I-435 Highway Accidents: What Kansas City Drivers Need to Know

I-435 Highway Accidents: What Kansas City Drivers Need to Know

Car accidents are always dangerous, but highway collisions are often much more serious than car accidents on city streets. As any Kansas Citian will tell you, the I-435 loop can be particularly scary for drivers, especially during rush hour traffic.

Nobody ever wants to be involved in a motor vehicle accident, but highway accident injuries can be life changing. Given the number of vehicles on the highway, merging traffic, and high speeds, an accident is much more likely, the damage is always significant, and the resulting injuries are often severe.

Common Causes of Highway Accidents

When cars and trucks are traveling at 55+ miles per hour, drivers have less time to react to unexpected situations, like sudden stops or debris on the road. The force of the impact in a highway collision often results in extreme damage not just to one car, but often several vehicles. And while they typically result in more serious injuries and fatalities, higher speeds aren’t the only cause for highway accidents.

On highways, drivers often experience reduced visibility. Large semi-trucks and commercial vehicles block the view, making it more difficult for drivers to see important signage, the traffic ahead, construction, merging lanes, or obstacles on the road. In addition, highways like I-435 often have fewer streetlights than city roadways, which can make it more difficult for drivers to see at night. Reduced visibility can increase the likelihood of accidents and make them more severe when they do occur.

Ironically, new car safety technologies can lead to distracted driving. For example, adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning lights, can lull drivers into a false sense of security and make them less attentive to the road. Additionally, some of these technologies can be very complex and require drivers to take their eyes off the road to operate them. This can be especially dangerous when driving at high speeds or in congested traffic.

Highway Accident Injuries

While highway accident injuries may vary depending on speed, vehicles involved, and other factors, the one common theme is that they’re almost always serious and require medical attention. Some of the most common injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI): When the head is hit or shaken violently, it can result in a traumatic brain injury with a wide range of symptoms like headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, memory problems, and difficulty concentrating, just to name a few. In severe cases, TBI can even be fatal.
• Whiplash: Whiplash occurs when the head is suddenly and violently jerked back and forth and are a common result of rear-end collisions. Whiplash can cause neck pain, stiffness, limited range of motion, chronic pain and disability.
• Broken bones: Highway accidents frequently lead to broken arms, legs, and ribs.
• Internal injuries: Damage to internal organs like the liver, spleen, kidneys, and intestines are common in high-speed collisions. Internal injuries are always serious and require immediate medical attention.
• Burns: If a car catches fire after an accident, hot surfaces or chemicals can burn the occupants leaving lifelong scars and permanent nerve damage.

It is important to seek medical attention immediately if you are involved in a highway accident. Even if you do not think you are injured, it is important to be checked out by a doctor.

I-435 Accident Statistics

Highway safety statistics provided by the Kansas City Police Department show that there were 1,172 highway accidents resulting in 13 deaths on I-435 in Kansas City in 2021. In fact, the intersection of I-435 and I-70 is the single most dangerous intersection in town!

Unsurprisingly, the most common types of accidents were rear-end collisions (32%), sideswipes (23%), and single-vehicle accidents (22%). Speeding was a factor in 25% of the accidents, and alcohol was a factor in 10% of the accidents.

Here are some tips to help you stay safe while driving on I-435 in Kansas City:

• Obey the speed limit.
• Don’t drink and drive.
• Don’t text and drive.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Use your turn signals.
• Don’t tailgate.
• Leave plenty of space between you and the car in front of you.
• Be patient.
• Don’t get angry or frustrated.
• If you’re tired, pull over and take a nap.
• If you’re feeling sick, pull over and get some rest.
• If you’re not feeling well, don’t drive.

Contact Plaza Injury Law: Kansas City Highway Accident Law Firm

If you or a loved one were injured in an accident on I-435 in Missouri or Kansas, call Donovan Dodrill at (816) 945-4409 a free and confidential consultation. Attorney Dodrill is an experienced local car accident lawyer here in Kansas City who will fight to hold the parties who caused your pain and suffering financially liable for your damages.