Side-impact collisions occur more frequently than many people think. From small dings to massive damage, and small cuts to severe internal injuries, you could face a range of problems that can become expensive to resolve. Fortunately, you do not have to deal with the financial burden of your recovery alone. You can take legal action to recover compensation for your accident-related expenses.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 2.7 million people suffered injuries in car accidents in 2018. Some of those victims decided to file civil lawsuits. You might become one of the many who will file lawsuits this year, and the possible awards could help you with your long-term recovery. You can call a Kansas City side-impact collisions lawyer for legal advice about your next steps following an accident. Call the team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, today to schedule a free consultation at (844) 730-0233.
Determining Liability
Liability is a critical part of your case since it determines who to name as the defendant in your lawsuit. You can only file your claim against someone you can hold liable for the damages you suffered. While most cases target the other driver, some situations allow you to apply liability to other parties.
Government agencies could find themselves involved in a lawsuit if they fail to maintain roadways properly. This failure includes replacing missing or unreadable signs that dictate the right-of-way, like stop or yield signs. You might find it in your best interest to discuss this situation with a Kansas City side-impact collisions lawyer since suing the government can be difficult. You must follow specific rules and processes put in place to handle claims against government employees and departments.
For a free legal consultation with a side-impact collisions lawyer serving Kansas City, call (844) 730-0233
Statute of Limitations
The legal system in Kansas City is unique since the region includes cities located in two states. Different laws will apply to your case, depending on where your accident took place. These differences could affect your case significantly, especially regarding the filing deadline for your case. This time limit is called the statute of limitations, and the deadlines are considerably different between the two states.
According to Missouri Revised Statutes (RSMo) §516.120, you have up to five years from the accident date to file your lawsuit. In Kansas, you only have two years per Kansas Statutes Annotated (KSA) §60-513. A simple mistake in where and when you file can make the difference between successfully filing your lawsuit and having a court dismiss it. An attorney can ensure that you don’t miss your opportunity to collect compensation by waiting too long to take legal action.
Kansas City Side-Impact Collisions Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Possible Compensation After a Side-Impact Collision
Car accidents can lead to a long list of expenses. Unfortunately, you have few options to avoid these expenses. Many of them are necessary to make a full recovery. Some of the expenses that you can expect to incur after an accident include:
- Lost wages: Victims often miss work because of an accident. You might not have sick leave available to use or exhaust your paid time off (PTO) benefits because of the amount of time you are out of work. You can claim the income you lost in a lawsuit, including the PTO you had to use.
- Emergency medical expenses: Emergency medical care includes going to the emergency room and riding in an ambulance.
- Car repair costs: Your insurance may not provide enough coverage to make all the repairs based on the value of the vehicle.
- Ongoing medical care: You may need long-term medical care from specialists if you become disabled in the accident.
- Physical therapy: Physical therapy is common after accidents since it can help you rebuild injured muscles. The long-term costs can build up quickly since you will need physical therapy regularly.
- Debt repayment costs: Many accident victims go into debt, which can generate fees and related expenses.
You might incur other expenses after an auto accident not included on this list. Dealing with these expenses can stress your family, but you have options for gaining relief. You can work with a Kansas City side-impact collisions lawyer to determine your options and see what you can do to recover awards that reimburse your losses. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC, today to get started.
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Auto Insurance Settlements
Settlement agreements resolve many auto accident liability claims. Insurance companies tend to use them because they end cases faster and give them the chance to negotiate a smaller compensation package than they might have to pay in court.
While a settlement agreement looks like a good idea for the insurance company, it can also work in your favor. One of the biggest complaints that accident victims have about filing lawsuits is that they must wait a long time to go to trial. You can resolve the lawsuit early by negotiating a settlement agreement with the insurance company. This agreement will let you collect compensation sooner so you can deal with your ongoing financial problems and get your life back on track.
Before you accept any settlement offers, you should review the agreement with a Kansas City side-impact collisions lawyer. There is a chance that the initial offer will not provide enough compensation to cover your expenses. The insurance company hopes to negotiate a smaller settlement package that might not account for all your needs. You are not obligated to accept an initial offer. An attorney can negotiate with the adjuster until they reach an agreement that meets your needs.
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Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC, Today
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a side-impact collision, you could take legal action to recover compensation for your related expenses. You can seek legal advice by contacting the office of a Kansas City side-impact collisions lawyer to learn more about your options. Call the team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, today at (844) 730-0233 for a free consultation about your case.
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