Injured by a distracted driver in St. Louis? Find out your rights, how claims work, and what steps to take next. Call for a free consultation.
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents in St. Louis and throughout Missouri. Whether it’s a driver texting, adjusting GPS directions, or simply not paying attention, these crashes can leave victims dealing with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and confusing insurance claims.
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 Counts as Distracted Driving in Missouri?
Distracted driving includes any activity that takes a driver’s attention off the road. In St. Louis, some of the most common examples include:
Texting or using a smartphone
Eating or drinking while driving
Adjusting navigation or music controls
Talking to passengers
Reaching for objects inside the vehicle
Missouri has laws restricting certain types of phone use while driving, particularly for younger drivers, but even when something isn’t explicitly illegal, it can still be considered negligent behavior if it leads to a crash.
What Typically Happens After the Crash
1. Police Respond and Create a Report
If law enforcement arrives at the scene, they will document what happened, gather statements, and may note signs of distraction (such as phone use). This report can become important evidence later.
2. Medical Treatment Begins
Even if injuries seem minor at first, symptoms like whiplash, back pain, or concussions often appear hours or days later. Seeking prompt medical care helps protect both your health and your claim.
3. Insurance Companies Get Involved
The at-fault driver’s insurance company will likely contact you quickly. Their goal is often to minimize what they pay—not necessarily to fully account for your losses.
Every case is different, and the amount depends on the specific facts, severity of injuries, and available insurance coverage.
What If the Insurance Company Blames You?
It’s common for insurance companies to try to shift partial blame onto you. They may argue:
You stopped suddenly
You weren’t paying attention either
Your injuries aren’t as serious as claimed
This is where Missouri’s comparative fault law becomes important. Even if you share some responsibility, you may still recover compensation—but the amount can be reduced.
When Should You Talk to a Lawyer?
You may want to speak with a lawyer if:
You suffered injuries requiring treatment
The fault is being disputed
The insurance company is offering a low settlement
You’re unsure what your case may be worth
At The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C., clients work directly with an attorney—not a case manager—and can get answers specific to their situation.
Talk to a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you were hit by a distracted driver in St. Louis, you don’t have to navigate the process alone. Understanding your rights and options can help you make informed decisions during a stressful time.
