Have you lost someone you love as a result of a deadly collision? The grief and uncertainty that follow such a major loss in your life can feel unbearable, especially when you’re suddenly faced with emotional, financial, and legal consequences in the aftermath of their death.
As stressful as these circumstances are, we want you to know that you don’t have to face any of this by yourself. At Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ll stand by your side as your fatal car accident lawyer in Kansas City and advocate for a fair outcome in your case.
When you hire us as your Kansas City car accident lawyer, you can count on us to guide you through every step of the legal process. We have 45 years of combined experience, and we’ve recovered over $1 billion in compensation. Your Injury. Our Fight.
Common Causes of Fatal Car Accidents
Fatal car accidents in Kansas City often stem from predictable causes. Driving while distracted is a leading contributor. Texting behind the wheel, eating while driving, or interacting with passengers are other ways that a driver’s attention can be diverted from the road.
In turn, their reaction times are delayed. A Kansas City personal injury lawyer frequently sees how these behaviors result in life-altering collisions. Even a momentary lapse at highway speeds can result in catastrophic outcomes.
If this is your newfound reality, families like yours should turn to a fatal car accident lawyer for guidance during these difficult times. In the meantime, let’s take a closer look at common causes of deadly crashes in the area:
- Driving above the speed limit
- Operating a car while intoxicated
- Driving a vehicle with a mechanical failure
Types of Fatal Car Accidents
Fatal accidents can occur in various forms. They may involve multiple vehicles, a single car, or large commercial trucks, but no matter the specifics, each type of fatal collision involves unique dangers.
Understanding the different scenarios in which these crashes occur can highlight why certain driving behaviors or conditions are more likely to lead to deadly outcomes.
High-Speed Crashes
High-speed collisions on highways often result in severe outcomes as a direct result of the force of impact.
Intersection Collisions
Intersection collisions—particularly at stop signs or traffic signals—can also be deadly if drivers fail to yield or misjudge the right of way.
Multi-Vehicle Pileups
Multi-vehicle pileups are another common type of fatal crash. These incidents often occur in the face of poor weather, heavy traffic, or busy interstates. It’s what arises when one collision triggers a chain reaction that ultimately ends up involving multiple vehicles.
Single-Vehicle Accidents
Single-vehicle accidents can also be fatal. They often involve rollovers, collisions with stationary objects, and loss-of-control incidents.
Factors such as road design, high speeds, and driver impairment frequently contribute to these accidents. Rollovers, in particular, can result in severe injuries—if not death—if occupants are not properly restrained.
Commercial Vehicle Crashes
Commercial vehicle accidents can be especially deadly due to the size and weight of both trucks and buses. Federal and state regulations govern the operation, maintenance, and hours of service for commercial drivers. Violations can increase the likelihood of fatal collisions.
Contact our Kansas city personal injury lawyers now.
Liability in Fatal Car Accidents
Missouri follows a comparative fault system, which affects how liability is assigned in fatal accidents. In many cases, the driver whose negligence caused the fatal collision will bear primary responsibility for the crash.
Negligence may include:
- Speeding
- Operating a vehicle while impaired
- Driving while distracted
- Failing to obey traffic signals
- Making unsafe lane changes
In some cases, multiple parties end up sharing liability. For example, if a commercial truck is involved, either the employer, vehicle maintenance provider, or manufacturer—if not all three—could be deemed responsible for the deadly incident.
Missouri law allows fault to be allocated among multiple parties based on their contributions to the collision. That said, the design and maintenance of the roadway where the crash took place can also influence the determination of liability.
Poorly marked roads, traffic signals, or road conditions may factor into the evaluation of negligence as well. In turn, government entities can be subject to liability under certain circumstances if their actions or neglect contributed to the car crash.
Call Our Kansas City Fatal Car Accident Law Firm ASAP
If you’ve lost a loved one as a result of a deadly crash, the emotional, legal, personal, and financial stress can feel unbearable. In such a saddening time, we want to remind you that you don’t have to face the aftermath of this tragedy all alone.
At Foster Wallace, our fatal car accident attorneys in Kansas City are here to guide families just like yours through the legal process. We’ll make it a point to do all we can to hold those responsible for killing your loved one accountable as we pursue fair compensation.
Reach out to us as soon as possible. Once you contact our fatal car accident law office in Kansas City, we can start building your case, providing legal guidance, and offering the support you need every step of the way. We’re here for you.
