Auto Accident Injury in Topeka, KS

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Topeka? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in and around Topeka, KS that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Topeka, Kansas

According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents and an estimated 38,000 were killed. Based on statistics reported by the Kansas Department of Transportation, roughly every 13 minutes an auto accident occurs. While there are several factors that can cause accidents, such as dangerous roadways, the majority of the accidents in Kansas are due to speeding and distracted driving. In addition, a large portion of reported accidents end with the driver hitting a fixed object, such as a post or a tree.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.

File a Police Report

Even if no one is injured, it’s crucial to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, make sure to record their names and badge numbers. Answer their questions truthfully, but avoid offering unsolicited information, especially regarding who may have caused the accident. Be sure to ask for the police report number and find out when and where you can obtain a copy, along with any associated costs. This will help you stay organized and ensure you have the necessary documentation for insurance claims or any potential legal matters.

Residents of Topeka are required to report to the proper authorities all crashes that result in death, injury, or damage greater than $500. This is according to the Kansas Bar Association. Generally, there is a time frame of 24 hours when you are required to report the accident.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:

• Full name, address, phone number and email address
• Driver’s license state and number
• Auto insurance company name, policy number and phone number

Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it. 

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.

Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:

• Burn injuries
• Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
• Brain and head injuries
• Broken bones
• Spinal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries

According to the Center for Disease Control auto accidents, on average, cost the taxpayers and residents of Kansas upwards of $571 million every year. Some of these costs are attributed to medical bills and repairs, but the main portion is due to loss of work. Additionally, 75% of accidents involve other cars, while the other 25% is made up of motorcycles, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Laws in Kansas

Liability Laws for Topeka

When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process. 

Generally, Kansas is a “no-fault” state. This means that insurance providers only pay for first party damages. However, the Kansas State Legislature has passed laws establishing comparative negligence. This means that if there is a degree of fault belonging to you in an accident, the jury can use this to determine your settlement. Still, Kansas requires most drivers to carry personal insurance.

Statute of Limitations in Topeka

Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while some others may give you up to six years. Kansas has a 2-year statute of limitations surrounding auto accidents. If an injured party allows this timeframe to lapse in Topeka, there is a significant chance the claim will be rejected by the court.

This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Topeka, KS

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in Kansas!

About the Author

Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.

With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.