Speeding played a role in 29% of all traffic fatalities in 2021, killing an average of 33 people per day in the United States. There also were 13,384 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities. And, over the last three years, there has been an average of 114 fatal car crashes every day. Every day, individuals are injured or killed in automobile accidents involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, and bicycles.
Automobile Accidents: Leading Cause of Personal Injuries
Today, we spend a great deal of time in our cars and on the road. We eat in our cars, talk on the phone, text, and check email; we are a society of distracted drivers.
Add to the mix other negligent driving behaviors, such as aggressive, drowsy, or impaired driving, speeding, and just plain recklessness; it’s no wonder that auto accidents continue to be a leading cause of personal injuries.
Seriously Injured in a Car Accident? We can Help You.
Accidents can be caused by factors other than the negligence of another driver, such as poor road conditions where the city, county, or another entity may be responsible for maintaining safety. Parts on the car, such as an airbag, may be faulty and may mean the manufacturer is the negligent party.
CASE RESULTS
$400,000 Settlement for our client who was driving a truck owned by his employer when he was struck from behind while stopped at a red light.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Distracted driving- Fatigued or impaired driving
- Excessive speed
- Texting while driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol
- Reckless and aggressive driving
- Mechanical defects and/or failure to maintain your motor vehicle
- Inclement weather conditions
Have you been seriously hurt in an automobile accident in Missouri? Call Now.
Have you been seriously injured in an automobile accident? Call Nash & Franciskato at (877) 284-6600 We have a successful track record helping accident victims collect the compensation they deserve.
In the Kansas City area and across Missouri, the Nash & Franciskato Law Firm will fight for your rights. Contact our lawyers today for a free, no-obligation evaluation of your case.
Start Your Free Case Evaluation Today
Common Car Accident Injuries with Delayed Symptoms
- Whiplash
- Concussion
- Internal bleeding
- Blood clots and hematomas
- Back injuries
- Psychological injuries
Determining Fault in Automobile Accidents
Fault refers to who was responsible for causing the car accident.
The courts assign fault in car accident cases. In the state of Missouri, liability in car accidents is determined using a comparative negligence doctrine, meaning the courts will determine the percentage of fault and may assign fault to either or both drivers.
What Is Comparative Negligence in Missouri?
Determining who should be held responsible for an accident can be complicated, especially when multiple parties share some of the blame. Missouri follows a “pure” comparative negligence principle which means even if you’re partially at fault for an accident, you can still receive money for your damages. The state of Missouri allows accident victims to pursue compensation even if they were up to 99% at fault in the accident. However, the compensation the plaintiff receives will be reduced by their share of the fault.
Negligent Actions That Can Affect the Percentage of Fault Awarded
- Drunk or drugged driving
- Distracted driving
- Reckless driving
- Drowsy or fatigued driving
- Driving with motor vehicle defects
- Poor driving in adverse weather conditions
Find out if you have a case.
Our car accident attorneys handle all types of auto accident cases which include, fatal car accidents, drunk or impaired driving, distracted driving, motor vehicle defects, and more. Contact our office at (877) 284-6600 for a free, no-obligation review of your case.
Our knowledgeable staff is available at (877) 284-6600.
Compensation for Your Injuries
Serious, sometimes catastrophic, injuries can result from automobile accidents. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent; others may require long-term treatment. Our auto accident attorneys have represented hundreds of car accident victims in Kansas City who have suffered:
- The wrongful death of a family member who is the primary breadwinner of the family
- A traumatic brain injury or severe spinal cord injury that may require lifelong care, adaptive equipment due to paralysis or reduced capacity, and other imposing costs
- Multiple injuries, including broken bones, herniated discs, or burn injuries that may require surgery and often have extended recovery times or other severe consequences
CASE RESULTS
$3.125 Million Wrongful Death Judgment arising out of an automobile collision in which the defendant driver crossed the center line and collided with the plaintiff.
Auto accidents cause financial problems. Our legal team will work with you to substantiate your financial needs. We target settlements and verdicts that compensate you for:
- All immediate and future medical expenses, including costs for full rehabilitation services and long-term care
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering, lost companionship, and other consequences
Have questions? Contact our staff at (877) 284-6600.
Dedicated, Experienced Kansas City Auto Accident Attorneys on Your Side
At the Nash & Franciskato Law Firm in Kansas City, we know what to look for at a crash site and we know how to build a case that addresses your full range of injuries. We offer:
- In-depth knowledge of personal injury law.
- Know how to handle insurance company negotiations to get you the most compensation.
- Determining the amount of compensation you are entitled to.
- Proving liability and supporting your claim with evidence.
What we offer goes beyond experience. Our legal team is dedicated to you and helping you focus on your recovery. With our automobile accident attorneys, you will have:
- Over 80 years of combined experience
- Trusted legal advisor committed to your needs
- Free, no-obligation review of your case
- Super Lawyers for over 10 years
- The AV Preeminence Rating for Ethical Standards & Legal Ability
- Compassionate advocacy for you and your family
CASE RESULTS
$560,000 Settlement for a client who sustained a head injury in an automobile accident when struck from behind by a semi-tractor trailer.
CONTACT A KANSAS CITY CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY FOR A FREE CONSULTATION
If you or someone you know has been seriously injured in a car accident due to the negligence of another, contact the law office of Nash & Franciskato at (877) 284-6600 and one of our car accident attorneys will provide you with a free, no-obligation review.
Resources for You
- After a Car Accident
- Causes of Car Accidents
- Car Accident FAQs
- Blog articles related to automobile safety and accidents.
*Data source for speeding statistics.
Fatal Car Crash Statistics 2024
Editor’s Note: This page was reviewed for content and accuracy on March 21, 2024 and was republished at that time.
FAQ
The lawyers and legal staff at Nash & Franciskato in Kansas City have represented hundreds of car accident victims as well as serious motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, ATV accidents and other vehicle collisions.
As we gather information from all sources about the accident, we also consider whether we need to bring in accident reconstruction experts, engineers or investigators who can help document the facts of your accident and prove who was at fault.
Our experience with all types of car accidents means we assess factors beyond a negligent, at-fault driver. We look at all legal angles, including:
- Highway construction defects, inadequate highway signage and other physical conditions that can cause or contribute to accidents
- Safety issues, often caused by defective tires or other parts on your vehicle, or others involved in the car accident
- Alternate or multiple sources of insurance coverage, such as coverage for drivers of commercial vehicles, your own umbrella policy or other parties liable in your case
Simply put, punitive damages are damages awarded to a plaintiff in excess of compensatory damages in order to punish the defendant for a reckless or willful act. Punitive damages do not always apply; they are typically sought when there is a willful disregard for the safety of others.
Proving that a driver was at fault usually means establishing that he or she was negligent, which simply means we look at whether the other driver failed to follow his or her duty of care.
“Duty of care” is a legal term that refers to the responsibility one person has to avoid causing harm to another. Every driver has a basic legal duty to operate a motor vehicle in a safe manner.
For instance, if the other driver isn’t safely operating his or her vehicle or paying attention to traffic laws and causes an accident, he or she may be found negligent.
Negligent behavior might be:
- Excessive speeding
- Ignoring other road signs
- Distracted driving
- Failing to give the right of way to the rightful person
- Driving under the influence