Have you or someone close to you been hurt in a collision on the highway? High-speed car crashes often leave victims with serious injuries, major trauma, and countless questions. As isolated as you may feel, you won’t be alone if you hire a Kansas City car accident lawyer.
With a highway accident lawyer in Kansas City from Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers by your side, you can rest assured that you’ll receive the legal guidance and professional advice you need to move forward with your case. We’re here to help.
Together, our attorneys have secured more than $1 billion in compensation for our clients, and we’ve been standing up for victims injured in highway collisions for over 45 years. We know it’s Your Injury, but it’s Our Fight on your behalf.
Common Causes of Highway Accidents
Several factors contribute to highway-related incidents in Missouri. A very prevalent cause of these collisions is drivers who are operating vehicles while distracted. Activities such as texting, making phone calls, eating, or interacting with passengers can divert attention from the road.
The outcome is more often than not a collision, which is what a Kansas City personal injury lawyer regularly encounters in their work. Even a brief lapse in focus at highway speeds can have catastrophic consequences.
Let’s take a closer look at the common causes of these incidents.
Speeding
Speeding is yet another primary contributor to highway accidents. Driving above the posted speed limit reduces reaction time and increases stopping distances, both of which are circumstances that can make collisions more likely to occur.
In the state of Missouri, speeding is legally considered a form of negligence. As such, speeding excessively in the lead-up to a collision can enhance the severity of liability.
Weather-Related Conditions on the Road
Weather and road conditions also play a role in highway-related crashes. Rain, snow, ice, and fog can all impair visibility. In turn, traction is reduced, which further heightens the likelihood of collisions taking place.
Missouri law recognizes that drivers must adjust their speed and driving style to match prevailing conditions. Failing to do so may contribute to liability.
Impaired Driving
Impaired driving—including operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs—is a serious factor in many highway-related car crashes.
Missouri law sets strict limits for blood alcohol content (BAC). It also imposes serious penalties for people who are caught violating these DUI-related laws. Impaired driving not only increases the risk of accidents but also affects liability determinations when collisions occur.
Mechanical Failures
Mechanical failures—such as brake or tire malfunctions—can also lead to highway car accidents.
Proper vehicle maintenance is very important in terms of safe travels on highways. In some cases, manufacturers and service providers can bear partial responsibility if mechanical issues contribute to a crash.
Injuries Resulting From Highway Accidents
Highway accidents can cause a wide range of injuries due to the high-speed nature of these collisions. Whiplash, fractures, and sprains are common, but more severe accidents can result in traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and internal organ damage as well.
Fatalities are also more likely in high-speed collisions compared to those that take place in urban or residential areas. Even minor accidents on highways can result in injuries that manifest later, namely soft tissue injuries, chronic pain, and emotional trauma.
All of these consequences are known to develop days—if not weeks—after the date of the collision. This is why highway accident lawyers in Kansas City will often encourage their clients to seek medical care and maintain a record of documentation while the case is ongoing.
Contact our Kansas city personal injury lawyers now.
Liability in Highway Accidents
Missouri follows a comparative fault system, which affects how liability is determined in highway accidents. Typically, the driver whose negligence caused the accident is held responsible, but liability can be shared if multiple parties contributed to the collision.
Factors such as traffic violations, weather conditions, vehicle malfunctions, and driver behavior are all considered when assigning fault. Accidents involving commercial vehicles may have additional layers of liability.
Employers, vehicle maintenance providers, and cargo loaders could end up sharing responsibility if their actions contributed to unsafe driving conditions. That’s why federal regulations for commercial vehicles are taken into consideration in these cases.
Contact Our Kansas City Highway Accident Law Firm ASAP
If you or someone you care about was injured in a collision on the highway, the aftermath can be stressful and confusing. But with Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers by your side, you can rest assured that our Kansas City highway accident attorneys know how to help.
We have over 45 years of combined experience representing victims of highway-related crashes, and we’re prepared to represent you in pursuit of compensation. You can count on us to advocate for your rights and work toward a fair outcome on your behalf.
Don’t wait any longer to contact our highway accident law firm in Kansas City. The sooner you call us, the sooner we can start looking into the details of your case and doing all we can to hold the responsible parties accountable for their behavior.
