What Happens After You File a Car Accident Claim in Kansas or Missouri

Filing a car accident claim in Kansas or Missouri can feel overwhelming. After a crash, you’re often left dealing with injuries, vehicle damage, and missed work, on top of navigating the insurance process. One of the most common questions we hear is: What happens next?

Our team at Wallentine Injury Law is here to explain what comes next, from the beginning of the car accident claim process all the way through to a possible settlement or lawsuit.

The Car Accident Claim Process

There are several steps involved in filing a personal injury claim after a car accident.

Opening the Claim

After the accident, the first step in the car accident claim process is to report the crash to your insurance company. You’ll usually be asked to provide basic details like where and when the accident happened, who was involved, and what kind of damage or injuries occurred. In Kansas and Missouri, it’s important to do this as soon as possible, ideally within 24 to 48 hours.

At this stage, an insurance adjuster will be assigned to your case. This person will investigate the claim and determine how much the insurance company might owe you. Be cautious about what you say during this time; anything you say could affect your car accident claim later. It’s often helpful to have an experienced attorney guide you through this part of the process.

Investigation and Evidence Gathering

Once your claim is opened, the insurance company will begin an investigation. This part of the car accident claim process can take several days or even weeks, depending on how complex the accident was. The adjuster may:

• Review police reports
• Speak to witnesses
• Look at medical records
• Inspect vehicle damage
• Review photos or video from the scene

This is where timing becomes important. The insurance claim timeline can vary, but you should start seeing movement within a few weeks. If the investigation drags on or you’re getting the runaround, it might be a sign that you need legal help to move things along.

Determining Fault and Liability

A big part of the car accident claim process is figuring out who was at fault. In Kansas, which follows a “no-fault” system, your own insurance may cover your initial medical costs regardless of who caused the crash. However, when injuries are serious enough, you may be able to step outside the no-fault system and pursue a claim directly against the at-fault driver. In Missouri, a traditional “fault” state, the driver who caused the accident is financially responsible for the resulting damages.

In both states, fault is also evaluated through a system known as comparative negligence in Kansas and comparative fault in Missouri. These laws determine how much compensation you can recover if you were partially to blame for the accident. Even if you share some fault, you may still be eligible to recover damages, just at a reduced amount.

This is where things can get complicated, and it’s a smart move to have someone from our team at Wallentine Injury Law review your case. For example, if driver distractions or other careless actions contributed to your crash, we can help you hold the right parties accountable and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Settlement Offers and Negotiations

After fault has been decided, the insurance company may offer a settlement. This is the amount of money they’re willing to pay to close your case. But be careful: early settlement offers are often low and may not cover your full medical bills, lost wages, or future treatment needs.

Our team at Wallentine Injury Law will help you review the offer and negotiate for a fairer amount if needed. This part of the process is critical. Once you accept a settlement, you typically can’t go back and ask for more. For injuries such as spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries, the lifetime costs can be significant, and you deserve full compensation.

Lawsuits and Legal Action

If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, the next step may be filing a lawsuit. While many cases settle out of court, preparing to go to trial can take months. During this time, both sides will continue gathering evidence and possibly attend mediation to try and resolve the case without a judge or jury.

Understanding the insurance claim timeline helps here. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to over a year for a car accident claim to fully resolve, depending on whether it settles or goes to trial.

Why Legal Help Matters

Now that you know what happens after you file a car accident claim, it’s clear that the process can be long and full of obstacles. Insurance companies are not always transparent, and in many cases, they are far more concerned with saving money than helping you recover.

That’s why having a legal team like Wallentine Injury Law on your side can make all the difference. We focus on client-centered representation that puts your needs first. Whether you’re dealing with an aggressive insurer or unclear fault, we help you fight for the compensation you need to move forward.

Contact Us Today

If you were injured in a car accident and don’t know what happens next, we do, and we’re ready to help. At Wallentine Injury Law, we’ve represented thousands of clients across Kansas and Missouri, including complex car accident claim cases that went all the way to trial.

Founding attorney Jerry Wallentine is a seasoned litigator who has served as a pro tem judge and knows how to fight in court. We don’t take shortcuts. We take pride in standing up to insurance companies and demanding every dollar our clients deserve. Whether your case needs to go through voir dire jury selection or resolves at mediation, we have the courtroom strength and legal knowledge to handle it all. You need someone who sees the full picture, and at Wallentine Injury Law, we do. Call us today for your free consultation at 913-934-6333. Let’s fight for what’s yours.