Kansas City car accident lawyers

Car Accident Attorneys in Kansas City

Fighting for injured drivers, passengers, pedestrians, bicycle riders, and families when car accidents happen in Missouri and Kansas

Car accidents can change lives quickly. Accidents can cause spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, burn injuries, fractures, and other catastrophic and serious injuries. Tragically, many car accidents cause the death of a family member.

With such serious consequences, it’s important to have a respected Kansas City car accident attorney on your side. At Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, our car accident attorneys have more than three decades of experience fighting for the victims of car accidents in Missouri and Kansas. Our lawyers work with the police, investigators, traffic reconstruction professionals, and other liability experts to determine the cause of your accident and who is liable. We work with your doctors and other experts to place a value on your damages. We fight for all the compensation you deserve.

How do your Kansas City car accident lawyers help?

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Practice Areas

Why do clients choose our personal injury lawyers?

Our results

Our Kansas and Missouri car accident lawyers have a strong track record of success negotiating settlements and obtaining jury verdicts – including many car accident cases that resulted in six-figure recoveries. Give us a call to learn how we can help.

In one vehicle accident case, we obtained a $7 million wrongful death settlement when a driver was killed by a drunk driver. We sought accountability from the driver and the bar that served the driver (under Missouri’s narrow dram shop liability law). The bar had served the driver liquor continuously for about four hours. The settlement will help the family of the victim financially and provide a measure of justice.

Please understand that each case is different. Past verdicts and settlements don’t guarantee future results.

Our preparation

We’re here to guide you through each step of the claims process, including speaking with your doctors, investigating the cause of the accident, conducting the discovery process (formal questions and answers), directing insurance negotiations, and trying your case before a jury.

Our local experience

Our lawyers understand the local court procedures and rules in and near Kansas City, including the following courts:

We can quickly send investigators to the site of your accident, including North Center Street, South Waverly Road, North Laurel Street, West Mockingbird Street, and many other local, state, and US roads and highways.

How often do serious car accidents happen in Kansas City?

In 2024, there were 954 traffic fatalities in Missouri (according to preliminary MoDOT data), and 339 traffic fatalities in Kansas. These fatality numbers do not reflect the thousands of people injured in crashes across both states each year.

In Kansas City, there are certain roads where crashes are more likely. In fact, The Beacon reported that “A fifth of Kansas City’s 190 traffic deaths in 2022 and 2023 occurred on just five roads: Truman Road, Independence Avenue, Prospect Avenue, Troost Avenue, and Ward Parkway.” A full third of traffic deaths occurred on local highways, while Truman Road accounted for 12 fatalities, making it the deadliest of the non-highway roads.

What kinds of auto accidents do you handle?

At Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, we handle all types of car accidents, from single-car accidents to accidents involving many vehicles. Some of the car accidents we handle include the following:

  • Head-on collisions. These accidents often happen when a driver crosses the centerline, enters oncoming traffic, or travels the wrong way.
  • T-bone collisions. Another name for a T-bone accident is a broadside. They happen when one vehicle strikes another vehicle’s side. In many cases, the negligent driver is the driver who strikes the side of the other vehicle.
  • Sideswipe car collisions. Sideswipes often occur if a car merges or passes improperly.
  • Rear-end accidents. Here, a car is struck in the rear by another driver who is often speeding or driving while distracted. In most cases, the driver in the rear is at fault. Our rear-end collision lawyers in Kansas City file claims against these irresponsible drivers.
  • Pedestrian and bicycle accidents. Car accidents include accidents where drivers drive through crosswalks, fail to respect the rights of bicycle riders, and fail to use caution when walkers and riders are nearby.
  • Multi-vehicle accidents. These accidents may occur if multiple cars collide with each other in succession or multiple cars attempt to avoid the same obstacle.
  • Hit-and-run car accidents. Drivers who unlawfully flee the scene of an accident may face liability for damage. We may also seek punitive damages, as permitted by state law. We may be able to file a claim through your UM/UIM (uninsured/underinsured) policy.
  • Uber and Lyft accidents. Rideshare drivers and rideshare companies may both be liable for your injuries or the death of a loved one, depending on whether the Uber or Lyft driver was on duty and whether they had accepted a ride. The drivers of rideshare vehicles can file claims against other negligent drivers if they suffer harm while driving.
  • Intersection accidents. These car accidents often happen if a driver drives through a red light, fails to turn properly, or does so for other reasons.
  • All other types of car accidents. These include rollover crashes, left-turn collisions, passing, merging, and other accidents.

Why do car accidents happen in Missouri and Kansas?

Our Kansas City car accident lawyers have the experience and working relationships with liability experts to show how your accident happened and why your accident was preventable.

Common causes of car accidents include:

  • Driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol. DUIs cause many deaths. Drunk driving affects the ability of a driver to anticipate and respond to many emergencies. Impaired drivers are also likely to drive aggressively and recklessly. Our drunk driving accident attorneys in Kansas City have the skills and experience to show that the driver who struck you was impaired.
  • Driver distraction. The CDC states that distracted driving causes many accidents. Distracted driving includes any activity that takes a driver’s hands off the wheel, eyes off the road, and mind off traffic. Examples of distracted driving include texting, using a mobile phone, drinking, eating, and looking at a GPS.
  • Speeding. Drivers who go faster than the speed limit, drive too fast for traffic conditions, or drive too fast for weather conditions are a danger to themselves and other drivers.
  • Traffic violations. Drivers who violate the traffic laws of Missouri or Kansas can cause a car accident. Violations include not yielding properly, not obeying stop signs and traffic signals, driving too closely, and many other violations.
  • Driver fatigue. Drivers who are tired shouldn’t rely on coffee and open windows. They need to stop driving until they’re refreshed or fully rested.

Who do you hold accountable for Kansas City car accidents?

At Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, we file personal injury and wrongful death claims against everyone responsible, including, but not limited to:

  • The driver of the vehicle.
  • A driver’s employer, such as when drivers deliver food and other products.
  • The owner of the vehicle may not be the same as the driver. A common example is when a teenager causes an accident while using their parent’s car.
  • A manufacturer of defective car parts, such as brakes, tires, airbags, and seatbelts. Distributors and retailers may all be liable.
  • A governmental agency or entity. For example, the Missouri or Kansas Department of Transportation may be liable, subject to applicable governmental liability laws and statutory exceptions.
  • A seller of alcohol. Missouri’s dram shop statute allows limited claims in certain situations involving the knowing service of alcohol to minors or visibly intoxicated persons. Kansas generally does not recognize dram shop liability.

What types of injuries do Kansas City car accidents cause?

Our Kansas City personal injury lawyers handle all types of serious injuries, including catastrophic injuries.

Common car accident injuries include the following:

  • Spinal cord injuries. SCIs may reduce a car accident victim’s mobility and ability to function. SCIs can also cause partial or full paralysis.
  • Traumatic brain injuries and other types of head trauma. TBIs can cause cognitive injuries, as well as physical pain and emotional suffering.
  • Traumatic amputation. A loss of a limb can require the use of prosthetic devices. For many victims, the emotional trauma of living without a body part is very traumatic.
  • Burn injuries. These injuries can necessitate skin grafts. Victims may need plastic surgery. The psychological trauma of disfiguring burns can require long-term psychological counseling.
  • Fractures and broken bones. Some fractures may heal with long-term care. Severe fractures may cause a lifetime of pain.
  • Whiplash. Whiplash often occurs when rear-end accidents happen. Whiplash is a type of soft tissue personal injury.
  • Neck, shoulder, and back pain. This type of pain can be chronic, which means it can last for a long time, even a lifetime.
  • Nerve, ligament, muscle, tissue, and tendon damage.
  • Scars and disfigurement.
  • Eye, dental, and other facial injuries.
  • Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).
  • Internal bleeding.
  • Organ damage.
  • Death.

How much is a car accident case worth?

Our personal injury lawyers work with your doctors to verify your medical diagnosis, understand the full range of medical care you’ll need, and appreciate all the ways your injuries are affecting every part of your life. We work with your employer, car mechanics, and other experts to verify your other damages.

Our team seeks compensation for all the following damages:

  • Your medical bills. These include emergency transport, ER care, hospital stays, doctor visits, surgeries, rehabilitative care, medications, and assistive devices.
  • Your lost income. This includes wages, business income, benefits, commissions, and other sources of income. It also includes the inability to work again.
  • Your pain and suffering. This includes every time and every way you hurt, physically and emotionally.
  • Property damage. This includes the cost to fix or replace your car, depending on the amount of damage.
  • Other damages, including:
    • Loss of bodily function
    • Scarring/disfigurement
    • Loss of life’s pleasures
    • Loss of marital enjoyment

Punitive damages may be available in limited cases involving particularly reckless or intentional misconduct, depending on Missouri or Kansas law.

Kansas City car accident FAQs

When do I need to file my claim?

Please contact us as soon as possible. The earlier we speak to you, the better we can prepare your case and review your injuries.

Generally, personal injury claims in Missouri must be filed within five years.

In Kansas, accident victims generally must file personal injury claims within two years.

Wrongful death claims and claims against a governmental agency/entity may have shorter statutes, while other types of injury claims may have longer time limits or may be tolled for a period of time.

What should I do immediately after a car accident in Kansas City?

There are a few basic steps that car accident victims (drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bicycle riders) should take if there is a car accident. These include the following:

  • Call the police. They can remove the cars from traffic, arrange for emergency medical transportation, obtain everyone’s information, and investigate the car accident. Police can also file a report, which our Kansas City auto accident attorneys will obtain.
  • Obtain a medical review. If you have serious injuries, the police should arrange for an ambulance or another emergency medical vehicle to take you to a hospital or a burn center. Otherwise, you should go to an ER or your family doctor as soon as possible. It’s important to seek medical help promptly to help with your recovery and to prevent insurance adjusters from arguing that your injuries are not serious (otherwise you would have sought prompt help). KCDOCs provides a list of hospitals throughout the Kansas City, Missouri region. A few of these include the following:
  • Contact our experienced Kansas City car crash lawyers. We’re here to answer your questions, explain your rights, file your claim, and pursue the compensation you deserve. Our attorneys can help you understand what you should do (i.e., follow the advice of your doctors) and what you shouldn’t do (i.e., talk about your case on social media).
  • Avoid talking about the car accident. You should notify your own insurance company, but you should not talk to the other driver’s insurance company. We can speak to the defendant’s insurance company for you.

What if the other driver does not have insurance?

Missouri and Kansas generally require drivers and vehicle owners to maintain minimum liability insurance coverage.

If the defendants don’t have insurance or enough insurance to pay your damages in full, we may be able to seek additional compensation through your UM/UIM insurance carrier.

You can file a UM claim if the other driver is a hit-and-run driver who can’t be located or doesn’t have insurance.

What if the insurance company blames me for the accident?

In Missouri, accident victims can seek personal injury compensation, regardless of their degree of fault.

Under Missouri’s pure comparative fault system, an injured party may generally recover damages even if they are mostly at fault, though the recovery is reduced by their percentage of fault.

Kansas uses a modified comparative fault rule. In Kansas, an injured party generally may recover damages only if their fault is less than 50% of the total causal fault.

What types of insurance pay for a car accident claim?

The liability insurance policy of the driver responsible for your accident should pay your damages.

Your own UM/UIM (uninsured/underinsured) policy should pay your damages if the responsible driver does not have insurance, doesn’t have enough insurance, or is a hit-and-run driver.

If PIP or other first-party medical coverage applies, that insurance may pay some of your medical bills and lost income, up to the policy limit.

Other insurance that may pay your claim includes your own health insurance, collision insurance, and other coverage.

What if my injuries do not appear until days later?

Some injury symptoms, such as whiplash, may be delayed. You should seek an immediate medical review, even if you feel well. Your doctor should know what injuries or symptoms may arise if you’re in a car accident and what early treatments can help.

How long does a car accident settlement take?

Normally, we discuss settlement with the insurance companies for the defendants after we review how the accident happened and after the status of your medical needs (including future needs) is clear.

The timeline for discussing a settlement depends on the severity of your injuries, whether liability is contested, the amount of insurance coverage, and other factors.

Once we start settlement negotiations, we can get a better idea of whether your case is likely to settle or if we should plan for a jury trial. This can help us estimate the timeline.

Do I need a lawyer after a minor car accident?

Yes. In many situations, consulting a lawyer after even a seemingly minor accident can help you understand your rights and damages.

Your injuries may take time to develop. The cost to fix or replace your car may be more than you think. You may have rights, such as wage loss compensation, that you fail to include.

Once you settle your case, you can’t come back for more. So, it’s best to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer before you sign any agreements.

Where do your Kansas City car accident lawyers meet clients?

Our Kansas City office is located at 510 Walnut Street, Suite 100, Kansas City, Missouri, near City Hall.

We meet clients by appointment at our many other offices:

We discuss cases by phone and online video and can often make alternate arrangements to see you when necessary.

Contact our Kansas City car accident attorneys now

At Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, we’ve earned the respect of former clients, insurance companies, and the legal community for our representation of personal injury victims. While we settle many cases, we’re seasoned trial lawyers.

We handle car accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning attorney’s fees are owed only if there is a recovery through settlement or verdict.

Call our office or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation.

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