Car Driving in Kansas, MO: Kansas City Car Accidents, Injuries & Fatalities
If you are a resident of Kansas City, you often hear news like “in a fatal car accident Kansas City yesterday, someone lost their life to a rash driver” or “intersection collision killed a person in a Kansas City car accident yesterday.” Headlines such as “fatal car accident Kansas City today killed two persons” have become a common occurrence in Kansas City, MO.
If you’ve ever been involved in an accident in Kansas City, then visit our website to discover the causes of car accidents, common car accident injuries, the basics of a car accident settlement, and the types of compensation available to car victims.
Main Causes Of Car Accidents In Kansas City
Kansas City traffic accidents have soared considerably over the last decade. The analysts attribute it to the increase in the number of vehicles in the city. According to the U.S Census Bureau report, there are 2.6 million cars in Kansas City. The city is considered the third-best city for drivers in the U.S because of its excellent infrastructure and good roads. That said, some of the most common causes of Kansas City car accidents are given below;
- Rash/Reckless Driving:
Rash driving is the most common culprit of fatal car accidents in Kansas City today. Teens, inexperienced new drivers, or reckless drivers are a liability for everyone on the road, including themselves.
- Driving while drunk (DUI):
In Kansas City, it is illegal to drive a vehicle if your blood or breath alcohol concentration (BAC) exceeds 0.08. Driving under the influence of alcohol can increase the risk of an accident profoundly. According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, DUI is one of the most common causes of an increase in the number of unfortunate incidents of Missouri car crash accidents.
- Accidents from natural causes – weather conditions:
Kansas City enjoys all four seasons of the year. Low visibility, snow, and fog in the winter are the main contributors to car accident injuries in Kansas City. The National Weather Service has given safety tips on their website if you’re traveling in heavy and extreme weather. It is advised to keep the following items with you;
- Flashlight
- Water and non-perishable food items
- Emergency first-aid box
- Match sticks
- Towing rope
- Shovel or a scarper
- Extra clothes
If you are stuck in bad weather, call on the official number of the Kansas Department of Transportation number 1-866-511-KDOT
- Highway heavy traffic:
Collisions with trucks and heavy vehicles on busy highways are another common cause of traffic accidents in Kansas City.
Other types of common causes of car accidents in Kansas City are;
- Tailgating
- Using tablets, smartphones, and other electronic devices while driving
- Driving while fatigued or sleepy
- Ignoring traffic lights and rules
- Wrong ways and U-turns
- Intersections
Common Injuries From Car Accidents In Kansas City
Car accident injuries in Kansas City can be psychological, emotional, and physical. The most common physical injuries from a serious and fatal Kansas City accident are;
- Injury to the spinal cord, paraplegia, or tetraplegia
- Dislocation of joints,
- Bone fracture
- Muscle rupture/damage or loss of limb
- Impairment of sight or other vital sensory organs
- Whiplash
- Other minor injuries
Common psychological/emotional injuries include Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, agyrophobia (fear of roads), dystychiphobia (fear of accidents), anxiety, mental disability, etc.
Kansas City Car Accident Settlement Basics
Settlement is a process between the injured person (plaintiff) and the at-fault party (defendant) outside the personal injury court. In Missouri or Kansas City, the settlement process begins with an initial requirement letter sent by a personal injury lawyer on behalf of the plaintiff — mentioning the compensation amount to be paid by the defendant due to the injury caused by them to the plaintiff in the car accident.
If the insurance company has accepted the claim and shows a willingness to cover damages, — the personal injury lawyer( on behalf of the injured party) and the insurance company (on behalf of the at-fault party) behalf) enter into the negotiating phase during the settlement process. If the claim of the injured party is denied by the insurance company, they can take their case to court to claim compensation — mental, physical, psychological, and financial, against the defendant.
Settlement is a good alternative for parties who wish to avoid lengthy court cases, legal fees, and costs. Third-party dispute resolution mechanisms — mediation, arbitration, negotiation, etc., are available to the parties to agree to fair and equitable compensation. If settlement fails, the claim can be brought directly to the personal injury court in Kansas City.
What Types Of Compensation Are Available To Car Victims In Kansas, MO?
In all car-related injury claims in Kansas City, the term pain and suffering is used, and it covers a wide range of compensation types that can be claimed in a no-fault personal injury claim. This includes both tangible and intangible damages. Hiring a good personal injury lawyer can help you list compensation claims properly.
The tangible damages include compensation of;
- Loss of wages for present
- The prospects of your job and earnings in the future if you have suffered an impairment injury or have become disabled as a result of the accident.
- Vehicle damage
- Medical bills and treatment expenses for present and future
- Any other monetary loss you suffered
Intangible damages include compensation of;
- Mental distress and agony
- Post Traumatic Stress
- Fees of a mental health practitioner if you’re seeing one.
- Depression
- Anxiety or panic attacks
- Any other kind of emotional, mental, or psychological discomfort
Final Words
In a nutshell, the increase in vehicles has made Kansas City highways accident-prone. Rash driving, tailgating, bad weather, heavy vehicles, drunk driving, low visibility at intersections, etc., contribute to such car accidents. Of course, car accidents cause mental, physical, and financial losses.
Claiming compensation — tangible and intangible for a no-fault personal injury can be challenging without an injury lawyer if the settlement process with the insurance company of the “at-fault” party fails. Hiring a good personal injury lawyer is a step in the right direction to win the compensation you deserve.
- How to Calculate the Average Personal Injury Settlement Amount - 1st April 2024
- Is Carpal Tunnel Covered by Workers’ Comp? - 25th March 2024
- Guide to Occupational Disease Workers’ Compensation - 18th March 2024