Understanding how car accidents in Kansas City happen can help traffic planners improve road safety. Crash causes can also guide police agencies as they prioritize their traffic enforcement efforts.
Understanding collision causes will also tell you and your auto accident lawyer who bears the liability for a crash. It will help you prove your personal injury claim and secure compensation for the injuries you suffered.
If you’ve sustained injuries in a wreck in Kansas City, Missouri, reach out to Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers for a free initial consultation. We’ll evaluate your options and explain the best path forward in your case. Call us at (816) 408-3448.
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How Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Car Accident in Kansas City, MO
For over 20 years, Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers has helped Missouri residents secure their futures with injury compensation. Our Kansas City car accident attorneys have over 30 years of combined experience representing accident victims.
We have recovered over $70 million for our clients, and we’re prepared to help you pursue the compensation you need after a collision.
If you hire our law office for help after a car accident in Kansas City, MO, we’ll:
- Investigate to prove all legal aspects of your claim, including causation and liability
- Gather evidence, including opinions from experts, to build your case and prove your damages
- Negotiate with insurance companies and others on your behalf as we work toward a fair financial recovery
- Represent you in court proceedings if negotiations fail
A car accident can produce injuries that require expensive medical treatment and may disable you from working. To discuss the compensation you can seek for your car accident injuries, contact Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.
How Many Car Accidents Happen in Kansas City, MO?
Kansas City is one of the safest cities to drive in. According to an Allstate Insurance study conducted in 2019, Kansas City was the fourth-safest city for drivers, although it fell from its second-place spot in 2018.
According to the 2022 Missouri Traffic Safety Compendium, Kansas City had 14,807 total crashes that year. These crashes included 77 fatal crashes and 4,478 injury crashes. Overall, these crashes caused 81 fatal injuries and 6,589 non-fatal injuries.
Types of Car Accidents in Kansas City, Missouri
Most Kansas City crashes happen in a few limited ways. Some of these include the following accident types:
Single-Vehicle Accidents
According to the Missouri Traffic Safety Compendium’s 2022 statistics, almost 20% of Kansas City car accidents involved a single vehicle striking a fixed object.
These objects could include:
- Signs
- Buildings
- Parked cars
- Bridge supports
The responsibility for single-vehicle accidents often falls on the driver. But they can also happen because of poor road design, mechanical breakdowns, or cargo spilled on the road surface. As a result, you might still have a claim against road designers, auto manufacturers, repair shops, or trucking companies.
Rear-End Collisions
Over 65% of Missouri traffic crashes cited in the 2022 Missouri Traffic Safety Compendium involved two or more vehicles colliding in a multi-vehicle accident. The most common type of collision involved a rear-end crash.
Rear-end crashes happen when one driver strikes the rear of another vehicle.
The most common causes of rear-end collisions are:
- Tailgating
- Speeding
- Cutting off other drivers
Rear-end collisions often cause injuries like whiplash, facial fractures, and concussions.
The liability for rear-end crashes usually falls on the driver of the rear car. Occasionally, the driver of the front car may share liability for the crash. For example, if the front driver brake-checks the rear driver, the front driver may bear partial or sole liability.
Intersection Crashes
Intersection crashes can happen at intersections with stop signs, traffic lights, or yield signs. They can also occur at uncontrolled intersections. They usually result in angle collisions, such as side-impact crashes. These types of crashes were the most likely to cause fatal injuries in 2022, according to the Missouri Traffic Safety Compendium.
Intersection crashes almost always happen when a driver:
- Fails to yield the right of way
- Disregards traffic signs or control signals
- Turns left or right without waiting for the intersection to clear
The driver who violated Missouri traffic laws will bear the liability for any damage that results from an intersection crash.
Lane Change Crashes
A lane change collision occurs when a driver fails to check their blind spot before making a lane change. The liability for the crash falls on the driver who failed to change lanes safely.
These crashes often result in sideswipe collisions. Sideswipes are the third-most common type of crash in Missouri, according to the 2022 traffic safety compendium. But they are one of the least likely to cause injuries or fatalities.
Distracted Driving Accidents
A distracted driving crash happens when an activity takes a driver’s hands, eyes, or attention away from driving. When this happens, they lose precious time to avoid a crash.
According to the Missouri Traffic Safety Compendium for 2022, distracted driving caused over 4,000 injury crashes and 80 fatal crashes. The most common cause of distractions included events outside the car, such as accidents or billboards.
Other distractions included:
- Audio or video equipment
- Handheld phone use
- Navigation systems
- Eating or drinking
- Passengers
The liability for these crashes falls on the distracted driver.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Kansas City Car Wreck Lawyer
A car accident can result in disabilities that prevent you from working or meeting your daily needs. To discuss your car accident and the injuries you suffered, contact Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation.
