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CAR ACCIDENT

Overland Park Car Accident Lawyers

MSB Attorneys Richard Morefield and Andrew Speicher are Overland Park car accident lawyers who provide services throughout the broader Kansas City and Missouri area. Unfortunately, none of us can control what life throws at us. What we can control, however, is how we handle it and what steps we take moving forward. If you have been in a Missouri or Kansas car accident, you are likely injured, upset, and possibly confused about what to do next. It is important to make good decisions moving forward and to ensure that you have a strong advocate by your side to protect your rights.

Our experienced car accident lawyers at Morefield Speicher Bachman Law have been helping car accident victims for decades. We have collected millions of dollars in compensation for our clients who have been victims of others’ negligence.

Overland Park car accident lawyer

 

What to Do If You Have Been in a Car Accident

If you have been in a car accident, it is important to attend to any injuries you have sustained. However, if you are medically able, it is crucial that you call the police and gather as much information as you can about the motor vehicle accident. If you are unable to gather information about the other driver or the accident details, request the police officer or a passenger in your vehicle to gather that information and send it to you. You will need the other driver’s contact information and car registration to proceed with the necessary next steps to ensure proper coverage. If you were unable to do this at the accident scene, contact us to help you locate the necessary information.

Next, you should seek medical attention as necessary. Even if you aren’t sure if you are injured, it is wise to get checked out by a doctor. Often pain and problems arise hours or even days later. The adrenaline and stress of an accident can also cause you to overlook your injuries.  Having reliable documentation regarding your injuries will be helpful when you are working with your insurance company and the other driver’s attorney.

After you have notified your insurance company about the incident, you will likely receive a call from an insurance adjuster for the other driver’s insurance company. The other driver’s insurer may try to persuade you to settle the case quickly. It is important not to accept the offer without consulting with us first. The insurance company is not your friend. It is their job to settle the car accident insurance claim as quickly and cheaply as possible. The amount they offer you may be inadequate to properly compensate you for your injuries, medical treatment, property damage, and wage losses.

Contact our office as soon as possible after your accident. Our Overland Park car accident lawyers have been serving Kansas City and Missouri for decades and can help guide you to begin the process of securing the evidence and information that you will need. It is important to have a strong advocate on your side from the beginning of the process. We are here to help you.

Common Injuries

Car accidents in the broader Kansas City and Missouri area can cause a wide variety of physical injuries depending on the circumstances. Being in a car accident is a traumatic experience. If you suffer injuries from your accident, you need to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Do not ignore your injuries or wait to seek a doctor about any of the injuries that you may have received. Common auto accident injuries include:

Should I hire an attorney even if the insurance company says I don’t need one?

Yes. The insurance company wants to spend as little money on your claim as possible. We recommend that you discuss your case with us or another personal injury lawyer. They will likely agree with us in that your insurance company is benefitting from your lack of expertise in the motor vehicle accident claim industry. The insurance company is focusing on its bottom line instead of the needs and well-being of accident victims.

Some car accident insurance claims will be resolved in 30 days if the claims are simple and do not involve any injuries. If your insurance claim is more complex, it will naturally take longer to resolve. It is important to begin the process of making a claim as soon as possible after your accident. You or your attorney will need to provide the insurance company with the necessary information relating to your car accident. Your car accident lawyer will have experience in this area and will be able to work with you to set you up for success.

There are many reasons to involve a car accident attorney as soon as possible. One of the most important reasons is that your attorney can help you recover what your case is worth. Insurance companies set reserves for each accident. Reserves represent the amount the insurance company thinks it may have to pay to resolve the case. It is important that the reserves be set as high as possible early in the case. It can be more difficult to get an insurance company to pay a fair settlement without a trial if the insurance company initially sets its reserves for your case at a level that is below the case value. An experienced car accident lawyer can make sure to provide the insurance company with the information it needs to set the reserves at an appropriate level. Insurance companies will often set the reserves higher if you have a skilled attorney representing you.

If your insurance claim is denied by the carrier, you still have options. You do not have to accept their denial and we recommend that you don’t. We encourage you to work with one of our experienced Overland Park car accident lawyers who can help you take the next steps.

How long can I expect my case to take?

A car accident case can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to settle. If your case goes to trial, that takes longer than if it settles. When we work with you, we do our best to expedite the process while also ensuring that we maximize your recovery. Our focus is on maximizing your recovery. Sometimes that takes longer than getting a quick settlement. The bottom line is that we try to meet our client’s needs. When cases do not settle, we have the experience and skill to take your case to trial.  

How much will a personal injury lawsuit cost me?

In almost all personal injury cases, our clients hire us on a contingency fee basis. That means that if we don’t recover money for you, you don’t owe a fee. If we are able to recover money for you, your fee will be a percentage of your recovery. You do not need to pay money out of pocket to pursue your case with our firm. We will advise you about what the likely and realistic outcome of your lawsuit will be and we will not accept your case unless we believe it is in your best interest to hire us.

How Much Is My Case Worth?

Your car accident lawyer will be able to work with you to determine a realistic expectation of how much your car accident lawsuit settlement will be. We have the expertise in the industry to understand the severity of the car accident and the complications involved. We have decades of experience in handling and evaluating car accident claims. We stay up to date on jury verdicts in the area. We have handled cases against dozens of insurance companies and understand how they evaluate claims.

Proving Negligence

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, we will need to prove that the party responsible for your injuries was negligent. A driver is considered negligent when they acted in a manner that breached their duty of care, which in this case was failing to drive safely, resulting in injury to the victim. We have the experience to evaluate the responsibility of the other parties involved in your accident. It is important that you hire an attorney who is experienced in the courtroom and who knows how to prove your case. Some attorneys only settle cases but don’t have the experience to take the case to trial. That is not the case at Morefield Speicher Bachman Law. Our lawyers are not only experienced, but one of them has taught trial skills to other lawyers at the TIPS/ABOTA National Trial Academy in Reno, NV.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in the Kansas City and Missouri Area

The causes of an injury car accident are countless, but commonly we see car accidents resulting from:

We Can Help You with Your Car Accident

Our Overland Park car accident lawyers have been helping residents in the Kansas City and Missouri area recover compensation for their car accident injuries for decades. We take pride in our personalized service to each and every one of our clients. Our focus is on helping our clients get back what they lost and will fight aggressively to ensure that they receive the compensation they deserve. If you have been injured in an accident, fill out a contact form or call us at (913) 839 2808. Our focus is on helping our clients get back what they lost and will fight aggressively to ensure that they receive the compensation they deserve. The sooner we can help, the better the likely outcome of your case.

What happens during My Initial Consultation?

At Morefield Speicher Bachman Law, we understand that choosing an attorney is an important decision. We believe that you should feel comfortable with the legal team that you choose to work with. During your initial consultation, we will sit down with you to learn the facts and details of what happened during your motor vehicle accident. We will take time to understand your situation and determine the proper next steps. We will ask you about the details of the accident and request any information that you have regarding the parties involved, the police officer, and any other relevant information. From there, we will begin to create a plan with you that you are comfortable with. We will work closely with you to make sure that you get the best outcome possible. 

What about COVID? I am nervous about coming to your office.

At Morefield Speicher Bachman, LC, we want to be sure that you and our staff are safe during the pandemic. You don’t have to come to our office. We offer video consultations and electronic signing options for important documents. We can set up a meeting with you using Zoom. We can see each other, talk, sign, and exchange documents and you can do this from the comfort of your home.  If you prefer to come to our office, you will be asked to wear a mask. Your attorney and our staff will wear a mask as well. We have hand sanitizer available for your use. We have a large conference room where we can meet in a socially distant manner. We are also happy to meet with you in your home. Let us know what works for you!