Lee's Summit car accident lawyer

Kansas City Car Accident Lawyer

Experienced Kansas City car accident attorneys helping victims in Missouri and Kansas

A car accident can change or end a life in an instant. Just one driver who runs through a traffic light, one drunk driver who takes the keys, or one driver distracted by a smartphone can cause a terrible crash. Car accidents cause life-changing harm, such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, burn injuries, broken bones, and other severe injuries. In the most tragic case, a loved one is killed by an irresponsible driver. That's why you need an experienced Kansas City car accident lawyer.

At Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, our trial lawyers have been fighting for car accident victims in Kansas and Missouri for more than 30 years. We work with investigators, the police, traffic reconstruction experts, and physicians to determine how your accident happened and who is responsible. Our Kansas City car accident lawyers have a strong track record of success negotiating settlements and obtaining jury verdicts – including many car accidents where the award was a six-figure number. We guide victims and families through every stage of the litigation process. Give us a call to learn how we can help.

Some of the worst Kansas City roads are I-435 (especially where it intersects with I-70), I-35, Hwy 71, I-29, 75th Street, and 5th Street. Many Missouri and Kansas roads have speed limits of 70 mph, which means many drivers travel at 75, 80, or even 85 mph.

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Practice Areas

What types of car accidents do your car accident lawyers handle?

Almost a thousand people died in car accidents in Missouri in 2020, and more than 400 died in Kansas. That’s an increase of 12% and 5%, respectively. This data doesn’t even begin to tell us how many thousands may have been injured in wrecks across either state.

At Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, we know that even in the best-case scenario, a car crash can cost you time and money. In the worst, it can cost you your health or even your life. Our team handles all manner of personal injury claims stemming from wrecks, including:

  • Head-on crashes. These crashes usually occur because a driver is in the wrong lane headed in the wrong direction.
  • T-bone accidents. These accidents are also called broadsides. The front of one car strikes the side of another car. The driver whose front strikes the other car is usually but not always the negligent driver.
  • Sideswipe car accidents. These accidents often happen when a car passes improperly or merges improperly.
  • Intersection accidents. Accidents occur in intersections because one driver runs a traffic light, doesn’t use a turn signal, or for many other reasons.
  • Rear-end collision. Here, a parked car is struck by a driver who is usually speeding or is distracted.
  • Multi-vehicle crashes. This type of car accident usually involves a chain reaction of collisions.
  • Hit-and-run accidents. Drivers who cause an accident and fail to stop and render assistance after an accident should be liable for all your damages including punitive damages.
  • Uber and Lyft accidents. If you were injured in a collision with an Uber, you can seek compensation for your damages. Rideshare drivers may also be entitled if they are hurt while driving for Uber and Lyft. We can help.

We also represent victims of left-turn accidents and roll-over accidents.

Our Kansas City car accident lawyers understand the many different ways that car accidents happen. We use this understanding to show who caused the accident and why your injuries are so severe.

What are the causes of car accidents?

Most car crashes occur because of driver negligence. Common types of negligence include:

  • Driver distraction. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, driver distraction is a leading cause of car accidents. Nearly eight people die each day to a distracted driver. Drivers must have their eyes on the road, their hands on the steering wheel, and their minds on how to respond to emergencies. Too many drivers are distracted because they text while they drive, use their smartphones, eat, drink, adjust their entertainment units, or look at their GPS system.
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. DUIs are a leading cause of fatal car accidents. Drunk driving reduces a driver’s ability to control their car as well as affects their judgment. Alcohol, illegal drugs, and legal drugs such as prescription medications are dangerous.
  • Speeding. Many drivers go a few miles over the speed limit on occasion. Drivers who exceed the posted speed limits by more than five, 10, or 15 mph should be held accountable for the accidents they cause.
  • Traffic violations. In addition to speeding, some of the types of traffic violations that cause car accidents include running through a stop sign or red light, failing to yield the right of way, improper merging, and driving recklessly.
  • Driver fatigue. Tired drivers must get off the road as quickly as possible, so they don’t veer into other lanes, crash into the cars in front of them, speed, or cause other types of accidents.

Other causes of traffic accidents include tailgating, swerving in and out of lanes, driving too fast for weather conditions, and taking curves too fast – overall reckless, dangerous behavior.

Who is liable for a car accident in Kansas City?

The starting point in every accident case is to file a claim against the driver who was negligent. Other possible defendants our Kansas City Car Accident Injury Lawyers file claims against include:

  • The owners of the vehicle. Many times, the owners of the vehicle are different than the driver. For example, parents may let their teen drive a car. If the teenager causes a crash, the parents can be held liable for and damages their child causes depending on the circumstances of each case. If the crash involved a commercial truck, it could also be the driver or the trucking company which is responsible. Finding liability in such circumstances often requires extensive investigation by our experienced injury attorneys.
  • A manufacturer, distributor, or retailer. Companies that make and sell car parts are required to ensure that the parts work and are safe. Car manufacturers and other companies involved in the sale of the car can be held strictly liable if a car part was defective and the defect caused your injuries or the death of a loved
  • The state, a department of transportation, or another governmental unit or agency, like the county. Governments have a duty to construct safe roads, to make timely and proper repairs, and to manage traffic in extreme weather. Government liability can include but is not limited to the United States, the state of Missouri, the state of Kansas, the Missouri Department of Transportation, the Kansas Department of Transportation, Jackson County, Wyandotte County, the City of Kansas City, Kansas, the City of Kansas City, Kansas, and all other Missouri and Kansas counties and municipalities.
  • A tavern or seller of alcohol. Missouri has a dram shop law which provides that a business that sells alcohol to a minor or someone who is visibly intoxicated can be held liable for any accident the customer causes. Kansas, however, does not have a dram shop law.

Other defendants may be liable, too, depending on the facts of your case.

Request a free copy of our book, Don’t Wreck Your Injury Claim! today!

What are common types of car crash injuries?

In the most tragic cases, a parent, spouse, or child is killed in a car crash. When a loved one dies, our Kansas City car accident lawyers file wrongful death claims on behalf of the family members.

Survivors of a car accident often suffer one or more of the following injuries:

  • Traumatic brain injuries, which can require a lifetime of medical care when the victim suffers cognitive losses, in addition to physical and emotional pain.
  • Spinal cord damage, which may limit your ability to move and function. In the most severe cases, you might suffer paralysis.
  • Burn injuries. When the fuel line ignites in a motor vehicle accident, it can require skin grafts and plastic surgery.
  • Broken bones, which can occur if you strike any object such as a dashboard, or an object strikes you inside or outside of the vehicle.
  • Herniated discs, compression fractures, and other back injuries
  • Shoulder fractures, dislocations, and ligament damage
  • Amputations of an arm, leg, hand, foot, toe, or finger
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Facial, dental, and eye injuries
  • Complex regional pain syndrome
  • Internal bleeding and organ damage
  • Work zone accidents

What compensation am I entitled to after a car wreck?

Car accident victims often need to be treated at an ER or a burn center. Many victims require surgery, or extensive physical, occupational, and or vocational therapy. Drivers, passengers, and other victims usually cannot work until their injuries heal. Our skilled Kansas City-based car accident lawyers demand that the responsible defendants pay for:

  • All your medical expenses
  • The income you’ve lost to date and any future income loss due to a disability
  • Your physical pain and emotional suffering
  • Any scarring or disfigurement
  • Loss of consortium
  • The damage to your vehicle

We also demand punitive damages in cases of extreme and reckless negligence.

Additional car accident issues

Car owners are required to have liability insurance if they cause an accident. If the defendants don’t have insurance or don’t have enough to pay all your damage claim, we help you file your claim for any unpaid damages with your uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) insurance carrier.

There are many dos and don’ts to consider when you’re in a car accident. For example, you should exchange insurance information with other drivers. You should never discuss who was responsible for the accident with anyone but your lawyer. You should never give a recorded statement to any insurance company without first talking to an experienced personal injury attorney.

Related:

How long do I have to file a car accident claim?

Different states have different statutes of limitations, and there is always an exception to every rule. Most of the time, however, for personal injury claims you have:

In addition to the above statutes of limitations for filing personal injury claims, uninsured motorist claims, underinsured motorist claims, defective product claims, and wrongful death claims all have separate and unique statutes of limitations, and they also differ from each other in Missouri and Kansas, and you should consult with an experienced injury lawyer concerning which statute or statutes are or might be applicable to your claim(s).

Is your Kansas City car accident lawyer near me?

While our main office is in Kansas City, Missouri, just a few blocks away from City Hall, we have offices conveniently located in other communities in Missouri and Kansas available by appointment. Also, we travel to you whenever appropriate, and we routinely hold appointments by video chat service as well to provide you with the most personal, robust, and convenient representation.

Injured in a wreck? Our Kansas City car wreck lawyers want to help

At Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, we want to see you get back on your feet and receive rightful justice and compensation after your accident. Our attorneys can often settle car accident cases with insurance companies. Because of our hands-on and thorough approach, we have established an excellent track record of obtaining fair value for your claim without having to file a lawsuit. However, we are always ready to try your case before a jury if the insurance offers are too low. We are respected by our peers and have received high praise from our clients. We don't charge any fees until we win your case or your case settles.

From our headquarters in Kansas City, we serve all of Kansas and Missouri. We also have offices in Lee’s Summit, St. Joseph and Parkville, MO as well as Overland Park and Olathe, KS available by appointment. Call our office at 816-680-4304, start a live chat today, or use our contact form to schedule your free consultation.

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