Kansas City Car Accident Lawyers

A car accident can wreak havoc on the lives of its victims, causing serious personal injuries, damage to your vehicle, lost time at work, and a long road to recovery. It can upend your life for months or even years to come, and your ensuing car accident claim can also take a long time to be resolved. That’s why it’s important to get an experienced Kansas City Car Accident Attorney to help you settle your case in a timely manner.

If you have been involved in a car accident that left you with personal injuries and damages, you may be able to obtain compensation for the monetary losses you have suffered. However, it is important to understand your legal rights, options, and potential next steps.

What Are Some Common Types of Accidents in Kansas City?

Kansas City car accidents can involve various different situations. The following are some examples:

• Rollover accidents, where a vehicle rolls completely on its side or top
• Rear-end collisions, where one vehicle hits another one from behind
• Front-end collisions, where one vehicle strikes another head-on
• Side impact collisions, where a vehicle is hit on the side by another
• Multi-vehicle accidents or pileups, which involve several different vehicles
• Sideswipe collisions, which involve one vehicle being broadsided by another
• T-bone collisions, which happen when one vehicle crashes into the side of another head-on

What Causes Car Accidents?

Car accidents are caused by many different factors, some of which are due to human error or negligent driving, while others may be due to road conditions, vehicle malfunctions, or similar unpredictable situations. Reasons for motor vehicle accidents in and around Kansas City often include the following:

• Speeding or driving at a rate of speed that is unsafe under the circumstances.
• Failure to yield, unsafe merging, or veering into another car’s path.
• Failure to stop safely at a red light, stop sign, or intersection, or ignoring or failing to notice traffic signs or signals. A common cause of car accidents involves the failure to obey traffic signals and control devices. Whether it’s failing to stop at a red light or stop sign, failing to yield, or another way of disobeying the rules of traffic, these actions can be the reason behind an accident.
• Not knowing the appropriate laws and rules of the road.
• Driving recklessly or negligently, with disregard for the rules of the road and traffic safety, or showing indifference or irreverence to the safety of other drivers.
• Aggressive driving, which is defined by AAA as “[a]ny unsafe driving behavior, performed deliberately and with ill intention or disregard for safety.” Tailgating, blocking another vehicle, weaving in and out of traffic, and cutting in front of a vehicle are just some examples of aggressive driving practices, and they can all be a factor in causing a serious car accident.
• Road rage is when aggressive driving crosses a dangerous line into actions like cursing, rude or obscene gestures, throwing objects, ramming, sideswiping, or forcing a motorist off the road.
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Impaired driving is one of the most common reasons for accidents, sadly. Despite the many warnings about driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol — not to mention strict laws and fines in place to punish those who do — many drivers simply fail to understand the impact of alcohol or drugs on their ability to drive or ride safely. Impaired driving can result in serious, sometimes catastrophic accidents, particularly as the impaired driver is unable to gauge the possible consequences of their actions.
• Driving distracted, such as by a cell phone or other passengers, or engaging in other actions while driving, such as eating, drinking, or personal grooming. Increasingly, distracted driving is the reason behind many accidents. Distracted driving can happen as a result of inattention, such as when a driver is busy attending to children in the back seat, talking to passengers, eating, drinking, or otherwise not paying attention to the road. It can also happen as a result of using electronic devices, including texting or talking on the phone, attempting to play music, or getting directions.
• Mechanical or vehicle failures that cause the driver to hit another car.
• Failing to maintain a vehicle properly so that driving it becomes a safety hazard.
• Poor road conditions or road hazards, poor visibility, or bad weather.

What Injuries Are Common in Car Accidents?

A car accident can leave its victims with personal injuries, some of which may be severe and significant — in some cases, even catastrophic. Often, these injuries will require significant medical care, therapy, and rest in order to recover, and in some cases, full recovery is not possible, making for life-changing injuries after the accident. Many different injuries can result from a car accident, such as the following:

• Head injuries, concussions, and traumatic brain injuries
• Back, neck, and spinal injuries, sometimes including partial or full paralysis
• Broken or fractured bones
• Injuries to internal organs or internal bleeding
• Limb amputations
• Burns
• Road rash and other abrasions
• Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries
• Scars or disfigurement
• In the most extreme cases, wrongful death

Who Is Liable for a Car Accident in Kansas City?

Generally, to prove liability in a car accident, you will need to prove negligence: that the other driver breached their duty of care on the road when they drove aggressively, recklessly, or negligently, directly causing your injuries. Anyone who contributed to the cause of the accident could be held liable for the injuries they have caused on the road.

There are various factors to consider in establishing liability for an accident that resulted from another party’s fault or negligent driving practices. Looking at the driver’s behavior, of course, is the starting point — you can establish fault through evidence of aggressive or negligent driving behaviors, like speeding, weaving, or tailgating. Additionally, observed witness testimony regarding the behavior of the other driver can be helpful, as well as video evidence of the accident, such as dash cam or nearby surveillance camera footage.

Proving liability in a motor vehicle accident can be difficult — you should not try to go it alone. A knowledgeable, experienced car accident attorney’s help will be invaluable, both in negotiating with the other party and their insurance company and in establishing your claims in court. They can investigate the facts of your claim, preserve important evidence, and build a strong case to present on your behalf. Moreover, an experienced car accident lawyer will not only research and understand the laws involved in your claim but will also be able to apply those laws to the unique facts of your accident.

What Compensation Am I Entitled to After a Car Accident?

After an accident, you may face mounting bills and expenses, whether it be medical bills, car repairs, or lost work. Generally, you are able to recover compensation for the damages you have incurred as a direct result of the accident, including your out-of-pocket costs. Those costs, also known as special damages, tend to be readily identifiable and quantifiable, meaning that you can likely produce bills associated with them and account for spending. For example, out-of-pocket costs can include:

• Hospital stays
• Medical bills, including doctor and specialist visits
• Therapy, including physical and occupational
• Home care, nursing care, or rehabilitative care
• Prescription drug costs
• The costs of medical testing or imaging
• The costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle or other personal property
• Loss of income due to missed work as a result of your accident

Additionally, you may be able to recover general, or non-economic damages — these are much harder to account for and quantify, but they are nonetheless available after a car accident. General damages include pain and suffering, scarring or disfigurement, and the loss of future income if you are unable to continue working after your accident.

It can also include loss of enjoyment damages if you are unable to enjoy activities that you used to engage in, along with damages for the general decline in your quality of life. Typically, general damages will be valued by the jury if your case ends up going to trial, and they will also be negotiated during settlement discussions. It is important that you speak with an experienced Kansas City personal injury lawyer regarding your damages so that you can be sure you are asking for their full value.

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim?

Generally, in order to file a timely lawsuit after a car accident, you will need to file your claim within the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations is the time period by which the claim must be filed. Otherwise, you risk not being able to recover compensation for your injuries.

Different statutes of limitations apply to various types of claims, and each state sets its own statutes of limitations. This means it is important that you know the timeline by which you must file your claim in your state. In Kansas, for example, a car accident or other personal injury claim must be filed within two years from the date the accident or injury occurred. You must check with a knowledgeable attorney about when the statute of limitations will expire in your case and make sure your filings are handled properly before that date.

What Types of Accidents Does Bretz Injury Law Handle?

Whatever led up to your car accident, and however the crash happened, you can rely on our Kansas City accident lawyers to help. We handle all different types of motor vehicle accidents, including:

• Single-vehicle accidents
• Multi-car accidents and pileups
• Rollovers
• Head-on collisions
• Side collisions, sideswipe accidents, and T-bone collisions
• Rear-end accidents
• Truck accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Drunk or impaired driving accidents
• Distracted driving accidents
• Speeding collisions
• Merging accidents
• Failure to yield accidents
• Aggressive driving and road rage crashes
• Accidents that result from another party’s negligence or recklessness on the road

When you entrust us with your car accident case, we know you trust us to help you go through a difficult time. We understand the impact a car accident can have on your life, including the medical bills that can pile up, the chronic pain that can result, and the life-altering changes you may be facing as a result of the crash.

We will thoroughly investigate the facts of your case, research the laws involved, and work with you to preserve relevant evidence in order to strengthen your claim. We will communicate with the other party and their insurance company, negotiating with them toward a fair and reasonable resolution. And, if a settlement is not possible, we will present your case in court, fighting on your behalf.

How Can Bretz Injury Law Help After a Car Accident?

Put simply, we are who you need when you’re in need. At Bretz Injury Law, we fight to help car accident victims recover fair compensation for all of their physical, emotional, and financial losses. Our Kansas accident lawyers know how to build powerful claims and aggressively negotiate with insurance companies for fair settlements, but when this is not possible, we are fully prepared to represent our clients at trial. We are intentionally small to give you more personalized service.

We understand the challenges you are up against and the many that still lay ahead. With our team by your side, you can focus on what matters most — healing and moving forward with your life. Our skilled attorneys will work with the insurance company on your behalf to negotiate a fair settlement.

If necessary, we are prepared to file suit and seek full and fair recovery for your damages at trial. If you or someone you love was injured by the negligent or wrongful conduct of another in a motor vehicle accident, reach out to Bretz Injury Law today. Our Kansas personal injury lawyers can help you understand your rights and fight for the fair compensation you are owed. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.