Pedestrian Accidents on the Rise in Missouri & Kansas
Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents occur all too often in Kansas City and throughout Missouri and Kansas. New data released from the Kansas City Missouri Police Department shows that there was nearly one traffic crash involving a pedestrian each day in the year 2018.
In 2018, 360 traffic crashes involved pedestrians in Kansas City. This was the highest number of pedestrian injuries in Kansas City over the last four years. The highest number of pedestrian deaths was also recorded in 2018 -- 22 pedestrian fatalities occurred within Kansas City, Missouri.
Our Kansas City pedestrian accident lawyer has the skills and experience to assist you in obtaining fair compensation. If you or a loved one were injured after being hit by a car while walking, please call our law firm today at 816-203-0143, for a free, no obligation consultation.
Why Do Pedestrian Accidents Occur in Missouri & Kansas?
Pedestrian accidents occur in Kansas City for a wide variety of reasons.
While it is impossible to predict how and when a pedestrian accident may occur, most pedestrian and car collisions occur when a pedestrian crosses an intersection or walks along the road due to the lack of a sidewalk.
In the vast majority of the cases, car crashes that injure pedestrians are due to driver error and the failure of drivers to keep a lookout or to maintain a safe distance between their car and pedestrians on the streets.
4 Tips to Avoiding Pedestrian Accidents in Missouri & Kansas
As a pedestrian, you need to be proactive in avoiding a potential accident with an inattentive driver. Below are four tips all pedestrians can follow in order to avoid an accident in Kansas or Missouri.
- Use sidewalks. If sidewalks are present, you should always use them. Even if it means crossing the street, a sidewalk provides safe access for those traveling on foot. If there are no sidewalks available, you should consider walking in the direction of oncoming traffic and staying as far out of the way of oncoming cars as possible.
- Use crosswalks. If a crosswalk is available, you should use them. You should also follow traffic signals and be on the lookout when you're crossing the road.
- Try to make eye contact with the driver. As a pedestrian, you should always make an effort to be visible. This includes wearing bright or reflective clothing if you're walking at night. When you cross the street, it is a good idea to try and make eye contact with the oncoming driver of a car or motor vehicle. A car will only stop if the driver sees you.
- Eliminate distractions and limit the use of cellphones. Distracted walking is an increasing issue as pedestrians walk around with headphones or their eyes on their cellphone. If you are not paying attention to where you're going, the likelihood of an accident occurring increases dramatically.
Injured in a Pedestrian Accident? We Can Help.
If you or a loved one was injured due while walking as a pedestrian, there are many reasons why you should consider consulting with an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer. Our Kansas City pedestrian accident lawyer has helped countless people in Missouri and Kansas recover compensation after getting injured on the road. We would be honored to hear your story and see if we can assist you in a fair and full recovery. Please call our law firm today at 816-203-0143, for a free, no obligation consultation.
