Living with lasting injuries after a Missouri car accident? Call our St. Louis accident attorney at (314) 361-4242 for a free case review.
When you’re injured in a car accident, the hope is that treatment will fully heal you. But for many victims, the reality is different. Even after medical care and rehabilitation, long-term or permanent physical effects — known as residual bodily injuries — can remain.
These lingering injuries can affect your ability to work, your quality of life, and even your mental health. If another party was responsible for your accident, you may be entitled to a settlement that accounts for these lasting impacts.
Chris Hoffman is an excellent attorney. He is the best above the rest. What makes him different? He communicates promptly - I don't have to leave message after message for him to reach out to me. When I telephone his office, if he doesn't answer the telephone, his assistant does. Chris Hoffman is very attentive and focused. He means business, and he hit the ground running on the cases. I'm so blessed to have him for my attorney.
"Of all the lawyers I have met, this one is a true professional. This attorney goes against the biggest law firms and wins!"
Response from the owner:The compliment is much appreciated. Like every profession, it all starts with training our lawyers to be the best at every aspect of car accident cases. But the foundation of a great case is a great client. Thanks!
I'd say this lawyer is in the top three of the best you'll ever see. Add this attorney to the interview list if you ever get in an automobile accident. This Law Firm is on another level.
Response from the owner:Much appreciated. Techniques that an attorney or any professional uses are paramount for success. This is part of our lawyers training and preparation. It leads to success. Thank you!
People say this is the best car accident lawyer in St.Louis. Yep! Seeing this attorney in action is incredible.
Response from the owner:Great compliment. We work hard to be the best. Our lawyers also work very hard to help other lawyers in our profession. Not matter what, a cases is only as good as the client is. Thanks!
Response from the owner:Thanks! Referrals and recommendations from prior car accident clients is our #1 source of cases. People who grew to trust us send family and friends.
The Hoffman law firm is truly professional. After hiring them I was truly relieved and knew I was in good hands. Highly recommend!
Response from the owner:Being in good hands is important. Many lawyers take cases with little experience and little resources. Our firm specialized decades ago. We are focused exclusively on accident cases.
The lawyers on tv just dont compare for auto accident injury cases. Mr.Hoffmann is as good as they get.
Response from the owner:Thank you. The TV attorneys are just settlement mills. People are hiring a paralegal, not a lawyer. Our law firm is different. You are represented by an attorney and we do not have settlement quotas.
I would describe this lawyer as highly educated, sharp, and top of his game. Explains the car accident process and treatment options well. The lawyer said if they don’t pay you, we will have the jury take it from the insurance company. Great lawyer. Dynamic person.
Interviewed all the TV car accident lawyers and decided to call this law firm that had great reviews. So happy I did. What a difference!
Response from the owner:TV car accident lawyers are just mass production. This is not a good fit for litigated cases. Paralegals instead of lawyers. Monthly quotas for settlements. Car accident victims end up in a cattle call with the lawyers on TV.
Love my car accident lawyer. This law firm is a step above.
Response from the owner:Our lawyers train and track the best approaches on cases. Whether litigation in cases or the practicalities of certain treatment, the growth of our lawyers over time is paramount. Always staying ahead of and setting practice trends. Thank you.
Serious family member have a car accident injury? Look no further. This litigator is for real. Always two steps ahead of the other lawyer.
Response from the owner:This is a sad reality for car accident lawyers. The #1 passenger in an auto accident is a relative. Helping a family make it through this and putting the family back together is one of the most rewarding things I do as an automobile accident attorney.
This lawyer handles really big accident cases in St Louis. He is a lawyer, accountant and has his masters in tax so he gets the injury cases for individuals that can never go back to work or individuals own a business and cannot run it due to injury. He specializes in valuations of massive loss. Thank goodness a firm like this exists.
Response from the owner:Thank you. When accident are severe and you lose the ability to work or to continue a business, having an accounting and tax background is key. Valuing large losses are second nature for us.
Asked a trauma surgeon who operates on car accident victims who are the best injury lawyers that have taken his deposition. He said “by far” it was Mr Hoffmann. Interviewed several attorneys and this was a correct assessment. In a league of his own!
Response from the owner:Our attorney have deposed nearly all the trauma surgeons at every Level 1 Trauma Center in Saint Louis. These doctors save lives after a car accident. Whether controlling bleeding or reestablishing blood flow or bone structures, they are life savers.
Few lawyers in St. Louis can handle the biggest injury cases! This is one of them!
Response from the owner:Our law firm has made great efforts in terms of training to handle life changing injury cases. Whether in depth knowledge of the medical, loss of income and earning capacity, or lifetime medical care plans, our clients feel confident and know their case is in good hands. Thank you for the compliment.
Cannot say enough about this lawyer. Call if in an accident. This attorney handles the biggest car accidents in St Louis.
Response from the owner:Thanks Ash! Our biggest source of cases is our clients. Our second biggest referral source is defense lawyers telling their relatives to call us. Few lawyers can handle the largest cases. Our law firm welcomes and has trained for this. We don’t do mass production settlement like the lawyers on TV. Our clients can never go back to work. Their cases need massive focus and effort and often long fought litigation.
So glad I called attorney Hoffmann. This time I got it right! So glad I hired the Hoffmann Law Firm - professional, reliable and available.
Response from the owner:Thanks Taylor. Our lawyers answer the phone day, night, weekends and even during lunch. Being professional means training to beat the best defense lawyers. Client rely on us to get results and we do.
Great lawyer. Cares about his clients, knows his stuff and goes the extra mile. I recommend this lawyer for car wreck injury claim. Every other lawyer on TV would not even help with my property claim. This attorney did.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the kind words. Every case starts with a great client. You are correct the car accident lawyers on TV are mass production settlement mills. When injury clients fire them, we get their files and the cases are not worked up at all. Appreciate your confidence in us!
What Is a Residual Bodily Injury?
A residual bodily injury is a physical condition that continues long after the accident and initial medical treatment. It may be permanent or semi-permanent, and it can include:
Chronic pain or stiffness
Limited range of motion
Nerve damage
Scarring or disfigurement
Traumatic brain injury symptoms
Loss of function in a limb or joint
Post-traumatic arthritis
Residual injuries are often documented by medical specialists and supported with long-term prognosis reports. This documentation is critical for settlement negotiations.
Why Residual Injuries Increase Settlement Value
Insurance companies calculate settlements based on damages, and residual injuries typically result in higher damages because they:
Impact Future Earnings – If you can’t return to your previous job or work fewer hours.
Affect Daily Life – Difficulty with household chores, hobbies, or childcare.
Cause Ongoing Medical Expenses – Future surgeries, therapy, or medication.
Lead to Emotional Distress – Depression, anxiety, and reduced quality of life.
A skilled attorney will ensure these long-term consequences are fully valued in your claim.
How Missouri Law Handles Residual Injury Claims
Missouri follows a fault-based personal injury system. This means the at-fault driver’s insurance is responsible for covering your damages, including residual injury compensation.
Important legal points:
Statute of Limitations – You generally have 5 years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Comparative Fault Rule – If you’re found partly at fault, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.
Medical Expert Testimony – Often required to prove the permanency and impact of residual injuries.
Proving a Residual Bodily Injury
To secure fair compensation, you’ll need strong evidence, such as:
Detailed medical records
Specialist evaluations and prognosis statements
Physical therapy and rehabilitation records
Photographs of injuries and scarring
Testimony from vocational experts about your ability to work
The more objective, medical, and long-term evidence you have, the stronger your claim.
How Settlements Are Calculated
Residual bodily injury settlements in Missouri often include:
Insurance adjusters often dispute these claims because they involve substantial payouts. Common tactics include:
Arguing the injury was pre-existing
Downplaying medical evidence
Claiming you’ve “fully recovered”
Offering a low settlement before the long-term impact is clear
A local St. Louis accident attorney who understands Missouri law and insurer tactics can prevent you from accepting a lowball offer.
Why Choose The Hoffmann Law Firm for Your Residual Injury Case
At The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C., we’ve been fighting for Missouri accident victims for over 25 years. When you hire us:
You work directly with attorney Christopher Hoffmann, not a junior associate.
We coordinate with medical experts to document the long-term effects of your injury.
We negotiate aggressively to secure a settlement that reflects your future needs.
You pay nothing unless we win your case.
Take Action Today
If you’re living with a residual bodily injury from a Missouri car accident, don’t settle for less than you deserve. Call (314) 361-4242 or start a live chat with us today for a free consultation.
Your future deserves to be valued — and we’ll fight to make sure it is.
