Four Things to Know About Car Accidents in Kansas
When you are in a car accident in Kansas, it can be hard to think clearly – especially if you or someone else is injured or your car is totaled. Recovering damages can hinge on what you do immediately following a car crash. If you do the wrong thing, you may lose out on fair compensation for your injuries or loss, and you may even find yourself financially responsible.
Here are the four most important things you need to know about car crashes in Wichita.
4 Most Important Things You Need to Know about Car Accidents in Kansas
1. Kansas is a no-fault car insurance state
Twelve states, including Kansas, are no-fault states. No-fault states hold the person who caused the accident responsible for paying the injured party’s costs relating to the incident. In these states, however, the injured party must first turn to their own insurance policy for coverage, even if it wasn’t their fault.
2. Kansas Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance requirement
Kansas and other no-fault states require drivers to carry no-fault insurance coverage, also known as personal injury protection insurance (PIP). This policy covers payment for medical bills and other related losses up to the policy’s limits. However, if your injuries are so severe that your medical and related costs exceed the limits of your policy, you’ll need to pursue payment from the other driver’s insurance to cover those excess expenses.
3. Kansas car insurance requirements
Kansas has established minimum insurance coverage for all drivers. All licensed drivers in Kansas are required to have the following:
- $25,000 – Bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 – Bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 – Property damage liability per accident
- $25,000 – Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person
- $50,000 – Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident
You can get optional coverage, such as additional liability that pays for accidents in which you are at fault, collision that covers vehicle damage from a crash, and comprehensive coverage that pays for damage to your vehicle caused by weather, vandalism, or other incidents unrelated to accidents.
4. What to do after a Kansas car accident
- Call 911 and request the police come to the scene, even if the accident is minor; request an ambulance as needed
- Take several photos of the accident from different angles to preserve evidence
- Move your car to the side of the road or to a safe place only if your car is blocking traffic; leaving the vehicles where they are after a crash can potentially help establish fault
- Obtain information, such as name and insurance info, from each involved driver; while the police report should have most of the information, you want to have a copy to provide to your lawyer
- Write down or photograph the following:
- Driver’s full name and contact information, including address, phone, and email
- Driver’s license number
- License plate number
- Vehicle registration and insurance information
- Make, model, and color of each car involved in the accident
- Notify your insurance company
- Call a Kansas personal injury lawyer who can help to ensure you’re getting an appropriate settlement and analyze your future needs.
After a Car Accident, Contact Your Personal Injury Attorney in Kansas
If you’ve been involved in a Kansas car accident, contact the experienced, qualified, compassionate personal injury lawyer in Wichita, KS, at Larry Wall Trial Law. We have helped thousands of people just like you get the compensation they need after a car crash in Wichita. For more information about car accidents, contact Larry Wall, your personal injury lawyer in Wichita, KS.