Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury Law in Central Missouri

Your health comes first. Call 911, accept medical attention at the scene even if you feel you don’t need it, and see a doctor as soon as possible, even if you feel fine. Some injuries, such as concussions and internal injuries, do not show symptoms right away, and a gap between the accident and your first treatment gives insurance companies room to question the validity of your claim.

If you are able, take photographs of the scene, the vehicles, and your injuries, and collect names and contact information from the other driver and any witnesses. Make sure a police report is filed, and keep copies of your medical records, bills, and receipts.

It is also important to be careful about what you say. An insurance adjuster may contact you within days to request a recorded statement or offer a quick settlement. You are not required to give a statement to the other driver’s insurer, and it is wise to speak with an attorney first. 

You are entitled to handle a claim on your own, and for a minor accident with no injuries, that may be a reasonable approach. When injuries are involved, however, you will be dealing with insurance professionals whose role is to limit what the company pays. Without legal representation, it is easy to accept an offer that fails to account for future medical care, lost earning capacity, or the full impact of the injury on your life, and once a claim is settled, you generally cannot seek additional compensation.

An experienced injury attorney can gather and preserve evidence, determine the full value of your claim, communicate with the insurance company on your behalf, and file a lawsuit if a fair offer is not made. Because we work on a contingency fee basis, you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you. 

In general, you may have a case if you were injured because someone else was careless or acted negligently and you suffered real losses as a result. These losses may include medical bills, lost income, or pain and suffering. Car crashes, truck wrecks, unsafe properties, dog bites, and boating accidents are among the most common situations where this arises.

Not every injury leads to a successful claim. What matters is whether another person or company had a duty to act safely, failed to do so, and caused your injuries. This is not always apparent from the outside, particularly when more than one party may be involved or when fault is disputed. A free case review with EC Duckworth is the quickest way to obtain a candid answer.

Most Missouri personal injury claims must be filed within five years of the date of the injury. Wrongful death claims generally have a shorter, three-year deadline. Exceptions and different rules can apply, especially when a government entity or medical provider is involved, so it is important not to assume you have plenty of time.

Even when the deadline is years away, waiting can harm your case. Evidence disappears, witnesses’ memories fade, and surveillance footage is often erased within weeks. The sooner you speak with an attorney, the easier it will be to protect your rights and recover maximum compensation.

There is no single “best” attorney for everyone, and you should be skeptical of anyone who promises a specific result. What matters is finding a lawyer who is the right fit for you and your case. Look for a firm that focuses on personal injury, has genuine trial experience, understands the local county courts, and communicates clearly and promptly.

Do not hesitate to ask questions during your consultation. Who will be handling my case? How often will I receive updates? How do your fees and case expenses work? A good attorney will give you direct answers, and you should leave the consultation feeling comfortable, not pressured. 

No lawyer can guarantee a result, but a good one can do a great deal to put your claim in the strongest possible position. This typically includes investigating the accident, preserving evidence, gathering your medical records and bills, identifying every party who may be responsible and their share of responsibility, and determining the full value of your losses, including future ones.

From there, your attorney handles communication with the insurance companies, negotiates for a fair settlement, and files a lawsuit and takes the case to trial if the other side does not offer a reasonable amount of compensation. Just as importantly, Duckworth Injury law takes the legal and administrative burden off your shoulders so that you can focus on your recovery. 

A successful claim can compensate you for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are losses with a dollar amount attached, such as past and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, property damage, and out-of-pocket costs. Non-economic damages address the ways the injury has affected your life, including physical pain, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, scarring or disfigurement, and physical impairment.

Please note that your settlement amount is not the same as what you take home. Attorney’s fees, case expenses, medical liens, and other outstanding bills are paid from the settlement before you receive your net recovery. 

There is no single figure that applies to every case. The value of a claim depends on the severity and permanence of the injuries, the financial losses involved, how clearly fault can be established, and any share of fault assigned to you. The amount of available insurance coverage can also limit what is realistically collectible, even in a strong case.

For most car accident and other injury claims, Missouri does not set a general cap on compensation, but certain types of claims, such as medical malpractice and claims against government entities, are subject to special limits. Only a review of your actual case can determine what your claim may be worth.