Every year, someone loses their life in a car accident caused by excessive speed. Countless drivers make the fatal mistake of thinking the posted speed limits do not apply to them and strike others on the road with immense force. If you lost a loved one due to a speeding-related accident in Kansas City, you have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the person responsible.
How Speed Increases the Risk of Fatal Crashes
Speed dramatically increases both the likelihood and severity of vehicle accidents. In 2022 alone, 29% of all deaths in car crashes occurred in speed-related collisions across the United States—amounting to over 12,000 lives lost.
When drivers exceed posted limits, they reduce their reaction time to potential hazards while simultaneously increasing the distance needed to stop. A speeding vehicle travels farther before a driver can react to danger, and once brakes are applied, the vehicle requires significantly more distance to come to a complete stop. This dangerous combination means drivers often cannot avoid obstacles or stop in time to prevent catastrophic collisions, especially on crowded roadways or in adverse conditions.
Additionally, high speeds make vehicles much harder to control during emergency maneuvers. This can result in a complete loss of vehicle control, causing rollovers, spinouts, or veering into oncoming traffic lanes. Perhaps most critically, crash energy increases exponentially with speed. Experienced car accident lawyers in Kansas City explain that this means even small increases in speed create disproportionately larger forces during impact, which can lead to even more serious injuries.
Common Fatal Injuries in High-Speed Collisions
High-speed collisions often result in catastrophic and sometimes fatal injuries, such as:
- Traumatic brain damage
- Severe internal organ trauma
- The complete severing of the spinal cord
- Major chest trauma causing aortic tears or cardiac rupture
- Multiple compound fractures, which can lead to fatal blood loss
- Massive crushing injuries when vehicle structures collapse
- Fatal burn injuries from fires that start due to the crash
- Decapitation or traumatic amputation in extreme cases
Filing a Wrongful Death Claim After a Speeding Accident
If you lost a loved one due to a speeding accident, you have the right to pursue justice. A wrongful death lawsuit allows surviving family members to seek compensation after losing a loved one to someone else’s negligence.
Both Kansas and Missouri allow survivors to pursue wrongful death lawsuits after fatal car crashes. However, each state has strict laws regarding who may file:
- In Kansas, any heir at law who suffered a loss can file a wrongful death claim. This typically includes surviving spouses, children, parents, grandparents, or siblings.
- Missouri law establishes a hierarchy of who may file, beginning with spouses, parents, and children. If no qualifying relatives exist, a plaintiff ad litem can be appointed to pursue the claim.
To navigate these requirements, along with the other complex procedures involved in a wrongful death lawsuit, it is essential to work with a personal injury attorney in Kansas City who focuses on these cases.
Seek Justice for Your Loved One Today
The aftermath of a fatal speeding accident leaves families shattered and searching for answers. While no legal action can bring back your loved one, holding the driver accountable can provide critical financial support and a measure of justice. A Kansas City wrongful death lawyer can help you navigate the litigation process and secure the compensation you need to move forward. Schedule a free legal consultation today and learn how an attorney can fight for your family.