A car accident can change everything in an instant. A totaled vehicle, medical bills, missed paychecks, and a claims adjuster calling before you’ve even seen a doctor can stack up fast in the days that follow, and distracted driving remains one of the most common causes. Get checked out even if you feel fine, since adrenaline hides pain and injuries like whiplash or a concussion can take a day or two to show symptoms. Keep records as you go: photos of the scene, the police report number, and any correspondence with the other driver’s insurer. Don’t give that insurer a recorded statement until you’ve talked with someone on your side.
In Kansas, your own auto policy’s personal injury protection (PIP) covers your initial medical bills and a portion of lost wages regardless of fault. To pursue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering, Kansas law (K.S.A. 40-3117) requires your medical expenses to exceed $2,000, or a specific serious injury such as a fracture of a weight-bearing bone or permanent disfigurement. Missouri has no such threshold. You generally have two years to file suit in Kansas (K.S.A. 60-513) and five years in Missouri (RSMo § 516.120), though evidence and witness memories fade well before that.
We deal with the insurance company so you don’t have to: investigating the crash, calculating what your claim is actually worth beyond medical bills, and negotiating or litigating until you get a fair number. If the wreck happened while you were on the job, you may also have a workers’ compensation claim; if you were struck as a pedestrian or on a motorcycle, our pedestrian accident and motorcycle accident pages cover those specifics.
Peter A. Jouras Jr. has represented injured Kansans and Missourians for over three decades. Call (913) 677-1999 or reach out through our contact form for a free consultation. There’s no fee unless we win your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a car accident claim?
Two years in Kansas (K.S.A. 60-513), five years in Missouri (RSMo § 516.120), from the date of the crash.
Who pays my medical bills right after the accident?
In Kansas, your own auto policy’s PIP coverage pays first, regardless of fault. Missouri doesn’t have a no-fault system, so fault-based claims can proceed sooner.
What if the injury was severe, like a brain or spinal injury?
Cases involving a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury need more documentation and a longer view of future costs; we build those differently from the start.
Do I need a lawyer if I wasn’t injured, or it’s just property damage?
Not always. If it’s genuinely property damage only, you can often handle it directly with the insurer. It’s worth a quick call first, though, since injuries like whiplash can take a day or two to show up after you’ve already accepted a low offer.
What should I do at the scene of a car accident in Kansas or Missouri?
Call law enforcement, take photographs of all vehicles and surrounding conditions, gather contact info from witnesses, and seek a medical evaluation promptly even if symptoms seem minor.
Should I speak with the other driver’s insurance adjuster right away?
It is best to consult an attorney before giving any recorded statement, as adjusters often seek statements that can be used to reduce or deny your compensation.
For your free consultation, call (913) 677-1999
