Aaron Sachs & Associates is a proud partner of the Mizzou Tigers,
supporting Columbia University and fostering a strong commitment to
the local community. Giving back is at the heart of the firm's culture, as
they strive to make a positive impact on and off the field.
Case Results
All Cases Below Resulted in Million or Multi-Million Dollar Results
-
$12 Million Recent Client Victory
Twelve million dollars was recently awarded by the court for a client of Aaron Sachs.
-
$8 Million Severe Burns
Eight million dollar result for a client of Aaron Sachs for severe burns.
-
$8 Million Wrongful Death
-
$6 Million Semi-Truck Accident
Six million dollars court-approved settlement for a client of Aaron Sachs involved in a semi-truck accident.
-
$4 Million Severe Foot Injury
Four million dollars was recovered for a severe foot injury for a client of Aaron Sachs.
-
$3.5 Million Motorcycle Accident
3.5 million result for a motorcycle accident with severe injuries.
Who Can File a Personal Injury Claim?
Anyone who has been injured due to the careless, reckless, or intentional conduct of another could be entitled to file a personal injury claim.
To have grounds for a claim, you will need to prove each of the following elements:
- Duty of care: You must establish that the other person or party owed you a duty of care, meaning they had a legal responsibility to act reasonably and take general precautions to avoid causing injury or harm to others.
- Breach: You must also prove that the other person or party breached or failed to uphold the duty of care. This is typically established by showing that the other person or party acted negligently, recklessly, carelessly, or wrongfully or caused intentional harm.
- Injuries: To bring a personal injury claim, you must prove that you were actually injured. In a legal sense, “injuries” can be physical in nature, but they can also include economic and non-economic losses sustained due to the accident or incident. These are also known as “damages.”
- Causation: Lastly, you must be able to prove that the other person or party’s breach of the duty of care was the direct or proximate cause of your injuries and/or losses. This means that, had they upheld the duty of care, you would not have been injured.
Filing a claim also involves gathering substantial evidence, such as medical records, eyewitness accounts, and sometimes expert testimony, to substantiate each aspect of the legal case. This evidence not only demonstrates the validity of the claim but also assists in countering any defense strategies that the opposing side may employ.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?
Missouri has a five-year statute of limitations on most personal injury claims. This means that you typically only have five years to file a personal injury lawsuit (with some exceptions). In most cases, the five-year deadline begins on the date of injury or the date on which the injury was discovered or reasonably could have been discovered. If you fail to file a lawsuit within this timeframe, you will almost certainly lose your right to recover compensation.
Understanding the importance of these deadlines is crucial as failing to adhere can impact your ability to receive compensation. It's advisable to initiate legal proceedings promptly, allowing adequate time for your attorneys to prepare and present an effective claim, ensuring all necessary documentation and evidence are compiled efficiently.
Guidance for After an Accident
Immediately following an accident, it's critical to prioritize your safety and well-being. First, ensure everyone involved receives appropriate medical attention if necessary. Even minor symptoms should be checked by a healthcare professional, as some injuries might not be immediately apparent but could develop into larger health issues later. After ensuring medical needs are met, attempt to document the scene. Take pictures if possible, note the conditions, gather names and contact details of any witnesses, and jot down everything you remember about the incident while it’s fresh in your mind.
Additionally, initiate a conversation with a personal injury attorney as soon as feasible. Early consultation helps you understand your legal rights and potential avenues for compensation. An attorney from Aaron Sachs & Associates, P.C. can provide advice tailored to your situation, helping to secure essential evidence and avoid potential pitfalls or missteps that could compromise your position. Engaging a lawyer early means they are better equipped to navigate the legal intricacies of your claim.
-
Do I Need An Attorney?
-
Do I Have A Case?
-
What Do I Do After An Accident?
-
What Is The Value of My Case?
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Bring to My First Meeting with a Personal Injury Lawyer?
When meeting with a personal injury lawyer for the first time, come prepared with crucial documentation to help your attorney understand the specifics of your incident. This includes any medical records, the police report if applicable, eyewitness contact information, and photos of the accident scene and injuries. Details about your insurance policies and any communication with the insurance companies can also be helpful.
The more information you can provide upfront, the quicker your lawyer can assess the situation and guide you on the next steps. At Aaron Sachs & Associates, P.C., we prioritize a comprehensive and efficient review of information so that we can begin formulating a strategy tailored to your specific needs and objectives.
How Does Columbia’s Environment Impact Personal Injury Claims?
Columbia’s diverse environment can influence factors in personal injury claims. For instance, the city's climate, with its occasional severe weather, can contribute to slip and fall incidents or car accidents due to wet or icy roads. Additionally, frequent local events and large university gatherings increase the potential for accidents, necessitating a thorough understanding of local traffic patterns and event-related incidents.
Attorneys familiar with Columbia’s geography and community dynamics, like those at Aaron Sachs & Associates, P.C., leverage this knowledge to effectively address the unique aspects of each case. Understanding local conditions allows them to pinpoint potential liabilities and strategize effectively on behalf of their clients.
Can I File a Claim If I Partially Caused the Accident?
In Missouri, even if you are partially at fault for an accident, you may still be eligible to file a personal injury claim. The state follows a rule of pure comparative negligence, which means your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of your fault. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault for the accident, your compensation could be reduced by 20% accordingly.
This rule allows for fair compensation proportionate to the damages incurred by each party’s negligence. It is vital to work with an attorney who can effectively argue your degree of fault and present a strong case to maximize the compensation available to you under this statute. The legal team at Aaron Sachs & Associates, P.C. excels in crafting arguments that highlight the primary negligence of the opposing party while minimizing the perceived fault of their clients.
Seeking Compensation for Your Losses
The purpose of a civil lawsuit is to compensate the victim for his or her injuries and losses, also known as “damages.” These damages can be either economic in nature, meaning they have a set dollar value associated with them, or non-economic, meaning they are more intangible in nature.
Depending on the specifics of a case, it may be possible to recover monetary compensation for the following damages:
- Medical expenses associated with treating the injury
- Ongoing and future medical care costs
- Emergency services, such as ambulance fees and hospital bills
- Lost income/wages from time taken off work to recover
- Lost future earnings and earning capacity due to disability
- Pain and suffering, including both physical pain and emotional/mental distress
- Costs related to in-home assistance and care
- Treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, etc.
While every case is different, and the exact value of your claim is unique to the factors involved, our Columbia personal injury lawyers are committed to doing everything possible to maximize your recovery. At Aaron Sachs & Associates, P.C., we have extensive experience taking on major insurance carriers and holding negligent parties accountable for the harm they cause.
Give us a call at (888) 287-1046 or contact us online today to request a no-cost, no-obligation consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys in Columbia, MO.
-
Can I Afford a Personal Injury Lawyer?If you have been seriously injured due to someone else's negligence, you can't afford not to get a personal injury lawyer involved. But that doesn't mean you need to be worried about how much it will cost. Aaron Sachs & Associates, P.C. operates on a contingency fee basis. Under this arrangement, you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our fee is taken as a percentage of the total payout, which means there are no out-of-pocket costs for you. We also offer free consultations, so you can come to us for an honest assessment of your potential case without any obligation. You have nothing to lose, but potentially much to gain!
-
How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Missouri?
The statute of limitations for a personal injury claim in Missouri is 5 years. This means that you must file your lawsuit in court within 5 years from the date of your injury. If someone is harmed while under the age of 21 or mentally incapacitated, their statute of limitations may be paused, or “tolled,” until they are an adult or otherwise able to pursue legal action for themselves.
The Missouri statute of limitations is laid out in Missouri Revised Statutes Section 516.120.
-
What Is Personal Injury Law?
Also referred to as “tort law,” personal injury law aims to compensate victims for wrongdoings, or “torts.” Cases are based on negligence, which is comprised of liability, causation and damages.
The plaintiff, or person who brings the case, must prove that the person who harmed them violated a duty of care. Then, the plaintiff must show that this violation caused their damages. The defendant, or liable person, must then be responsible for the damages or injuries the plaintiff sustained.
Personal injury law can apply any time there’s an accident or injury, but it occurs most frequently during car accidents. Drivers have a duty to exercise the highest degree of care on the road, and any breach of this duty (liability) can cause injuries and losses (damages), for which the at-fault party is responsible.
Meet Our Personal Injury Team
-
Aaron Sachs Attorney -
Joel A. Block Attorney
-
Rick VanAntwerp Attorney
-
Brandon Howard Attorney
-
Brandon Potter Attorney
-
Daniel Molloy Attorney
-
Tom Kapstrom Attorney
-
Brian Roskin Attorney
-
Grant T. Williams Attorney
-
William W. Sachs Attorney
-
Brad Evetts Attorney
-
Phil Abbott Attorney
-
Jeremy Beaird Attorney
-
Nate Hitchcock Attorney
-
Vicky M. Robbins Senior Paralegal
Our Testimonials
-
“My husband was in a car accident, we called Aaron Sachs, and are very glad we did! First of all, they sent someone to our home to interview my husband, so he did not have to drive all the way to Springfield to their office while he was in pain.”Former Client
-
“I was rear-ended by a non-insured driver. My car was totaled and I ended up having surgery on my shoulder. I was thrilled to get a settlement way larger than I could have dreamed.”Former Client
