Whether you’re crossing a street in Joplin to get to work, school, a restaurant, or a nearby business, drivers have a responsibility to watch for pedestrians and obey Missouri traffic laws. When they fail to do so, pedestrians may suffer life-changing injuries. If another party’s negligence caused the crash, Missouri law gives injured pedestrians the right to seek compensation for physical, financial, and emotional losses.
The pedestrian accident lawyers at Buchanan, Williams & O’Brien represent pedestrians injured in Joplin crashes. Understanding where these crashes commonly occur and what legal options exist afterward is an important first step following a collision.
National Pedestrian Safety Trends
The Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) guidance for pedestrian crossing safety directs city agencies to review roadway features such as traffic volume, number of lanes, median presence, and speed limit, alongside safety issues like crossing conflicts, excessive speed, and visibility problems, when identifying and prioritizing dangerous crossing locations.
While many intersections include marked crosswalks and traffic signals, FHWA research on intersection design found that from 2015 to 2019, an estimated 39 percent of pedestrian fatalities and incapacitating injuries in the United States occurred at intersections.
Pedestrian Crash Statistics Nationwide
Pedestrians are especially vulnerable because they have little protection in a collision. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) 2023 pedestrian traffic safety fact sheet, 7,314 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in 2023, and an estimated 68,244 pedestrians were injured. Pedestrian deaths accounted for 18 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2023.
High Risk Intersections for Pedestrians in Joplin
While the most dangerous intersection for pedestrians may change from year to year, several areas have consistently been identified in local crash reports and transportation studies as high-crash locations:
- Rangeline Road & 20th Street. One of Joplin’s busiest commercial intersections, featuring multiple turn lanes, shopping centers, and constant traffic.
- Rangeline Road & Interstate 44 interchange. Drivers entering and exiting the interstate often focus on merging traffic rather than pedestrians nearby.
- Rangeline Road & 7th Street. Heavy vehicle congestion, numerous turning movements, and nearby businesses increase the risk of pedestrian conflicts.
- Main Street & 8th Street. A busy downtown intersection where both vehicle and foot traffic regularly intersect.
- 32nd Street commercial corridor. Numerous driveways, retail businesses, and turning vehicles create additional hazards for people walking along or across the roadway.
These locations aren’t dangerous simply because of their design. Most pedestrian accidents occur because a driver makes a preventable mistake, such as failing to yield at a crosswalk, driving while distracted, speeding, or ignoring traffic signals.
Who May Be Liable for a Pedestrian Accident?
Although the driver is often responsible for causing a pedestrian accident, they may not be the only party that can be held liable. A thorough investigation may reveal that multiple individuals or organizations contributed to the crash.
Potentially liable parties may include:
- The driver, if they were speeding, distracted, impaired, failed to yield at a crosswalk, or otherwise drove negligently.
- An employer, if the driver was working at the time of the crash, such as making deliveries, traveling between job sites, or operating a company vehicle.
- A construction company or contractor, if a work zone blocked visibility, closed sidewalks without providing a safe alternative, or created hazardous conditions for pedestrians.
- A government entity, if a dangerous roadway condition, malfunctioning traffic signal, or poorly maintained crosswalk contributed to the accident. Claims against public entities in Missouri are subject to special rules and deadlines, making prompt legal guidance especially important.
Your lawyer would typically review surveillance footage, police reports, witness statements, vehicle data, and roadway conditions. Identifying every potentially liable party can make a significant difference in the compensation available to an injured pedestrian.
Criminal Charges vs. Civil Claims: What’s the Difference?
After a serious pedestrian accident, some drivers face criminal charges, for example, if they were driving under the influence, fled the scene, or drove recklessly. Those charges are brought by the government and are intended to punish unlawful conduct. A civil claim is different. It is brought by the injured pedestrian or their family to recover financial compensation for their losses.
Whether criminal charges are filed has little effect on your right to pursue a civil case. Even if the driver is never charged or is acquitted, you may still be able to recover compensation if the evidence shows their negligence caused your injuries.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Pedestrian Accident?
Depending on the circumstances, an injured pedestrian may be entitled to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical treatment
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Accident-related home modifications and equipment
A Missouri pedestrian accident lawyer at Buchanan, Williams & O’Brien can review the crash details and gather evidence to build a case. The compensation available in a pedestrian accident claim depends on factors such as the severity of the injuries, the long-term prognosis, and the impact on the injured person’s ability to work and carry out daily life.
What Should You Do After a Pedestrian Accident?
The moments following a pedestrian collision can feel overwhelming. Your priority should always be your health and safety.
If possible:
- Call 911 and seek immediate medical attention.
- Report the accident to law enforcement.
- Take photographs of the intersection, crosswalk, vehicle, and visible injuries.
- Obtain the driver’s contact and insurance information.
- Speak with witnesses if they are willing.
- Avoid discussing fault or giving recorded statements to the insurance company before understanding your legal rights.
Even injuries that seem minor immediately after an accident can worsen over the following days. Prompt medical treatment not only protects your health but also creates documentation that may become important if you pursue compensation.
Speak With a Joplin Pedestrian Accident Attorney
A pedestrian accident can leave victims facing serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and uncertainty about the future. In the days and weeks after a crash, it can also become clear that the insurance company is focused on minimizing the value of your claim, not fully understanding what you’ve lost.
The attorneys at Buchanan, Williams & O’Brien approach every case with a focus on preparation and trial readiness from the start. Even though most pedestrian accidents settle outside court, having the evidence prepared can help maximize the claim’s value.
If you have questions about your options, schedule a free consultation. No fee unless we win.