Kansas City Car Accident Lawyer: Pursuing Justice After an Auto Wreck.

Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can be tough, especially when you’re facing injuries, medical bills, and insurance hassles. A personal injury lawyer can help people involved in car accidents get the compensation they deserve. For example, if you’re in a rear-end collision caused by another driver’s negligence, a car accident lawyer can help you build a strong case to recover damages for your injuries and losses.

At Wendt Law Firm, we know the challenges accident victims face, and we are here to assist. Our team of experienced car accident attorneys is committed to guiding you through the legal process with ease and confidence. We offer free consultations to discuss your case and explore your options, ensuring you have the support you need every step of the way.

Don’t delay in getting the legal help you deserve. Call us today at 816-531-4415 to schedule your free consultation. Let Wendt Law Firm be your advocate in securing the full and fair compensation you need to move forward.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Kansas City

Experiencing a car accident can be overwhelming, but taking the right steps immediately afterward is crucial to protect your health and legal rights.

Ensure Safety: First, move to a safe location away from traffic if possible. Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers.
Check for Injuries: Assess yourself and others involved for any injuries. Call 911 immediately for medical assistance if anyone is hurt.
Contact Authorities: Report the accident to the police, even if it’s minor. A police report can be invaluable for your insurance claim and serve as unbiased evidence later on in court.
Gather Information: Exchange information with the other driver, including names, contact details, and insurance information. Note the make, model, and license plate numbers of all vehicles involved.
Document the Scene: Take clear photographs of the accident scene, vehicle damages, and any visible injuries. Capture traffic signs, road conditions, and any other relevant details.
Collect Witness Information: If there are witnesses, gather their names and contact information. Their statements can be crucial in establishing fault.
Avoid Admitting Fault: Refrain from discussing the accident details with anyone other than the police. Avoid admitting fault or apologizing, as this can complicate your claims process.
Seek Medical Attention: Even if you feel fine, visit a doctor to rule out any hidden injuries. Documenting your medical condition promptly is essential for your claim.
Notify Your Insurance Company: Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. Provide them with the necessary details but avoid giving recorded statements without legal advice.
Keep Records: Maintain a file of all accident-related documents, including medical bills, repair estimates, and correspondence with insurance companies.
Consult a Kansas City Car Accident Lawyer: Contact a car accident attorney to discuss your case. They can guide you through the legal process and help you seek fair compensation.

Following these steps can help ensure your safety, protect your legal rights, and strengthen your case. At Wendt Law Firm, we understand the complexities involved in car accident cases and are here to assist you every step of the way. Our Kansas City car accident lawyers are dedicated to helping you navigate the legal process and secure the compensation you deserve.

What is the Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Claims?

In Missouri, if you’re in a car accident, you have five years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. This deadline is important because if you miss it, you lose the right to seek compensation. Wrongful death claims have a shorter timeframe; they must be filed within three years from the date of death.

If a minor is involved in an accident, the statute of limitations begins when they reach the age of 21. From that point, they have five years to initiate a lawsuit. It is essential to act promptly and seek guidance from a knowledgeable car accident attorney to ensure all deadlines are met and to safeguard your right to compensation.

Common Accident Causes

Understanding the common causes of car accidents can help prevent them and ensure road safety. In Kansas City, several factors frequently lead to traffic accidents:

Distracted Driving: This is a top cause of car accidents, often due to drivers using a mobile phone, eating, or doing other activities that take their attention away from the road.
Speeding: Going over the speed limit is a major factor in many accidents. It reduces the driver’s ability to react quickly to unexpected situations and increases the severity of crashes.
Driving Under the Influence: Alcohol and drugs impair a driver’s judgment and reaction time, leading to severe accidents.
Weather Conditions: Rain, snow, and ice create hazardous road conditions. Accidents happen when drivers don’t adjust their speed and driving habits accordingly.
Running Red Lights and Stop Signs: Ignoring traffic signals can lead to dangerous collisions, especially at intersections.
Tailgating: Following too closely behind another vehicle reduces the time available to react in case of sudden stops, often causing rear-end collisions.
Poor Road Conditions: Potholes, uneven surfaces, and inadequate signage can contribute to accidents by affecting vehicle control and driver awareness.

By recognizing these common causes, drivers can adopt safer driving practices to reduce the risk of accidents. However, when accidents occur, it’s critical to seek legal help to navigate the complexities of a car accident claim.

Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle

At Wendt Law Firm, our seasoned Kansas City car accident lawyers handle a wide array of car accident cases, each requiring its own approach and strategy:

Rear-End Collisions: Often caused by distracted driving or sudden stops, these accidents can result in whiplash and other injuries.
T-Bone Accidents: Typically occurring at intersections when one vehicle runs a red light or stop sign, leading to significant side-impact damage.
Multi-Vehicle Pile-Ups: Involving three or more vehicles, these complicated accidents often result in severe injuries and require detailed investigation to determine fault.
Pedestrian Accidents: Occur when a vehicle strikes a pedestrian, often leading to serious injuries or fatalities.
Motorcycle Accidents: These accidents often result in severe injuries due to the lack of protection for riders. They can be caused by factors such as poor road conditions, driver negligence, or failure to see the motorcyclist.
Truck Accidents: Due to their size and weight, truck accidents can cause significant damage and severe injuries. These cases often involve complex liability issues, as multiple parties such as the truck driver, trucking company, or vehicle manufacturer may be at fault.

Each type of accident presents its own set of challenges, and our firm is dedicated to providing comprehensive legal support tailored to the specifics of your case. Our Kansas City car accident attorneys are equipped to handle these diverse cases, ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve.

Common Car Accident Injuries

Car accidents in Kansas City can lead to a wide range of injuries, varying in severity from minor to life-threatening. Understanding these common car accident injuries can help victims seek the appropriate medical treatment and legal assistance they need.

Whiplash: This is a common injury, particularly in rear-end collisions, caused by the sudden back-and-forth movement of the neck. Symptoms may include neck pain, stiffness, dizziness, and headaches.
TBIs Traumatic Brain Injury (TBIs): Car accidents are a leading cause of TBIs, which can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage. Symptoms might include confusion, memory loss, and cognitive impairments.
Spinal Cord Injuries: These injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis, depending on the location and severity of the damage. Herniated discs and fractures are also common spinal injuries.
Broken or Fractured bones: The impact of a car crash can cause fractures in various parts of the body, including arms, legs, ribs, and the pelvis.
Internal Injuries: These can include damage to organs such as the liver, spleen, or kidneys, often requiring immediate medical attention.
Soft Tissue Injuries: These injuries affect muscles, ligaments, and tendons, leading to sprains, strains, and tears that can cause significant pain and mobility issues.
Cuts and Lacerations: Broken glass and metal can cause deep cuts and lacerations, sometimes requiring stitches or surgical repair.
Burn Injuries: In accidents involving fires or explosions, victims may suffer from burns ranging from mild to severe, leading to potential scarring and infections.
Psychological Injuries: Beyond physical injuries, car accidents can also result in psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.

Getting medical treatment right away and keeping records of your injuries are key steps in your recovery and in building a strong car accident claim. At Wendt Law Firm, our skilled Kansas City car accident lawyers are ready to help guide you through the legal process and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for both your physical injuries and emotional distress.

Proving Fault for an Accident

After a car accident, determining who is responsible is crucial for any car accident claim. Proving negligence is essential to hold the at-fault party accountable and secure fair compensation for your injuries and losses. Here’s how negligence is typically proven in a car accident case:

Duty of Care: Every driver must drive safely and follow traffic laws. Establishing that the at-fault driver had this duty is the first step.
Breach of Duty: Show that the driver failed to meet their duty of care. This could be due to speeding, distracted driving, or not yielding the right of way.
Causation: You need to prove that the breach of duty directly caused the accident and your injuries. This means linking the driver’s negligent actions to the accident.
Damages: Lastly, you must prove the accident led to actual damages, like medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering.

Gathering solid evidence, such as witness statements, police reports, and photos of the accident scene, is vital to proving negligence. A Kansas City car accident lawyer at Wendt Law Firm can help collect and present this evidence effectively, ensuring you have a strong case.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Kansas City Car Accident?

Liability refers to a person’s responsibility for a victim’s damages due to fault for the car wreck. The laws surrounding liability and fault change from state to state. In Missouri, fault laws preside over car accident claims, meaning all parties involved in the crash must determine who is at fault and file their insurance claims with the at-fault party’s insurance provider. Kansas, on the other hand, is a no-fault state, meaning all parties will seek recovery from their insurance companies. The liable party could be the other driver or several possible defendants.

Determining who is responsible for a Kansas City car accident is key to getting compensation for your injuries and losses. Here are some parties that might be held accountable:

At-Fault Driver: The driver who caused the accident due to negligence, such as distracted driving or speeding, is typically liable.
Vehicle Owner: If the driver was using someone else’s car, the owner might be responsible, especially if they let an unfit driver use their vehicle.
Employers: If the driver was working at the time of the accident, their employer might be liable under “respondeat superior,” a legal principle.
Government Entities: If the accident was due to poorly maintained roads or missing traffic signs, a city or state government might be liable.
Vehicle Manufacturers: If a vehicle defect contributed to the accident, the manufacturer or distributor could be held responsible through a product liability claim.

Identifying all possible liable parties is critical to ensure you receive full compensation. A skilled Kansas City car accident lawyer from Wendt Law Firm can investigate your case to determine who is at fault and build a strong claim for you. Our dedicated team works hard to uncover every detail and hold negligent parties accountable, ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve.

Dealing with Insurance Companies

Dealing with insurance companies after a car accident claim can be tough, as they often try to pay out as little as possible. They might deny your claim, offer less money than you deserve, or unfairly blame you for the accident. If you are called by either party’s insurance company at any point, make sure you tell them your insurance litigation lawyer will be liaising on your behalf. Before you agree to any settlement from an insurance company, talk to a Kansas City personal injury lawyer. At Wendt Law Firm, our attorneys can handle all talks with the insurance company to make sure you get the right compensation for your injuries and losses. Let us negotiate for you so you can focus on getting better while we protect your rights.

Recovering Compensation for Car Accident Victims

After a car accident, victims can receive compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover costs like medical bills, lost wages, and any necessary changes to homes or vehicles due to injuries. This compensation is meant to cover all costs related to your recovery, both now and in the future.

Non-economic damages include compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In Missouri, there are no limits on compensation for pain and suffering, allowing victims to seek fair compensation. Gathering strong evidence is key to supporting your claim. Our experienced attorneys can help you collect this evidence to ensure you receive the maximum compensation possible.

Why You Need a Kansas City Car Accident Lawyer

Car accidents can quickly become complicated legal issues, especially when dealing with insurance companies that try to deny or reduce claims from injury victims. That’s why hiring a seasoned Kansas City car accident lawyer is so important. At Wendt Law Firm, we know how to handle these legal challenges, making sure your rights are protected and you get the compensation you deserve.

A skilled car accident lawyer will thoroughly investigate the crash, gather evidence, and determine who is responsible. While many car accident claims are settled outside of court, it’s important to be ready for a trial if needed and our team is prepared to represent you in court.

How Wendt Law Firm Can Help You

At Wendt Law Firm, we offer personalized and dedicated support for car accident victims in Kansas City. We have over 50 years of combined experience in personal injury cases, including car accidents. Our team of car accident attorneys has a strong understanding of personal injury law, ensuring you get the best results for your case.

We listen to your needs and customize our approach to fit your situation. We believe in clear communication, keeping you updated at every stage. We deal with insurance companies for you, protecting you from their tough tactics and making sure you are treated fairly. Our detailed investigations cover everything, so no important details are missed.

A car accident case may take a long time to settle and without an attorney to represent you, you could be dealing with insurance companies for months, even years to come. Let us do the fighting for you. Contact us at 816-531-4415 to schedule your free consultation and take the first step toward getting the justice and compensation you deserve.