Car accidents in Topeka can leave you with painful injuries, growing medical bills, and questions about what comes next. If you or someone you love was hurt in a crash, Bretz Injury Law is ready to help. With over 30 years of trial experience, attorney Matthew Bretz fights for injured people across Kansas. Call 785-264-4213 for a free consultation to learn about your legal options.
Why Choose Bretz Injury Law After a Topeka Car Accident?
After a car accident, the attorney you choose can shape the outcome of your case. Bretz Injury Law focuses on serious injury and wrongful death cases, and every case is prepared for trial from day one. That trial-ready approach gives our clients real leverage when dealing with insurance companies.
Here is what sets Bretz Injury Law apart:
- Attorney Matthew Bretz brings over 30 years of trial experience to every case, including years spent working on the defense side before switching to represent injured people.
- We handle all car accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
- We have the resources to investigate complex crashes, bring in accident reconstruction experts, and take cases to court when insurance companies refuse to pay fairly.
- Our firm gives each client focused, personal attention. You will not be passed off to a junior associate or lost in a large caseload.
- We understand how insurance companies work and will not let them settle your claim for less than it is worth.
Call 785-264-4213 today for a free and confidential case evaluation with our Topeka car accident attorneys.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Topeka
The steps you take right after a car crash can affect both your health and your legal case. Here is what you should do if you are involved in a Topeka car accident.
- Check your condition. After the crash, assess how you feel. If you are able to move, check on the other people involved and move to a safe area if possible.
- Get medical care right away. Even if you feel fine, see a doctor as soon as you can. Some injuries, such as whiplash or internal bleeding, do not show symptoms right away. Waiting too long to seek treatment can also hurt your case if a jury sees it as a sign your injuries were not serious.
- Call the police. Kansas law requires you to report any accident that caused injury or property damage. Make sure you get a copy of the accident report.
- Take photos. While waiting for the police, photograph the accident scene, vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Take these photos before the scene is cleared.
When speaking with the police, answer questions honestly but keep your answers short. Avoid saying anything that could sound like you are accepting blame, even casual phrases like “I’m sorry.” The other side could use those words against you later.
Car Accident Statute of Limitations in Kansas
Kansas law sets strict deadlines for filing car accident claims. These deadlines exist to keep cases fair and to protect important evidence from being lost over time. If you miss the deadline, you may lose your right to seek compensation.
In Kansas, the statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of the accident. This applies to most personal injury claims, property damage claims, and wrongful death actions. In rare cases, the court may extend this deadline. Contact our Topeka car accident attorneys to discuss your specific filing deadline.
Kansas Car Insurance Requirements
Kansas is a no-fault car insurance state. This means your own insurance policy covers some of your losses after a crash, no matter who was at fault. All Kansas drivers must carry minimum amounts of insurance coverage.
The minimum coverage amounts in Kansas include:
- $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident
- $25,000 in property damage liability
- $4,500 in personal injury protection (PIP) for medical expenses per person
- $900 per month for up to one year in disability and lost income benefits
- $25 per day in substitution benefits for household services
- $2,000 for funeral, burial, or cremation expenses
- $4,500 in rehabilitation expenses
- $25,000 in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person and $50,000 per accident
Liability insurance pays for the other person’s losses. It does not cover your own expenses. Your no-fault PIP coverage helps pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and other costs up to your policy limits. Uninsured motorist coverage protects you if the other driver has no insurance or flees the scene in a hit-and-run accident.
When Can You File a Lawsuit Beyond No-Fault Coverage?
Under Kansas no-fault laws, there are limits on when you can step outside the no-fault system and file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. Generally, you must meet certain injury thresholds before you can pursue a claim in court. A Topeka car accident attorney can help you determine whether your injuries qualify.
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.
Compensation for Topeka Car Accident Victims
A Topeka car accident lawyer can fight for fair compensation based on the full impact of your injuries. The amount you may recover depends on how serious your injuries are, how they affect your daily life, and the costs you face now and in the future.
Types of compensation you may be able to recover include:
- Medical expenses for emergency care, surgery, hospital stays, physical therapy, and future treatment
- Lost wages for time missed from work, and lost earning capacity if you cannot return to your previous job
- Pain and suffering for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by your injuries
- Punitive damages in cases involving especially reckless or harmful conduct by the other driver
An insurance claim alone may not cover the full cost of a serious accident. Our attorneys can negotiate with insurers and, when necessary, take your case to court to pursue the recovery you deserve.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Topeka
Kansas traffic crash data shows 59,865 traffic crashes across the state in 2023. Those crashes resulted in 387 deaths and 19,298 non-fatal injuries. Driver error is the leading cause of these accidents.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of car crashes in Kansas. Kansas law bans texting while driving in certain situations. But distractions go beyond phones. Eating, talking to passengers, adjusting the radio, and grooming behind the wheel all take a driver’s attention away from the road.
Drunk Driving
Drunk driving causes hundreds of serious injuries and deaths in Kansas every year. Alcohol slows reaction time, impairs judgment, and reduces a driver’s ability to control the vehicle. A driver can face DUI charges even with a blood alcohol level below 0.08% if they are too impaired to drive safely.
Reckless Driving
Speeding, running red lights, failing to yield, and passing too closely are all forms of reckless driving that put everyone on the road at risk. Kansas traffic laws are designed to prevent these types of crashes. When a driver ignores the rules, they can be held responsible for the harm they cause.
Defective Auto Parts
Not every crash is caused by a driver. Defective brakes, tires, steering systems, and other vehicle parts can cause a driver to lose control. In these cases, the manufacturer or seller of the defective part may share responsibility for the accident.
Dangerous Road Conditions
Potholes, uneven shoulders, construction zones, loose gravel, broken traffic signals, and poorly designed intersections can all play a role in car crashes. When a government agency fails to maintain safe roads, accident victims may be able to hold the city or county responsible.
Some intersections in Topeka see more accidents than others. Particularly dangerous areas may include:
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- S.W. 21st Street and Wanamaker Road
- S.W. 29th Street and Wanamaker Road
- 6th Avenue and Topeka Boulevard
- S.E. 29th Street and California Avenue
- Huntoon Street and Gage Boulevard
- 10th Avenue and Washburn Avenue
- S.W. 37th Street and Topeka Boulevard
- S.E. 21st Street and Adams Street
- S.W. Fairlawn Road and 21st Street
- S.W. Gage Boulevard and 17th Street
- S.E. 6th Avenue and Golden Avenue
- S.W. 29th Street and Urish Road
- S.E. 45th Street and California Avenue
Understanding Liability in a Topeka Car Accident
Liability means legal responsibility for the crash. Figuring out who was at fault requires a close look at how the accident happened, what each driver did, and what Kansas negligence law says about the situation.
Contact us online or give our Topeka office a call at 785-264-4213 to schedule your free case evaluation with a slip and fall accident attorney who puts your best interests first.
What Does Negligence Mean in a Car Accident?
Negligence means a driver had a duty to drive safely, failed to do so, and caused you harm as a result. Examples include drunk driving, texting behind the wheel, speeding, or failing to maintain a vehicle. Kansas law allows you to recover damages from the driver who was at fault or from their insurance company.
What if More Than One Driver Was at Fault?
Some accidents involve multiple vehicles or unclear fault. These cases can be complicated, with different insurance companies pointing fingers at each other. Bretz Injury Law brings in crash reconstruction experts and investigators to build a clear picture of what happened and who is responsible.
Why Attorney Matthew Bretz Fights for Accident Victims
Matthew Bretz’s commitment to car accident victims is personal. On Valentine’s Day 1992, his 16-year-old sister Marlee and two of her friends were killed in a train collision. That tragedy shaped his entire legal career and drives his mission to help people rebuild after life-changing injuries.
Attorney Bretz serves on the National Board of Directors for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and trains trial lawyers across the country through the Keenan Trial Institute. He switched from defense work to representing injured people because he wanted to stand beside the victims, not protect insurance companies. After three decades of practice, he brings that experience and dedication to every case.
What to Expect When You Contact Bretz Injury Law
Bretz Injury Law offers a free initial consultation. During this meeting, you will discuss your accident, your injuries, and what you hope to recover. Your attorney will evaluate your case, explain the legal process, and discuss how the firm can help.
There are no upfront legal fees. The firm works on contingency, which means you only pay attorney fees if we recover money for you.
How Should I Prepare for My Consultation?
Bring any documents you have, including police reports, medical records, photos of the accident scene or your injuries, insurance information, and contact details for witnesses. If you have already received a settlement offer from the insurance company, bring that as well. These materials help your attorney understand your case from the start.
Contact a Topeka Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you have been seriously injured in a car accident in Topeka, Bretz Injury Law is ready to evaluate your case and explain your options. Call 785-264-4213 or submit a consultation request online. Matthew Bretz and his team focus on serious injury and wrongful death cases, and they bring over 30 years of trial experience to every case they handle.
Your case deserves an attorney who is prepared to take it to court. That is what Bretz Injury Law does.