2 minute read
Home to Springfield, Greene County is a central hub in southwestern Missouri—and a hotspot for car accidents . In 2022, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ranked Springfield as the 13th worst city by traffic fatality rate . Springfield, Missouri has an average of around 5000 crashers annually . Urban traffic patterns, college student drivers, and congested intersections all contribute to the area’s crash rate.
In 2022, Greene County reported more than 20 fatal traffic accidents, many concentrated around Highway 65, I-44, and downtown Springfield . The area’s large mix of local, student, and tourist traffic leads to a variety of crash causes.
Frequent contributors include:
- Distracted driving
- Rear-end collisions at red-light intersections
- Failure to yield when turning
In 2025, Springfield witnessed a concerning rise in pedestrian and bicycle fatalities. As of May 2025, three pedestrians and three bicyclists have died in traffic incidents—surpassing the total number of such fatalities for all of 2024. These incidents often occurred on major roads with speed limits exceeding 40 mph and in areas lacking designated crosswalks . Local officials continue to invest in safer intersections and public awareness campaigns, including the Vision Zero Action Plan , but numbers show the need for ongoing caution.
What to do After an Accident in Missouri:
- Ensure safety of yourself and others. If possible, make a reasonable effort to move the vehicle to a safe location following Missouri’s Steer It and Clear It law
- Call 911 if needed for medical or police assistance
- Document the scene
- Exchange Information
- Get immediate treatment from your doctor or the ER
- Call us at 888-585-5970
Missouri Personal Injury Laws
- The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Missouri is generally 5 years .
- In Missouri motor vehicle accidents are primarily governed by statutes found in Chapters 303 and 304 of the Missouri Revised Statutes .
Contact Us:
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle accident in Springfield, contact the Michael Brady Lynch Law Firm at 888-585-5970 to get the support and help you need.
Date: June 22, 2025
Attorney and Editor-in-Chief: Brandon Salter
Editor: Madison Hurley
Citations:
Missouri Traffic Crashes 2022 Statistics from the Missouri State Highway Patrol
https://www.springfieldmo.gov/5989/Safer-Streets-SGF
https://www.springfieldmo.gov/5989/Safer-Streets-SGF
Missouri Traffic Crashes 2022 Statistics from the Missouri State Highway Patrol
https://sgfcitizen.org/government/crime/despite-citys-efforts-deadly-pedestrian-and-bicycle-crashes-rise/
https://www.springfieldmo.gov/6033/Help-without-the-Hazard#:~:text=And%20in%202024%20City%20Council,usage%20of%20our%20roadway%20system.
https://www.modot.org/steer-it-clear-it-law