Kansas Car Accident Settlement and Verdict Amounts for 2024

Plaintiffs in Kansas car accident cases have obtained amounts ranging from around $10,000 to more than $8,000,000 in compensation. Being a non-fault insurance state, Kansas limits the damages that victims can recover in a lawsuit. 

If you’re injured in a Kansas crash, your first recourse is to file a claim with your insurance company. Your policy’s personal injury protection coverage will pay only for your financial losses, such as medical and out-of-pocket expenses. You cannot recover non-economic damages unless you file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. 

This type of legal action, though, can proceed only if your medical bills exceed $2,000 or you suffer severe or permanent injuries, such as loss of a body part. Examples of such cases are listed below.

Examples of Settlement and Verdict Amounts for 2024 Car Accident Cases in Kansas

2023: In Johnson County, a victim of a rear-end collision secured a jury verdict of $550,000 for permanent injuries caused by the crash. The plaintiff claimed she sustained neck and brain injuries and that, as a result, she had to endure life-long pain and suffering. The defendant disputed that the plaintiff’s injuries were a direct result of the crash and contested whether they should be classified as permanent. Before trial, the defendant offered to settle for $17,000, which was more than five times less than the plaintiff’s settlement demand of $100,000.

2023: A man rear-ended a heart transplant nurse who’s stopped at a red light. The defendant was driving with a BAC of .117 during the accident. The plaintiff suffered crash-related injuries, including a broken rib and a deviated septum, which required surgery. The nurse also had to undergo psychiatric treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. The case was settled for $600,000.

2021: In another rear-end accident, the plaintiff sustained neck and back injuries. She claimed that the defendant drove too closely behind her vehicle, at an unsafe speed, and without a proper lookout. The plaintiff won a verdict of $146,416. 

2021: A jury awarded a woman $119,211 for injuries she sustained after being rear-ended. The plaintiff accused the at-fault driver of being careless. She sued the defendant for damages arising out of her injuries, which included cervical trauma, cervical inflammation, a concussion, and a myofascial spinal injury. The woman also had post-concussion syndrome and hand paresthesia.

2021: A T-bone collision caused hip, back, and neck injuries to the plaintiff. The jury returned a verdict of $10,064 for the victim. The defendant owed the plaintiff damages for causing the crash. She allegedly ran a stop sign and failed to maintain a safe lookout.

2020: A parking lot crash left a woman with neck and shoulder injuries. The at-fault driver was held liable for inattentive driving and failing to control his vehicle, which struck the plaintiff's. The jury awarded $87,463 to the woman. A claim was also filed against Allstate. 

Unspecified date: A woman injured in a head-on collision in Sedgwick County received a verdict of $8,517,300. The defendant, who was driving in the opposite direction, struck the plaintiff’s car head on after crossing the centerline. The at-fault driver was found to be intoxicated. The plaintiff, who was pursuing a master’s degree in clinical dietetics, suffered multiple injuries, including a head injury that caused her amnesia and cognitive problems. She also sustained bruises, fractures, and lacerations.

Recover the Compensation That You Deserve

It’s important to know your rights under Kansas car accident laws to obtain proper compensation for your injuries. Find a competent car accident attorney who can represent you in settlement negotiations or litigation to ensure the protection of your rights, whether you are a plaintiff or a defendant. Your lawyer can use their experience dealing with insurance companies, gathering evidence, calculating victims' damages, and arguing before a jury to help you maximize your recovery in your car accident case.