Car accidents involving pedestrians are often much more severe than accidents involving only cars. With the average car weighing around 4,000 pounds and the average person weighing between 180 and 300 pounds, pedestrians can be seriously injured and even killed by moving vehicles. This is why you need our experienced pedestrian accident attorney in Kansas City on your side.
Like any kind of accident, pedestrian accidents occur more frequently at certain times than others. The conditions outside, visibility, lighting, traffic, and weather can all have an impact on the likelihood of accidents. It’s also more likely for pedestrians to be hit in busy cities than in rural areas, but the risk is always there.
The legal team at the Law Office of Kevin J. McManus fights for fair compensation in accidents involving both pedestrians and motor vehicles. Our personal injury law firm in Kansas City has extensive experience in handling cases such as these throughout Missouri and Kansas. Call our law office today at 816-203-0143 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our Kansas City personal injury attorney.
When Pedestrian Accidents Commonly Occur in Kansas & Missouri
Rush Hour
In Kansas City, rush hour brings a lot of morning and afternoon traffic in and out of the city. It can also invite considerable risk for pedestrian accidents, with vehicles rushing to get out of downtown and large amounts of people walking across city streets on their way to their cars or the bus line. Most pedestrian injuries occur between the daytime hours of 6 AM and 6PM, and the peak is usually between 3 and 6 PM, although that’s not to say that morning rush hour isn’t high-risk as well.
After Dark
Between the hours of 5 and 11 PM is when most pedestrian accidents involving fatalities occur. It’s harder to see at night, and some people don’t wear clothes that stand out in the dark, which can be dangerous. It could be too late for a car to stop by the time they finally see a pedestrian in their headlights. Wearing reflective tape or vests while walking the streets at night can help drivers see you, preventing a potentially life-threatening accident.
During Rain and Snow
Kansas City weather is not always on our side, and the seasons can certainly take their toll. Rainy days with low visibility, or treacherous winter weather, can affect how well cars move and how well drivers can see. A lot of accidents take place in the winter months because ice creates slippery conditions that prevent cars from stopping in time. Worse yet is when accidents occur because pedestrians are forced to walk on the streets when sidewalks aren’t shoveled and salted properly.
During Fog
Fog often comes to mind when people picture low visibility on the roads. We don’t experience a great deal of fog in the Kansas City area, but that makes it even more dangerous when it does appear. Whenever it’s foggy, you’ll want to drive carefully and ensure that you can see ahead of you, with enough time to stop in case there’s someone, or something, in the road.
Who’s at Fault in a Pedestrian Accident in Kansas City?
As with any accident, determining fault depends on many factors. Many people assume that the driver is always at fault if a pedestrian is hit, but that is not correct. While the driver is often to blame, it’s not always the driver’s fault. The popular adage that the “pedestrian always has the right of way” is not always true.
When pedestrians are found to have acted with negligence or to have failed to meet the proper “duty of care”, they can be held responsible in both Kansas and Missouri. If a pedestrian causes an accident because they ran out into traffic and the driver didn’t see them in time to stop, they could be held at fault. Missouri and Kansas also have similar (but slightly different) laws regarding comparative fault that may reduce or limit the ability of a pedestrian to receive compensation if they shared in the fault for the accident.
Even though pedestrians may be blamed, they can still win their case and recover compensation if they are able to prove how the driver was at fault. Our personal injury lawyer experienced in pedestrian cases can be very helpful in gathering the evidence necessary for a successful claim. Some factors we will consider, include:
- Where the accident happened
- What the circumstances of the accident were
- Whether the pedestrian was following the rules of the road
- Whether the vehicle was acting irresponsibly or if the driver was impaired
- Whether there was adequate time to stop
- What the traffic conditions and signals were like
Given how complex these cases can become, it is be beneficial to hire our personal injury lawyer early on to ensure you obtain the best financial recovery possible.
Damages You May Recover Under Missouri & Kansas Law
For those injured in pedestrian accidents, the compensation and recovery you may receive is similar to that in other types of accidents. You can get compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of income, the cost of future treatment, emotional distress, the impact on your ability to earn income in the future, and so forth. Our qualified pedestrian accident attorney will know how to evaluate your case and to provide an estimate of what a fair settlement and how to achieve that outcome.
Contact Our Kansas City Pedestrian Accident Attorney for a Free Consultation
Pedestrian accidents can present serious legal and medical issues. If you are treating for your injuries, you don’t need to add more stress by trying to navigate the insurance and legal aspects of your case alone. Talk to our pedestrian accident injury lawyer in Kansas City, Missouri to find out how we can help.
You can reach our legal team through our online form or by calling 816-203-0143 to schedule a free consultation. Our law firm handles personal injury cases throughout Missouri and Kansas.
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