Pedestrians in Independence face serious risks every time they cross a street, walk through a parking lot, or head to a bus stop. A person on foot has almost nothing to protect them when a driver fails to yield, and when an accident happens, the aftermath can be painful and severe.
At Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe, our Independence pedestrian accident attorneys represent people who were struck by negligent drivers and help them pursue compensation for their injuries. If you were hurt while walking, call (816) 876-2600 today for a free, no-obligation consultation with an Independence personal injury lawyer about your case.
Why Should Independence, MO Pedestrian Accident Victims Choose Our Firm?
- Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe has recovered more than $1 billion in settlements and verdicts for injured clients across Missouri and Kansas. We put those resources directly into building your case, from gathering evidence to bringing in outside professionals when your claim calls for it.
- We offer a free, no-obligation case review, so you can learn where you stand before deciding how to move forward. You pay no legal fees upfront, and our attorneys are paid only if we recover compensation on your behalf.
- Our attorneys keep you informed at every stage of your claim and answer your questions directly, rather than leaving you to track down updates on your own. You focus on your recovery while we handle the legal work.
Common Causes of Collisions Between Pedestrians and Motor Vehicles
Every year, pedestrians suffer serious injuries while walking in and around Independence, Missouri. Some of these collisions happen at high-traffic intersections, while others occur in parking lots or on residential streets without sidewalks. Many pedestrian accidents can be traced back to negligent driving behavior.
The following actions are common contributors to these vehicle accidents in Independence, MO:
- Distracted driving, such as texting or using a phone while behind the wheel
- Speeding or driving aggressively in areas with foot traffic
- Failing to yield at crosswalks or intersections
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Making turns without checking for pedestrians already in the crosswalk
- Poor visibility caused by low lighting or bad weather
The Benefits of Hiring a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Independence, MO
Insurance adjusters are trained to protect their company’s bottom line, not to look out for an injured pedestrian. Without legal representation, you may be offered a settlement that covers only a fraction of your medical bills and lost income, often before you know the full extent of your injuries. With an attorney on your side, you can counter a lowball offer with documentation that reflects the true cost of your injury, including medical records, wage statements, and physical evidence.
A lawyer can also help when liability isn’t obvious. If you’re unsure who was at fault, or if more than one party contributed to the accident, an attorney can investigate the crash and identify every party who may owe you compensation.
Building that kind of case often means gathering police reports, medical records, and sometimes statements from witnesses or accident reconstruction professionals, which can be difficult to manage on your own while you are recovering from an injury. An Independence pedestrian accident lawyer can take on that investigation, communicate with the insurance company on your behalf, and pursue every party who may share responsibility for what happened to you.
Who Can Be Held Liable When a Vehicle Strikes a Pedestrian?
Missouri law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians crossing within a marked or unmarked crosswalk when no traffic signal is present, under RSMo § 300.375. Pedestrians, in turn, must yield to vehicles when crossing outside of a crosswalk, under RSMo § 300.390. When a driver violates this duty by speeding, being distracted, or failing to yield, that driver typically bears legal responsibility for the accident.
Depending on how the accident happened, liability may extend to other parties, including:
- The driver’s employer, if the driver was working at the time of the crash
- A local government agency, if broken traffic signals or poor road design contributed to the accident
- A property owner, if a poorly lit or obstructed parking lot played a role
Steps Involved in Filing a Pedestrian Accident Claim in Independence
Filing a pedestrian accident claim typically starts with an investigation into how the crash happened and who was involved. From there, the attorneys at Dollar, Burns, Becker, and Hershewe gather medical records and bills to document the full cost of your injury. Then, we send a demand letter to the at-fault party’s insurance company that outlines how the accident happened, why the other party is liable, and the amount of compensation you are seeking for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.
The insurer will then review the demand and respond with a settlement offer, a request for additional documentation, or a denial of the claim. If a fair settlement can’t be reached through negotiation, the next step is filing a personal injury lawsuit. This process involves filing a petition with the court, exchanging evidence with the other side during discovery, and preparing for trial if the case does not resolve beforehand. Missouri gives injured pedestrians five years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit, under RSMo § 516.120.
What to Do Immediately After Being Hit by a Vehicle
The steps you take right after a pedestrian accident can affect both your health and your ability to recover compensation later. Consider taking the following steps, if you are able:
- Call 911 and get medical attention, even if your injuries seem minor at first
- Take photos of the scene, including the vehicle, road conditions, and any visible injuries
- Get the driver’s name, insurance information, and license plate number
- Ask any witnesses for their contact information
- Avoid discussing fault with the driver or their insurance company
- Contact an Independence pedestrian accident attorney to discuss your legal options.
Speak with a Lawyer at Dollar, Burns, Becker, and Hershewe Today
Dollar, Burns, Becker, and Hershewe has spent years fighting for injured pedestrians throughout Missouri and Kansas. If you were injured while walking in Independence, our firm will not rest until we have secured full compensation for your injuries. Contact our attorneys today for a free case review, and let us handle the legal work while you focus on getting better.