Kansas City Intersection Accidents

Traversing any area by car requires different routes to connect and roadways to intersect. This sometimes leads to confusing intersections with cars traveling in different directions, all meeting at the same crossroads where drivers must follow the laws. Intersections in Kansas City and elsewhere require motorists to make fast decisions with a thorough understanding of traffic laws. The complexity of these situations can unfortunately lead to accidents, sometimes necessitating guidance from a Kansas City car accident lawyer.

Why Do Accidents Happen In Intersections?

Intersections bring together vehicles and pedestrians traveling in different directions, which requires taking turns to proceed in the direction each driver is heading. Unfortunately, U.S. Department of Transportation data shows that around half of all traffic accident injuries in the United States and 25% of fatalities occur in intersections. Guided intersections have signal lights indicating when cars traveling in one direction may go while others stop; however, not all drivers carefully adhere to the rules. Some may try to “beat” a yellow light and cross an intersection before it turns red. Others may try to make right turns on red lights where signs specifically prohibit this due to high safety risks. In some cases, a distracted, drunk, or drowsy driver causes an accident by driving into the back of a car stopped in front of them at an intersection, causing a rear-end collision. Unguided intersections have stop signs rather than signal lights. They require drivers to know and follow the rules of right of way, such as which driver goes through a four-way stop first. Common causes of intersection accidents in Kansas City include the following:

• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Failure to yield the right of way
• Tailgating
• Intentionally running a red light or stop sign
• Impaired driving

Most intersection accidents happen when a driver either knowingly or intentionally does not follow the laws guiding traffic through the intersection.

What Types of Intersection Accidents Are Common In Kansas City?

When one or more vehicles fail to adhere to the laws in an intersection, the results can be deadly. Common types of accidents in intersections include the following:

• Rear-end collisions
• T-bone accidents (angle collisions or broadside accidents)
• Pedestrian accidents
• Multi-car accidents

Intersection accidents occur more often than highway accidents, but intersection accidents are less likely to end in catastrophic injuries or fatalities due to the slower travel speeds in intersections.

Where Do the Most Intersection Accidents In Kansas City Occur?

Kansas City is home to some of Missouri’s most dangerous intersections, including the following:

• The intersection of Main Street and 39th Street
• Van Brunt Boulevard and 23rd Street
• The intersection of Truman Road and Oak Street
• Brooklyn Avenue and 29th Street intersection
• Jackson Avenue and 31st Street
• Ward Parkway and 75th Street
• Gregory Boulevard and US 71

It sometimes takes an investigation to determine which driver caused an intersection accident by failing to yield the right of way. Investigations to prove the negligent driver liable for damages require reviewing traffic camera footage, interviewing eyewitnesses, and examining the police report.

How Can an Intersection Accident Lawyer From Miller & Hine Help?

In a fault-based insurance state like Missouri, the involved insurance companies assign adjusters to determine the cause of the accident and which driver is responsible. Unfortunately, insurance adjusters are not working on your side and may shift liability to you to protect their company’s profits. Call Miller & Hine for legal representation from a qualified Kansas City personal injury lawyer after an intersection accident to protect your right to recover full and fair compensation.