Distracted driving has become one of the leading causes of serious accidents in Overland Park and throughout Kansas. With smartphones, GPS devices, and in-car entertainment systems, drivers have more distractions than ever before. Texting while driving, talking on the phone, eating, or simply taking eyes off the road for a few seconds can result in devastating crashes.
These accidents are particularly frustrating because they’re completely preventable. When someone chooses to text, make phone calls, or engage in other distracting activities while driving, they’re making a conscious decision that puts everyone else at risk.
Proving Fault in Distracted Driving Cases
Building a strong case against a distracted driver requires thorough investigation and evidence gathering. Our team knows how to:
Legal Steps for Maximum Compensation
Distracted driving cases often result in significant compensation because the driver’s negligence is clear. We pursue damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future care needs. If the distracted driving was particularly reckless, we may also seek punitive damages to hold the driver accountable and deter similar behavior.
One of the biggest mistakes accident victims make is delaying medical treatment, either because they don’t think their injuries are serious or because they’re worried about medical costs. This delay can significantly impact both your health and your legal claim.
Why Immediate Medical Care Matters
Some injuries, particularly soft tissue injuries and concussions, may not show symptoms immediately. What feels like minor soreness today could develop into chronic pain or serious complications if left untreated. Getting prompt medical attention ensures proper diagnosis and treatment while creating important documentation for your case.
How Medical Records Strengthen Your Case
Insurance companies scrutinize the timing of medical treatment. If you wait days or weeks to see a doctor, they’ll argue that your injuries aren’t serious or weren’t caused by the accident. Having immediate medical records that document your injuries and link them directly to the accident strengthens your case significantly.
Our Advice: Seek Treatment First, Worry About Costs Later
Commercial truck accidents often result in severe injuries due to the size and weight of these vehicles. Highway crashes at high speeds can be particularly devastating. These cases require knowledge of federal trucking regulations, commercial insurance policies, and the ability to investigate complex accident scenes involving multiple vehicles.
Overland Park’s walkable neighborhoods and busy intersections unfortunately see pedestrian accidents regularly. These cases often involve serious injuries because pedestrians have no protection when struck by vehicles. We fight aggressively for pedestrian accident victims, pursuing compensation for extensive medical needs, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Injuries from Dangerous Property Conditions
Property owners have a legal duty to maintain safe conditions for visitors. We handle cases involving slip and falls, inadequate security, falling objects, and other dangerous conditions that cause injuries. These premises liability cases require thorough investigation of property maintenance records and safety procedures.
Catastrophic Injuries (Brain, Spine)
Traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage require extensive medical care and can permanently change your life. These catastrophic injury cases demand careful calculation of lifetime care needs, lost earning capacity, and the profound impact on quality of life. We work with medical experts and life care planners to ensure your compensation covers all future needs.
When you’re looking for legal representation after a serious accident, you want attorneys who combine expertise with genuine care for their clients. Here’s what sets Murphy, Kinney, & Sumy, LLC apart:
After an accident, insurance adjusters often contact injury victims quickly, sometimes within hours of the crash. While they may seem friendly and helpful, remember that their goal is to minimize the amount their company pays out.
Warning Signs of Lowball Offers
Insurance companies often make quick settlement offers that sound reasonable but are actually far below what your case is worth. Warning signs include:
Speak to a Lawyer Before Saying Yes
Recently, we helped an Overland Park family whose teenage daughter was severely injured in a distracted driving accident. The other driver was texting when they ran a red light and struck our client’s vehicle. Initially, the insurance company offered a settlement that would barely cover immediate medical expenses. After our investigation revealed the driver’s phone records and history of distracted driving, we secured a settlement that was more than ten times the original offer, ensuring our client could afford the ongoing rehabilitation she needed.
Another case involved an Overland Park business owner who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a truck accident on Interstate 435. The trucking company’s insurance initially denied the claim, arguing their driver wasn’t at fault. Our thorough investigation revealed that the truck driver had been driving for 14 hours straight, violating federal regulations. The substantial settlement we secured allowed our client to receive the specialized care he needed and provided financial security for his family while he recovered.
No matter where your accident occurred in the Kansas City metropolitan area, we have the experience, resources, and dedication necessary to handle your case effectively and pursue the full compensation you deserve under Kansas and Missouri law.
If you’ve been seriously injured in an accident in Overland Park, don’t face this challenging time alone. The decisions you make in the days and weeks following your accident can significantly impact your recovery and your family’s financial future. You need experienced legal guidance from attorneys who understand both the law and the challenges you’re facing.
At Murphy, Kinney, & Sumy, LLC, we’re ready to provide the guidance and advocacy you need to secure fair compensation and rebuild your life. We’ll handle all the legal complexities while you focus on your recovery. Our team will investigate your case thoroughly, negotiate aggressively with insurance companies, and ensure you receive full compensation for all your injuries and losses.
Remember, we work on a “no win, no fee” basis, which means you pay nothing unless we successfully recover compensation for you. This arrangement ensures you can get the legal guidance you need without any financial risk.
You don’t have to face this alone. We’re ready to help. Call (816) 281-5470 now for your free case review. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, and we’re ready to start providing the legal guidance and support you deserve immediately. Contact Murphy, Kinney, & Sumy, LLC today—because serious accidents require serious legal guidance.
