How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Kansas or Missouri?

Kansas City Car Accidents Are Governed by Kansas or Missouri Law

If you were injured in a car accident and must file a claim with the negligent driver’s insurance company, it is important to understand the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit. This is the deadline you have under the law to file your complaint. It is one of the most important laws to follow.

Statute of Limitations in Kansas

The penalty for failing to comply with the statute of limitations is harsh. Your complaint would most likely be dismissed. Here are the statute of limitations rules that you must comply with in Kansas:

• Personal injuries and property damage. The statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident.
• Wrongful death. If a loved one died in a car accident, you have two years from the date of his death to file a lawsuit.

Statute of Limitations in Missouri

Like many of the laws governing car accident cases, the statute of limitations is different in Missouri than in Kansas. The statute of limitations are:

• Personal injuries and property damage. Your time limit to sue is five years from the date of the accident.
• Wrongful death. When you are filing a wrongful death lawsuit due to a family member’s death, the statute of limitations is three years from the date of his death.

Why You Shouldn’t Wait Until the Statute of Limitations Deadline to Retain an Experienced Car Accident Attorney

Although you may feel like you have plenty of time before the statute of limitations will expire, you do not want to wait that long to retain an experienced car accident attorney. You will strengthen your claim by hiring a lawyer right away. This will allow him to investigate your claim more thoroughly, help you avoid mistakes, and collect the evidence that you need to prove your case before it is lost or destroyed.

Our firm represents clients who have been seriously injured or have had a loved one killed in a car accident in both Kansas and Missouri. For more information about personal injury claims in Missouri and Kansas, please download a free copy of my book, Crash Course, from our website. You can also contact our firm by calling (816) 203-0143 or by filling out a form on this website for a free, no-obligation consultation to learn how we can assist you.