Motorized vehicles are more than just tools used to transport people and objects from one place in Kansas City to another. Many Kansas City residents have a special connection with their vehicle and have pride in their ownership. The relationship people have with their vehicles may stem from the way it looks to how fast it can reach speeds of 60 mph and beyond. This love has helped found not only customization businesses that specialize in everything from looks to performance, but also events where people show off their and their car’s skills. Those who do so on streets, often illegally, are called street racers.
Kansas City, Missouri, is seeing an uptick in the number of illegal street races with a recent race ending in tragedy. While details regarding the race are still being investigated what is known is that a motorcycle collided head on with a car during an illegal street race. The motorcycle is said to have crossed the center line the resulting crash leaving its operator with life threatening injuries. The driver of the car fled the scene and has yet to be found.
Cases where the injured party may have been partly responsible for their own injuries can still have favorable outcomes for the plaintiff. Because Missouri follows a pure comparative negligence framework, a plaintiff can recover even if they are 99% responsible for their own injuries. As a result, even though the cyclist crossed the line and was involved in an illegal activity, they may still be able to recover damages from the driver of the car. But, any damages recovered will be reduced by the percent of responsibility proportioned to the plaintiff.
Car accidents can be caused by intoxicated drivers, as well as those pushing their limits in competition. Regardless of the cause, civil cases are a means of making people accountable for their actions.
Source: KSHB, “Street racing accident leaves one hospitalized,” Lexi Sutter, Aug. 11, 2014