How Long Have You Been Handling Auto Accident Cases?
For nearly a decade, I worked on defending car accident cases on behalf of several insurance companies. Therefore, I know the tactics that insurance companies and their lawyers use to decline or minimize payments to people who are injured in car. For the last five years, I have dedicated myself to exclusively representing people that have been injured in some manner, the majority of which are car or truck accidents. For more than fifteen years I have been handling personal injury and wrongful death cases arising out of these accidents and incidents.
What Are The Top Misconceptions About Auto Accidents?
One of the most significant misunderstandings that we as people believe, is that the insurance company, whether it be the other person’s or their own, are looking to take care of the injured person. The insurance companies and the lobbyists have been very successful with slogans suggesting that they are interested in taking care of people that are injured, but the majority of the time, that is not the truth. People think that our own insurance companies will take care of us. When somebody that was really nice calls us on behalf of the person that hit us and they say they are going to take care of all our medical bills and everything else, the reality of that is this: insurance companies make money by not paying out on the claims.
People have a misunderstanding when talking with a lawyer about their accident that this is going to be expensive. Most personal injury attorneys will offer a free consultation and talk with most everyone about their situation. We will ask questions; who was involved in the wreck? How did the wreck occur? Those type of things. This gives attorneys a better understanding of what the person is going through. An attorney can represent them and offer suggestions, and decide if an accident is worth further investigation.
What Are The Fault Laws In Kansas?
Kansas is a No Fault State. A lot of people think that means that it just does not matter who is at fault in an accident. Most times, the first conversation somebody has with the adverse party’s insurance company is this; Kansas is a No Fault State period, so always contact your own insurance company. The person thinks that this means that even though the other person was at fault they still need to contact their own insurance company. This simply isn’t true.
In Kansas, by statute a person’s own insurance carrier is required to carry at least $4500 in personal injury protection benefit, also known as PIP. That PIP benefit can be paid out as the primary source of payment for the first $4500 of medical bills. So the term No Fault really has nothing to do with the legal system or the civil justice system in terms of who is at fault, who pays, and who is entitled to compensation. It really has to do with the first $4500 of medical payments that comes from that persons own insurance company.
The Steps To Take After Being Injured In An Auto Accident
If someone was involved in a wreck, first and foremost, they should receive the appropriate medical care and treatments for any particular injuries. That should always be the first concern for someone that has been in a wreck and sustained any type of injuries. After receiving medical care, they should follow all of the advice any health care professionals give, whether it be the ambulance, emergency room or primary care physician.
Secondly, make sure that person has attained the names and contact information including an email address, phone number, place of employment, any witnesses to the wreck or anyone who was involved, or may have potentially useful information. Make sure that someone gets their contact information and a copy of the police report and any information associated with the police report, as soon as possible. It is strongly suggested that contacting a lawyer to discuss the investigation and the incident in further detail. Most of the times there is a reason why the wreck occurred. It may be inattention, whether it is texting, using a cellphone or looking elsewhere that distracted the driver. It is important to get a lawyer on board to investigate the circumstances as soon as it is practicable. From there, make sure that whoever was injured is doing everything that they can to get healthy as soon as possible.
For more information on Auto Accident Claims in Kansas, a free initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (913) 451-9500 today.
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