Car Accidents

Car Accident Attorney in Pettis County

Serving Pettis County Car Accident Victims From Sedalia Since 1951

Kempton & Russell has represented car accident victims from our office in downtown Sedalia, directly across from the Pettis County Courthouse, since 1951. That’s more than seven decades of motor vehicle collision cases handled by attorneys who live and practice in this county. Every client works one-on-one with their chosen attorney from the first conversation through final resolution. Cases are not handed off to a paralegal or associate.

We handle the full range of injuries that auto accidents produce: traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, severe burns, amputations, and organ damage. We also represent victims of drunk driving crashes and rideshare accidents involving Uber and Lyft. If you’ve been seriously hurt in a crash in Pettis County, the clock starts moving immediately. Under RSMo 516.120, Missouri’s five-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims runs from the date of injury. Acting early preserves evidence and keeps your legal options open.

Don’t speak with an insurance adjuster before talking to us. Insurance adjusters contact accident victims within days of a crash and work to minimize what the insurer pays. Call Kempton & Russell at (660) 722-4115 for a free consultation before you give any statement or accept any offer.

How Missouri’s Fault System Affects Your Claim

Missouri follows a pure comparative fault system, established by the Missouri Supreme Court in Gustafson v. Benda, 661 S.W.2d 11 (Mo. banc 1983). Under this rule, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault, but you’re never completely barred from recovery. If you were 20 percent at fault for a collision, you can still recover 80 percent of your damages. That distinction matters enormously in Pettis County vehicle accident claims.

Insurance adjusters understand the fault system and use it strategically. Every percentage point of fault they shift onto you reduces what they owe. When an adjuster calls quickly after a crash, a recorded statement made without legal guidance can give them language they may use to argue for a higher share of fault. You aren’t required to provide a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer. Under RSMo 537.067, a defendant found 51 percent or more at fault can be held jointly and severally liable for the full compensatory judgment, which is why insurers push hard on fault allocation early.

Steps to Take After a Crash in Pettis County

What you do in the hours and days after a collision shapes the strength of your claim. These steps protect both your health and your legal position:

Call law enforcement. A police report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol or Pettis County Sheriff’s Department creates an official record of the crash and can support your claim.
Gather information at the scene. Collect the other driver’s insurance details, contact information, and names and contact information for any witnesses.
Document everything you can. Photograph vehicle damage, visible injuries, road conditions, and any relevant signage or traffic controls before the scene is cleared.
Seek medical attention promptly. The shock of a collision can mask symptoms. A gap between the crash and your first medical visit can be used to undermine your claim.
Don’t sign anything. Early settlement offers frequently arrive before the full extent of injuries is known. Consult a car accident attorney before accepting any offer or signing any release.

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Our Services

Motor Vehicle Collision Results

Our track record in motor vehicle collision cases reflects our approach to direct-attorney representation. Past results don’t guarantee a similar outcome in any future case, but they demonstrate that Kempton & Russell has obtained substantial financial recoveries in auto accident claims.

$4,878,887 settlement in a motor vehicle collision case
$4,000,000 verdict in a motor vehicle collision case

Across all client cases, we’ve recovered tens of millions of dollars. When negotiations stall, we’re prepared to take major insurance companies and well-funded opponents to trial.

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$6.4 Million Tortious Interference With Business Expectancy
$4,878,887.00 Settlement - Motor Vehicle Collision
$4 Million Verdict - Motor Vehicle Collision
$2,500,000.00 Verdict - Medical Malpractice
$2,500,000.00 Settlement - Wrongful Death
$1,520,000.00 Settlement - Product Liability

One of, if not the best lawyer in Pettis County
“This place is amazing. Brody was consistent and kept in touch whenever I needed and was helpful throughout the whole process. Settled for a lot more than I expected. One of, if not the best lawyer in Pettis County.”

- Allen C.
They are diligent and professional and their expertise and experience are second to none in the area.
“I've had the pleasure of knowing and working with Mark and Brody for a number of years. They are diligent and professional and their expertise and experience are second to none in the area. I highly recommend the firm.”

- Philip A.
They put forth 110% for you. They go above and beyond.
“I highly recommend Kempton & Russell. They truly care about you and your case and it shows through their work. They put forth 110 % for you. They go above and beyond doing research about all the facts in the case and are very professional in their work. My sincere thanks to them for their hard work.”

- Julie H.

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High-Quality Legal Representation

Strong Passion for Justice
A guiding principle of the firm is fighting diligently on behalf of injured individuals.
Frequent Case Updates
Clients are kept informed with regular communication throughout the legal process.
Seasoned Trial Advocacy
Their experience in the courtroom signifies confidence in handling tough litigation when needed.
Track Record of Success – Tens of Millions Recovered
Highlighting their strong history of obtaining substantial financial recoveries for their clients.

Why Pettis County Accident Victims Work With Kempton & Russell

Our office sits in Sedalia, the county seat of Pettis County. We know the local courts, the roads, and the dynamics of auto accident claims in this community. That familiarity, combined with nationally recognized advocacy and a track record built over more than seventy years, is what Pettis County clients get when they call us.

Direct Attorney Access
The attorney you hire is the attorney who handles your case. You won’t be reassigned to an associate after the intake call or handed off to a paralegal when your case gets complicated. That continuity means your attorney knows the facts of your claim at every stage, from evidence gathering through settlement or trial.

No Fees Unless We Recover
We handle car accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. That keeps our interests and yours aligned from day one.

Regular Communication
You receive updates throughout the legal process. You’ll always know where your case stands without having to chase down answers.

Schedule Your Free Consultation

If you or someone in your family was injured in an auto accident in Pettis County, contact us before speaking with any insurance adjuster. The initial consultation is free with no obligation to hire. Call Kempton & Russell at (660) 722-4115 or use our online contact form to tell us what happened. We can review your situation and explain your options.

Pettis County Roads Where Crashes Happen

The corridors that connect Pettis County to the rest of Missouri carry significant risk. U.S. Route 50, Highway 65, and Highway 765 see regular crashes involving passenger cars, commercial trucks, motorcycles, and farm vehicles. Rural highway speeds, longer emergency response times, and the mix of vehicle types on these roads all contribute to crash severity when collisions occur.

Common causes of vehicle accidents on Pettis County roads include distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding, failure to yield at intersections, and rear-end collisions in traffic. Intersections where major routes cross have been the sites of fatal crashes. The intersection of Highway 50 and Highway MM was the site of a two-vehicle collision in October 2025 that claimed the lives of two Sedalia residents. These aren’t abstract statistics. They’re people from this county, on roads this county uses every day.

When a crash on a Pettis County road leaves someone seriously hurt, the legal questions that follow are ones we answer every day: who was at fault, what the injuries may be worth, and how to deal with the insurer. We’ve been doing this work in this community for over seventy years.

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Contact Us Today

At Kempton & Russell, we're always ready to take your call! Give us a call at (660) 722-4115 or fill out the form below to contact one of our team members.

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