Car Accident Attorney Aurora

Legal Help After A Serious Car Crash

A serious car accident can leave you with medical bills, lost income, and pressure from insurance adjusters. If you were injured in a crash in or near Aurora, Missouri, a car accident attorney can protect your rights, handle the claim process, and pursue compensation for your injuries and financial losses.

At Pettit Law Office, we represent injured drivers and families across Aurora and Southwest Missouri in personal injury matters. Our firm has been based in Aurora since 1957, and you work directly with one attorney from start to finish not a call center.

Injured in a crash in Aurora? Contact Pettit Law Office today to speak directly with a car accident attorney about your rights and next steps.

Why Injured Drivers Turn To Us

• One-attorney handling: One primary attorney manages your case from intake through resolution.
• Local experience: Aurora-based firm serving Southwest Missouri since 1957.
• Court familiarity: Experience with claims that may be filed in Lawrence County, including matters involving the Lawrence County Circuit Court in Mount Vernon.
• Insurance pushback: We address low offers, disputed injuries, and delay tactics with a case built for negotiation or litigation.

What To Do After a Car Accident in Aurora

• Call 911 and request medical help.
• Get evaluated even if pain feels minor (some injuries worsen later).
• Exchange information (name, phone, insurer, plate number).
• Document the scene (vehicle damage, road conditions, skid marks, visible injuries).
• Get witnesses (names and contact details).
• Follow medical care and keep appointments.
• Avoid recorded statements and quick settlements until you get legal advice.

Insurance companies may contact you quickly to limit what they pay. Before you accept anything, it can help to speak with an attorney after an auto accident to understand what your claim may be worth.

How We Handle Car Accident Claims

1) Investigation and evidence

• Police crash report (Aurora PD, Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, or Missouri State Highway Patrol)
• Photos, video, witness statements
• Medical records, bills, and treatment plans
• Wage loss documentation and employment verification

2) Claim strategy and damages

• Identify all responsible parties and coverage sources
• Document medical costs, lost income, and future needs
• Build a demand package supported by records and evidence

3) Insurance negotiations

• Manage adjuster communications
• Respond to injury disputes and “lowball” offers
• Push for a settlement that reflects full damages

4) Lawsuit preparation when needed

• If the insurer refuses to make a fair offer, we prepare for litigation and discuss filing suit in the appropriate Missouri court, including Lawrence County when applicable.

Liability in Missouri: Comparative Fault

Missouri applies pure comparative fault, meaning more than one person can share blame for a crash. You can still recover compensation even if you were partly at fault, but your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.

Examples of evidence that can affect fault:

• Speed and braking data
• Intersection right-of-way
• Cell phone use / distraction
• Vehicle positioning and impact points
• Weather and roadway conditions

Common Causes of Crashes in and Around Aurora

• Distracted driving
• Speeding and unsafe passing
• Following too closely
• Failure to yield at intersections
• Impaired or fatigued driving
• Poor visibility, weather, or road hazards
• Serious commercial collisions involving a truck accident

Common Car Accident Injuries

Car crashes can cause injuries that require weeks or months of treatment, including:

• Whiplash, neck and back injuries
• Fractures
• Head injuries and concussion symptoms, including brain injuries
• Shoulder, knee, and joint damage
• Severe trauma such as spinal cord injuries
• Life-changing harm classified as catastrophic injuries

What Compensation Can Include

Depending on the facts of your case, compensation may include:

• Medical bills (ER, surgery, rehab, medication)
• Future medical care
• Lost wages
• Reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of normal life and daily function
• Property damage (vehicle repair/total loss)

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Missouri?

In Missouri, the statute of limitations for many injury claims arising from car accidents is five years under RS MO §516.120. Deadlines can vary depending on the facts, so it’s best to get legal advice early while evidence is available and witnesses are easier to locate.

How much does it cost to hire a car accident attorney?

Most injury cases begin with a consultation. Many car accident cases are handled on a contingency fee, meaning the attorney fee is typically tied to the result rather than paid upfront. Ask us to explain the fee agreement during your consultation.

Should I talk to the insurance adjuster first?

Be cautious. Adjusters may request a recorded statement early and may use statements to dispute injuries or reduce value. It’s often safer to get legal advice before giving detailed or recorded statements.

How long will my car accident case take?

Timing depends on medical recovery, liability disputes, and insurance response. Some cases settle in months; others take longer, especially if a lawsuit is filed.

What should I bring to my first meeting?

If you have them, bring crash report or incident number, photos/video, insurance letters or claim info, medical bills/records you already received, and wage or time-off documentation. If you don’t have everything, bring what you can we can help gather the rest.

What if I was partly at fault?

Missouri’s comparative fault system can still allow recovery, but compensation may be reduced by your share of fault.

Talk With a Car Accident Attorney in Aurora Today

If you were injured in a crash in Aurora or nearby Southwest Missouri, contact Pettit Law Office to discuss your options. We investigate the collision, organize your medical and wage-loss documentation, handle insurance communications, and pursue compensation through settlement or litigation when necessary.

Do not let insurance companies decide what your case is worth. Call (417) 222-6640 now to schedule your consultation and learn how we can pursue the compensation you deserve.