Wichita Car Accident Lawyers

We go about our day at work, school, and home, doing what we always do and driving the routes we always drive. We never expect to get into an accident out on the road, but unfortunately, vehicle collisions occur on our city’s streets every day. According to the Kansas Department of Transportation (KSDOT), there were 48 fatal vehicle crashes in Wichita in 2021, resulting in 52 people losing their lives.

KSDOT data from 2021 further shows that out of over 90,000 vehicles involved in traffic crashes across the entire state, 45,306 of those were cars. Additionally, 140 occupants of those vehicles were fatally injured in these crashes during the same year.

Accidents happen all the time, and they often have devastating consequences. If you or a loved one has been involved in a vehicle collision in Sedgwick County, a qualified Wichita car accident lawyer can help you with your case and hold those responsible for your suffering accountable.

Collision Cases Our Office Handles

Some types of accidents are more common than others in Kansas, but regardless of the cause or type of collision you’re involved in, our office can take your case. We have experience handling such cases as:

• Rear-end accidents
• Rollover accidents
• Hit-and-run accidents
• Highway accidents
• Intersection accidents
• Head-on collisions

Because there are so many unique situations regarding car wrecks, it can be difficult to ascertain who is responsible, what damages can be claimed, and so much more, which is why you may need support from a Wichita car accident lawyer to handle what may become a complex case.

Explaining No-Fault Insurance and Comparative Negligence

Kansas is one of twelve states with “no-fault” insurance rules, meaning that all drivers are required to have a certain minimum level of vehicle coverage. All insurance policies must provide Personal Injury Protection (PIP) that will pay for your medical bills and other losses if you’re injured in a car accident, regardless of who was responsible.

However, in some cases, you may be able to file a claim against the other driver if your case meets certain requirements set forth by the state. For example, if you exceeded your PIP coverage for medical expenses (usually $2,000) and your injury qualifies as “serious,” such as any permanent injury, loss of a body function or disfigurement, or a fracture of any kind.

Alongside these insurance rules, Kansas also follows comparative negligence rules when it comes to car accidents. We are a modified comparative negligence state, meaning that if you are found to be 50% or more at fault for any accident, even one where you suffered severe injuries and damages, the law does not allow you to recover any compensation from the other driver.

So, while you can make an immediate claim with your own insurance for your injuries through your PIP coverage, you may also pursue an injury claim against the other driver. But if you are found partially at fault, it will affect how much compensation you may receive.

What To Do After a Car Wreck

Immediately after a collision, you may be in shock, in pain, or confused. It’s imperative for your safety and the safety of those around you to remain calm and follow these steps to the best of your ability:

• Remain at the scene, but move your car out of the flow of traffic if it is safe to do so
• Call the police and emergency services
• Exchange contact and insurance information with all other involved drivers
• Gather witness statements
• Take pictures and video of the scene, damage, and injuries
• Contact a car accident lawyer at Prochaska, Howell & Prochaska LLC

Our office urges you never to admit fault and never give any kind of statement to anyone other than law enforcement. If you do provide a statement to the police, explain only the details of what occurred from your perspective, and don’t infer anything other than the facts that you know to be true.

How an Attorney Can Help Your Claim

While it’s not necessary to hire a Wichita car accident lawyer for your car accident case, it may be in your best interest to do so. Our skilled attorneys have handled cases just like yours. We can assist with your case by gathering evidence, contacting the other driver’s insurance, and ensuring your claim is filed within the two-year statute of limitations, per Kansas state law.

With our office on your side, you can expect us to hold those responsible for your injuries accountable and to fight for the compensation you deserve. Compensation in a vehicle collision case is generally some or all of the following:

• Medical bills
• Property damage
• Therapy or rehabilitation
• Loss of income
• Loss of quality of life
• Pain and suffering (in certain qualifying cases)

Even if your accident may have been small and you suffered only minor damages or injuries, we recommend still contacting an attorney. The aftermath of any collision can be a very stressful time, and we want you to know that we’re here to help.

At Prochaska, Howell & Prochaska LLC, we help car accident victims in Wichita and anywhere else in Kansas. Reach out to our office today for your free consultation and see how we can assist you in receiving the maximum compensation possible.