Kansas City Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
Strong advocacy for walkers and their families when Kansas and Missouri accidents cause serious injuries
Kansas City is attractive for pedestrians and foot traffic for many reasons. Walking is a convenient and inexpensive way for children to attend school, for neighbors to visit neighbors, and for visitors to see the city’s great attractions such as First Fridays in the Crossroads Art District, the World War I Museum, the Nelson Art Gallery, the Plaza, First Weekends in the West Bottoms, Kansas City Restaurant Week, Big 12 Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships, Kansas City St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Kansas City Irish Fest, Santa Cali-gon Days, Plaza Art Fair, Kansas City Film Fest, Fountain Day, Brookside Art Annual, Celebration at the Station – or just try its famous barbecue. Walking doesn’t require an investment or fuel. It’s a great and easy way to stay in shape. However, walking can be dangerous. Many pedestrians are injured when drivers run through red lights and stop signs. Drivers in retail settings, like parking lots or garages, often fail to watch for pedestrians. Construction sites might fail to warn pedestrians of possible dangers, like falling debris.
Many pedestrian accidents are fatal. Survivors often suffer serious injuries from falls or from direct contact with a vehicle or a bicycle. At Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, our Kansas City personal injury lawyers have been fighting for accident victims for nearly 30 years. We understand how devastating pedestrian injuries are and the trauma of learning a loved one died while simply walking around town. Our lawyers have an impressive record of insurance settlements and jury verdicts for personal injury accidents.
How can we help?
- How serious are pedestrian accidents?
- What are the different types of pedestrian accidents in Kansas City?
- Why do pedestrian accidents happen in Kansas City?
- What are common injuries from Kansas City pedestrian accidents?
- Who is responsible for my Kansas City pedestrian accident?
- How much is my Kansas City pedestrian accident claim worth?
- How much time do I have to file my personal injury or wrongful death claim?
- Do you have a pedestrian accident lawyer near me?
Do I have a case?
Call now or fill out a form to receive a free confidential consultation
How serious are pedestrian accidents?
According to the Governors Highway Safety Administration, pedestrian fatalities are increasing more than any other type of traffic fatality. Between 2010 and 2020, pedestrian fatalities increased by 54 percent. In 2020, there were 6,607 pedestrian fatalities – about 17 percent of all traffic fatalities. Preliminary data for 2021 indicates that 121 pedestrians died in Missouri accidents and 45 pedestrians died in Kansas.
What are the different types of pedestrian accidents in Kansas City?
Some of the factors that contribute to pedestrian fatalities include:
- Failure of drivers to slow down while driving near and through crosswalks
- Illegally turning on red, or failing to look for pedestrians while turning on red
- Driving when the roads are wet
- Walking at nighttime
Drivers need to be extra careful when driving in neighborhoods and wherever children may be walking or playing, including in school zones. Drivers should also be cautious when driving in shopping areas when people are walking to and from their cars, and drivers need to be extra attentive when they are near construction sites.
Why do pedestrian accidents happen in Kansas City?
Our Kansas City pedestrian accident lawyers work with investigators, the police, witnesses, anyone who may have a video recording of the accident, and others to show how and why an accident happened. Common causes of pedestrian accidents in Kansas City include:
- Drunk driving
- Driving while distracted (by electronic devices, smartphones, GPS systems, food, drink, or other causes)
- Speeding
- Negligent driving near and in intersections
- Failing to turn properly
- Not using caution when backing out of a driveway or the spots
When necessary, our trial lawyers at Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys also work with traffic reconstruction experts to help prove your case.
What are common injuries from Kansas City pedestrian accidents?
Many pedestrian accidents are catastrophic or deadly. A person on foot is simply no match for even a small car, let alone an SUV or a big truck. Our Kansas City personal injury lawyers work with your doctors and our network of experts to fully understand the severity of your injuries, all the ways your injuries have changed your life, and the long-term medical care you will need. KCAIA represents victims who suffer:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage and paralysis
- Traumatic amputation/loss of limb
- Multiple, simple, complex, and compound fractures
- Neck, shoulder, and/or back injuries
- Nerve, ligament, tissue, and muscle damage
- Internal organ damages
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Psychological harm
- Other injuries
We also file wrongful death claims on behalf of a loved one who is killed in a pedestrian accident.
Who is responsible for my Kansas City pedestrian accident?
Our Kansas City pedestrian accident lawyers file claims against all responsible parties. The defendants in a pedestrian accident in Missouri or Kansas include:
- The driver
- The owner of the vehicle, if different than the driver
- A trucking company if the accident is due to truck driver negligence
- The manufacturers of defective car parts, truck, parts, or other vehicle parts – such as brakes that failed to work
- A seller of alcohol – if the person was a minor or visibly intoxicated – and the driver later caused the pedestrian accident due to their intoxication.
In some cases, we may even file a claim against the Missouri Department of Transportation or other governmental agencies/entities.
How much is my Kansas City pedestrian accident claim worth?
Our personal injury lawyers understand just how devastating and life-changing pedestrian accidents are. We focus on all the daily details that often add up to large recoveries. Our Kansas City pedestrian accident lawyers demand compensation for:
- Your medical expenses, including surgeries, hospitalizations, doctor visits, therapy, and other costs.
- Your lost income and benefits, including compensation if you have a permanent disability.
- Your daily physical pain and emotional suffering.
- The loss of function of a body part, loss of the enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium.
- Any scarring or disfigurement.
- Punitive damages if the accident was inexcusable, such as if the pedestrian were struck by a drunk driver.
How much time do I have to file my personal injury or wrongful death claim?
The statute of limitations for a pedestrian accident or wrongful death claim in the Kansas City area depends on whether the incident occurs in Missouri or Kansas. In Missouri, the statute of limitations to file a claim is five years and in Kansas it is two years. The statute of limitations to file a wrongful death claim is generally three years in Missouri and two years in Kansas. Some shorter limits may apply.
Generally, it is best to contact our seasoned trial lawyers as quickly as possible so we can investigate the accident, review your medical condition, speak with witnesses, and answer all your questions.
Do you have a pedestrian accident lawyer near me?
We meet clients at our main office located at 510 Walnut, Suite 100, Kansas City, MO, in the River Market area. Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys offers free consultations for all injury clients. We will make arrangements to come to you if you are too injured or ill to visit us. We also speak with clients through our video chat service by appointment.
We also maintain offices in Lee’s Summit, Parkville, and St. Joseph, Missouri, as well as in, Olathe, Overland Park, and the other Kansas City, KS.
We’ll answer all your questions and guide you through each phase of the litigation process.
Injured in a pedestrian accident? Contact our Kansas City car accident lawyers now
At Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, we have the experience and resources to hold drivers and other responsible defendants accountable for changing your life or ending the life of a loved one. We have a strong record of very successful insurance settlements and jury verdicts. All personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. From our headquarters in Kansas City, we represent clients across Kansas and Missouri. Call our office at 816-680-4304 or use our contact form to schedule your free consultation.
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