Formerly Padberg, Corrigan & Appelbaum

St. Louis Auto Accident Attorneys

While there are many St. Louis car accident lawyers, few can match the success and experience of Padberg Appelbaum Knepper. Our attorneys have decades of car accident case experience and are committed to obtaining the best results for our clients.

A car crash can forever change your life in an instant: from job loss and serious injuries to psychological trauma or even the death of a loved one. And although no amount of money can repair the damage that’s been done, a successful lawsuit can help relieve some of the financial pressures victims deal with after a car accident, such as:

  • Repairing or Replacing a Vehicle
  • Emergency Medical Bills
  • Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy
  • Lost Income, including Future Wages
  • Pain and Suffering

Once your condition or your loved one’s condition is stable, it is important to contact an attorney right away. An experienced St. Louis car accident attorney can help guide you through the process of interacting with predatory health and auto insurance companies, and collect evidence and witness testimony within a limited amount of time. There are deadlines to file a lawsuit that can be as short as one year after the wreck, so it is important to contact a car accident attorney in St. Louis as soon as possible.

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Notable St. Louis Auto Accident Attorneys Cases

$9,800,000 Settlement

For a 21-year old woman who was permanently paralyzed when a tractor trailer rear ended the pick-up truck in which she was a passenger while on Interstate 44 in the City of Pacific, Franklin County, Missouri. The collision caused the pick-up truck to flip over and partially eject her. Unfortunately, she fractured her neck and was placed on life support and in a coma for several months. Then, she was transferred to a rehab hospital where she remained for approximately six months.

$5,000,000 Settlement

For the surviving family of a man who lost his life in an auto collision.

$3,000,000 Settlement

For a Jefferson County man who sustained a brain injury in a motor vehicle accident causing him to lose his sense of taste and smell.

More Cases

FAQs: Questions to ask an auto accident attorney in St. Louis

Click to jump to a question and answer:

What should I do (or NOT do) after I’ve been in a car accident?

A serious crash is stressful, and the most important thing you can do is try and remain calm. Read more about the steps to take after a car accident.

You should also be very careful about social media and online activity after an accident. While you may want to share updates with friends and loved ones about your condition, everything posted online could be used against you in a lawsuit. This even includes details shared by your friends and family about the case, and any other publicly available information about you — even if it is unrelated to the accident.

If you cannot remove yourself from social media entirely while your case is active, the best practice is to adjust your privacy settings on all social media profiles, monitor what other people are posting about you and never post about the details of your case or condition.

Should I pay my medical bills and repair my car following a collision?

When outstanding bills go unpaid it can result in late fees or payment denial as well as affect credit scores. To prevent these consequences and to get back to a normal routine after a collision, it is best for an injured party to have his or her own health insurance company pay for medical bills. Ideally, the negligent party’s insurance will pay for car repairs; however, if there is a dispute on liability, then each party should have their own auto insurance cover repair costs, as well as personally pay any deductibles. If the case settles or receives a judgment, the awarded funds will be distributed to reimburse for the victim’s expenses.

Can I file a claim?

Anyone who was injured or suffered property damage in a motor vehicle crash can hire an accident attorney in St. Louis to file a claim, including a driver, passenger, pedestrian, bicyclist or motorcycle rider. If a minor was injured, a parent or guardian can pursue a claim on the minor’s behalf.

You can still file a claim if you refused medical treatment at the scene of the accident, or if you have a pre-existing condition related to your injury. To discuss the details of your case, contact a St. Louis auto accident lawyer.

Do I have a case if a collision was partially my fault or if I was not wearing a seat belt?

Collisions involving cars, motorcycles, trucks and other vehicles can be the fault of multiple parties. A jury can assign a percentage of fault to each party, known as contributory fault. This may reduce the amount of money that can be recovered, but it does not necessarily mean there is no case.

How long do car accident lawsuits take?

Settlement is the fastest route to a resolution and is generally in the best interest of the injured party. However, if the defendant or the defendant’s insurance company does not make a reasonable settlement offer, the case will go to a jury trial, which takes approximately 18 to 24 months from start to finish.

Should I pay my medical bills and repair my car after a collision?

When outstanding bills go unpaid, they can accumulate late fees or payment denial, and impact your credit score. Instead, it is best to handle your bills as if there was no collision at all. Submit all necessary documentation to your health insurance and/or auto insurance company, and keep track of all receipts and important paperwork.

If your auto accident lawyer in St. Louis recovers a settlement or judgment in your case, the awarded funds will reimburse you for these expenses.

What should I do if I’m contacted by the other insurance company?

Insurers will contact all parties involved in a collision to gather facts and collect recorded statements, which can be used against the injured person in a lawsuit.

  • If you have already selected a St. Louis car crash attorney, only provide the insurance company with their contact information.
  • If you have not hired an attorney, refrain from giving a recorded statement and contact a car crash lawyer in St. Louis right away.

What should I do if the other driver doesn’t have insurance?

When the at-fault driver does not have insurance, you can consult an auto accident law firm to sue them directly. However, uninsured motorists typically do not have the financial ability to pay a judgement. Many people carry Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist coverage (UM/UIM) under their own auto insurance policy to help provide financial protection in the event of a serious accident.

How much does it cost to hire a car crash attorney in St. Louis?

The St. Louis auto accident law firm of Padberg Appelbaum Knepper works on a contingent fee basis. This means clients will not pay anything if we don’t recover money for them. If our legal team secures a settlement or judgment, we will receive a percentage of the award, in addition to reimbursement for any expenses of prosecuting the case.

Our accident lawyers in St. Louis work diligently to hold the defendant responsible for the damages they caused, in an effort to receive the highest possible compensation for our clients. We have decades of trial experience and a track record of success you can rely on.