The Quitmeier Law Firm of Kansas City

A full-service law firm serving the Kansas City Greater Metropolitan Area. Our clients come first.

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Proving Negligence in a Car Crash

If you have been injured in a car crash and want to recover for your injuries, you will need to prove that the other driver was negligent.

All drivers are required to exercise care to avoid causing injury to other drivers and pedestrians. Negligence occurs when a driver does not exercise due care and instead behaves carelessly. Drivers can be negligent in many ways, such as by speeding, tailgating, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, running a stoplight or stop sign or failing to yield the right of way to a pedestrian.

If you’ve been injured in a car crash, here’s what you will need to prove with the help of your attorney:

  • The driver that injured you had a duty to exercise reasonable care: This requirement is usually easily met because the law requires all drivers to exercise reasonable care.
  • The driver that injured you breached that duty: The court will compare that driver’s behavior with the behavior of an ordinary reasonable person under the same circumstances. If a reasonable person would not have acted similarly, you may be able to recover.
  • The driver’s conduct was the cause of your injuries: In order to recover, you must prove that the other driver’s conduct was the actual cause of your injuries. For instance, if you had a bad back before the car crash, you may have difficulty proving that the car crash was the cause of your back injury.
  • Damages resulted: You must prove that you suffered some type of loss and were damaged as a result. Common damages are medical bills, loss of wages and pain and suffering, among other damages.

If you have been injured in a car crash, the experienced  accident and injury attorneys at The Quitmeier Law Firm can help you establish all the elements of your claim to get you the compensation that you deserve. Contact us today.

 

Filed Under: Accident, Injury or Worker's Compensation, Traffic Tagged With: car accident, damages, negligence, personal injury

How do I Obtain an Official Accident Report?

If you’ve been involved in a car crash, you may want to request an official accident report. This will give you the most up-to-date information related to your accident, and get you on your way to resolving your ordeal.

An unofficial report contains only the preliminary information an investigating trooper reports to dispatch over the radio. This includes just the date, time, location, vehicles, injuries, and the trooper’s initial indication of what caused the accident. After the accident investigation has been completed, the official report may have information different from this preliminary report.

The official report will have much more in-depth information such as all relevant damage (both to cars and property), driver and insurance information, witness information, statements of involved parties, witnesses, and/or the investigating officer, amongst other relevant information.

To obtain an official accident report for a crash investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, wait 10 days after the date of the crash investigation then complete the form attached here. The fee is $3.75 for each report, which must be paid by check or money order to, “DPS – Missouri State Highway Patrol” (Cash payments are not accepted and will be returned.)

You can mail your request to the headquarters of the troop where the crash occurred (addresses listed here), or to the Traffic Records Division, address:

Missouri State Highway Patrol

Traffic Records Division

P.O. Box 568

Jefferson City, Missouri 65102

Attention: Traffic Crash Reports

If you are seeking a report for a crash investigated by local police, consult the local agency where the crash occurred.

If you are the victim of a car accident, it is important you consult with an experienced and skilled attorney right away. Your attorney can help you to establish a valid case for recovery and answer any questions you may have along the way.

Filed Under: Accident, Injury or Worker's Compensation, Traffic Tagged With: car accident, crash report, personal injury, police report

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Easy Access I-29/Tiffany Springs exit

The Quitmeier Law Firm. Serving Platte, Clay and Jackson Counties with integrity.

Conveniently located just off I-29 at the Tiffany Springs exit.

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The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation. Use of the web site does not create an attorney-client relationship.