WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER I’M IN AN ACCIDENT IN KANSAS CITY?

Believe it or not, the decisions you make shortly after an accident can seriously affect your ability to recover compensation. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you sustain injuries in a Kansas City-area accident:rnrnREPORT THE ACCIDENTrnCall 911 to report a traffic accident, notify your employer if you get hurt on the job, or notify a property owner if you get hurt on someone else’s property.rnrnDOCUMENT THE SCENErnTake pictures of the location of the accident, your physical injuries, damage to nearby property, and anything else that might be useful to your attorney down the line.rnrnDON’T APOLOGIZErnSaying you’re sorry can be interpreted as an admission of guilt, and you want to avoid that at all costs. Sharing responsibility for an accident can seriously jeopardize your ability to recover damages in a Missouri personal injury case.rnrnSEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELYrnGetting to the closest hospital in Kansas City right away will help ensure that all of your injuries including broken bones, brain injury, and trauma are identified and treated. Your visit will also help to create a time-stamped record of your injury, which can be critical in proving that it was caused by your accident.rnrnCALL A PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY IN KANSAS CITY FOR HELPrnDon’t speak to the insurance company, consider a settlement offer, or take any other steps before you’ve had the time to speak with a personal injury lawyer near you in Kansas City. rnrnHiring a lawyer levels the playing field and helps ensure that your legal rights are respected. It also puts you in the best position to win your case and maximize your financial recovery.

WHEN SHOULD I HIRE A PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER?

Under Missouri state law, you’ll typically have just five years to file a personal injury lawsuit, so it’s important to hire a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after your accident.rnrnIf you haven’t filed a claim by the fifth anniversary of your accident, you’ll forfeit the right to demand compensation for your injuries and suffering.rnrnOf course, there are times when a different statute of limitations will apply to your case. For instance, wrongful death actions must be filed within three years of a victim’s death. rnrnIn addition to preserving your right to seek compensation, hiring an attorney right away can increase the odds of a meaningful financial recovery. Your attorney can begin to investigate your case, gather evidence, and build a claim on your behalf immediately. This can be critical to success, as evidence can get lost or forgotten, and witness memories tend to change over time.

HOW DO I PROVE A PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM?

It depends on the basis of your claim. In Missouri, most personal injury lawsuits involve negligence.rnrnNegligence essentially means that you’ve sustained injuries (and damages) because of someone else’s careless or unreasonable actions. rnrnIn a negligence action, you’ll have to prove four things:rnrnDuty of care: The defendant in your case owed you a duty of care.rnBreach of duty: The defendant breached this duty of care in some way.rnCausation: The defendant’s actions or inaction caused you to get hurt.rnDamages: You have experienced damages.rnFor example, let’s say you were involved in a motor vehicle accident in Kansas City. You were rear-ended at an intersection and the driver who hit you was texting at the time of the crash. You suffered whiplash and broken bones in the collision.rnrnYou’d have to prove the other driver owed you a duty of care (all motorists assume a duty on the road), they breached it (because they were texting and driving), their conduct caused an accident (you wouldn’t have been rear-ended and injured if they were paying attention), and you’ve suffered damages as a result.rnrnIn Missouri, you’ll have to prove your personal injury claim by a preponderance of the evidence. In other words, your case—as supported by facts and evidence—has to be more likely true than not for you to win.

WHAT KIND OF COMPENSATION CAN I GET IF I’VE BEEN HURT IN A KANSAS CITY ACCIDENT?

Compensation generally falls into two categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.rnrnEconomic damages are awarded to put you back in the financial situation you were in before your accident. Examples include:rnrnMedical billsrnLost wagesrnDisabilityrnRehabilitationrnTherapyrnNursing assistancernProperty damagernOut-of-pocket costsrnEconomic damages can be paid to compensate for present costs and expenses that you’re likely to experience in the future. However, they must be backed by invoices, bills, receipts, pay stubs, and other documentation.rnrnNon-economic damages are awarded to compensate for the trauma and suffering that your injuries might cause. Examples include:rnrnPain and sufferingrnEmotional distressrnLoss of consortiumrnDisfigurementrnLost quality of lifernPost-traumatic stress disorderrnInsurance companies will want to undervalue your claim, especially your non-economic award. Our personal injury attorneys in Kansas City will work closely with experts and specialists as we navigate your case to make sure that doesn’t happen. Expert insight can help us fully understand how your accident and injuries affect your life, today and in the future. This knowledge will allow us to leverage a financial award that accurately reflects what your Kansas City personal injury case is worth.

CAN I STILL RECOVER COMPENSATION IF I’M PARTLY TO BLAME FOR AN ACCIDENT IN MISSOURI?

Yes, you can receive compensation as long as you’re not entirely at fault for the accident. However, sharing responsibility for your accident will affect how much money you can receive when your case is resolved.rnrnMissouri is a pure comparative negligence state, which means that damages are reduced in direct proportion to your degree of fault.rnrnLet’s say you’re involved in a slip and fall accident in Kansas City and suffer damages of $100,000. You’re assigned 15 percent fault for the accident. Once comparative fault is taken into account, you’ll be entitled to up to $85,000 in damages.rnrnInsurance companies love to blame the victim. Negligent parties will be quick to point fingers instead of accepting responsibility. So, it’s important to prepare yourself for these tactics, which can seriously hurt your ability to recover the compensation you deserve.rnrnOur Kansas City personal injury attorneys will anticipate these types of claims and be ready to defend you at every turn, working tirelessly to ensure that you receive a fair and appropriate financial award.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST TO HIRE A KANSAS CITY PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY?

We don’t want you to miss the legal help you need after an accident just because money is tight. When you choose Brown & Crouppen, you don’t pay anything unless and until our award-winning Kansas City personal injury attorneys win your case.rnrnWe work on contingency, which means there’s no upfront cost to you. Our law firm assumes all of the risks of litigation. We only recover a percentage of your financial award when we win your case.rnrnIt’s simple, and it allows you to get the help you need without added financial stress.

Home Kansas City

Kansas City Personal Injury Lawyers

The Midwest's Most Effective Injury Law Firm

1,000s of Satisfied Clients

$1 Billion+ Recovered in Compensation

40+ Years of Experience

Fact-Checked

This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Terry Crouppen who has more than 40 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney. Our last modified date shows when this page was last reviewed.

Fact-Checked

An accident in Kansas City can knock your life off track fast. Whether the crash happened on a busy stretch of I-70 or during a shift at a warehouse in the Blue Valley industrial area, the physical pain and financial stress follow you home.

Dealing with insurance companies adds frustration to the recovery process. Claims adjusters often try to pay as little as possible, and they know how to use the complex legal system against you. A Kansas City personal injury lawyer can protect you from these tactics while building a compelling case for compensation.

Brown & Crouppen, P.C. provides the experienced legal support you need to move forward. Our team handles the difficult phone calls, the paperwork, and the fight for fair payment so you can focus on getting better.

Call Brown & Crouppen, P.C. at (816) 670-4701 or contact us online for a free case evaluation.

Why Choose Brown & Crouppen, P.C. for Your Kansas City Personal Injury Case

Brown & Crouppen, P.C. combines the resources of a large firm with the personal care of a local team. We understand the specific challenges that residents on either side of State Line Road face after an accident, and we help them navigate insurance claims, gather evidence, and pursue the compensation they need to move forward.

Local Knowledge That Matters

Our team knows Kansas City, from the traffic patterns on I-435 that lead to dangerous pileups to the intersections in Westport that pose high risks for pedestrians. This local knowledge helps us build stronger personal injury claims for our clients.

We also know the local court systems and practices in both Missouri and Kansas. Whether your case belongs in the Jackson County Circuit Court or north of the Missouri River in Clay County, we understand the local procedures and expectations.

We use this familiarity to build a strategy that fits your specific situation.

30x higher than what insurance companies originally offered

A History of Helping Injury Victims

Brown & Crouppen, P.C. has spent over 40 years fighting for people who got hurt because of someone else’s carelessness. Our firm has helped thousands of clients recover money for their injuries. While every case is unique, our experience informs how to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and challenge the arguments that insurance companies use to deny claims.

We apply this deep experience to protect your rights from the moment you hire us.

$1+ Billion recovered for injury & accident victims

No Upfront Costs

We believe that worrying about paying for legal help shouldn’t ever stop you from getting justice. We operate on a contingency fee basis, which means you won’t pay us any hourly fees or retainers. If we don’t win your case, you don’t owe us a fee for our legal services.

Get the legal help you need today. Call (816) 670-4701 or contact us online to connect with a Kansas City personal injury lawyer.

40+ years of experience handling personal injury lawsuits

Understanding Liability and Negligence in Kansas City Personal Injury Claims

A personal injury claim arises when one person gets hurt because another person acted carelessly. The law calls this carelessness “negligence.” To receive payment for your injuries, your Kansas City personal injury lawyer must prove that the other party had a duty to act with reasonable care, failed to do so, and that this failure caused your injuries.

This concept applies to many different situations, from car wrecks on Truman Road to slip and falls in the Power & Light District.

We handle a wide range of injury cases for people in Kansas City:

Car Crashes: Our team handles collisions involving sedans, SUVs, and rideshare vehicles to find the at-fault driver.
Truck Accidents: We analyze logbooks and shipping records to hold trucking companies accountable for safety violations.
Motorcycle Crashes: Our Kansas City personal injury attorneys fight against the bias that often unfairly blames riders for accidents caused by distracted drivers.
Premises Liability: We help people who slipped, tripped, or fell due to dangerous conditions on someone else’s property.
Medical Malpractice: Our team can review medical records to identify when doctors or hospitals failed to provide the required standard of care.
Dog Bites: We pursue claims against pet owners who failed to control their animals and caused serious harm.
Nursing Home Abuse: We protect vulnerable seniors who have suffered harm due to neglect or intentional mistreatment in Kansas City senior care facilities.
Wrongful Death: Our attorneys support families who have lost a loved one due to negligence and seek justice on their behalf.

Insurance companies often try to shift the blame after an accident. They might argue that you caused the accident or that your injuries existed before the crash. Missouri follows a pure comparative fault rule, which means the court can reduce your payment if they find you partially responsible for the incident.

Kansas follows a modified version that cuts off compensation to people who have 50% or more of the blame for the accident. Our Kansas City personal injury attorneys gather evidence to prove that the other party holds the liability to protect the value of your claim.

How Can a Kansas City Personal Injury Attorney Help You Recover Compensation?

A serious injury creates an immediate financial crisis. You might face weeks or months without a paycheck while your household bills continue to arrive. On top of your normal expenses, you now have stacks of medical invoices from providers like University Health or North Kansas City Hospital.

The stress of this debt often pushes victims to accept the first offer an insurance company makes. This is a mistake. Insurance adjusters often offer a quick, lowball offer that covers only your initial emergency room visit. They rarely account for the long-term impact of your injury.

Once you sign a release to accept that money, you cannot come back later for more. This leaves you to pay for future surgeries or therapy out of your own pocket. Your Kansas City personal injury lawyer calculates the true cost of your accident to protect your financial future.

We pursue compensation for the full impact of your accident, including:

Key Aspect	Important Details	How It Helps Clients
Types of Cases	Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle crashes, slip and falls, medical malpractice, dog bites, nursing home abuse, wrongful death	Helps users quickly identify if they have a valid claim
Attorney Services	Investigation, evidence collection, insurance negotiations, legal representation	Reduces stress and increases chances of fair compensation
Recoverable Damages	Medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earnings, pain and suffering, emotional distress	Ensures clients pursue full compensation for all losses
Legal Fees	Contingency fee basis (no upfront cost, pay only if you win)	Removes financial barriers to hiring a lawyer
Firm Experience	Over 40 years of experience and thousands of clients served	Builds trust and credibility
Local Knowledge	Familiarity with Kansas City roads, courts, and Missouri/Kansas laws	Enables stronger, more tailored legal strategies
Legal Deadlines	Missouri: 5 years / Kansas: 2 years (with exceptions)	Helps clients avoid missing filing deadlines
Claims Process	Investigation → Medical documentation → Negotiation → Lawsuit → Discovery → Settlement or trial	Sets clear expectations about the legal process
Insurance Company Tactics	Lowball offers, recorded statements, disputing injuries	Helps clients avoid common pitfalls that hurt their claims
Comparative Fault Rules	Missouri: pure comparative fault / Kansas: 50% bar rule	Directly affects how much compensation a client can recover

Medical Expenses: You may recover the cost of emergency care, hospital bills, follow-up treatment, physical therapy, prescriptions, and any medical equipment you need.
Lost Wages: You may recover the income you missed while you could not work after the crash.
Loss of Future Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or limit the work you can do, you may recover compensation for reduced earning potential, such as when a construction worker with a back injury can no longer do heavy lifting.
Pain and Suffering: You may recover non-economic damages for the physical pain, discomfort, and limitations you experience after the accident.
Emotional Distress: You may recover damages for the mental and emotional toll of the crash, including anxiety, stress, and fear tied to what happened.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If your injuries keep you from doing the activities you once enjoyed or caring for your family the way you used to, the law may recognize that loss.

Protecting Your Rights Against Insurance Adjusters

Insurance adjusters work for big corporations. Their goal is to protect the company’s profits, not your well-being. They use specific tactics to lower the value of your Kansas City personal injury claim or deny it altogether.

A common tactic involves the recorded statement. An adjuster may call you within days of the accident and ask to record your conversation. This is a trap. The adjuster wants you to say something that minimizes your injuries or admits fault. You might say something offhand like, “I’m feeling okay”, but they can use that statement later to argue that you weren’t hurt at all.

Another tactic involves disputing the cause of the injury. If you have a prior back issue, they can argue that your car crash on I-70 didn’t cause your current pain. They might demand access to your entire medical history to find pre-existing conditions to use against you.

A lawyer protects you from these invasions of privacy. We handle all communication with the insurer. This stops the harassing phone calls and prevents you from saying something that could hurt your case.

Steps in a Personal Injury Claim in Missouri and Kansas

Personal injury claims in the Kansas City area can involve strict deadlines and detailed rules, especially when an accident happens near the state line. One of the most important deadlines is the statute of limitations, which controls how long you have to file a lawsuit.

Missouri

5 Years

To file a personal injury lawsuit.
Exceptions may apply.

Kansas

2 Years

Must be filed within two years, but the deadline can vary depending on the facts of the case.

Even if your deadline feels far away, building a strong case takes time. Evidence can disappear, video footage can get erased, and witnesses can become hard to reach. Starting early helps protect your claim and keeps pressure on the insurance company.

Steps in a Kansas City personal injury claim:

Case Review and Investigation: We review what happened, identify potential at-fault parties, and begin preserving key evidence, such as crash reports, photos, witness statements, and available video footage.
Medical Documentation and Damage Tracking: Our team gathers records linking your injuries to the accident and documents how they affect your work, income, and daily life.
Settlement Negotiations: We send a demand package to the insurance company that explains the facts, outlines your treatment, documents your losses, and demands a fair settlement. Your Kansas City personal injury attorney then negotiates with the insurer and pushes back against low offers.
Filing a Lawsuit: If the insurance company won’t offer a reasonable amount, we can file a lawsuit in the appropriate court.
Discovery: Both sides exchange information during the discovery phase and take sworn testimony. You may need to answer written questions; we’ll help you respond clearly and accurately so your story stays consistent and strong.
Mediation or Trial: Many cases resolve through settlement before trial, including in mediation, but we prepare every case as if it will go in front of a jury. Strong trial preparation often motivates insurers to take negotiations seriously.

FAQ for Kansas City Personal Injury Lawyers

How Much Is My Kansas City Personal Injury Case Worth?

No lawyer can give you an exact dollar amount immediately after an accident because the value depends on the severity of your injuries, the amount of your medical bills, your lost income, and the impact on your daily life.

The value of your claim also depends on the insurance policy limits of the at-fault party. A Kansas City personal injury lawyer needs to review your medical records and accident reports to calculate a fair range.

Can I File a Personal Injury Claim if I Had a Previous Injury?

You can still file a personal injury claim even if you had a prior medical condition. The law protects you if a new accident makes an old injury worse. The person who caused the accident must pay for the new damage or the aggravation of your condition.

We use medical records to show how the new incident changed your health. Don’t let a past injury stop you from seeking help for a new one.

How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Kansas City?

You can afford high-quality legal representation through our contingency fee arrangement. This system allows you to hire one of our Kansas City personal injury lawyers without paying any money up front. If you don’t win, you won’t pay attorney fees.

Why Do I Need a Kansas City Personal Injury Lawyer?

Your lawyer acts as your shield and your advocate. Our team gathers and analyzes evidence such as police reports, witness testimony, and vehicle data. We’ll handle all communication with the insurance company so they cannot manipulate you and calculate your total damages, including future medical needs.

If the insurer refuses to pay, your Kansas City personal injury attorney can file a lawsuit and represent you in court.

Do I Have To Go To Court for a Kansas City Personal Injury Claim?

Most personal injury cases settle outside of court. Insurance companies and injured parties typically prefer to reach an agreement to avoid the risks of a trial. However, if the insurance company denies liability or refuses to offer a fair amount, filing a lawsuit becomes necessary.

Even after filing suit, many cases settle during mediation. Your lawyer prepares you for every step, so you’re never alone if a court appearance becomes necessary.

Connect With Our Team Today

The time following an accident in Kansas City feels chaotic, but you don’t have to face the insurance companies alone. A dedicated legal team provides the support and guidance necessary to navigate this difficult time. Brown & Crouppen, P.C. stands ready to fight for the payment you need to cover your bills and secure your future.

Take the first step toward protecting your rights. Call Brown & Crouppen, P.C. at (816) 670-4701 or contact us online for your free case evaluation.

Brown & Crouppen of Kansas City

Address: 2345 Grand Blvd #675 Kansas City, MO 64108

Phone: (816) 670-4701

FREE CASE EVALUATION

OUR OFFICE

Brown & Crouppen Law Firm

Address: 2345 Grand Blvd #675, Kansas City, MO 64108

Phone: (816) 670-4701

LOCATIONS

Arnold Office

Edwardsville Office

Fairview Heights Office

Related Practice Areas

Our Results

Truck Accident settlement collision
with tractor trailer

$390,000

Learn More

Slip & Fall settlement

$300,000

Learn More

Car accident settlement

$250,000

Learn More

TESTIMONIALS

“I have never needed an attorney before this accident, I am very grateful for their help. They work with you and help you to the people you need in a timely fashion. Their services so far have exceeded my expectations. they are always available to help quickly and a high level of professionalism”

“Absolutely loved B&C. They did everything in their power to help me and as quickly as they could. I was dealing with a car wreck and this was my first time doing something like this and they made it less stressful for me. Definitely will go back if I need to!”

“All Brown and Crouppen employees were kind and thoughtful. All questions were answered promptly . I could relax knowing I was in capable hands. I will be happy to use this law firm again if needed. If I hear of anyone needing legal assistance because of an injury, I will highly recommend Brown and Crouppen”

Have you suffered an injury?

Call Brown & Crouppen at (816) 670-4701 for a FREE consultation

SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION