Car Accident Attorneys
Protecting the Rights of Car Accident Injury Victims
No one ever expects to get into a car accident. Unfortunately, even if you are an especially cautious driver, all it takes is one negligent motorist to cause a catastrophic collision. In the blink of an eye, you may sustain injuries that lead to costly medical bills and lost wages from missed work.
You have the right to seek damages when you suffer injuries in a car accident that wasn’t your fault. At Bishop & Hayes, our skilled car accident attorneys are ready to listen to your story and provide the powerful advocacy you need to successfully navigate this difficult time. We can help you file a personal injury claim against the negligent driver and fight to recover maximum compensation. Our goal is to get you every dollar you need to cover your losses, and with millions already recovered for our clients, you can trust your case will be in capable hands.
On This Page:
- What Causes Car Accidents?
- Steps to Take After a Car Accident
- Common Car Accident Injuries
- Compensation from Car Accident Claims
Put our legal experience in your corner when you sustain injuries in a car crash. Call (417) 304-3228 or contact us online today!
What Causes Car Accidents?
All drivers have an obligation to operate their vehicles safely. This means they must obey the rules of the road and exercise reasonably good judgment. When they fail to live up to this responsibility by behaving negligently, they generally become liable for any accidents they cause.
Types of driver negligence that regularly cause car accidents include:
- Distracted driving. Distracted driving involves any activity that diverts attention from driving, such as talking or texting on the phone, eating, fiddling with the stereo or navigation system, or any other form of multitasking while behind the wheel. These distractions can significantly impair a driver's reaction time, situational awareness, and decision-making capabilities, leading to errors that can have catastrophic consequences. Texting while driving is especially dangerous because it combines visual, manual, and cognitive distractions, which simultaneously take the driver's eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, and mind off driving. Even a few seconds of distraction are enough to reduce a driver's ability to respond to sudden road hazards, potentially resulting in accidents that could otherwise have been avoided.
- Driving while intoxicated. Alcohol and drugs severely impair a driver's judgment, coordination, and reaction times, reducing their ability to operate a vehicle safely. Intoxicated drivers often exhibit risky behaviors such as swerving, speeding, and failing to obey traffic signs, which can lead to devastating collisions. Furthermore, the altered state of consciousness and slowed reflexes make it difficult for drunk drivers to respond to changing road conditions or actions of other drivers, increasing the risk of causing accidents with potentially fatal consequences.
- Speeding. Speeding is frequently a critical factor in many car accidents, directly impacting the severity and frequency of collisions. Operating a vehicle at excessive speeds reduces the time drivers have to react to unexpected situations, such as a sudden stop in traffic, a pedestrian crossing the road, or changes in road conditions. Additionally, higher velocities increase the distance required to bring a vehicle to a complete stop, often leading to rear-end collisions or loss of control. The physical forces at play during high-speed impacts are significantly greater, often resulting in more significant damage to vehicles and more severe injuries to occupants.
- Reckless driving. Actions that constitute reckless driving include abrupt lane changes without signaling, tailgating, and weaving through traffic at high speeds. These maneuvers create unpredictability and chaos on the roadways, forcing other drivers to react quickly, sometimes beyond their ability to safely control their vehicles.
Understanding what caused your collision is key to understanding your legal options. Our car accident attorneys can investigate the circumstances of your crash and advise whether you have a strong personal injury claim.
OUR VERDICTS & SETTLEMENTS
MORE THAN $100,000,000 RECOVERED FOR OUR CLIENTS
-
$1.5 Million Auto Accident Rollover
-
$1.1 Million Motorcycle Accident
-
$1 Million Semi-Truck Accident
-
$500,000 Semi-Truck Failure to Secure Load
-
$400,000 Uninsured Motorist Red Light Accident
-
$350,000 Semi-Truck Head-On Collision
The Keys to our success
-
Exclusive Focus on Auto Accident Recovery Law
-
Over $100,000,000 Total Recovered for Our Clients
-
50 Years of Combined Experience in Car Crash Recovery
-
Same-Day Returned Phone Calls and Emails from Our Clients
-
Partners Who Handle Your Claim from Consultation to Recovery
Steps to Take After a Car Accident
The moments after even a minor car accident are chaotic. You may be in shock, struggling to assess the severity of your injuries, and wondering who was actually to blame for the collision. If you have suffered serious injuries that require immediate medical attention, do not hesitate to request an ambulance and go to the nearest hospital. When you are well enough to remain at the scene, there are several things you should do to protect your rights and ability to recover damages.
After a car accident, you should:
- Confirm everyone is safe. If possible, move your vehicle out of the way of oncoming traffic. Check on any occupants in your vehicle and call an ambulance for them if necessary. If it is safe to do so, try to determine whether the other driver and any occupants in their vehicle need emergency medical attention.
- Call 9-1-1. Even if the other driver tries to convince you to not get the police involved, you need to dial 9-1-1, explain you were in an accident, and request an officer to come to the scene. In many states, you are legally required to report an accident that causes injuries to the police. The responding officer will also complete an accident report that serves as an important record of what happened. This report may serve as an essential piece of evidence down the road.
- Keep conversation to a minimum. It could be tempting to make small talk with the other driver while you wait for the police to arrive. In some instances, the other driver may even be angry and confrontational, even if the collision was clearly their fault. Remember that anything you say at this stage can be used against you in legal proceedings. Even seemingly harmless comments could be distorted, so play it safe by saying as little as possible.
- Document everything. Using your smartphone, take photos and videos of the accident scene. Capture damage to your vehicle, any visible injuries, weather conditions, road conditions, and anything else that may have contributed to the collision. Later, write down and date your detailed recollection of what happened while it is fresh in your mind.
- Exchange information. You will need the other driver’s name, phone number, address, license information, and insurance information. When possible, get contact information from any witnesses.
- See a doctor. Never assume you have not sustained serious injuries in a car accident! Some injuries may not be immediately apparent or visible to the naked eye. You should see a medical professional, tell them you were in a car accident, and request a full medical evaluation. Follow all treatment advice and keep copies of their assessments.
- Contact Bishop & Hayes. Our car accident lawyers regularly serve injury victims in Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kansas. We are prepared to get to immediate work on your personal injury claim.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Common car accident injuries range in severity from minor bruises to life-threatening conditions. These injuries have the potential to be catastrophic, meaning they are irreversible and will radically change how a person must live their life.
Some of the most common car accident injuries include:
- Whiplash. Often resulting from rear-end collisions, whiplash occurs when the head is suddenly jerked forward and then backward, stretching the neck muscles and ligaments. Symptoms may include neck pain and stiffness, headaches at the base of the skull, dizziness, and fatigue. While some recover within a few weeks, others may experience chronic neck pain and other long-lasting complications.
- Concussions. A concussion is a brain injury caused by a blow to the head or a violent shaking of the head and body. Symptoms can include headaches, confusion, dizziness, amnesia, and loss of consciousness.
- Broken bones. The force of a car accident can easily break bones. Common fractures include broken ribs, arms, legs, and hips. Some breaks can be more severe, leading to compound fractures or injuries that require surgical intervention.
- Internal injuries. Internal organs can be damaged in car accidents, leading to internal bleeding and life-threatening conditions. The force of impact can cause organs to tear, rupture, or bruise, necessitating immediate medical attention.
- Lacerations and abrasions. Shattered glass, torn metal, or even airbag deployment can cause cuts and scrapes. While these injuries may seem superficial, they can be painful and at risk of infection, sometimes requiring stitches or surgery.
- Spinal cord injuries. Damage to the spinal cord can have devastating consequences, potentially leading to partial or full paralysis. The impact can result in herniated disks, nerve damage, or severed spinal cords, resulting in varying degrees of mobility loss.
- Emotional injuries. Apart from physical injuries, car accidents can lead to emotional and psychological challenges such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can significantly affect one's quality of life.
Hear from our clients
WE PUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AND YOUR RECOVERY FIRST
-
“If you need an attorney that is going to look out for your needs give them a call first.”- Jen F.
-
“Two times now we have needed them.”- Kasandra S.
-
“There aren't enough words to say how much I appreciate my first meeting with Tim Hayes!!”- Jeanette B.
-
“Professional, caring, answered every question, staff very understanding, and they made it easier going thru an accident.”- Campbell C.
-
“My husband, family and I are very grateful for the compassion and the help in navigating all the parts.”- Renee T.
-
“They made it so easy! Super friendly staff and beautiful office!”- Allie E.
-
“They guided me through a confusing time and went above and beyond to help me.”- Bailey D.
-
“Their service, communication and professionalism, that's what makes them great!”- Vlad L.
We Can Help You Recover Compensation for Car Accident Injuries!
To recover damages after a car accident, you must file your personal injury claim against the negligent driver before the relevant time limit – called the “statute of limitations” – expires. Each state enforces its own statute of limitations, and some offer less time than others. You cannot recover any compensation if you wait too long, so do not wait to get legal advice.
Our car accident attorneys will fight to secure full and fair compensation for all economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Reduced earning potential
- Property damage
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
You owe our firm nothing unless we win your car accident case, so call (417) 304-3228 or contact us online today!
