If you were hurt in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you may assume the claims process should be simple. The other driver caused the crash, their insurance company should pay, and you should be able to focus on healing.
Unfortunately, that is not always how it works.
Even when fault seems obvious, insurance companies may still question what happened, downplay your injuries, delay your claim, or offer far less than your case is worth. You may also be dealing with medical bills, missed time from work, car repairs, pain, stress, and uncertainty about what to do next.
So, should you get a lawyer for a car accident that wasn’t your fault? In many cases, yes. If you were injured, missed work, needed medical treatment, or are being pressured by an insurance company, speaking with a car accident lawyer can help protect your rights and your financial recovery.
At the Law Office of Uhrig & Brown, we represent car accident victims throughout Missouri. Our team understands how overwhelming the aftermath of a crash can be, especially when someone else’s negligence caused it. We help clients deal with the insurance company, gather evidence, understand the value of their claim, and pursue the compensation they deserve.
Why You May Still Need a Lawyer When the Other Driver Was at Fault
A car accident claim is not only about who caused the crash. It is also about proving the full impact of the accident.
The other driver may have been clearly responsible, but you still need to show how the crash affected your health, income, daily life, and future needs. This can be harder than it sounds. Insurance companies often look for reasons to reduce the amount they have to pay. They may argue that your injuries are not as serious as you say, that you had a pre-existing condition, or that some of your treatment was unnecessary.
A lawyer helps protect you from these tactics. Instead of trying to manage everything on your own, your attorney can deal with the insurance company, collect the right documentation, and build a claim that reflects what you actually lost.
This is especially important if you suffered more than minor property damage. If you needed emergency care, follow-up appointments, physical therapy, imaging, injections, surgery, or ongoing treatment, your claim may involve more than the insurance company first admits. A fair settlement should consider not only your current bills, but also future care, lost wages, reduced earning ability, pain, and the overall disruption to your life.
The Insurance Company Is Not on Your Side
After a crash, you may receive a call from the other driver’s insurance adjuster. They may sound friendly and helpful. They may tell you they just need a recorded statement or a few details to move the claim forward.
It is important to remember that the insurance company does not represent you. Their job is to protect their company’s financial interests. That often means paying as little as possible.
An adjuster may ask questions in a way that makes your injuries seem less serious. They may ask how you are feeling, hoping you say something like “I’m okay” before you fully understand your injuries. They may also try to get you to settle quickly before you know how long your recovery will take.
This is one of the biggest reasons to speak with a lawyer after a car accident that wasn’t your fault. A lawyer can take over communication with the insurance company and help you avoid mistakes that could weaken your claim.
You should be cautious before signing forms, giving recorded statements, accepting a quick settlement, or saying anything that could be used against you later. Once you accept a settlement, you usually cannot go back and ask for more money if your injuries get worse or your medical bills continue to grow.
When You Should Definitely Call a Car Accident Lawyer
Not every fender bender requires a lawyer. If no one was hurt, damage was very minor, and the insurance process is moving smoothly, you may be able to handle the claim on your own.
However, you should strongly consider contacting a car accident lawyer if:
- You were injured in the crash.
- You went to the emergency room, urgent care, or your family doctor.
- You are still in pain days or weeks after the accident.
- You missed work or cannot do your job the same way.
- The insurance company is blaming you for part of the crash.
- The other driver was uninsured or underinsured.
- There were multiple vehicles involved.
- Your child was injured in the accident.
- The crash caused long-term pain, disability, or emotional distress.
- The insurance company offered a settlement that feels too low.
The more serious your injuries and financial losses are, the more important legal guidance becomes. At Uhrig & Brown, car accident cases are not treated like paperwork. They are handled as personal injury claims that can affect a person’s health, family, finances, and future.
What a Lawyer Can Do After a Car Accident That Wasn’t Your Fault
A car accident lawyer does much more than send letters to the insurance company. A strong legal team investigates the crash, organizes evidence, calculates damages, negotiates with insurers, and prepares the case for litigation if necessary.
One of the first things a lawyer can do is help determine what evidence is needed. This may include the police report, photos from the crash scene, witness statements, medical records, video footage, vehicle damage, black box data, phone records, and expert analysis.
Evidence can disappear quickly. Vehicles get repaired or destroyed. Surveillance footage may be erased. Witnesses may become harder to reach. The sooner a lawyer gets involved, the better chance you have of preserving important proof.
Your lawyer can also help document your injuries properly. Insurance companies often look closely at gaps in medical treatment. If you delay care or miss appointments, they may argue that you were not seriously hurt. A lawyer can help you understand why consistent documentation matters and how your medical records may affect your claim.
Finally, a lawyer can value your claim more accurately. Many accident victims only think about immediate bills. A personal injury lawyer looks at the bigger picture, including future medical care, lost income, pain and suffering, physical limitations, and how the crash has changed your day-to-day life.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Not-at-Fault Accident?
If someone else caused your car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for the losses connected to the crash. The exact value of your case depends on the facts, your injuries, your medical treatment, and how the accident affected your life.
Compensation may include payment for emergency care, hospital bills, doctor visits, physical therapy, medication, surgery, imaging, follow-up treatment, and future medical needs. It may also include lost wages if you missed work, as well as reduced earning capacity if your injuries make it harder to return to your job or earn the same income.
You may also be able to recover compensation for pain and suffering. This includes the physical pain, discomfort, stress, inconvenience, and loss of enjoyment caused by the accident. These damages can be significant, especially when injuries affect your ability to sleep, drive, work, care for your family, or take part in activities you once enjoyed.
Property damage may also be part of your claim. This can include the cost to repair or replace your vehicle, rental car expenses, and other out-of-pocket costs.
A quick insurance settlement may not include all of these losses. That is why it is important to understand the full value of your claim before accepting an offer.
What If the Insurance Company Says You Were Partly at Fault?
Even if you believe the accident was not your fault, the insurance company may still try to assign some blame to you. This is a common strategy because fault can affect the amount of compensation paid.
Missouri follows a comparative fault system, which means your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if your damages were valued at $100,000 and you were found 20% at fault, your recovery could be reduced by that percentage.
This is one reason you should not assume the insurance company’s version of events is accurate. They may claim you were speeding, distracted, following too closely, failed to brake quickly enough, or could have avoided the crash. A lawyer can investigate the facts and push back against unfair blame.
Uhrig & Brown’s approach is focused on evidence. In serious car and truck accident cases, evidence can include crash data, vehicle damage, police reports, witness accounts, and expert analysis. The goal is to let the facts show what really happened, rather than relying on the insurance company’s interpretation.
Why Medical Bills and Liens Can Make a Claim More Complicated?
After a car accident, medical bills can become one of the most stressful parts of the case. Even if the accident was not your fault, bills may still arrive before the insurance claim is resolved. You may receive notices from hospitals, doctors, imaging centers, ambulance services, or health insurance providers.
In some cases, medical providers or health insurers may have liens or reimbursement rights against your injury settlement. This means they may claim a right to be paid back from the money you recover.
This can complicate a settlement. If liens are not handled properly, they can reduce what you take home or create problems after the case is resolved. Uhrig & Brown specifically notes that healthcare liens can complicate, delay, and reduce a car accident settlement, and that resolving those liens is part of maximizing a client’s recovery.
A lawyer can review these issues, communicate with lienholders, and work to resolve unpaid medical expenses as part of the claim. This is another reason a car accident case may involve more than simply proving the other driver was wrong.
What If the Other Driver Does Not Have Enough Insurance?
Sometimes the person who caused the crash does not have enough insurance to cover the damage they caused. In other cases, they may have no insurance at all.
When that happens, your own insurance coverage may become important. Uninsured motorist or underinsured motorist coverage may help provide compensation when the at-fault driver cannot fully cover your losses.
These claims can be confusing because you may be dealing with your own insurance company, but that does not always mean the process will be easy. Your insurer may still question the value of your injuries, dispute certain damages, or make a low offer.
A lawyer can review the available insurance policies and identify possible sources of recovery. This can include the other driver’s liability coverage, your own UM or UIM coverage, medical payments coverage, or other applicable policies depending on the facts of the case.
How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Missouri?
In Missouri, many personal injury claims have a five-year statute of limitations. That means there is generally a deadline to file a lawsuit after an accident. However, deadlines can vary depending on the type of claim, who is involved, and whether the case includes wrongful death, government entities, minors, or other special circumstances. Missouri’s five-year limitations period for many personal injury actions is reflected in state law, and Uhrig & Brown’s own truck accident FAQ also notes the general five-year deadline for non-death accident claims in Missouri.
Even if you technically have time, waiting too long can hurt your case. Evidence may disappear. Witnesses may forget details. Medical documentation may be harder to connect to the accident. Insurance companies may also use delays against you.
It is usually better to speak with a lawyer sooner rather than later. A consultation does not mean you are filing a lawsuit immediately. It simply helps you understand your options before important decisions are made.
Should You Accept the First Settlement Offer?
In most injury cases, you should be very careful before accepting the first settlement offer. Early offers are often made before the full extent of your injuries is known.
At first, you may think you are just sore. A few weeks later, you may still have neck pain, back pain, headaches, shoulder pain, numbness, or difficulty working. Some injuries take time to fully appear, and some require ongoing care.
If you accept a settlement too soon, you may be responsible for future costs on your own. That can be a serious problem if you later need more treatment, miss additional work, or discover that your injury is more serious than expected.
A lawyer can review the offer and compare it to your actual damages. If the offer does not reflect your medical bills, lost wages, pain, future care, and other losses, your lawyer can negotiate for more. If the insurance company refuses to be fair, your lawyer can discuss whether filing a lawsuit makes sense.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
Many people hesitate to call a lawyer because they worry about cost. After a car accident, money may already be tight. You may be missing work, paying medical bills, and trying to repair or replace your vehicle.
Uhrig & Brown handles accident cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you do not pay upfront attorney fees, and you only pay if they win your case. The firm also offers free consultations, so you can ask questions and get guidance without taking on an immediate financial burden.
This fee structure allows injured people to get legal help without paying out of pocket at the start of the case. It also means your lawyer has a direct interest in pursuing the best possible result for your claim.
What to Do After a Car Accident That Wasn’t Your Fault
After a car accident, your first priority should always be safety and medical care. Call 911 if anyone is hurt or if the crash caused significant damage. If you can do so safely, take photos of the vehicles, road conditions, traffic signs, license plates, injuries, and the surrounding area.
You should exchange information with the other driver and collect contact details from witnesses. You should also seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you think your injuries are minor. Some injuries are not immediately obvious after the shock of a crash.
Report the accident to your insurance company, but be careful with what you say. Stick to basic facts and avoid guessing about fault, injuries, or what you could have done differently. Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company before speaking with a lawyer.
Keep copies of medical bills, discharge papers, prescriptions, repair estimates, missed work documentation, and any letters from insurance companies. These records can help support your claim.
Finally, contact a car accident lawyer if you were injured, if the insurance company is pressuring you, or if you are unsure whether the settlement offer is fair.
Talk to a Missouri Car Accident Lawyer Before the Insurance Company Controls the Story
If you were in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you should not have to carry the financial burden alone. The other driver’s negligence may have caused the crash, but the insurance company may still try to control the story, limit your recovery, or push you into a fast settlement.
A lawyer can help level the playing field.
At the Law Office of Uhrig & Brown, our team represents car accident victims throughout Missouri. We understand the stress that follows a serious crash, including medical bills, missed work, insurance problems, and uncertainty about the future. Our attorneys can investigate the accident, protect your rights, handle communication with the insurance company, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
If you were hurt in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, contact Uhrig & Brown for a free consultation. There is no upfront cost to speak with our team, and you do not pay attorney fees unless we win your case.