Car Accident Injury Lawyers
Serving Kansas City, Missouri
You can turn to the Noland Law Firm for an experienced car accident injury lawyers in Kansas City, Missouri. Motor vehicle drivers in Missouri have a duty to exercise reasonable care not to injure others by operating their vehicles in a safe manner and obeying traffic laws. Nonetheless, car accidents are a leading cause of personal injuries that leave victims with significant pain and suffering.
Serving The Greater Kansas City Area
Noland Law Firm routinely represents car accident injury victims in:
- Liberty,
- Gladstone,
- Independence,
- Blue Springs,
- Excelsior Springs,
- Kearney,
- Smithville,
- Saint Joseph,
- North Kansas City, and
- throughout the greater Kansas City area.
If a reckless or negligent driver caused your injuries, you need a car accident lawyer who will fight for you right to just compensation.
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With over 60 years of combined experience, our attorneys have a strong record of securing substantial compensation for car accident victims. While every accident is unique, many are preventable, and negligent drivers should be held accountable. If you’ve been in a car accident, it’s essential to contact a car accident lawyer promptly.
We act quickly to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and analyze the circumstances surrounding your accident. We’ll obtain and review the police report to identify any errors. Partnering with investigators and medical experts, we work tirelessly to prove liability and build a solid case on your behalf.
Common types of injuries in a Kansas City Car Accident
Kansas City, Missouri has seen countless lives lost to fatal car accidents, often caused by drunk driving, improper lane changes, and excessive speeding. Auto accidents can have devastating effects, resulting in injuries that range from minor inconveniences to severe disabilities, forever altering lives and tearing families apart.
The following outlines common types of injuries frequently sustained in car accidents, shedding light on the diverse consequences of these incidents:
- Cuts, Scrapes, and Superficial Bruising: Even minor fender-benders can cause damage, such as cracked glass cutting the skin or airbag deployment leading to extensive bruising and potentially broken bones.
- Soft Tissue Damage: Commonly affecting muscles, tendons, and ligaments, soft tissue injuries like whiplash may not be immediately apparent but can develop days after a crash.
- Lacerations: Even low-speed collisions can turn everyday items into dangerous projectiles, causing lacerations. Flying glass and broken mechanical parts can also contribute to this injury.
- Burns: Car crashes may lead to fuel spills or hot automotive parts igniting, causing burns of varying severity that can take a long time to heal.
More severe injuries can include:
- Broken and Fractured Bones: Impact, airbag deployment, and rollover accidents can result in broken bones, with ribs, arms, and legs being commonly affected.
- Spinal Trauma: The sensitive spine can experience breakages or compression due to the force of a vehicular impact, leading to severe spinal injuries and potential paralysis.
- Head Injuries: Ranging from concussions to intracranial bleeding, traumatic head injuries may require immediate medical attention and can often only be diagnosed by a doctor.
- Organ Damage: The force of impact, combined with broken or displaced bones, can cause extensive organ damage, some of which can be fatal if not promptly identified and treated.
- Death: In 2014, approximately 766 Missourians lost their lives in car accidents, and families affected by fatal crashes may consider filing a wrongful death lawsuit.
What Happens After an Accident With an Uninsured Driver in Kansas City?
In Missouri, if you’re in an accident with an uninsured driver, your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage comes into play. This coverage, required by state law unless explicitly declined, handles medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages caused by an uninsured or unidentified driver. Your claim amount is determined by your policy’s UM allowance, such as up to $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident for minimum coverage.
In cases involving multiple liable parties, you may file claims with their insurance, but it might not cover all losses. Notify the police immediately if the driver flees, but avoid pursuing them. Your uninsured motorist policy steps in if the driver is uninsured or unidentified, offering compensation for damages. Consult your insurance agent or Noland Law Firm to understand your policy limits and what your potential options are.
What if I was partially at fault during a car accident in Kansas City?
Determining responsibility in a car accident can be intricate, especially when multiple parties share the blame. In Missouri, the comparative negligence principle allows individuals to seek compensation even if they bear partial responsibility for the accident. Remarkably, the state permits accident victims to pursue damages even if they were up to 99% at fault.
The follow is an illustrative scenario of comparative negligence in multi-party car wrecks in Missouri:
- Scenario 1: Driver A sues Driver B, with damages assessed at $60,000. If the jury deems Driver B 100% at fault, Driver A is entitled to the full $60,000.
- Scenario 2: Driver A sues Driver B, and damages are $60,000. If the jury finds Driver A 20% at fault and Driver B 80% at fault, Driver A can still recover $48,000 (80% of $60,000).
The degree of fault assigned in comparative negligence cases can vary based on various factors. Actions contributing to the percentage of fault awarded include:
- Drunk or drugged driving
- Distracted driving
- Reckless driving
- Drowsy or fatigued driving
- Driving with motor vehicle defects
- Poor driving in adverse weather conditions
Understanding these nuances is crucial when navigating Missouri’s comparative negligence system after a car accident hat involves injuries.
How long do I have to file a car accient claim in Missouri?
In Missouri, the statute of limitations for car accidents is 5 years, allowing individuals involved in a car accident this timeframe to initiate a lawsuit from the day of the accident (RSMo. §516.120). This rule encompasses all individuals involved in the accident, extending to passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, etc. Prompt consultation with an attorney at Noland Law Firm, post-accident, becomes essential.
The purpose behind Missouri’s car accident Statute of Limitations is to provide adequate time for medical treatment, recovery, and legal considerations. Initiating a lawsuit prematurely is discouraged, as certain injuries might not manifest immediately, taking months to surface. Conversely, severe injuries may necessitate extensive treatment, and the 5-year window allows the injured party to comprehend the full extent of injuries, including their severity and associated medical costs.
Missouri’s car accident statute of limitations is also relevant to the state’s uninsured motorist statute.
What are the penalties for leaving the scene of an accident in Kansas City?
In Missouri, leaving the scene of an accident is a serious offense. It is classified as a “class A misdemeanor,” which can result in up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,000.
If the accident involves physical injury, property damage exceeding $1,000, or if the driver has a prior conviction for the same offense, the charge can be elevated to a “class E felony,” carrying penalties of up to 4 years in jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
If a hit-and-run results in a fatality, the offense is upgraded to a “class D felony,” punishable by up to 7 years in jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
What not to do after a car accident
Experiencing a car accident, even a minor one, can be overwhelming, and making the right decisions afterward is crucial. Here are key actions to avoid after a car accident in Missouri:
Not Calling the Police
Resist the temptation to settle matters amicably. Calling the police ensures an official investigation, providing essential evidence for future legal proceedings or insurance claims.
How long do I have to file a police report after an accident in Missouri?
In Missouri, you have 30 days from the date of a car accident to file a police report if the crash results in injury, death, or property damage over $500. Promptly reporting the accident helps protect your legal rights and supports any insurance or compensation claims you may need to make.
Not Gathering Evidence
Even with police involvement, document the scene. Take photos from various angles, consider a video walk-around, and collect names and contact information of witnesses. This evidence can be vital if the at-fault driver disputes responsibility.
Not Going to the Doctor
Seek medical attention regardless of apparent injuries. The shock of an accident can mask pain, and a doctor can identify hidden injuries. Prompt medical attention also demonstrates genuine concern for your well-being, strengthening your insurance claim.
Not Knowing When Not to Speak Up
The immediate aftermath of an accident can be distressing, and in the heat of the moment, you might say something you could later regret. It is crucial to stay composed because anything spoken at the accident scene might have repercussions when you file an insurance claim later on.
Refrain from providing statements to the other driver’s insurance company as well. Anything said can be used against you, so it’s best to consult with your attorney before making any statements.
Not Calling Your Attorney
Once you’ve addressed immediate concerns, contact your car crash attorney promptly. They can assist in evidence collection, compile comprehensive case details, and guide you through legal proceedings or negotiations with insurance companies.
How Can A Kansas City Car Accident Lawyer Help You?
Navigating the aftermath of a car accident in Kansas City, Missouri demands seasoned legal guidance. At Noland Law Firm, our skilled car accident injury lawyers, will ensure victims receive the dedicated advocacy they deserve.
Car accidents often result in severe injuries and emotional distress, highlighting the critical need for legal representation. Our attorneys conduct thorough investigations, leveraging their expertise in state laws to hold negligent parties accountable and secure rightful compensation for victims.
Types of Accident Injuries we Handle in the Greater Kansas City Area
Navigating the aftermath of an accident can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with injuries that disrupt daily life and affect your well-being. At Noland Law Firm, LLC, our skilled personal injury attorneys are here to help. We handle a wide range of accident-related injuries, ensuring that every client receives the dedicated representation they deserve. Below are some of the types of accident injuries we routinely handle:
- Head-on collisions
- Hit-and-run accidents
- T-bone accidents
- Intersection accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- Accidents involving passengers
- Left-turn accidents
- Side-impact collisions
- Single-vehicle accidents
- Multi-vehicle pile-ups
- Rollover accidents
- Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Bus accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Uninsured motorist claims
- Underinsured motorist claims
- Concussion and other injury claims
We are committed to guiding our clients through each step of the legal process and advocating for the full compensation they need to move forward.
Contact our Kansas City Accident Injury Lawyers Today
If you were injured in an auto accident anywhere in the greater Kansas City area, it is worth hiring a personal injury lawyer from Noland Law Firm to help settle your case with knowledge and compassion. Contact Noland Law Firm, LLC, online today to schedule a free consultation, or call us at (816) 781-5055 with any questions.
Our Kansas City, Missouri Personal Injury Team
Douglass F. Noland
Kate E Noland
Jennifer N. Wettstein
