Being in a car accident in Kansas can be life-changing, but, for many drivers and passengers, the pain and suffering caused by their injuries are just the start. There’s also the complicated process of filing a claim and the worry of missing out on work, just as the bills start piling up.
Fortunately, you don’t have to go through the process alone. At Bretz Injury Law, we have worked with many car accident victims and have been able to secure over $300 million for our clients and their families and their futures. If you’ve been in a car accident anywhere in Kansas, we encourage you to reach out to us for a free consultation so we can discuss your specific accident and how Kansas car accident laws may enable you to seek financial recovery for your injuries.
Understanding Kansas’ No-Fault Status
Kansas follows a no-fault system when it comes to car accident claims. This means you are required to carry no-fault insurance. No-fault insurance, sometimes known as Personal Injury Protection (PIP), can pay regardless of who is at fault in the accident. PIP is useful for initial medical treatment and can also be used to reimburse some lost wages and other damages.
This doesn’t mean that liability isn’t important in Kansas. If you’ve been in a crash in the state and someone else’s negligence caused your crash, there are situations where you can pursue a claim against that at-fault party.
Personal Injury Protection Insurance in Kansas
In Kansas, you’re required to carry personal injury protection insurance (PIP) if you drive a car. In a traffic collision, this insurance will pay for your medical care, lost income, and expenses related to your injury.
What is covered will depend on your policy. Still, in Kansas, PIP must offer at least $4,500 in medical expenses to cover x-rays, surgery, prosthetics, dental care, and other care you may need for your injuries. It should also offer at least $4,500 for rehabilitation services, including physical therapy if you need it.
Your PIP policy will also replace about 85% of your monthly income, up to $10,800 for one year. Your coverage may last longer or cover more, depending on your policy. Your coverage may also include coverage of up to $25 per day for a year if you need extra help around your home because of your injury. This can cover personal help at home, for example, or a cleaning service.
PIP death benefits cover at least $2000 or more for funeral and related expenses and can provide spouses or dependent children of the victim with up to $900 a month of replacement income for up to a year. But, again, the exact amount of these benefits will depend on current laws and the specific policy in place.
If you’re in a car accident in Kansas, you will generally file a claim with your own insurer first and get any coverage you may be entitled to under PIP. However, don’t make the mistake of assuming this is all you are entitled to. As you can see from the above numbers, PIP usually does not cover all the costs associated with a serious car accident, especially if you have just the minimum PIP coverage. PIP also does not cover non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering. It is important to check with your insurer that you have adequate PIP coverage. If you do not increase your level of coverage, it is likely you have the minimum of $4500.
For these reasons, if you’ve been in a car accident in Kansas, contact Bretz Injury Law for a free consultation. We can review how Kansas car accident laws apply to your case and pursue any compensation you may be eligible for.
The Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents in Kansas
The statute of limitations in Kansas is two years, which means you have two years to file your car accident lawsuit or settle your insurance claim. Delaying filing can mean you lose out on the chance for recovery.
Two years may seem like a long time, and you may assume you can file a claim or talk to a lawyer later. It’s important to remember that if you want fair recovery, filing as soon as possible is important, whether you’re filing an insurance claim or pursuing a legal case. If you wait, witness memories will fade, evidence may go missing, and attorneys for the other side will argue you weren’t very injured because you didn’t establish a pattern of treatment.
The sooner your attorney can effectively pursue financial recovery, the more you start protecting your future. Bretz Injury Law makes it easy to get in touch, and we reply promptly, so we can start taking action immediately.
Notorious Highways and Interstates for Car Accidents in Kansas
Any highway or interstate in Kansas can be a risk of a car collision because all can experience heavy traffic at higher speeds. However, the roads considered most dangerous include the following:
- Interstate 35, from the Oklahoma border to Kansas City, sees frequent accidents and heavy traffic.
- The Kansas Turnpike, running from south to north, sees multiple accidents every year.
- The I-70, running east-west, was ranked the top interstate for car accidents in Kansas by Stacker, with 17 fatalities and 13 crashes in 2020 alone.
- Kellogg/56/400 is another east-west roadway across the state and is associated with many car accidents and fatalities.
Why Hiring an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer in Kansas is Critical
In the United States, a car accident happens, on average, every five seconds. Despite this frequency, many people are unprepared for the aftermath of a crash. Many victims of traffic collisions underestimate how an accident can impact their lives.
We can’t emphasize this enough: a car accident can affect your finances, income, health, relationships, mental state, and daily life for years, if not decades, to come. Securing recovery so you can pay for health care, counseling, ongoing physical therapy, car repairs, and other bills can help you focus on healing and rebuilding your life. It also gives you the resources you need to pursue quality care you may need.
Kansas car accident laws are there to protect you, but drivers are too often unaware of the laws. Working with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Kansas ensures there’s someone on your side who knows the laws and understands the importance of financial recovery for you.
When you work with a car accident attorney at Bretz Injury Law, we handle everything. We listen and answer questions, we investigate your accident, negotiate with insurance companies, and take care of the steps of filing a claim. We build a strategic case and pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and your family’s future. While we have the track record of a larger firm, winning 98% of the cases we’ve pursued in the last 30 years, we’ve purposely stayed small to bring more attention to you and your case. If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Kansas, please know you don’t have to go through this alone. Contact Bretz Injury Law for a free consultation to review your situation with an experienced Kansas car accident attorney.
