Kansas City Distracted Driving Attorney

The Midwest's Most Effective Injury Law Firm

1,000s of Satisfied Clients
$1 Billion+ Recovered in Compensation
40+ Years of Experience

This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Terry Crouppen who has more than 40 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney. Our last modified date shows when this page was last reviewed.

This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Terry Crouppen who has more than 40 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney. Our last modified date shows when this page was last reviewed.

Distracted driving occurs when something takes your attention off the road or your hands off the wheel. Unfortunately, drivers face more distractions than ever before, which increases the risk of car accidents and serious injuries. Our Kansas City distracted driving lawyers can help you and your family claim compensation if a careless driver failed to pay attention and caused your accident. Contact Brown & Crouppen today for a free case evaluation.

With so many drivers distracted by their cell phones, navigation systems, vehicle passengers, and heavy traffic, it’s estimated that about one in every three Missouri traffic crashes is caused by distracted driving . People who are injured by distracted drivers often face expensive medical bills, lost income, and frustration as they navigate the complex insurance claims process.

If you or a loved one were hurt in a distracted driving accident in Kansas City, our attorneys are ready to fight for the results you deserve. Brown & Crouppen is a top-rated firm with decades of combined experience handling distracted driving cases. Schedule a free consultation with our team to speak with a Kansas City distracted driving lawyer today.

Why Should I Hire Brown & Crouppen’s Distracted Driving Accident Attorneys in Kansas City?

As one of the Midwest’s most awarded firms, Brown & Crouppen has helped victims recover over $1 billion in settlements and verdicts. We know what it takes to succeed in and out of the courtroom and prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. Our dedication and preparation demonstrate to insurance companies that our attorneys are serious about protecting you and demanding fair compensation.

With more than 40 years of experience and 250 legal professionals working for you, we have the resources to conduct thorough investigations and determine liability for your accident. We are also familiar with local laws and the Kansas City court system, providing us with valuable insight to help build your case.

Our distracted driving accident lawyers are proud to serve Kansas City and give back to the community. If you choose to work with our team, there are no fees unless we win your case.

How Our Distracted Driving Lawyers Can Help

Our team offers comprehensive representation, handling every aspect of your case so you can focus on your recovery. Our award-winning legal services include:

  • Providing support and legal guidance every step of the way
  • Conducting a full investigation to determine the at-fault party
  • Gathering evidence that will help prove distracted driving caused your crash
  • Communicating with the insurance companies on your behalf
  • Negotiating a settlement that compensates you for your losses
  • Taking your case to court when necessary

After a Kansas City car accident, insurance companies may try to shift the blame to you to pay less than your claim is worth. They may even unfairly deny your claim or pressure you to accept a lowball settlement.

Our distracted driving lawyers know these tactics and stand up for your rights. We always fight for what’s fair—working toward a full-value settlement when possible and standing strong in trial when it’s not.

FREE CASE EVALUATION

What Is My Distracted Driving Car Accident Lawsuit Worth?

How much your case is worth will depend on the severity of your injuries and the extent of your damages. A distracted driving accident lawyer from Brown & Crouppen can calculate your damages to claim the maximum amount available.

We’ve helped numerous distracted driving accident clients secure life-changing settlements and verdicts, including:

In the case of the motorcyclist, our client shared fault for the accident. However, we were able to show our client was owed compensation because the other driver was distracted and did not slow down safely. Our team secured $100,000 from the other driver’s insurance and $100,000 through our client’s uninsured motorist (UIM) coverage—the policy limits for both.

justice statue

Get started with a free consultation with one of our skilled Personal Injury Lawyers today.

Understanding Distracted Driving Laws in Missouri

So, is it illegal to text and drive in Missouri? With a growing number of Missouri texting and driving accidents, a law banning handheld electronic devices was enacted in August 2023. Known as Siddens Bening Hands-Free Law, Missouri drivers are no longer allowed to do the following while operating a motor vehicle:

  • Hold or support an electronic communication device with any part of the body.
  • Write, send, or read text-based communications.
  • Communicate on an electronic communication device without a hands-free feature.
  • Retrieve any electronic data on a communication device.
  • Use a search engine or website on an electronic communication device.
  • Watch videos or movies on an electronic communication device.
  • Record, post, send, or broadcast videos using an electronic communication device.

Under this law, drivers cannot text, email, interact on social media, or make handheld phone calls while driving on public streets or highways. Failing to comply can result in fines, driving record points, driver’s license disqualification, and even misdemeanor or felony charges if the offense causes property damage, serious physical injury, or death.

With a deep understanding of these laws, our texting and driving accident lawyers can help you fight for your rights. Reach out today to learn more about your legal rights and options.

Proving Liability in Distracted Driving Accident Cases

If you were injured in a distracted driving accident, it’s normal to want to hold the other driver accountable and demand the maximum compensation for your claim. However, your state’s laws will determine if you must prove liability before receiving insurance benefits.

Because Missouri is an at-fault state, you can seek compensation through the at-fault driver’s insurance. By contrast, Kansas is a no-fault state, which means you first file a claim through your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, regardless of who was at fault for the accident.

Our distracted driving attorneys in Kansas City, MO, can help you bring a claim against the at-fault party to cover your medical bills and other damages. We will build a strong case based on solid evidence proving the elements of negligence:

  • Duty – The driver had a duty to follow the rules of the road and drive safely.
  • Breach of duty – The driver failed to uphold their duty by texting while operating the vehicle.
  • Causation – The breach caused your car accident.
  • Damages – The crash led to medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, or other damages.
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What Are the Different Types of Distracted Driving?

When you hear “distracted driving,” you probably immediately think of texting or scrolling on a cell phone. According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, “It takes approximately 4.6 seconds to read an incoming text message—the equivalent (at 55 MPH) of traveling the length of an entire football field, blind.” Even a five-second distraction is enough to cause a deadly accident.

However, while it’s true that cell phone use is incredibly distracting behind the wheel, it’s not the only way that drivers lose focus on the road. There are three types of distractions behind the wheel:

  • Cognitive: Distractions that take your mind off the task of driving.
  • Manual: Distractions that cause you to physically take your hands off the steering wheel.
  • Visual: Distractions that make you take your eyes off the road.

Even so, according to the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety, using a cell phone while driving is one of Missouri’s fastest-growing causes of car accidents. Over half of the people killed in distracted driving accidents in the state were passengers and not drivers.

At Brown & Crouppen, we’ve seen firsthand how dangerous distracted driving can be. Understanding the consequences of these accidents pushes us to serve those injured by distracted drivers with compassion, commitment, and dedication to justice.

"Distracted driving is a real, real problem. We have these cell phones in our hands, taking your eyes off the road to look at a text. They say the average time that it takes is about five seconds. Imagine this, you're on the highway, you're going 55 miles an hour in some places, maybe 70, that's the speed limit. For the average length it takes to read or send a text, they say it's like closing your eyes for five seconds. You would never do that. That would be terrifying. Yet, if you look around at drivers around you and sometimes in your own vehicle, it happens every single day. Send that text at a stoplight or once you get to your destination. You are putting yourself and everyone around you at risk, it can wait."

BROWN CROUPPEN KANSAS CITY DISTRACTED DRIVING INFOGRAPHICS

Distracted Driving Accident FAQs

Distracted driving crashes can lead to serious injuries that require lengthy treatments, including:

  • Concussion
  • Whiplash
  • Sprains and strains
  • Bruising and other soft tissue injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Cuts and lacerations
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Neck and back injuries
  • Burn injuries
  • Wrongful death

These injuries often result in expensive medical bills, lost time at work, physical suffering, and emotional distress. Our team will fight for the full value of your damages and help you access the care you need.

The Missouri statute of limitations for personal injury claims is five years from the date of the incident. For distracted driving car accidents, you have a five-year deadline to file a claim after the crash. Missing the deadline could mean you lose your right to recover damages.

Although five years might seem like a long time, you can lose valuable evidence that could support your case if you wait too long. Also, a different deadline could apply to your case under certain circumstances. Some claims have shorter deadlines (e.g., claims involving government entities). Speak with a distracted driving accidents lawyer as soon as possible to get started.

While distracted driving causes accidents on dangerous roads throughout the Kansas City area, including Troost Avenue, The Paseo, Prospect Avenue, Southwest Trafficway, Westport Road, Main Street, and Southwest Boulevard, you must prove negligence to recover damages.

While it can be challenging, our skilled attorneys know the steps to take to establish negligence in your case. We can prove that the other driver was distracted at the time of the crash with evidence, such as:

  • Surveillance or dashcam footage
  • Eye witness statements
  • Texting or phone records
  • Documentation of social media activity
  • Admission of fault in police reports

How much it costs to hire an attorney will depend on the law firm’s fee structure. At Brown & Crouppen, there are no upfront fees or out-of-pocket costs to hire our Kansas City distracted driving lawyers.

We believe getting help should be easy. That’s why it costs nothing to get started, and you won’t pay a fee unless we win your case. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means our fee is paid as a percentage of the amount we secure for your case.

Trusted Kansas City Distracted Driving Lawyers Ready to Fight for You

Distracted driving in Kansas City is a serious issue that often results in preventable accidents and fatal injuries. If another person’s careless or reckless actions led to your crash, you may qualify to file a legal claim and recover compensation for your financial losses and suffering. However, proving that distracted driving caused the accident can be challenging without the support of a legal professional.

When it comes to your future, results matter, and you don’t have to accept less than you deserve. From the moment you call, our trusted attorneys are on your side and committed to fighting for you and your family. Call (816) 670-4701 or connect with us online to schedule your free consultation with a distracted driving lawyer and see if you have a case.

FREE CASE EVALUATION

OUR OFFICE

Brown & Crouppen Law Firm

Our Results

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with tractor trailer

$390,000

Slip & Fall settlement

$300,000

Car accident settlement

$250,000

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Have you suffered an injury?

Call Brown & Crouppen at (816) 670-4701 for a FREE consultation

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