How to Settle a Kansas City Car Accident Claim Without a Lawyer

If you have been in a car accident in Kansas City or anywhere in Kansas or Missouri, you are likely trying to figure out how to settle your case. As our Kansas City car accident lawyer is well aware, the entire legal process can be very stressful and confusing for anyone trying to pursue their case on their own.

If you are not represented by an experienced attorney, you likely are wondering what you can do to get the maximum settlement possible for your car accident case in Kansas or Missouri. Below are the 5 most important things that you need to know about settling a Kansas City car accident case on your own.

1. The value of your car accident case depends on a number of factors.

how to settle car accident case in Kansas city without a lawyerMost people know that they can request damages that reimburse them for medical bills you incurred as a result of injuries from the accident. However, that is not the only kind of compensation you can ask that the insurance company pay you.

For example, you may have been unable to work while you underwent medical treatment due to your injury. If so, you would have the right to recover lost wages, and if your injuries are permanent you likely have a claim for future medical bills, household assistance, and even a loss in future earnings capacity.

Many people may have heard about pain and suffering. However one of the most difficult parts of any case is calculating the amount of pain and suffering that applies to a particular circumstances. This will depend on a number of facts surrounding how the accident and your injuries impacted your life.

2. Each car accident case is different.

The laws of Kansas and Missouri are different from other states and from each other. As a result, a case in Kansas will be different from one in Missouri.  It will also be different from those that occur in other states.

In addition, every case in itself is different from any other due to the facts and circumstances surrounding how the accident occurred and the injuries that were sustained. Insurance issues, such as the amount of coverage as well as the language in the applicable policy, also impact the amount that may eventually be paid out to an injured party.

As a result, while there are many important factors, there really is no magic formula that you can use to determine how much your Kansas City car accident case could be worth.

3. Make sure that you are documenting all important facts surrounding your case.

This is one of the most important things you can do to increase the value of your car accident claim. Whether you are handling your claim on your own or through an attorney you need as much information as possible to show that the other party was liable for causing the car collision and your injuries.

This information is submitted in what is called a "demand package" for the insurance company to consider when determining how much your claim is worth and how much they should pay in a settlement.

4. The insurance company for the at-fault party is not your friend.

You must remember that all insurance companies are businesses. They are always considering their bottom line and how to turn a profit, this means they are looking for ways to delay, deny or discount the amount you may receive for your claim.

Many of our clients are often surprised to find out that this applies not only to the insurance company for the at-fault party but also at times to their own insurance company, especially when they are making a claim under the uninsured or underinsured motorist provision of their car insurance policy.

5. Some car accident cases can be settled without an attorney.

Many Kansas City car accident attorneys will not tell you this, but it is the truth which is why our website contains articles and information that can help you settle your claim on your own. Of course, some accident cases do benefit from hiring a car accident attorney, particularly if there are significant medical bills, serious injuries, or questions surrounding how the accident happened and the liability of the parties involved.

In such cases, we do recommend that you contact an experienced car accident attorney in Kansas City about your case. Even if you do not actually hire that attorney, a free consultation with an experienced car accident attorney is an important step and can provide valuable information about how to maximize the settlement value of your claim.

What If Your Kansas City Car Accident Claim Doesn't Settle?

Most people don't want to go to court. This is why many want to settle their car accident cases prior to filing a lawsuit. Of course, whether or not you can settle your car accident claim without filing suit depends on whether the insurance company makes a fair offer that you are willing to accept. If that does not happen, your only option is to file a lawsuit and get ready for trial.

Cases involving large damages and serious injuries are more likely to go to trial because there is often a larger amount in dispute between what you the car accident victim wants and what the insurance company is willing to offer. In such cases, an experienced personal injury attorney can help you with your case.

You will need an attorney who is ready and willing to prepare your case for trial and who has the knowledge about how the trial process works along with the experience to make the best argument for your case. 

Contact Our Kansas City Car Accident Lawyer

If you still have questions about how to settle your Kansas City car accident case, please download a free copy of our attorney's book, Crash Course: 9 Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Accident Claim in Kansas and Missouri. This book will help you make great decisions about your car accident claim and may be helpful in obtaining a settlement without an attorney.

Of course you can also contact our Kansas City car accident attorney for a free, no-obligation consultation by calling us at 816-203-0143 or by filling out a form below, we would be happy to help and look forward to hearing from you.

 

Kevin J. McManus
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Kevin McManus is an accident injury and disability lawyer in Kansas City, MO, and Overland Park, KS
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