Goldblatt & Singer Law Firm Blog

Car accidents are always unexpected, but no matter how severe, if you are in a financed vehicle, you are still responsible for paying the remainder of the loan. The good news is that you have to have auto insurance to finance a car, so you probably have some amount of coverage to pay for the repairs.

Car accidents happen every day, but certain types of weather make them more likely to occur. Operating a vehicle in snow, high winds, or on icy roads can be problematic, but rain is responsible for the most weather-related accidents.

Why Driving in the Rain is Dangerous

There are several reasons why rainy conditions and wet roads are so dangerous to drive in:

• Poor Visibility: Visibility can be drastically reduced in heavy rain, making it more challenging for drivers to see hazards or judge distances between their cars and other vehicles.

Cruise control is convenient for drivers traveling long distances, as it gives them time to relax and let the car take over. However, there are certain situations when it can be dangerous.

Situations When You Shouldn’t Use Cruise Control

Cruise control is best used on a highway when traveling at a constant speed for a long stretch.

Drivers in Missouri and Kansas are required by law to carry liability insurance coverage. Liability insurance pays to repair damages you cause to other drivers and vehicles. This insurance includes bodily injury and property damage liability.

Minimum Coverage in Missouri and Kansas

An auto insurance policy in Missouri or Kansas must include the following minimum amount of liability coverage:

• $25,000 for bodily injury or death per person
• $50,000 for total bodily injury or death per accident
• $10,000 for property damage per accident

When you are at fault for a collision, the other driver and their passengers can file a claim under your liability coverage to pay for their damages up to policy limits.

In a car-bike accident, the driver is more likely to be at fault, but it will depend on the circumstances. A bicyclist can also be wholly or partially to blame in some cases. Fault in bicycle accident cases is typically decided based on the degree of each party’s negligence in causing the collision.

Depending on the circumstances, there are times when a pedestrian can be entirely or partially at fault for a car accident. In Missouri, fault is determined by a party’s degree of negligence.

When a Pedestrian is At Fault

Pedestrians do not always have the right of way, and they are responsible for exercising a reasonable degree of care to protect themselves.