Legal Help When Your Rights Are At Stake
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The Compassionate And Skilled Representation You Need After A Devastating Injury

Accidents that result in devastating injuries may have serious and long-term consequences for a victim. If you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you should discuss your situation with a personal injury lawyer who can explain your options and develop a legal strategy for you. In Columbia, Missouri, look no further than Pingelton Law Firm.

With over 35 years of experience, Dan Pingelton will work diligently to protect your rights and help you seek compensation after a wide variety of accident scenarios, including:

  • Motor vehicle accidents (cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicyclists and pedestrians)
  • Harm caused by dangerous and defective consumer products
  • Medical malpractice and other forms of professional malpractice
  • Workplace accidents and on-the-job injuries
  • Wrongful death claims on behalf of a deceased family member

Not sure if you have a case? Just contact the firm and take advantage of a free initial consultation.

Pursuing A Personal Injury Or Wrongful Death Claim In Missouri

Each personal injury or wrongful death claim has four main elements. They are duty, breach, causation and damages. Duty and breach involve showing that the defendant acted carelessly in doing something that a reasonable person would not do in the same situation. Causation requires that the defendant’s negligence led to the accident in which you were hurt. Damages are quantifiable losses that you sustained (medical bills, lost wages, etc.) due to the accident.

In some situations, a defendant may argue that the plaintiff also failed to take the appropriate precautions. Missouri follows the doctrine of pure comparative negligence, which means that a plaintiff’s total award will be proportionate to the defendant’s degree of fault, no matter how large or small that percentage is.

For example, a drunk driver may run a stop sign and strike a victim’s car, while the victim may have been speeding moderately. If the plaintiff wins the case but is deemed 20% at fault, he can recover 80% of the total damages he was seeking (full damages minus his percentage of fault).

What Types Of Damages Can You Recover?

Compensation that may be recovered in these claims includes economic damages and noneconomic damages, as well as punitive damages in some limited situations. Economic damages include out-of-pocket costs that resulted from the accident, such as:

  • Medical expenses
  • Rehabilitation costs
  • Property damage
  • Lost income

Noneconomic damages refer to intangible injuries, such as pain and suffering and emotional distress. Punitive damages are awarded in extreme cases in which the defendant’s conduct was so egregious that additional damages are appropriate to punish them and deter similar behavior.

Your Road To Recovery Starts Here – Contact The Firm Today

Personal injury attorney Dan Pingelton and the staff at the Pingelton Law Firm have fought tenaciously for accident victims as they pursue the compensation they deserve for their harm. For a free consultation about your case, call the office in Columbia, Missouri, at 573-283-0817 or fill out their online contact form.