Fatal Accidents cost $6 million in Kansas City or Missouri

Negligence behind the wheel resulting in a fatal accident costs six million dollars according to a new study from the auto club AAA. This total is determined by calculating the financial values on such things as property damage; loss of earnings, time at work and household activities; emergency services; legal costs; pain and lost quality of life; medical costs; travel delays and administrative costs.

AAA compared the cost of the national motor vehicle crash with that of typical traffic congestion. The congestion costs included the loss of the drivers’ time and the price of gas wasted idling in traffic.

The financial damage of fatal traffic crashes was analyzed by AAA in 99 urban areas. The study also found that the average cost of an injury-only crash is only $126,000. In 2005, the cost of a fatal car accident was only $3.24 million, and the cost of an injury accident was only $68,170.

The reason AAA completed the study was because they wanted to encourage Congress to invest in road safety improvements. They are recommending that Congress spend money on their long-term highway funding bill to reduce the financial impact of fatal accidents.  These ideas include:

·         cable barriers along medians to prevent crossover

·         modernized roundabouts and rumble strips

Such accidents may bring wrongful death claims into the court systems.  In Missouri and Kansas, a “wrongful death” is a death that occurs due to the negligence or misconduct of an individual, company or entity. A wrongful death lawsuit claims that the victim died because of negligence and that his surviving family is entitled to monetary compensation for their losses.

If you or someone you know has been involved in an accident, which you think may be a wrongful death accident, Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys may be able to help.  With over 15 years of experience in Work Related Injury Accident cases and Wrongful Death cases, we can help your family through this difficult time.  Call our office today for a free consultation.