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Thanks to its growing population, heavy commuter traffic, and popular interstates, Kansas City experiences a great deal of car accidents every year. While not even the safest driver can avoid those who drive recklessly, looking into Kansas City, MO, car accident statistics can help drivers better understand how to protect themselves and what areas may require them to exercise more caution when traveling through.
Examining Kansas City’s Vision Zero Program
Kansas City officials were happy to report a 30% drop in traffic fatalities in 2025. This major victory was attributed to a variety of factors, including the city’s new Vision Zero initiative. This effort to reduce traffic fatalities to zero by 2030 focuses on eight core principles, including:
- Prioritizing safety in infrastructure design and funding plans
- Promoting safer speed limits, especially in high-risk areas
- Building new streets and retrofitting existing ones with improvements
- Improving intersections and creating new ones as needed
- Improving bike lanes, sidewalks, trails, and public transit access
- Educating drivers on the dangers of speeding and driving under the influence
- Enforcing traffic laws effectively in a data-driven and equitable manner
- Improving data collection and accessibility for performance improvements
These efforts have led to improvements in road safety, as well as a culture of motivation and shared responsibility for continuing progress in the years to come.
Popular Interstates in Kansas City and the City’s Noteworthy Improvements
Even one life saved on the road is a cause worth celebrating. However, Kansas City’s ability to reduce road fatalities in 2025 is even more impressive when you consider it alongside the state’s average. Missouri showed numbers that stayed roughly the same in 2024, with 421 traffic fatalities.
Kansas City is paving the way for safer roads and driving experiences for residents across the state, even with busy interstates passing through the city. The following roads are targets of the city’s new legislation, and the most commonly used highways that produce the most accidents:
- I‑70. One of the most heavily traveled east–west corridors through downtown and into Independence.
- I‑435. This full beltway around Kansas City consistently has high volumes, especially in the south and east sections.
- I‑35. A major commuter route connecting downtown KC with Johnson County and the Northland.
- US‑71 / Bruce R. Watkins Drive. This is a high-speed highway with heavy daily traffic and frequent congestion.
- I‑29. A key northern corridor connecting downtown to KCI Airport and Platte County.
- US‑169. A busy north–south route, especially near the Buck O’Neil Bridge.
- I‑49 / US‑71 (South KC). A high‑traffic freeway serving Grandview and the southern suburbs.
Being a hub where so many key roads intersect can create traffic risks that other cities don’t have. But safety advocates in Kansas City are taking a proactive approach to improve road safety, both in managing infrastructure and educating the population.
Where Kansas City Needs Road Safety Improvements
While the city has made some massive improvements that are especially impressive given its location, the following statistics emphasize how there is still plenty of work to be done. Kansas City ranked:
- The sixth-worst in the country for dangerous drivers
- The second-worst in the country for speeding deaths (10.63 per 100,000 people)
- The sixth-worst for alcohol-related crashes (6.49 per 100,000 people)
How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
It’s important for Kansas City drivers to understand their rights after they’ve been involved in an accident. Firstly, you have the right to seek compensation if you sustained damages due to another party’s negligent driving. You also have the right to hire a car accident lawyer to represent you while you do so.
When you hire an experienced car accident lawyer from Northland Injury Law, we can help you better understand your rights and all potential legal options available in your situation. From the initial filing of your claim to negotiations with insurers, our dedicated attorneys can stand by your side and fight to claim the compensation you deserve. Our team shares over five decades of legal experience and has recovered millions of dollars in compensation for injury victims.
FAQs
What Should You Do Immediately After Being Involved in a Car Accident in Kansas City?
If you were involved in a car accident in Kansas City, the first thing you need to do is try to move yourself and your vehicle off the main road and to a safe place. You should then call emergency medical services. If you are too injured to do either task, you should wait for emergency medical services to arrive and focus solely on taking care of yourself until they get to you. Once you’ve received attention and leave the scene, you should then contact a lawyer.
How Is Fault Determined in a Car Accident Case in Kansas City, Missouri?
Fault is determined in a Kansas City car accident case by considering evidence from the accident, witness testimonies, and any camera footage from traffic, dash, or body cameras. Courts may use expert analysis to reconstruct scenes and determine what caused the incident, as well as to make judgments about who is most at fault. It’s important to note that multiple drivers in Missouri can share fault in an accident, including the victim pursuing compensation.
How Much Can You Receive for a Car Accident Settlement in Kansas City?
The compensation you secure for your Kansas City car accident settlement largely depends on your claim’s unique circumstances. The severity of your injury, the recklessness of the other parties involved, the impact of your injury on your daily life, and whether you’re able to work can all impact how much you are awarded for a successful claim. Your lawyer can help you fight for the maximum amount of compensation available in your unique situation.
How Long Does It Take to Settle a Car Accident Claim in Kansas City?
The amount of time it takes to settle your Kansas City car accident claim will depend on a variety of elements. These factors include the number of liable parties involved in your case, whether litigation is required, whether your case is contentious, and more. You should consult your lawyer to get a better estimate of your case’s potential timeline.
Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Kansas City, MO
Kansas City’s car accident statistics show noteworthy improvements in 2025, though risks still remain. Northland Injury Law knows that even minor incidents still require justice to be served, which is why we offer our car accident services to residents across the state. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
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