According to a report from Fox 4 Kansas City, the family of a 20-year-old who was killed in a crash in the Grain Valley has launched a petition asking the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) to put a guardrail on a dangerous stretch of road near Interstate-70 (I-70). It is possible that a guardrail could have prevented the death of the victim. Here, our Kansas City wrongful death lawyer explains what we know about the crash, the petition, and guardrail safety.
20-Year-Old Killed in Crash in Jackson County
On an otherwise ordinary Wednesday afternoon in Grain Valley, Missouri, a tragic crash claimed the life of a 20-year-old man. While driving along Jefferson Road—a hilly stretch of roadway that parallels Interstate 70 in Jackson County, just outside of Kansas City—the man reportedly temporarily lost control of his vehicle. He overcorrected and collided with a truck coming in the opposite direction. Tragically, he lost his life in the crash. The driver of the truck sustained moderate injuries.
The Family has Started a Petition to Get a Guardrail Installed By MoDOT
In response to the fatal incident, the victim’s family has worked to make a positive change. They started a Change.org petition mere hours after his death—with a focus on advocating for much-needed safety improvements on that problematic stretch of Jefferson Road. The petition rapidly gained traction, amassing over 1,500 signatures in the first 45 minutes. Among other things, the petition calls for the installation of guardrails and shoulders along the dangerous stretches of the road. Jefferson Road is characterized by hills, blind spots, and steep drop-offs. The road is managed by MoDOT. A spokesperson for the state agency noted that they would look into the issue.
How Guardrails Can Help Prevent Catastrophic and Fatal Accidents
Guardrails are an important form of highway safety technology. While guardrails generally do not prevent accidents, they can help to make them less severe—potentially limiting the risk of catastrophic injuries and/or fatalities. Guardrails are key on certain dangerous sections of roadways for the following three reasons:
- Containment and Redirection: Guardrails are designed to contain vehicles on the road and, in the event of a collision, redirect them along the path of the guardrail, away from potential secondary dangers such as oncoming traffic, steep drop-offs, or obstacles.
- Impact Absorption: By absorbing and dissipating the energy from a crash, guardrails reduce the severity of impacts. This matters. In doing so, a guardrail can help to limit the extent of vehicle damage and injuries to passengers.
- Prevention of Rollovers: Rollovers are among the most dangerous types of motor vehicle crashes. Strategically placed guardrails can prevent vehicles from veering off steep embankments. It could prevent an accident from becoming a deadly rollover.
Get Help From a Wrongful Death Attorney in Kansas City Today
At House Law LLC, our Kansas City wrongful death lawyer is a compassionate and experienced advocate for grieving families. If you lost a loved one to a fatal highway collision, we are here as a legal resource. Contact us today for a no-cost, no-obligation initial consultation. With an office in Kansas City, we handle wrongful death claims in Missouri and Kansas.
Tags: brain injury, personal injury, traumatic brain injury
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