Real Car Accident Cases. Real Results.
$850,000
Rear-End Collision
St. Louis County, MO
Client rear-ended on Highway 40 by a distracted driver. Herniated disc required spinal injections. Insurer blamed “pre-existing issues,” but we used medical records and doctor testimony to prove the crash caused her pain. Settled for $850,000 before trial.
$675,000
T-Bone Crash
Madison County, IL
Driver ran a red light and hit our client. She suffered a fractured wrist and torn rotator cuff needing surgery. Defendant claimed she was speeding. We found security footage proving she entered lawfully. Settlement: $675,000.
$925,000
Rideshare Accident
Jefferson County, MO
Client was a rideshare passenger when a truck ran a stop sign. Insurer claimed the rideshare driver was at fault. We used accident reconstruction and cellphone data from the truck driver to prove negligence. Secured $925,000 policy-limit settlement.
“I wasn’t just another case to them. Tom and Deme actually listened and explained everything in plain English. It made a huge difference knowing they used to be on the other side — they anticipated every move the insurance company made.”
Why Choose Sotiriou Wilmowski for Your Car Accident Case?
We Know the Insurance Playbook
We used to defend car accident claims for some of the biggest insurers in the country. We know their tactics — shifting blame, questioning treatment, and dragging out cases — and we know how to stop them.
You Work Directly With Experienced Lawyers
Your case won’t get passed down to a junior associate. You’ll work one-on-one with seasoned trial lawyers who have handled car accident cases across Missouri and Illinois.
Clear Communication, Real Answers
We don’t keep you in the dark. We’ll walk you through your policy, explain your options clearly, and give you honest, strategic advice at every step.
No Fee Unless We Win
You don’t pay anything upfront. We cover the costs, and you owe us nothing unless we win compensation for you.
Recognized and Trusted
Clients across Missouri and Illinois turn to us because past clients, local attorneys, and even healthcare providers trust us to take care of people after serious car accidents.
We Build Trial-Ready Cases From Day One
Insurance companies know we’re ready to go to court if that’s what it takes. By preparing every case as if it will be tried, we put pressure on insurers to pay full value instead of offering low settlements.
What Our Clients Say
The Sotiriou Wilmowski Insider Advantage™
We know how insurance companies think—because we used to work for them.
Deme Sotiriou spent years defending car accident claims for one of the largest auto insurance companies in the country. She understands how insurers review crash reports, interpret medical records, and look for ways to reduce payouts. Today, she uses that knowledge to push for full compensation for her clients.
Tom Wilmowski represented at-fault drivers and their insurers in crash cases across Missouri and Illinois. He’s sat in the insurer’s strategy sessions, reviewed the crash reports they rely on, and drafted the denial letters victims receive. Now, he uses that insider perspective to dismantle their defenses and build stronger cases for the people the system often works against.
Why Our Experience Gives You the Edge
Before we fought for car accident victims, we were in the insurer’s war room. We know which pieces of evidence carry the most weight with adjusters and defense attorney, how insurers calculate settlement offers — and how to show your case is worth more, and when to push aggressively in negotiations versus when to prepare for trial.
We’ve handled car crash cases on I-70, I-64/Highway 40, I-44, I-55, I-270, and other major highways, as well as on local roads throughout St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, and across Illinois.
We’re also deeply familiar with how crash reports are written by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Illinois State Police, and how those reports can miss crucial details. We know how to challenge and correct inaccuracies that insurers might use against you.
We regularly work with clients treated at Barnes-Jewish, Mercy, SSM Health, and hospitals throughout Missouri and Illinois, helping to create a complete medical record that proves the full extent of injuries.
We’ve Been in Their War Room — Now We’re in Yours
Our background gives you an edge at every stage of your claim:
With Sotiriou Wilmowski, you don’t just get attorneys — you get experienced advocates who know the system from the inside out.
Put Our Experience to Work for You
This isn’t guesswork. It’s strategic legal advocacy built on insider knowledge.
If you were hit by a careless driver, don’t try to take on the insurance company alone. Get a team that knows exactly how they operate — and how to beat them.
That’s the Sotiriou Wilmowski Insider Advantage™
Injured in a car accident?
Talk to former insurance lawyers who now fight for victims.
Questions? We’ve Got Answers
We’ve handled these cases from both sides. Now we use that insider experience to help you win. Here are some of the most common questions we hear from car accident victims:
Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle
We don’t just handle car accident cases — we understand them from the inside. Tom and Deme used to represent drivers and companies and their insurers. We know their tactics, their pressure points, and what it takes to win.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end crashes are among the most common accidents in St. Louis, Missouri, and Illinois, and they can cause serious injuries like whiplash, herniated discs, and concussions. Insurance companies often argue these are “minor” crashes, but the impact can leave victims with lasting pain and costly medical care. Our St. Louis car accident lawyers know how to prove the true impact of rear-end collisions using medical records, expert testimony, and accident reconstruction. We hold negligent drivers and insurers accountable, ensuring victims get compensation for medical treatment, lost wages, and the disruption these preventable accidents bring to their lives.
Drunk/Drugged Driver Accidents
Drunk and drugged drivers cause some of the most devastating car accidents in St. Louis, Missouri, and Illinois. These crashes often lead to catastrophic injuries or fatalities. While the criminal justice system punishes offenders, it doesn’t cover medical bills, lost wages, or the suffering of victims. Our car accident lawyers pursue civil claims against impaired drivers and their insurers, using police reports, toxicology results, and witness statements to prove negligence. We fight for maximum compensation for victims and their families, holding reckless drivers accountable for the harm caused by their dangerous choices.
Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) Accidents
Rideshare accidents in St. Louis, Missouri, and Illinois raise unique legal questions because multiple insurance policies may apply. Uber and Lyft provide coverage, but their insurers often try to deny responsibility by claiming the driver was off-duty or not logged into the app. Victims are left stuck between insurance companies pointing fingers. Our attorneys know how to navigate these disputes and fight for rideshare passengers, drivers, and others injured in these crashes. We ensure all available policies are pursued so victims receive full compensation after an Uber or Lyft accident.
Intersection & T-Bone Crashes
T-bone accidents at intersections in St. Louis, Missouri, and Illinois often result in devastating injuries because the side of a vehicle offers little protection. These crashes usually happen when a driver runs a red light, ignores a stop sign, or fails to yield. Insurers often try to blame both drivers, creating disputes over liability. We know how to gather crucial evidence like surveillance footage, witness statements, and crash reconstructions to prove fault. Our car accident attorneys fight for full compensation for victims of intersection collisions, ensuring they’re not left with medical bills and lost wages from another driver’s carelessness.
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians in St. Louis, Missouri, and Illinois are especially vulnerable in car accidents, with little protection from the force of a vehicle. These crashes often happen at crosswalks, intersections, or while walking along busy streets. Drivers often try to blame the pedestrian, but we know how to prove the driver was negligent using surveillance footage, traffic data, and witness accounts. Our car accident attorneys fight for injured pedestrians and their families to secure full compensation for medical care, lost wages, and long-term needs after preventable pedestrian accidents.
Hit-and-Run Crashes
Hit-and-run accidents in St. Louis, Missouri, and Illinois leave victims dealing with injuries, medical bills, and no driver to hold accountable. Even if the driver is never found, uninsured motorist coverage often provides a way to recover. Insurers may resist paying, arguing that coverage doesn’t apply or downplaying the severity of injuries. Our car accident attorneys know how to prove hit-and-run claims and secure the compensation victims deserve, using witness statements, surveillance footage, and crash evidence to build strong cases.
Distracted Driving Accidents
Distracted drivers are a growing danger on St. Louis, Missouri, and Illinois roads. Texting, using GPS, eating, or even adjusting the radio can cause a driver to miss a red light or drift into another lane, with catastrophic results. Insurance companies often deny distraction played a role, but cell phone records and vehicle data can prove otherwise. Our St. Louis car accident lawyers know how to uncover the evidence needed to show a driver’s negligence. We fight to secure compensation for medical care, lost income, and pain and suffering for victims of crashes caused by distracted driving.
Motorcycle Crashes
Motorcyclists in St. Louis, Missouri, and Illinois face high risks when careless drivers fail to see them, misjudge distances, or make unsafe turns. These crashes often cause severe injuries, including broken bones, spinal cord damage, and brain injuries. Insurance companies frequently blame riders to avoid paying full compensation. Our car accident lawyers know how to fight these tactics, using accident reconstructions and witness testimony to prove negligence. We fight for injured motorcyclists to ensure they get the compensation they deserve for medical treatment, lost income, and long-term recovery.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Claims (UM/UIM)
When you’re injured by a driver with no insurance or not enough coverage, UM/UIM benefits often provide the only path to recovery. Unfortunately, insurers often deny or undervalue these claims. Our attorneys in St. Louis, Missouri, and Illinois know how to fight back. We carefully document the full extent of your injuries, lost wages, and long-term needs, ensuring you receive the benefits you paid for. We hold insurance companies accountable when negligent drivers fail to carry adequate coverage.
Highway & Interstate Crashes
High-speed collisions on highways and interstates in St. Louis, Missouri, and Illinois often lead to life-changing injuries or fatalities. Heavy traffic, aggressive drivers, and reckless lane changes make highways particularly dangerous. When a crash occurs at high speeds, the force of impact is devastating. These cases can involve multiple vehicles and complex liability disputes. Our St. Louis car accident attorneys use accident reconstruction experts, black box data, and witness testimony to prove negligence. We fight to hold reckless drivers accountable and recover the compensation victims need after serious highway crashes throughout Missouri and Illinois.
Highway & Interstate Crashes
High-speed collisions on highways and interstates in St. Louis, Missouri, and Illinois often lead to life-changing injuries or fatalities. Heavy traffic, aggressive drivers, and reckless lane changes make highways particularly dangerous. When a crash occurs at high speeds, the force of impact is devastating. These cases can involve multiple vehicles and complex liability disputes. Our St. Louis car accident attorneys use accident reconstruction experts, black box data, and witness testimony to prove negligence. We fight to hold reckless drivers accountable and recover the compensation victims need after serious highway crashes throughout Missouri and Illinois.
Weather-Related Accidents
Snow, ice, fog, and heavy rain make driving in St. Louis, Missouri, and Illinois especially dangerous. While drivers can’t control the weather, they are required to adjust their speed and use extra caution. Too often, crashes happen because drivers fail to slow down or maintain control. Insurers may argue the accident was unavoidable, but we know how to prove negligence. Our attorneys build strong cases for victims of weather-related crashes, ensuring they get fair compensation for injuries caused by careless drivers who didn’t take proper precautions.
Passenger Injury Claims
Passengers injured in car accidents in St. Louis, Missouri, and Illinois often don’t know whose insurance applies — the driver of their car, the other driver, or both. Insurers may point fingers at each other, delaying payment while the victim faces mounting bills. Our car accident lawyers know how to sort out coverage disputes and pursue every possible source of recovery. Whether you were injured in a friend’s car, a rideshare, or another vehicle, we ensure your medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term needs are fully covered by the responsible insurers.
Passenger Injury Claims
Passengers injured in car accidents in St. Louis, Missouri, and Illinois often don’t know whose insurance applies — the driver of their car, the other driver, or both. Insurers may point fingers at each other, delaying payment while the victim faces mounting bills. Our car accident lawyers know how to sort out coverage disputes and pursue every possible source of recovery. Whether you were injured in a friend’s car, a rideshare, or another vehicle, we ensure your medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term needs are fully covered by the responsible insurers.
Fatal Crashes / Wrongful Death
Losing a loved one in a fatal car accident in St. Louis, Missouri, or Illinois is devastating. Families are left with grief, medical bills, funeral expenses, and the loss of income and companionship. Wrongful death claims help hold negligent drivers accountable and provide critical financial support for surviving family members. Insurance companies often fight these claims aggressively, but we know how to prove liability and secure justice. Our attorneys fight tirelessly for grieving families, ensuring they receive the compensation and closure they deserve after a preventable fatal crash.
Bicycle Accidents
Bicyclists in St. Louis, Missouri, and Illinois are at extreme risk when struck by cars. Even low-speed crashes can cause catastrophic injuries, including fractures, spinal damage, and head trauma. Drivers often claim the bicyclist wasn’t visible or didn’t have the right of way, but we know how to counter those defenses. Our attorneys use crash reconstructions, traffic camera footage, and witness statements to prove negligence. We fight for full compensation for injured cyclists, holding careless drivers accountable and ensuring victims have the resources they need to recover from serious bicycle accidents.
Bicycle Accidents
Bicyclists in St. Louis, Missouri, and Illinois are at extreme risk when struck by cars. Even low-speed crashes can cause catastrophic injuries, including fractures, spinal damage, and head trauma. Drivers often claim the bicyclist wasn’t visible or didn’t have the right of way, but we know how to counter those defenses. Our attorneys use crash reconstructions, traffic camera footage, and witness statements to prove negligence. We fight for full compensation for injured cyclists, holding careless drivers accountable and ensuring victims have the resources they need to recover from serious bicycle accidents.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on crashes are among the most devastating accidents on St. Louis, Missouri, and Illinois roads. The force of two vehicles colliding directly often causes catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and multiple fractures. Insurers frequently argue fault is unclear, blaming both drivers or pointing to road conditions. Our car accident attorneys know how to cut through these defenses with accident reconstruction, witness testimony, and crash evidence. We fight to hold negligent drivers accountable and recover full compensation for victims of head-on collisions and their families across Missouri and Illinois.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
Every car accident is different, but here’s what you may be able to recover:
Insurance companies may use formulas to undervalue pain and suffering. We use medical records, expert testimony, and your own story to show the full impact of the crash on your life.
We Handle Car Accident Cases Across Missouri and Illinois
We’re based in St. Louis but take serious car accident cases throughout Missouri and Illinois — urban, suburban, and rural.
Counties We Serve in Missouri
Counties We Serve in Illinois
For a full picture of crash data in Missouri, see the Missouri Department of Transportation crash statistics page.