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PERSONAL INJURY COULD CRIPPLE YOUR LIFE

Facing A Terrifying Uphill Battle?

Medical Bills Overwhelming You?

Hurt and Cannot Work?

Just Want To Get Your Life Back?

We Understand

Jett Accident & Injury Lawyers has served those injured in accidents over the years and we understand how your injuries mean you cannot rejoin the life you had, the things you loved, and how you are now facing limitations and loss.

We Are Here

We are here for you through your journey. Because of our expertise with injuries and accidents, we have guidance and support for a path toward better treatment. We will be there for you through your physical recovery while working to recover payment for that pain, suffering, and loss.

We Won’t Back Down

We will have your back and be your advocate when you need us the most. We will be strong and fight for you so you can focus on recovering. We will stand up for you against those responsible so you are not re-injured by being taken advantage of. They have lawyers - so should you!

An injury can be life-changing – and not in a good way.

A serious injury comes with financial burdens like medical bills and lost wages. But it can also pile on emotional burdens, like mental distress and a decreased quality of life.

When your injury occurs due to someone’s negligence, you may feel a deep need for justice. A law firm with experienced personal injury attorneys can help you pick up the pieces by getting you the compensation you’re entitled to for your damages.

What is Personal Injury Law?

Missouri personal injury law allows those who were hurt or who experienced loss due to someone else’s harmful actions or negligence to seek financial compensation. The person who was injured, called the “plaintiff,” must be able to prove that:

  • There was harm that occurred, whether physical or financial.
  • The actions or negligence of the responsible party – the “defendant” – caused the harm in question.

Personal injury lawsuits take place in civil court and ensure that those who are careless or reckless are held financially accountable for their actions.

What Types of Damages Can Be Recovered in a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

When you’ve been injured as a result of someone else’s actions or negligence, the loss you incur as a result of your injuries comes in many forms. That’s why damages in most personal injury lawsuits are often broken into two categories: economic and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages incurred by injury victims often include:

  • Medical bills and expenses
  • Property damage
  • Lost wages
  • Decreased future earning abilities

These types of damages are measurable. They often require the plaintiff to present documentation to prove financial loss, like medical bills, income verification, or doctor statements for financial recovery.

Non-Economic Damages

There are other forms of injury or loss that are not measurable and are, therefore, more difficult to put a price tag on in the settlement.

Some examples of non-economic damages include:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Reduced quality of life due to the injury
  • Living with a permanent disability after the incident

Non-economic damages are more difficult to prove but experienced St. Louis personal injury lawyers can help you navigate the complexities of personal injury litigation.

Types of Personal Injury Cases

Since there is a wide range of harm that individuals can cause, there are several different types of injury cases. Most fall into a handful of categories, depending on how and where the injury occurred.

Accidental Injury

This is the most common type of personal injury claim and typically involves accident victims who suffered injuries during vehicle collisions like:

Accident victims usually seek financial compensation from the at-fault driver’s auto insurance company.

Intentional Injury

When someone causes harm with intention, whether it’s bodily injury to another person or intentional damage to property, it’s often called an “intentional tort.”

Some common instances of intentional injury cases include:

  • Assault and battery
  • Domestic violence
  • Vandalism
  • Inflicting emotional distress intentionally

There are sometimes criminal charges brought against the party responsible for intentional injuries, but civil claims can also be filed so that personal injury victims can attempt to recover damages.

Workplace Injury

An accidental injury that occurs in the workplace usually results in a workers’ compensation claim. However, if an employee can prove that the injury or harm occurred as a result of the employer’s negligence, a personal injury claim can often be filed to recover damages.

Employer negligence can include:

  • Unsafe working conditions
  • Improper maintenance of equipment
  • Lack of proper training

In a workplace personal injury claim in Missouri, the plaintiff can often receive compensation for non-economic damages like pain and suffering or reduced quality of life. In workers’ comp claims, however, only medical expenses and lost wages can be recovered.

Product Liability

A person who incurs harm due to a product malfunction can seek financial compensation in the form of a product liability claim. These injury cases are often prompted by product recalls on items like vehicles, home improvement equipment, or even medical devices.

Premise Liability

When someone is injured while on someone else’s property, they may be able to seek compensation from the owner of the property. The plaintiff will have to prove, however, that the property owner’s negligence caused the injury.

One of the most common examples of premise liability claims is a slip and fall accident that occurs due to unsafe walking conditions.

Medical Malpractice

An injury or illness that happens as a result of a medical professional’s negligence can have dire consequences. Patients must be able to prove that the medical professional acted with inappropriate or unlawful actions during treatment.

Defamation

Not all injuries are physical, and defamation claims are proof of that. These civil lawsuits typically happen after the defendant made slanderous or libelous statements about the plaintiff that caused irreparable harm to the plaintiff’s reputation.

Personal Injury Statutes in Missouri

Personal injury claims in the Show-Me State are subject to certain guidelines according to Missouri Law.

What is “Comparative Fault”?

Missouri is an “at-fault” state when it comes to personal injury claims, which means the insurance company of the responsible party is required to pay damages associated with the incident.

However, the state uses a Comparative Fault system, which determines what percentage of fault is assigned to each party. In the case of a car accident, for example, it could be determined that the at-fault driver shares only 70% of the fault for the accident, which means they’ll only have to pay 70% of the awarded settlement.

How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Missouri?

The deadline for when legal action can be initiated is called a Statute of Limitations. According to Missouri personal injury law, injured victims have five years from the date of the injury to file a claim.

What Happens When a Government Entity is Negligent?

If someone is injured due to the negligence of the state of Missouri or a state employee, a personal injury lawsuit may be filed, but the statute of limitations is much shorter. Injured parties have only 90 days from the date of the injury to file a claim or complaint.

Lawsuits brought against the state or its employees have complicated restrictions, so it’s crucial to speak with experienced St. Louis personal injury attorneys to be sure you’re fairly compensated by the state government so you can receive maximum compensation.

Let a Personal Injury Attorney Help

If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, having legal representation on your side has some vital benefits:

  • You’ll have legal knowledge on your side throughout the process.
  • You’ll have access to an attorney’s network of connections, including medical and economic experts.
  • You can focus on getting better instead of the stress of all the legal legwork.

Make sure you get the compensation you deserve for serious injuries by speaking with a St. Louis personal injury lawyer as soon as possible about your case. At Jett Accident & Injury Lawyers, we operate on a “contingency fee basis,” meaning we don’t get paid unless you get a settlement.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS GET

Case Results

$1.25 M

MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT SETTLEMENT

Motorcyclist Receives $1.25 Million Settlement Despite Being Charged with DWI, Speeding & Other Charges

$825,000

PEDESTRIAN HIT BY A BUS PRE-SUIT SETTLEMENT

Our client was walking along a crosswalk when a negligent bus driver hit him. The impact caused a traumatic brain injury.

$750,000

TRACK COLLISION INJURY SETTLEMENT

Our client was traveling in his truck when another driver attempted to make a left turn in front of him.

$600,000

LOW SPEED REAR-END COLLISION SETTLEMENT

$600,000.00 global settlement (pre-suit policy limits) for woman injured in low speed rear-end collision.

PROCESS

Working Together

1

1. Get An Advocate

Start today with a
free case review
2

2. Compile Details

We will collect everything needed to prove your claim
3

3. Heal and Rest

Take the steps needed to rest and recover
4

4. Communicate Demand

Collaborate to put together a demand and negotiate outcome
5

5. File Lawsuit

If your needs are not met, we take them to court
6

6. Discovery

Both sides collect and submit evidence for use in court
7

7. Mediation

Attempt to obtain mutual agreement before going to court
8

8. Trial

Your loss is made clear in court to meet best outcomes

Your Personal Injury Case Should be Approached from a Personal Perspective

Without the right support, you could end up with limited treatment, taken advantage of or have neglected health issues.

If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident, your first instinct may be to file an insurance claim. Anyone who has gone down this path knows that oftentimes an insurance adjuster will come along to whittle down your claim to the lowest possible compensation figure. This applies whether you’re making a claim against your own insurance, another person’s insurance, or a building owner’s liability coverage. Your injury is not like anyone else’s.

Your life and loss is not a cookie-cutter situation - you should not be treated like a claim number.

The steps you take next will make or break your case.

If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident, your first instinct may be to file an insurance claim. Anyone who has gone down this path knows that oftentimes an insurance adjuster will come along to whittle down your claim to the lowest possible compensation figure. This applies whether you’re making a claim against your own insurance, another person’s insurance, or a building owner’s liability coverage. Your injury is not like anyone else’s.

Your life and loss is not a cookie-cutter situation - you should not be treated like a claim number.

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Serving victims of personal injury - one person at a time

meet your attorney

Jett Accident & Injury Lawyers - Dedicated, Determined, Demonstrated Ability

Matt Jett and his team know the power of having the right Personal Injury Attorney when suffering through injuries sustained by no fault of your own. Being under-represented can mean settling for sub par treatment, medical care, relief, and settlements that leave you with liabilities that could last a lifetime. Known for their keen negotiation skills and powerful advocacy for clients, the extensive experience in legally protecting victims of injury and years of expertise in different facets of the law, Matt Jett and his team can help.

As a DWI defense attorney, Matt gained extensive knowledge in the courtroom defending cases based on issues with lack of probable cause, improper investigations, and have fought to ensure police keep proper records and don’t break the rules or lie about important maintenance or recordkeeping requirements. That extensive knowledge and experience within DWI investigative techniques and procedures trained him to find key issues that can be used to the advantage of clients.

Those unique insights and advantages also lend to the powerful ability of thinking like a defense attorney and remaining a step ahead of the other side in a Personal Injury case to recover the most money possible for my clients is alignment with their incredible pain and loss. Even in cases where alcohol is not involved, my ability to find mistakes that were made by at-fault parties is a key strength that allows Jett Accident and Injury Lawyers to provide the highest quality representation to those that have been hurt by someone else’s negligence.

Providing Unmatched Client Experience and Best Outcomes for the Injured

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Frequently Asked Question

How do I get my car fixed after a crash?

Depending on who was at fault, and what insurance they cover, the at-fault party’s insurance, or your insurance will contact you about getting the car inspected and determining if the car is fixable or totaled.  If the car is fixable you can have the car fixed by a body shop of your choosing. The insurance companies will send payment to you personally, or to the shop that does the work to fix the car.

How long is my personal injury case going to take to finish?

There is no way to know for sure how long an injury case will take to finish. Things that can impact the length of time a case takes to resolve are: Time spent getting treatment for injuries, time spent for treatment providers to provide the medical records necessary to establish the treatment you received, and the willingness of the at-fault driver’s insurance company to pay a fair amount to compensate you fully for the damage the other driver caused. Some claims can be settled within days, others take years. A fair estimate that I often give is that a case takes at least 6-9 months to get resolved if treatment is not major, and the other driver’s insurance is willing to provide a fair settlement offer prior to filing of a lawsuit.

 

How do I know if I need to hire a lawyer?

If you were injured in the crash, you will most likely need to hire a lawyer to get full compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. If you were not injured you can probably work out fair compensation for your property damage (the damage done to your car) without hiring a lawyer. If Insurance adjusters are calling you and pressuring you to make a statement, sign a settlement, or accept any percentage of fault for an accident you did not cause, you should at least consult with an attorney prior to making any statements or agreeing to settle any claims you have with the other insurance company.

 

Whose insurance is going to pay to fix my car?

Whoever is at-fault will ultimately have to pay the expenses to have your car fixed. If you have full coverage on your car, you can choose to pay your deductible and get your car fixed under your own policy. In that situation your insurance company would then recover their costs (hopefully also your deductible) from the at-fault party. You can also make the at-fault party pay to fix your car directly, however this is subject to the limits of coverage that person has. If you have a valuable car or a new car, it is very possible that there will not be enough property coverage from the at-fault driver to pay for your car to be fixed or totaled out.

 

What can I do if I’m hurt and cannot go to work?

If you are unable to work due to your injury, you can recover lost earnings from the at-fault driver. Unfortunately, the recovery will most likely not come when you need it most (while you aren’t working). In the event that someone is unable to work for an extended period of time there are some options that can be pursued to help cover costs of living and other expenses. This is definitely an issue to go over with in more detail with your attorney if and when it becomes a necessity to miss significant time from work.

 

Is the other driver responsible for my Medical Bills?

The other driver, if found to be at fault for the crash, IS responsible for your damages which does include medical expenses. The caveat is that it is your responsibility to prove that the medical bills were incurred as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. Insurance companies try to limit the amount you recover for medical bills based on a variety of factors, such as claiming the injury was pre-existing, or was caused by something other than the crash. Adjusters will often times ask you to tell them all of your injuries within days of the crash, which is well before symptoms of injuries often times begin to present themselves. That is why it is important to consult with an injury attorney prior to making any statements with the other driver’s insurance regarding injuries you sustained in the crash.

 

Is the other driver responsible for my time missed from work?

As is the case for medical bills, and other damages that you sustain as a result of injuries sustained in a car crash, the other driver, or their insurance, IS responsible to reimburse you for any economic (money) losses you incur as a result of that injury. In the case of lost wages, they can be very difficult to prove sometimes. Before you turn over your tax returns to an insurance adjuster, it is a good idea to talk to a personal injury lawyer to determine the best way to go about seeking recovery for all of your damages, including lost wages for time you had to miss at work due to the injury.

 

Is the other driver’s insurance going to pay for my rental car?

They should, but often times they will wrongfully deny payment for rental cars. The at-fault driver is on the hook for all the expenses you incur as a result of the damage they do to your car, which include not only fixing or replacing the car, but also for the reasonable costs you incur as a direct result of not having a functioning car due to the crash. That means they are on the hook for the cost for you to be in a rental while your car is being fixed, or in the event of a total loss, they are on the hook for your rental for a reasonable amount of time AFTER they send you the check for your total loss. Keep in mind you will need a car to take to go shopping for a new car to replace the one the at-fault driver totaled.

 

Is the other driver’s insurance going to pay for my deductible?

If you have full coverage on your insurance and choose to file a claim under your own policy, your insurance will pay the cost to fix or replace your car, minus whatever your deductible happens to be. Deductibles are sometimes $250, $500, $1,000, or sometimes even higher. The way that works out is your insurance will pay the cost to fix or replace your car, minus that deductible amount, which you pay out of pocket. An example is if your car costs $2,000 to fix, but you have a $500 deductible. The insurance in this example would write you (or the body shop) a check for $1,500, leaving the balance for you to pay.

If you choose to file the claim under your own policy you will pay the deductible up front. This doesn’t change the fact that the at-fault driver is still on the hook for all the damages they caused, which are often paid back to your insurance by the other driver’s insurance. The problem that people often run into when going about fixing their car in this manner is that their insurance company may or may not pursue recovery for reimbursement of the deductible you paid. If they don’t get the deductible it is your responsibility to collect that from the other party.

Can I use my health insurance to pay for my medical bills?

Depending on how an injury is sustained your personal health insurance may or may not be able to pay for your medical expenses. For instance, if there is a work related injury that is covered by workers compensation laws, your health insurance might be able to deny coverage for the treatment of that injury. Another consideration to take is whether the health insurance will be able to get reimbursed by any recovery you receive from the at-fault driver’s insurance. In certain situations health insurance companies place liens on 3rd party claims such that they can “subrogate” any money you get from a settlement from the other side. It is very important to speak to an attorney about taking any settlement if you have used health insurance to pay for medical treatment that resulted from an injury caused by someone else’s negligence.

 

If I don’t have health insurance, how am I going to be able to afford to go to the doctor after I got hurt?

In Missouri the legislature has enacted laws that allow medical providers to place liens on claims against at-fault drivers so that someone can get access to medical care when they need it (after the crash) without having to worry as much about how and when they will get paid. This is a real benefit to victims of negligent actors because it opens the door to getting medical treatment without having to pay up front, out of pocket, or through their health insurance in certain situations. Because there are limits to the amount a provider can collect for their services under the Missouri Lien Statute, not all providers are willing to provide treatment on a lien basis. There are several doctors and hospitals that are willing to provide treatment under the lien statute, which include some of the very best hospitals, surgeons, and other specialists in the St. Louis area.

 

After my case settles, how long will it be until I get paid?

Settlements are typically paid by check once the settlement has been agreed to by both parties. The check is sent by mail, and often times will require a bank hold to verify funds prior to “clearing”. Once the settlement funds have cleared the bank, there is sometimes some delay in getting paid. The reason for delay in most instances is that any liens on the claim must be paid from the settlement and those liens must be confirmed and paid by your lawyer prior to final disbursement of the settlement funds to you.

 

Will my case settle?

Whether a case will “settle” depends on a variety of factors, but in the end is dependent on 2 things: What are you willing to take as compensation for all of your damages incurred as a result of the crash, and what the insurance company for the at-fault party is willing to pay to obtain a release for their driver’s liability for causing the crash. Sometimes cases settle prior to filing of a lawsuit. Even if settlement can’t be reached between the victim and the other driver’s insurance prior to a lawsuit being filed, the case can still be settled after a lawsuit is filed but before a trial. Still, there are situations where negotiations are never successful, and cases go to trial. In situations where an insurance company is unwilling to pay a fair amount to compensate you for your losses, the only way to make them pay is to have a trial to get a verdict against the at-fault driver.

 

Will my case settle out of court?

In many injury claims, settlement outside of court can be achieved. The factors that determine whether settlement happens before or after a lawsuit is filed are numerous. This question is one that is best to ask your lawyer specifically about, as there isn’t really a general answer for which cases settle and which ones don’t.

 

When do I have to file a lawsuit?

When negotiations for settlement happen prior to a lawsuit, but ultimately do not lead to a settlement of the case, a lawsuit must be filed in order to continue to pursue recovery. Unfortunately, the only way you can actually make an at fault driver’s insurance company pay for the damage they caused is to sue the driver, and get a verdict from a jury or a judge.

 

Do I have to sue the driver who hit me, or can I just sue their insurance company?

In order to recover you have to sue the actual person who caused the damage, not their insurance company. Their insurance will most likely be on the hook for actually paying the amount you win in court though. Our firm almost never sues an individual UNLESS there is an insurance company involved, as it is much more difficult to actually collect money from an individual without insurance.

 

Can you sue for pain and suffering in Missouri?

Injured parties in St. Louis, MO, can seek non-economic damages like pain and suffering in injury cases. There is no cap on the amount of pain and suffering compensation a plaintiff can be awarded in the Show-Me State, with the exception of medical malpractice lawsuits.

What’s the typical settlement amount in a Missouri personal injury case?

Settlement amounts in St. Louis, MO, personal injury cases have a massive range. That’s because the amount of compensation is proportional to the following:

  • Whether catastrophic injuries occurred
  • Whether a wrongful death occurred
  • How the injury impacts the victim’s quality of life
  • The insurance coverage of the responsible party
  • The type of personal injury case

Car accidents are one of the most common types of personal injury cases, and since the severity of injuries in a car accident can vary wildly, settlements in Missouri fall anywhere between $15,000 and over $1 million.

Medical malpractice claims are also common among personal injury lawsuits, and the average payout for Missouri medical malpractice settlements was around $290,000 in 2018.

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Serving The Injured Near St. Louis