On November 25, 2024, our client was lawfully jogging through the marked crosswalk at the intersection of North Liberty Avenue and Northwest Englewood Road in Kansas City, Missouri, when a driver attempting to make a left turn failed to yield and struck him with an SUV.
The impact threw him onto the hood of the vehicle before he was thrown onto the pavement. The investigating officer determined the driver failed to yield to a pedestrian in the crosswalk, and the driver admitted she never saw him before the collision.
Leg and Knee Injuries and a Long Recovery
The collision caused a displaced fracture of his right tibial plateau, injuries to his ankle and foot, and multiple contusions. He was transported to North Kansas City Hospital, where imaging confirmed the severity of his injuries, and he was discharged with a knee immobilizer, ankle splint, crutches, and pain medication.
As he recovered, he faced an even more serious complication. Weeks after the crash, he was hospitalized after developing a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism caused by the fracture and prolonged immobilization. He spent two nights in the hospital receiving anticoagulation therapy before beginning months of additional treatment and monitoring.
Despite extensive physical therapy, his knee never fully recovered through conservative treatment alone. He ultimately underwent arthroscopic knee surgery, followed by additional rehabilitation to restore strength and mobility.
A Lasting Impact on the Life He Loved
Before the collision, our client was exceptionally active. He had recently completed his first marathon, captained a local running club for years, regularly rock climbed, lifted weights, and was training for future triathlons and an Ironman competition. Those activities were more than hobbies—they were central to his lifestyle, friendships, and overall well-being.
Following the crash, everything changed.
His treating physicians determined that the anatomy of his knee had been permanently altered, increasing the likelihood of future joint deterioration and limiting his ability to safely participate in high-impact activities. Running, climbing, and other pursuits that once defined his life now required difficult decisions about balancing his passion with the long-term health of his knee.
More than a year after the collision, he continued recovering from surgery while adapting to the reality that some of the activities he once loved might never be the same.
Policy Limit Case Resolution
Our firm conducted a thorough investigation, gathered the medical evidence documenting both our client’s orthopedic injuries and the serious complications that followed, and worked with the insurance company to demonstrate the full extent of his damages.
After presenting evidence of his fractured knee, subsequent surgery, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, and the permanent impact the collision had on his active lifestyle, the case was successfully resolved for the full $100,000 policy limits.
While no settlement can restore the life our client enjoyed before the collision, this recovery provided compensation for his extensive medical treatment, ongoing rehabilitation, and the lasting effects of being struck by a vehicle while lawfully crossing the street.
