Category: Blog

While a fender bender may not seem like a big deal, it’s important to report your minor car accident for several reasons. In fact, Missouri law requires you to report a minor car accident if it involves an uninsured motorist, someone who was injured or killed, or property damage estimated to be at least $500.

Even if the damage seems small immediately after a minor car accident, further inspection by an auto mechanic could prove it’s worse than you thought. Additionally, bruises, injuries, and conditions like whiplash may not develop until a few days or weeks after the incident, causing you pain and costly medical bills to treat. Therefore, it is important to always report a minor car accident.

How to Report a Minor Car Accident

As soon as you’re physically able, it is recommended you report a minor car accident to the Missouri Department of Revenue. You can report the accident either through a form provided by your insurance company, the Driver License Bureau, or any licensing office. However, you will need certain information to complete the report.

Following a minor car accident in Missouri, the police officer at the scene will take down both parties’ information, including your driver’s license and insurance information.

If no police officer shows up and if you can’t take down the other driver’s information, and report the accident at once to the nearest police station or judicial office to get the process started.

Filing a Car Insurance Claim

After you report a minor car accident, you should consider filing an insurance claim and hiring a lawyer. While you may not immediately feel like you need it, there’s a chance the insurance companies won’t give you the maximum benefits you deserve.

Car accidents can be physically and emotionally traumatic, and you want to ensure that you’re able to handle any complications. Having a car accident lawyer on your side will ensure you get the full benefits you’re entitled to following a minor car accident.

Reliable Minor Car Accident Lawyers in Missouri

If you’ve been in a Missouri car accident, consult with the lawyers at Lanzotti & Rau. Our expert legal team will help you pursue legal action to receive compensation for your minor car accident damage and injuries.

To learn more about our legal services or how we handle our car accident cases, call us today to schedule a free consultation at 573-335-9300.

A minor car accident may only last a few seconds, but its impacts can last years. Aside from personal injury, one of the biggest driver concerns is what happens to insurance rates after a crash. While you should expect your rate to go up if you’re at fault, the rate of increase depends on your state and policy. Below is a breakdown of what you can expect if you’ve been in a minor car accident in Missouri.

Missouri Insurance Rates After a Minor Car Accident

There are several factors that affect your insurance rate after a minor car crash. In Missouri, at-fault drivers can see anywhere from a 36%-37% insurance rate increase when they cause a minor car accident. These accidents will stay on your record for three years, so it can be a while before you see that surcharge go down.

If you’re not at fault, there’s a good chance your insurance rate will stay the same. Certain accidents like hit-and-runs are automatically covered. To prove you weren’t at fault in the accident, your insurance company will likely require documentation from the scene of the crash. This could include:

• Police report
• Witness or driver statements
• Proof of reimbursement

Regardless of if you’re at fault, insurance companies keep track of how many claims you file each year. Drivers who have a history of filing claims are considered likely to do so in the future, so their insurance premiums may be higher.

The Benefits of Hiring a Missouri Car Accident Lawyer

Minor car accidents usually result in property damage and personal injuries that require immediate out-of-pocket expenses. To recover reimbursement for those costs, you will need an experienced minor car accident attorney on your side to assist you in navigating the long and confusing claims process, make sure the claim is processed accurately, and help you earn the compensation you deserve.

Trusted Minor Car Accident Lawyers in Missouri

The lawyers at Lanzotti & Rau can help you pursue legal action to receive compensation for your minor car accident injury. If you want to learn more about our legal services or how we handle our car accident cases, call us today at 573-335-9300 to schedule a free case consultation.

If you’ve recently become disabled and can no longer work, you may qualify for Social Security Disability (SSD/I) benefits. It’s best to hire an attorney to help walk you through the SSI Disability claims process. Here’s how much it may cost to hire social security disability lawyers.

Average Social Security Disability Lawyers’ Fees

Most social security disability lawyers charge contingency fees which means they’ll only take money if they win your case. If your claim is denied, there’s no payment. If you win, the attorney is given backpay, which is a certain percentage of your past-due award. Backpay for social security disability lawyers is often capped at 25% which can be up to $6,000.

However, most lawyers receive less than that. Backpay is determined by the stage of the claim as well as the amount that you’re owed. If disability benefits are awarded after the initial hearing, fees are usually around $3,000. However, if the claim goes through the appeals process, lawyers receive an average of $4,600. The claims are longer if it reaches the appeals stage, so the backpay increases.

The Benefits of Hiring Social Security Disability Lawyers

Hiring social security disability lawyers to handle your SSI Disability case is very much worth it. An SSDI claim is a long process that can be confusing and difficult to navigate alone. Not only will social security disability lawyers be able to assist you at any phase, but they nearly double your chances of winning. In fact, more than 60% of SSI Disability applicants will hire a lawyer and receive their benefits, compared to the 40% who don’t.

There may be other out-of-pocket costs you’ll have to pay during the claims process. Access to medical and work records is often behind a paywall and can cost up to $200. However, experienced social security disability lawyers can help you cut through such red tape to keep your out-of-pocket costs low and your benefits high.

Rely on the Experienced Social Security Disability Lawyers at Lanzotti & Rau

If you plan to file a Social Security Disability claim in Missouri, look no further than the experts at Lanzotti & Rau. We have a proven track record of winning cases for our clients, and we waive any upfront fees to those needing legal assistance.

If you want to learn more about our legal services or how we handle our SSI Disability cases, call us today at 573-335-9300 to schedule a free case consultation.

When a personal injury results from another person’s negligent actions, you could be eligible for compensation. Personal injury cases fall under a large umbrella, and can be as small as a slip-and-fall or as large as a major car accident. However, every case is different depending on the extent of your injury and the circumstances surrounding it.

Here is how long it could take your personal injury claim to settle and how you can expedite your settlement with the assistance of a personal injury attorney in Missouri.

Time Is of the Essence

While your first priority after getting into an accident should be to take care of yourself and treat any injuries, you should also consider hiring a personal injury attorney as soon as you can. The amount of time you have to file a personal injury case is determined by your state’s statute of limitations. In Missouri, that’s five years from the date of your injury. However, the sooner you hire a personal injury attorney Missouri to help you begin your personal injury claim, the quicker your case will settle.

The Personal Injury Claims Process Can Be Lengthy

The discovery phase is the longest part of a personal injury case where both parties gather information about the claim. Collected information could include medical bills, diagnoses and exams from doctors and witness statements. Discovery can take anywhere from six months up to a year and usually ends with an attempt to settle. If the parties don’t reach an agreement, they can take it to court.

Going to Trial Can Prolong Your Settlement

If the initial settlement doesn’t work, it can take up to a year to reach a verdict in court. If the verdict comes out in your favor, the defendant could appeal, further delaying your process. Settlements can be reached at any time, but some parties choose to wait until a verdict is reached.

By going it alone, you severely reduce your chances of a fast and successful outcome. Hiring a personal injury attorney to handle and navigate your Missouri personal injury claim will significantly increase your odds of a generous and expedited settlement.

Personal Injury Lawyers Missouri Relies On

If you’ve been involved in a personal injury case, contact the lawyers at Lanzotti & Rau. Our expert team can help you pursue legal action to receive compensation for your personal injury. If you want to learn more about our personal injury legal services or how we handle our cases, call us today at 573-335-9300 to schedule a free case consultation.

Car accidents are scary, and the smallest fender-bender can feel like a major incident. However, most car accidents result in minor car damage. Here is what is considered minor car accident damage by most insurance companies.

Minor Car Accident Damage

Minor car accidents will result in slight damage to the car, but it won’t impact your car’s ability to run.

Some examples of minor car damage include:

• Rear-ends resulting in a fender bender
• Small dents
• Busted tires
• Cracked windshield
• Busted car light

If you can still drive away from the accident, chances are it’s minor. While you still need to report the accident to the insurance company, it’s most likely just for documentation purposes.

Common Injuries in a Minor Car Accident

Minor car accidents may not do a lot of damage to the car, but you can still end up with major injuries that cause you pain and suffering.

Some of the most common injuries from a minor car accident include:

• Scratches
• Bruising
• Pulled or strained muscles
• Broken bones
• Concussion
• Whiplash
• Traumatic Brain Injury

Regardless of your injury’s severity, it can cost you thousands of dollars in medical bills and lost wages. If you notice any signs of injury, you should seek medical attention and consider calling an auto accident attorney.

Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer

Whether it’s a major or minor car accident, you have the right to seek compensation if you’re injured from an automobile collision. If you’re working through your claim, an experienced attorney will be able to help you file any necessary paperwork and walk you through the legal process. A legal expert can also help if you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit. The right car accident attorney will know what to look for to stand up for you against the insurance companies.

Contact Lanzotti & Rau for Minor Car Accident Legal Support

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, call the lawyers at Lanzotti & Rau. Our team can help you pursue legal action to receive compensation for your car accident injury. If you want to learn more about our legal services or how we handle our car accident cases, call us today at 573-335-9300 to schedule a free case consultation.

An independent medical exam, or IME, is required to verify your injuries in a workmans comp case. What you say during your IME could be crucial in determining your settlement. Here are a few things not to say to your doctor during your IME.

Things That Could Affect Your Workmans Comp Settlement

1. Lying About Your Symptoms

   Omitting details from the accident or leaving out prior injuries are two common lies patients will try to tell their doctors, and lying about your injury is one of the most damaging things you can do to your case. The doctor will write down everything you tell them, and those notes will be cross-referenced with all the other paperwork during your claims process. If things don’t add up, the insurance company will see you’re lying and could reduce or cancel your claim.
   

2. Exaggerating Your Symptoms

   Exaggeration is just as harmful as lying. You will want to make sure your doctor understands that you’re in pain, but you must be truthful about your symptoms. Doctors have the equipment and ability to test the symptoms you claim, and it will reflect poorly if those tests come out negative.

3. Speaking Negatively About Your Employer

   Feeling upset with your employer after a work-related injury is easy and understandable. While you may want to talk badly about them to your doctor, it’s best if you don’t. You want the doctor to be on your side, and trashing your employer could tarnish your reputation.

4. Being Rude

Your doctor will have many questions for you during the exam, and it’s possible you may feel like they’re not on your side. However, at the end of the day, they’re trying to get to the truth of the accident. Regardless if you are frustrated or in pain, rudeness could come across as hostility, and the doctor will be less inclined to work with you on the claim.

Expert Workmans Comp Legal Services in Missouri

If you’re filing a personal injury claim in Missouri, rely on the lawyers at Lanzotti & Rau. Our team can help you pursue legal action to receive compensation for your work-related injury. If you want to learn more about our workers’ compensation legal services or how we handle our cases, call us today at 573-335-9300 to schedule a free case consultation.

 

Any car accident, minor or severe, can weaken your personal and mental health. After a minor car accident, you may be tempted to drive away if there were no damages or injuries; however, there are certain things you must do to avoid penalty and ensure you get compensated for any injuries or fallout that is discovered down the road. Here is what you should do after a minor car accident.

What to Do After a Minor Car Accident

• Call the police

  The first thing you should do is call the police. Whether the accident was severe or minor, the best practice is to contact the police to document what happened or file a police report.

• Document everything

  Even if you were in a minor car accident with no injuries or damages, you should still exchange information with the other driver and take pictures of the cars involved at the scene. Some injuries take time to show up on your car or body. Keeping proper documentation can help you when the insurance companies have to decide who is responsible for paying the damages.

• Contact your insurance

  You should always contact your insurance company when you are in a car accident, minor or severe. Your insurance company will work with the other party’s insurance to have all the details and ensure your claim gets processed with no delay. Two claims you can file for a minor car accident are for vehicle damage and injury.

  • Vehicle damage

    If your car’s damages are more than your deductible, you can file for a collision claim. You can also file a claim with the other party’s insurance if they caused the accident.

  • Injuries

    Even if no one appears hurt, you should file a claim for minor injuries as some injuries can show hours or days later. Although some wounds may seem small, they could be severe or last for weeks. Filing a claim can ensure you get financial compensation for your medical expenses.

• Get an attorney involved

  Insurance companies will never hand you money without giving you a hassle. Hiring an experienced lawyer will help you to compile information, evidence, medical records, and documentation to properly file your minor car accident claim.

Your Expert Missouri Minor Car Accident Lawyers

Whether you were in a severe or minor car accident, make sure to contact the qualified lawyers at Lanzotti & Rau. Our attorneys have experience managing different auto accident cases and will ensure you receive the financial compensation you deserve. We work hard to get all our Missouri area clients what they are due after suffering an injury in an auto accident.

To learn more about our legal services or how we handle our car accident cases, call us today at 573-335-9300 to schedule a free case evaluation.

 

Getting injured on the job isn’t an uncommon problem in the workforce. Missouri residents receive various benefits from workers’ compensation to help them get through their recovery. However, some cases close with a settlement, which can take weeks or months to finish the full process. This happens because many injured workers wait to finish their claim until after the point of Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI), which is when you have healed as much as possible and doctors have helped you as much as they can.

Calculating workman compensation settlements considers different factors. The following is an idea of how you can roughly calculate your Missouri workers’ comp settlements.

Calculating Workers’ Comp Settlements in Missouri

Once you have reached MMI, then you can settle your case. MMI considers the severity of your injury to determine how long you will receive workers’ compensation. The doctor first has to rate what your percentage of disability will be from the following choices:

1. Permanent Total Disability means you cannot return to any employment. You can receive weekly benefits as long as you stay permanently and totally disabled.
2. Permanent Partial Disability means you can no longer perform certain tasks or jobs. You will receive your benefits in a lump sum.

Missouri Workers’ Comp Settlement Calculation Formula

The formula to calculate your workers’ compensation settlement consists of three parts.

1. The first part takes into consideration the injured part of the body. There’s a certain number of weeks connected to each body part.
2. The second part depends on the percentage of your injured body part.
3. Part three of the formula is dependent upon your compensation rate. Usually, your compensation rate is 2/3 of your average weekly wage.

Once all of your numbers and rates have been calculated, they will be multiplied to get your estimated settlement amount.

Hire an Effective Missouri Workers Compensation Attorney

The best way to handle your workers’ compensation claim is by hiring experienced attorneys at Lanzotti & Rau. Our Missouri workers’ compensation attorneys can help you navigate the complex process of workers’ compensation claims and provide you with steadfast legal action to receive compensation for your on-the-job injury.

To learn more about our legal services or how we handle our workers’ compensation cases, call us today at 573-335-9300 and schedule a free case evaluation.

 

Many questions will run through your head after getting injured on the job. For example, you’ll wonder how your injury will affect your bank account, what to expect from a workers’ compensation settlement, and if and when you can return to work. However, workers’ comp settlements are a complex process that can take up to weeks or months to settle. In simple terms, you can return to work, but there are some things you’ll need to consider before going back to your workplace.

Returning to Work After a Workmans Comp Settlement

Once you return to work after getting injured on the job, you can still reach a workers’ comp settlement. The most important aspect of workers’ compensation is aiding your recovery process and making sure you receive the financial reimbursement for your medical expenses. Your attorney will work on negotiating with the insurance provider to get the best settlement in your favor. However, before you go back to work, here are three factors you should think about:

• Your relationship with your employer

  Although workmans comp helps mend the relationship between the employer and injured employee by covering your medical expenses, some employers still feel resentment because the claim raises their insurance premiums. If the relationship with your employer wasn’t the best, consider looking for another job where the environment is safer and not as tense.

• Your injury

  Your number one priority is recovering as much as possible after getting injured at work. However, some injuries will change your life and how you perform certain tasks. If you can no longer perform the same job, then you can take a lump sum settlement and a new position that you can comfortably perform moving forward.

• Your attorney’s advice

  Consider your attorney’s guidance. Many lawyers have worked on countless workers’ compensation cases. If your attorney advises you not to return to the same job, consider it when deciding your next step. The best decision you can make is one that helps your and your family’s financial future.

Missouri’s Top Workmans Comp Legal Services

If you injured yourself on the job and have questions about your workmans comp settlement or returning to work, contact the experienced attorneys at Lanzotti & Rau. The lawyers in our office can help you pursue legal action to receive compensation after losing wages due to suffering an on-the-job injury.

To learn more about our workmans comp legal services or how we handle our cases, call us today at 573-335-9300 to schedule a free case evaluation.