In this blog, we’ll detail what an individual needs to do after a car crash, how to help prevent accidents from happening, and how a car crash lawyer in Kansas City can help an individual recover damages after a collision.
Car Crash Considerations
Car crashes are a frequent occurrence on United States roadways. While most car collisions range from minor to moderate, fatal accidents happen, with 46,027 people dying in motor vehicle accidents in 2022. While many factors cause car crashes, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) cites the following statistics regarding common car accident incidents:
Drunk and Drug-Impaired Driving
Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs poses a major threat to everyone on the roadways, and can lead to many preventable injuries and deaths:
- In 2022, 12,524 individuals were killed in alcohol-impaired driving traffic accidents.
- In 2020, 56% of drivers who were involved in fatal and serious injury crashes tested positive for at least 1 drug.
Distracted Driving
Drivers sometimes engage in other dangerous behaviors, like texting while driving, that put themselves and others on the road at risk. According to the NHTSA, being distracted for 5 seconds while driving 55 mph is the equivalent of driving the length of a football field with a blindfold.
- In 2022, 3,308 individuals died in crashes caused by distracted driving.
Speeding
Although all drivers learn to obey traffic laws when they first get behind the wheel of a vehicle, speeding is common. This simple, unlawful act led to the death of 12,151 people in 2022. Whether an individual is driving too fast to get home after work or ignoring suggested safety measures for given road conditions (such as icy or wet roads, or driving in fog), speeding is never safe.
Drowsy Driving
Modern life is taxing, and almost everyone has a lot on their minds. Unfortunately, when individuals are spread too thin, they may choose to get behind the wheel when they are tired, leading them to fall asleep while driving:
- In 2022, 693 people died because of drowsy-driving-related accidents.
Preventing Accidents
Although other drivers often cause accidents, individuals can still take action while driving to help protect themselves.
People can try to avoid being in an accident and needing the help of a car crash lawyer in Kansas City by adhering to the following safer driving practices:
Avoid Distracted and Drowsy Driving
When an individual drives distracted or while drowsy, they may not react as quickly as they would under normal circumstances, have less control of their car, drift outside of lanes, or not notice road hazards.
Before an individual leaves for their destination, they should consider if they are alert enough to drive, and remember to keep their focus on the road—not their phone. A few ways an individual can stay focused while driving are:
- Setting “do not disturb” on their phone, or silencing or turning off their phone.
- Inputting any GPS information before beginning to drive.
- Choosing music or setting the radio or Bluetooth before starting to drive.
Obey Traffic Laws
According to the NHTSA, statutory speed limits are determined through engineering studies that consider what maximum speed is reasonable and prudent for given roadway conditions. Therefore, it’s important for drivers to adhere to these limits to remain safe.
In addition to staying at or safely below the speed limit, drivers need to obey all traffic laws. Adhering to safe driving practices can help to ensure an individual has enough time to react to another driver’s activity, has enough time to stop and not hit another car, and can maintain control of their car on all types of roads.
Consider the Weather
The weather can affect how we drive. Whether speeding on a highway during a thunderstorm or driving too fast on icy roads, an individual’s driving decisions in poor weather impact everyone on the road.
A driver can ensure they and their car can safely be on the road by making certain their car works correctly (all lights are functioning, windshield wipers work, etc.) and that they know poor weather (fog, rain, sleet, snow, ice) can decrease visibility and tire traction and cover or blur important road markers.
Never Drive Impaired
An individual should never drive after drinking alcohol or taking drugs. These substances can:
- Reduce and slow coordination
- Impair a person’s judgment
- Lead to poor decision-making
- Cause inaccurate depth perception
Although an individual can’t stop other drivers from engaging in unsafe driving practices, being a safe driver makes everyone on the road safer.
Post-Accident To-Do List
When an individual is involved in a car accident, they should take the following steps to ensure they remain safe and to hold the people responsible for the accident accountable.
The following is not medical or legal advice, but information from sources concerning how individuals may handle car crash injuries. Consult a medical provider if you or a loved one suffer an injury from a car crash. You can contact a car crash lawyer in Kansas City if you have legal questions.
Step 1: Seek Medical Care
First, it’s essential to determine if anyone is injured. If some may be injured, call 911 for immediate medical assistance.
Even if you don’t think you are injured, you should visit a medical provider after the accident to make certain there are no underlying injuries. Medical providers can also document injuries, which is helpful if an individual must file a lawsuit.
Delayed Onset Injuries
A healthcare provider can determine the existence of and likelihood for delayed onset injuries caused by an accident. The symptoms for these injuries can arise days, weeks, or even months after an accident. They can include:
- Sprains
- Whiplash
- Shoulder injuries
- Fractures
- Abdominal pain
- Tingling and numbness
- Chest pain
- Memory loss
- Cognitive issues
- Headache
- Nausea
- Excessive sleeping and feeling tired
- Anxiety/depression
Step 2:Turn On Emergency Flashers
Be sure to turn on your hazard lights to warn other drivers.
Step 3: Report the Accident
After seeing to everyone’s safety, an individual should report the accident to the police. This is a must any time you’re involved in an accident. Having a police report provides:
- The date, time, weather conditions, and other possibly important accident details
- Witness contact information for possible testimony
- Physical evidence, including skid marks or other important facts
- Traffic citation(s) issued by law enforcement regarding the accident
- Law enforcement opinion about who caused the accident
This third-party confirmation of particulars helps ensure your lawyer has a complete picture of the accident and its surrounding details.
Reporting accidents quickly is necessary for seeking full compensation for damages.
Step 4: Gather Evidence
If able to do so, an individual should take photos and videos of the accident scene and collect witness contact information. Photos and videos can document:
- Vehicle condition
- Possible skid marks
- Signage
- Weather conditions
- Other clues that may give insight into the car crash.
Step 5: Get Legal Advice
Discussing the accident with a car crash lawyer in Kansas City can help ensure that:
- An individual’s rights are protected.
- Those who caused the accident are held accountable.
- An individual receives compensation for their injuries.
How a Car Crash Lawyer in Kansas City Can Help
Hiring a car crash lawyer in Kansas City with experience is incredibly important. These professionals will have the skills, tenacity, and knowledge to protect an individual’s rights. Lawyers will also be able to handle the essential objectives of the case:
Protecting an Individual’s Rights After an Accident
Most vehicle accidents are incredibly complex. A car crash lawyer in Kansas City knows they must efficiently collect evidence and collaborate with case experts to make certain their client’s rights are protected:
Types of Evidence
A car accident lawyer will collect relevant evidence, such as:
- Police reports
- Witness statements
- Photos and videos of the accident scene
- Vehicle inspection reports
- Video surveillance footage
- Property damage estimates
- Road condition and weather reports
Types of Case Experts
Experts who may be contacted to help with a case include:
- Accident reconstructionists. They can help a judge and/or jury understand the probably underlying circumstances leading to the accident.
- Medical experts. These specialists can help explain the nature and extent of the injuries, along with future medical treatments.
- Mechanical and safety experts. They can determine if lack of maintenance, mechanical failure, or other vehicular issues caused the accident.
- Human factor experts. These individuals are trained and educated to determine if human error—such as distraction, inattention, decision error, etc— caused the accident.
- Roadway design and safety experts. Specialists who are responsible for examining the road where the accident happened,including road lighting and traffic signs.
Determine Damages
A car crash lawyer in Kansas City knows how to help make sure an individual receives fair compensation for short- and long-term damages caused by an accident. Compensation can help relieve the burden of medical expenses, property damage repair, lost wages, and provide redress for physical, mental, and emotional pain and suffering.
Handle Accident Details
Besides determining who is responsible, working with case experts, and figuring out damages, lawyers also handle communication with insurance companies and take care of legal documentation and filing.
The lawyer should take all of these matters off the plate of the injured individual. This way, the individual and/or their loved ones can focus on picking up the pieces after a car accident.
Contact Bartimus Frickleton Robertson Rader for a Car Crash Lawyer in Kansas City
If you or a loved one were seriously injured in an automobile accident, it’s essential to know your rights. Bartimus Frickleton Robertson Rader is the trusted name for personal injury lawyers in Kansas City. We deliver answers, accountability, and justice for victims of car accidents.
When representing clients and families, we devote the time, resources, and experience to achieve the best possible result. Our attorneys are dedicated to investigating cases the right way—by answering every question and methodically working through each case.
Navigating the aftermath of an accident can be challenging. A car crash lawyer in Kansas City can give you the support, tools, and resources you need to help you recover.
You can contact one of our lawyers today by using our virtual case tool or by calling our office at (913) 266-2300 to speak with one of our team members.
The above is not intended to be legal advice. Each case is different and must be analyzed on its own set of facts and circumstances. If you believe you may have a case, it is critically important that you contact a lawyer quickly to ensure your rights are protected.
