Auto Accident Injuries Can Be Life-Changing
Auto accidents range from the fender bender to the devastatingly traumatic, and all of them can have a significant impact on your life and finances. I am Michael. J. Joshi, an experienced car accident lawyer, and I am ready to help you obtain the benefits and compensation you deserve in the wake of an auto accident.
I am proud to serve clients throughout Kansas and Missouri who have suffered auto accident injuries due to someone else’s negligence. After your free initial consultation and case evaluation, I will immediately begin taking aggressive and effective action as your car accident attorney. With a background working as legal representation for insurance companies, I have in-depth knowledge on how they operate and make their decisions, and I use that information to your advantage throughout your entire case.
I understand that the most important thing after you experience a road collision is to heal physically. While financial assistance is something you are entitled to, it will be all the more worthwhile when you have your health. If health insurance coverage is an immediate concern, I will gladly work with your medical care team to develop payment plans and secure your treatments.
When your injuries have impacted your health to the degree that you are unable to work and earn an income, obtaining compensation becomes even more important. As your car accident lawyer, I will do all I can to make certain you can keep a roof over your head and food on your table.
How To Proceed After A Car Accident
Car accidents occur across the nation with alarming frequency; more than six million annually according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics. Even a minor fender bender can cause you to be shaken up and disoriented. It is important to know what to do after an accident.
Calmly Assess The Situation
Before you even step out of the car, be certain it is safe to do so. It may be best to remain in the vehicle until assistance arrives. Call the police, even if it seems to be a minor accident. This can create a record of the incident that may be beneficial, although some police agencies may not respond to minor, non-injury accidents.
Determine If Immediate Medical Care Is Needed
Call 911 if it appears there are serious injuries and tell this to the police as well. Even if others seem to be fine, ask if they are injured. It may become an issue later if someone said they were fine at the scene but later claimed injuries.
Gather Insurance Information
It is required by law to exchange insurance information with the other driver(s). Not only do you need the name, address and phone number of the driver, but it is also important to get this information for all occupants of the other cars and any witnesses as well. As part of this process, determine the insurer of the other car, the policy number and whether the registered owner of the car was the driver.
Make Notes Of The Scene
While the incident is fresh in your memory, write down what happened as best as you can remember. Make a sketch of the scene; which car was coming from what direction. If you have a camera or a cell phone, pictures from all angles can be most helpful.
Do Not Admit To Anything
Limit who you speak with and what you say. Give the required insurance information and answer the questions of the police but nothing more.
Inform Your Insurance Company
Many policies have strict limits on how soon you must report an accident. It is extremely important to adhere to these guidelines.
How To Proceed After A Car Accident With An Uninsured Motorist
Despite laws that mandate motor vehicle drivers carry insurance, many do not. In fact, a 2013 Insurance Council Research study estimates that one in six drivers in the country are uninsured. It is therefore important to understand what steps to take if involved in an uninsured motorist accident.
Kansas And Missouri Insurance Laws
In recognition of this increasing problem, many states have addressed uninsured motorist coverage legislatively. For instance, Missouri and Kansas require every driver to have uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000 bodily injury per person and $50,000 bodily injury per accident. However, it is important to realize this does not cover property damage to the vehicle; it only covers medical injuries to the driver and passengers in the car. Additionally, the limits required by law are quite low and will be insufficient to cover any major injuries.
Insurance Coverage
As the name implies, uninsured motorist insurance covers drivers with no insurance, and it provides coverage for other incidents such as:
- Accidents with underinsured motorists
- Hit and run accidents
- Accidents as a bicyclist
- Accidents as a pedestrian
Legal Options To Consider
It is always an option to consider a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent driver. If possible, a driver involved in an accident should get the identification and pertinent insurance information from the other driver. If it is a hit and run, the license plate number can be helpful. The reality, however, are that many uninsured or underinsured motorists have few assets even if they are identified. Likely, the injured driver will need to go through their own insurance company for compensation. Unfortunately, insurance companies often are reluctant to pay on uninsured motorist claims.
Contact A Car Accident Lawyer For Legal Advice
Insurance is very much a profit driven business. Do not count on insurance companies to look out for your best interest after a car accident. Be certain you receive fair treatment for your claim. For any insurance questions or concerns, call The Law Office of Michael J. Joshi at 913-428-0199 or send me an email. I am Michael. J. Joshi, attorney at law, licensed to practice in both Kansas and Missouri.