If you live or work in Topeka and ever find yourself involved in an accident or get seriously injured, you should know that Kansas laws are there to protect you.
To ensure your rights are protected and you get a chance to seek any financial recovery you’re eligible for, contact the Topeka personal injury lawyers at Bretz Injury Law as soon as possible after your injury. Our team takes the time to listen to you and always approaches your situation with a compassionate, strategic, and evidence-based approach.
The Different Types of Personal Injury Claims
Topeka personal injury claims can include any injury which has resulted from someone’s negligence. Many claims arise from:
- Auto Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Personal Injury
- Industrial Construction and Farming Injuries
- Product Liability
- Wrongful Death
- Slip and Fall
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Negligent security
- Product liability
- Dog bites
In Topeka and across Kansas, you may have a claim if your injury was caused by negligence, but it’s not always easy to tell whether recklessness was a factor. For example, if you slip and fall in a store, is it simply an accident, or did the store fail to take proper care to protect you?
Speaking with Topeka personal injury lawyers at Bretz Injury Law can help you get answers. We will listen to you explain what happened and help you determine whether you might have a claim. If you do, we can represent you and seek financial recovery for your losses.
Why You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer in Topeka
Even if your situation is covered by an insurance policy, such as a motorcycle accident policy or workers’ compensation, dealing with the insurance company when you’re injured and in pain is challenging. Being on the phone with insurance companies, dealing with paperwork, and determining whether an insurance offer is fair can be overwhelming.
Our Topeka personal injury attorney works in your best interests. We also have the legal experience and education to handle all the details of your case, including:
- Determining whether you have a case
- Investigating the accident, with the help of accident reconstruction experts and other professionals
- Finding all liable parties
- Negotiating with insurance companies so you don’t have to
- Taking your case to court if that’s the best way to get recovery
- Seeking the best financial recovery for you
To learn more about what the legal team at Bretz Injury Law can do in your case, contact us online for a free consultation or call 785-264-4213.
How to Avoid Car Accidents in Topeka
At Bretz Injury Law, some of our most common personal injury cases stem from car accidents. Unfortunately, no matter how good a driver you are, you will likely be in at least one accident in your lifetime. Here’s how to lower your risk:
- Drive sober. Alcohol and drugs significantly increase your risk of a crash by lowering your response times and affecting your judgment.
- Put away distractions. This includes your cell phone and your drive-through lunch.
- Keep up with maintenance. Take good care of your car so it responds reliably when you need it to.
- Make sure you’re calm and collected. Don’t drive upset, tired, or unwell since all these states can affect your ability to focus and drive safely.
What To Do After a Car Accident in Topeka
What you do after your car accident can affect your ability to heal more fully from your injuries and seek financial recovery. Here is what you’ll want to do to protect yourself, your finances, and your future:
- Get medical help. If anyone at the scene is seriously injured, call 911. Topeka ER & Hospital, Stormont Vail Health Emergency and Trauma Center, and other local facilities are here to help in an emergency. Even if you’re not seriously injured, get a medical evaluation soon after your accident. Head and spinal cord trauma might not cause serious symptoms immediately but may require fast treatment.
- Document everything you can. If possible, take photos of your accident scene and the surrounding area. Exchange insurance information with the other driver and write down any details you can remember. Even small details can help you prove your case.
- Report the accident. If the accident was serious, call the police and get a copy of the police report. Also, call your insurance company to start the claims process. Do not speak with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
- Contact an attorney. As soon as you can after your collision, call a Topeka car accident attorney to find out whether you have a claim and to get assistance in seeking financial recovery. Car accident lawyers in Topeka can deal with the claims process and can work to get you the amount you need to cover lost income, medical bills, and other losses.
Common Injuries Sustained in Car Accidents
Car accidents can involve significant force, and even with seatbelts and other safety systems, it’s not uncommon to sustain the following serious injuries:
- Whiplash and soft tissue injuries
- Head trauma
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord, neck, and back injuries
- Facial and dental injuries
- Abrasions and scarring
- Fatalities
No matter what kind of injury you’ve sustained, treat it seriously. Get a medical evaluation, follow all medical advice, and consult a Topeka personal injury attorney to ensure you’re not stuck with the medical bills yourself.
The Impact of Car Accidents on Your Life
Until it happens to them, most people don’t realize how devastating a personal injury can be. After a car accident, you’ll likely face some lost time at work and some lost income. At the same time, you may face high medical bills from your injury. Even with good health insurance, the co-pays on an emergency room visit and treatment can be prohibitive.
You might also need to repair or replace your car and any other property in your vehicle at the time of the accident. In addition to the financial impact, the pain and suffering of a crash can impact your sleep, relationships, and even mental health for months or years to come.
While an attorney can’t turn back the clock and prevent your car accident from happening, they can seek financial recovery so you can pay for quality medical care and treatment so you can get back on track.
Understanding Insurance Claims for Personal Injury
If you’ve suffered an injury in Topeka, insurance may cover you. For example, if you’re a motorcyclist involved in a crash, your insurance may pay for some of your bike repairs and medical costs after a crash. It may not be anywhere near enough, but some people think that’s all they’re entitled to.
You will need to file a claim, complete paperwork, and wait for insurance adjusters to determine whether you qualify for coverage. Here’s something many people don’t realize, though — insurance companies are not legally obligated to act in your best interests. In fact, they work for their shareholders, and saving money by paying you less is what they do best.
This is why it’s important to consult with a Topeka personal injury lawyer. A lawyer is obligated to work for your best interest. They can review and negotiate insurance offers to make sure you don’t get less than you deserve.
After An Accident, Put Our Team On Your Side.
Since 1997, we’ve fought for Kansas families after serious accidents and injuries. Let our team protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve. Start Your Free, No-Obligation ConsultationHow Bretz Injury Law Can Help You
It’s no exaggeration to say Bretz Injury Law is among the country’s top 1% of attorneys. For one thing, we’ve been awarded the “Client Distinction Award” for communication, responsiveness, value, and the quality of our service. Less than 1% of attorneys can say the same.
Our law firm has also been named to the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, a group for attorneys who have secured multi-million dollar court wins. Less than 1% of attorneys in the United States and only seven other Kansas law firms have been named part of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Bretz Injury Law has also won multiple awards, including being named one of U.S. News’ Best Law Firms.
Our firm has recovered over $300 million for injured people and their families. If you’ve been injured, we put our experience of thousands of successful settlements and court wins to work. We listen and determine whether you have a case. If you decide to pursue your case by working with us, our entire team will work hard to seek fair financial recovery for you.
The Benefits of Working with a Contingency Fee Lawyer
Many seriously injured people in Topeka hesitate to contact an attorney because they worry about the costs. Unfortunately, not getting legal representation can mean these injured people do not get the financial recovery they may deserve, meaning they must pay some of their injury costs out of pocket.
Bretz Injury Law believes every injured person with a legitimate claim deserves quality representation. It’s why we work on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t pay us until we win. In fact, we haven’t sent a bill to an injured client since 1991.
We’re also happy to offer a free consultation to you if you’ve been injured, so you risk nothing and need to pay nothing to protect your future.
Our Approach to Personal Injury Law
The Topeka personal injury lawyers at Bretz Injury Law believe every case is unique. So no matter how you’ve been injured, we carefully listen to what’s happened and build a strategic approach to optimize your possibility of financial recovery.
While some firms believe in settling fast, at Bretz Injury Law, we’re always willing to go to court if that’s the path to securing the right financial recovery for you. We have extensive trial and negotiation experience, to the point that other firms often refer their most challenging cases to us because they know we can get results.
We’ve kept our boutique firm purposely small, so we can bring you the attention you and your case deserve. At the same time, we bring large firm results to the table. We’ve won 98% of the cases we’ve pursued in the last 30 years, and we work with an extensive network of accident reconstruction professionals, medical experts, private investigators, and other professionals who can investigate the cause of your injuries.
If you’re looking for a law firm with a commitment to giving you the representation you deserve, contact Bretz Injury Law for a free consultation today by calling our Topeka office at 785-264-4213.
FAQs
What Types of Personal Injury Cases Do You Handle in Topeka and Shawnee County?
We handle a full range of personal injury and wrongful death cases, including car, truck, and motorcycle accidents, pedestrian and bicycle crashes, slip-and-fall incidents, construction and workplace injuries, product defects, and catastrophic harm. Our team investigates every case thoroughly, works with experts when needed, and fights to recover maximum compensation for the people we represent.
How Do I Know If I Have a Viable Claim Under Kansas Law?
You may have a valid claim if another party’s carelessness caused your injuries. To evaluate a case, we look at duty of care, breach, causation, and damages. During a free consultation, we review your situation, evidence, and any insurance coverage to help you understand your rights under Kansas law.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims in Kansas?
In most personal injury cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Some exceptions apply for minors, wrongful death claims, or government defendants. Acting quickly helps preserve evidence and protects your right to recover compensation.
How Does Kansas’ Comparative Fault Rule Affect My Recovery If We’re Partly at Fault?
Kansas follows a modified comparative fault rule. If you are less than 50 percent at fault, you can still recover damages, but your award will be reduced by your share of responsibility. If you are 50 percent or more at fault, you cannot recover compensation.
Is Kansas a No-Fault/PIP State for Car Accidents, and How Does That Impact Our Claim?
Yes. Kansas requires Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage that pays certain medical expenses and lost income regardless of fault. To pursue pain and suffering or other noneconomic losses, you must meet a medical expense threshold or have a qualifying serious injury. We help you use your PIP benefits and build your claim for additional recovery.
What Should We Do Right After a Crash on I-70, I-470, K-4, or US-75 in Topeka?
Focus on safety and medical care first. Call the police, get medical attention, exchange information, and take photos of vehicles, the scene, and any visible injuries. Gather witness names and request a copy of the police report. Before giving any recorded statement to an insurance adjuster, contact us so we can protect your interests.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Topeka Personal Injury Lawyer—Do You Work on Contingency?
It costs nothing upfront to hire us. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you. We explain all terms clearly in writing before you sign.
What Damages Can We Recover in a Kansas Injury Case, and Are There Any Caps?
You may recover compensation for medical bills, future treatment, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other related losses. Kansas no longer limits noneconomic damages in personal injury cases, though wrongful death and punitive damages remain capped by law. We calculate all losses carefully to pursue the best possible result for your case.
Should We Speak to the Insurance Adjuster or Give a Recorded Statement?
You should speak with us before talking to an adjuster. Insurance companies look for ways to limit payouts, and recorded statements can be used against you. We communicate with insurers on your behalf and ensure your side of the story is fully and accurately presented.
What Evidence Should We Gather in Topeka?
Collect photos of the crash scene, vehicles, and injuries; witness names; police reports; and all medical records and bills. Keep track of missed work and ongoing symptoms. We also secure expert opinions, video footage, and any additional records needed to strengthen your case.
What If the At-Fault Driver Is Uninsured or Underinsured in Kansas?
Kansas law requires uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage in all auto policies. If the at-fault driver has little or no insurance, we can file a claim through your UM/UIM coverage to help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Can We Bring a Claim Against the City of Topeka or State of Kansas, and Are There Special Notice Deadlines?
Yes. Claims against government entities must follow strict notice procedures and deadlines. You must file a written notice of claim before suing, and missing this step can prevent recovery. Because timelines are short, contact us as soon as possible if a public entity may be responsible.
How Long Do Cases Typically Take to Settle or Go to Trial in Shawnee County District Court?
The timeline depends on medical treatment, the complexity of your case, and court scheduling. Many cases settle within several months of completing treatment, but disputes over liability or damages can take a year or more. We work efficiently to move your case forward and keep you updated every step of the way.