Pedestrian Accidents Lawyer Kansas City
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have estimated that more than 4,000 pedestrians die every year in the United States, while more than 70,000 are injured. Pedestrian accidents could lead to severe injuries, from broken bones to traumatic brain injuries or internal injuries.
Pedestrians are always at risk, especially in big cities. They should cross the road without the fear of being hit by drivers, as such accidents might have a significant impact on your life. By suffering severe injuries, you could lose the ability to work or do basic tasks. When involved in a pedestrian accident in Kansas City, seek legal assistance immediately. Whatever your injuries, you are entitled to recover compensation for them.
The causes of pedestrian accidents may vary from case to case. Still, most are caused due to distracted drivers, texting drivers, speeding drivers, drunk drivers, failing to drive safely, disobeying traffic lights, or being tired.
What To Do If You’re Injured in a Pedestrian Accident?
If you have been bit by a driver when crossing the street, you should follow some steps to make sure you’ll be entitled to your compensation. As some pedestrian injuries could involve internal bleeding, it is crucial to seek medical attention. Moreover, a medical report will help you in your pedestrian accident claim. Call 911 to document your accident, and then gather as much information as possible. Do not leave the accident without getting the driver’s full name, address, license number, license plate number, and insurance information. If there were witnesses, get their contacts as you might need their testimony later on.
Continue by taking photographs of the accident area, including the nearby stop signs, traffic signals, and even your physical injuries. Then attend your medical appointment and contact your insurance company as soon as possible. Announce to your insurance company that you have been involved in a pedestrian accident, but do not offer any additional pieces of information without legal representation.
Lastly, contact a top-rated pedestrian accident lawyer. At RKB LAW, LLC, we will fight for your
rights, and we’ll help you get the proper compensation you deserve.
Where Do Most of Kansas Pedestrian Accidents Happen?
According to the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department (KCPD), nearly one pedestrian accident occurred each day in 2018. Additionally, Kansas City had the highest number of pedestrian fatalities in 2018, where 22 pedestrians have lost their lives. At the beginning of 2021, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has shown that traffic speeds increased by 22% in some metro areas, causing pedestrian deaths to increase by 4.8%.
As reported by the KCPD, most pedestrian accidents in Kansas City occurs in these three intersections:
- 12th Street and Benton Boulevard,
- I-435 and Winner Road and
- 31st Street and Prospect Avenue
With the number of accidents significantly increasing, Kansas City has adopted a streets ordinance providing guidelines on new standards for sidewalks and bicycles in capital road projects. New sidewalks, road diets, and traffic calming measures have been implemented.
The Most Severe Pedestrian Accident Injuries
If you or a loved one has been dealing with a pedestrian accident injury, your lives could be changed forever. Among the most common yet serious injuries are traumatic brain injuries. From a simple headache to a coma, you may need long-lasting medical care for the rest of your life if suffering such an injury.
Spinal cord injuries are other severe pedestrian accident injuries that may cause paralysis, harm the sensory and motor functions, or paralyzing an arm or leg. In other cases, an amputation might be required later in surgery, while severe bone fractures could result in permanent disability or chronic pain.
Other types of injuries:
- skull fractures;
- facial injuries;
- lacerations;
- concussions;
- internal injuries;
- nerve damage;
- death.
When your life is at stake, immediately contact legal representation from a pedestrian accident attorney in Kansas City. You could handle the personal injury claims by yourself, but with no experience in handling such cases, you could risk losing your compensation or agree on an unfair settlement. By hiring a pedestrian accident attorney, you won’t have to think about your case but take care of your health. Our Kansas personal injury attorneys will negotiate with the insurance company and will obtain the compensation there is.
Statutes of Limitations on Pedestrian Accident Claim in Kansas City
Kansas Statute § 60-513 and Missouri Statute § 516.140 establish two years of statute of limitations for a pedestrian accident claim. However, the two-year limit has some exceptions. If one of the victims is a minor in Missouri, then the limitations period is extended for two years from the date they turn 21 years of age. For a minor in Kansas, the limitations period is extended two years from the date of their 18th birthday to file suit.
For mentally incapacitated people, such as those in a coma following a pedestrian accident, the limitations period being on the date the person regains capacity and not the date of the accident. In Kansas, a person’s military service obligations are allowed for tolling of the limitations period, but no claim must be filed later than ten years after the accident.
Why is it Recommended to Hire a Pedestrian Accident Attorney?
No matter how severe your injuries are, following a pedestrian accident attorney, it is recommended to hire an attorney if you want to reach a fair settlement. The Kansas laws may be confusing, while the process of a pedestrian accident is time-consuming. You should not trust your insurance company as it will try to lowball you and may not offer you any compensation.
Our Kansas-based law firm will deal with your pedestrian accident case while you can rest and heal. We will constantly keep you updated on your case and seek the best possible compensation for pain and suffering. Schedule a free consultation at (816) 813-8256, and let us fight for your rights.