Best Car Accident Lawyers in Ofallon

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Ofallon, Missouri?

  636-379-5480 is the non-emergency contact number for the Ofallon Police Department.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Ofallon, Missouri?

  A written request is required to obtain copies of police reports for car accidents from the Ofallon Police Department. Accident reports are usually approved and ready for releasing seven to ten days after the accident. No fee will be paid for a single accident report, but there is a $27.00 per hour research fee plus 10 cents per page for multiple reports.

• Is there a particular law in O’Fallon and the state of Missouri that makes it illegal for drivers to leave the scene of an accident?

  It is illegal to flee the scene of an accident in both O’Fallon and Missouri, according to Missouri Revised Law 577.060. Driving while intoxicated, driving without a license or insurance, and believing there are no witnesses are the main factors in hit-and-run accidents in the area. On rare occasions, drivers panic but eventually turn themselves into the Ofallon or Missouri highway patrol.

• What strategies do insurance companies in O’Fallon use to avoid paying claims?

  By delaying the claims process, insurance companies in O’Fallon coerce victims of auto accidents into accepting a meager payout or nothing at all. They also give victims a false sense of trust, sympathy, and camaraderie in an effort to trick them into accepting a lower payment. The need for the victims to provide a recorded statement and the notion that they do not have to pay for medical care if their own health insurance has already covered it are lies told by insurers.

• Can car accident victims in O’Fallon file personal injury claims without a lawyer?

  Absolutely, O’Fallon residents hurt in vehicle accidents may attempt to make a claim and reach a private settlement with the at-fault driver's insurance provider. However, with an experienced car accident attorney on the victims' side, awards are typically three to four times larger. To secure maximum payouts, car accident attorneys gather and evaluate police reports, witness testimony, and medical information.

• How frequent are car accidents in O’Fallon?

  According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, St. Charles County, which covers the city of O’Fallon, saw 7,991 total car crashes in 2021, accounting for more than 5% of the state’s total car accidents. There were 30 fatal crashes, and 1,521 collisions resulted in injuries. The factors that contributed to catastrophic injuries include seatbelt violations, running off the road, and improper handling of horizontal curves by drivers.

• What percentage of personal injury claims in O’Fallon go to trial?

  About 5% of cases involving personal injuries go to trial in O’Fallon because at-fault parties, such as a negligent driver or an insurer, do not want the claim to be made public. In most cases, reaching a settlement outside of court is advantageous to all parties involved. However, if the claims are worth more than the initial settlement offer, auto accident lawyers in the area are prepared to go to trial on behalf of their injured clients.