Archive for April, 2016

Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys Discuss Pedestrian Accidents and What to do if Struckd

Thursday, April 21st, 2016

Some days the world seems like a rather frightening place, with freak accidents happening everywhere. If you watch the news on a regular basis, you may be afraid to hop on a transatlantic flight for fear of the plane crashing into the ocean. Or, you may pass on setting off into the sunset on a Caribbean cruise, thinking the ship could capsize at sea. But do you ever hear about people not driving for fear of being in an automobile accident? Or people who do not walk down the sidewalk because they are convinced they will be hit by a car? Seems pretty silly when it is put like that, but the truth of the matter is that people are much more likely to be seriously injured doing average, everyday things like driving or walking than while on a commercial flight or a cruise ship.

While crossing the street or walking down Main Street may not seem like dangerous things to do, pedestrians are injured all the time doing these seemingly safe activities. According to data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2013 approximately 66,000 pedestrians were injured in traffic crashes and more than 4,700 were killed. That equates to one pedestrian being injured every 8 minutes and killed every two hours. Now, this does not mean that a person should live in fear every time put on their walking shoes. However, there are things that every pedestrian should be aware of, just in case they are involved in this type of accident.  Here are the three things you should do if you are ever struck by a car:

  • Move to a safe location: If you or a person you are with is struck by a vehicle, the first thing you need to do is to get the victim to a safe location. If he or she is able to walk, find a place off of the roadway to regroup. While this type of situation can be very scary, it is important to try to stay calm.
  • Call for help: The next step is to always call 911 to request the paramedics or an ambulance. Even if you think no serious injuries occurred, it is vital that the police are contacted. Law enforcement officers will need to make a report and gather evidence. This is important because sometimes a victim may not realize the extent of the injuries until later. Sounds strange, but accidents happen in just a blink of an eye.
  • Gather information: While you are waiting for the paramedics or police to arrive, take a moment to survey the scene and recall what happened. Make mental notes of anything that you feel may be important later. If you are physically able, take photos of your injuries, the car that struck you, including the license plate and of the general location. Smart phones with a camera are great for this purpose.
  • Do not give the driver permission to leave: Even if you feel okay, do not tell the driver who struck you that he or she can leave the scene. You want the driver to stay at least until the police can come to make their report.

If you or a loved one was seriously injured after being struck by a motor vehicle, the experienced Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. can help. Our experienced team of Kansas City Injury Attorneys will make sure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you are entitled to. You can trust the Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. to help you as they have helped countless injury victims around the area, in both Kansas and Missouri. We invite you to contact Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. today at (816) 472-4673 to schedule an initial consultation. Our caring and hardworking injury attorneys will make it easier to get back on your feet.

Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys Caution Cyclists On How to Avoid Being Involved in a Crash

Friday, April 1st, 2016

Spring is in the air and that can only mean one thing—it is time to go for a ride! The lower temperatures of spring make it a perfect time to bust out the bike and hit the open road. But before you hop on your Harley, it is important to spend a little time reviewing the best way to prevent an accident.

While motorcycle accidents do not happen with any more frequency than car accidents the consequences of a bike accident are usually far worse. A serious crash can leave a rider with severe and life threating injuries. In some cases, bikers even lose their lives. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2013 bikers were 26 times more likely to be killed in a crash per vehicle mile traveled compared with occupants in a passenger car.

The best way for a motorcyclist to avoid becoming a statistic is to try to prevent an accident from occurring in the first place. By knowing what types of accidents are most prevalent and what sort of behaviors lead to crashes, you can take steps to avoid putting yourself in danger. The following are the most common causes of motorcycle accidents and what you can learn from each:

  • Cars making left-hand turns: One of the most dangerous and common accidents occur when a passenger vehicle driver makes a left-hand turn. To decrease the likelihood of being involved in this type of accident the two most important things a rider can do is to adhere to the posted speed limit and pay attention to other drivers. If you notice a driver that is about to make a turn, you need to be able to decide if you can brake or swerve to avoid a collision.
  • Rear-end collisions: While a rear-end collision between two cars is most often considered a minor fender bender, it can be a dangerous accident if it is between a car and a motorcycle. The best way to prevent this type of accident is for riders to leave a safe following distance between themselves and the car in front of them in case the driver needs to make a sudden stop.
  • Drivers of cars often report not having seen motorcycle: One of the downsides of motorcycles being smaller than passenger cars is that their presence is often difficult to detect on the road. If a driver cannot see a rider then he or she is liable to hit him or her. Riders can try to increase their visibility to drivers by avoiding lingering in blind spots and making sure to leave an adequate buffer between you and the vehicle in front of you.
  • Driving intoxicated: According to data collected by the NHTSA, in 2014, 29 percent of the riders killed in motorcycle accidents were legally intoxicated, or in other words, had a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher. This is 2 percent more than the year before. Drinking and riding is just as big of a “no no” as drinking and driving. Do yourself and your fellow motorists a favor and ride sober!

If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries after being involved in a motorcycle accident the experienced Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. can help. Our team of seasoned Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys will work to make sure that you receive proper compensation for your injuries. Trust the Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. to fight for you, just as they have fought for the rights of countless motorcycle victims around the area, both in Kansas and Missouri. To learn about your legal options, contact the attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. today by calling (816) 472-4673 to schedule a consultation. At Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. we provide injury victims with exceptional legal services.