Kansas City distracted driving accident lawyer

Kansas City Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers

Holding distracted drivers liable when they don’t pay attention to the road

Driver distraction is one of the leading causes of car accidents in Kansas City & throughout America. Drivers should know better than to text while they drive, and there is simply no excuse for using a smartphone behind the wheel. Motorists who fail to keep their eyes and mind on the task of driving are a danger to themselves, passengers, other cars, and anyone crossing an intersection.

At Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, our car accident lawyers understand how to prove to the court a driver was distracted. We understand how to show that one moment of distraction and negligence caused a collision. When that car crash or wreck causes you injuries, we demand all the economic and noneconomic losses state law permits. When a distracted driver kills a loved one, our legal team files a wrongful death claim on behalf of the family members.

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What is distracted driving?

Driving while distracted is any activity that takes a driver’s eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, and mind off of traffic. Distracted drivers often don’t have control of their cars, and can’t respond to traffic emergencies, such as cars in front of them that suddenly stop.

Motorists driving at 60 mph are traveling at 88 feet per second. Glancing down at a phone or screen for even one second means traveling six car lengths blind. Some of the activities that qualify as driving while distracted include:

  • Text messaging
  • Talking on a smartphone or mobile device
  • Eating and drinking while driving
  • Looking at a GPS
  • Adjusting the radio or an entertainment system
  • Looking in the back seat to talk to the passengers behind you
  • Reading a newspaper or map
  • Personal grooming

Distracted driving also includes driver fatigue and driving under the influence, as fatigue and alcohol slow down the driver’s reaction time and the ability to respond to emergencies.

How deadly is distracted driving in Kansas City?

  • 3,142 people died due to driver distraction in 2019, according to the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA)
  • 20% of the people who were killed by a distracted driver were pedestrians or bicycle riders according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • 25% of the people involved in fatal crashes caused by distracted driving were between age 20-29
  • 9% of all teenagers who died in motor vehicles accidents died in crashes caused by distracted driving

According to the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety:

  • The most distracted drivers by age group are people in their 20s, followed by people in their 30s, then people in their 50s, and fourth by people under 21.
  • The vehicles that involved the most deaths due to distracted driving between 2016 and 2020 were passenger cars, pickups, SUVs, and commercial vehicles.
  • 54% of the time, someone other than the driver dies in a distracted driving accident.

If you or a loved one were injured in a crash caused by a distracted driver, Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys can help.

Related Article: 6 Common Distracted Driving Myths: The Painful Truth

How do attorneys prove a motorist was driving distracted?

Our seasoned car accident lawyers work with the police and investigators to determine the circumstances of your accident. We conduct extensive questioning of everyone in the negligent driver’s car about what they were doing immediately before the car crash occurred.

We review the physical evidence, examining phones and any texting or conversations to determine if the driver was using their mobile device. Investigators look for sandwich wrappers and drink containers or other evidence of driver distraction. We leave no stone unturned to show that the driver wasn’t concentrating on your safety when the car crash occurred. Our lawyers also understand the art of cross-examination to show when drivers and their passengers are hiding the full truth.

What do MO and KS state laws say about distracted driving?

Most states now regulate texting while driving. Many states also regulate using a cellphone for any reason.

  • In Missouri, no driver 21 or younger can text message while they are driving.
  • Kansas bans text messaging for all drivers. However, there are many exceptions. The state bans cell phones for drivers with learners’ permits.

Related Article: Laws Regarding Cell Phone Use While Driving in KS and MO

How can we reduce the risks of distracted driving?

The CDC recommends that law enforcement aggressively enforce existing mobile phone bans. They also recommend that states use graduated license programs so that younger drivers can learn how to drive in safer conditions (including conditions where distracted driving is restricted) before they drive on main state roads. Another precaution that helps reduce distracted driving accidents is the use of rumble strips to alert drivers when they are crossing into another lane.

The NHTSA recommends that teenagers, parents, and schools work to educate young drivers about the dangers of distracted driving.

  • The NHTSA recommends that teenagers pledge not to drive while distracted, to speak out if the driver is distracted, and encourage friends and family members to drive without using their phones.
  • Parents should lead by example, which means they should never drive while they are distracted. Parents should talk to their teenage children about the dangers of driver distraction, and parents should encourage their children to take the pledge against driving while distracted.
  • Schools and employers can also educate students and workers about the dangers of driving while distracted.

What is the value of my Kansas City distracted driving accident claim?

Our Missouri and Kansas car accident lawyers demand compensation for your pain and suffering, medical bills, lost income, and car damage due to a distracted driver. In cases of extreme recklessness, we also demand punitive damages. We also file wrongful death claims in the tragic event a loved one is killed by a distracted driver.

The legal team at Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys files claims against all responsible parties. For example, when teenagers drive while distracted, we file claims against the parents because as the owners of the vehicle they can be held responsible for negligent entrustment depending on the totality of the facts and circumstances.

Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys fights for the victims and the families of victims of distracted drivers

If you were injured in a car accident, we understand you’re in pain. You deserve compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage when a distracted driver causes you or your loved one harm. Let us help you assert your rights.

Call Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys today to schedule an appointment. We have locations in Kansas City, Blue Springs, Overland Park, Lee's Summit, St. Joseph, Olathe and Parkville, and represent people throughout Kansas and Missouri. You can reach us at 816-290-7621 or by filling out our contact form.

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