+ Do you have a claim?

After a car accident, you may be confused about whether or not you have a claim for compensation. To be eligible to collect damages, your accident must meet two criteria:

• The accident was at least partially caused by another party’s negligence.
• The accident caused you or a family member to suffer serious physical injuries.

Our Kansas City car accident attorneys can answer any questions you may have about what constitutes negligence and what it means for an injury to be “severe.” If your attorney determines that your accident meets both of these criteria, we will immediately begin building your claim.

+ What if the other driver doesn't have insurance or fled the scene?

Every state has mandatory minimum insurance requirements, however, The Insurance Research Council (IRC) estimates that 1 out of every 7 drivers in the U.S. is uninsured. In order to register a vehicle you must prove that you have purchased the statutorily required minimum amount of insurance on that vehicle in case you get into an accident. In Missouri and Kansas the minimum required is $25,000 in liability coverage. We all know that just because the law says you are supposed to have insurance it does not mean everyone actually does have adequate coverage. If you are hit by an uninsured driver or if an unidentified vehicle is responsible for your accident then you may be able to make an Uninsured Motorist (UM) claim under your own insurance policy. In other situations the other driver may actually have insurance but only the required minimum of $25,000. If your losses exceed their insurance limits you can collect all of their insurance and make a claim under your own policy for Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UIM). An Uninsured and Underinsured motorist lawyer can help you.

If you have suffered losses in an accident, your uninsured/underinsured insurance (UM/UIM) is a powerful tool for obtaining compensation. Your UM/UIM policy can enable you to receive compensation when the other driver’s liability coverage is insufficient to cover your losses.

At Norman and Graves we have extensive experience in car accident claims. We understand the complexities of insurance coverage issues, and how to obtain maximum compensation for our clients.

If you have suffered injuries in a car accident, do not rely on your insurance company to provide you with straightforward information about your rights regarding compensation. Only with an experienced attorney on your side will you be able to obtain the compensation you are entitled to.

Contact us today for a free consultation about a car accident claim.

+ How does uninsured/underinsured insurance work?

In Missouri and Kansas, UM/UIM coverage is mandatory. When the other driver does not have insurance or your losses are greater than the driver’s policy limits, you can tap into your UM/UIM policy. Your UM/UIM insurance may be available to pay compensation in cases involving hit-and-run accidents, phantom vehicles, bicycle accidents and for passengers in a vehicle. Insurance coverage issues are complex however, and you will need an attorney on your side who has experience with UM/UIM claims.

+ Med-Pay Insurance

In addition to your UM/UIM insurance, Med-Pay insurance can pay compensation for medical expenses up to the policy limit for each person in your vehicle, regardless of fault. And if the negligent driver’s insurance company pays compensation, you do not have to repay the Med-Pay benefits you receive. You may be entitled to receive money under your Med-Pay insurance even if your bills were covered by your health insurance.

+ Maximizing your compensation

At our firm, we work on cases involving complex UM/UIM and other insurance issues every day. Our attorneys are highly knowledgeable regarding insurance claims, and they are skilled at identifying all possible sources of compensation. Depending on the circumstances of your case, these sources could include your own uninsured/underinsured coverage, stacking coverage, Med-Pay benefits, your health insurance coverage, the liability insurance of the other driver and others. We will seek maximum compensation for you.

+ What to do when the insurance company calls you

Once they are notified of your accident, representatives from either your insurance or the at-fault party’s insurance company may contact you. It’s best if you avoid speaking with them. Innocent comments can be manipulated to make it look like the accident was your fault or used to claim that your injuries aren’t severe. They may also try to pressure you into quickly signing a settlement worth far less than you actually need.

An experienced Kansas City auto accident attorney will take into account your current and future medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses, so you get the compensation you need to cover the true costs of your accident. We’re used to dealing with insurance company tactics, so when the insurance company calls, hang up and contact us instead. We’ll help you figure out whether or not a settlement offer is fair, and we’ll talk to the insurance company for you.

If you have questions about your car accident, we have answers. Visit our Car Accident FAQ page to get answers to questions our clients frequently ask about car accident claims, or contact us today to get a free initial consultation.

+ Car Crash Facts & Statistics

No matter what caused your auto accident, your injuries are your biggest concern. As Missouri and Kansas auto accident attorneys, some of the most common injuries our clients suffer in highway accidents include:

• Broken bones
• Cuts and lacerations
• Head, neck, and spinal injuries
• Internal bleeding and organ damage
• Paralysis and nerve damage

Visit our Car Crash Facts and Statistics page to learn more about the most common factors in Missouri and Kansas car accidents.