General Personal Injury FAQs
A personal injury case arises when someone suffers harm—physically, emotionally, or financially—because of another party’s negligence or misconduct. This includes car, truck, and motorcycle accidents, serious work-related injuries, falls on unsafe property, dog bites, defective products, and other avoidable incidents. While personal injury covers a broad range, our firm concentrates on serious injury cases where clients face lasting consequences from vehicle crashes, job-related accidents, or injuries on dangerous property.
We work on a contingency fee basis. There are no upfront costs—you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
If you’ve been seriously injured due to someone else’s carelessness, and that injury has had a meaningful impact on your life or cost you to incur medical bills or lost wages, you may have a case. The best way to know if you should pursue the case is to have a confidential discussion with a qualified injury attorney. We offer free consultations to evaluate your situation and determine if legal action is appropriate for you.
Call the police, document the scene with photos or ask someone to take photos, collect witness information, and avoid making statements about fault. Above all, seek medical attention, even if just to get an initial evaluation following the accident. Contact a qualified attorney promptly to protect your rights and preserve evidence. Be caution about what you say to an insurance representative, especially before you talk to a lawyer.
In Missouri, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is five years from the date of the injury. Certain exceptions apply to specific kinds of cases, types of damages, and depending on who the claim is against which have shorter time limits. It’s best to consult an attorney early and not wait until the last minute or until it is too late to take action.
Many cases settle out of court, but some require trial to reach a fair result. We prepare every case with litigation in mind so that we are best prepared to get a just settlement or ready to go to court when necessary to pursue full compensation.
You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, property damage, loss of future earning capacity, and more. In serious injury cases, these damages can be significant and life altering.
Timelines vary and every case is unique. Less complex cases may resolve in several months, while catastrophic injuries with life altering damages and extensive medical treatment may require litigation and a longer timeframe to get full and just compensation. It is best to talk to one of our lawyers about the specifics of your case.
If your injuries are minor and your losses limited, you might not need a lawyer. If there was little to no medical care involved, it will likely not be a case a lawyer can help you with. That said, there are always exceptions and the best way to know if the case is worth pursuing or not is to have a confidential conversation with a lawyer you trust about the viability of making a claim, getting legal representation, and if a lawyer can make a substantial difference in your legal matter.
Missouri uses a pure comparative fault system. You can still recover damages even if you were partly at fault, though your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility. All situations are unique, but if you had substantial injuries and damages, it is likely worth the free consultation to see if a lawyer can help you in the matter.
They review medical bills, lost wages, and other direct expenses, but often undervalue pain and suffering and long-term effects. An experienced attorney ensures a comprehensive valuation of your claim.
Bring police reports, medical records, accident scene photos, insurance documents, and any other records that help explain what happened and how you’ve been affected.
Yes. Some injuries, especially those involving the head, spine, or internal organs, don’t always show symptoms right away. If symptoms arise after the incident, seek medical care and legal advice immediately.
Negligence means someone failed to act with reasonable care and caused harm as a result. Most personal injury cases are based on proving that the defendant’s negligence directly led to the injury. In a vehicle accident case, drivers are required to act with the highest degree of care.
Yes. Pain and suffering refer to the physical and emotional distress caused by an injury and are a common component of serious personal injury claims. The amount of compensation for pain and suffering can vary based on the evidence. Give the complexity of this element of damages, it is best to discuss this in a consultation with an attorney.
You’re allowed to represent yourself, but serious injury claims involve complex legal, evidentiary, and medical issues. Insurance companies tend to undervalue claims without legal representation. An attorney helps level the playing field and provides guidance throughout the process.
You may still be able to recover compensation through other insurance coverages, such as uninsured motorist coverage or by pursuing a personal lawsuit against the at-fault party. There are a number of avenues that should be looked into before just giving up. Best practice is to consult with an experienced attorney.
The Law Office of Bryan Musgrave isn’t a volume-driven advertising firm. We don’t hand your case off to junior attorneys or case managers. Instead, you benefit directly from Bryan’s decades of experience, including experience in jury trials and millions recovered for injured clients. While every case is unique and specific results are not guaranteed, Bryan Musgrave and his team of lawyers focus on serious injury claims, offer personal attention and guidance, and don’t hesitate to take cases to trial if needed. Learn more about Bryan’s credentials here.
We focus on serious car accidents, semi-truck crashes, motorcycle collisions, wrongful death, and severe workplace injuries requiring workers’ compensation. We also take on select cases involving dangerous premises or vicious dog attacks when the injuries are substantial.
Contact our office to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll review your situation with you, discuss the facts, explain your rights, devise a plan of action, and guide you on the next steps.