Car accidents: 1 dead, 1 injured on I-70 in Independence

According to reports by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the past year has brought a steep increase in traffic fatalities. In 2015, 35,000 people lost their lives on roads nationwide — 7 percent more than the previous year. In Missouri, comparative figures from 2013 and 2015 indicate that almost 300 more deaths resulted from car accidents last year.

One such a tragedy occurred in Independence on a recent Sunday night. An accident report noted that two eastbound vehicles collided on Interstate 70. When the cars came to a halt, the man and woman whose car was up against a barrier wall exited and proceeded across the interstate to check on the occupant of the other car. That vehicle was standing across the center and left eastbound traffic lanes.

Police say as the pair crossed the roadway, a third vehicle that was heading east smashed into them. The woman reportedly suffered serious injuries, and she was rushed to a hospital. Sadly, the man was killed on impact. Reportedly, the accident investigation is still underway.

Injured victims of car accidents — and surviving family members of those who lost their lives in car accidents — may pursue financial relief by filing personal injury and/or wrongful death claims in a Missouri civil court. Determining who was at fault for the purpose of establishing negligence before the court can be difficult in a case such as this one. Seeking the assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney who can launch an independent investigation into the cause of the injuries or deaths may be the most appropriate step to take.

Source: fox4kc.com, “One killed, one seriously injured in crash along I-70 in Independence“, Stephanie Graflage, Nicole Diantonio, July 18, 2016