Year: 2021

How the Stigma Against Motorcyclists Affects Your Case

Posted on by Bretz Injury Law

It’s not uncommon for drivers to point fingers at each other after a crash. However, while most of these claims are dismissed without evidence, motorcycle crashes can vary. When accusations are made against a motorcycle rider, they tend to stick. To understand what an enormous problem this is, you need to understand how exactly the stigma against motorcyclists can impact someone’s case and their recovery.

The Stigma

When a motorcyclist is accused of unsafe riding, they face an uphill battle. Innocent until proven guilty often doesn’t apply in these cases; a simple accusation of reckless driving can cause insurance companies to scrutinize the motorcycle rider. Sometimes, the insurance company will assign fault or offer a lower settlement until the motorcycle rider provides evidence that they are a safe driver.

Similarly, even though helmets are not required in the state of Kansas, the insurance companies may offer a smaller settlement for crashes where the victim was not wearing a helmet, even if they were not at fault; the logic being that their injuries could have been prevented if they had more safety gear.

Fighting For Justice

When you’re seriously hurt and worried about your health, arguing with the insurance companies should be the last thing on your mind. That’s why many motorcycle riders choose to hire a personal injury attorney.

An attorney with experience handling motorcycle crashes knows how to negotiate with the insurance companies, help make sure that fault is properly distributed, and that the injured rider earns the full compensation they are entitled to under the law. For riders in severe accidents, hiring an attorney can be the difference between mounting medical bills and a smooth recovery.

To schedule a free consultation with an experienced Kansas car accident lawyer from Bretz Injury Law, don’t hesitate to contact our firm at or send us an email.

How Cars Cause Motorcycle Crashes

Posted on by Bretz Injury Law

Motorcycle riders face a harsh stigma. They’re often accused of speeding, weaving through traffic, and other unsafe driving techniques. It’s frustrating, but there are consequences for this reputation. The insurance companies can use that stigma to either shift assigned fault in a crash or justify a lower settlement offer for the injured motorcyclist.

But could it be that this reputation isn’t deserved and that it’s actually cars that cause more motorcycle crashes? To find out, let’s look at some of the more significant ways cars cause crashes.

Crash Trends

There’s some evidence to suggest that the majority of multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes are caused by car drivers. One study by the Florida Department of Transportation found that almost 60% of multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes reported between 2005-2015 were caused by the car driver, not the motorcyclist.

This is especially devastating because motorcycle crashes are an incredible 27x deadlier than car crashes, yet most of the time, it’s not the motorcyclist’s fault. But that raises another question: In what situations are motorcyclists in the greatest amount of danger?

Crash Causes

Aggressive Driving

Aggressive driving is one of the top causes of preventable car crashes in the U.S. According to AAA, nearly 1-in-3 U.S. car crashes could be avoided if drivers made a conscious effort to practice defensive driving. This means driving the speed limit, staying in your lane, allowing faster drivers to pass you (rather than punishing them), and anticipating that other drivers will always make the wrong decision.

Yet aggressive driving remains a huge problem. Studies estimate 80% of American drivers give in to road rage each month, and they may take out their aggression on motorcyclists. For example, an alarming 25% of drivers confessed to merging into traffic when the gap was too small. While this maneuver is dangerous for all drivers involved, the resulting rear-end collisions can be deadly for motorcyclists.

Rear-Ending

Most drivers instinctively slow down when they see brake lights, but the same isn’t true for motorcyclists. Motorcycles have a shorter stopping distance, and many downshift to slow down rather than hit the brakes. This means motorcycle riders slow down faster than other vehicles, and there may be no visual warning signs that they are stopping. This, in turn, can lead to a rear-end collision, one of the more common causes of motorcycle accidents.

Next time you’re following behind a motorcycle, be sure to leave plenty of room and slow down if you notice yourself “creeping up” on the vehicle ahead of you.

Blind Spots

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), roughly 42% of motorcycle crashes occur because a car driver did not see the motorcyclist. Whether this is because the driver didn’t look over their shoulder before merging or because a truck didn’t realize a driver was in their no-zone, everyone on the road should maintain a heightened awareness and double-check their mirrors and blind spots when motorcycles are around.

Head-On Collisions

The NHTSA warns that motorcycles are harder to see around corners, construction zones, and roads obscured by foliage. These low visibility settings can prevent drivers from seeing motorcyclists until a crash is nearly imminent. This can be especially dangerous on two-lane roads when a driver attempts to pass someone and does not see the motorcyclist approaching in the other lane.

These crashes tend to be catastrophic. Head-on collisions are responsible for 56% of motorcycle crash fatalities, making them the top cause of severe motorcycle crashes by far.

DUIs

On average, 25% of car crashes are caused by drunk or intoxicated driving, yet those same drivers cause roughly 1-in-3 motorcycle fatalities. While some of these are caused by unsafe motorcycle riders, cars have a much greater risk of making these crashes fatal.

Drunk drivers endanger motorcyclists for the same reasons we discussed above. They are more likely to swerve, to speed, to drift into the wrong lane, and they are less likely to check their blind spots before attempting to merge. All of these factors combined make drunk drivers in cars an especially dangerous hazard to even the safest motorcycle rider.

To schedule a free consultation with an experienced Kansas car accident lawyer from Bretz Injury Law, don’t hesitate to contact our firm at or send us an email.

10 things you should do after a car accident in Kansas

Posted on by Bretz Injury Law

Bad car accidents happen fast and often seem to come out of nowhere. Following a collision with another motorist, most accident victims are unsure of what to do next.

Car accident injuries such as broken bones (fractures), back pain, and head injuries often take months or longer to heal. Many people have to miss work during this time, and some people will never be able to return to their jobs in the same capacity as before their injury.

Hopefully, you never get into an accident, but if you do, it’s best to be ready. If you get into a car accident in Kansas, there are some steps you can take that will help you in your pursuit of fair financial compensation.

Make no mistake: Leaving money on the table after an accident puts you and your family at risk. Crippling medical debt, years of financial struggle, and having to make difficult decisions between your health and paying bills are real results of taking a too-small settlement.

If you were injured in a car accident, get a free case consultation with Kansas’ trusted law firm, Bretz Injury Law. In the meantime, here are some general best practices you can use after a car crash.

What to do after a Kansas car accident

The following are recommendations from the Kansas Bar Association on what to do after a wreck. Understanding Kansas accident law, your rights, which evidence to collect, and when to stay quiet can help you build a strong claim from the start.

Stop

Never drive away from the scene of an accident. If you have been in an accident or felt your vehicle go over a “bump,” it is best to stop. Do not move your vehicle before the police arrive unless it is blocking traffic. If someone is injured, and you are able to, try and help them.

Report it

Call 911 and alert the police. Alert your insurance company as soon as you are able. Under the law, you must inform police when an accident causes injury or at least $1,500 in property damage.

ID the other driver

The police will take this information down, but it doesn’t hurt for you to have the other person’s name, address, city, state, zip, car tag number, driver’s license number, and insurance company policy number. Kansas law requires all drivers in an accident to provide this information.

Locate witnesses

Police will take witness statements, but they can still miss people. Some witnesses cannot stay to wait for the police to arrive. There are some people who will decline to make a statement to the police but will be happy to help you with your claim. Write down witness names, addresses, and contact information. Ask them what they saw.

Record the names of everyone in the crash

Make a note of the names, addresses, and contact information for every passenger, cyclist, pedestrian, motorcyclist, trucker, etc. in the accident.

Make a timeline

Start writing down everything you can remember about the accident as soon as possible, even while you’re still at the crash site. No matter how hard we may try, memories become fuzzy with time, and details get confused. It is best to record the incident when the moment is fresh in your mind. Make sure to include information like time, place, clothing, speed, actions prior to the crash, among other details.

Just the facts

The immediate aftermath of a car accident is no time to make an official statement to the police or insurance companies. You are almost certainly in shock, and that will affect your ability to communicate clearly. While you must cooperate with police and insurance agents, you do not have to ruin your claim by making hasty statements. Provide authorities with basic information. Tell them you will be in contact with more information soon. To protect your legal rights and interests, you should speak with a lawyer before making a statement.

ID the police

You may have questions later on. If that happens you will want to speak with officers who were at the accident. It is a good idea to take down the names, departments, and badge numbers of the responding police officers. This information is also available on the accident report that’s generated by the police.

See a doctor

If there is an emergency medical technician at the accident, let them examine you. If you are not transported from the scene to a hospital, you will want to see a doctor right away. Even if you were checked at the crash and feel “okay,” see a doctor. Injuries don’t always present themselves immediately, and even the best EMT in Kansas can miss an injury amid the confusion and chaos of an accident. A doctor will have more time and equipment available to give you a thorough examination.

Call a lawyer

An experienced car accident lawyer will be able to help you pursue compensation for your injuries and other compensable damages. A lawyer can investigate your accident, collect evidence, file persuasive reports and documents under deadlines, and negotiate with the insurance company for a fair financial settlement.

Protect your legal rights after a crash in Kansas

It is vital that you consult a lawyer after a car accident. You need to get the most money possible for your injuries, otherwise, you may end up paying for expensive treatments out of your own pocket. A lot of people think they can’t afford a lawyer, but you absolutely can.

At Bretz Injury Law we offer accident victims free case consultations. We can help you understand how the law applies to your case and the value of your claim. Our legal team can help you weigh your legal options for free and with no obligation to hire us.

Our firm serves all of Kansas and our attorneys work on contingency. That means there is no upfront money, retainer, or hourly rate for you to pay. Our fee is added to your final settlement or verdict and paid for by the insurance companies. If we don’t win, we don’t get paid.

Call or email us today to learn more. We have offices in Hutchinson, Wichita, Salina, Garden City, Dodge City, Liberal, and Hays, and we are ready to hear from you now.

Wichita woman dies in hit-and-run

Posted on by Bretz Injury Law

Attorney explains how the legal system works for families in Kansas

A Wichita woman recently died due to injuries sustained in a pedestrian hit-and-run accident. The tragedy prompted city officials to make changes to the area where the fatal pedestrian accident took place, according to KWCH 12 News.

Many cities and states have made similar efforts to reduce the number of hit-and-run and pedestrian accidents. Both types of accidents are on the rise and remain a serious problem nationwide. That’s according to a pedestrian accident attorney in Wichita who deals with these types of cases throughout Kansas.

The recent fatal hit-and-run pedestrian accident happened on a Saturday night in early June near Douglas and Greenwood Streets in Wichita. The pedestrian died six days later in a Wichita hospital as a result of her injuries.

The driver who allegedly caused the fatal pedestrian accident and left the crash scene was later located by police. He was arrested and charged with hit and run and aggravated battery. The accident remains under investigation and the official charges against the driver may be amended, police told KWCH 12 News.

How common are pedestrian accidents?

Despite continued efforts to educate drivers and the public at large about the dangers vehicles pose to pedestrians, the number of pedestrian accidents and fatalities has continued to rise in recent years.

Safety officials were alarmed in 2019 when pedestrian fatalities hit a 30-year high that year. A total of 6,590 pedestrians died that year in accidents, an increase of 5 percent compared to 2018 and the most pedestrian deaths in a single year since 1988, according to statistics compiled by The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) as reported by Car & Driver.

The next year, that figure climbed even higher. According to initial estimates provided by the GHSA, an estimated 6,721 pedestrians were killed in 2020, an increase of 131 deaths or 1.9 percent compared to 2019, even though there were fewer drivers on the road last year due to the worldwide pandemic.

How common are hit-and-run accidents?

Hit-and-run accidents might seem rare, but they have become even more common in recent years. Hit-and-run accidents account for 5 percent of all traffic fatalities, according to statistics compiled by the AAA Foundation For Traffic Safety. In addition, fatalities associated with hit-and-run accidents have been increasing by roughly 7 percent each year on average in recent years.

As a result, there are an estimated 737,000 hit-and-run accidents each year nationwide. That’s roughly one such accident every 43 seconds. While police do sometimes catch the drivers as they did in the recent case in Kansas, some drivers are never caught. This leaves injury victims and their families to deal with many complicated legal issues that often arise in such cases.

How can a lawyer help?

Pedestrian accidents – especially ones involving hit-and-run drivers – can be complicated legal cases in which many different legal issues arise. The driver who caused the accident might not be located or claim they didn’t do anything wrong. Insurance companies for the at-fault driver can be just hard to deal with after a pedestrian accident. That’s because injury claims often add up to thousands of dollars or significantly more. As a result, insurance companies often do everything they can to avoid paying claims.

The experienced attorneys at Bretz Injury Law in Kansas can help you every step of the way. We know exactly what evidence to look for after an accident. Whether it’s carefully reviewing traffic camera footage, tracking down witnesses, or consulting with accident reconstruction experts, we leave no stone unturned in pursuit of the truth. Discover what we can do for you. Contact us and schedule your free case evaluation today. Our law firm has several offices conveniently located throughout Kansas, including offices in Wichita and Hutchinson.

Drunk driving crashes lead to injury and death on Kansas roads

Posted on by Bretz Injury Law

It’s no secret that drunk driving is dangerous and puts everyone sharing the road at risk.

But despite efforts that go back decades to address the issue of drinking and driving, these types of preventable car accidents continue to plague Kansas roads and highways.

Here’s what drivers in Kansas need to know.

Driving drunk can have fatal consequences

Recently, several local news stories illustrated the deadly impact of driving under the influence of alcohol.

Here are details of some of the crashes involving DUI negligence.

Deadly two-car crash in Wichita

A driver was arrested on suspicion of vehicular homicide, drunk driving, reckless driving, and other charges after he allegedly rear-ended a car. The driver who was rear-ended died, and two passengers in the vehicle were treated for serious injuries, according to a KSN.com story.

Fatal DUI crash near downtown Wichita

A 33-year-old man was arrested and initially charged with aggravated battery, driving under the influence, and no proof of insurance after he rear-ended an 80-year-old Wichita woman. The collision caused the woman’s vehicle to strike the curb and a tree, and she was pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash. According to KWCH, the investigation is ongoing, and the case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.

Motorcyclist charged with drunk driving

Police say a motorcyclist was drunk when he failed to yield to an emergency vehicle and crashed into an SUV. The rider sustained potentially serious injuries after the crash, which caused the motorcycle to catch fire. Police charged him with DUI, according to KWCH.

What should you do if you get hit by a drunk driver?

Across the United States, thousands of people die because of the reckless actions of drunk drivers.

In Kansas, 88 people died in 2018 due to drinking and driving, according to responsibility.org. These are all tragedies that could have been prevented.

Unfortunately, victims who face serious injuries and families mourning the death of a loved one don’t always get justice. Crashes caused by drunk drivers can be complicated for a number of reasons, including but not limited to:

  • The driver might deny being intoxicated.
  • The drunk driver challenges breathalyzer results.
  • The drunk driver’s blood sample is stored improperly, which could mean there’s no proof of DUI.
  • The driver’s insurance company argues you were somehow at fault for the crash.
  • The insurance company denies the claim or makes a “lowball” settlement offer.

The complex legal issues surrounding your accident can quickly become frustrating and time-consuming, even though you should be focused on recovering and putting your life back together. The last thing you need is to deal with stubborn insurance companies and the seemingly endless red tape associated with a serious accident.

An attorney can help you hold them accountable

If you were injured or a loved one died in a crash caused by a drunk driver, you have the right to pursue financial compensation for your losses through the civil justice system.

Keep in mind that any criminal charges the driver faces from the State of Kansas in connection to the crash are separate from your case, which means you can still seek damages from the at-fault driver even if they’re acquitted or charges against them are dropped.

Again, claims involving drunk drivers can be very difficult to manage without the help of an attorney who knows what legal standards apply to your case and how to aggressively advocate for your best interests.

At Bretz Injury Law, you can count on our experience and compassion to guide you down the right path.

Attorney Matthew L. Bretz serves on the National Board of Directors for MADD and has represented numerous victims of drunk driving over the years. He is committed to making drunk drivers answer for their actions, and by doing so, send a message that this type of reckless behavior will not be tolerated on our roads.

When you meet with us, we will listen to you and help you explore all of your options. Our goal is to maximize compensation, and when we represent clients, we always fight for the best possible outcome. We also take car accident cases on contingency, which means there’s no upfront money to hire us and you pay no fees unless we win your case.

Contact us in Kansas today for a free consultation to see how a passionate and experienced drunk driving accident lawyer can help you.

Share the road: May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

Posted on by Bretz Injury Law

Now that temps are finally starting to heat up in Kansas, there will be a growing number of motorcyclists going for rides on the Sunflower State’s roads and highways.

With scenic views and plenty of places to explore, Kansas has a lot to offer motorcycle enthusiasts.

But as traffic begins to revert to pre-pandemic levels, drivers are being reminded once again that motorcycles are everywhere and they have just as much a right to the road as other motorists.

Every May during Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, motorists are encouraged to practice safe driving habits and following a few helpful tips to prevent causing a devastating motorcycle crash.

Motorists need to stay focused and share the road

Earlier this spring, the Wichita community suffered its first motorcycle fatality of the year when a 29-year-old motorcyclist died in a tragic crash with a pickup truck.

Wichita Police say the victim was stopped on his motorcycle on Pawnee Street waiting to make a left turn when a car being operated by an inattentive driver struck him from behind and pushed him into oncoming traffic. Despite life-saving efforts, the rider died at the scene from injuries sustained in the crash.

Unfortunately, these types of motorcycle crashes are happening more often in Kansas and across the country. According to the latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 5,000 motorcycle riders died in roadway crashes in 2019, continuing the tragic trend of motorcyclists being overrepresented in fatal traffic crashes.

The problem will only continue to get worse if drivers and motorcyclists alike don’t stay vigilant about safety.

5 tips for drivers to prevent motorcycle accidents

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation and AAA have joined forces to raise awareness about the importance of motorcycle safety and safe driving habits.

Crash statistics show that more than half of all fatal motorcycle crashes involve another vehicle, and in those crashes, the motorcyclist is rarely at fault.

Approximately three-fourths of all motorcycle accidents involve other vehicles, with other drivers failing to grant the right-of-way to the motorcyclist the cause in about two-thirds of those crashes.

It’s worth noting that on average, a motorcyclist has less than 2 seconds of reaction time to avoid a collision.

With that in mind, here are 5 tips motorists can follow to help prevent a collision with a motorcycle rider:

  • Stop speeding — The faster you’re driving, the less time you will have to react to a motorcyclist at a stop, going through an intersection, slowing down, changing lanes, or pulling out into traffic.
  • Back off — A motorcycle rider might roll off the throttle or downshift to reduce their speed, which means the motorcycle’s rear lights won’t activate to provide a visual warning to drivers behind them. Never follow too closely. Experts agree that you should keep a following distance of around 3-4 seconds when traveling behind a motorcyclist.
  • Pay attention — It’s easy to miss a smaller motorcycle when you’re behind the wheel of a car, but how are you going to see a motorcyclist if your nose is buried in your phone or you’ve shifted your focus to a conversation with a passenger? Always keep your eyes on the road and stay alert.
  • Activate your signals early and often — Using a turn signal is one of the first things new drivers learn to do, but for some reason, a lot of motorists don’t bother to use them. Aside from being inconsiderate, not using your turn signals is dangerous because other road users — including motorcyclists — can’t make adjustments to their driving since they don’t know what you’re doing.
  • Beware of blind spots  — Double and triple check your mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes or backing up. Since motorcycles are much smaller than standard passenger vehicles, it’s easy for them to be obstructed by your car’s doors and roof pillars.

Motorcyclists are encouraged to wear a helmet and protective gear, enroll in a defensive driving course, be mindful of weather conditions and road hazards, and perform regular maintenance on their motorcycles to keep them in good working condition.

“Safety is important every day we ride, and Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month is a great time to emphasize our safety messages to drivers and riders alike,” said Erik Pritchard, president and CEO of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. “As we look forward to peak riding season, we welcome the opportunity to kick off a summer of safety in May.”

Bretz & Young stands up for injured riders

If you were injured or a loved one died in a motorcycle accident due to negligence, you have recourse under Kansas law to pursue compensation for your losses. Depending on the specific details of your case, you may be able to recover compensation for your current and future medical bills, lost wages if you can’t work, loss of earning capacity, replacement services, your pain and suffering, and other applicable damages.

Don’t leave it up to an insurance company to decide the fate of your case. Insurance companies are notorious for disputing and denying claims involving motorcycle accidents, and if they do make you an offer to settle, it’s most likely going to be for much less money than you deserve.

At Bretz & Young, our motorcycle accident lawyers serve as aggressive advocates for injured riders in Kansas and know how to maximize the value of claims. We literally wrote the book on Motorcycle Injury Law and take pride in fighting for motorcyclists who were injured due to the reckless actions of others.

Our case results speak for themselves — in one case, we obtained a $23 million settlement for a client involved in a serious motorcycle crash.

Find out what an experienced motorcycle accident attorney can do for you and contact us today for a free case consultation.

Most drivers exceed the speed limit despite the risks, study finds

Posted on by Bretz Injury Law

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know how dangerous speeding is. Speed-related crashes account for roughly a quarter of all Kansas traffic fatalities. Drivers who exceed the posted speed limit have less time to stop or react to an impending crash. For instance, a speeding driver will have a difficult time avoiding a crash when highway traffic suddenly comes to a stop or when a pedestrian is crossing the street. Additionally, the faster a driver travels, the more serious the damage and injuries will be when a crash occurs.

A survey conducted by SurveyGizmo in October 2020 found that drivers still travel at dangerous speeds despite knowing the risks. The survey involved more than 1,200 drivers age 18-85 across the United States and was published on the insurance marketplace site The Zebra.

Most drivers admit to speeding

The survey concluded that 87 percent of drivers have driven too fast a few times within a year, yet 82 percent agreed that it’s risky. When asked how they felt about speeding:

  • 35% of participants said that it is never acceptable to speed.
  • 79% believed that it’s only unacceptable in school zones.
  • 64% believed that it’s never acceptable when a child is in the car.
  • 16% said they don’t speed if they feel that their safety is in jeopardy.

Not surprisingly, survey respondents didn’t consider speeding as the number one risky driving behavior. Instead, drunk driving, distracted driving, and road rage were seen as more dangerous by most respondents. In reality, speeding was ranked the most dangerous driving behavior with a crash fatality rate of 17 percent (based on crash data). That was followed by drunk driving (10 percent fatality rate), road rage (5 percent fatality rate), and distracted driving (5 percent fatality rate).

Common injuries caused by speed-related crashes

The posted speed limits we see on roads and highways are there for the safety of all road users. Yet some drivers view them as a mere inconvenience and never recognize the risks they take until they cause someone’s injury or death. Those who survive high-speed crashes often must undergo surgery and months of physical therapy. Some never make a full recovery. The most common injuries we see at Bretz & Young are:

  • Serious head injuries
  • Bone fractures
  • Debilitating spinal injuries
  • Internal organ damage
  • Paralysis
  • Amputations
  • Long-term nerve damage

Why hire an attorney after a speed-related crash?

If you or a loved one sustained injuries in a crash caused by a speeding driver, there should be no question as to who was at fault. Unfortunately, determining fault and pursuing a claim isn’t as easy as it sounds. The story could change very quickly and evidence can disappear. Additionally, the at-fault driver’s insurance company may try to shift the blame on to you or try to offer you less money than you’re eligible for.

It’s critical that you take your case seriously from day one. Get prompt medical attention, even if you feel fine. You may learn that you sustained an injury, but didn’t feel any pain due to adrenaline and shock. Then, speak to an experienced Kansas car accident lawyer at Bretz & Young. We can help sort out your case and gather the evidence we need to prove that the other driver was at fault. We’ll also deal directly with the insurance companies and negotiate for a fair and full financial settlement.

When you hire our law firm, you can count on us to fight for the best possible outcome for you and your family. Contact us online or call us to set up your free and confidential case consultation.

Kansas highways getting more dangerous, according to KHP

Posted on by Bretz Injury Law

Traffic fatalities in Kansas have been on the rise — not only in 2019, but also in 2020. Statistics released by the NHTSA showed a 1.5 percent increase in traffic fatalities across Kansas from 2018 to 2019, while most of the nation saw a slight decrease. The rise in traffic fatalities didn’t stop because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to KSNT, there were 367 traffic fatalities in 2020 throughout Kansas as of November 11th — yet the total death toll won’t be released by the NHTSA for another year. That still accounts for five percent more road deaths than the same time in 2019.

Kansas Highway Patrol blames distracted driving, speeding and deer crossing for more accidents

Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) Superintendent Colonel Herman T. Jones believes distracted driving is to blame.

At 55 mph, texting and driving for five seconds is the equivalent of traveling more than the length of a football field with your eyes closed.

“A lot can happen in that time,” said Jones.

Distracted driving continues to be a leading cause of serious and fatal crashes. This is despite texting and driving being illegal for Kansas drivers. Inattention isn’t just limited to cellphones, however. Any activity that takes drivers’ hands off the wheel, eyes off the road, or attention away from driving can significantly increase the risk of a crash.

In addition, KHP Lieutenant Candace Breshears cited an increase in speeding since the COVID-19 pandemic started in March. The rise in dangerous speeding during 2020 was believed to be caused by a lack of traffic congestion. This was due to pandemic guidelines. Law enforcement officers across the U.S. have caught drivers traveling at speeds greater than 100 mph, which is more than enough to cause a serious catastrophe.

Many of the fatal crashes this year have involved deer crossing the road, according to Kansas Department of Transportation traffic safety program manager Chris Bortz. Some drivers swerve to avoid hitting a deer and end up driving off the road or causing a head-on collision.

“Right or left, doesn’t matter. Obviously, if you’re leaving left, you could be impacting another vehicle. Right, you’re going to get in an area that was not meant for driving, so once again, stay in your lane and hit the deer,” said Bortz.

Drivers have a duty to stay attentive and use caution on Kansas roadways

No matter what the conditions are, drivers still have a duty to uphold to others on the road. You or a loved one may have been injured in a crash due to someone else’s negligence. It is important that you know your rights. Don’t let the insurance companies dictate the outcome of your car accident case.

The legal team at Bretz & Young Injury Lawyers knows how to look for the facts and help injured motorists build strong cases. You may be dealing with whiplash or a catastrophic injury. We’ll work to place an accurate value on your case and fight to help you get the compensation you deserve. We have law offices conveniently located across the state of Kansas and offer free legal consultations for all injury claims. Contact our law firm online or call one of our offices to get started.