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 Coyne, Cundiff and Hillemann, PC **Car Accidents** # St. Charles County Car Accident Attorneys ## Were You Injured By a Negligent Driver in Missouri? In today's world, it is easier than ever to fall into the bad habit of distracted driving. With smartphones and all the diverting possibilities they offer, people may sometimes lose track of how they are driving, which can lead to catastrophic consequences. However, distracted driving is only one of many hazards that can harm innocent bystanders and drivers. If a driver was acting in a way that was negligent, careless, or reckless, and you or a loved one suffered an injury because of it, you may be wondering if there is any way to seek justice. The St. Charles County [car accident lawyers](https://www.cch-lawyer.com/attorneys/) at [Coyne, Cundiff and Hillemann, PC](https://www.cch-lawyer.com/firm-overview/) are here to tell you that there is hope. We believe that you should not have to pay for the poor conduct of another driver and we are here to make things right. Start out by telling us about what happened to you during a [free case evaluation](https://www.cch-lawyer.com/contact/). ### Should I Hire a Car Accident Attorney? Working with an attorney has many benefits, including giving you the time you need to focus on recovery. You may want to consult an attorney if your claim has been denied or you are facing difficulties in getting what you need from the insurance company. At [Coyne, Cundiff and Hillemann, PC](https://www.cch-lawyer.com/firm-overview/), we offer free case evaluations and can help you understand your opportunities for financial recovery. At its core, an attorney can advise you of your rights and give you the information you need to make the right decision for you. ### Common Causes of Auto Accidents To qualify for a [personal injury case](https://www.cch-lawyer.com/personal-injury/), you must have been harmed by a situation that arose from negligence. Negligence is defined as a failure to act in a reasonably safe manner or the failure to take precautions that any reasonable person would agree are important. If you believe that the accident you were involved with was caused by reckless driving of some sort, the auto accident attorneys at Coyne, Cundiff and Hillemann, PC [may be able to help](https://www.cch-lawyer.com/testimonials/). **Did any of the following actions on the part of another driver cause your accident?** - Use of excessive speed - Distracted driving - Reckless or aggressive driving - Driving while overly tired - Driving while intoxicated or under the influence - Failure to perform routine maintenance There are times, also, when the driver who caused the accident may not be at fault due to a flaw with the car's design or the manufacture of certain parts. It is possible that a car may have been defectively designed or created, and that a failure of a mechanism within the vehicle caused the accident. ***If you need legal assistance, call us at*** [***636\.561.5599***](tel:636.561.5599) ***right away.*** [***Schedule your free consultation***](https://www.cch-lawyer.com/contact/) ***today\!*** ### Missouri Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents A statute of limitations is a time limit that restricts how long after an accident has occurred you will be allowed to pursue legal restitution. Statute of limitations usually varies from one state to the next. According to Missouri Revised Statutes § 516.120, **you have up to 5 years after your accident to file a lawsuit.** If you fail to file your claim within this time period, your case may be dismissed. ### Is Missouri a No Fault State for Car Accidents? Missouri has a law known as the "Pure Comparative Fault Rule," which allows a victim of a car accident to recover [compensation](https://www.cch-lawyer.com/case-results/) for their injuries, even if they are 99% responsible for the accident. The amount of compensation the individual may receive is determined by the percentage of fault they played in the accident. ### Car Accident FAQ: **Are car accident reports pubic record?** Yes, in Missouri most accident reports will be open to the public, which means that you, your insurance company, and police will have access to the accident report filed on the date of your car accident. If you wish to request a copy of your accident report from the records office, you may need to pay a fee, or you can request a copy from your insurance company if they have already obtained a copy for their records. **Can car accidents cause PTSD?** Yes! In fact, the [American Psychological Association](https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2003/12/accidents-ptsd) claims that motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of PTSD among the general population. Post-traumatic stress disorder can result from any experience that had a traumatic or particularly fear-inducing impact on an individual. If you believe you have suffered PTSD from your auto accident, you may be eligible to receive compensation! Contact our firm immediately. **When am I required to report my car accident to the police?** In Missouri you are [required by law](http://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=303.040&bid=16140&hl=) to report your accident if one or more of these 3 situations is true: - the party involved did not have insurance - a person was killed or injured in the incident - the value of the damaged property exceeds \$500 **Are auto accident settlements taxable?** In general, recipients of car accident settlements do not need to pay taxes on the compensation they receive. The general rule is that if the compensation you are receiving is meant to replace an out-of-pocket expense, you do not need to pay taxes on it because you already paid the taxes at the time you paid for treatment, repairs, etc. However, this is not typically the case when it comes to replacing lost income. If you have questions about whether or not your settlement will be taxable, you should contact a tax professional to discuss your situation. **What is the average car accident settlement amount?** Most insurance companies utilize a multiplier system when determining how much to offer in their settlement. However, every accident is different. It's important that you discuss your case with a professional car accident lawyer in order to ensure that any settlement you are being offered by the insurance company is fair. Don't put your settlement at risk by blindly accepting their offer\! **What should I do if I'm hit by an uninsured driver in Missouri?** If you have been the victim of a hit and run, it is important that you report your accident to the authorities immediately so that they can begin the investigative work necessary for tracking down the responsible party. If you have been the victim of an accident with an uninsured driver, it is likely that your insurance company will help to cover the damages sustained by your person (but not the damages to your vehicle). This insurance coverage is known as Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UIM) and is required by the state of Missouri. Have more questions about what to do? Contact our firm today! We're here to help. [***Contact us***](https://www.cch-lawyer.com/contact/) ***right away for legal assistance from our St. Charles County auto accident attorneys. Free consultation - don't wait until it's too late\!*** ### Related Reading: Looking for more information about car accidents in Missouri, or how to handle your own car accident case? Check out some of our latest blog posts: - [**Case Victory: \$800K Verdict for I-55 Collision**](https://www.cch-lawyer.com/blog/2016/may/-800k-verdict-for-i-55-collision/) - [**What to Do if You're Involved in a Car Accident**](https://www.cch-lawyer.com/blog/2015/october/what-to-do-if-youre-involved-in-a-car-accident/) - [**How to Drive Defensively**](https://www.cch-lawyer.com/blog/2015/august/how-to-drive-defensively/) ### Contact Us Today For Support If you would like to ask a personal injury lawyer from St. Charles County questions about your case, we encourage you to reach out to us today. With over 75 years of combined experience at our firm, we have the skill that can win you case. If you are in a hospital or at home recovering, our team can come to you to discuss your case in a free consultation. Get our team of aggressive trial lawyers on your side today and get the protection you need. ***Call*** **636\.561.5599 ​*****to reach Coyne,******Cundiff******and******Hillemann, PC, one of the three top law firms in the county as voted by the St. Charles County Journal.*** [Continue Reading Read Less]() [Personal Injury](https://www.cch-lawyer.com/personal-injury/) - [Car Accidents](https://www.cch-lawyer.com/personal-injury/car-accidents/) - [Distracted Driving Accidents](https://www.cch-lawyer.com/personal-injury/car-accidents/distracted-driving-accidents/) - [Trucking Accidents](https://www.cch-lawyer.com/personal-injury/trucking-accidents/) - [Motorcycle Accidents](https://www.cch-lawyer.com/personal-injury/motorcycle-accidents/) - [Train Accidents](https://www.cch-lawyer.com/personal-injury/train-accidents/) - [Wrongful Death](https://www.cch-lawyer.com/personal-injury/wrongful-death/) - [Medical Malpractice](https://www.cch-lawyer.com/personal-injury/medical-malpractice/) - [Dog Bites](https://www.cch-lawyer.com/personal-injury/dog-bites/) - [Premises Liability](https://www.cch-lawyer.com/personal-injury/premises-liability/) - [Negligent Cases](https://www.cch-lawyer.com/personal-injury/negligent-cases/) - [Construction Accidents](https://www.cch-lawyer.com/personal-injury/construction-accidents/) - [Workers Compensation](https://www.cch-lawyer.com/personal-injury/workers-compensation/) - > **"Jessica Schumacher is an outstanding attorney!"** > > Jessica Schumacher represented me in a very difficult custody case that was in the court system for over 2 years!! Through out that 2 years Jessica devoted not only her professional time but also her personal time to my case! Jessica is an outstanding attorney and will continue to represent me in any future legal matters!\! > > **\- Jade H.** - > **"Attorney Patrick Coyne! Makes Sure You Understand Everything!"** > > Patrick Coyne is awesome! He takes time and makes sure you understand the situation!!!! Above all he's a super Attorney and highly recommend him to anyone\! > > **\- Stephani W.** - > **"This is the only firm I will ever use!"** > > I have been using Pat Coyne, Brian Zink and Lorna Hubber for last 15 years. I have referred both friends and family. What I like most is they tell you what to expect through the whole process from criminal cases to family law and personal injury. If they tell you what they can do for you for your outcome, you can count on them and sometimes you get a better outcome then what was suggested. This is the only firm I will ever use as well as my family. If you use another firm you will be disappointed. My boyfriend got a speeding ticket and their rates were the lowest. And the court cost and fine was less than the speeding fine. > > **\- Amy W.** - > **"Impressed & Highly Recommended!"** > > I was in a motorcycle accident back in 2014 and the insurance company didn't want to work with me. I visited with quite a few different attorneys and none of them impressed me like Brad Cundiff did. He did an excellent job and would highly recommend him to anyone! I've also used Patrick Coyne and he is very good at what he does\! > > **\- Adam M.** - > **"I never felt like I was fighting alone!"** > > Brad Condiff and his staff are awesome. I highly recommend them. They were there for me anytime or day that I needed to talk to them. Brad took extra time to explain everything to me. I never felt like I was fighting alone. > > **\- Linda P.** - > **"Honest, Friendly Attorneys! Great job!"** > > Honest, Friendly Attorneys! Great job\! > > **\- Roberta C.** - > **"Pat Coyne did an amazing job from start to finish!"** > > I was falsely accused and I reached out to Pat Coyne immediately. He did an amazing job from start to finish, and the charges were dropped. Not only did he do his job flawlessly, he was very informative and personable throughout. I couldn't ask for a better lawyer, and I highly recommend him to anyone. > > **\- Dustin F.** - > **"Highly Recommended! These guys are great attorneys!"** > > I have known and used this firm for as long as I can remember and they've never disappointed me and kept expectations realistic. They've always kept their word (which means a lot to me) if they say they can do it they can and will do it! I've used all of them for different things for over 13 years now, since I was 16 and have known them for over 20 years. My father and grandfather used them even longer until they both passed away which they were very helpful with as well and one of them even showed up to my Dad Kenneth Wimer's funeral and the others reached out to me personally with regards and apologized for not being able to attend the funeral which I'm pretty sure they sent flowers still even though they couldn't attend. The attorneys at this firm are all very helpful, caring, understanding, very reasonable with pricing, and trustworthy. I have always recommended them to anyone who needs to hire an attorney or even if they just had questions or needed advice and everyone I have sent to them have always been happy and satisfied with their work. They can handle anything you need taken care of and if for some very small reason they can't they can send you to someone they know and trust. These guys are great attorneys and I'd highly recommend them to any and everybody without a doubt\! > > **\- Ashley W.** [View All Reviews](https://www.cch-lawyer.com/testimonials/)  **Coyne, Cundiff and Hillemann, PC** #### Find Out Why We're The Right Choice - **Voted One Of The Top Three Law Firms In The Country** - **Personalized Attention & Smart Representation** - **We Have Been Named The Best Local Law Firm** - **We Have 117 Years of Collective Legal Experience** - **We Offer Free Case Consultations** - **We Have Aggressive Trial Lawyers**  [ ](https://www.cch-lawyer.com/ "Home") Contact [636-561-5599](tel:6365615599) **Address** 11230 Veterans Memorial Parkway Lake St. Louis, MO 63367 [Map & Directions](https://maps.app.goo.gl/uRfcxPWHBHeQx4Tg8) **Links** - [Home](https://www.cch-lawyer.com/) - [Attorneys](https://www.cch-lawyer.com/attorneys/) - [Blog](https://www.cch-lawyer.com/blog/) - [Contact](https://www.cch-lawyer.com/contact/) **Follow Us** The information on this website is for general information purposes only. 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## Were You Injured By a Negligent Driver in Missouri? In today's world, it is easier than ever to fall into the bad habit of distracted driving. With smartphones and all the diverting possibilities they offer, people may sometimes lose track of how they are driving, which can lead to catastrophic consequences. However, distracted driving is only one of many hazards that can harm innocent bystanders and drivers. If a driver was acting in a way that was negligent, careless, or reckless, and you or a loved one suffered an injury because of it, you may be wondering if there is any way to seek justice. The St. Charles County [car accident lawyers](https://www.cch-lawyer.com/attorneys/) at [Coyne, Cundiff and Hillemann, PC](https://www.cch-lawyer.com/firm-overview/) are here to tell you that there is hope. We believe that you should not have to pay for the poor conduct of another driver and we are here to make things right. Start out by telling us about what happened to you during a [free case evaluation](https://www.cch-lawyer.com/contact/). ### Should I Hire a Car Accident Attorney? Working with an attorney has many benefits, including giving you the time you need to focus on recovery. You may want to consult an attorney if your claim has been denied or you are facing difficulties in getting what you need from the insurance company. At [Coyne, Cundiff and Hillemann, PC](https://www.cch-lawyer.com/firm-overview/), we offer free case evaluations and can help you understand your opportunities for financial recovery. At its core, an attorney can advise you of your rights and give you the information you need to make the right decision for you. ### Common Causes of Auto Accidents To qualify for a [personal injury case](https://www.cch-lawyer.com/personal-injury/), you must have been harmed by a situation that arose from negligence. Negligence is defined as a failure to act in a reasonably safe manner or the failure to take precautions that any reasonable person would agree are important. If you believe that the accident you were involved with was caused by reckless driving of some sort, the auto accident attorneys at Coyne, Cundiff and Hillemann, PC [may be able to help](https://www.cch-lawyer.com/testimonials/). **Did any of the following actions on the part of another driver cause your accident?** - Use of excessive speed - Distracted driving - Reckless or aggressive driving - Driving while overly tired - Driving while intoxicated or under the influence - Failure to perform routine maintenance There are times, also, when the driver who caused the accident may not be at fault due to a flaw with the car's design or the manufacture of certain parts. It is possible that a car may have been defectively designed or created, and that a failure of a mechanism within the vehicle caused the accident. ***If you need legal assistance, call us at*** [***636\.561.5599***](tel:636.561.5599) ***right away.*** [***Schedule your free consultation***](https://www.cch-lawyer.com/contact/) ***today\!***