to locate the responsible party. Please check your insurance policy carefully to determine if you have this coverage, and if so what limits of liability you carry.

Medical Payments Coverage: Medical payments coverage is an optional coverage on your automobile insurance that pays for medical treatment that is necessary as a result of injury while occupying your vehicle. This coverage is extremely important; generally it does not matter who is at fault in a wreck for this coverage to apply.  Regardless of whether you are rear-ended by someone at a stop sign or you lose control of your vehicle and end up in a ditch, if you are injured this coverage may pay for your medical bills.  Many people are unaware of what this coverage actually does and they only carry one to five thousand dollars coverage. This coverage is generally inexpensive and with some companies you can obtain up to $100,000 worth of coverage.  Another important feature of this coverage is that they generally have no right of subrogation. This means that regardless of whether your medical bills have been paid by your own insurance company or not, if someone else is liable for the wreck and your injuries, you can get compensation from the liable party based on the total amount of your medical bills, NOT just the bills that are unpaid.