This is a common question that many people ask after they are involved in a car accident or other incident in Missouri.  Its hard to say with certainly whether you need an accident injury lawyer unless you weigh your chances of obtaining a fair settlement from an insurance company.  There are studies and statistical data indicating that having legal representation on your side increases your chances of a fair shake at compensation by over 300%.  You have to look at it this way:  the insurance company is a well-funded, well-represented giant that does not have a personal interest or duty to treat you with respect or fairness.  Insurance companies are in business to generate huge profits.  They keep profits up and shareholders happy by minimizing payouts on PI claims, plain and simple.  Anyone who tells you otherwise is just not being truthful or realistic.

There are instances in which you can settle a case on your own without hiring a lawyer.  Those situations include cases where there is little to no property damage and your injuries are minimal.  By minimal I mean that you saw your primary care doctor, got checked out, and everything is clear and you are feeling fine.  One important piece of advice though:  Never, ever settle your case, even if your injuries are very minor, until you give your body at least 60 days to show any signs of lingering symptoms.  This most commonly comes up in whiplash cases or soft tissue car accidents.  Soft tissue injuries can be sneaky.  You can appear sore for a few days, then fine for a few days, and then things can deteriorate quickly.  In some events, victims experience "radicular" symptoms, which are radiating pains down the arms and legs.  This is a sign of a very serious disc problem.

As an experienced Missouri lawyer with an AV-Preeminent peer review rating from Martindale Hubbell, I can tell you that there will be times that we will turn down potential clients.  We feel that unless we can add value to a client's case by aggressive legal representation, that we would rather explain the process to the caller and advise them to handle the case without a lawyer.  This is something that not all lawyers will do.  There are some personal injury attorneys that will accept every case that walks in the door, even if the injured client could have settled the case without legal representation and therefore avoid paying attorneys' fees.

If you ever need to discuss your case and whether hiring a lawyer is in your best interests, contact a St. Louis personal injury lawyer at Schultz Legal Group law firm by calling toll-free (866) 840-3636.  Schultz Legal Group has offices in Missouri, Illinois, and Arkansas and will come to clients locations whenever necessary to consult on a one-on-one basis.

The nationwide Celexa birth defect lawyer at Schultz & Myers are investigating claims on behalf of mothers and their newborn children due to recent developments regarding SSRIs.  A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) is the classification of medications that the anti-depressant Celexa falls into.  Our attorneys are currently taking calls from parents who claim that while pregnant, a mother was prescribed and ingested and SSRI such as Celexa, and have a child that has been diagnosed with any birth defect. 

Celexa birth defects can result in persistent pulmonary hypertension, a lung defect that can require a lifetime of medical expenses.  Other birth defects include heart defects, stomach/intestinal defects, and defects of the cranium.  If you were pregnant and took Celexa during your pregnancy, especially during the third trimester, contact a Celexa drug defect lawyer immediately to see you have a cause of action for financial compensation.

Celexa settlements may eventually be obtained if your attorney puts the company on notice of your claim and is able to successfully argue "causation" in your case.  Causation is the link between the drug and the birth defect.  This is commonly proven with expert testimony from expert physicians that do not have a stake in the litigation.  Your lawyer can explain this in further detail.

The drug defect injury lawyers at Schultz & Myers have office locations in Missouri, Illinois, and Arkansas, and handle cases on a nationwide basis.  These attorneys are top rated in personal injury and wrongful death litigation.  It is imperative that any consumer who has been injured by a dangerous or defective drug hold the company accountable.  This is the basis of the checks and balances afforded by the US Constitution and the civil justice system.    

Missouri State Highway Patrol responded early this morning to a single vehicle crash on Highway 133.  At approximately 2:50 AM, 18-year-old Alex Jacobs was driving north on Highway 133 when he traveled off of the roadway.  Jacobs' overcorrection apparently caused his vehicle to overturn, injuring himself and 2 passengers Donald Jacobs 19, and Bridget Neel 16.  All three occupants reside in Jefferson City and were rushed to nearby hospitals to be treated for their injuries.  Donald Jacobs and Bridget Neel were flown by emergency helicopter for more severe injuries.  It is unknown at this time what triggered the vehicle Jacobs was driving to travel off of the roadway.  As a Missouri car accident lawyer, we can only use the facts documented in a police report to judge what could have caused a crash.

One can speculate with the given vague details of the crash that factors such as tiredness while driving, alcohol, or driver inexperience could have been contributing circumstances to a crash such as this.  Again, at this early stage we can only speculate; however, an Osage County car accident lawyer will likely use a vast team of expert investigators to obtain FACTS of each and every crash we work.  If you or a loved one have been injured as a result of a careless driver - in the same vehicle as you or not - call us today and we will immediately begin investigating your potential claim.

Single vehicle motor vehicle crashes follow the same guidelines multi-vehicle crashes do.  There is a contributing factor of negligence in any incident, no matter how many vehicles are involved.  Passengers in a motor vehicle who sustain injury after a collision may have legal options to pursue.  Obtaining recovery for medical bills, lost wages, and future losses are a few of the areas we as Missouri personal injury attorneys explore to fully compensate the injured.  We look forward to the opportunity of speaking with you and working on your behalf.

Our Missouri car accident lawyers have been notified of a fatal accident in Morgan County, Missouri involving 3 vehicles on US Highway 50.  The head-on car crash occurred late Wednesday morning when Kenneth Kerr (Jefferson City, MO) crossed the center line of the highway and struck Ernest Shirk (Latham, MO) head on.  Kerr died immediately upon impact, and Shirk was rushed to the nearest emergency room facility to be treated for his injuries. Johnny Penachio (Eldon, MO) had been traveling on the highway behind Shirk and witnessed the collision.  Penachio's vehicle sustained extensive damage from debris coming from the 2 vehicles involved.  Penachio was uninjured, but his vehicle was towed along with the others.A motor vehicle crash such as this is especially devastating because it involves a fatality, severe personal injuries, and property damage to 3 vehicles. 

The insurance company of the deceased will be quick to contact all involved parties and present a settlement that may "sound" fair.  Like what I have found to be true for many injured parties, Mr. Shirk and Mr. Penachio may be at an unknown disadvantage, not knowing their rights as being innocently involved in a motor vehicle crash.  Our Missouri personal injury attorneys are dedicated to helping those involved in an injury claim to be covered for any unforeseen expenses as a result. Immediately after a crash, those injured are typically faced with billing for emergency medical care such as an ambulance and/or emergency room. 

Insurance companies are known to 'strike' at this point in treatment, offering a sum of money that will cover any billing you have accumulated as a result of emergency care.  Far too often, people wrongfully accept this settlement, failing to think about their future medical care.  Aches, pains, problems and ailments may take a few days to surface in an injured body, requiring additional medical care.  I never recommend accepting money or settling a claim with an insurance company within a short lapse of time within a crash, especially without consulting an attorney first.Initial consultations - by phone or in person - are free of charge.  You have absolutely nothing to lose by contacting our Missouri auto accident lawyer before continuing with your injury claim. 

At minimum, consult with a Missouri personal injury lawyer to assure that you are making the right decision for yourself, both presently and for the future.

Our Johnson County, Missouri car accident lawyers are investigating a crash that occurred Sunday evening on Route WW in Johnson County, Missouri.  Jennifer White (Windsor, Missouri) was driving north on Route WW with minor Austin Thompson riding as a passenger.  White failed to yield to oncoming traffic and attempted to make a turn directly in front of southbound traveler Joy Berney, also of Windsor, Missouri.  This caused an immediate collision of the two vehicles, each traveling off of the roadway and in to ditches.  Jennifer White and Austin Thompson were rushed by Lifeflight emergency helicopter to Kansas City for their injuries.  Joy Berney's vehicle carried passengers Steven Berney, Earl Martin, and Eddie Thomas, all Windsor residents; Eddie Thomas was transported by ambulance for his injuries.The Missouri State Highway Patrol is continuing their investigation of this crash, as well as pending charges on Ms. White. 

Our Missouri car crash attorneys uses a team of experts and investigators to obtain further information about damages in a personal injury case.  It appears clear in a collision such as this that there is fault based upon failure to yield, which can be negligent per se based upon failure to obey the Missouri Rules of the Road.  Through our years of representing injured motorists by other negligent drivers, we have seen and heard countless contributing factors or reasons behind another driver's carelessness.  Weather conditions, vehicle mechanics, and/or road conditions are factors that cannot be controlled by drivers.  However, talking on a cell phone, taking your eyes off of the roadway, reaching for a drink or a CD in your car is clear demonstration of inattention while operating a motor vehicle.

Unfortunately, no matter what the reason behind a collision - controlled or uncontrolled - Missouri at-fault drivers are held accountable by compensating any injured party as a result of their negligence.  Missouri drivers have a constant responsibility to abide all rules of the road and uphold safe driving.If you have been injured as a result of a driver not upholding their responsibilities of the road, contact a Missouri car accident attorney help you in the recovery process.  Initial consultations are completely free of charge.  Advice from a t-bone car accident lawyer will give you insight on pursuing a claim for injury compensation, and potentially save you from missing a crucial step in doing so.  Call today, toll-free at (866) 840-3636.

Authorities are still investigating a major commercial motor vehicle accident that took place on I-70 in Ohio early Friday.  The scene was one of major property damage when investigating officers with the Ohio State Patrol responded to 911 calls.  The collision occurred near Dayton, Ohio.  Reba Johnson and Paul Johnson were both seriously injured when a tractor-trailer driven by Harry Hogue rear-ended their vehicle.  Hogue, a truck driver out of Fairborn, Ohio, apparently was not paying close attention to the road ahead of him and failed to notice the Johnson's vehicle, which was stopped due to a wide-load truck in front of their vehicle.  The force of the impact smashed the Johnson's passenger vehicle into the wide-load tractor-trailer.  It was described as a violent collision.  Reba and Paul Johnson were both rushed via helicopter to level-1 trauma centers in Dayton.

Accidents involving tractor-trailers are complex for numerous reasons.  As a tractor-trailer accident lawyer, you must appreciate the fact that these incidents involve areas of federal law that are in place to protect the motorists that share the road with 18-wheelers.  Federal safety regulations govern everything from truck drivers hours of service (HOS) to vehicle maintenance.  Our truck accident attorneys commonly find that failure to obey the federal safety regulations is a means for causing a serious accident that results in injury or death to innocent motorists. 

Most trucking companies have a relatively safe record of transporting goods without needlessly endangering the public.  However, there are a significant number of trucking companies and truck drivers that carelessly put our lives at risk.  Bringing these "rogue" trucking companies to justice is the job of an experienced and aggressive truck accident lawyer. One of the ways we can effectuate change in the commercial trucking industry is by holding these entities accountable when innocent people are injured.  Just as the Missouri couple in this crash was seriously injured, more lives will be ruined before truck drivers take driver alertness and prudency serious. 

If you have questions about a truck accident, contact an experienced truck accident lawyer at Schultz & Myers law firm to discuss your case in a free personal consultation by calling toll-free (866) 840-3636.  Speak with a lawyer today and find out what can be done to protect your rights and obtain compensation for all forms of damages caused by the crash.

Our St. Louis personal injury law firm gets hundreds of calls each month from innocent victims injured in car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, and by defective products.  We also field phone calls from family members who have lost a loved one because of the reckless conduct of someone else.  People don't call us because they have good news.  They call us because they are under a significant amount of duress and don't know where to turn for quality legal advice.  Our accident attorneys take great care in answering all questions and concerns and offer hope for those who don't understand the insurance claims process.

Unfortunately, insurance adjusters do not have the best interests of injury victims at heart.  In fact, claims adjusters are compensated to minimize injury claims and make sure that the insurance company doesn't pay out any more than the smallest amount legally possible.  Many of these claims are even denied.  The motto "deny, delay, defend" is commonplace in the insurance industry.  An experienced injury lawyer evens the playing field though, and most of the time an attorney can obtain 10-20X more compensation that a victim will be able to get on his or her own.  The threat of a jury trial is often enough to get the insurance company to act in good faith.  However, circumstances exist where insurance companies will remain defiant and unreasonable even when an attorney gets involved.  In that case, your lawyer will need to work up your case and possibly take it all the way through to a jury verdict.  After all, that is what the civil justice system is for.

An attorney is able to obtain a settlement most of the time, without dragging the case on for months or years.  Your lawyer will negotiate with the claims adjuster with evidence he has gathered, as well as a better understanding of the laws that apply and the many forms of damages and recovery that are available to the injury victim.  Claims adjusters are not about to educate you on all of the forms of compensation that you may be entitled to.  That will be the job of your lawyer.

If you have been hurt due to the fault of someone else, it is likely that several insurance companies may have a part in the claim.  A personal injury attorney will interpret all insurance policies that may apply to the accident in order to maximize recovery from the client.  In, fact, there are often times additional policies of insurance that the victim didn't even realize applied to the incident.  If you have questions, contact a lawyer by calling (314) 732-1401, or by email.  

Our Missouri car accident lawyers have become aware of a crash by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Johnson County Sheriff's Department of a collision that occurred Monday afternoon on MO Highway 13 in Johnson County.  17-year-old Jackson Hill of Lee's Summit, Missouri was northbound on 2-lane Highway 13 when he began to pass a vehicle in front of him being driven by Angela Hardy of Warrensburg.  Hill failed to pass safely and struck the left rear of Hardy's vehicle.  Hill was subsequently trapped in the southbound lane of the highway, directly in the  path of southbound driver John Gallagher and his passenger Tammy Mahan.  Hill then struck Gallagher's vehicle head on and was ejected on impact.  Passenger Tammy Mahan (from Bridgeport, Ohio) was also injured as a result of the crash.  At-fault driver Jackson Hill was rushed by helicopter to a Kansas City hospital to be treated for serious injuries.  Passenger Tammy Mahan was taken by ambulance to the nearest local hospital for her injuries.  Angela Hardy and John Gallagher are not known to be injured. Charges against Hill are currently pending for his negligent driving actions.

If you are involved in a Missouri auto accident, it is important to note that even if no tickets or citations are given as a result, an at-fault driver is still accountable for injury compensation.  Missouri car crash attorneys are experts at distinguishing evidence that proves who was at fault in a crash, and using this evidence to increase the value of an injury claim.  Over our combined decades of practice, we have seen countless numbers of victims who simply do not possess the ability to expose an at-fault party in every way possible.  We are dedicated to working with you through your injury claim to guarantee that you do not suffer as a result of another driver's carelessness.Our attorneys are available 24/7 and consultations on your pending claim are free.  Call us immediately so we may help secure any evidence that could be used in increasing the value of an injury claim you are innocently involved in.

Car accidents involving several vehicles and injuries to more than one person can become complex, especially when seeking compensation from multiple insurance carriers.  Insurance that covers the drivers, passengers, and vehicles themselves can become at issue as to who pays "first" and to what "policy limit."  For the lay person, this can become a never ending battle of insurance coverage, with the insurance companies winning most of the time.  Make sure to consult with a lawyer, even if if it merely to discuss what types of coverages apply to your specific Missouri car accident claim.

Our St. Louis motorcycle accident lawyers have been notified of a crash which occurred Wednesday afternoon in Butler County, Missouri, near Poplar Bluff.  Gerald Sieben was driving his Harley Davidson north on Route W.  Michael Belt was driving his vehicle south on Route W and made a left turn in front of Sieben.  Belt struck Sieben, knocking him off of his motorcycle.  Sieben sustained serious injuries and was air lifted to St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.  It is unknown at this time if any citations were given to Belt, potentially for failure to yield.

The next few months will bring an increased number of motorcycle drivers and riders to Missouri roads, highways, and interstates.  Motorcyclists follow the same standards of rules and regulations as motor vehicle drivers do and we all share the same responsibility when it comes to maintaining caution on our roadways. It can be easily speculated that Mr. Sieben will require a great deal of medical care and treatment as a result of this crash.  After extensive injuries such as this occur, the injured party(ies) are faced with accumulating amounts of high dollar medical bills as a result.  On top of being in physical pain and frustration, many people begin to experience anger, confusion, and anxiety with what to do next. 

The effects of an unanticipated, devastating event such as an automobile crash are enormous and most people need help.  Our St. Louis personal injury lawyers have decades of combined experience in assisting the injured in fully recovering after an auto accident.  We are able to work with insurance companies, hospitals, and billing agencies on your behalf to take the stress off of you.  The goal of any motorcycle accident injury attorney is to enable your full physical recovery while diligently working on financial compensation for your medical care, both present and future.  Call us immediately to discuss details of your claim and how we may better assist you.   

Lexapro is an SSRI (Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitor) which is used to treat depression.  This powerful medication is also used to treat certain forms of adult anxiety.  Unfortunately, studies have linked Lexapro to several serious birth defects.  If you are pregnant, it may be important for you to discuss complications between Lexapro and heart defects.  If you have a child that is diagnosed with heart defects, contact a Lexapro birth defect lawyer immediately by calling (866) 840-3636. 

The first step to protecting your legal rights is to investigate whether a heart defect was caused by a prescription medication.  Drug manufacturers have a duty to keep dangerous drugs out of circulation.  This includes comprehensive testing for all potential customers, including pregnant women.  The studies that have linked Lexapro to heart defects are compelling.  When you speak with a Lexapro heart defect attorney, they will collect all of your medical records and have them reviewed by a heart specialist.  Then a determination will be made whether you have a viable product liability claim.  This entire review process is free to clients.  Our Lexapro attorneys only charge attorneys fees if we win the case for our client.  Their is no financial risk for our clients to have us collect and review medical records and diagnostic reports.  This is important.  After all, our clients are already under a high level of stress when they contact us. 

Heart defects are serious.  Certain heart defects can be treated if they are diagnosed at an early age.  In fact, it can still be possible for victims of congenital heart defects to mature and live healthy, normal lives.  However, future medical expenses can be staggering and it is critical to obtain compensation to assist with these costs.  Contact a Lexapro birth defect lawyer today by calling our experienced nationwide drug defect law firm.

41 year old Roger Murphy (Trenton, MO) has died as a result of injuries sustained after a vehicle he was riding in collided head-on with another vehicle being driven by 69 year old Gary Pollard.  The head-on car crash occurred Monday afternoon in Grundy County, Missouri, approximately 14 miles outside of Trenton.  James Templeton was driving his vehicle west on Missouri Route JJ with passengers Murphy and 17-year old Emanuel Hostetler.  Gary Pollard was driving east on Route JJ when he stopped to make a turn.  Templeton allegedly swerved his vehicle in to east bound traffic, striking Pollard head on and overturning.  Passenger Murphy was ejected from the vehicle, and pronounced dead at the scene.  Driver Templeton was apparently uninjured, and passenger Hostetler refused medical treatment for minor injuries.  Gary Pollard was taken by ambulance to nearby hospitals for his injuries.

Missouri car crash attorneys work to gather additional evidence from this crash.  It is unknown at this time why Templeton swerved his vehicle in to oncoming traffic, though mechanical issues with the brakes as well as an incorrect assumption of when Pollard would make a turn.  Adding a team of car and truck crash attorneys to your injury claim gives you the reassurance that you will be treated fairly throughout the process of your claim. 

Working with an at-fault driver's auto insurance requires meticulous dedication to properly pursuing your claim.  Insurance companies can often times be tricky in settling on something that is not fair to you, though may be appealing at the time, or in the manner in which it is presented to you.  Consult with our expert attorneys before doing anything!  Most importantly, do not sign or say anything to anyone attempting to work with you on your claim until talking with us.  A Missouri car accident lawyer is available 24 hours a day to discuss the facts of your case by calling (866) 840-3636.

Our Missouri truck accident lawyers are investigating a fatal tractor-trailer crash involving an 8-year-old girl and a semi-truck which occurred Wednesday morning in Madison County, Missouri.  Ronald Daughhetee was driving his vehicle northbound on US Highway 67 in Poplar Bluff when it was broadsided by a semi truck driven by James Murphy.  Murphy had allegedly attempted to cross Highway 67 in front of Daughhetee's vehicle from Cherokee Pass Road when he struck the car.  Daughhetee's vehicle was pushed off of the roadway and overturned.  Ronald Daughhetee (41) had three passengers in his vehicle - Melissa Daughhetee 41, Abby Burke 17, and Allison Daughhetee 8.  Allison Daughhetee was pronounced dead at the scene.  Abby Burke was life-flighted by helicopter to S. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis.  Melissa and Ronald Daughhetee were rushed by ambulance to Farmington area hospitals.  Truck driver Murphy was said to be uninjured.

Unfortunately, this is not the first Madison County tractor-trailer crash that our personal injury attorneys have seen where a truck driver unsuccessfully attempts to cross a roadway in front of other vehicles.  Though this is often times common to do in a small vehicle, multi-ton semi trucks are just not equipped with the power to move 'quickly' by any means.  An irresponsible or inattentive truck driver attempting to do so may be at fault for injuries sustained as a result of their careless driving.  In this instance involving the Daughhetee's, Mr. Murphy may be charged by a tractor-trailer accident lawyer for critically injuring three, and killing one young child. 

No amount of money can heal the emotional distress this family will forever endure, but a St. Louis tractor-trailer attorney is dedicated to working on behalf of those injured and families of those injured to maximize recovery amounts.The adversities involved in a crash such as this are immense.  Also involved are legal details that must be properly addressed in a timely manner.  Any claim involving an interstate tractor-trailer company OR a minor child requires specific legal action.  Call our Missouri attorneys to assist you in your claim.

Any claim involving a commercial motor vehicle is substantially more complex than a simple auto accident case.  These incidents involve federal laws and statutes that most injury lawyers just don't fully grasp.  That is why it is important in any 18-wheeler accident injury claimant to retain an experienced truck accident attorney, one who has negotiated millions of dollars in settlements and verdict in commercial motor vehicle claims.