Missouri Car Accident Suit Settles for $18 Million
A recent Missouri car accident lawsuit and three Missouri wrongful death claims were settled for $18 million. Another wrongful death claim associated with the same accident is still pending. The suits were filed after four people were killed in a Missouri tractor trailer crash on I-70 when the tractor trailer slammed into a line of cars backed up in traffic. The accident resulted in the tractor trailer colliding into the vehicles and then breaking through the median and crossing into on-coming traffic. The destruction finally ended when the commercial vehicle was stopped after hitting an embankment.
Allegedly there had been a semi-truck accident ahead on the highway, which was why traffic was piled up. The tractor trailer driver allegedly had a diabetic episode, impairing his motor functions. The diabetic episode basically rendered the man unconscious and allegedly caused the car accident, as the man was unable to control his body and vehicle.
Wrongful death lawsuits often stem from car and truck accidents in Missouri. Automobile accidents are a leading cause of death in the United States. The causes of car accidents are typically related to driver negligence of some form. When someone is injured by a another driver’s negligence, the injured party has a legal right to recover. When the injured party has been killed, their family has the right to recover through a wrongful death lawsuit.
I have seen many lists on what to do if you are in a Missouri car accident. However, there are also many things you do not want to discuss when you are involved in a car accident, unless it is with the police or other emergency personnel.
The following are a few things you should to avoid discussing after a car accident in Missouri:
- Money with the other parties involved
- The events with the other party-- wait for authorities or to speak only with your attorney
- Payments of any kind
- Accident responsibility or liability -- you words can be misconstrued and used against you.
After a motor vehicle accident it is a good idea to make notes of the events and write them down to help you remember exactly what happened. From there, it is to your benefit to contact an attorney and your insurance company to let them know of the crash. Be weary of settling a claim through your insurance provider without speaking to a lawyer. Insurance companies often try to protect their own pecuniary interests over yours. A legal professional who has dealt with numerous car and truck accident lawsuits will know how to aggressively represent you by investigating the crash and securing the evidence necessary to determine fault and establish liability.
As a St. Louis car accident attorney that handles many truck accident cases at Page//Cagle, I regularly handle serious injury and death cases. I know the pain and suffering that car and truck accidents cause and I am dedicated to making sure you recover from such traumatizing events. If requested, I will immediately and aggressively take action on your behalf. I can be reached 24 hours a day at 314.322.8515 or toll free at 1.800.500.INJURY (4658). The call and consultation are free, and you pay nothing unless you recover. You can also visit www.missouricaraccident.com for more information.
