Olathe Car Accident Lawyers

A car accident has the potential to devastate the lives of those involved, resulting in severe personal injuries, vehicle damage, missed workdays, and a lengthy path to healing. It can disrupt your life for an extended period of time — not to mention the lengthy process of recovering compensation for your injuries. It is important that you understand your legal rights, options, and potential next steps after an accident in or around Olathe.

Common Types of Car Accidents in Olathe

The following are just some examples of the types of car accidents that occur in and around Olathe:

• Rollover accidents, where a vehicle rolls completely on its side or top
• Rear-end collisions, where one vehicle hits another one from behind
• Front-end collisions, where one vehicle strikes another head-on
• Side impact collisions, where a vehicle is hit on the side by another
• Multi-vehicle accidents or pileups, which involve several different vehicles
• Sideswipe collisions, which involve one vehicle being broadsided by another
• T-bone collisions, which happen when one vehicle crashes into the side of another head-on

The causes of car accidents can also vary widely. Some accidents are caused by negligent or reckless driving, such as a lack of attention to the road or another driver ignoring a traffic sign, signal, or rule. Some accidents are caused by distracted driving, such as when a driver uses a cell phone or other electronic device while driving. Speeding, failure to yield, and failure to stop in a timely manner are all leading causes of car accidents. In some cases, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol causes the driver to crash.

Common Injuries from Car Accidents in Olathe

There are many different personal injuries that victims of a car accident experience. In many cases, head injuries, concussions, and even traumatic brain injuries occur, along with various broken or fractured bones. Burns, soft tissue injuries, whiplash, cuts, and abrasions are all common, some of them leading to chronic pain and suffering for the victim.

Some Olathe car accidents result in severe, even catastrophic problems. For example, injuries to the back, neck, or spine are common in a car accident, and in some cases, they may be quite serious, even leading to partial or full paralysis. There might be significant injuries to internal organs, and a car accident can also result in limb amputations, scarring, or disfigurement. In the most serious cases, a wrongful death may result, where the negligence of another driver causes a loved one’s untimely death.

Damages After a Car Accident in Olathe

After a car accident, you may be able to recover damages for your out-of-pocket costs, among other types of bills that you have incurred as a result of the crash. Out-of-pocket costs can be readily ascertained and proven, such as by invoices and bills associated with these expenses. For example:

• Doctors visits
• Hospital stays
• Prescription medication
• Rehabilitation, nursing, and home care
• Physical, occupational, or other therapies
• The value of your lost income or wages if you cannot work as a result of your accident
• The costs of repairing or replacing your personal property, such as your vehicle

Also, you may be able to recover general, or non-economic damages, which typically don’t readily have a specific amount attributable to them, making it the job of the jury to figure out an amount that represents fair and reasonable compensation for them. General damages include the following:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish and psychological trauma
• Scarring or disfigurement
• Lost future income
• Loss of enjoyment of activities that you can no longer do
• Loss of consortium
• General decline to your quality of life
• Damages for your loved one’s wrongful death

Do I Need an Olathe Car Accident Attorney?

There are many good reasons to hire an experienced attorney after your car accident. After an accident, you may be facing significant medical needs and mounting expenses, and you may not have the mental or emotional bandwidth to deal with the legal aftermath, focusing instead on your recovery.

An attorney can help protect your legal rights and advise you of your options while you get your life back on track. Moreover, car accident cases can involve lengthy and complicated negotiations with the other party and their insurance company, which typically has significant legal and financial resources on their side — an attorney can help ensure that you level the playing field in your favor.

In some cases, however, hiring an attorney can be absolutely essential and necessary to your car accident case, and you should consider doing so if your case involves any of the following situations:

• Complicated facts, particularly regarding liability or damages
• Severe or catastrophic injuries or significant costs incurred as a result of the injury
• Complex laws or various different laws involved
• Several different parties or insurers who may share liability for the accident
• Complicated evidence, testimony, and expertise needed to make your case
• Settlement negotiations that are not moving forward

What Should I Do After a Car Accident?

After a car accident, prioritizing your well-being and safeguarding your legal rights are paramount. Here are the steps to take to continue getting the medical treatment you need, preserve critical evidence, and ensure proper legal representation to navigate the complexities of post-accident proceedings:

• Seek Immediate Medical Attention. Even if you feel fine initially, certain injuries may surface later. Seek medical evaluation from professionals at the scene, your doctor, or a hospital to comprehensively assess any potential medical concerns.
• Gather Evidence. Request that any witnesses write down or record their statements and collect their contact information. Also, get contact information from the other party and their insurer. Record your personal account while the details remain fresh in your memory.
• Notify the Authorities. Call the police immediately and report the accident, and obtain any police reports.
• Document the Scene. Take photographs of the accident site, injuries sustained, and any property damage incurred, as these visuals can serve as crucial evidence.
• Consult a Personal Injury Attorney. Seek guidance from a seasoned attorney to understand your rights, explore legal options, and devise a strategic course of action.
• Continue to Seek Out Medical Care. Prioritize your ongoing medical treatment in order to recover fully, addressing any physical, mental, or emotional issues.
• Track Expenses and Impact. Record all expenses related to medical bills, therapy, home care, and lost wages. Also, maintain a detailed journal documenting your daily experiences and the impact of your injuries on your everyday activities and daily life.
• File an Insurance Claim. With the help of your attorney, begin negotiating with the insurer toward a fair and reasonable settlement. An attorney serves as your advocate against the potentially overwhelming resources of insurance companies.
• Consider Legal Action. If settlement negotiations fail, collaborate with your attorney to file a claim in the appropriate court, preparing your case for the jury.

How Our Olathe Car Accident Lawyers Can Help

After your car accident, you need to find an experienced, knowledgeable lawyer to assist with your claim. Our lawyers will provide you with legal advice, applying the laws involved to the facts of your particular situation. We will work with you to preserve relevant evidence and build a strong case on your behalf. We will also communicate with the other party and their insurance company, negotiating towards a favorable resolution.

Contact Bretz Injury Law Today

If you’ve been injured in a car accident as a result of someone else’s negligence, you shouldn’t have to shoulder the aftermath on your own. When you trust your case to Bretz Injury Law, you get more than a single lawyer on your side; you get an entire team of seasoned legal professionals all working together to secure the best possible outcome on your behalf.

Throughout the process, we will be there for you every step of the way. We strive to remain accessible to our clients and attentive to their unique needs. Our compassionate team can answer your questions and address your concerns 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We provide free initial consultations and work on a contingency basis, meaning you do not owe any out-of-pocket expenses when you work with our firm. Our attorneys are only paid if you are. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.