KANSAS CITY MAN KILLED AFTER LEAPING OUT OF THE WAY OF ONCOMING CARS

On the early morning of January 5, 2010, a 35-year old Merriam man was tragically killed as a result of a multi-car wreck.  The accident happened on Interstate 635 in Kansas City, Kansas.  Initial reports are that five vehicles were involved.  Apparently the man got out of his car after this wreck when he suddenly saw other cars sliding toward him and he jumped over a viaduct because he believed there was level ground on the other side.  Tragically there was not and he fell to his death below the bridge.  As a Missouri car accident attorney, this story caught my eye as the initial reports were that there have been several other accidents along that same location.  Apparently after this last accident, the Kansas Department of Transportation was called to spread more salt and sand there.  Further, a spokeswoman for the Kansas Department of Transportation was quoted as saying that they are aware that the bridge becomes slick and this is partly because of snow falling off of tractor trailers and then freezing due to the extreme cold.  Thus, I have to wonder if the Department of Transportation, with this knowledge, was negligent in not getting out there sooner to spread sand and salt.  Obviously, when temperatures drop and snow falls, the roads are going to get slick and there’s only so much we can do about it.  However, that still does not relieve the responsible parties of their duties to take as much care as they can.  If they had the knowledge of how dangerous this bridge can become when it freezes, then I think it depends on how quickly they reacted to get salt and sand out there.  It is not reported at this time whether this man’s family is pursuing any legal action against not only the drivers responsible for causing the wreck, but also the Kansas Department of Transportation.

Joshua P. Myers is a Missouri car accident lawyer handling serious injury and wrongful death cases throughout the Midwest.  He can be reached toll free at 888.956.2487.  It’s always free to discuss a potential case and there are never any fees unless and until we collect on your behalf.