Should I Hire a Personal Injury Attorney After an Accident?
As Alan sat in his hospital bed, he began to wonder about his next steps after a serious accident. Recently retired, Alan had been looking forward to a few relaxing years ahead. He didn’t have much saved, but it was just enough to get by—until tragedy struck. A truck accident on I-70 in Kansas City changed everything.
Now, Alan worried about mounting medical bills, vehicle repairs, and pushy insurance adjusters—all while facing a difficult physical recovery. He had heard that hiring a Kansas City personal injury lawyer could help, but he questioned whether his situation was really “serious enough” to need one.
Although Alan is a hypothetical client, his concerns reflect the real thoughts of many accident victims. The truth is, contacting a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible can make a critical difference. Not only does it help protect your rights under Kansas and Missouri’s statute of limitations, but it also ensures you recognize the warning signs that mean it’s time to seek legal help. At Wallentine Injury Law, we’ve identified five key signs that it’s time to call a lawyer.
5 Signs You Should Contact a Personal
Injury Lawyer
While the InJerry Law team recommends contacting a Kansas City personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after an accident for guidance on your next steps, we understand that doing so is not always everyone’s first priority. However, despite your inclinations, certain warning signs make it clear you should reach out to an attorney—and quickly.
The following list is not exhaustive, but it highlights the most common red flags we see in our clients’ cases. Ignoring these signs can seriously harm your case and may ultimately reduce the compensation you receive.
1- You’ve Suffered Serious Injuries
A clear sign that it’s time to contact a Kansas City personal injury lawyer is when you’ve suffered serious injuries in an accident. While even minor injuries can cause pain and disruption, they often are not severe enough to justify a personal injury claim because the damages are limited.
Accidents resulting in permanent or long-term damage are typically classified as serious injuries, as they have lasting, life-altering effects. These injuries often require extensive medical treatment, from lengthy hospital stays to prolonged rehabilitation, leading to substantial medical costs.
Although not every serious injury automatically qualifies as a personal injury claim, since negligence must still be proven, such situations are strong indicators that it’s time to consult an attorney. An experienced KS or MO lawyer can determine whether negligence played a role in your injuries and help you pursue the compensation needed to cover medical costs and focus on recovery.
2- The Insurance Company is Giving You Trouble
Another major warning sign that it’s time to seek legal advice is when either the defendant’s insurance company or your own insurer begins giving you trouble. Far too often, our legal team sees insurance companies attempt to take advantage of injured individuals—especially when a Kansas City personal injury lawyer has not yet been retained. It’s important to remember that insurance companies are not on your side.
When dealing with insurers after an accident without legal representation, there are several key factors to watch for and be aware of:
Bad Faith Tactics
Insurers often use “bad faith” tactics to minimize payouts. These may include offering quick, low settlement offers, delaying the claims process, disputing liability, or misrepresenting policy coverage. Each of these strategies is designed to protect the insurer’s bottom line—not your best interests.
At-Fault vs. No-Fault States
Missouri follows an at-fault (or tort) system for car accident claims, meaning the driver responsible for the crash is financially liable for resulting damages. Kansas, by contrast, follows a no-fault system, in which each driver’s insurance pays for damages through a Personal Injury Protection (PIP) policy outlined in the Kansas Automobile Injury Reparations Act. These differing systems significantly influence how insurance companies handle your claim—whether by shifting blame, downplaying coverage, or discouraging further action.
A Kansas City personal injury lawyer can be invaluable when it comes to navigating these challenges. Our attorneys understand how insurers operate and recognize the tactics used to limit your compensation. We work to stop these practices before they harm your claim, ensuring you receive fair treatment and the recovery you deserve.
3- Liability is Being Disputed
If there is a dispute over who is at fault for your accident—or if an insurance company is trying to shift blame onto you—it’s important to contact an attorney right away. Doing so ensures you’re not left to handle a complex legal battle on your own or unfairly held responsible for something you didn’t cause. An experienced Kansas City personal injury lawyer can gather the evidence needed to protect your rights and establish liability in your case.
Fortunately, even if you share some responsibility for the accident, both Kansas and Missouri follow comparative fault laws. This system allows injured victims to recover compensation even when they are partially at fault, though the total recovery is reduced based on the percentage of fault assigned.
State-specific rulings include:
- Kansas (K.S.A. 60-258a): Recovery is reduced by the percentage of the plaintiff’s negligence. However, Plaintiff recovers nothing if they are more at fault than the other party or parties.
- Missouri (RSMo 537.765): Recovery is reduced by up to 99% fault. Even if the plaintiff is primarily at fault, they still recover, but at a reduced amount.
Liability disputes can quickly become confusing, especially when comparative negligence statutes come into play. You should never have to navigate these complexities alone. With over 20 years of experience, our Kansas City personal injury lawyers will fight to protect your rights and ensure fault is assigned fairly.
4- You’re Unsure How the Legal Process Works
There’s a reason attorneys undergo years of specialized education and ongoing training—legal processes are complex, technical, and often difficult to navigate without proper experience. The smallest procedural error or missed detail can significantly impact the outcome of a case. For that reason, personal injury claims are not meant to be handled alone, especially by individuals who lack legal knowledge and experience. If you find yourself feeling lost or unsure of your next step after an accident, it’s best to contact a Kansas City personal injury lawyer for guidance.
Several aspects of the legal process can be particularly challenging without an attorney’s help, including:
- Meeting statute of limitations deadlines
- Managing cases involving multiple parties or companies
- Handling insurance companies and their tactics
- Gathering and presenting evidence effectively
- Navigating court procedures
- Accessing expert witnesses and other key resources
This list only scratches the surface of the complexities involved in personal injury cases. To ensure all requirements are met and your right to compensation is protected, it’s most effective to work with an attorney. At Wallentine Injury Law, we pride ourselves on providing personalized, one-on-one support from both attorneys and paralegals—guiding you through every step of your recovery and legal journey.
5- Evidence of Negligence
A clear indication that you should contact an attorney after an injury is when negligence played a role in the accident. Negligence occurs when someone fails to exercise the level of care that a reasonable person would in a similar situation. To establish negligence, four key elements must be proven: duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages.
Even when it seems obvious that another party caused the accident, proving these elements can be complex. Challenges often arise from disputes with the defending party or difficulties in gathering and preserving critical evidence.
Our Kansas City personal injury lawyers have extensive experience handling both negligence cases and situations governed by strict liability. We work diligently to ensure that all necessary evidence and documentation are properly secured, helping you pursue the full compensation you deserve after someone else’s careless actions.
The Most Important Sign- Contact Wallentine Injury Law Today
If you’ve been injured in an accident, it’s important to recognize these five signs—and any other warning signals—to ensure you contact a Kansas City personal injury lawyer promptly. Acting quickly not only protects you from manipulative tactics by other parties but also helps you receive the legal guidance you need when it matters most.
At Wallentine Injury Law, we encourage injured individuals to reach out to our team as soon as possible. During a free consultation, we can assess whether you have a valid personal injury claim and provide guidance on the best path forward, whether through a settlement or in court. With our team supporting you from day one, you can focus on your physical and emotional recovery without worrying about legal red flags.
Contact our Kansas City personal injury lawyers today, serving clients across the Kansas-Missouri border. Call 816-934-6333 or reach out online to get the support you need after a life-altering injury.
