Our client, a 27-year-old graduate student, was on the path to completing his advanced degree, but his plans were suddenly disrupted by a serious car crash in Kansas City, Missouri.
The rear-end collision occurred on I-70 highway in Kansas City and left our client with significant injuries. Fortunately, he hired our law firm and we were able to secure him a settlement of $200,000, which was the policy limit of insurance from all available policies.
Rear-End Accident on Highway in Kansas City, MO
The collision occurred on January 31, 2020, during the late afternoon rush hour. Our client was traveling eastbound on Interstate 70, near East 23rd Street in Kansas City, Missouri. He was safely driving in the leftmost lane of the highway. Traffic ahead of him began to slow, and, as a careful driver, he brought his vehicle to a complete stop.
Unfortunately, the driver behind him failed to stop in time. The other driver rear-ended our client’s vehicle and caused significant damage. He was cited for traveling too fast for the traffic conditions and following too closely by the Kansas City Police Department.
Post-concussion Syndrome, Vision Impairments & Migraines
After this crash, our client was diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome, post-traumatic headaches, visual impairments, vestibular dysfunction, and neck pain, among other conditions.
Over the following months and years, he pursued extensive medical treatment, including neurology consultations, vision therapy, vestibular therapy, physical therapy, and imaging studies such as MRIs and CT scans. His care involved numerous specialists, including neurologists, optometrists, physical therapists, and otolaryngologists.
To address his persistent headaches, dizziness, and balance issues, he underwent neurological testing, including electroencephalograms (EEGs) and vestibular studies. For his visual impairments, he participated in intensive vision therapy.
He also underwent a lumbar puncture procedure to address increased intracranial pressure and participated in physical therapy to manage his post-concussion symptoms and ongoing neck pain.
Despite his commitment to treatment, our client continued to experience lingering symptoms years after the crash, including daily migraines, light sensitivity, dizziness, and difficulty focusing.
Understanding the Impact on Our Client’s Quality of Life
To ensure a maximum recovery, we sought to document not just our client’s injuries but also the impact on his quality of life. Before the accident, our client led an active and fulfilling life, excelling academically while balancing outdoor hobbies and social activities. However, his injuries prevented him from returning to school for the semester following the accident, delaying his progress toward his degree and future career aspirations.
Tasks that were once routine, such as reading, driving, or walking, became challenging. He experienced significant fatigue, visual disturbances, and difficulty concentrating. These symptoms affected his ability to work on a computer for extended periods, which was a critical component of his studies and professional goals. Even leisure activities like hiking, which he once enjoyed, became difficult or impossible due to his balance and dizziness issues.
Beyond the physical challenges, our client faced emotional struggles. He missed out on attending church in person, which had been a cornerstone of his life. His injuries also strained his relationships with family and friends, as he was no longer able to engage fully in social and recreational activities.
Worries About the Future
Throughout his recovery, our client worried about his ability to complete his education and return to the career path he had worked so hard to pursue. He was also concerned about the financial burden of his extensive medical treatment and the possibility of needing ongoing care in the future.
Our client also feared that his injuries would permanently impact his quality of life. The idea of living with chronic pain, dizziness, and migraines weighed heavily on him, especially as he struggled to maintain his independence and navigate daily life.
The Resolution
After being retained as his attorney, we developed evidence of the full extent of our client’s damages and helped guide him through the medical recovery process. Then, we submitted a comprehensive settlement demand to the at-fault driver’s insurance company. The evidence, which included detailed medical records, crash reports, and testimony from treating and expert physicians, made it clear that our client’s injuries were both serious and directly caused by the negligent actions of the other driver.
Ultimately, we successfully obtained the policy limit of all applicable insurance. This included the policy limit of the at-fault driver’s insurance, which was $100,000. It also included the limit of our client’s underinsured policy, which was also $100,000. This resulted in a total recovery of $200,000.
While no amount of money can fully restore what our client has lost, this settlement provided him with the resources to move forward with his life. This case also serves as a reminder that all drivers should check their car insurance policies to make sure they have adequate under-insurance coverage. Fortunately, our client had purchased such coverage and it provided him with additional compensation, which he clearly deserved.
