What We Handle
Pedestrian & Bicycle Accidents
When walkers and cyclists are struck.
What pedestrian & bicycle accidents actually means
Pedestrian and bicycle accident cases arise when a walker or cyclist is struck by a motor vehicle. These collisions often result in severe injuries because the person has no structural protection. Drivers owe pedestrians and cyclists the same duty of care as any other road user.
Bicyclists are generally treated as vehicles under the law in both Missouri and Kansas — they have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicles on roadways. Pedestrians have right-of-way protections at crosswalks and intersections.
What it takes to have a case
1. Duty
Drivers owe pedestrians and cyclists a duty to operate their vehicles with reasonable care — watching for people in crosswalks, yielding at intersections, checking mirrors before turning.
2. Breach
Failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk, turning without checking for cyclists, distracted driving near pedestrian areas, or speeding in residential zones.
3. Causation
The driver's negligence must have directly caused the collision. Running a stop sign and hitting a cyclist in the intersection is direct causation.
4. Damages
Injuries are often severe — TBI, spinal cord injury, fractures, internal injuries. Damages reflect the catastrophic nature of unprotected human vs. vehicle impacts.
What we handle within pedestrian & bicycle accidents
Every situation is different. Here are the most common types we see.
Crosswalk Collisions
Pedestrians struck while lawfully in a crosswalk or intersection.
Hit-and-Run
Driver strikes a pedestrian or cyclist and flees — UM/UIM coverage may apply.
Cyclist Right-Hook
A vehicle turns right across a cyclist's path of travel.
Dooring
A parked vehicle's door opened into the path of a cyclist.
Backing Accidents
Drivers backing out of driveways or parking spaces into pedestrians.
Missouri vs. Kansas: the rules that matter
Kansas City straddles the state line. Which state's law applies depends on where the incident occurred.
Missouri
- •Statute of limitations: 5 years — RSMo § 516.120
- •Pure comparative fault — cyclist or pedestrian may recover even if partially at fault — RSMo § 537.765
- •Bicyclists must use lights/reflectors at night — front lamp visible 500ft, rear 600ft
- •No statewide helmet law (municipalities may vary)
Kansas
- •Statute of limitations: 2 years — KSA § 60-513
- •Modified comparative fault — 50% bar — KSA § 60-258a
- •Bicyclists treated as vehicles with same rights and responsibilities
Not sure which state's rules apply? Tell us where it happened →
What an investigation looks like
Initial conversation — Free. We assess the collision circumstances, the road conditions, and all potentially liable parties.
Evidence collection — Police reports, witness statements, traffic camera and surveillance footage, road design documentation.
Medical records — Emergency trauma records, surgical notes, rehabilitation plans, and long-term prognosis.
Expert analysis — Accident reconstruction, road design experts, visibility analysis, and medical specialists.
Demand or filing — Pre-suit demand; petition if necessary. Government entities may be liable for dangerous road conditions.
Resolution — Settlement, mediation, or trial.
What it costs
Yonke Law works on a contingency basis. There is no fee unless we recover compensation for you. The percentage is agreed in writing before any work begins. Your initial consultation is always free. No hourly rates. No retainers. No surprise bills.
What a pedestrian & bicycle accidents case is actually worth
There's no honest one-line answer. Value depends on the facts of your situation.
Economic Damages
- •Medical expenses (often extensive for unprotected injuries)
- •Lost wages and earning capacity
- •Bicycle repair/replacement
- •Long-term rehabilitation and adaptive needs
Non-Economic Damages
- •Pain and suffering
- •Permanent disability
- •Scarring and disfigurement
- •Loss of enjoyment of life
A consultation gives you a real assessment based on your situation — not a stock answer.
Who You'll Work With
Michael T. Yonke
AV Preeminent rated. Experienced in pedestrian and cyclist collision cases with complex liability and severe injury profiles.
Mike founded Yonke Law in 2001 after years of seeing how large firms treated the people they were supposed to protect. Every case at Yonke Law is handled directly by Mike and his team — not passed to associates or outsourced to contract attorneys.
When it comes to pedestrian & bicycle accidents, Mike brings decades of focused trial experience, a network of trusted medical and technical experts, and a straightforward approach: understand the facts, build the case, and prepare for trial even if the goal is settlement.
More about Mike and the team →Common questions
Do cyclists have the same rights as cars on the road?
Yes — in both Missouri and Kansas, bicyclists are generally treated as vehicles with the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers.
What if I was jaywalking when I was hit?
You may still recover damages, but comparative fault applies. In Missouri (pure), your damages are reduced by your fault percentage. In Kansas (modified), recovery is barred at 50% or more fault.
Who is liable if road conditions caused the crash?
The government entity responsible for maintaining the road may be liable — but special notice requirements and shorter deadlines apply for government claims.
How long do I have to file?
5 years in Missouri (RSMo § 516.120), 2 years in Kansas (KSA § 60-513). Government claims may have shorter notice deadlines.
Printable
Personal Injury Checklist
Essential steps to protect your health, your rights, and your claim. Covers what to gather, who to contact, and the deadlines that matter for your pedestrian & bicycle accidents case.
Download the checklist (PDF) ↓Or — Walk Through It Digitally
Start Your Case Review
Answer a few questions about your situation. Your responses are saved and become the start of your case file if you proceed.
Start the digital intake →Ready to talk about your pedestrian & bicycle accidents case?
Free consultation. No fee unless we recover.
