When you’re hurt in an accident, your recovery can’t rely on an attorney that’s just “good enough.” That’s why thousands of people have trusted Brad Bradshaw and his team of car accident lawyers in Kansas City for over 30 years. In our decades of experience, we’ve built our name and our knowledge while helping people through some of the toughest times in their lives.
Before we dive into the details behind your accident, follow our guide to learn what to do if you’ve just been in an accident.
We’re here to share the crucial details and the difference that Brad Bradshaw’s clients experience. There’s a lot to cover, so dive in and see how some of the most respected car accident lawyers in Kansas City work to get everyone on the road to recovery!
The Anatomy of Your Accident
Every detail of your accident is crucial when building your case. While no two accidents are identical, there are some crucial details we look for in every case we handle. To break down the anatomy of your accident, we thoroughly investigate every detail. By digging into these major details, your lawyer can build a strong case and help you recover completely and comfortably.
Where and When It Happened
For starters, we’ll need to know where your accident happened. This is how our car accident lawyers in Kansas City can begin to establish a setting in your case. These are some of the most common areas where car accidents in Kansas City can happen:
- I-435 & Holmes Rd
- I-70 & I-435
- 75th St & Bruce Watkins Dr
- Bannister Rd & I-435
- I-470 & Blue Ridge Blvd
- 55th & Bruce Watkins Dr
- Front St & I-435
- Front St & I-35
- Red Bridge Rd & 71 Highway
- I-435 & Wornall Rd
Even if those hotspots aren’t part of your daily commute, don’t be fooled. Accidents can happen anywhere and at any time. That’s why knowing when your accident happened is just as important as where it happened.
By knowing when your accident happened, your lawyer will be able to determine a timeline from the moment of impact and injury to the first responses and your time in the hospital. Any and all records are key to investigating the timeline and setting of your accident. Proper documentation can help us investigate other aspects of your accident as well.
What Happened
There are thousands of reasons why an accident can happen. So, to fully understand your case, our car accident lawyers in Kansas City will need a truthful account of what led to your injury. As we discuss your case, we’ll need to know what you were doing prior to your accident, why you were driving, and what the at-fault driver did to cause the accident. These are the most common causes of accidents our team investigates every day:
Impaired Driving
The US DOT defines impaired driving as operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. In the US, driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) greater than or equal to 0.08% is considered driving while impaired. Driving under the influence is directly responsible for an uptick in auto accident-related fatalities across Kansas City in 2023. This grim trend is why prosecuting at-fault drivers is so important—not only to families, but to our communities as well.
Aggressive Driving
Another dangerous combination that causes many of the accidents we see is recklessness and anger. You may be one of the most responsible drivers on the road, but things can take a turn for the worse if you cross paths with someone who has a blatant disregard for the safety of others.
One of the most common causes of auto accidents related to aggression is speeding. To prove an accident was caused by this type of dangerous driving, we gather evidence from police records and eyewitness accounts.
Distracted Driving
There is no text in the world that is more important than the lives of other drivers. So, next time you think one text won’t hurt, remember this scary statistic—over 3,500 lives were lost because of distracted driving across the US in 2021. That’s 3,500 families picking up the pieces after losing a loved one because a driver couldn’t stay focused on the road.
No matter what caused your injury or a loved one’s death, our auto accident lawyers in Kansas City are here to get you the closure and compensation you deserve. With an established understanding of the key details surrounding your accident, we’ll dive deeper into how that accident truly affects you.
How You’re Affected
Any injury or untimely death can be hard to overcome. But there are many other ways a car accident can affect you and your family. To describe your damages in a case, our lawyers will need to discuss the aspects of your life that may never be the same.
Time off work and hefty hospital bills are common concerns. But, unfortunately, so are raising children as a single parent, as well as life-altering injuries. No matter how your accident affects your life, our compassionate car accident lawyers in Kansas City are here to help.
Why You Need an Advocate
We understand that the last thing you probably want to do after suffering an injury is to relive the whole experience in court. That’s why our team is so passionate about advocating for our clients.
In every case we handle, advocacy remains our top priority to preserve dignity and respect for everyone involved. Defense attorneys have many tactics designed to derail your path to progress. But with decades of experience advocating for our clients, we know just how to keep your case on track.
How We Build Your Case
Now that we’ve covered the crucial details behind the car accident cases we see every day, let’s go over how our car accident lawyers in Kansas City build cases to win. With a deep understanding of the law and our clients, our cases prioritize communication and results. This is how our team of attorneys can build your case with clear facts in your favor.
Talk About It!
Above anything else, our practice prioritizes clear, honest communication. Being honest with your lawyer is key to building the strongest case. So even if it’s difficult, let our team know the crucial details of your accident.
A clear, consistent testimony will help us understand the intimate details of the incident that led to your loss or injury. You’ll likely need to recant your account of the accident a few times, so we recommend being as consistent and clear as possible when talking about your accident.
Deciphering Damages
With everyone on the same page about your accident and your injuries, our car accident lawyers in Kansas City can identify the economic and non-economic damages you’re facing. These terms can sound very cold and calculating, but to build a proper settlement, our team will dive deep into the intimate details that can make all the difference in your total recovery.
Economic Damages
In any accident, bills can add a burden that can become impossible to carry alone. Compensation for these damages helps to lift the financial load on your road to recovery. Here are the ways an accident can have an economic impact on your wallet, your career, and your property:
Property Loss or Damage
These damages include the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle if it was damaged in the accident. Even if insurance has your back, there are always costs related to claims that can add up if you’re not careful! That’s why our car accident lawyers in Kansas City factor in expenses like towing and temporary transportation.
Medical Expenses
This type of economic damage includes all costs related to your medical recovery. From your initial trip to the ER, to ongoing appointments and medications, medical bills can add up! It’s crucial to keep every receipt during this process to prove your expenses with real facts and figures. These are some of the most common expenses associated with cases we see every day.
- Hospital bills
- Follow-up visits
- Ambulance fees
- Medication and medical supplies
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Home care services
If you need to modify your home or vehicle to accommodate a disability, we can also pursue the estimated cost of necessary modifications. You deserve to live a full, comfortable life after your accident, which is why our car accident lawyers in Kansas City consider damages you may not even think of.
Time Off Work
These are some of the most detrimental effects victims don’t think about immediately after an accident. Work doesn’t just stop due to your injuries, and neither do your bills. That’s why we help claim lost wages, not only for your time, but also for the impact the accident may have on your career! Your career can be impacted in many ways following an accident:
- Lost salary or hourly wages
- Missed commissions and bonuses
- Depleted vacation pay and sick leave
- Missed opportunities for advancement
We can also factor in your lost earning capacity and future earnings to account for a derailment of your expected career path. This is calculated by looking at your pre-accident income as well as the impact of your injuries on your ability to progress in your career.
Non-Economic Damages
While accidents have an economic impact, sometimes an accident can leave you at a loss for things that money just can’t buy. These intangible, personal losses are often difficult to put a specific dollar value on. But our car accident lawyers in Kansas City work to get the maximum compensation for your lasting peace of mind and quality of life.
Evidence such as medical records, expert testimony, and personal statements play a crucial role in demonstrating the impact of the accident on your life.
Physical Pain and Suffering
These damages factor in the pain you experience from your injuries. This takes into account the pain felt immediately after the accident and throughout your recovery. It can also encompass the discomfort and inconvenience caused by ongoing medical treatments or limitations.
Emotional Trauma
Many accident victims experience anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), fear, and other emotional impacts of the accident. To assess the emotional impact an accident has, we work with mental health experts to illustrate how your accident has affected your mental well-being and ability to cope with daily life.
When discussing your emotional trauma, we’ll also factor in any loss of enjoyment in your life. This can stem from an inability to enjoy hobbies, sports, socializing, and even simple pleasures like spending time with loved ones. No matter how your life is affected, our car accident attorneys in Kansas City are devoted to making things right.
The Laws on Your Side
Our team of attorneys builds cases around decades of research and practice with various laws. With associates in all 50 states, there isn’t much our firm hasn’t seen or heard of! To win your case, Brad Bradshaw’s team works together to use the law of our land to your advantage. While every case uses different statutes and precedents, there are some common legal focuses that help victims understand how we build winning cases.
Reporting and Investigation
These laws pertain to the reporting procedures and outline the proper investigation guidelines that ensure accidents are correctly reported and processed. This advocates for everyone involved in an accident in an unbiased and fair manner.
Insurance Laws
These are some of the most important laws we use in our clients’ favor when it comes to car accident claims. Kansas and Missouri have very small intricacies that can make a big difference in your case. That’s why our car accident lawyers in Kansas City are well versed in the laws on both sides of the river.
Fault-based laws work to determine the responsibilities and ramifications for every driver involved in the accident. In ”no-fault” states like Kansas, your own insurance covers your medical expenses and lost wages, no matter who is at fault for your accident. In “at-fault” states like Missouri, we can file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance to recover damages.
Since each state has different intricacies when handling insurance after an accident, it’s important to fully understand your minimum insurance requirements. This can include everything from mandatory coverages, to who pays what after an accident. To learn more about these intricate laws, read our helpful guides!
Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Why You Need Uninsured Motorist Protection
Personal Injury Laws
Over the past 30 years, Brad Bradshaw has gained an unmatched knowledge of personal injury laws to help people get their lives back. From serving as the 2010–2011 chairperson of the Interstate Trucking Litigation Group (ITLG), to consulting clients every day, Brad Bradshaw leads one of the most experienced teams of personal injury lawyers in the nation.
The intricacies of your injuries are completely unique to your incident. So, to learn about the specific laws related to your case, we recommend consulting our team.
Get Your Life Back
An accident can change your life in a matter of seconds. So, whether you need help now or just like to drive with peace of mind, Brad Bradshaw is here with the most trusted team of car accident lawyers in Kansas City.
The road to recovery starts with an easy conversation. Call our office to schedule a consultation, or review your case online!
