Auto Accidents
In 2007, over 41,000 people in the United States were killed in motor vehicle crashes and over 2.4 million were injured. (Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)
If you have ever been in a car collision, you know how upsetting and stressful it can be. Even if you were fortunate enough not to be seriously injured or lose someone in a fatal accident, the physical, emotional and financial consequences can have a significant impact on you and your loved ones’ lives which makes it important when selecting a Kansas City auto accident lawyer.
Following a collision there are some key things you can do that can help make this time less stressful for you and help strengthen your claim. As a Kansas & Missouri car accident attorney we can provide some helpful tips if you ever find yourself in this situation.
First, make sure you collect the names, addresses, and phone numbers of the other driver(s) and of all witnesses. Also take down the name and address of the police officer(s) who reports to the scene. If it is possible, take photographs of the damage done to the vehicles involved and of the surrounding scene. If the help of an attorney becomes necessary, this information can be vital evidence.
Second, is knowing how to deal with your car damage. If your car is deemed a complete loss by the insurance company, you will want to make sure you get full value for that loss. You can do so by using resources like the newspaper used car listings and blue book values to present the insurance representative with a reasonable amount to cover the loss. If the car is able to be repaired make sure you get a detailed inspection that covers not only visible damage, but also documents any damage which may not be easily seen, such as underneath the car. This is especially important if there seems to be little to no damage done to your car. Most insurance companies will automatically send your injury claim to their fraud division if the damage to your vehicle is estimated to be less than $500. Do not just assume the inspector is going to do a thorough job, make sure to request they do this and get a second estimate if you have to.
Third, many people delay treatment even when they are hurting because they are afraid of incurring medical bills. You should know that both Kansas and Missouri auto insurance policies offer what is called medical payment protection. In Kansas they call this PIP or personal injury protection. This means as a Kansas policyholder that when you are injured in a collision your own insurance company will pay up to a certain amount of your medical bills for you. These expenses are then repaid by the at-fault insurer at the time of the settlement of your claim. In Missouri, medical payment protection is called MedPay. Like PIP, if you have a Missouri auto insurance policy with MedPay coverage, your insurer will cover your medical bills up to a certain amount. Unlike PIP coverage, however, MedPay payments do not have to be paid back. Thus, make sure you contact your insurance agent following a collision to find out what protections you may have to cover some of the medical bills you will incur during your time of recovery.
Seeking needed medical treatment is essential following a car collision. The value of your claim will be directly tied to the type and amount of treatment you receive. Therefore, it is your job to make sure you report all your injuries to your doctor and follow all recommended courses of treatment. Common injuries following a car collision include whiplash, head, neck and back injuries, paralysis and bone and muscle injuries.
Even knowing the above, the time following a car collision can be overwhelming. Having an experienced Kansas and Missouri car accident lawyer on your side can help by allowing you to focus on what is most important, getting better. Meanwhile your attorney can deal with the insurance company to make sure you get proper compensation for your injuries, physical pain and emotional suffering, and any future medical care you may need. While money can never sufficiently compensate for serious injury or death, the law allows for just and fair damages to make up for, as much as possible, the innocent party’s injuries and losses.
Many people hesitate to get the help of an attorney because they think it means years of waiting for a settlement or appearing in court. The reality is only a small percentage of car crashes end up in litigation and even fewer end up in court. This means while you should always be mentally prepared for the possibility, it is likely your case will be concluded long before any one has to step into a courtroom. Some people also hesitate to call an attorney because they think they cannot afford our help. Do not let this stop you from seeking legal advice. We take all our personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means we advance all case expenses and our fee is based solely on what we recover for you.
For 21 years the Law Offices of Peter A. Jouras, Jr. have been there to help others with their questions and concerns following a car collision and supporting them as their car accident attorney. We will be there to guide you through the claims process after a car accident and help you get the care and compensation you need to get back on the road of life.
For more information, and a free consultation call the Law Offices of Peter A. Jouras, Jr. at (913) 677-1999.