I-70 in Kansas Among Nation's Deadliest Highways

Why are certain highways more dangerous than others?

What's the most dangerous highway in Kansas? Interstate 70 leads the way for the most car accident fatalities in the state, according to a recent traffic safety study conducted by Car Insurance Comparison.

"Each state has dangerous highways, but some routes claim far more lives than others," according to the Car Insurance Comparison study, which listed the most dangerous highways for each state nationwide.

Interstate 70 named deadliest highway in Kansas

Researchers at Car Insurance Comparison recently conducted a study to identify which highway has the most car accident fatalities per state. Based on car accident data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), I-70 in Kansas was named the deadliest highway in the state.

Each year, on average, 15.5 car accident deaths occur on Interstate 70 in Kansas. A major east-west highway that travels through 10 states, I-70 in Kansas runs 424 miles from the Colorado state line to the Missouri state line.

Car accident fatalities remain high in Kansas

Motor vehicle deaths don't just occur on I-70 in Kansas. Car accident fatalities occur on many other roads and have increased steadily nearly every year in the past decade. In fact, at least 405 people have died in car accidents each year in Kansas since 2016, according to NHTSA data.

However, to put into context just how deadly Interstate 70 is in Kansas, 3.8 percent of all car accident fatalities in the state each year, on average, occur on I-70. That's why it's important for drivers to be aware and alert when driving on such dangerous highways.

Factors that increase the risk of highway accidents

Researchers at Car Insurance Comparison identified four common characteristics shared by the most dangerous highways:

• Extreme Weather: Hazardous weather conditions, such as snowstorms, ice storms, high winds, and heavy rain, pose significant risks for drivers on highways. Reduced visibility, slippery road surfaces, and unpredictable weather patterns increase the likelihood of accidents, especially when drivers fail to adjust their driving behavior accordingly.
• Heavy Traffic: High volumes of traffic on highways are often associated with an increased risk of accidents due to congestion, aggressive driving behaviors, and reduced maneuvering space. Heavy traffic conditions exacerbate the potential for rear-end collisions, lane departures, and multi-vehicle accidents.
• Outdated Infrastructure: Aging infrastructure on highways, including potholes, deteriorating pavement, missing guardrails, and unclear signage, can create hazardous conditions for motorists. Poorly maintained roads increase the likelihood of accidents caused by road defects, such as tire blowouts, loss of vehicle control, and collisions with roadside obstacles.
• Dangerous Road Features: Certain road features, such as sharp curves, narrow lanes, steep drop-offs, and tunnels, present inherent risks for drivers, particularly those unfamiliar with the terrain or driving at high speeds. Negotiating challenging road conditions requires heightened attention and skillful maneuvering to prevent accidents, rollovers, or collisions with roadside barriers.

Seeking legal help after a highway accident

Seeking legal help after a highway accident is crucial, especially considering the tactics insurance companies often use to challenge liability. Insurance companies often use various strategies to dispute fault and minimize compensation for victims. Here are some common ways insurers challenge liability in highway accidents:

• Questioning Eyewitness Accounts: Insurance adjusters may question the reliability of eyewitness testimony or attempt to discredit witnesses to cast doubt on the sequence of events leading to the accident.
• Disputing Police Reports: Insurers may challenge the accuracy or completeness of police reports, highlighting inconsistencies or seeking to introduce alternative interpretations of the evidence to undermine liability.
• Contesting Traffic Violations: If one party received a traffic citation at the scene of the accident, insurers may dispute the citation or argue that the violation did not contribute to the collision, thereby reducing or shifting liability.
• Alleging Comparative Negligence: Insurers may assert that the injured party shares fault for the accident. In Kansas, you cannot recover compensation if you are found 51% or more at fault for your injuries.
• Questioning Medical Records: Insurance companies may scrutinize medical records and expert opinions to challenge the severity or causation of injuries, suggesting pre-existing conditions or alternative causes to diminish liability.

Navigating these challenges alone can be overwhelming, especially while recovering from injuries sustained in a highway accident. Seeking guidance from an experienced attorney can help protect your rights and ensure that you receive fair compensation for your losses. A skilled lawyer can counter insurers' tactics, gather compelling evidence to support your claim and advocate vigorously on your behalf to pursue the compensation you deserve.

Injured in a highway crash? Protect your rights

If you were injured or a loved one died in a highway accident in Kansas, a car accident attorney at Warner Law Offices can help you every step of the way. We thoroughly understand how the legal system works in Kansas. As a result, we can get right to work on your car accident settlement claim or lawsuit.

Get a law firm that walks the walk and stands up for injury victims' rights. Contact us and schedule a free case evaluation. Our office is in Wichita, and we handle injury claim cases throughout Kansas.