Blog

If you've been in an accident in the Parkville, MO or larger Kansas City metro area and are thinking about what to do after an accident, there are some important mistakes to avoid. Chief among them is failing to get a lawyer quickly: having a lawyer will protect you from making some of these other mistakes and greatly increase the chances of getting the full value of your claim. What to Do After an Accident: Mistakes to Avoid Delaying the Doctor If you haven't gone to the doctor yet, go right away. The longer the gap between the accident and your first medical evaluation, the easier you make it for the insurer to question causation and the extent of your injuries. Soft-tissue damage and concussion symptoms can sometimes take hours or days to manifest, so it's always wise to just get checked out right away after a crash. Keep records of every visit, all imaging reports, and any notes you get restricting you from work. You'll need those later as proof of damages. Talking to the Adjuster Giving a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer is not required and is always a mistake. That recording becomes a permanent transcript that can be used to against you. Insurance adjusters are very good at manipulating conversations so they get you to say things they can use to throw a higher share of fault onto you or minimize your injuries. Signing Anything Don't sign a broad medical authorization or accept an early check without talking it all over with your attorney, first. A general release can cut off all chance for a later claim if you discover your injuries and losses are worse than you thought. And an unrestricted medical authorization lets the insurer mine through years of unrelated medical records, looking for anything they can find to blame a "preexisting condition" for your injuries or the extent of them. Waiting Out the Calendar Missouri allows you five years to bring a lawsuit in a crash like this, but Kansas only gives you two. If your accident was in Kansas City, it all depends on which side of the line you're on. If your claim is against any kind of government entity, like the city, you have even less time. And whether you have five years or two, every day evidence degrades or disappears, and witness memories get foggier. Don't put off making that call to an attorney. Not Talking With an Attorney Many people worry that having a lawyer will mean they don't get their full claim. Lawyers in this field normally work on a contingency basis, meaning they don't take a fee unless they win for you. Plus, research shows that personal injury claims brought by a lawyer win more money for the client, even after the attorney's fees are removed, than claims brought without a lawyer's help. Call us today at Spooner & Perkins at 816-572-6324 to set up a free consultation on your case. We've been serving the Kansas City metro area for decades and offer real help when you need it most.

Before you hire a lawyer, you a should always confirm the lawyer is licensed, works on the kind of case you have, will explain their fees in writing, and will take your calls. Those four checks prevent most of the trouble that some people can get into when they make too hurried a choice among Missouri's lawyers. Confirm License and Public Records The Supreme Court of Missouri keeps the official roll of who is permitted to practice law in our state. The Official Missouri Directory of Lawyers, updated daily, lists every attorney in good standing. Check that to make sure a lawyer you're considering is qualified. However, bear in mind that "good standing" is not the same thing as having a clean discipline file. The Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel investigates complaints against a lawyer, and you can always ask that office whether a lawyer has a record of public discipline. A past complaint that the office closed without taking action is not proof of misconduct, but a public order is. Match the Lawyer to the Problem Ask what share of the lawyer's work is the sort of work you need. An injury claim, a workers' compensation claim, a criminal charge, and a divorce all involve different types of law, different agencies, and different calendars. A lawyer who spends most days in one of those systems will already know the filing deadlines and the local customs of the courthouse that will hear your case. When you speak with the law firm, ask about their success rate in actions like yours, too. Put the Fee in Writing Missouri law forbids a lawyer from charging an unreasonable fee, and this rule lists all the factors that test reasonableness: Time and labor Difficulty of the case Lawyer's skill Customary fee in your area for similar cases Amount involved Time limits Lawyer's experience The basis of the fee and the expenses you will owe must be communicated to you before or within a reasonable time after the the lawyer starts to represent you, and if the lawyer works on a contingency fee (which is common in personal injury), the fee must be in writing. What you sign needs to state the percentage that will be charged if the case settles, if it goes to trial, and if it goes to appeal; which expenses will come out of your recovery if you win; and whether those expenses come out before or after the percentage is calculated. Someone Who Communicates You're going to do a lot with this person, and they'll have access to your medical records, insurance letters, and personal details. It's important that there be some trust, that you feel comfortable talking to them, and that you understand how communication will go and what to expect. Ask how quickly calls and mail are generally returned from the office, who covers the file when the lawyer is in trial, and the basic system of communication. Call us today at Spooner & Perkins Attorneys at Law to talk through your personal injury or workers' compensation claim. We serve the entire Kansas City metro area from our offices in Parkville, MO.