Hit While Walking? Let Our Kansas City Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Fight For You.

When pedestrian accidents occur, they can result in severe injuries and complex legal challenges. A Kansas City pedestrian accident attorney is skilled in handling these intricate personal injury cases, ensuring that victims get the compensation they deserve. Imagine walking down a busy street, following all traffic laws, when suddenly a distracted driver fails to notice you in the crosswalk. This scenario is all too common and underscores the need for legal help to hold the responsible parties accountable.

At Wendt Law Firm, we understand the confusion and stress that follow a pedestrian accident. Our experienced attorneys are dedicated to fighting for your rights and helping you recover fair compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and more. We offer free consultations to discuss your case and provide guidance on the best steps forward. If you or a loved one have suffered from a pedestrian accident, you need a skilled Kansas City personal injury lawyer on your side. Contact us today at 816-531-4415 and let us assist you in taking the first step towards recovery.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Kansas City

Pedestrian accidents in Kansas City can stem from a variety of common causes. Understanding these can help in both preventing future incidents and determining fault when accidents occur. Here’s a comprehensive list of factors contributing to pedestrian accidents:

Distracted Driving: Drivers who are texting, talking on the phone, or otherwise not paying attention to the road can easily overlook pedestrians, leading to accidents.
Drunk and Drugged Driving: Impaired drivers have slower reaction times and poor judgment, significantly increasing the risk of pedestrian accidents.
Poor Weather Conditions: Rain, fog, or other adverse weather can reduce visibility and make it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians, creating hazardous situations.
Heavy Traffic and Complex Roadways: High traffic volumes and complicated intersections can increase the likelihood of pedestrian accidents, especially in busy city areas.
Teen Drivers: Due to inexperience, teen drivers are often involved in pedestrian accidents, making them a vulnerable group on the road.
Failure to Obey Traffic Laws: Drivers who speed, run red lights, or fail to yield the right of way can cause serious pedestrian accidents.
Inadequate Crosswalks and Signage: Poorly marked crosswalks and insufficient signage can lead to confusion and accidents.
Pedestrian Inattention: Pedestrians who are distracted by phones or not paying attention to traffic signals can also contribute to accidents.
Reckless Driving: Aggressive driving behaviors such as tailgating or weaving through traffic can increase the risk of pedestrian collisions.

Recognizing these common causes is crucial for preventing future accidents and preparing strong pedestrian accident claims. By understanding these factors, victims and their attorneys can better assess the situation and pursue suitable legal remedies.

Types of Injuries Sustained in Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents often lead to a wide range of serious and catastrophic injuries due to the lack of protection compared to vehicle occupants. Here is a comprehensive list of common injuries sustained in such accidents:

Soft Tissue Injuries: These include bruises, cuts, sprains, and strains that, while potentially healing quickly, can result in chronic pain and lasting scars.
Broken Bones: Pedestrian accidents frequently cause broken and fractured bones, affecting various parts of the body and sometimes leading to severe complications or even amputation in critical cases.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): These injuries can result in significant cognitive and emotional issues, impacting the victim’s quality of life and requiring extensive medical treatment.
Spinal Cord Injuries: Among the most severe, these injuries can lead to paralysis and necessitate lifelong care, underscoring the need for prompt medical evaluation.
Internal Injuries: Damage to internal organs can be life-threatening and often requires immediate medical intervention.
Neck Injuries: Whiplash and other neck-related injuries can cause long-term discomfort and mobility issues.
Facial Injuries: These include lacerations, fractures, and dental injuries, which may require reconstructive surgery.
Psychological Trauma: The emotional impact of a pedestrian accident can lead to anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Wrongful Death: In tragic cases where a pedestrian accident results in death, the victim’s family may pursue a wrongful death claim.

These severe injuries emphasize the urgent need for immediate medical attention and strong legal support to seek compensation for medical expenses, rehabilitation, and other related costs. At Wendt Law Firm, we are committed to helping you navigate this challenging process and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

The Role of Negligence in Pedestrian Accident Cases

Negligence is a key factor in pedestrian accident cases. In Missouri, drivers must be extremely careful to avoid hitting pedestrians. To prove negligence, you need to show four things: Duty, Breach of Duty, Causation, and Damages.

Duty: Drivers have a legal responsibility to follow traffic laws and drive safely to prevent accidents.
Breach of Duty: This happens when a driver does not meet the required standard of care, like speeding or being distracted while driving.
Causation: The driver’s breach of duty must have directly caused the pedestrian’s injuries.
Damages: This includes the actual harm suffered by the pedestrian, such as physical injuries, medical costs, and emotional distress.

Proving these elements is crucial to hold the responsible driver accountable and to secure compensation for the victim. At Wendt Law, our Kansas City pedestrian accident lawyers are skilled at proving negligence in these cases. We ensure that drivers who are at fault are held responsible for their actions. Our team is dedicated to getting you the compensation you deserve, whether through settlement or by taking your case to court. We’re here to help you recover from the accident’s impact.

Steps to Take After a Pedestrian Accident

Experiencing a pedestrian accident can be overwhelming, but knowing the steps to take immediately afterward can make a significant difference in your recovery and legal case. Here is a comprehensive list of actions to consider:

Ensure Safety: If possible, move to a safe location away from traffic to prevent further harm.
Assess Injuries: Quickly assess your injuries. Even if they seem minor, it’s crucial to prioritize your health and safety.
Seek Medical Attention: Obtain medical attention immediately. This is vital for your health and for documenting injuries that may not be immediately apparent.
Contact Authorities: Call the police to report the accident. An official police report is essential for your pedestrian accident claim.
Document the Scene: Take photographs of the accident scene, including your injuries, the vehicle involved, and any relevant road conditions or signage.
Gather Information: Collect contact details from the driver, including their name, phone number, insurance information, and license plate number. Also, gather contact information from any witnesses.
Avoid Discussing Fault: Refrain from admitting fault or discussing the accident details with anyone other than the police or your attorney.
Consult a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer: Before speaking with insurance companies, consult a pedestrian accident lawyer to understand your rights and the best course of action.
Notify Your Insurance Company: Inform your insurance company about the accident, but avoid giving a detailed statement until you’ve consulted with your attorney.
Keep Records: Maintain detailed records of all medical treatments, expenses, and any correspondence related to the accident.
Follow Medical Advice: Adhere to all medical advice and attend follow-up appointments to ensure a full recovery and to support your claim.
Consider Legal Action: Discuss with your attorney the possibility of filing a pedestrian accident claim to seek compensation for your injuries and losses.

By following these steps, you can protect your rights and increase your chances of getting fair compensation after a pedestrian accident. At Wendt Law Firm, our Kansas City pedestrian accident attorneys are dedicated to guiding you through this process.

Filing a Pedestrian Accident Claim in Kansas City

Filing a pedestrian accident claim in Kansas City involves several important steps to help you secure the compensation you deserve. Here’s a simplified guide to follow:

Consult a Lawyer: Start by talking to an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer. They can guide you through the legal process and help you build a strong case.
Collect Evidence: Gather all necessary evidence like medical records, photos of the accident scene, witness statements, and any video footage. This information supports your claim.
File a Police Report: Make sure there is an official police report of the accident, as it serves as a key piece of evidence.
Know the Time Limits: Be aware that Missouri generally gives you five years to file a personal injury case and three years for a wrongful death claim.
Inform Insurance Companies: Let your insurance company know about the accident but wait to give detailed statements until after consulting your lawyer.
Negotiate a Settlement: Work with your lawyer to negotiate a fair settlement with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Most claims settle before reaching trial.
Prepare for Court: If no settlement is reached, be ready to take your case to court. Your lawyer will help you prepare.
Reach MMI: Make sure you’ve reached Maximum Medical Improvement before finalizing your claim to accurately assess damages.

What is the Deadline for Filing a Pedestrian Accident Claim in Kansas City?

Understanding the deadline for filing a pedestrian accident claim in Kansas City is critical if you want to seek compensation. In Missouri, you generally have five years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. However, if the accident leads to a wrongful death, you have three years from the date of death to file a claim.

It’s important to act quickly to gather all necessary evidence and prepare your case. Missing these deadlines can mean losing your right to take legal action. To ensure your claim is filed on time and to get personalized guidance, consult with a seasoned Kansas City pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible.

Compensation Available for Pedestrian Accident Victims

As a pedestrian, you have the right of way in many situations. Unfortunately, this does not mean that drivers will always yield to you or that they will always drive safely. If you are hit by a car while walking, there are several different types of damages that you may be able to recover.

Victims can recover economic damages that include tangible costs like medical bills, lost wages, and rehabilitation expenses, which can add up quickly. It’s important to recover these costs through a claim.

Victims can also claim non-economic damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. If the accident leads to a fatality, the victim’s family can seek compensation for funeral expenses and loss of services. Missouri law allows pedestrians to recover damages even if they are partly at fault for the accident.

In cases of particularly reckless behavior, the court may award punitive damages. These are meant to punish the wrongdoer and prevent similar actions in the future. Our firm is dedicated to securing the highest possible compensation for accident victims, ensuring they receive fair settlements.

How Does Jaywalking Affect Liability in a Pedestrian Accident?

Jaywalking, which means crossing the street outside of marked crosswalks or against traffic lights, can affect who is at fault in a pedestrian accident. In Kansas City, pedestrians are expected to follow traffic rules just like drivers. If a pedestrian is jaywalking during an accident, it can make it harder to figure out who is responsible.

In these cases, responsibility is often shared based on comparative negligence. This means if a pedestrian is partly to blame, like by jaywalking, their compensation might be reduced by their share of the fault. For instance, if a pedestrian is found to be 30% at fault, their compensation could be reduced by 30%.

However, jaywalking doesn’t completely free the driver from blame. Drivers still need to be careful and try to avoid hitting pedestrians, even if they are jaywalking. Each situation is different, and things like the driver’s speed, visibility, and whether they were distracted can also affect who is responsible.

It’s important for victims to talk to an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer. A lawyer can look at the details of the case, gather evidence, and work to get fair compensation, even if jaywalking was involved.

Why You Need a Kansas City Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Dealing with pedestrian accident cases can be confusing, especially when you’re recovering from an accident. These cases often involve complicated personal injury laws, so having a skilled lawyer is critical. A pedestrian accident lawyer can help you get better results because they know how to handle these cases effectively.

One key role of a pedestrian accident attorney is to deal with the insurance company. They fight for your rights and make sure the insurance company doesn’t take advantage of you. Their goal is to get you the maximum compensation for your injuries and losses through strong negotiation.

Acting quickly is important in pedestrian accident claims. Contacting a Kansas City pedestrian accident attorney soon after the accident can greatly improve your case’s chances. Early legal help is vital for preserving evidence, gathering witness statements, and building a strong case from the start.

How Wendt Law Firm Can Help You

At Wendt Law Firm, we focus on helping those injured in pedestrian accidents. We offer free initial consultations, so you can talk about your case without any cost. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay us only if we win your case.

Our pedestrian accident lawyers are committed to getting you the compensation you deserve. We handle all the complexities of personal injury law to achieve the best outcome for your pedestrian accident case. From collecting evidence to negotiating with insurance companies, we manage every part of your case.

We know a serious pedestrian accident can cause both emotional and financial stress. Our aim is to provide caring and professional legal support, allowing you to concentrate on healing while we take care of the legal details. Call Wendt Law Firm today at 816-531-4415 for your free consultation and let us help you navigate the path to recovery.