In June of 2026, the Kansas Department of Transportation announced that there had been 121 traffic fatalities since the beginning of the year. As far as car accident statistics go, the number of fatalities is one of the most obvious measures of overall road safety. However, there are many other metrics to consider. How many accidents involve semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles, for example? How many crashes are caused by distracted driving? What about intoxication? Those who were injured by specific types of driver negligence may be curious about car accident stats that are relevant to their unique accidents.
These victims may wish to learn more about certain statistics by contacting a car accident lawyer in Kansas City. Legal professionals are often quite familiar with the most common types of car accidents, as they frequently see the true consequences of these crashes. Dickerson Oxton has achieved a 98 percent success rate, securing hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation on behalf of injured victims. Continue this dialogue by contacting Dickerson Oxton at (816) 542-6599. We serve residents of Kansas City.
The “Drive to Zero” Crash Data Dashboard Is an Obvious Source for Car Accident Stats
For those who require in-depth car accident statistics, the “Drive to Zero” Crash Data Dashboard is an obvious source of information. Facilitated by the Kansas Department of Transportation, this tool is designed to help lawmakers and traffic regulators make “data-driven safety decisions.” Another potential source of information is the “High Injury Network” provided by Kansas City, Missouri. This visual map uses a color-based legend to show the locations of crashes in Kansas City that resulted in fatalities, serious injuries, and minor injuries. Many other useful statistics are provided by sources like the Vulnerable Road User (VRU) Safety Assessment and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Summary of Car Accident Stats in Kansas City, Crash Data, and Missouri Traffic Safety Trends
Car accident statistics in Kansas City highlight traffic fatality trends, vulnerable road user risks, high-injury intersections, and crash patterns across Kansas and Missouri using data from the Kansas Department of Transportation, the High Injury Network, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
- The Kansas Department of Transportation’s Drive to Zero Crash Data Dashboard reports that side-angle crashes in Wyandotte County caused 363 serious injuries and 43 fatalities between 2020 and 2025, with many collisions occurring at intersections.
- The Kansas Department of Transportation Vulnerable Road User Safety Assessment identifies pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users as facing elevated risks, particularly individuals ages 25 to 34, while pedestrian crashes occur most frequently during dusk, dawn, and nighttime conditions.
- Kansas City’s High Injury Network identifies roads such as West 39th Street and intersections including Summit & 39th, Broadway & 39th, Main & 39th, and Troost & 39th as locations associated with a high concentration of serious injuries and fatalities, while Insurance Institute for Highway Safety data shows Kansas and Missouri have similar traffic fatality rates based on vehicle miles traveled.
Dickerson Oxton provides legal representation for individuals injured in car accidents throughout Kansas City and serves clients across Missouri and Kansas.
Side-Angle Impacts Are Responsible for Many Traffic Fatalities and Serious Injuries
The Drive to Zero Crash Data Dashboard clearly indicates that side-angle impacts are responsible for a significant number of traffic fatalities and serious injuries. Over an approximately five-year period from 2020 to 2025, side-angle impacts resulted in 363 serious injuries and 43 deaths. Note that these accidents only occurred on the Kansas side of Kansas City in Wyandotte County.
Side-angle crashes often occur in intersections. For example, one driver might turn left before being “T-boned” by another vehicle. A side impact might also occur when a driver pulls out of a parking lot or driveway. In these kinds of situations, negligence is often to blame. For example, a driver might run a red light before striking the side of a vehicle in the middle of an intersection. Impacts of these types can lead to various injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and spinal cord injuries. An experienced lawyer at Dickerson Oxton may be able to help victims of side-impact crashes pursue adequate compensation.
Certain Groups Are More Likely to Experience Fatal Crashes
The Vulnerable Road User Safety Assessment (provided by the Kansas Department of Transportation) shows that some individuals are much more likely to be involved in life-altering or fatal crashes. Vulnerable road users (VRUs) include pedestrians, cyclists, and anyone using a “non-motorized mode of transportation.” The VRU Safety Assessment states that people between the ages of 25 and 34 are most likely to be killed or seriously injured by VRU crashes.
Statistics also show that black or Native American individuals are twice as likely to die in VRU accidents. Another notable statistic is that males account for 60 percent of the victims killed or seriously injured in VRU crashes. Pedestrians are statistically more likely to be seriously injured or killed during dusk, night, or dawn. The Kansas Department of Transportation has found that pedestrians are responsible for their own injuries or deaths (through behavior like phone use, darting, and wearing dark clothes) in less than 20 percent of VRU accidents.
Crashes Are More Common on Certain Roads
Some of the most insightful car accident stats show that crashes are more likely to occur on specific roads and intersections. Many of these insights are provided by the precise mapping data of the “High Injury Network,” which Kansas City, Missouri, publishes. On the Missouri side of the city, a particularly dangerous street appears to be West 39th Street. Summit & 39th, Broadway & 39th, Main & 39th, and Troost & 39th have all seen numerous injuries. These intersections have a ranking category of “severe” according to the High Injury Network, which means they are associated with a high number of fatalities and serious injuries.
Missouri Has a Higher Per-Capita Rate of Traffic Fatalities Than Kansas
Many Kansas City residents may wonder whether the Kansas or the Missouri side of the city is more dangerous. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the two states rank almost identically for “deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled.” Kansas sees 1.22 deaths per 100 million miles traveled, while Missouri sees 1.23 deaths. In terms of deaths per 100,000 residents, however, Kansas is slightly safer. The Sunflower State sees 13.2 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents, while Missouri sees 16. In theory, this may indicate that it is safer to drive on the Kansas side of Kansas City. However, it is often challenging to determine which statistics paint the most accurate picture of overall safety. Many believe that the most accurate metric is “deaths per 100 million miles traveled,” and this implies that accident rates on both sides of the state line are essentially the same.
Learn More About Car Accident Stats With Dickerson Oxton
Car accident stats may represent the beginning of important research after a crash, but no amount of research can provide a victim with compensation. A victim might achieve a sense of closure after realizing how common their specific type of crash is, but they still face unpaid medical bills, lost income, and other damages. An experienced car accident attorney in Kansas City may be able to guide victims toward the compensation they need to carry on with life as best as possible. A logical step beyond online research is to schedule a consultation with a law firm such as Dickerson Oxton. Continue this dialogue by contacting us at (816) 542-6599. We serve car accident victims throughout Missouri and Kansas.
Essential Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accident Stats
The following frequently asked questions provide additional information about Kansas City car accident statistics, traffic fatalities, vulnerable road users, and crash data from Kansas and Missouri.
What Do Kansas City Car Accident Statistics Show?
Kansas City car accident statistics show where crashes occur most frequently, which collision types cause the most severe injuries, and which roadway users face the greatest risks. Data from the Kansas Department of Transportation, the High Injury Network, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety helps identify crash trends, traffic fatalities, and common causes of serious motor vehicle collisions.
What Is The Drive To Zero Crash Data Dashboard?
The Drive to Zero Crash Data Dashboard is a Kansas Department of Transportation resource that provides crash statistics, fatality data, injury reports, and traffic safety information across Kansas. Lawmakers, transportation officials, researchers, and members of the public use the dashboard to evaluate crash patterns and support roadway safety initiatives.
Why Are Side-Angle Crashes So Dangerous?
Side-angle crashes frequently cause catastrophic injuries because vehicle occupants have less structural protection during side impacts than during many other collision types. The Kansas Department of Transportation reports hundreds of serious injuries and dozens of fatalities from side-angle crashes in Wyandotte County between 2020 and 2025, with many collisions occurring at intersections.
Who Is Considered A Vulnerable Road User?
A vulnerable road user includes pedestrians, bicyclists, and other individuals using non-motorized forms of transportation who have less physical protection during traffic collisions. The Kansas Department of Transportation Vulnerable Road User Safety Assessment identifies these individuals as facing a greater likelihood of serious injury or death when crashes occur.
Which Roads And Intersections Have Higher Crash Rates In Kansas City?
Kansas City’s High Injury Network identifies several roads and intersections that experience elevated numbers of serious injury and fatal crashes. Locations along West 39th Street, including Summit & 39th, Broadway & 39th, Main & 39th, and Troost & 39th, appear among the city’s highest-risk intersections according to the published mapping data.
Why Do Car Accident Statistics Matter After A Crash?
Car accident statistics help explain common collision patterns, roadway hazards, and risk factors that may contribute to motor vehicle crashes in Kansas City. Although statistical information cannot determine liability in an individual case, it provides valuable context for understanding how and where serious crashes commonly occur.
How Can A Vehicle Accident Attorney From Dickerson Oxton Assist After A Kansas City Car Accident?
Attorneys at Dickerson Oxton could help individuals understand legal options following a Kansas City car accident and explain potential avenues for pursuing compensation under Missouri or Kansas law. Consider visiting with an experienced attorney at Dickerson Oxton to learn more about legal rights and the claims process after a serious motor vehicle collision.