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If a driver’s carelessness in Kansas City left you injured, you have the right under Missouri law to seek payment for your medical bills, lost income, and other losses. But knowing you have that right and actually getting fair compensation are two different things.
The process involves proving the other driver was at fault, documenting every penny of your losses, and dealing with insurance companies. An insurance company is a business, which means it must balance paying claims with making a profit. This could make securing a fair settlement a frustrating experience.
At Walner Law, we handle these burdens so you are able to focus on one thing: your recovery. If you have questions about what to do next, we have answers. Call us for a free, no-obligation consultation at (312) 410-8496.
When you decide to hire an attorney, you’re placing your trust in their ability to handle your case with skill and dedication. You need a team that understands these specific cases and is committed to your well-being.
Since 1961, Walner Law has been helping people injured in serious accidents. While our main offices are in Chicago, our decades of experience with catastrophic injury and difficult auto accident cases gives our clients a distinct edge. We are accustomed to taking on complex legal arguments and well-funded opponents.
Our firm’s history is defined by the substantial settlements and verdicts we have secured. We prepare every single case as if it’s going to trial. This approach signals to insurance companies that we are serious about pursuing the maximum compensation the law allows for your injuries.
When you work with us, you are more than just a case file. We provide:
We handle bicycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis. Simply put, you pay us nothing unless we win your case. There are no upfront costs or hidden fees. Your first consultation is always free.
A serious bicycle accident creates expenses and losses that extend far beyond the first trip to the emergency room. The purpose of a personal injury claim is to recover money for every loss the accident inflicted. These losses are divided into two main categories.
These are the straightforward, calculable expenses that result from your injuries. Think of them as anything you could prove with a receipt, a bill, or an invoice. Our team works meticulously to document every cost to build a comprehensive demand for reimbursement.
Examples include:
These damages cover the non-financial ways the accident has rewritten your life. They don’t come with a price tag, but their impact is just as real. Putting a number on this part of a claim requires a deep understanding of how juries and insurance companies evaluate such losses.
Examples include:
Missouri law operates on a pure comparative fault system. This means your total compensation award is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a jury finds you were 10% at fault for the accident, your final award would be reduced by 10%. Insurance companies conduct thorough investigations to find any evidence to argue you were at fault. Our role is to build a strong case that keeps them accountable and ensures no amount of blame is unjustly put on you.
While a bicycle crash could happen on any street, some roads and intersections in Kansas City pose a higher risk for cyclists.
Accidents frequently happen at:
Kansas City has been working to improve cyclist safety through its Bike Master Plan, which aims to create a more connected network of bikeways. However, unsafe driver behavior remains a constant threat. Knowing your rights as a cyclist under Missouri law is the first step toward protecting yourself after a crash. If you were injured by a careless driver, getting legal guidance will help you understand your options.
To have a successful claim, we must show that the driver was “negligent.” It’s a legal term that simply means the driver failed to act with reasonable care, and that failure was the cause of your injuries.
Common examples of driver negligence include:
The statute of limitations is a legal deadline for filing a lawsuit. In Missouri, you generally have five years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. While that may seem like a long time, building a strong case requires immediate action. Evidence disappears, and witness memories fade. It is always better to start the process sooner rather than later.
We handle cases involving:
Shortly after an accident, you will likely get a call from the at-fault driver’s insurance adjuster. It helps to remember that their job is to protect their company’s bottom line. This creates a natural conflict between their goal to resolve your claim for the lowest amount possible, and your goal to be compensated fairly for all your losses.
It is best to let a legal professional handle all communications with the insurance company. We protect your rights and ensure you don’t say anything that could weaken your claim. This allows you to focus on your medical treatment without the added stress of dealing with an adjuster.
While your legal team handles the heavy lifting, there are several things to do to strengthen your case. These actions help create a clear and consistent record of how the accident has affected you.
Attend every medical appointment and follow through with all treatment plans, including physical therapy. This not only aids your recovery but also creates an official record of your injuries and your commitment to getting better.
Each day, write down a few notes about your pain levels, any physical limitations you experience, and how your injuries are disrupting your daily life. This becomes a powerful tool for demonstrating your non-economic damages.
Create a folder and keep every bill, receipt, and invoice related to the accident. This includes medical bills, prescription co-pays, and even mileage for trips to the doctor. Every expense, no matter how small, is a piece of your claim.
You typically get a copy of the accident report from the Kansas City Police Department. We can also do this for you. The report contains important initial details about the crash.
Do not post any pictures, comments, or updates about the accident or your recovery. Insurance companies will scrutinize your social media profiles for anything to use to downplay the severity of your injuries. A single photo or comment could be taken out of context and used against you.
You may still be able to recover compensation through your own auto insurance policy. Missouri law requires drivers to carry Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. This coverage applies even though you were on a bicycle, and used for hit-and-run accidents where the driver is never found. Using this coverage should not raise your insurance rates.
Yes. Missouri does not have a statewide helmet law for bicyclists, though some municipalities might. While a helmet is always recommended for safety, not wearing one does not prevent you from filing a claim. The other party’s insurance may try to argue it contributed to your injuries, but it does not prohibit your recovery.
If a dangerous road condition caused your crash, you might have a claim against a government entity, such as the City of Kansas City. These cases have very different rules and much shorter deadlines. It is important to act quickly and consult an attorney who understands the specific procedures for filing a claim against the city.
The timeline varies greatly depending on the severity of your injuries and the details of the case. A straightforward case might settle in a few months, while a more complicated case that goes to court could take a year or more. We are able to give you a more precise estimate after reviewing the specifics of your situation.
Absolutely. As mentioned earlier, Missouri’s pure comparative fault rule allows you to recover damages even if you were partially to blame. Do not assume you don’t have a case. Let us review the details for free.
A bicycle accident leaves you feeling uncertain about the future. You do not have to face it alone. Let the team at Walner Law handle the legal process so you could put your energy towards your own health.
For a free and confidential case review, call us now at (312) 410-8496.
