Personal Injury

If you’ve been involved in a rear-end motorcycle accident, you are not alone. Each year, more than 5,000 people are killed in motorcycle accidents and more than 90,000 are injured. Knowing what to expect and the steps to take after an accident can help save your life and protect your rights. In this article, we’ll discuss the common injuries associated with rear-end motorcycle accidents and provide information on how to best handle the situation. If you’ve been hit from behind on a motorcycle, do not hesitate to reach out to our team. Common injuries  Rear-end motorcycle accidents can lead to a variety of serious injuries. Due to the nature of this kind of accident, head and neck injuries are some of the most common ones you will see. According to the National Safety Council, head and neck injuries accounted for 29 percent of all motorcycle fatalities in 2018. Other common injuries associated with rear-end motorcycle accidents include: Road rash: This is a common injury among motorcyclists due to their lack of protection when they are thrown from the bike. Road rash can cause significant pain, swelling, and skin discoloration. In more severe cases, road rash may lead to infection or nerve damage.  Broken bones: When you’re the victim of a rear-end collision, you may be thrown from your bike and suffer broken bones as a result. In addition to causing immense physical pain, it can also have significant financial repercussions due to time off from work and medical bills associated with recovery.  Spinal cord injuries: The spine is made up of many vertebrae that are highly vulnerable to injury in an accident. If your spine sustains trauma during a collision, it could lead to long-term complications such as paralysis or chronic pain. Unfortunately, spinal cord injuries are often permanent and require lifelong medical care.  Loss of limb: Rear-end collisions can cause traumatic amputations if limbs become trapped beneath the vehicle that hit you or were otherwise mangled in the crash itself. The loss of a limb can drastically alter your life as you adjust both physically and emotionally to this new reality.  Steps you can take after an accident What you do immediately after an accident may have a huge impact on how the accident will affect you inside and outside of the courtroom. Here are some steps you should take if you find yourself in this unfortunate situation: Seek medical attention right away: It’s important not only for your health but also for any legal action you decide to pursue. This is because having timely records documenting your injuries will help build your case against the other party involved in the crash and clearly show the nature and the extent of your injuries. Notify law enforcement about the accident: Make sure that an official report is filed so that there is a public record indicating who was responsible for causing the crash (as well as any other details related to it).  Contact a qualified motorcycle accident attorney: You may be entitled to receive compensation from those responsible for causing your rear-end motorcycle accident. Having an experienced lawyer on your side will increase your chances of getting what’s owed to you legally under the law. A good attorney will also be able to guide you through any tricky legal situations by thoroughly explaining your rights along with providing helpful counsel throughout each step of proceedings. Contact Our Overland Park Motorcycle Accident Lawyers With decades of experience helping Kansas and Missouri residents who suffered severe motorcycle accident injuries, our Overland Park motorcycle accident lawyers are here to help. We focus on helping our clients recover what they have lost and will fight aggressively to ensure that they receive the compensation they deserve. If you have been injured in an accident, fill out a contact form or call us at (913) 839-2808.

Roundabouts are an increasingly common feature of the modern roadway. But despite their convenience, roundabouts have their own set of dangers. That’s why it’s important for drivers to understand the risks associated with traveling through roundabouts so that they can make informed decisions behind the wheel. The team at Morefield Speicher Bachman wants to help you do just that by providing this comprehensive guide to understanding and avoiding roundabout-related accidents. If you have been injured in a car accident at a roundabout or any intersection, please don’t hesitate to contact us. The Pros and Cons of Roundabouts Roundabouts are becoming increasingly popular in the US due to their ability to reduce congestion, increase safety, and save money. They can also be a great way to control traffic flow if they’re designed correctly. However, they can be dangerous if drivers don’t take the time to understand how they work.  Here are some of the pros and cons associated with roundabouts: Pros: Improve traffic flow by eliminating congestion caused by stoplights  Improve safety because vehicles must slow down before entering  Can reduce emissions due to elimination of stop-and-go traffic patterns  Cost less to maintain than traditional intersections with stoplights  Cons:  Typically require more space than other types of intersections  Can be confusing for drivers unfamiliar with roundabouts or who are not paying attention  Poorly-designed roundabouts have been found to increase crash rates, resulting in higher insurance premiums  Dangerous for pedestrians to cross due to the size of the intersection and vehicles not stopping Understanding Roundabout Dangers and Causes of Accidents It’s important for you to understand the potential risks associated with traveling through roundabouts so that you can make informed decisions behind the wheel. The most common causes of accidents at roundabouts include: Inexperience – Drivers who are not familiar with how roundabouts work may try to pass through too quickly or fail to yield appropriately. This is especially common among inexperienced teenage drivers.  Driver Distraction – Many drivers become distracted as they enter a roundabout and fail to pay attention to where they need to go next. Drivers need to plan ahead as they approach a roundabout and they need to be aware of vehicles approaching from other directions. It’s important that all drivers stay focused while traveling through a roundabout in order to avoid an accident.  Speeding – Speeding is one of the leading causes of accidents at any intersection, including roundabouts. It’s important for drivers to obey posted speed limits while making their way through a roundabout in order to minimize their risk of an accident. How Morefield Speicher Bachman Can Help At Morefield Speicher Bachman, we understand that navigating a busy roadway can be tricky, regardless of whether it contains a traditional intersection or a roundabout. Our Overland Park personal injury attorneys are committed to obtaining the maximum possible compensation for our clients. We are here to help guide clients through the challenging process of navigating a car accident and maintain a close line of communication with them throughout. In the event you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a roundabout accident, call (913) 839-2808 for a free and confidential case evaluation.

If you or a loved one has been in an accident, it can be an overwhelming experience. While the police report may seem like the most reliable source of information, there are times when a police officer gets it wrong. From faulting you incorrectly to saying you were “not injured” when you were, here’s what those injured in an accident should consider if the police report isn’t accurate after an accident. If you have been injured in an accident and have to deal with an inaccurate police report, contact our personal injury attorneys today. Common Mistakes in Reports When someone is injured in an accident, the police report often contains important evidence. It is used by insurance companies and lawyers to either validate or discredit the merit of your claims. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for the report to be wrong in key areas. Two particularly worrying examples involve: The police have wrongfully held you accountable in their report. Although this is concerning, an experienced attorney can speak with other witnesses to verify your account or even arrange for an accident reconstruction specialist to demonstrate that the crash was not your fault. The police report may suggest that you weren’t hurt in the accident. Don’t be discouraged—this isn’t necessarily detrimental to your case. Even if the police didn’t notice any injuries, they are not medical professionals. As long as your doctor supports your claim of being hurt in the incident, the police report won’t prevent you from proving your injuries in court. How People Can Protect Themselves What’s in the police report matters, but it is far from being the be-all and end-all when it comes to your case. When investigating an accident, the police report is only one of many sources of information. To ensure accuracy and develop strong proof of the incident, you can take additional steps such as: Seek medical attention immediately. It is common for accident victims to hurt much worse several hours after the incident or even a day later. If you have any concerns that you have suffered an injury in the accident, seek immediate medical attention. This helps prevent the insurance company from arguing that your injuries are unrelated to the accident. Cooperate with the police, but don’t admit fault. Many accident victims don’t want to get the other driver in trouble, so they minimize the conduct of the other driver. Don’t do that. It is important to be accurate in your police report. You do not want to be blamed for the errors of the other driver.  Request a copy of the report. You can contact the station either through its website or by phone. There is typically a nominal fee for this service; however, it’s worth it to thoroughly inspect the document and make sure there are no inaccuracies. Reach out to a lawyer who has successfully helped other accident victims. If you’re concerned by any inconsistencies or declarations in the report, consulting with an experienced attorney can save you hassle and time. Through discussing your worries with an attorney, you’ll be able to find out if these issues could lead to difficulties and precisely how to make sure they don’t negatively affect your claim for damages. We Are Here For You If you have been in an automobile collision and the official police report is wrong, it’s important to have a knowledgeable lawyer on your side. At Morefield Speicher Bachman, our lawyers offer free, private assessments to make sure you’re taking the proper steps with your injury case. Get in touch by calling us at (913) 839-2808.

When it comes to personal injury claims, posts on social media can damage your case. It has been said that social media is forever. We know that is true when we see celebrities and politicians publicly embarrassed by something they posted to social media several years ago. Social media will almost never help your case. Those who have been injured need to know what to avoid doing on social media and how posts by others can also damage their case. In this article, we’ll discuss how to protect yourself online and provide recommendations for safe social media use. If you’ve been injured in an accident and have questions, our team of personal injury attorneys is here to help. What Lawyers Look For on Social Media When investigating and proving personal injury claims, attorneys use social media as a powerful tool to investigate the opposing party. You can be sure that the opposing lawyer will  look for posts that may provide insight into the circumstances surrounding your injury, as well as posts that show the impact of the injury on your lifestyle. They also look for posts that can be used to cast doubt on your injuries. The opposing attorney may use seemingly unrelated social media posts to attack your claims. The danger of social media is that one of your posts may be taken out of context. That picture you post of you and your family smiling and celebrating at a wedding may be used by the opposing party to claim you aren’t really hurt. The picture may not show that you arrived at the wedding on crutches or that you had to take pain medications to endure the event. Social media posts usually show us at our smiling best. Posts that were intended to show a happy moment can be used by the opposing party to paint a false picture that you have fully recovered. When you try to explain to a jury what your life is really like, the defense lawyer may argue that your social media posts are what you chose to tell the world about yourself and that what you are telling the jury is only for the purpose of getting money. Your lawyers will also conduct social media research on the party who injured you. We have had cases where the defendant posted pictures that were inconsistent with their story at deposition or trial.  What Not to Do It’s usually best to avoid posting on social media when you have a case pending, or at least minimize it.  Common mistakes that can damage a case include posting pictures or statements regarding the accident or injury online or engaging in online conversations about the incident with other parties involved. Social media is risky because your posts can be taken out of context.  Even unrelated pictures of yourself can be used by your opponent to imply that you are not really hurt. Such posts can be used as evidence against you, potentially weakening or even disproving your side of the story. Third-Party Posts Additionally, you should be aware that posts by others may also have an impact on your case. Even if a post does not originate from you directly, it is important to remember that any post made by family or friends about your injury can be used against you, so it’s best to keep everyone in your circle informed not to discuss your case online and to avoid posting pictures of you online. Recommendations  When filing a personal injury claim, individuals should take these steps to protect themselves online: Avoid discussing details of the accident or injury on social media sites; If you made posts before reading this article, do not delete your posts or social media accounts – you may be accused of destroying evidence; Make your social media accounts as private as possible – your attorney can guide you through the process; Avoid posting selfies or other photographs of yourself online; Ensure family and friends are aware of what not to share online; and Reach out for legal advice if you’re unsure about a post’s implications for your case. Protect Your Rights With Our Representation Understanding how social media plays a role in personal injury claims is key for both current and prospective clients who are considering legal action. If you have been injured in an accident, please do not hesitate to contact our Overland Park personal injury attorneys. Call (913) 839-2808, or email MSB and let us help you through this difficult time.

For families that have suffered the loss of a loved one due to an accident or another’s negligence, the grief can be devastating. Unfortunately, this tragedy can be compounded by ongoing financial and emotional burdens. If your family has been affected by a wrongful death, you may have legal recourse available in the form of a wrongful death lawsuit. At Morefield Speicher Bachman, we understand that taking legal action may seem daunting, but we are here to get justice on behalf of those who have lost their loved ones. In this article, we will provide an overview of wrongful death lawsuits and what families need to know. Qualifying Factors for Wrongful Death Cases: Under the law, a wrongful death claim can be made for the death of a family member when the death was caused by another’s negligence or misconduct. In order to qualify for this type of lawsuit, families must prove that their loved one’s death was caused by the wrongful action or inaction of another party. Examples of cases that can qualify for wrongful death claims include car accidents, medical malpractice, product defects or dangerous products on the market and workplace negligence or mishandling of hazardous materials. When the death was caused by workplace negligence, the claim may need to be brought through the workers compensation system. Who is Liable in a Wrongful Death Case? Liability in these types of cases depends on many factors, but typically any party whose negligence caused the death of the deceased can be liable. This includes medical professionals who failed to provide adequate care to their patient, employers whose actions violated safety regulations leading to a workplace accident, drivers who were under the influence or negligent when operating a vehicle, and property owners who did not maintain safe conditions on their premises. Depending on state laws and individual circumstances, other entities may also be held accountable for wrongful deaths. Rights & Damages Claimable Under Law In cases of wrongful death, family members may be able to pursue damages for medical expenses incurred prior to death, loss of financial support from the deceased individual, emotional distress due to losing a loved one, funeral expenses and more. Additionally, punitive damages may be awarded in extreme cases where the wrongdoer’s conduct was reckless or intentional. As each case is unique and state laws vary when it comes to rights and remedies available after wrongful deaths occur, it is important to contact an experienced wrongful death attorney who can evaluate your situation and determine if you have grounds for filing a claim against those at fault. We regularly handle wrongful death claims in Kansas and Missouri. Contact Our Overland Park Wrongful Death Lawyers Today Determining responsibility for wrongdoings can be difficult without professional guidance – working with an attorney ensures that all steps taken during litigation are legally sound so you do not miss out on any potential benefits due under the law. If you have recently lost a loved one due to another’s mistakes or irresponsibility, do not hesitate to get help from one of our experienced wrongful death attorneys. Call us today at (913) 839-2808.