Streetcar Accidents in Kansas City: Safety Tips and Your Rights

The Kansas City Streetcar is one of KC’s favorite features, enjoyed by residents and tourists alike. The streetcar is a free, environmentally friendly, and convenient way to get around our wonderful community between UMKC and the Riverfront. A streetcar is an electric, fixed-rail vehicle that follows an embedded steel-track path.

With an increase in traffic, streetcar accidents in Kansas City are more likely to occur. Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers wants to share what you should know about these vehicles, how to share the road safely, and your rights if you’re hurt. 

Sharing the Road With the KC Streetcar

Kansas City roads are home to bicyclists, motorcyclists, cars, buses, and streetcars. With so many modes of transportation in use on a regular basis, it’s critical to stay alert and know the rules of the road. 

• Drivers: Never park over the track line or stop on the tracks.
• Cyclists: Cross the tracks at a sharp angle so your tires don’t catch in the tracks. Avoid riding along the tracks.
• Pedestrians: Streetcars are electric and very quiet, so don’t count on hearing one coming. Look both ways before crossing the tracks. 

Obey the Transit Only Lanes

These lanes are dedicated to RideKC buses and the KC Streetcar. These lanes make public transportation more efficient and keep pedestrians safer by keeping other vehicles farther from the curb. View the locations of Kansas City’s Transit Only lanes here.

What Road Rules Apply to Streetcars?

Streetcars follow all traffic rules and signals, stopping at red lights and STOP signs. 

Streetcars must follow all temporary and permanent road markings such as Transition Zones and crosswalks. 

Streetcars have the ability to stop as needed and must yield to emergency vehicles and other stopped traffic. However, they can’t swerve around obstacles and need more distance to stop than a car, so make sure to give them plenty of space. 

What Happens After a Streetcar Accident?

If a Driver Is at Fault:

• The KC Streetcar Authority and the City of Kansas City pursue the driver’s insurance company for compensation for damages to the streetcar.
• If the driver is found to have violated traffic laws, such as ignoring a No Turn On Red sign, they are cited by police.

If the Streetcar Operator Is at Fault: 

• Since the streetcar operators are considered “common carriers” under the law, they are held to the highest degree of care for passenger safety. If an operator’s negligence causes injury to an individual not on the streetcar or passengers on the streetcar, the KC Streetcar Authority could be held liable. 

Sovereign Immunity and the Missouri Tort Claims Act

Under the local Sovereign Immunity Doctrine, the streetcar is provided with sovereign immunity. However, under the Missouri Tort Claims Act (RSMo § 537.600), this immunity is waived for accidents involving the negligent operation of motorized vehicles by public employees within the course of employment. The Missouri Tort Claims Act requires an injured individual to provide written notice of their claim to the appropriate government agency or official within 90 days of their injury.   

What to Do After a Streetcar Accident

1. Call 911 and get medical attention, even if you feel okay.
2. Take photos of the scene, the vehicles, and your injuries.
3. Get contact information from witnesses and note the streetcar’s number.
4. Keep copies of medical records, bills, and any police report.
5. Talk to a personal injury lawyer quickly, since claims involving public entities can have short deadlines.

The attorneys at Foster Wallace know how to handle these claims and will be in your corner every step of the way. 

Ready to Ride the Rails

Please visit RideKC Streetcar for more information regarding hours of operation and stops. 

Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers wants to remind all drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians to stay alert and safe and enjoy our charming community. 

Hurt in a streetcar accident? Contact our Kansas City personal injury lawyers today to learn how we can help. Call 816-249-2101 for a free consultation. 

Legal Disclaimer: This is general information for awareness and not legal advice.