Major injuries can change all aspects of your life. A bad fall could require joint replacement surgery. A spinal injury could mean the rest of your life in a wheelchair. Severe burns or wounds from a dog attack could lead to visible scars even after multiple surgeries. People might refer to these as “accidents,” but our lawyers know that these incidents usually involve someone’s negligence.
At CPY Law, our goal is to hold people accountable when their actions or failure to act cause harm. Our personal injury attorneys have spent decades representing and empowering injured people all over Missouri. Our goal is simple: you heal while we lead the fight.
Consultations are free, and you pay nothing unless we win. To request a free case review with our personal injury lawyers, contact our Kansas City, MO law firm.
Understanding Personal Injury Claims
Personal injury claims allow injured people to seek compensation from the person or party who caused their injuries. There are four important elements in every personal injury case:
- Duty of Care: This means having an obligation to act reasonably and ensure the safety of others.
- Breach of Duty: This means that someone failed to act responsibly.
- Causation: This means that by failing to act responsibly, that person caused injuries.
- Damages: This means that someone experienced actual injuries, harm, or losses because someone acted irresponsibly.
At CPY Law, our personal injury attorneys will craft cases with these elements in mind. We’ll work with expert witnesses and medical specialists to build a strong claim backed by solid evidence and testimony.
Types of Personal Injury Cases CPY Law Can Handle
If you’ve been hurt, we want to help. Below are the kinds of personal injury cases our Kansas City lawyers can handle.
Car Crashes
Collisions can happen all over the city, from 3-Trails Crossing to a quiet intersection in Mission Lake. The injuries in a car crash could be severe. Our Kansas City personal injury law firm can help you seek compensation if you were hit by another driver or run off the road while in your car, SUV, or pickup.
Commercial Trucking Collisions
Plenty of semi-trucks and large delivery vehicles pass through KCMO. While big rigs and 18-wheelers keep the economy moving, a crash with these vehicles can cause devastating injuries. CPY Law can hold negligent truckers and trucking companies accountable after a crash.
Motorcycle Wrecks
Motorcyclists are extremely vulnerable to injury. Even a cautious motorcyclist could be seriously hurt when a driver fails to check their blind spots. Our personal injury attorneys can help seek maximum recovery after a bad crash. We will also push back against stereotypes of motorcyclists and risky behaviors on the road.
Pedestrian Injuries
Even when pedestrians stick to sidewalks and crosswalks, there’s always a risk of potential injury. Distracted drivers, obstructed views, poor lighting, and bad road design could all contribute to a serious pedestrian injury incident. Our lawyers can help you hold reckless motorists and other parties accountable.
Bike and E-Bike Crashes
Kansas City has become more bike-friendly over the years. There are still numerous safety concerns for cyclists and people who ride e-bikes. When biking collisions occur, our law firm can help you seek maximum compensation to address the full extent of your injuries.
Other Vehicle-Related Injuries
CPY Law can handle all kinds of vehicle-related incidents in Kansas City, including drunk driving crashes, Uber/Lyft rideshare collisions, distracted driving incidents, collisions caused by bad road conditions, hit-and-runs, no-contact crashes, and collisions involving uninsured or underinsured motorists (UM/UIM).
Premises Liability Claims
We expect businesses, apartments, and public spaces to be safe for everyone. Yet there are many slip, trip, and fall risks at properties all over the city. Building code violations and fire safety hazards could also endanger visitors and tenants. CPY Law can hold businesses, property owners, and landlords responsible when their failures lead to major injuries.
Dog Attacks
Dog attacks can cause serious injuries and lasting scars. In vicious attacks or attacks involving children, the scars can also be psychological. Our personal injury lawyers will hold KCMO dog owners liable if their pet attacks people in public or while visiting their own property.
Dangerous and Defective Products
When products cause injuries, the designers, manufacturers, or distributors need to be held accountable. The attorneys at CPY Law can help hold companies responsible for their actions through a product liability claim. We won’t let them get away with harming consumers.
Wrongful Death
If you’ve lost a loved one in a crash or fatal incident, you have our deepest sympathies. When you feel ready to discuss what happened, the team at CPY Law can help you file a wrongful death lawsuit. These claims can help with funeral expenses, assist with the grieving process, and give you some sense of justice after a preventable loss.
Compensation in Personal Injury Cases
The value of your personal injury claim depends on a combination of economic and non-economic damages.
When CPY Law works on your personal injury case, our Kansas City attorneys will consider your life before and after the incident. As you recover and understand the lasting effects of your injuries, we can give you a better understanding of how much your personal injury case is really worth.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the tangible kinds of losses. There’s usually a bill or receipt involved. Examples of economic damages include:
- Medical bills
- Ongoing and future healthcare needs
- Damage to a vehicle or any other personal property
- Lost income or wages
- Loss of future earning potential due to disability
- Funeral expenses if an incident is fatal
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are the subjective human losses caused by an injury. This means pain, suffering, and a lower quality of life due to harm. While these can be harder to calculate, they are important. Examples of non-economic damages include:
- Chronic pain
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Disfigurement or scarring
- Lower quality of life
- Loss of companionship following a fatal incident
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are not the same as the compensatory damages listed above. Punitive damages are meant to punish someone for deliberately reckless, intentional, or malicious harm. Not all cases will involve punitive damages.
If punitive damages are awarded, the state of Missouri caps them at $500,000 or five times the awarded compensatory damages, whichever is greater.
Pure Comparative Negligence: How Partial Fault Impacts Missouri Injury Cases
In Missouri, you can still seek compensation if you were partly or mostly at fault. This is because the state operates on a pure comparative negligence rule.
Any compensation you receive is reduced by your share of liability in an incident. Even if you were 99% at fault, you can still recover some compensation.
Examples of Pure Comparative Fault
Here are examples of how pure comparative fault works in Missouri.
- Say that you got into a bad car wreck at 43rd Street around the Triangle of Death. You’re awarded $100,000, but you were found 25% at fault for the crash. You would still be awarded $75,000.
- Say that you were hit by a car while walking downtown after a show at Grinders KC. You’re awarded $100,000, but you’re found to be 60% at fault for what happened. Even if you were mostly to blame, you can still receive $40,000 thanks to pure comparative negligence.
Even if you were mostly responsible for what happened, don’t mention this to the insurance company or accept their initial offer. Do not assume you’re out of options. Speak with the team at CPY Law about your injuries first.
The Deadline to File a Lawsuit in Missouri
The deadline to file a lawsuit in Missouri depends on the nature of the incident.
- For personal injury cases, you have five years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit (RSMo § 516.120)
- For fatal injury cases, you have three years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit (RSMo § 537.100)
Possible Exceptions to the Time Limit to File a Lawsuit
There are a few exceptions to the time limits listed above. These include:
- The Discovery Rule: Not all injuries are immediately apparent. If it takes time for an injury or illness to show, the discovery rule applies. This means the statute of limitations does not begin until the victim discovers their injury.
- The Victim Was a Minor: A minor in Missouri is anyone under 18 years old. If a minor has an injury claim, the five-year statute of limitations begins when that person turns 21 years old.
- Government Entity Was Involved: If a city, state, or federal entity caused or contributed to your injuries, you’ll need to provide a written notice of your intent to seek legal action. This deadline can be as short as 90 days.
Why It’s Best to Contact a Kansas City Personal Injury Lawyer ASAP
Don’t count on exceptions. Even if you have time to take legal action, it’s best to speak with our Kansas City personal injury attorneys as soon as you can.
Evidence could get lost or degrade. Video footage may be deleted or recorded over. Witnesses may move away or start to forget important details.
CPY Law can start building a strong case and fighting for the compensation you deserve. While we lead on that front, you can focus on healing and planning for the future.
What Sets CPY Law Apart from Other Kansas City Personal Injury Firms
The team at CPY Law has deep roots in Kansas City. Our personal injury attorneys have served this part of Missouri for many years. We know how overwhelmed you may feel, especially if you have to deal with insurance companies and an uncertain future.
Your worries are precisely why we want to fight for you.
- Lawyers Built for the Fight: The team at CPY Law have decades of combined experience practicing personal injury law. We work closely with clients and their families to find the best options to maximize compensation.
- Ownership and Accountability: We seek accountability from others and demand the same from ourselves. We do what we say, and we ask the same of our colleagues and staff. When you hire CPY Law, we own the problem and lead the fight forward.
- Free and Confidential Consultations: There are no upfront fees just to speak with our personal injury lawyers. Consultations are free, confidential, and no-obligation. Tell our attorneys what happened. We’ll help you understand your best options for recovery.
- Clients Pay Us Nothing Unless We Win: CPY Law works on a contingency fee basis. What does that mean? It means that you pay us nothing unless and until your personal injury case is successfully resolved. If our law firm doesn’t win, you pay nothing.
Contact Our Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys Near You
If you’ve been hurt, we want to help. Our entire team is on your side and prepared to fight for you and your family’s best interests. To schedule a free and confidential case evaluation with our Kansas City personal injury lawyers, contact CPY Law today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury Cases in Kansas City
Below are some of the most common questions we’ve heard from clients who’ve suffered serious injuries in the Kansas City area.
How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer in Kansas City, MO?
The cost of a personal injury attorney will vary from firm to firm and from case to case. The cost will depend on the severity of your injuries, the complexity of your case, how long the case takes to resolve, and fee structures specific to a firm.
At CPY Law, rest assured that we charge nothing for initial consultations. Our law firm also works on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing unless and until we win.
If we secure a monetary award for you, our fee is a percentage of your compensation. If we cannot negotiate a settlement or secure damages, you do not have to pay any legal fees.
What is a catastrophic injury? How will these kinds of injuries affect my life?
A catastrophic injury is an injury that causes long-term physical or cognitive disability. These kinds of injuries affect your ability to live independently and/or maintain your current job. Examples of catastrophic injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries (SCI)
- Loss of limbs
- Severe burn injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Vision impairment
- Hearing impairment
- Debilitating fractures or joint injuries
At CPY Law, we take catastrophic injury claims seriously. Our personal injury lawyers in Kansas City will help seek fair and full compensation that considers how much your life has changed after the traumatic incident.
Can I file a personal injury lawsuit if I got injured at work?
That depends. If you got hurt on the job while performing work duties, you may only be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. However, if a third-party played a role in the incident (i.e., not your employer or a co-worker), you may be able to file a personal injury claim.
When you discuss what happened with our Kansas City personal injury attorneys, we can help you understand the best way to maximize your recovery.
What can I do to maximize the value of my personal injury claim?
In addition to contacting CPY Law to speak with a personal injury lawyer, here are a few tips to consider:
- Document the Scene of the Injury: If you can, take photos and videos of your injuries and where the incident occurred. Get contact information from any witnesses or people involved in what happened.
- See a Doctor as Soon as Possible: Even if you show no signs of injury, go see a doctor. Some symptoms take time to appear. Getting checked out ASAP establishes a connection between the incident and your injuries, and it creates an official record of what happened.
- Do Not Agree to a Recorded Statement: Insurance companies may reach out and ask for a recorded statement. Do not agree to this. Reach out to an attorney before you start discussing what happened with the other party’s insurance company.
- Avoid Posting on Social Media: Avoid saying anything about what happened or your injuries on social media. Insurance companies will look for mistakes or any statements that could undermine the severity of your injuries.
