Kansas City Truck Accident Attorneys Explain Liability on I-35 and I-435
When a motor vehicle accident involves a semi-truck, the stakes are immediately higher—more severe vehicle damage, longer roadway shutdowns, and often more serious injuries. In many cases, these crashes also result in significant financial losses and potential compensation.
Beyond the physical and financial impact, truck accidents in Kansas City, Missouri, often bring substantial legal complexity. Determining liability, gathering evidence, and negotiating with insurance companies are just a few of the steps that can become far more complicated in a truck accident claim.
The best way to recover after such an accident is to work with an experienced Kansas City truck accident attorney at Wallentine Injury Law. Our team understands the high stakes and legal challenges involved in 18-wheeler accidents, especially on heavily traveled Kansas City interstates such as I-35 and I-435. If you have been involved in a truck accident, our attorneys will work to establish liability and pursue the maximum compensation available from the large insurance companies that typically cover trucking companies.
The following information is intended to help you better understand how our Kansas City truck accident attorneys assist clients after serious truck accidents. If you have questions or would like to discuss your situation, contact our team today to schedule a free consultation.
Understanding Truck Accident Claims in Kansas City
Before discussing liability in depth, it is helpful first to understand what a truck accident claim entails, as there can often be confusion around the terminology. In the legal setting, a truck accident claim may be described using several different terms, including:
- Semi-truck accident
- 18-wheeler accident
- Big-rig accident
- Commercial vehicle accident
In most cases, these terms refer to the same general category of truck accident claims. A tractor-trailer combination that transports goods may commonly be referred to by any of the names listed above. However, it is important to note that while an 18-wheeler or semi-truck is almost always considered a commercial vehicle, not all commercial vehicles are semi-trucks. Commercial vehicles can also include buses, delivery vans, and dump trucks. The key shared characteristic is that these are all large vehicles capable of causing significant damage in an accident.
While this distinction may seem obvious, clarifying what constitutes a truck accident claim helps people understand the difference between a standard passenger vehicle accident and a crash involving a large semi-truck. These cases often involve different legal obligations, regulations, and challenges.
Why I-35 and I-435 Are High-Risk for Truck Accidents
Interstate 35 and Interstate 435 connect major cities across the metro area—including Olathe, Overland Park, North Kansas City, and Lenexa—to Kansas City. Because of this connectivity, commuters across both Missouri and Kansas frequently rely on these roadways, resulting in heavy traffic at nearly all hours of the day and an increased risk of auto accidents.
In addition to commuter traffic, I-35 and I-435 also carry high volumes of semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles. This is largely due to these interstates connecting with I-70, a major logistics corridor, as well as to the cities mentioned above, which contain large warehouses and distribution centers. Heavy traffic in general, combined with substantial commercial truck traffic, significantly increases the risk of truck accidents on these interstates compared to many other roadways in the region.
Furthermore, the infrastructure and design of I-35, I-70, I-71, and I-435 contribute to these risks. Cramped roadways, short merge lanes, aging on and exit ramps, and frequent construction projects can all create hazardous driving conditions for both passenger vehicles and large trucks.
As a result, accidents on these interstates are not uncommon. When a truck crash occurs, determining liability can quickly become even more complicated. Car accidents can involve multiple parties, but truck accident claims often include additional entities beyond the drivers themselves. As a result, working with a Kansas City car accident attorney is often recommended after a serious crash, and legal guidance becomes even more important when a truck accident claim is involved.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident on I-35 or I-435?
Determining liability is a key step in any auto accident claim, but truck accident cases are often more complex because they may involve multiple responsible parties. In a Kansas City truck accident on I-35 or I-435, several individuals or entities may share responsibility depending on the circumstances of the crash.
These may include:
Truck Driver Negligence
The most obvious party that may be held liable in a truck accident is the 18-wheeler driver themselves. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), approximately 87% of large truck accidents in the United States involve some form of driver negligence. Behaviors that fall into this category can include:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Impaired driving
- Fatigue
- Following too closely
Driver error is always dangerous, but it becomes particularly high-risk in accidents involving large trucks. Because of their size and weight, these crashes are more likely to result in serious injury or even death. For this reason, strict driving and operating regulations are in place for truck drivers, and they are held to a higher standard than most motorists. When they fail to meet those standards, the consequences can be severe.
Trucking Company Liability
In addition to the driver, the trucking company or carrier that owns the vehicle and employs the driver may also be held liable for a truck accident.
Regional trucking companies you may frequently see on I-35 and I-435 in the Kansas City metro include:
As mentioned earlier, truck drivers are held to strict safety standards, and so are the companies that employ them. Trucking companies must comply with FMCSA regulations covering areas such as vehicle maintenance, driver logbooks, and proper driver training. In some cases, companies may cut corners on these requirements when they are facing driver shortages or tight delivery deadlines. When this occurs, and a crash follows, the company may share liability for the accident.
Manufacturer and Product Defects
Truck accidents can also occur because of mechanical failure. Tire blowouts, brake failure, and steering issues are among the most common mechanical problems large trucks experience. While some of these issues may result from improper maintenance by the driver or trucking company, they can also stem from defective parts or systems.
In situations where a defective component contributed to the crash, a product liability claim may be pursued to hold the manufacturer or distributor responsible.
Other Potential Parties
Some trucking companies rely on outside vendors for parts of their fleet operations, including drug testing, background checks, and vehicle maintenance. When negligence by these third-party vendors contributes to an accident, they may also be held liable.
As these examples illustrate, truck accident liability is rarely simple or one-size-fits-all. Because of this complexity, working with an experienced Kansas City truck accident attorney can be extremely beneficial. Our team knows what evidence to examine and what legal standards apply when determining fault, helping protect your rights and your ability to pursue full compensation.
Liability Laws for Truck Accidents in Kansas City
In addition to the multiple parties that may be involved in a truck accident on I-35 or I-435, the liability laws of both Missouri and Kansas can further complicate how fault and compensation are determined.
Both Missouri and Kansas follow comparative fault rules, although the specific regulations vary slightly between the two states. Comparative fault means that responsibility for an accident can be shared among multiple parties, including both plaintiffs and defendants. A person may still recover compensation even if they were partially at fault, though their recovery may be reduced based on their percentage of responsibility. Sadly, in Kansas, you may be completely barred from compensation if it is deemed that you were more negligent than the defendant(s). Visit our Missouri comparative fault page and Kansas comparative fault page to learn more about the specific rules in each state.
Another legal factor that affects truck accident claims in the Kansas City area is the no-fault medical benefits from Kansas’ Personal Injury Protection and Missouri’s MedPay systems. Drivers typically turn first to their own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or MedPay coverage for initial medical expenses, regardless of who caused the accident. But that is generally minimal, and the much larger money is recovered from the at-fault insurance provider.
Truck Accident Injuries and Potential Compensation
While liability plays a major role in determining potential compensation, the extent of your injuries and the medical treatment required are often even more significant factors. Unfortunately, truck accidents are among the most dangerous crashes on the road and are more likely to result in serious injuries.
Our Kansas City truck accident attorneys commonly see the following injuries after an 18-wheeler accident:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Internal organ injuries
- Whiplash
- Broken bones
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Severe cuts, bruises, and burns
In a personal injury claim, more severe injuries often lead to greater potential compensation. Serious injuries typically result in increased medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering—damages that may be considered during settlement negotiations or when compensation is awarded. Our Kansas City truck accident attorneys understand how serious injuries can affect every part of a person’s life and will work to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
How a Kansas City Truck Accident Attorney Can Help You
After a truck accident on I-35, I-70, or I-435, matters can become complicated quickly. Suddenly, you may be dealing with medical bills, insurance calls, vehicle repairs, and more—all while potentially still recovering from injuries. You may think you have to handle it on your own, but you don’t. Wallentine Injury Law’s Kansas City truck accident attorneys are here to help when the unexpected happens, and you’re unsure what to do next.
Our team guides and assists truck accident victims with several key steps after a crash, including:
- Evidence Collection – We gather critical evidence for your claim, including police reports, black box data, medical records, and other relevant materials to build a strong case and support the investigation.
- Investigation – Our attorneys analyze the evidence and investigate the accident thoroughly to determine fault and demonstrate how the crash caused your injuries.
- Negotiation – We handle communication with insurance companies and negotiate settlement terms on your behalf. Our team understands the tactics insurers often use to reduce payouts, and we work to pursue a settlement that fairly reflects your damages. If necessary, we are also prepared to take the case to trial.
Those who attempt to handle a truck accident claim on their own often underestimate the complexity involved and may recover less compensation than they would with legal representation.
Contact InJerry Law After a Truck Accident on I-35 or I-435
If you have been injured in a semi-truck accident on I-35, I-435, or anywhere else across the Kansas City metro, our Kansas City truck accident attorneys are ready to help. During your free consultation, we will review the details of your potential claim and help determine whether pursuing legal action is in your best interest. Working with our team comes at no risk to you—you only pay if we win, and there are no upfront costs to pursuing your claim.
Attorney Jerry Wallentine is dedicated to providing top legal representation for truck wrecks. So, he is a member of the Academy of Trucking Accident Attorneys (ATAA). As a member, he trains and communicates with this group in order to be the best lawyer he can be for trucking accidents. In fact, he is attending yet another week of intense training from March 18-21, 2026.
Call today at 816-934-6333 or contact us online to begin your recovery after a semi-truck accident.
