If you have been injured in an accident caused by another person’s negligence or misconduct, you do not have to bear the financial burden on your own. Your injury may require months of medical care, and you may be out of work for a significant period of time. If your injury is severe, you may need extensive physical and occupational rehabilitation. If your injury was caused by another person’s negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your damages. Contact Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe to find out more information about your rights and how our personal injury attorneys in Overland Park can help you. We offer free consultations.
- With over a century of experience resulting in over a billion dollars in verdicts and settlements, we are committed to our client’s cause and effecting change.
- We are committed to taking the time to understand your case, explore every option, and guide you through the entire process of your claim.
- Our nationally recognized lawyers strategically pursue all avenues of liability to demand accountability and maximize compensation for you and your loved ones.
If you have been injured as a result of someone’s negligence or wrongdoing, call Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe toll-free today at (877) 816-2600 to speak with one of our Overland Park personal injury attorneys. We offer free consultations.
Why You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer
When you are injured as a result of another person’s negligence, you may expect that getting compensation for your injury will be a straightforward process. Unfortunately, making a claim for your damages can be a long, complex legal journey. The first task is determining who is legally responsible for your damages. In some cases, the direct cause of your injury may be different from the proximate cause. For example, if you are injured in a car accident in Overland Park that was caused by a defectively manufactured car part, the direct cause of your injury is the car accident, but the proximate cause is the defectively manufactured car part. In that case, the legally responsible party may be the manufacturer of the car part and not the driver of the car. In other cases, there may be multiple parties responsible for your injury in varying degrees. An experienced Overland Park personal injury lawyer will have the resources to fully investigate your case and identify the parties legally responsible for your injury.
The other party may want to reduce the value of your claim or avoid paying compensation altogether. You need a personal injury lawyer in Overland Park who can protect your interests and hold them accountable for their actions.
What Type of Damages Can I Recover?
The value of damages will depend on the severity of your case and the value of your actual damages. Your damages may include medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, pain, suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement, and loss of capacity to enjoy life. Your personal injury attorney in Overland Park will assess your case and ensure that all your damages are fully valued and you get full and fair compensation for your damages.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Case?
In Missouri, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury case is five years. Resolving a personal injury claim can sometimes take unexpected legal turns. If you have been injured as a result of another person’s negligence or misconduct, you should consult with a personal injury lawyer in Overland Park as soon as possible after the incident that caused your injury.
What Should I Do If I Am Injured in Overland Park?
After sustaining an injury in Overland Park, taking prompt action can protect both your health and legal rights. First, call 911 immediately to report the incident and request emergency medical assistance if needed. Even if you feel your injuries are minor, seek medical attention right away—some serious injuries may not show symptoms immediately. Additionally, medical documentation strengthens your legal claim.
While waiting for emergency responders, collect evidence at the scene if you are able to do so safely. Take photos of the accident site, your injuries, and any hazardous conditions that contributed to your injury. Exchange contact and insurance information with other involved parties and get contact details from any witnesses. Avoid discussing fault or making statements about your injuries.
Contact an Overland Park personal injury attorney as soon as possible after receiving medical care. A lawyer can help you preserve evidence, deal with insurance companies, calculate the full value of your claim, and protect your rights throughout the legal process.
How Do I Prove Negligence in a Personal Injury Claim?
Proving negligence forms the foundation of most personal injury claims. To succeed in your case, you must demonstrate that another party’s careless or reckless actions—or lack thereof—directly caused your injuries. This requires you to establish four specific elements of negligence under the law:
- Duty of Care: The defendant had a legal responsibility to act with reasonable care to prevent harm to others. For example, drivers must follow traffic laws and property owners must maintain safe premises for visitors.
- Breach of Duty: The defendant failed to fulfill their duty of care through action or inaction. This could include running a red light, failing to clean up a spill, or not providing adequate security measures.
- Causation: The defendant’s breach of duty directly led to the accident and your injuries. You must show that your injuries would not have occurred if not for the defendant’s negligent behavior.
- Damages: You suffered losses because of your injuries, such as medical expenses, lost income, property damage, or pain and suffering that can be compensated through financial recovery.
What Is a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
A personal injury lawsuit occurs when someone files a legal claim seeking compensation for injuries caused by another party’s actions or negligence. These lawsuits allow injured people to recover financial damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses stemming from their injuries.
Personal injury cases fall under civil law, meaning they deal with disputes between private parties rather than criminal matters. Some examples of these claims include:
- Road accidents involving cars, motorcycles, or pedestrians
- Slip and fall incidents on unsafe property
- Medical malpractice cases involving provider negligence
- Dog bites or animal attacks
- Defective product injuries
- Nursing home abuse or neglect
Filing a personal injury lawsuit can provide crucial financial support when you are dealing with an unexpected injury. A successful claim can cover both immediate expenses and long-term costs like ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, lost earning capacity, and compensation for reduced quality of life. This legal remedy exists to make injured parties whole again financially while holding negligent parties accountable for their actions.
Contact an Overland Park Personal Injury Attorney Today
If you have been injured as a result of another person’s negligence or wrongdoing, Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe can help you. Call us toll-free today at (877) 816-2600 to speak with one of our experienced Overland Park personal injury attorneys.