A serious pedestrian crash involving pedestrians in Kansas City resulted in two victims being transported to the hospital with life-threatening, catastrophic injuries. Both of the drivers involved were traveling north on Blue Ridge Boulevard. The driver of a Dodge Charger was speeding when he rear-ended a black SUV. As a result, the driver of the SUV lost control of the vehicle. Both vehicles struck the bus stop, causing catastrophic injuries to two pedestrians waiting at the bus stop.
Two of the people who were at the bus stop suffered life-threatening injuries and were transported to the hospital. The SUV driver did not suffer life-threatening injuries, and two children were taken to the hospital to be evaluated for injuries. Law enforcement suspects that the driver may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Unfortunately, this will not be the first or the last Kansas car accident that results in catastrophic injuries.
Pedestrians are More Likely to Suffer Catastrophic Injuries
Every year, approximately 6,000 pedestrians died in motor vehicle accidents in the United States, and over 66,000 pedestrians suffered injuries in traffic accidents. In other words, every 88 minutes, one pedestrian dies in a car accident. Pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely to be killed in a car accident than passengers and drivers in passenger vehicles. Nearly half of all car accidents that caused pedestrian deaths to involve alcohol use.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
There are numerous causes of pedestrian accidents. Even though drivers must obey traffic laws and use reasonable care when driving, they often do not. Drivers are more distracted than ever, and when they fail to obey traffic laws or fail to check for pedestrians in their vicinity, dangerous accidents can occur. Common causes for pedestrian accidents include the following:
- Distracted driving: In the amount of time a driver checks a text message, he or she can drive the entire length of a football field. When drivers eat, drink, use electronic devices, or talk on a cell phone, they are putting pedestrians at risk. Even when a pedestrian has the right to cross the street can suffer deadly injuries in a matter of seconds.
- Speeding: In the accident mentioned above, one driver speeding caused a devastating and deadly pedestrian accident. When pedestrians are struck by speeding vehicles, they are even more likely to suffer catastrophic injuries or die due to the force of the collision.
- Intoxicated driving: Similarly, when drivers are intoxicated by drugs or alcohol, they are less likely to notice pedestrians in their path.
Contact a Kansas Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
Have you suffered a catastrophic injury in a car accident? Has your loved one died from catastrophic injuries? If so, your family may be entitled to compensation that could help you pay your medical bills and ensure your financial future. Contact the experienced catastrophic injury lawyers at Griggs Injury Law today to schedule your free initial consultation.
