Lawrence Personal Injury Lawyer

When you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, having a skilled Lawrence personal injury lawyer on your side can be the key to protecting your rights and securing the compensation you deserve.

From car accidents and dog bites to slip and falls and wrongful death claims, we provide clear guidance and strong legal support every step of the way. Contact us today for a free consultation.

HOW OUR LAWRENCE PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER SUPPORTS YOU FROM START TO FINISH

Dealing with an injury is hard. Navigating the legal process shouldn’t be. Here’s how we make it manageable:

1. Free Legal Consultation

We start with a free case review. Our Lawrence personal injury lawyer will explain your options and answer your questions. There is no pressure, and there are no fees unless we win.

2. Easy Onboarding
   

When you hire us, we streamline communication and paperwork, so you’re always informed and in control.

3. Care Coordination & Investigation

We help you get the medical treatment you need while collecting important evidence like photos, witness accounts, reports, and more.

4. Demand for Compensation

Once your medical treatment is underway, we prepare a detailed settlement demand showing how the injury has impacted your life.

5.  Tough Negotiation

We stand up to the insurance companies and push for full, fair compensation. No lowball offers accepted.

6. Settlement or Trial

If the insurer won’t settle fairly, we will take your case to court and advocate for your full recovery.

TYPES OF PERSONAL INJURY CASES WE HANDLE 

REAL RESULTS: COMPENSATION WE’VE RECOVERED FOR OUR CLIENTS

$2,300,000 Wrongful Death

Our client was an elderly man of modest means who was killed in a car accident by a reckless driver. The other driver claimed that our client was at-fault for causing the accident. After hard-fought litigation, we obtained a financial settlement that provided financial security for his widow and college funds for his grandchildren. 

$2,000,000 Motorcycle Accident

Our client was injured in a motorcycle accident when another car crashed into him at an intersection. He suffered a serious brain injury that left him permanently disabled. 

At first, the insurance company told his family there was only $100,000 in coverage to pay for his medical bills and replace his income for his family. However, our investigation revealed additional insurance coverages that provided him and his family with much-needed financial resources. Now, he doesn’t have to worry about taking care of his family while he continues to regain his health.

$2,000,000 Bicycle Accident

A teenager struck our client while our client was riding his bicycle around his neighborhood. Our client ultimately died from his injuries. 

The teenager had minimum insurance limits, but using creative legal strategies, we were able to unlock millions of additional coverage for our client’s family. 

Our client’s widow was able to retire early so she could spend more time with her family, while our client’s children could get a head start on retirement and become first-time homeowners. No amount of money will ever replace a loved one, but we were able to pull a few blessings from this very tragic situation.

$800,000+ Semi-Truck Accident

Our client was hit on the side of her car by a fully loaded semi-truck when the truck driver made a last-second lane change to avoid taking an exit on the highway. Our client suffered spinal injuries that were so severe she couldn’t work in her job as a house cleaner anymore, and she didn’t have health insurance to get the treatment she needed to get better. 

We were able to help her find medical providers who would work with her insurance situation. Then we got her a settlement that paid off her medical bills and put a large amount in her pocket so she could start a new career as a real estate investor. She’s doing well now.

$300,000 Car Accident

Our client was t-boned by a young driver when he was passing through an intersection on his way home from work. He suffered a serious concussion and soft tissue orthopedic injuries that made it difficult for him to work in his landscaping job. 

The insurance company initially offered him $10,000, but after we got involved, we were able to get the full limits of the at-fault driver’s insurance policy. He used the money to support himself and his family while transitioning to a less labor-intensive career.

CLIENT REVIEWS: WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT WORKING WITH US

“Kevin went above and beyond to get the max amount awarded to me in a settlement for an automobile accident I was involved in. He guided me through the process and advocated for me until we were able to get the best settlement possible in my case. His experience, knowledge, negotiation skills, communication, and follow through took the stress off my plate and made something that could have been extremely difficult and stressful for me, an easy and stress free process. I would highly recommend Kevin if you are in need of a trustworthy and reliable lawyer who will fight for you.”

–Heather

“After a car accident and a terrible time with the insurance companies, I contacted Kevin Jones. He jumped right in and was able to work with all parties to get a great settlement offer. He made the process easy and gave me great advice about which steps to take moving forward. I am grateful for his help and would definitely recommend him to my family and friends, should they ever find themselves in a similar situation. It is very comforting to have an expert on your side. Thank you!”

–Stephanie

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT PERSONAL INJURY CLAIMS IN LAWRENCE, KS

Kansas law allows you to pursue a personal injury claim if you’ve been injured due to someone else’s careless, reckless, or intentional actions. These claims are designed to help you recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more, while holding the at-fault party accountable.

In Lawrence, KS, personal injury cases often stem from incidents like:

• Car accidents on busy roads such as Iowa Street, 6th Street, or K-10
• Slip and falls in stores, restaurants, or businesses around Massachusetts Street
• Dog bites or animal attacks in local parks or residential neighborhoods

LEGAL GROUNDS FOR A PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM

Depending on the circumstances of your injury, your case may fall under one of the following categories:

Negligence

Most personal injury claims are based on negligence. This means someone failed to use reasonable care, and that failure led to your injury. For instance, a distracted driver who causes a crash or a store owner who ignores a hazardous spill could be liable for negligence.

Intentional Misconduct

If someone intentionally harms you, such as in a case of assault, battery, or other physical attack, you may still have a valid personal injury claim. These civil cases are separate from any criminal proceedings and are focused on securing financial compensation for your damages.

Strict Liability

In some cases, such as those involving defective products, you don’t need to prove fault. If a dangerous or faulty product causes injury, the manufacturer or seller may be strictly liable under Kansas law.

WHAT YOU NEED TO PROVE IN A KANSAS PERSONAL INJURY CASE

To successfully pursue a personal injury claim in Kansas, you must prove four key elements.

1. Duty of Care
   First, we establish that the other party had a legal obligation to act with reasonable care. For example, drivers must operate their vehicles safely, and property owners must maintain a hazard-free environment for visitors.
2. Breach of Duty
   Then, we show that this duty was violated. This might involve reckless driving, texting while driving, or failing to address known safety issues on a property.
3. Causation
   Next, we prove that this breach caused your injury. The key is demonstrating that if the other party had acted responsibly, you wouldn’t have been hurt.
4. Damages
   Finally, we document the impact the injury has had on your life, such as hospital bills, time away from work, physical pain, emotional suffering, or other losses.

UNDERSTANDING MODIFIED COMPARATIVE FAULT IN KANSAS INJURY CASES

In Kansas, personal injury claims follow a rule called modified comparative negligence. This rule means more than one person can share responsibility for an accident, and the compensation you receive may be reduced based on your percentage of fault.

What This Means for Your Case

According to Kansas law, you can recover damages only if you are found to be less than 50% at fault for the incident. If you are equally or more to blame (50% or higher), you won’t be eligible to collect any compensation. If you’re found to be less than 50% at fault, you can still collect compensation, but the amount will be reduced based on how much of the accident was your responsibility.

Let’s say you’re injured in a collision at 23rd Street and Iowa Street—one of the busiest intersections in Lawrence. You were driving slightly over the speed limit when another driver ran a red light and hit your car.

• Investigators determine you were 30% at fault for speeding.
• The other driver is 70% at fault for failing to stop at the red light.
• Your total damages are assessed at $100,000.
• Because of your 30% share of the fault, your recovery is reduced by that amount.
• You would still receive $70,000 in compensation.

Why It Matters

Insurance companies often try to place more blame on injury victims to lower the amount they have to pay. That’s why having Empower Injury Law on your side can make a big difference. We thoroughly investigate your case, collect strong evidence, and work with experts to make sure the fault is assessed fairly, so you aren’t shortchanged.

KANSAS STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR INJURY CLAIMS

If you’ve been hurt in an accident in Lawrence or elsewhere in Kansas, acting quickly is important. The statute of limitations sets a firm deadline for taking legal action, and missing it could mean losing your right to seek compensation altogether.

Personal Injury Lawsuits

In most cases, Kansas law gives you two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you wait too long, the court will likely dismiss your case, regardless of your claim’s validity.

Wrongful Death Cases

When a loved one dies because of someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, family members have two years from the date of death to bring a wrongful death claim, not from the date the injury occurred.

Claims Involving Government Entities

Special rules apply if your injury involves a city or state agency, such as harm caused by unsafe public roads or a government vehicle. Under the Kansas Tort Claims Act, you may need to submit a formal notice of your claim within 120 days of the incident.

Failure to meet this notice deadline could block your case, even if the standard two-year window has not closed.

Time moves fast during recovery. That’s why it helps to have a skilled injury attorney in Lawrence who can manage deadlines and make sure everything is filed correctly and on time.

TYPES OF COMPENSATION AVAILABLE IN LAWRENCE PERSONAL INJURY CASES

ECONOMIC DAMAGES

These damages account for the direct monetary costs of your injury, both the bills you’ve already paid and those you’re likely to face in the future. They’re usually backed by documentation such as medical records, invoices, pay stubs, and expert assessments. Examples include:

• Medical Costs: Emergency care, hospital stays, follow-up appointments, rehabilitation, medication, and medical devices
• Lost Wages and Future Earnings: Income you’ve missed while recovering and the long-term impact on your ability to work or earn a living
• Property Loss: Items damaged in the incident, including your car, phone, clothing, or other personal belongings

NON-ECONOMIC DAMAGES

These damages cover the emotional and personal effects of your injury—impacts that don’t have a precise dollar amount but still change your life in meaningful ways:

• Pain and Suffering: The discomfort and limitations caused by your injury, both now and in the future
• Emotional Distress: Anxiety, depression, trauma, or PTSD that follows a serious accident
• Loss of Enjoyment: When your injury prevents you from enjoying favorite activities, spending quality time with loved ones, or living life as you once did

LIMITS ON NON-ECONOMIC DAMAGES UNDER KANSAS LAW

Injury Claims Against Private Parties

In 2019, the Kansas Supreme Court removed the limit on non-economic damages for most personal injury cases. This means that if a private individual or business caused your injuries, there is no limit on what a jury can award for pain and suffering, emotional trauma, or loss of enjoyment of life.

Claims Involving Government Agencies

Different rules apply if your injury was caused by a government agency, like a city department, school, or public hospital. Under the Kansas Tort Claims Act, the maximum compensation you can receive (including economic and non-economic damages) is capped at $500,000.

This cap applies no matter how serious the injury or how many people were affected. You also can’t receive punitive damages when suing a government agency.

Wrongful Death Claims

When a loved one’s death is caused by someone else’s negligence or misconduct, Kansas law places a cap of $250,000 on non-economic damages. This limit still applies in Kansas wrongful death claims because it’s set by statutory law and hasn’t been overturned by the courts.

PUNITIVE DAMAGES

Most compensation in a personal injury case is meant to help the injured person recover—for example, paying medical bills, covering lost income, or easing pain and suffering. Punitive damages are different. These are meant to punish the wrongdoer for especially harmful behavior, such as willful, fraudulent, malicious, or grossly negligent actions, and to discourage others from doing the same.

Punitive damages in Kansas are capped by law and require a two-step legal process before they can be awarded.

Kansas Rules for Awarding Punitive Damages

1. Stronger Level of Proof
   To qualify for punitive damages, the injured person must show that the at-fault party acted with extreme misconduct, such as willful or reckless behavior. This must be proven with clear and convincing evidence, which is a tougher legal standard than what’s needed for typical personal injury claims.
2. Separate Decision by the Court
   Punitive damages aren’t decided during the regular trial. If the court finds enough evidence to consider them, a second phase takes place after the verdict to determine how much should be awarded.

How Kansas Caps Punitive Damages

Kansas limits how much money can be awarded in punitive damages. The court follows these rules:

1. Starting Point (Default Cap):
   The judge begins by choosing the lower of these two options:
   • The wrongdoer’s highest gross income in any one of the five years before the incident
   • $5 million
2. If That Amount Isn’t Enough:
   If the judge believes the number won’t send a strong enough message, the cap can be raised to up to 50% of the wrongdoer’s net worth, but only if the income-based cap is clearly too low.
3. If the Wrongdoer Profited from the Harm:
   If the person or company made money from what they did, and that profit is more than the cap, the court can award up to 1.5 times the profit instead.

Example of How Punitive Damages Work in Kansas

Let’s say a company did something seriously wrong and caused harm. Here’s what we know:

• The most money they made in one year was $2 million
• Their total net worth is $8 million
• They made $3 million from what they did wrong

Here’s how a Kansas court might handle it:

1. The starting limit for punitive damages would be $2 million (based on their highest yearly income).
2. If the judge thinks that’s not enough to punish the company, they could raise it to $4 million (half of the company’s total worth).
3. However, since the company made $3 million from its wrongdoing, the court could allow up to $4.5 million (1.5 times the profit it earned from the misconduct).

HOW MUCH IS MY LAWRENCE PERSONAL INJURY CASE WORTH?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but common factors include:

• Medical expenses
• Long-term impact on your life
• Emotional and psychological distress
• Strength of liability evidence

Watch the video below to learn more about how these factors may apply to your situation.

Empower Injury Law carefully examines every aspect of your case to help you recover the full compensation you deserve through skilled negotiation or taking your case to court. Our goal is to make sure no dollar is left on the table.

BIGGEST MISTAKES TO AVOID AFTER AN ACCIDENT

What you do after an accident can make or break your personal injury claim. Here are common mistakes and how to avoid them:

Delaying Medical Treatment
Even if you feel fine, get checked by a doctor right away. Some injuries don’t show up immediately, and waiting can hurt your health and claim. Follow all medical advice and keep records of your treatment.

Failing to Report the Accident
Always report the incident, whether it’s a car crash, slip and fall, or workplace injury. Official reports provide essential documentation. Be sure to request a copy for your records.

Admitting Fault
Avoid apologizing or making statements that suggest blame. Even casual remarks can be used against you later. Stick to the facts and let investigators determine who was at fault.

Not Gathering Evidence
If it’s safe, take photos or videos of the scene, injuries, and any damage. Get contact information from witnesses and write down everything you remember while it’s fresh.

Accepting a Quick Settlement
Early settlement offers from insurance companies are often too low. Don’t agree to anything or sign paperwork without first speaking to a personal injury attorney.

Start Smart
At Empower Injury Law, we help Lawrence accident victims take the right steps from day one. If you’ve already made some mistakes, don’t worry—we’re here to help you get back on track. Contact us today for a free consultation.

HOW MUCH DOES A PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER COST?

Legal fees shouldn’t stand in the way of getting the help you need after an injury. That’s why Empower Injury Law is committed to making high-quality legal representation accessible to everyone in Lawrence.

No Upfront Fees

You don’t have to pay anything to get started. Your first consultation is completely free, and there are no hidden expenses or surprise charges.

Pay Only If You Win

We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we only get paid if we win your case. Whether it’s a settlement or a trial verdict, we’re only compensated when you are. If there’s no recovery, there’s no fee.

Clear, Simple Terms

We’ll explain our fee agreement in plain language so you always know what to expect. There are no confusing terms or fine print, just straightforward information to help you feel confident moving forward.

CONTACT A LAWRENCE PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER TODAY

If you’ve been injured in Lawrence—whether on K-10, near the University of Kansas, or in your own neighborhood—you shouldn’t have to take on the insurance companies alone.

At Empower Injury Law, we stand by your side, protect your rights, and help you move forward with clarity and peace of mind. You deserve a legal team that listens, cares, and puts your needs first every step of the way.

Call (816) 892-9909 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation today.