When Do You Need a Lawyer for a Car Accident?
According to Missouri traffic data, 1,057 people were killed in traffic crashes in Missouri in 2022. From heavily...
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Over $1B in Settlements for Car Accident Victims
If you’ve been injured in a vehicle crash, you may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. At Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers, our Kansas City car accident lawyers are here to guide you through the legal process. We’ve secured over $1 billion in settlements for car accident victims and are ready to assist with your claim.
You can hire a Kansas City car accident lawyer to seek fair compensation for your losses after a crash. Our firm has over four decades of combined experience to assist with your specific needs. Your personal injury attorney can give you fast answers to your legal questions and ensure you understand the steps you need to take to get money for all of your losses as an accident victim.
We’re ready to offer you a free consultation, so reach out now.
Our Track Record
Read Our Case Results
Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers fights for clients who have been wronged or injured, and we have the track record to prove it. Explore our case results to learn how our dedicated personal injury lawyers can advocate for your rights and work to obtain maximum compensation.
$ 2.3
Million
Motorcycle Accident
$2,300,000 settlement for man injured in a motorcycle accident
$ 1.5
Million
Pedestrian Accident
$1,500,000 Settlement for Pedestrian Accident in Mission, Kansas
$ 250,000
Car Accident
$250,000 settlement for Cass County, Missouri wreck
Types of Car Accident Claims We Handle
It is always best to consult with an attorney as soon as possible after a car crash in Kansas City. Vital evidence, such as witnesses, road conditions, surveillance tapes, wrecked vehicles, and debris at the scene, usually starts to disappear within hours of an accident, and an attorney can gather and preserve it in your case.
Taking pictures of the car and the scene will help protect your rights and provide evidence to support your claim later down the line when you are having settlement discussions with the opposing party (and in trial if it gets that far). Everyone has heard the saying “a photograph is worth a thousand words,” and it is some of the best proof you can have (other than video of the wreck) in making your claim. The more evidence you have to prove that the wreck was caused by another, the better claim you have.
If you did not take pictures, the insurance company is more likely to dispute how the wreck occurred and who should be responsible. The insurance company will argue that you should have taken pictures if the other side was truly at fault and pin that on you. Again, take as many pictures as you can after a wreck, as you never know which picture may help prove the fault of the other driver or the injuries that you suffered as a result.
You can rely on our law firm to help after a wide range of motor vehicle collisions. Reach out if you need assistance after the following types of accidents:
Drunk Driving Accidents
Our attorneys can help if a driver impaired by alcohol strikes your vehicle and causes you severe injuries. We know how to hold drunk drivers accountable for their dangerous choices. We can also help with drug-related driving accidents.
Distracted Driving Accidents
Even a few seconds of distraction behind the wheel can cause an accident. You can reach out to us if a driver hits you while texting, talking on the phone, or engaging in other distracting behavior.
Rear-End Collisions
Did another motorist rear-end you at an intersection or in stop-and-go traffic? We can provide legal representation after a rear-end auto accident.
Head-On Wrecks
An experienced attorney can help injury victims after a head-on crash. We’re ready to assist if another driver crosses the center line and strikes you.
Rideshare Accidents
You can get professional help after a crash involving a rideshare driver. We know how to stand up to big companies like Uber on behalf of clients like you.
The above list contains examples of motor vehicle accident claims we can handle. You can also reach out to us if your crash involved complicated roadways teen drivers, elderly drivers, or multi-vehicle pileups.
Reckless Driving Accidents
You can turn to us for help if a driver engages in reckless or aggressive driving. Drivers may speed, race one another, swerve in and out of traffic, or engage in other reckless behavior that causes crashes.
Side-Impact Collisions
We’re ready to offer legal representation after a T-bone or side-impact accident. We can help you take steps to get a fair settlement.
Drowsy Driving Accidents
You may have a valid personal injury claim against a driver who gets behind the wheel while fatigued and causes a crash.
Request a FREE Consultation
Our Kansas City car accident lawyers want to hear your story so we can create a personalized legal strategy that meets your needs. We are here to discuss your legal options whenever you are ready.
Kansas City Car Accident Laws You Need To Know
Understanding how Kansas and Missouri law works can make a big difference in your case. These laws determine who pays for damages, how much compensation you may recover, and how long you have to take legal action.
As your car accident attorney, we explain your rights in clear, straightforward language so you can make informed decisions.
Request Your Free Consultation!
Missouri Laws:
- Missouri Operates Under a “Pure Comparative Fault” Rule
- Missouri follows a “Comparative Negligence Rule” for car accident claims: This means you can still recover compensation even if you were partly responsible for the accident. Your total compensation will be reduced based on your percentage of fault. For example, if your case is worth $50,000 and you are found 30% at fault, you would still recover $35,000.
- Missouri Has a 5-Year Statute of Limitations on Car Accident
Kansas Car Accident Laws
- Kansas Operates Under a 50% Comparative Fault Rule (modified no-fault): Under the state’s modified comparative fault system, if a jury finds you 50% or more responsible for an accident, you recover zero, no matter how serious your injuries are or how high your medical bills climb.
- Kansas Has a 2-Year Statute of Limitations on Car Accidents
All Motorists Are Required To Have Insurance
Kansas and Missouri law requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance. This coverage is meant to help pay for injuries and property damage after an accident.
The required minimums include:
- $25,000 for bodily injury per person
- $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
- $10,000 for property damage per accident
- Uninsured motorist coverage:
- $25,000 per person
- $50,000 per accident
Although these limits meet legal requirements, they are often not enough to fully cover serious injuries. That’s why it’s important to speak to a car accident injury attorney after a crash.
Testimonials From 5-star Experiences!
What Our Clients Say
At Foster Wallace, our clients’ voices speak to the heart of what we do. Discover their stories and see the impact we’ve made in their lives—and how we can do the same for you.
300+
5-star reviews on
We cannot adequately convey our appreciation to you for all that you did on our behalf. Your diligence and persistence on all of the details...
Conscientious, thorough and committed to whatever situation he is working on. With many years of experience working with Michael, I can comfortably say that he...
One of the best in the field! Michael Foster is a rising star in the field of litigation. The personal attention he provides to his...
I reached out to three attorneys who turned down my case before I was connected with Foster Wallace. They settled my case for over $1.4...
Customer service acumen, reliability, attention to detail, and understanding of complex legal issues. As a member of the Kansas City Chiefs front office, I had...
Michael assisted me with a dog bite claim. He always kept me up to date throughout the process and made sure I was on the...
I have worked with several lawyers in the past, yet this is the first time I’m excited to write a review. Mr. Wallace has taken...
Thank you Mike and Brian. You did a great job taking car of the car wreck. They are friendly and all ways listens to what...
Michael Foster is hands down the best attorney. He was responsive, professional, and most importantly he guided me throughout the entire process and broke down...
I contacted Foster Wallace a few weeks ago to get some advice about a potential case my fiancee and I had. Initially, we were seeking...
Brian and Michael were terrific in helping me in my case. They made the process extremely simple, which made the situation way less stressful. They...
After hiring Mr. Wallace to take care of some difficult legal matters I have been struggling with for years, it became apparent that he was...
What Happens if the At-Fault Driver Has No Insurance?
If the driver who caused the accident doesn’t have insurance, you still have options.
In many cases, you can file a claim through your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. This type of policy is designed to protect you when the at-fault driver cannot pay. Uninsured motorist coverage typically compensates for bodily injury, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
UM claims can often be complex, and insurance companies may try to minimize your payout. Having our experienced car accident attorney on your side helps you receive the compensation you deserve.
Who Can Be Held Liable for the Costs of a Car Accident?
Depending on how the crash occurred, liability can fall on several different parties after a car accident.
As your Kansas City car accident lawyer, we work diligently to identify every liable party and build the strongest possible claim for compensation.
Liable parties may include:
- City or State Governments: Responsible for maintaining safe road conditions, including proper signage, functioning traffic signals, and necessary roadway repairs.
- Government Contractors: Third-party companies hired to design, build, or maintain roads and infrastructure may be liable if negligent work contributed to the accident.
- Bars and Restaurants: Under Missouri’s “dram show law,” establishments may be held responsible if they over-serve alcohol to a driver who later causes a crash.
- Auto Manufacturers: Companies may be liable for accidents caused by defective vehicle parts, including brakes, tires, airbags, steering systems, or other mechanical failures.
Contact Kansas City’s Best Car Accident Lawyer
After a car accident, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. Between medical treatment, missed work, vehicle damage, and insurance calls, knowing what to do next can be difficult. At Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers, we’re here to help you recover. As the best Kansas City car accident lawyer, we’ve secured $1 billion in settlements for crash victims. We offer direct attorney-client relationships and work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Contact us today for a free consultation to take the first step forward.
Car Accident Compensation You May Be Entitled To
A car accident claim is designed to help you recover compensation for the full impact the crash has had on your life. If you’ve been injured in an accident, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical bills and hospital expenses
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Vehicle repair or replacement costs
- Wrongful death damages (when applicable)
You can also claim the following:
Medical Bills
The severe injuries caused by a car accident could leave you with high medical bills. Our team can push the negligent party to cover all of your current and long-term medical expenses, including the costs of:
- Emergency medical treatment
- Days or weeks in the hospital
- Medications
- Medical tests and required procedures
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
We strongly recommend that you get fast medical attention after a crash. Seeing a doctor can give you a better chance of fully recovering, and it can help connect your injuries to the accident.
Catastrophic Injuries
Car accidents can cause severe, life-changing injuries that require long-term medical care, rehabilitation, and ongoing support. Our car accident lawyers have helped clients recover compensation for catastrophic injuries, such as:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Broken Bones
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Cuts and Lacerations
- Back and Neck Injuries
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Lost Pay
The liable party may have to cover your lost wages if you need time away from your job after a crash. Sometimes, injury victims who face a disability get payment for their reduced earning potential.
Pain and Suffering
We believe the party that caused your crash should have to cover your non-economic losses. For example, they may need to pay for the emotional distress and mental suffering you experience after a crash. We can explain these non-economic damages in more detail when you contact us.
Property Repairs
A traffic accident could badly damage your vehicle. We can hold negligent drivers responsible for covering the costs of repairs or replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Even if the other driver was clearly at fault, insurance companies may still try to reduce what they pay. A car accident lawyer helps protect your claim, handle communication, and make sure you pursue the full compensation you deserve.
You may still have options through your own UIM/UM insurance policy. We can review your policy and help you explore every available path to recover damages.
At Foster Wallace, LLC, we work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing up front, and we only get paid once we recover compensation for you.
The value of your claim depends on factors like your medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and how the accident has impacted your daily life. Schedule a free consultation to learn how much your car accident claim is worth.
If the car wreck took place in Kansas you only have two years from the date of the car crash to file a lawsuit. This is the case even if you are a Missouri resident and the other driver was a Missouri resident. If, on the other hand, you were in a car wreck in Missouri, you would have five years to file a lawsuit against the other driver.
These deadlines are referred to as the “statute of limitations.” If you do not file a lawsuit before the two-year or five-year statute of limitations deadline, you are forever barred from filing a negligence case against the other driver. The statute of limitations protects defendants from being sued years after the accident occurred, so that there is closure and the evidence is still relevant for both parties to analyze the claim.
Insurance policies are bound by coverage limits, which represent the maximum amount an insurer is obligated to pay out in the event of an accident. These limits are agreed upon when the policy is purchased, and they define the insurer’s financial responsibility. In most cases, auto accident settlements stay within these policy limits.
Several factors may cause your damages to exceed the insurance policy limits, including:
- Severe Injuries and Medical Costs: Serious injuries that require long-term treatment, rehabilitation, and ongoing care can result in medical bills that surpass policy limits.
- Loss of Income: If your injuries prevent you from working, you may need to seek compensation for lost wages. In cases of permanent disability, this can include future income loss as well.
- Pain and Suffering: Non-economic damages like pain, suffering, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life are often not fully covered by insurance policies.
- Permanent Disabilities: If the accident results in permanent disabilities, additional compensation may be necessary to maintain a reasonable quality of life.
When it comes to whose insurance pays in a multi-car accident, it will be determined based on the details of your case. Not only is each driver’s degree of fault taken into consideration, but so are local state laws.
The process of determining whose insurance pays in a multi-car accident requires multiple insurers to coordinate with one another and figure out how to collectively cover the extent of all the damages. To understand whose insurance will pay, call a car accident lawyer.
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When Do You Call a Kansas City Car Accident Lawyer?
It’s always best to consult with a car accident lawyer right away after a car crash in Kansas City. Vital evidence, such as witnesses, road conditions, surveillance tapes, wrecked vehicles, and debris, can disappear within hours of an accident. Our car accident attorneys will gather and preserve this evidence to strengthen your case.
At Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers, we take a hands-on approach to every case. When you work with us, you can expect:
- Direct access to your attorney — no runaround or confusion
- Clear, straightforward communication about your case and next steps
- A strategy built around your specific situation, not a one-size-fits-all approach
- A team that handles the insurance companies for you, so you don’t have to
- A focus on maximizing your recovery, backed by real case experience
