Even a minor crash can throw your entire routine off balance—doctor visits, car repairs, missed work, endless phone calls with insurance adjusters. It’s a lot to manage when you’re just trying to heal. Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers helps people in and around Lee’s Summit take back control after serious accidents.
Our Lee’s Summit personal injury lawyers have recovered over $1 billion for clients through settlements and verdicts. With 45 years of combined experience, we know how to hold negligent drivers and insurance companies accountable.
When the unexpected happens, having an experienced car accident lawyer in Lee’s Summit by your side means you’re never facing the legal system alone. Your injury is our fight—and we take that responsibility personally.
How Can a Lawyer Help After a Car Accident?
After a crash, the legal process can feel like a maze with insurance paperwork, medical bills, missed work, and complicated forms all landing at once. A Lee’s Summit auto accident attorney guides you through each step, protecting your rights and helping you pursue fair compensation from the liable parties.
At this stage, having a professional on your side is one of the most important decisions you can make.
Investigating the Cause
An experienced lawyer conducts a detailed investigation to determine exactly what happened and who’s responsible. We help gather police reports, witness statements, photos, and expert opinions to build a compelling case that clearly shows fault.
Calculating the Full Value of Your Claim
It’s easy to underestimate the long-term impact of an injury. Attorneys work closely with medical experts to evaluate your medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and future care needs.
We also consider non-economic damages like physical pain, emotional losses, and loss of enjoyment of life, helping you claim the full amount you deserve, not just what an insurer offers.
Handling Insurance Companies
Dealing with insurance adjusters can be stressful. Lawyers manage all communication, preventing you from being pressured into low settlements or saying something that could harm your case. They know the tactics adjusters use to undervalue claims, and we push back effectively.
Managing the Legal Process
Your lawyer ensures nothing falls through the cracks. We make sure all documentation is filed correctly and in a timely manner to ensure your claim is solid and free from administrative errors that could cause unnecessary delays.
No Upfront Costs
We operate on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing unless compensation is recovered on your behalf. It’s a simple way to get professional help without worrying about out-of-pocket expenses while you’re focused on recovery.
What Should You Do To Protect Your Rights?
Once you’ve left the crash site and the tow trucks, flashing lights, and chaos are behind you, real questions start to sink in: What should I do now? Who do I talk to? How do I protect myself?
It’s completely normal to wonder what to do after a car accident, but the actions you take in the hours and days that follow can strongly influence the outcome of your case and your recovery.
1. Get Medical Care Right Away
Even if you walked away feeling fine, you should see a doctor after any car accident. Hidden injuries like a TBI or internal trauma can take time to show symptoms. A medical evaluation not only keeps you safe but also creates a record linking your injuries to the accident.
2. Request a Copy of the Police Report
After the officer files it, obtain a copy for your records. This document contains essential details like vehicle information, witness statements, and initial fault assessments that can strengthen your claim later.
3. Preserve All Evidence You Collected
Save any photos, videos, or notes you gathered at the scene. Keep damaged personal items, estimates, and receipts. These small pieces of evidence often carry significant weight when negotiating with insurance adjusters.
4. Avoid Discussing the Crash Online
Refrain from posting about the accident or your injuries on social media. Insurance companies sometimes monitor posts and use them out of context to reduce or deny your claim. Even an innocent photo or comment can be misinterpreted.
5. Contact a Car Accident Attorney in Lee’s Summit
Before speaking with insurance representatives or accepting any settlement, consult an experienced lawyer. A Lee’s Summit car accident attorney can communicate with insurers on your behalf, safeguard your rights, and ensure that no one takes advantage of your situation.
Contact our Kansas city personal injury lawyers now.
How Insurance Companies Try to Limit Payouts
Insurance companies may sound cooperative at first, but their main goal is to protect their bottom line, not your financial recovery. Even when the other driver is clearly responsible, insurers often use subtle tactics to reduce or deny valid claims.
Understanding how these strategies work can help you stay one step ahead and avoid costly mistakes. Our auto accident lawyers in Lee’s Summit have seen these moves before, and we know how to fight back.
Lowball Settlement Offers
Soon after a crash, an adjuster might contact you with what sounds like a fair offer. In reality, these initial settlements rarely account for future medical bills, lost wages, or long-term effects of your injuries.
Accepting too early can leave you paying out of pocket later. A thorough case evaluation ensures you know the true value of your claim before agreeing to anything.
Recorded Statements
Insurance representatives often request recorded statements under the guise of “clarifying details.” These conversations are rarely harmless. Adjusters might ask leading questions designed to get you to minimize your pain or unintentionally accept blame.
We consistently advise clients to avoid direct communication with insurers and let their attorney handle those conversations instead.
Delays and Denials
Some insurers deliberately stall, asking for repeated documentation or taking weeks to respond. The hope is simple: you’ll grow frustrated or desperate enough to settle for less than you deserve.
Delays also give them time to build defenses against your claim. A lawyer can push back on these tactics, ensuring your case keeps moving forward.
Shifting Blame
Even when fault seems obvious, insurers may try to pin part of the responsibility on you to cut their payout. They might argue you were distracted, speeding, or made a poor decision in the moment.
Missouri follows a comparative fault rule, meaning your compensation can be reduced if you’re found partially at fault; another reason to have solid legal representation from the start.
Standing Up to the Insurance Companies
Our legal team manages every interaction and negotiation on your behalf. We’ve handled countless claims and know how to build strong, evidence-based cases that insurance companies take seriously. When it’s your health, your recovery, and your future on the line, we make sure your rights come first.
Damages You Can Recover After a Car Crash
When someone else’s carelessness causes a collision, you deserve fair compensation for everything the crash has taken from you. At our personal injury law firm, we help clients pursue the full range of damages allowed under Missouri law so you can rebuild your life without added financial strain.
Economic Damages
These are the measurable financial losses caused by the accident. They include:
- Medical Expenses: All costs related to emergency care, surgery, ongoing medical treatment, and future care needs
- Hospital Bills and Rehabilitation Costs: From inpatient stays to physical therapy and specialized recovery programs
- Reimbursement for Costs: Out-of-pocket expenses such as transportation to medical appointments or home modifications
- Lost Income and Future Earnings: If your injuries limit your ability to work or earn at the same level
Non-Economic Damages
Some damages don’t come with receipts but still have a deep, lasting emotional toll. Our attorneys pursue recovery for:
- Physical Pain and Emotional Losses: Compensation for the suffering and psychological stress caused by the crash
- Loss of Enjoyment and Enjoyment of Life: When chronic pain or disability keeps you from daily activities, hobbies, or time with loved ones
- Long-Term Impact: The ongoing struggles and lifestyle changes that may follow even years after the initial injury.
Wrongful Death Damages
If the accident resulted in a fatal injury, certain family members may pursue compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit. Our experienced Lee’s Summit wrongful death lawyers help families seek justice and obtain their rightful benefits for funeral expenses, loss of income, and the companionship of their loved one.
Holding Liable Parties Accountable
Identifying and proving fault is crucial in securing compensation. We investigate all potential liable parties—whether a negligent driver, employer, or manufacturer—to ensure every responsible party is held accountable.
Legal Help on a Contingency Fee Basis
You shouldn’t have to worry about legal costs while trying to heal. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing up front and owe no attorney’s fees unless we recover money for you.
That way, you can focus on recovery while we fight to secure the fair compensation you deserve for your medical expenses, losses, and the overall impact the crash has had on your life.
Why Hire Foster Wallace?
With so many personal injury firms out there, you need to choose a team with a history of results and a commitment to client care. Foster Wallace brings the experience and resources of a large firm with the personal attention of a boutique practice.
Here are some of the ways we stand out:
- Over $1 billion recovered in settlements, jury verdicts, and court judgments across Missouri.
- 45 years of combined experience with a focus on personal injury and motor vehicle accident claims
- Client–first approach in which we don’t get paid unless you win
- Direct access to attorneys who keep you informed and involved every step of the way
- Aggressive negotiations in which we won’t ever settle for less than you deserve
When you hire our team, you get a legal partner who will fight tirelessly on your behalf.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?
Missouri law generally gives car accident victims five years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury claim. However, waiting too long can weaken your case. Evidence can be lost, memories fade, and insurance companies may use delays against you.
By contacting our Lee’s Summit car accident lawyers early, you can protect your rights, preserve evidence, and build a stronger claim.
Contact Our Lee’s Summit Car Accident Law Firm for a Free Consultation
After a serious crash, getting legal guidance can make the difference between a stressful recovery and a secure future. The right attorney helps you understand your legal options and pursues every dollar you’re owed.
At Foster Wallace, our team has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of crash victims across Missouri, helping families move forward with the financial relief they need to rebuild their lives.
Whether you’re dealing with confusing insurance coverage, facing mounting medical bills, or unsure how a car accident case works, reach out. Your first consultation is completely free, and we only get paid if you do. Contact us today to learn how we can help.
