Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections in Missouri (2024)

By Zane T. Cagle | August 10, 2024 | Car Accidents

Whether you live and work in the state or plan to visit, if you intend to drive at all, it is vital to know the most dangerous roads and intersections in Missouri. While you cannot always anticipate how any other driver anywhere will behave on the road, knowing the areas with the highest accident rates can help you remain more vigilant, hopefully reducing your chances of experiencing an accident.

Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections

Many Missouri drivers consider US Highway Route 63 to be the most dangerous road in the state. This highway extends north to south through the entire state, from the Iowa state line to the Arkansas state line. This road extends more than 330 miles and passes through several major metropolitan areas such as West Plains, Jefferson City, Willow Springs, Rolla, and Columbia.

Highways are statistically hotspots for accidents due to traffic volume and speed of travel. Whenever accidents happen at higher speeds, they are more likely to result in catastrophic or fatal injuries. Additionally, many multi-vehicle collisions happen on highways. A crash may occur, and nearby drivers will be unable to avoid it, or drivers may panic and swerve to avoid the collision, resulting in them crashing into other nearby vehicles.

A great deal of commercial vehicle traffic also passes on the highways. While commercial vehicle drivers are held to a higher duty of care on the road than individual drivers, their large vehicles are inherently dangerous and subject to more safety risks than standard passenger vehicles.

Ultimately, every driver faces an increased risk of an accident on US Highway 63 and other highways throughout the state. Higher speeds mean smaller margins for error if drivers make mistakes or are negligent behind the wheel. However, accidents can occur on any road whenever drivers fail to operate their vehicles safely and responsibly. In Missouri, the driver at fault for causing an accident absorbs liability for the resulting damages.

Risks of Accidents in Slower Traffic

While accidents on highways are inherently dangerous because they typically occur at higher speeds, it is important to remember that accidents also commonly occur in more congested and slower-moving traffic, such as what a driver might encounter when driving through any of Missouri’s major cities. It is vital for all drivers to use caution, obey posted traffic signals, and drive defensively whenever they must navigate congested traffic.

Most of the most dangerous intersections throughout the state are concentrated around the Kansas City and St. Louis metropolitan areas. These areas report a higher number of crashes that range in severity from minor fender-benders to fatal accidents. While more damaging accidents tend to occur on highways, it is important for all drivers to realize that accidents can happen unexpectedly on any road.

Accidents in major metropolitan areas are most likely to occur because of distracted driving, speeding, or moving violations like running red lights or stop signs. While accidents in urban or residential areas may happen at lower speeds than highway accidents, they can still have devastating consequences for those involved. If you believe that another driver is responsible for your recent accident, it is important to consult an attorney as quickly as possible.

FAQs

What Is the State’s Most Dangerous Road?

Missouri’s most dangerous road is considered to be US Highway Route 63, which runs north to south through the entirety of the state from Iowa to Arkansas. This is considered the most dangerous road due to the number of accidents reported each year. Additionally, high-speed traffic on US 63 is a major contributing factor to the number of accidents, meaning that not only do many accidents happen on this road, but they are often severely damaging.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents?

The most common causes of car accidents in Missouri include various forms of driver negligence, such as speeding, distracted driving, and moving violations like running red lights, performing illegal turns, and failure to yield the right-of-way. Proving negligence in a car accident case will require the police report from the accident along with any evidence you can secure that proves who caused the accident and how they caused it.

Is Missouri a No-Fault State for Car Accidents?

No, it is not a no-fault state for car accidents. The fault rule means that an injured driver must prove fault for their accident before they can recover any compensation for their losses, and an at-fault driver absorbs liability for those losses. Proving fault can be a complex challenge, so it is important that you consult an experienced attorney as quickly as possible after your accident to get the advice you need in this situation.

What Is the Most Dangerous Intersection?

The most dangerous intersection in Missouri is the intersection of SR-13 and SR-123, based on data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This intersection sees a high volume of fatal crashes compared to other intersections in the state. Additionally, many intersections concentrated around the Kansas City metropolitan area have also been cited as especially dangerous due to the high volume of traffic in the area.

Should I Hire a Lawyer After a Car Accident?

Yes, you should hire a lawyer after a car accident in Missouri if you want to ensure the greatest chance of success with the recovery efforts you attempt. The right attorney can help you gather evidence needed to prove fault for the accident, lead you through the insurance claim filing process, and resolve any issues you encounter with the insurance carrier. You’re more likely to successfully recover compensation if you have legal counsel on your side.

The team at The Cagle Law Firm has successfully represented many car accident cases for clients throughout the state, and we know the challenges you might face in your upcoming legal efforts to recover from an accident. It is important to start building your case as quickly as possible, so contact us today and schedule a free consultation with an experienced attorney to learn more about the legal services we offer.

About The Author

Zane T. Cagle

Zane T. Cagle is the founding president and lead trial attorney at The Cagle Law Firm. With a strong dedication to his clients, he has built a reputation for his tenacious representation in personal injury cases, ensuring each client's unique story is heard. Areas of Practice: Personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death. Bar Admissions: Supreme Court of Missouri, Illinois & Kentucky. Superior Court of U.S. Virgin Islands Education: Washington University School of Law. Awards: Super Lawyers, Top 40 Under 40 by The National Trial Lawyers Association, 10 Best in Missouri for Customer Satisfaction.

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