How to Choose the Right Personal Injury Lawyer in Kansas City, MO

Q: What questions should I ask a personal injury lawyer?

Ask about Missouri Bar license status and any public discipline, how contingency fees and expenses are calculated in a written agreement, and the lawyer’s experience with cases like yours (e.g., auto, premises, medical).

Q: How are personal injury lawyers paid?

Most use contingency fees—payment only if there is a recovery. The agreement must be in writing and specify the percentage, which costs you may owe, and whether expenses are deducted before or after the fee (per ABA Model Rule 1.5).

Q: What is Missouri’s statute of limitations for personal injury?

Generally five years for most personal injury claims under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120, but specific facts or claim types can change the deadline. Ask an attorney to confirm your exact time limit.

Q: Where can I file a complaint about an insurance claim in Missouri?

You can file a consumer complaint with the Missouri Department of Commerce & Insurance, which also provides a hotline for assistance.

October 2, 2025

Choosing a personal injury lawyer affects the outcome of your claim, your costs, and how efficiently your case moves through Missouri courts. This guide explains how to verify a lawyer’s license and discipline status, understand fee agreements, and evaluate experience with cases like yours. However, many people rely on marketing claims, skip fee details, or miss Missouri-specific rules that impact deadlines and eligibility.

Why People Struggle

They don’t verify that a lawyer is licensed and in good standing with the Supreme Court of Missouri.
They sign contingency agreements without required written terms on percentages and expenses (ABA Model Rule 1.5).
They overlook Missouri’s five-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims, risking missed deadlines (Missouri Revised Statutes § 516.120).
They rely on word-of-mouth alone and don’t use bar association referral tools.
They misunderstand how to handle insurance communications after crashes (Insurance Information Institute) and where to escalate complaints (Missouri Department of Commerce & Insurance).

In this article, you’ll learn how to avoid these pitfalls and make informed choices.

1) Verify License, Standing, and Discipline

Confirm the lawyer is licensed and in good standing before any consultation. The Missouri Bar’s Official Directory lets you look up a lawyer’s status with the Supreme Court of Missouri. You can also review how public discipline records are disseminated by the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel. If you need formal proof of good standing, Missouri Courts describe how certificates are issued by the Supreme Court clerk.

What to do: Search the Missouri Bar directory for the attorney’s name; confirm “good standing,” active status, and contact details. Ask directly whether any public discipline exists and request written confirmation if you have concerns.

2) Understand the Fee Agreement—In Writing

Most personal injury cases use contingency fees. Under the ABA’s Model Rule 1.5, a contingent fee agreement must be in writing, signed by the client, and state how the fee is calculated and whether expenses are deducted before or after the fee. The ABA also explains that contingency fees are typically used where money damages are sought, such as personal injury and workers’ compensation.

What to do: Ask for a written fee agreement that lists the percentage for settlement, trial, and appeal; which costs you may owe; and when they’re deducted. Keep a copy for your records.

3) Check Experience That Matches Your Case

Experience with your type of claim (auto collisions, premises liability, medical-related injuries, etc.) helps a lawyer anticipate evidence needs and insurer tactics. The ABA’s consumer resources outline what personal injury cases involve and typical processes and outcomes.

If your claim involves a motor-vehicle crash near Johnson County, see our car accident lawyer in Overland Park guide for Kansas-specific steps.

What to do: Ask how many similar cases the lawyer has handled in the past two years, typical timelines, and case-resolution percentages (settlement vs. trial). Use bar association referral tools to identify lawyers focused on your issue.

If your matter involves a fatality, review our guide to wrongful death lawsuits before hiring counsel. If your claim involves a commercial vehicle or semi, review our truck accident lawyer in Kansas City resource for next steps.

4) Know Missouri Deadlines That Affect Your Rights

Missouri generally gives five years to file most personal injury lawsuits (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120), but specific facts can change when the clock starts and other claims have different limits. Waiting reduces leverage with insurers and can bar recovery.

What to do: Ask the lawyer to calculate your exact deadline and to identify any shorter limits that could apply (for example, potential claims against governmental entities may have different requirements).

Deadlines differ for healthcare claims; review our overview of medical malpractice to understand timing and proof requirements.

5) Manage Insurance Communications Wisely

After a crash, starting the claims process promptly and documenting the scene helps protect your claim (Insurance Information Institute). If you believe an insurer mishandled your claim, the Missouri Department of Commerce & Insurance provides a complaint process and hotline.

What to do: Before giving a recorded statement, ask your lawyer whether it’s necessary. Keep copies of medical records, bills, repair estimates, and correspondence.

Common Mistake to Avoid: Choosing by Ads Alone

People often decide based on advertising or settlement amounts reported in marketing. Ads don’t verify license status, fee terms, or whether the lawyer who advertises will personally handle your file. The ABA recommends using trusted referrals and bar tools to evaluate suitability for your specific legal problem.

Correct approach: Use the Missouri Bar directory to confirm standing, review the written fee agreement as required by Model Rule 1.5, and interview at least two lawyers about experience with your injury type.

What You Can Expect When You Follow These Steps

When you verify licensure and discipline, secure a compliant written contingency agreement, and select counsel with matching case experience, you reduce the risk of missed deadlines and cost surprises, and you improve case readiness with insurers and the court (Missouri Bar Directory; Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120; ABA Model Rule 1.5).

FAQs

What questions should I ask a personal injury lawyer?

Ask about license status and any public discipline (with a directory link), how contingency fees and expenses are calculated in writing, and experience with your injury type (Missouri Bar Directory; ABA Model Rule 1.5; ABA Consumer Resources).

How are personal injury lawyers paid?

Most use contingency fees—payment only if there’s a recovery. The agreement must be in writing and specify the percentage and how costs are handled (ABA on Contingent Fees; ABA Model Rule 1.5).