If you were seriously hurt or lost someone you love in a car accident caused by a negligent driver, you are facing some of the hardest questions of your life. After the initial shock fades, you’re left with pain, grief, mounting bills, financial distress, and uncertainty about what comes next. You may be wondering if your health will return, how long you’ll be out of work, or whether your life will ever feel normal again. These aren’t just inconvenient disruptions. They’re life-changing events.
At Presley & Presley Trial Lawyers, we handle car accident cases involving serious injuries and wrongful death. For over 30 years, Kansas City families have trusted us to take on insurance companies and handle their high-stakes claims. Our proven track record of life-changing results includes a $30 million catastrophic auto accident recovery and a $15 million car accident settlement. For years, residents of Kansas City and the state of Missouri trust Presley and Presley when a moving vehicle accident upends their life.
We care deeply about what our clients go through, because we’ve seen the lasting impact these accidents have—physically, emotionally, and financially.
Why Choose Presley and Presley Trial Lawyers for Your Car Accident Case?
We’re not a volume firm trying to settle as many claims as possible. Presley and Presley Trial Lawyers is a boutique law firm focused on high-stakes, high-value litigation. We take a limited number of cases so that every client receives the full attention and resources their case demands.
Deep experience in catastrophic injury litigation
We focus on cases involving serious harm—brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, and wrongful death. We understand the long-term impact these injuries have and how to build a case that reflects the true extent of your losses.
History of significant recoveries
Presley and Presley Trial Lawyers has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for clients across Missouri, Kansas, and nationwide. Some of our recent results include:
- $30,000,000 in an auto accident case
- $15,000,000 in a car accident settlement
- $11,000,000 in a bad faith lawsuit verdict
Respect in the legal community
Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and the Missouri Lawyers Media Power List are some of the organizations that have recognized our attorneys for their professionalism and results. Other law firms often bring us in for our ability to handle complex litigation and maximize client recovery.
One-on-one client care
We believe every client deserves to feel heard, supported, and informed. When you hire us, you’ll have a legal team that answers your questions, respects your time, and treats your case with the urgency it deserves.
We take on powerful insurance companies
We’ve spent decades going up against the largest insurers in the country. We know how they operate and how to hold them accountable. We won’t let an insurance company lowball your claim or pressure you into settling for less than your case is worth.
The Scope of the Problem: Car Accidents in the U.S.
Every year, millions of Americans find their lives turned upside down by traffic crashes. In one recent year, nearly 40,000 people lost their lives in car accidents across the U.S., and over 2 million were injured, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Missouri alone sees close to 1,000 deaths annually from motor vehicle crashes.
In Kansas City, 68 people died in traffic crashes in a recent year, according to data from the Kansas City Police Department. This was a drop from the most recent five years, where an average of 95 people died each year.
Some of the most dangerous roads run through major transportation corridors like I-70, I-35, and I-435, all cutting through the Kansas City metro. Factors like distracted driving, high-speed trucking routes, and seasonal weather hazards contribute to the risk. Despite advances in vehicle safety, far too many drivers and passengers are still paying the price for someone else’s recklessness.
Types of Car Accidents We Handle
Car crashes happen in countless ways, and the details of how they happen often determine who’s responsible and how much compensation is available. At Presley and Presley Trial Lawyers, we represent clients in a wide range of crash scenarios, each with its own legal challenges. These include:
- Dangerous road conditions
- Drunk driving crashes
- Head-on collisions
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- Rollover accidents
- Side-impact collisions
- Texting while driving
- Uber and Lyft accidents
What Causes Most Car Accidents?
Some of the most common causes include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Fatigue or drowsy driving
- Aggressive driving
- Failing to yield or obey traffic signals
- Failure to adjust driving to weather conditions
Common Injuries in Serious Car Crashes
Serious auto collisions often lead to long-term or even permanent harm. We regularly represent clients dealing with:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries, partial or full paralysis
- Broken bones or orthopedic trauma
- Severe burns or disfigurement
- Internal organ damage
- Soft tissue and joint injuries
- Psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
Some injuries require surgery, long-term rehabilitation, or round-the-clock care. Cases involving serious injuries are not simple. They demand medical documentation, expert analysis, and a legal team capable of building a case for long-term compensation.
What Kind of Compensation Can You Recover After a Car Accident?
You shouldn’t have to bear the financial burden brought on by someone else’s carelessness. When we handle your case, we pursue compensation that reflects the full extent of your suffering and losses, not just what the insurance company says your case is worth.
Depending on your case, compensation may include:
- Emergency and ongoing medical care
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Lost wages or diminished earning ability
- Future medical and life care costs
- Property damage
- Pain, emotional suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life
The compensation you pursue in a car accident claim should reflect the real impact the crash has had on your health, your income, and your future. Our Kansas City car accident attorneys meticulously document those losses and relentlessly pursue a recovery that meets all of your needs.
Pursuing Compensation for Wrongful Death Caused by Car Accidents
In wrongful death cases, the impact extends far beyond financial losses. Families are left grieving while also facing practical challenges, such as how to cover funeral expenses or make up for the income and benefits the deceased would have provided. Beyond the dollars and cents, there is the emotional void—loss of guidance, companionship, and the unique role that person played in their family’s life.
Laws governing wrongful death damages and who is eligible to claim them vary from state to state. For instance, in Missouri, eligible family members may recover a wide range of losses, including funeral costs, lost financial support, and the value of services the person provided at home. In Kansas, families may also pursue compensation, though state law places limits on certain types of non-economic damages.
These cases are never easy. We know that no amount of money can make up for the loss of a loved one. What we can do is fight to ease the financial burden and hold the responsible party accountable, helping families find a measure of security as they move forward.
Who May Be Held Responsible in a Car Accident?
Many people assume car crashes are simply between two drivers. In reality, liability can extend far beyond the obvious parties.
Depending on the facts of your case, responsible parties might include:
- Another driver
- A commercial vehicle driver and their employer
- A municipality or contractor responsible for road design or maintenance
- A manufacturer of a defective vehicle or part
- A rideshare company or delivery platform
- Another passenger or pedestrian who created a hazard
Our team of experienced car accident lawyers conducts a thorough investigation using accident reports, crash reconstruction, dashcam footage, black box data (if applicable), and witness statements. We identify all liable parties and ensure that each one is held accountable.
Do I Have a Valid Car Accident Claim?
Many people hesitate to contact a lawyer because they’re unsure if they even have a case. Lawyers use the four pillars of personal injury to determine if someone has a valid claim on their hands. The four pillars are:
- You were owed duty of care. In personal injury law, the duty of care refers to the responsibility that one person owes another. In this case, when you take your car out on the road, you owe a duty of care to everyone else that you will drive responsibly. The same goes for auto manufacturers: they have a duty of care to create safe vehicles.
- That duty was breached. A breach of the duty of care occurs when someone doesn’t uphold their duty of care. For example, driving after drinking, failing to check a blind spot before merging, or a local municipality failing to design safe roads.
- The breach caused the accident. You must be able to link the breach in the duty of care with the accident that caused your injuries. If a driver runs a stop sign and hits you, that would be an example of causation.
- The accident resulted in damages. You must show that the accident had a measurable impact on your life. Some examples include incurring high medical costs, being unable to work, and losing the use of a limb.
At Presley and Presley Trial Lawyers, one of our first steps is building a strong foundation for your case. If you’re unsure whether your situation qualifies for compensation, we offer free consultations to help you understand your options with no pressure or obligation.
Navigating the Border: Missouri vs. Kansas Lawsuit Rules
Since different states have different laws when it comes to filing a lawsuit after a traffic accident, determining your rights and options can be confusing, especially when the accident occurs on or near a state border. Kansas City residents are no strangers to navigating two different state laws at once.
Here’s what you need to know if your accident took place on the Kansas side of Kansas City:
- Generally, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If a government entity or employee is involved, the time frame is much shorter, and you must first file a notice of claim
- Kansas follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means that you can still file a lawsuit even if you are partially at fault. You must be less than 50 percent responsible in order to file a personal injury suit.
However, if your accident occurred on the Missouri side of Kansas City, you should be familiar with these laws:
- You generally have five years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit.
- Missouri operates under a pure contributory negligence system. This means you will not be barred from seeking compensation, even if you are 99 percent at fault. You can still seek compensation for the remaining 1 percent of fault from the other party.
What Should I Do When the Insurance Company Calls?
If you're already getting calls or letters from insurance adjusters, proceed with caution. Insurance companies are businesses, and their goal is to minimize payouts.
If you get a call asking for a recorded statement, you can say that you do not feel comfortable giving a statement at this time. Then, contact an attorney as soon as possible for advice about what to do next. If the insurance company calls back, direct the insurance representative to your attorney. When you work with Presley and Presley Trial Lawyers, we take over all communication with the insurance company to protect your rights and prevent you from being pressured or misled.
What Should You Do After a Car Accident?
If you’ve already received medical attention or you’re being treated, that’s always the right first step. But there are other actions you can take to help preserve your rights and strengthen your claim:
- Hire a car accident lawyer immediately
- Keep all medical appointments and follow treatment plans
- Write or video journal your pain levels, emotional stress, and day-to-day struggles
- Preserve all evidence
- Avoid posting about the accident on social media
You don’t have to handle this process alone. Our team guides you through every step.
FAQs About Car Accident Claims
What is the deadline for filing a car accident claim?
Each state has its own statute of limitations. In Missouri, the statute of limitations generally provides five years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury claim. In Kansas, the statute of limitations deadline is two years. For wrongful death cases, both states limit claims to two years. However, these deadlines can vary depending on the facts of your case, so don’t delay.
What if I’m partly to blame for the crash?
Missouri follows a pure comparative fault rule, which allows you to recover damages even if you were mostly at fault. Kansas follows a modified comparative fault system; if you are 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover anything. These laws underscore the importance of working with a qualified car accident lawyer who can defend you and your claim against the insurance company’s attempts to blame you for the accident.
How much does a car accident lawyer cost?
Presley and Presley Trial Lawyers works on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay us anything upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. Our consultations are always free.
What if I was injured in a crash involving a company vehicle?
Commercial vehicle crashes can be more complicated because they may involve a company, a third-party contractor, or a fleet manager. These entities often have larger insurance policies and aggressive defense teams. We know how to handle them.
Can I still recover compensation if the driver who hit me was uninsured?
Yes. If you have uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, your own insurance policy may provide compensation. We can evaluate your policy and explain your options if the other driver lacks coverage.
Start Your Case with a Car Accident Lawyer at Presley and Presley Trial Lawyers Today
After decades of helping clients rebuild their lives, we’ve seen the physical struggles, the financial pressure, and the grief that never make it into an insurance claim. That changes you as a lawyer and as a person. It’s why we’ve committed our practice to representing people with the most serious injuries and families facing wrongful death.
At Presley and Presley Trial Lawyers, we treat every client the way we would want our own families treated if the roles were reversed—with respect, honesty, and a relentless commitment to justice. We know legal action can’t undo what happened, but it can provide the resources to move forward and help prevent the same harm from happening again. If your family is dealing with the fallout of a catastrophic crash, call us at (816) 931-4611.