What Is Personal Injury Law?
Personal injury law helps people who are hurt—physically or mentally—because of someone else’s actions. The goal is to get financial compensation from the person or party responsible.
Most cases in Missouri are based on negligence, which means someone didn’t act with reasonable care and caused harm. To win, the injured person must prove four things:
- The other person had a duty to be careful
- They didn’t meet that duty
- Their actions caused the injury
- The injury led to real harm or losses
In some cases, harmful behavior like assault can also lead to a personal injury case.
To prove a case, the injured person (called the plaintiff) must show it’s more likely than not that their claims are true. A personal injury lawyer helps gather evidence to do this.
Most cases settle before going to court. The plaintiff’s lawyer often starts by sending a demand letter—a document that explains what happened, the injuries, and how much money is being requested to settle.
The person being sued (the defendant) can pay, make a counteroffer, or ignore it. If no agreement is reached, the plaintiff can file a lawsuit, and the court process begins.
Both sides can collect and share evidence in a process called discovery. This might include interviews, documents, or video footage.
In the end, most cases are settled out of court. But if no agreement is made, a judge or jury may decide who is at fault and how much should be paid.
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Personal Injury Cases We Handle
In Missouri, personal injury cases can arise from various situations. Here are eight types:
- Car Accidents: If a driver causes a crash through carelessness, injured people can seek compensation—usually through insurance, or a lawsuit if needed.
- Slip and Fall: Property owners must keep their spaces safe. Wet floors or uneven ground can cause falls and serious injuries, like head trauma.
- Dog Bites: Dog owners are responsible if their pet bites someone, even if it happens inside their home.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: These can have long-term effects. It’s important to fully understand the impact before accepting a settlement.
- Truck Accidents: Big trucks can cause serious harm. Causes include distracted driving, substance use, or poor vehicle maintenance.
- Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcyclists can be seriously hurt, even without a direct collision, if another driver’s actions force them off the road.
- Wrongful Death: If someone dies because of another’s actions, the family can seek compensation for lost income and emotional suffering.
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What Can I Be Compensated For?
The main goal of a personal injury case is to get money to help the injured person recover. This can cover both financial and emotional losses.
Economic (Financial) Damages
These are the real, out-of-pocket costs like:
- Medical bills (hospital stays, surgeries, rehab, medication)
- Lost wages if you can’t work
- Property damage (like fixing or replacing your car)
- Other related expenses (like travel to medical appointments)
Non-Economic Damages
These cover emotional and personal effects, such as:
- Pain and suffering (physical and emotional)
- Loss of enjoyment of life (if you can’t do hobbies or activities you used to love)
- Impact on relationships (like with your spouse or family)
In rare cases, punitive damages may also be awarded to punish someone for especially bad behavior.
Altogether, the goal is to help make up for what was lost and support your recovery.
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Importance of Contacting a Personal Injury Attorney
Getting a personal injury lawyer right away can make a big difference in your case. They’ll quickly gather evidence, find witnesses, and protect your rights—especially when dealing with insurance companies.
An experienced Kansas City personal injury attorney knows how to calculate the full value of your case, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. They handle the legal process, meet deadlines, and fight to get you the best possible outcome—whether through settlement or in court.
Choosing the Right Attorney Matters!
Not all lawyers are the same. You want someone with a strong track record, deep knowledge of Missouri law, and experience with insurance companies’ tactics.
At Northland Injury Law, our team has years of experience helping accident victims. We’re committed to personal attention, aggressive representation, and making sure you get the compensation you deserve to recover fully.
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FAQs
Birth injuries must be filed within two years from the date of the injury. There are few exceptions to this important legal deadline to the statute of limitations. If you have questions regarding your eligibility to file a personal injury lawsuit, you can ask a trusted personal injury lawyer. Birth injury lawyers have a deep understanding of the filing deadlines you must meet.
Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis, so their fees are based on a percentage of the final settlement or trial award. The percentage is based on the amount of time and resources needed to represent the client and other factors. Attorneys who have more experience tend to charge more than less experienced lawyers.
The fee for a successful personal injury case is also known as the attorney’s contingency fee. This is a percentage that the lawyer and their client agree upon when signing their attorney-client agreement.
The contingency fee is paid from the personal injury settlement once the case is resolved. The contingency fee could also come from any award given by a judge or jury in favor of the plaintiff if the case goes to trial.
The usual result of a settlement, if the injured victim accepts the settlement, is that the insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit is considered closed. Reaching an agreeable settlement often takes time. The defendant may not admit guilt as a condition of offering a settlement amount.
The at-fault party or their insurance company may not be willing to offer a fair settlement offer at first. A personal injury lawyer can consider the facts of your case when advising you on whether a settlement amount will cover your past, current, and future medical costs.
The job of a personal injury attorney is to explore all means of compensation for clients. Personal injury laws in Missouri allow attorneys to hold the at-fault party accountable for causing physical or mental harm to the lawyer’s client.
Following a car accident, the attorney’s job may be to negotiate a favorable settlement from the at-fault driver’s car insurance. Other cases may call for direct legal action through the filing of a personal injury lawsuit.
Connect with Us for Expert Legal Support
If you have received auto accident injuries due to someone else’s negligence, you need a car accident injury lawyer. We are also a truck accident law firm. You should not suffer the financial consequences of someone else’s negligence or misconduct. No matter what type of injury you incur, you can work with a trusted personal injury attorney who will take the steps needed to let you receive compensation for your injuries.
Whether your case requires negotiations with the at-fault party’s insurance company or direct litigation, you can trust the attorneys at Northland Injury Law to do what is right for you. Our team is committed to providing personalized, dedicated representation for every client. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial strain you face and work to achieve a favorable outcome to ease your worries and let you focus on making a full recovery.
Connect with us today if you need a personal injury attorney in Kansas City. Let us help you navigate the legal process with confidence and fight for the compensation you deserve so you can move forward with confidence and peace of mind.