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: REPORT THE ACCIDENT Call 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. DOCUMENT THE SCENE Take 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. DON’T APOLOGIZE Saying 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. SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY Getting 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. CALL A PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY IN KANSAS CITY FOR HELP Don’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. Hiring 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. If 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. Of 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. In 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. Negligence essentially means that you’ve sustained injuries (and damages) because of someone else’s careless or unreasonable actions. In a negligence action, you’ll have to prove four things: Duty of care: The defendant in your case owed you a duty of care. Breach of duty: The defendant breached this duty of care in some way. Causation: The defendant’s actions or inaction caused you to get hurt. Damages: You have experienced damages. For 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. You’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. In 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. Economic damages are awarded to put you back in the financial situation you were in before your accident. Examples include: Medical bills Lost wages Disability Rehabilitation Therapy Nursing assistance Property damage Out-of-pocket costs Economic 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. Non-economic damages are awarded to compensate for the trauma and suffering that your injuries might cause. Examples include: Pain and suffering Emotional distress Loss of consortium Disfigurement Lost quality of life Post-traumatic stress disorder Insurance 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. Missouri is a pure comparative negligence state, which means that damages are reduced in direct proportion to your degree of fault. Let’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. Insurance 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. Our 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. We 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. It’s simple, and it allows you to get the help you need without added financial stress.

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Overland Park 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

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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.

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If you or a loved one has been injured in Overland Park or in the surrounding areas of Johnson County, an attorney at Brown & Crouppen Law Firm may be able to help you recover compensation for damages.

Start your personal injury claim by calling (816) 670-4701 or requesting a free case evaluation online. Our Overland Park personal injury lawyers can help determine your eligibility to recover compensation and build a strong case.

Since 1979, we have assisted our clients in recovering over $1 billion in compensation, including claims for auto accidents, wrongful death, work injuries, slips and falls, and dog bites. We capitalize on our firm’s locality to build compelling cases for our clients. Our injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs or legal fees—we only get paid if you win.

Get Legal Assistance From Our Personal Injury Attorneys in Overland Park

Our Overland Park personal injury lawyers are prepared to use our over 40 years of experience and more than 50 lawyers to pursue fair compensation for your injuries. Our office is located in Kansas City and serves the Overland Park area. Being local, we know the ins and outs of Kansas law, the courts, and the judges.

Our trusted firm has been recognized for its excellence, earning several awards and accolades, and is among the most respected names in Midwest personal injury law. We’re proud to have a team of dedicated attorneys, including Andy Crouppen, Tom Davis, and Rachel Lawrence. At Brown & Crouppen, we take a client-focused approach. Our skilled, award-winning attorneys are committed to justice and have what it takes to handle even the most complex cases.

How Our Attorneys Can Help With Your Overland Park Personal Injury Case

Our personal injury attorneys in Overland Park look to ease your burden so you can focus on rebuilding your life after a serious injury. We begin with a free consultation, examining your case, determining whether it is eligible for a claim, and calculating a potential compensation award.

We’ll investigate the details of your accident to establish liability and gather strong supporting evidence for your personal injury case. Our legal team will also handle the paperwork, communication, and negotiations with insurance companies. If necessary, we will take your case to trial.

We work on a contingency fee basis, so you never pay unless we win your case. Call Brown & Crouppen today to learn more about our strategic, supportive method for getting results.

What Clients Say About Our Firm

Since 1979, we have handled thousands of personal injury claims. We’re proud to share that our recent clients in the Overland Park area have mentioned our responsiveness, compassionate and professional service, and favorable case outcomes as memorable aspects of working with us.

"Fantastic and caring lawyers who will work hard to make sure you are taken care of and receive payment for your injuries. Thank you Jason and your entire team that worked on my case."

Justin C.

“So far it’s been great. It seems like they really care and have ears open to really hear what their clients are talking about. I would recommend them to anybody. They care. They would come to your house and sit there with you!! If you want somebody that cares about you being in an accident and really wants to see you win and be taken care of, GO WITH BROWN & CROUPPEN!! Thanks for taking our case!!!!”

Alex C.

Thank you, Brown & Crouppen Law Firm, your team is fantastic. Everyone is so nice. Unlike so many other law firms, they walk with you through every process. If you have a question or concern, they are right on it to assist you and always follow up afterward. These people genuinely care about their clients. They kept me updated at all times, answered questions, and would just check in with me to see how I was feeling. They have done a wonderful job, thank you again!

Tammy N.

FREE CASE EVALUATION

Get started with a free consultation with one of our skilled Personal Injury Lawyers today.

Types of Damages We Can Recover For You

When you hire legal representation through Brown & Crouppen, you increase your chances of securing fair compensation. Our legal team has the experience needed to get the results you seek. Some of the potential damages we could secure for you and your family include:

Medical expenses
Lost wages
Out-of-pocket expenses
Property damage
Pain and suffering
Emotional trauma
Loss of consortium

Below is a look at some of the settlements we have secured for our clients.

$750K Rear-end Accident Settlement: We won a $750,000 settlement in under four months for a client who sustained a neck injury requiring surgery after a rear-end collision with a suspected drunk driver in Kansas.
$250K Bicycle Accident Settlement: We overcame the insurance company’s claim of full recovery to secure a $250,000 settlement for a client injured in a bicycle accident after a car made an improper left turn.
$100K Car Accident Settlement: Despite an initial $45,000 offer from the insurance company and a client with pre-existing conditions, our attorneys secured a $100,000 policy limit settlement for the client with a rotator cuff injury requiring surgery.

"If you're sustaining injury as a result of someone else's fault, there are different types of compensation you're entitled to. One is economic damages, by economic damages, we're talking about you're entitled to get back your medical bills. You're entitled to get back your lost wages. You're entitled to have your vehicle repaired if injured in an auto accident. There's also non-economic damages. You'll hear it referred to as pain and suffering. So it's the amount of damages you sustain because you are going to have to live the rest of your life with pain. And we will get both economic damages for you. But more importantly, we're going to get the non-economic damages, the damages for your loss. That's the type of compensation we get for our clients.”

- Jim Cantalin, Partner

Dedicated and Successful Case Results

We have successfully represented clients in the Overland Park area and are ready to do the same for your family.

In one case, Rachel Lawrence and Joe Hillebrand secured a $300,000 settlement for a client injured in a car accident in Overland Park. The client was rear-ended while driving her daughter to school in icy conditions, suffering upper back and neck injuries. Her case was complicated by a history of similar symptoms and treatments for over a decade.

The defense argued that only short-term aggravation of a pre-existing condition was due to the crash, relying on a defense medical exam. Despite multiple MRIs, physical therapy, injections, and cervical fusion surgery in 2021, two early MRIs showed no spine injury, supporting the defense’s theory of degenerative conditions.

With a top offer of only $60,000, the odds were against a favorable outcome. Nevertheless, Lawrence and Hillebrand reopened negotiations and obtained a $300,000 settlement.

Can I Recover Damages if I’m Partially at Fault?

a plaintiff can recover damages if their negligence is less than 50% of the total fault. When this is the case, their damages award is reduced proportionally to their percentage of fault. For example, if a plaintiff were awarded $100,000 in damages and were 20% at fault, their recovery would be reduced to $80,000.

Our Overland Park personal injury attorneys can investigate your case and navigate this process to pursue the best possible outcome.

Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Overland Park, KS

Our office is located in Kansas City and serves Overland Park. With a team of over 250 individuals, our injury attorneys have the experience and resources to handle your claim and pursue maximum compensation effectively. Some of the cases we have dealt with in the past and seen successful results with include the following:

Accidents happen daily in Kansas, with 94,894 vehicles involved in traffic crashes alone. If you’ve been injured in an accident, know you are not alone. We have experience across all case types and can take yours on so that you can focus on recovery.

Get Started With Your Overland Park Personal Injury Case

Our Overland Park personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs or legal fees. We only get paid if you win. If you or a loved one has been injured due to no fault of your own, get help from the legal team at Brown & Crouppen.

Getting started with your injury claim is easy. Call (816) 670-4701 or request a free case evaluation online. Our lawyers can help determine if you’re eligible to seek compensation and help you build a strong claim to recover damages. Our Kansas City law office serves the following areas in the greater metro area:

Birmingham
Blue Springs
Blue Summit
Claycomo
Gladstone
Independence
Hyde Park
Lee’s Summit
Lenexa
Liberty
North Kansas City
Northeast Kansas City
Olathe
Overland Park
Pendleton Heights
Platte City
Raytown
River Bend
Riverside
South Kansas City
Sugar Creek

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a claim if I’ve been injured near Overland Park?

In the state of Kansas, you have 2 years to file a personal injury claim. This time limit to file a claim begins on the date of the accident or date that the injuries were discovered. Individuals who wait longer than this to file a claim or miss the deadline will not be able to pursue legal action or recover compensation for damages.

How long will my Overland Park personal injury case take?

Personal injury claims are typically resolved within a year from the filing date. However, in cases involving severe injuries or those that proceed to trial rather than being settled, it may take 2 to 5 years to obtain compensation. The exact duration will ultimately depend on the complexity of the injuries and the related claims.

Why should I hire an Overland Park personal injury attorney?

Hiring a personal injury attorney ensures you have expert guidance in navigating complex legal processes, maximizing your chances of receiving fair compensation. They handle negotiations with insurance companies, gather evidence, and represent your best interests, allowing you to focus on recovery.

How much is my case worth?

The average personal injury settlement is over $50,000. However, this is just an average, and cases generally settle between $20,000 and $100,000 depending on many case factors such as the severity of injuries.

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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

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Slip & Fall settlement

$300,000

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Car accident settlement

$250,000

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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

Overland Park Personal Injury Lawyers

The Midwest's Most Effective Injury Law Firm

Get Legal Assistance From Our Personal Injury Attorneys in Overland Park

How Our Attorneys Can Help With Your Overland Park Personal Injury Case

What Clients Say About Our Firm

Types of Damages We Can Recover For You

Dedicated and Successful Case Results

Can I Recover Damages if I’m Partially at Fault?

Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Overland Park, KS

Get Started With Your Overland Park Personal Injury Case

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a claim if I’ve been injured near Overland Park?

How long will my Overland Park personal injury case take?

Why should I hire an Overland Park personal injury attorney?

How much is my case worth?

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