Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Based on a US News & World Report article, an incident of sudden acceleration due to a sticking gas pedal took place in Southern California on March 8, 2010. According to the report, the driver of the 2008 Toyota Prius dialed 911 to seek help because the gas pedal in his vehicle was stuck and he could not slow down from 94 mph.

Fortunately, this man was not injured and a California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer was able to assist him in slowing down the runaway Prius. The article points out that this process took approximately 20 minutes and that the CHP officer instructed the driver through loudspeaker to apply the brakes as well as the emergency brake. Once the vehicle was able to hit 50 mph, the motorist turned off his engine and the vehicle eventually came to a stop.

Although the article didn’t mention whether or not this man’s Prius had received a redesigned gas pedal or a new floor mat, recent speculation and academic studies from outside experts have pointed to electronic malfunction as the origin of Toyota throttle problems. The 2008 Prius involved in the above incident has been included only in the floor mat recall. After learning of the incident, Toyota sent a field technical specialist to provide assistance and investigate the report.

Continue reading "Toyota Prius Involved in Southern California Sudden Acceleration Incident" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Personal Injury , Product Liability

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A recent LA Times article reported that a live webcast on March 8, 2010 will discuss Toyota’s defenses against claims of electronic throttle problems made by an automotive technology assistant professor from Southern Illinois University. According to the article, the assistant professor presented his study results to Congress in February, pinpointing electronic issues as the culprit for recalled Toyota vehicles experiencing unintended acceleration and throttle problems.

While the assistant professor has concluded that wiring failure in recalled Toyota cars is connected to sudden acceleration, Toyota has denied such claims of electronic flaw. Based on the article, the automaker referred to the assistant professor’s study as “completely unrealistic under real-world conditions.” Through the webcast, Toyota is supposed to present their defense by re-creating the study and providing rebuttals made by experts from Stanford University’s Center for Automotive Research.

Auto manufacturers are responsible for designing, testing, and creating vehicles that are free of defect or flaw before putting them on the market. The assistant professor involved in the Toyota throttle study asserts that automotive electronics may cause a vehicle to experience problems if the components are not properly tested to respond to extreme vibrations or temperatures.

Continue reading "Toyota Electronic Throttle Problems Supported by Assistant Professor's Study" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Law & Information , Personal Injury , Product Liability

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Without announcing a vehicle defect recall, Chrysler is planning to carry out a "safety improvement campaign" to fix the front airbags on 355,000 minivans, including Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravans. According to a Reuters news report, the move comes after Chrysler found that the front airbag sensor could fail to deploy if it becomes damaged and wet. Chrysler is not currently issuing any recalls and is instead claiming that there have been no complaints or injuries due to this new issue. Chrysler also states that an airbag warning light will alert the driver if there is a defect or issue with the system.

Recalls and corrections have become commonplace in recent months. Chrysler is attempting to fix this safety hazard before there are any personal injuries due to faulty manufacturing. This proactive move by Chrysler may have been inspired by the recent woes of Toyota and Honda. Honda recently had to recall almost half a million of their vehicles due to defective airbags, which caused a number of personal injuries and one reported fatality. Toyota recalled more than 8.5 million vehicles for defective gas pedals that caused unintended acceleration. Car manufacturers are required by law to ensure the safety of their vehicles.

Continue reading "Airbag Product Defect Prompts Chrysler Minivan Fix " »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Law & Information , Personal Injury , Product Liability

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Five people sustained injuries in a Missouri auto accident. According to a news report in the Sedalia Democrat, the accident occurred as one driver who was northbound on Route 131 at Highway 50 failed to yield right-of-way to an eastbound vehicle. The injured parties included four adults and one infant. Thankfully, this incident did not involve any life-threatening injuries, according to the news report.

Failing to yield right-of-way is a common cause of Missouri auto accidents. We see this problem occur most commonly in accidents that take place at street intersections. Very often, these types of accidents will involve a driver who fails to yield right-of-way to another or a driver who runs a red light. Both of these circumstances are serious traffic violations under Missouri law. The driver who failed to yield right-of-way in such cases could be determined to be at fault for the accident and could be held liable for injuries, damages and losses suffered by the victims of a car accident. In such cases, victims could seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of surgery, physical therapy or other related damages.

Continue reading "Missouri Auto Accident Injures Five" »

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According to a recent article from ozarksfirst.com, a school bus crash in Missouri left five people injured in El Dorado Springs. The collision occurred in the morning, just east of town, on northbound Highway 39. The bus was stopped in a designated school bus area to pick up passengers when a pick-up truck, driven by a student, struck the rear of the bus.

The Missouri Highway Patrol reported that the bus had its flashing lights on and stop arm extended. The driver of the truck was allegedly speeding and unable to stop the vehicle in time. Four students from the bus and the student driver were transported to the Cedar County Memorial Hospital for minor injuries. There were 16 total students on the bus at the time of the crash.

Continue reading "Five Injured in School Bus Crash" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Bus Accident , Personal Injury

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According to a report, Honda, Japan’s second largest car manufacturer, extended its recall to 437,000 cars due to defective airbags. The initial recall was issued in 2008 and included 4,000 Accord and Civic sedans; it was later expanded in 2009 to include another 510,000 vehicles. The most recent recall mainly impacts the United States and Canada. However, 4,000 vehicles in Japan and 13,000 vehicles in Mexico, Taiwan, and Australia were also affected.

The recall was issued in order to replace the airbag inflator that can cause the airbag to overinflate, and according to the report, result "in metal fragments passing through the airbag cushion material and possibly causing injury or fatality to vehicle occupants." So far, the malfunction has been linked to eleven injuries and one fatality.

The cars that currently fall under the airbag recall include 2001 and 2002 model-year Accord, Civic, Odyssey, Pilot, CL, CR-V and 2002 Acura TL vehicles. The Japanese-only models that are included in the recall are Inspire, Saber and Lagreat. If Honda contacts you about the recall, you should contact an authorized dealership as soon as you receive your notification.

Continue reading "Honda Airbag Recall Extended to 437,000 Cars" »

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According to recent reports, car manufacturer, Toyota Motor, has recalled 2.3 million vehicles due to gas pedal malfunctions, even in the absence of a floor mat. This recall is separate from the recall of 4.2 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles to correct a gas pedal problem linked to faulty floor mats which allegedly caused the pedal to stick and create unintended acceleration.

Toyota spokesman, Brian Lyons, stated, “The pedal may become harder to press and may become slower to return when released. In the worst cases, it may become stuck in a partially depressed position.” Toyota also claims that unintended acceleration due to gas pedal malfunction is “rare and infrequent,” but can occur after gas petal mechanisms endure excessive use.

Toyota says that owners will be notified when a solution is available and urges people to brake firmly in order to regain control of their vehicle if the gas pedal should become stuck. In such an event, the car should be driven to the closest safe location, turned off, and a Toyota dealer should be contacted.

The following vehicles are currently being recalled: 2009-2010 Toyota Rav4, Corolla, Matrix, 2005-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 Camry, 2010 Highlander, 2007-2010 Tundra and 2008-2010 Sequoia.

Continue reading "Toyota Recalls an Additional 2.3 Million Vehicles" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Law & Information , Personal Injury , Product Liability

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Police in Waynesville are looking for a hit-and-run driver after a car versus pedestrian accident in Missouri, which killed a 51-year-old woman. Officials say that the woman was found lying along the roadside on Highway 17 North. The vehicle that hit her did not stop at the scene of the accident. She was rushed to a local hospital, but did not survive her injuries.

Leaving the scene of an accident is a serious crime under Missouri law. Under Missouri Revised Statutes section 577.060.1.: "A person commits the crime of leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident when being the operator or driver of a vehicle on the highway or on any publicly or privately owned parking lot or parking facility generally open for use by the public and knowing that an injury has been caused to a person or damage has been caused to property, due to his culpability or to accident, he leaves the place of the injury, damage or accident without stopping and giving his name, residence, including city and street number, motor vehicle number and driver's license number, if any, to the injured party or to a police officer, or if no police officer is in the vicinity, then to the nearest police station or judicial officer."

Continue reading "Missouri Fatal Pedestrian Hit-and-Run Accident" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Law & Information , Pedestrian Accident , Personal Injury , Wrongful Death

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Five students sustained injuries in a Missouri bus accident after their school bus was struck by a pickup truck. The Springfield News-Leader reports that the accident occurred on Missouri 39 in Cedar Springs just east of El Dorado Springs. The injured students ranged in age from 10 to18 years. The 17-year-old who was driving the pickup truck also sustained injuries. The pickup truck rear-ended the school bus, according to Missouri State Highway Patrol. The students were taken to a local hospital for treatment of their injuries.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that between 1996 and 2006, there were 96 school bus crashes nationwide in which at least one school bus occupant died. More than 50 percent of those crashes involved another vehicle. In the 41 single-vehicle crashes, 48 occupants, 14 drivers and 32 passengers died.

Continue reading "Missouri School Bus Crash Injures Six" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Bus Accident , Personal Injury

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A report card recently released by Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety says Missouri has done a reasonable job of enforcing state traffic laws and protecting drivers. But the report card also states that Missouri lawmakers have some work to do in order to save lives on the road. According to a KY3 report, the advocacy group grades each state based on 15 laws addressing teen driving, distracted driving, drunk driving and the required use of seatbelts, child booster seats and motorcycle helmets.

Where does Missouri stand? On a scale of green to red, Missouri is a yellow. The state has continued its requirement of motorcycle helmets and booster seat laws. Lawmakers have also fixed the state's graduated licensing law for teens. However, to move to the next level, state lawmakers must adopt an all-driver texting ban, advocates say. Right now, Missouri only bans texting for drivers under 21 years of age. There are five bills that have been proposed to ban texting for all drivers. The report card also puts a new emphasis on tougher ignition interlock laws for convicted drunk drivers.

Continue reading "Missouri Lawmakers Have Need to Toughen Traffic Laws, Report States" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Cell Phone/Texting Accident , Law & Information , Pedestrian Accident , Personal Injury

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An 18-year-old driver who tried to pass on a curve died in a head-on crash January 10, 2010 - and three people in the car that he hit were seriously hurt. The Union youth was fatally injured in the crash on Highway 50 at about 7:30 p.m. Sunday. The crash site is about a mile west of Route EE in Franklin County. The Missouri Highway Patrol said the victim was driving west on Highway 50 when he crossed the center line to pass another vehicle on a curve. He then hit an oncoming car head-on.

Three people in the oncoming car were seriously hurt. The passengers were not wearing seatbelts and were airlifted to nearby hospitals. The driver who caused the accident had not been wearing a seatbelt and was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, one person dies every nine hours in a car accident in Missouri. The best way to avoid serious injury is to buckle up. Violators may be subject to a fine and court costs for not properly using seat belts.

Continue reading "Teen Driver Dies after Trying to Pass On a Curve" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Personal Injury , Wrongful Death

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Toyota is getting ready to issue a vehicle defect recall on thousands of Prius models for a brake defect. The Japanese auto maker has already recalled more than 8 million vehicles worldwide because of sticking accelerators. Now a Nikkei business daily report states that Toyota has decided to recall about 270,000 Prius cars in Japan and the United States to repair a brake problem.

In the United States, the National Highway Traffic Safety Commission (NHTSA) has already ordered a probe into Prius brake issues. The federal agency has received 124 reports of the hybrid vehicle's brakes failing, especially in situations where a car goes over a bump or when it hits a pothole. The auto maker has faced criticism for the way in which it has handled the recalls involving the gas pedal problem, which is said to have caused unintended acceleration in those vehicles. In fact, the gas pedal defects have been blamed for several accidents, including one in August where four members of a California family were killed in a fiery crash involving a Lexus.

Continue reading "Toyota May Recall Prius Models for Braking Problems" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Law & Information , Personal Injury , Product Liability , Wrongful Death

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The road to Marble Hill is lined with crosses, common markers of fatal accidents. Teenagers from the area have experienced a string of car accidents in recent years, especially along highways 34 and 51. After the recent death of a friend, one local teenager is advocating improvements of the curvy Bollinger County roads. The 15-year-old girl said she knew seven teenagers who died in car accidents along the twisting roads. The most recent incident was on December 23, 2009, when a girl was killed after her car slid off Highway 51 and into a tree. She was a sophomore at Woodland High School.

The 15-year-old girl wrote a letter and distributed it to politicians and media outlets to bring awareness to the situation. The letter mentioned six fatalities since 2003, "To name a few," it said. She said friends encouraged her to make the statement to prove a point. "If someone finally stands up, they'll have to do something," she said. The girl also stated that she advocates improvements like guard rails, reflective paint and shoulders along the roads.

Continue reading "Road Warrior: Teenager Leads Fight to Improve Deadly Bollinger County Highways" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Law & Information , Personal Injury , Wrongful Death

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Two women were injured Friday November 20, 2009 when the car they were riding in overturned after sliding off the road, according to the Missouri Highway Patrol. The driver of the vehicle swerved to avoid hitting an animal. Both injured women were passengers; one sustained serious injuries, while the other suffered minor injuries. The driver of the vehicle was unharmed. The highway patrol reported that none of the women were wearing a seatbelt.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, an unbelted occupant of a 30 mph crash hits the windshield with the same force as a fall from a three story building. Passengers have died in crashes as slow as 12 mph. The effectiveness of an airbag system is reduced by 40% when the seatbelts are not used. Nationally, car crashes kill 5 people every hour, and in Missouri, one person dies every nine hours in a car accident. The best way to avoid serious injury is to buckle up. Violators may be subject to a fine and court costs for not properly using seat belts.

Continue reading "Two Women Hospitalized after Car Overturns on Polk County Road" »

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A Warsaw man was injured in an accident on November 11, 2009 when the motorcycle he was riding crashed as he tried to avoid hitting a deer. The highway patrol reported that the 57-year-old man was riding westbound on Route BB at Hidden Valley Road when he swerved suddenly to dodge a deer in his path. His motorcycle went into a skid, overturned and slid off the roadway. The victim was airlifted to University Hospital in Columbia with serious injuries. Charges are pending in the crash investigation.

Unfortunately, motorcyclists are extremely vulnerable on the road and accidents happen all too frequently. Most often, motorcycle accidents involve drivers of other vehicles, but single-vehicle crashes are not uncommon. Whatever the situation, the best course of action is to contact a personal injury attorney who can assess the circumstances and help the victim navigate through the legal system.

Continue reading "Warsaw Man Injured on Motorcycle Due to Deer on Route BB" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Motorcycle Accidents , Personal Injury

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Four people were killed and four others were injured in a crash that occurred on a snow-covered Missouri highway. According to a report in the News Tribune, the fatal car crash occurred near Smithton when a car that was westbound on the U.S. 50 crossed the centerline, spun counterclockwise and struck the rear of a pickup truck. The car then skidded and crashed into another eastbound vehicle. Missouri Highway Patrol officials said the 32-year-old driver of the westbound car and three of her passengers died. Three children, including two in the westbound car, were taken to hospitals for treatment of serious injuries. Another 33-year-old woman was also hospitalized with injuries.

A number of tragic Missouri car accidents can be avoided if drivers would only slow down during winter weather when snow or ice is on the roadway. The best thing to do in bad weather is to avoid driving. Bur if you cannot, it would be in your best interest to take necessary precautions such as slowing down and maintaining adequate distance between vehicles. If you have been injured or have lost loved ones as a result of another driver's recklessness or negligence, you could file a personal injury claim or wrongful death claim.

Continue reading "Four Killed, Four Injured in Missouri Auto Accident" »

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The end of each year is marked by holiday cheer. However, during the holidays, statistics show an increase of drivers on the road as well as intoxicated driving. This year, the Missouri Highway Patrol is participating in operation Combined Accident Reduction Effort (C.A.R.E.) over the holidays. During Thanksgiving weekend last year, there were 1,736 traffic crashes with 14 killed and 634 injured.

According to Mother’s Against Drunk Driving (MADD), about three in every ten Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related accident at some point in their lives. In addition, a first-time offender has driven an average of 87 times prior to being arrested. The highest number of drunk driving fatalities fall under the 21-24 age group. In 2007, Missouri had 130 fatalities for that age group, 45% of which were alcohol-related. December holidays and New Years often show an increase in drunk driving accidents.

Continue reading "December Holidays Show Increase in DWI Accidents" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Drunk Driving Accident , Law & Information , Personal Injury

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A woman was killed and a child injured at a private railroad crossing in Webster County, Missouri. According to an article in the Kansas City Star, the Captain of the Southern County Fire Protection District said that the train’s engineer had seen the truck and tried to stop.

Two other children were in the truck bed but had jumped out of the vehicle before the crash. The 33-year-old woman, pronounced dead at the scene, had picked up the children from school and was on her way home. Her eight-year-old daughter sustained serious injuries and was air lifted to Springfield hospital.

The Missouri Department of Transportation reports that every two hours, a train hits a vehicle or pedestrian in the U.S. Another terrifying statistic is that you are 20 times more likely to die in a vehicle-train accident than a two-car crash.

Continue reading "Missouri Train Accident Kills One, Injures Another" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Personal Injury , Train Accidents , Wrongful Death

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Two semi trucks collided on the shoulder of Interstate 57. A 45-year-old man driving a semi truck hit a parked truck when he lost control of the vehicle and ran onto the shoulder of the highway. The other driver, a 24-year-old man, was in the second vehicle. The two trucks were carrying cargo of butter and lumber. The collision caused one truck’s fuel tank to split open, igniting the cab while the other truck’s trailer spilled sticks of butter on the highway.

The local fire department managed to keep the flames from burning all the cargo. Police and cleanup crew spent two days cleaning the butter spilt onto the interstate. The at-fault driver reportedly ran off the road upon spilling his coffee. Both drivers were hospitalized for serious injuries.

Continue reading "Two Semi Trucks Crash, Spilling Butter All Over Interstate 57" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Personal Injury , Truck Accidents

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A personal injury lawsuit filed by a woman and her husband is underway in Madison County Circuit Court. The couple claims that the other driver, a man, struck the rear end of their vehicle causing the wife to sustain chronic headaches; jaw, back and neck pain and reflex sympathetic dystrophy.

The woman has recently added to the claim that she is no longer able to care for her husband who suffers Parkinson’s disease and other neurological degradations. The woman’s conditions, as a result of the accident, have caused her to lose wages, experience a diminished quality of life, incur medical costs, and become incapable of providing services or companionship to her afflicted husband.

The two blame the other driver for causing the rear end accident, driving too fast, and not keeping a careful eye on the road. They are requesting over $100,000 in compensation in addition to attorney’s fees and any other relief the court deems just.

Continue reading "Couple Accuses Driver of Causing Chronic Injuries" »

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A 19 year-old man from Hughesville plead guilty to a single count of involuntary manslaughter and causing a two-car crash on Interstate 70 near Lee’s Summit Road in Missouri last January. The accused, driving a red 2005 BMW M3, hit the right rear of the deceased’s silver 2001 Ford F-150. The collision spun the truck out of control, causing it to veer right and roll several times. The male victim, age 50, was ejected from the truck and died two hours later from head injuries and internal bleeding at a hospital. Witnesses told Missouri police that the alleged was racing another vehicle, cutting in and out of traffic, and reaching speeds up to 100 mph.

Reckless driving poses a threat to all motorists and pedestrians, causing accidents, injuries and, in this case, death. Careless driving is indicative of negligence and the guilty party is responsible for all damages and costs relating to the accident. Over 40,000 people are killed in an estimated five million car accidents each year. Many of these accidents involve teens.

Continue reading "19-Year-Old Driver Responsible for Two-Car Crash " »

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A 38-year-old woman sustained major injuries in a Missouri car accident after her vehicle was rear-ended at an intersection, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Web site. Officials said that the woman's 1983 Ford Fairmont stopped to make a left turn at an intersection when she was struck from behind by a 2002 Ford F-250 pickup truck. The Ford Fairmont then crossed over the center line because of the crash impact and was struck by a 2002 Jeep Wrangler. The woman was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. No other injuries were reported.

In any incident where injuries are caused by someone else's negligence, an injured victim may qualify to seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, physical therapy and even costs of long-term care if catastrophic injuries are involved. Car accidents often occur because of someone else's negligence. In some cases, drivers are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, distracted, or driving recklessly.

Continue reading "Woman Injured in Missouri Car Accident" »

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Two people sustained injuries in a car accident on the Highway 70 after the driver of a Toyota Camry lost control and struck a Chevy Suburban that was pulling a boat. According to a news report, the driver of the Camry lost control and hit the boat that detached from the Suburban. The sport utility vehicle overturned. The driver of the Suburban was airlifted to an area hospital with severe injuries. A passenger in the Suburban was also taken to the hospital with less traumatic injuries. The driver of the Camry fled the scene, but was apprehended shortly after the crash, Missouri State Highway Patrol officials said.

Hit-and-run or leaving the scene of an accident is a serious crime under Missouri law. Missouri Revised Code Section 577.060 states: "A person commits the crime of leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident when being the operator or driver of a vehicle on the highway or on any publicly or privately owned parking lot or parking facility generally open for use by the public and knowing that an injury has been caused to a person or damage has been caused to property, due to his culpability or to accident, he leaves the place of the injury, damage or accident without stopping and giving his name, residence, including city and street number, motor vehicle number and driver's license number, if any, to the injured party or to a police officer, or if no police officer is in the vicinity, then to the nearest police station or judicial officer."

Continue reading "Two Injured in Missouri Car Accident" »

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This autumn, regions in Missouri have been struck by heavy rainfall, especially in Hannibal. The monthly average rainfall for Hannibal increased from 11.37 inches to 11.46. Rain leads to flooding which contributes to poor road conditions. Many roads have been closed and reopened due to excess rainfall. The heavy rain has also been the perpetrator in several car accidents that claimed a few lives. To ensure road safety, the Missouri Department of Transportation has been monitoring road conditions and posting updates on the traveler information map section of its website.

Rainwater coats roads, making them slicker, which can cause tires to lose traction or hydroplane. The best way to prevent a hydroplane is to make sure there is enough tread on your tires and to drive five miles below the posted speed limit, or slower, if conditions are more severe. If you drive too fast in the rain, your tires may not be able to grip the road properly and could skid on the water, causing the vehicle to spin and even accelerate. If this happens, release the gas pedal and drive straight until the tires regain traction.

Continue reading "Tips on How to Drive in Missouri's Heavy Rain" »

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A 20-year-old man from O’Fallon, Missouri was killed in a head on collision with a tractor trailer. The crash occurred westbound on Highway 40 near Barat Haven, shutting down the road for several hours. Police suspect the man had been driving under the influence of alcohol and are waiting for toxicology test results.

The man was driving a 2000 silver Infiniti east at 3 a.m. head on against westbound traffic before striking a tractor trailer, driven by a 48-year-old man from Kansas City. The collision caused an explosion that melted the cab and part of the trailer. The young driver died 40 minutes later at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center in Creve Coeur. The truck driver was not hurt.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2007 Assessment of Alcohol-Impaired Fatalities reports that the age group with the highest risk of alcohol-related traffic accident fatalities is 25-34. The age group 45-64 was the only one reported to have an increase in fatalities from 2006 to 2007. Missouri alcohol-related fatalities account for 30-34% of all statewide traffic accident fatalities.

Continue reading "Man Killed Driving Eastbound on Westbound Highway" »

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On Saturday night, a 62-year old man from Humansville, Missouri was killed instantly in a one-car crash, according to a News-Leader article. The driver, a 36-year old man from Bolivar, sustained serious injuries and was taken to St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. The Missouri State Patrol reported that the vehicle ran off the right side of the road, causing it to overturn and eject the two men. The report also indicated that neither man was wearing a seat belt.

Research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates that wearing a seat belt reduces fatal injury risks for front seat occupants by 45%. It is a well-known fact that people over the age of five should wear a seat belt; however, seat belt statistics for Missouri are lacking.

A survey taken in 2008 indicated that an average of 77% of people in Missouri wear seat belts, a statistic that has had minimal improvement since the 2004 survey. Missouri is 7% less than the national average (84%). Changes to Missouri seat belt laws have not had positive reactions, being viewed as overly prescriptive.

Continue reading "Missouri Falls Behind on National Seat Belt Average" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Law & Information , Personal Injury , Wrongful Death

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Mitsubishi has notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that it will be recalling 29,353 2008-2009 Lancers and Lancer Evolutions due to faulty front airbag sensors. Apparently these cars pose a risk to those living in states that use road salt. Prolonged exposure to road salt and melted snow can coat and corrode the airbag sensors, causing them to possibly malfunction in the event of a crash. The company will be issuing a geographic recall, which is expected to begin on November 27 in the District of Columbia and 22 states, including Missouri.

On April 1, 1989 the U.S. passed a law requiring all vehicles built after that date to have airbags installed. Since then, the NHTSA has reported that front airbags have saved more than 12,000 lives between 1960 and 2002.

Continue reading "Mitsubishi Recalls Lancers for Defective Front Airbag Sensors" »

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In part-one of our discussion regarding animal-vehicle accident prevention, we mentioned that deer are the most commonly hit large animals in the spate of animal-vehicle collisions that usually occur in the last three months of the year. In the following post, we will discuss ways in which drivers can maintain safe driving skills in the event of encountering a deer, or any other animal, in the road.

Many tips offered to prevent animal-vehicle collisions are useful for all drivers regardless of surrounding animal populations. Some of the most helpful and common tips to abide by include the following:

• Drive within speed limits


• Wear seatbelts


• Reduce distracted and drowsy driving


• Use high beam headlights when driving in deer territories to increase visibility and reaction time


• Note: deer whistles are known to be ineffective and can often distract the driver

Continue reading "Deer Season: Learn How to Prevent Animal-Vehicle Collisions This Fall (Part Two)" »

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In the following two-part blog series, we will discuss the importance of preventing animal-vehicle collisions. The last three months of the year are often marked by an increase in animal-vehicle collisions; and deer are the most commonly hit large animals. Although Missouri is not one of the higher risk states for deer-vehicle collisions, this year Missouri insurance companies are reminding drivers to be aware of animals on the road.

According to the Center of Disease Control, 6.1 million light-vehicle collisions were reported in the US in 2000. About 4%, or 247,000 (excluding animal-motorcycle accidents) of the crashes involved hitting an animal. Animal-automobile accidents also result in an estimated 200 human deaths each year and cost over one billion dollars in vehicle damage.

Deer are most active and likely to cross roads at dawn and dusk, especially in rural areas or near wooded creek bottoms. The increase of deer-vehicle collisions is commonly attributed to hunting and mating seasons as well as the close proximity of highways to habitats; but there is no official reason as to why these accidents increase at the yearend. Regardless, we share the road with animals as well as other motorists and should take necessary precautions when driving.

Continue reading "Deer Season: Learn How to Prevent Animal-Vehicle Collisions This Fall (Part One)" »

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A series of vehicle accidents in October caused a stir in Southeast Missouri. The first crash involved a 49 year-old woman driving southbound on Interstate 55 who veered on the left side of the road, hitting a bridge. The woman was taken to Missouri Delta Medical Center for moderate injuries.

The next accident involved a motorcycle driven by a 33 year-old man who had lost control of the vehicle, overturned and slid into a 1999 Mercury in Chaffee, MO. Unfortunately in most motorcycle accidents, the motorcyclist almost always sustains the worse injuries due to the fact that there is minimal outside protection. The motorcycle driver was airlifted to a hospital where he received treatment for serious injuries. The other driver was not injured.

The third accident, also on I-55, was a two-car crash caused when two vehicles, a 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis and a 2005 Buick Rendezvous, attempted to change lanes. Instead, both collided and ultimately landed in the center median. The Mercury driver was treated for moderate injuries. The Buick driver did not suffer injury, but the passenger was airlifted to a hospital due to sustaining serious injuries.

Continue reading "Three Accidents in Southeast Missouri Injure Several People" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Motorcycle Accidents , Personal Injury

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According to a report on Fox 2 Now’s website, a man was killed in a head on collision in Brentwood, Missouri after stealing two cans of paint from the nearby Home Depot. Upon seeing a police officer near the department store, the man, heading south, made a u-turn and accelerated to high speeds despite the fact that police were not in pursuit of the vehicle. He then lost control of his Jaguar and crossed two lanes of southbound traffic before striking an SUV.

Neighbors said that they had known the crash to be a bad one, judging by the piercing sounds that were made. Police believe that the alleged thief is at fault for the crash that resulted in his death. The woman driving the SUV suffered minor injuries and possibly a broken toe. Fortunately, no one else was killed or severely injured.

Continue reading "Fatal Head On Collision Caused by Man Stealing Paint" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Personal Injury , Wrongful Death

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A 60-year-old man was seriously injured in a Missouri auto accident after he rear-ended a truck that had stopped because of an accident on the Interstate 44 near Marshfield, Missouri. According to an ABC news report, the injured victim was taken to a local hospital with moderate injuries. No one else seemed to have been injured in this two-vehicle crash.

Rear-end car accidents, statistically, are the least fatal type of car accident. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rear-end car accidents account for only six deaths per 1 million registered cars. However, these types of car accidents are far more common than others. About 2.5 million car accidents in the United States each year are rear-end collisions.

In most car accidents, it's very important to determine the cause and who was at fault. Who is at fault for a particular car accident can determine who may be held civilly liable or financially responsible for injuries and damages caused. Rear-end accidents can cause significant injuries including severe back and neck injuries which may require months of treatment and therapy. If your accident and injuries were the result of a negligent driver, you may be entitled to seek compensation to cover your medical costs, loss of earnings and other related damages.

Continue reading "Man Injured in Missouri Auto Accident" »

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Two people were killed in a Missouri car accident after their vehicle collided with a train in Bates County, Fox News reports. Missouri State Highway Patrol officials said the victims - ages 49 and 43 - died when the train struck their vehicle as they crossed a stretch of tracks. Investigators are still talking to eyewitnesses about how exactly this fatal train-car collision occurred. The train's conductor told officials that the car's driver slowed down at the tracks, but didn't stop and continued to go forward. The Kansas City Southern train was traveling at a rate of 55 mph at the crossing. Officials say the lights and bells at the crossing were working, but there were no crossing arms at the intersection.

Each train accident is different and there are a number of factors that play a part in causation. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) reports that there are about 3,000 train accidents in the United States each year. About one-third of these accidents are fatal. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the federal agency that investigates train accidents, about 60 percent of all railroad-crossing accidents that result in fatalities, occur at unprotected railroad crossings. Such crossings are common especially in the rural areas of Missouri. If they don't result in fatalities, auto accidents involving trains often result in serious injuries such as brain injuries, spinal injuries, quadriplegia or paraplegia.

Continue reading "Missouri Train versus Car Collision Leaves Two Dead" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Personal Injury , Train Accidents , Wrongful Death

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An article from madisonrecord.com discusses a recent auto accident case involving a couple that is seeking $200,000 after incurring lost wages of more than $50,000 apiece and medical costs of more than $50,000 apiece. According to the article, the couple was rear-ended by a driver on October 6, 2007 whom they claim was driving too fast at the time of the River Road Route 100 collision. The injured couple also claims that the driver was negligent in that he allowed his car to crash into the back of their vehicle because he failed to keep a proper lookout and did not try to swerve or stop to avoid the accident. As a result of the crash, one of the plaintiffs suffered severe and permanent back, neck, and left shoulder injuries, while the other plaintiff sustained back, neck, and shoulder injuries.

As this auto accident case demonstrates, the monetary expenses of catastrophic injuries and the subsequent cost of lost wages can greatly impact the financial stability of a family, especially if more than one family member was involved in a crash. It is not uncommon for injured vehicle accident victims to file claims against the negligent driver that was responsible for the collision taking place. However, such claims often require extensive investigation by specialized research teams that gather evidence to support the claim that the driver responsible for the accident exercised negligent or reckless driving behavior. Along with a thorough investigation being conducted, you may also require the legal counsel and representation of an experienced St. Louis personal injury attorney in order to be successful in receiving the compensation that you deserve as a personal injury victim.

Continue reading "$200K for Injuries and Lost Wages Sought by Couple" »

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An Elkland, Missouri, woman sustained serious injuries in a car accident, according to the Marshfield Mail. The car crash occurred on Highway 38 three miles north of Elkland when an eastbound 2006 Saturn Ion driven by the 37-year-old woman went off the right side of the roadway. According to Missouri Highway Patrol officials, the woman then overcorrected causing the Saturn to then travel off the left side of the roadway and roll over. Officials also say that the woman was not wearing her seatbelt and that she was ejected from the vehicle. She suffered major injuries and was transported to a hospital in nearby Springfield, Missouri.

Rollover car accidents can result in extremely serious personal injury or even death because of the intensity and violence of the crash. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rollover accidents cause about 10,000 traffic accident fatalities each year in the United States. That's about one-fourth of all traffic accident fatalities in the country, according to these statistics. People injured in rollover accidents also tend to suffer debilitating injury such as brain injuries and spinal cord injuries due to roof crush or seatbelt failure.

Continue reading "Missouri Woman Seriously Injured in Rollover Car Accident" »

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Toyota Motor Corp., the manufacturer of automobiles that used to be synonymous with safety and reliability, has now issued a major defect recall for 3.8 million vehicles. According to an Associated Press news report, the automaker has recalled several of its Lexus and Toyota Corolla and Camry sedans for a defective floor mat that may slip and jam the accelerator. This auto product defect came to light after a fatal San Diego car accident in August that killed a California Highway Patrol officer and three members of his family.

Toyota is still working with federal officials at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to find a remedy for this problem. Consumers who own these recalled vehicles are asked to remove the floor mat on the driver's side and not replace it. NHTSA officials say they have received reports of 102 incidents in which the accelerator may have become stuck. But it is not clear how many of these incidents led to crashes and how many of those crashes led to serious personal injury or deaths.

These are extremely serious car defects. It is not clear why Toyota did not address these complaints earlier. The company's president has issued an apology about these defects, but at the same time, Toyota has not been forthcoming about information involving the exact number of complaints, injuries or fatalities.

Continue reading "Toyota Recalls 3.8 Million Vehicles for Defective Floor Mats" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Personal Injury , Product Liability

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A man sustained injuries in a motorcycle accident in Farmington, the Daily Journal reported. According to Farmington police officials, the motorcyclist was airlifted to a St. Louis hospital. His injuries, however, are said to be non-life threatening. Police said a pickup truck driver pulled into the path of the motorcycle at Bray Road and Highway 221.

Missouri motorcycle accidents commonly occur when a car, truck or any other motor vehicle comes into contact with a motorcycle. The motorcycle rider usually loses balance, causing devastating personal injuries or death. Statistics show that the number-one cause of a motorcycle crash is when a car, truck, or semi driver fails to yield the right-of-way of the motorcyclist.

As attorneys who have represented numerous victims of motorcycle accidents in Missouri involving other vehicles, one of the common responses we hear is that the other motorist did not see the motorcycle. What typically happens at intersections is that motorists look for larger vehicles, but not for motorcycles or smaller vehicles. These accidents are common reminders to us that we need to be more aware of motorcyclists with whom we share the roadway.

Continue reading "Man Injured in Missouri Motorcycle Accident" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Motorcycle Accidents , Personal Injury

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A recent bus collision in St. Louis reported by ozarksfirst.com has left 3 people dead and 13 injured. Although bus accidents are more common than most Missourians would like to believe, this accident has an especially high number of injuries and casualties. With thousands of people utilizing public transportation throughout the State of Missouri, the safety of passengers should be a priority to bus operators. However, some bus accidents are caused by bus driver negligence or poor driving skills due to improper training.

According to the article, this particular bus accident was caused by inattentive driving. Apparently, the church bus was broadsided by a pickup truck, which then proceeded to hit yet another vehicle. The bus, meanwhile, crashed into multiple cars as a result. Although law enforcement did not release a statement regarding the driving status of the man in the pickup, a neighbor told reporters that the pickup driver had a revoked license and should not have been operating the vehicle in the first place.

As this incident demonstrates, the aftermath of a bus accident can often lead to detrimental consequences. As a bus passenger, you have particular legal rights if you are injured in an accident and wish to file a claim. However, the State of Missouri has stern laws pertaining to common carriers (public buses) and the compensation injured victims may be able to receive. This is why it may be in an injured bus passenger’s best interest to contact an experienced St. Louis bus accident attorney that has the legal skills and knowledge necessary to handle such cases.

Continue reading "St. Louis Church Bus Collision Kills 3, Injures 13" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Bus Accident , Personal Injury , Wrongful Death

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According to a recent stltoday.com article, it was reported that a motorcyclist lost his life in a traffic crash on Highway 367. According to Missouri Highway Patrol, the 41-year-old motorcyclist from St. Louis was traveling at a “high rate of speed” immediately before the crash. The motorist involved, a 62-year-old St. Louis man, was attempting to make a left hand turn onto Highway 367 while driving his 1995 Cadillac Seville. The motorcyclist, unable to bring his vehicle to a complete stop, began to skid until he eventually crashed into the driver’s side of the Cadillac. It was not reported whether or not the driver of the Cadillac was injured. The motorcyclist succumbed to his injuries at the scene of the accident.

While accidents can happen for a variety of reasons, most of those reasons usually stem from reckless driving practice of some kind. Traffic laws have been put into place in order to curb the number of accidents that occur, ultimately safeguarding motorists against injury and wrongful death. However, in instances where traffic laws are not followed, and an individual is injured, the negligent party responsible for the accident can be held liable for damages associated with the accident, including medical bills and other resulting accident costs. In the event that an individual is killed in a motor vehicle crash, the family of the victim can seek monetary compensation from the negligent party for costs associated with the accident, including funeral expenses.

Regardless of the situation, it is important to remember that the best course of action for an injured victim after any motorcycle accident in Missouri is to retain the services of a St. Louis motorcycle accident injury lawyer. An experienced attorney will examine the details surrounding your case to help attribute negligent action to responsible parties who caused the accident in the first place.

Continue reading "Motorcycle Speeds into Cadillac, St. Louis Man Killed" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Motorcycle Accidents , Personal Injury , Wrongful Death

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A car accident on the River Heritage Parkway could have ended fatally if not for the quick thinking of some nearby construction workers. A single car crash involving a 24-year-old man from Jerseyville took place near Dam Way and Lock, reports thetelegraph.com. The man’s vehicle crashed into a galvanized metal light standard when the man apparently fell asleep at the wheel. According to the report, the man had recently completed a 14-hour shift at his job, and remembered being sleepy one minute, and being pulled out of his flame-engulfed vehicle the next. There was no mentioning of whether or not drugs or alcohol were involved. The man was taken to Alton Memorial Hospital for treatment, and then transferred to Barnes-Jewish.

Luckily for the 24-year-old man, five nearby workers became aware of the crash, rushed to the scene, and extracted the near unconscious man from his vehicle only moments before the car became completely engulfed in flames. Though both vehicle doors were unable to be opened, one of the workers grabbed his crowbar from his own vehicle, and the five men were able to pry the passenger-side door open. It certainly didn’t hurt that two of the five men had firefighter experience and had received emergency training for just such a type of accident. Even though the men were able to pull the accident victim to safety, the Jerseyville man still suffered a concussion, a fractured pelvis, and possibly eternal bleeding and an ankle fracture. Reportedly, the man was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash.

Continue reading "Sleepy Driver Nearly Loses Life in Car Fire" »

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With the new law on the horizon banning teens from texting while driving, what better way to inform teens of the new law than to spread the word via a mass text message sent by the Governor? According to a faircitynews.com story, the Governor sent about 6,000 text messages to Springfield teens informing them of the new law. Although it is debatable whether or not teens will respond amiably towards such a message, it is understandable that the State of Missouri considered it essential to contact teens. Distracted driving in the form of texting has contributed to far too many auto accidents.

Based on the report, one teen was about to start her car when she received the text message and then allegedly “blocked” the Governor’s number. Another teen who got the message said that he was parallel parking at the time and collided with an SUV in the process of reading and parking. It is a bit ironic that an accident, although small, took place while a teen received the Governor’s message warning about the new law banning teens from texting while driving. Although this new law focuses on teen drivers, adults too should certainly take notice and choose not to text or use a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle.

It will be interesting to see how teens respond to the new law, and hopefully incidents of auto collisions involving teens will lower as a result. State officials claim that if teens do not adhere to the new ban, then a new program will be ready for implementation. Referred to as the Text-a-lizer, the new program would involve installing an application onto the mobile phones of teens. The application would then be able to detect whether or not a teen has been texting while driving. When the Text-a-lizer is activated, it will automatically turn the teen’s vehicle off, or lock out the ignition system.

Continue reading "Missouri Teens Informed of the Ban against Texting While Driving...Via Text" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Cell Phone/Texting Accident , Law & Information , Personal Injury

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The first court challenge against a red-light camera ticket in Columbia concluded with a dismissal of the ticket on September 28, 2009, according to a columbiamissourian.com report. Apparently, this particular driver filed an affidavit and claimed that he was not the driver of the vehicle that was cited. According to the report, since two red-light cameras have been installed in Columbia on September 4th, 153 tickets have been issued. However, only 30 of those tickets have been paid and an additional affidavit has already been filed by another motorist.

Red-light cameras are installed for the purpose of raising motorist awareness of traffic laws and safety. The idea is that drivers are more inclined to stop instead of running a red-light when they know that a red-light camera may capture a picture of them. Although the City Council of Columbia is unsure at this point as to whether or not a change in the red-light camera system is required, some are concerned that the efforts being made to prevent accidents are being damaged by cases that challenge the effectiveness of the cameras.

As experienced Missouri auto accident lawyers, it is our hope that any glitches in the red-light camera system are corrected immediately. We also hope that the drivers who filed affidavits are in fact telling the truth. Running a red light is a serious issue, and is an example of reckless driving, which is a form of negligence that can lead to serious injury and even wrongful death of innocent people.

Continue reading "Are Red-Light Cameras Worth the Fuss?" »

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Based on a ksdk.com article, the Illinois Department of Transportation declared on September 29, 2009 that the Martin Luther King. Jr. Bridge will be entirely closed for up to 12 days starting on October 12, 2009. A representative of Illinois’ Department of Transportation stated that the construction project was initiated by a recent road safety evaluation conducted on the bridge. While the bridge is off-limits to commuters in both Illinois and Missouri, the article stated that the following work will be done:

• A concrete barrier will be placed in the middle of the bridge to divide oncoming traffic.


• Guard rails will be redone.


• The bridge will be re-striped.


• Four lanes along the bridge will be rearranged into three lanes.

Although some residents greatly rely on the bridge as a part of their every day commute, developing a new itinerary is definitely worth the efforts that will be made to help reduce the risk of head-on collisions on the MLK Bridge. It is possible for the repaired bridge to open sooner than expected if weather conditions prove to be non-threatening. Taking note that the contractor of the operation gets a $50,000 bonus for each day the bridge opens early, let us hope that this incentive does not cause any work to be rushed and therefore improperly carried-out.

Continue reading "Road Safety Assessment Leads to MLK Bridge Construction Project" »

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A total of four people were injured when a Toyota Tundra truck crossed the centerline on Missouri Route 52 and collided with a Chevrolet 1500 truck traveling in the opposite direction. The 51-year-old male driver of the Tundra was taken to Lake Regional Hospital, while the 25-year-old female driver of the Chevy 1500 was taken to the University of Missouri-Columbia. Passengers involved in the crash were also taken to medical facilities. Conditions of all drivers involved were not made available.

The newstribune.com article did mention one detail that all motorists should be made aware of. Only one of the passengers was wearing a seatbelt. While it has not been reported whether injuries sustained during this accident are life-threatening, it can certainly be speculated that not wearing a seatbelt increases the degree of a person’s injury.

Motor vehicle accidents on Missouri roads and highways can be devastating. If large trucks are involved, motorists must take advantage of every safety precaution they can in order to lessen the likelihood of severe injury. Reckless driving practices put all motorists on the road at risk of sustaining injury, and such careless behavior is representative of negligent action on the part of the at-fault driver. A skilled Missouri auto accident lawyer can help those injured in such incidents hold negligent drivers liable for their injuries and any property damage.

Continue reading "Two Trucks Collide, 4 MO Motorists Injured" »

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According to recent reports, new legislation in Illinois will reverse a state law regarding how fast truck drivers are allowed to travel. The new law will reverse a previous law that prohibited truck drivers from traveling faster than 55 miles per hour. This new legislation raises the question of whether more truck accidents will occur if such large vehicles are allowed to drive at higher speeds. While passenger vehicles traveling at excessive speeds are certainly dangerous, semi-trucks and big-rigs doing so are certainly recipes for disaster.

Instances of truck accidents are certainly not new, and may in fact not end up being more problematic than they have been in the past, but it still seems counterintuitive for any state government to adopt legislation that permits any vehicle to travel at higher rates of speed. Faster speeds will ultimately lead to more instances of vehicular accident injury and increase the likelihood of wrongful death. AAA and other highway safety advocates argue that a uniform speed limit will only lead to deadlier traffic accidents. Truck drivers and higher truck speed limit advocates argue that the safest possible conditions for vehicular traffic must always dictate vehicles traveling at the same rate of speed, and that trucks that are forced to drive at a slower rate than passenger cars are nothing more than targets waiting to get hit.

Continue reading "IL Speed Limit Rise Could Increase MO Truck Accidents" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Law & Information , Personal Injury , Truck Accidents , Wrongful Death

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It was recently reported by newstribune.com that a 35-year-old motorist was injured when his truck rolled over several times. The Gravois Mills man was traveling on Route RA in Camden County when he lost control of his 2004 Dodge 2500 truck. It was reported that the man was traveling at a high rate of speed and was unable to make a turn, forcing his vehicle off the road and causing it to overturn multiple times.

Thankfully, the man was treated for his injuries and was soon released from the hospital. It was also reported that the man was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the accident, which could also help explain why he didn’t sustain serious injury. However, it should be noted that, while the man did take at least one safety precaution into account, he did not consider the tendency that large trucks have to rollover. In this particular incident, no other motorists were involved. However, all it takes is for one motorist driving a truck or other large vehicle to disregard vehicle limitations and cause an accident that is capable of affecting the lives of numerous other motorists.

When vehicles are more susceptible to rollover, motorists operating those vehicles are obligated to exercise safe driving practices. While it should be considered common sense that all motorists take not only their own safety into account at all times, but the safety of others as well, it is an all-too-often occurrence that reckless driver behavior results in injury, property damage, and, in the most tragic of cases, death.

Continue reading "Truck Rolls Over in Camden County One-Car Crash" »

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An unusual story published on kmov.com details the story of a 17 year old who was injured in his school bus. Despite the fact that most school bus accidents that result in injuries involve collisions, this one involved assault. The student was physically attacked by both a 14-year-old and a 15-year-old onboard a bus heading to Belleville West High School on the morning of September 14, 2009. The two alleged attackers have been suspended from school for causing the victim to suffer bruises and cuts on his face; he was fortunate not to have suffered a more serious injury.

This bus attack has prompted the concern of many parents regarding the safety of their children when traveling to and from school on buses. The transportation company, First Student, which monitors buses for Belleville West and East, stated that the driver followed company policy when the attacks started. Until the case of the violent bus attack is resolved, the driver is on leave.

Although this incident did not involve a collision, bus accidents in Missouri and Illinois are responsible for many injuries on an annual basis, and in the most severe of cases, wrongful death. Drivers have the responsibility to exercise extreme caution when operating their vehicle, not only for their own safety, but for the safety of others on the road as well. In examining this specific bus incident, a collision could have resulted if the driver had been distracted by the attack on the bus and thus unable to pull over safely; however, fortunately, this was not the case.

Continue reading "Injury Sustained During School Bus Attack is an Uncommon Occurrence" »

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Pedestrian accidents can cause some of the most serious injuries seen in auto accidents, posing a tremendous and unfortunate risk of wrongful death, especially when vehicles traveling at high speeds are involved. The impact of a pedestrian either hitting concrete, the vehicle itself, or any other object near or on the road or sidewalk, can be enough to inflict catastrophic head injuries, spinal injuries, and other severe injuries.

A recent pedestrian accident has sadly taken the life of an 83-year-old man in St. Louis. According to reports, the elderly man stepped in front of a vehicle driven by a 17-year-old young man who was traveling on Virginia Avenue around noon on September 14, 2009. The elderly man hit the windshield of the car after being struck and was pronounced dead at the hospital.

It is not known at this time whether the teenage driver will be charged for the pedestrian’s death; however, police were reported as saying that they didn’t expect such charges to be filed. Fortunately, the driver stayed at the scene of the auto accident and cooperated with police, otherwise, circumstances for facing charges may have been different. Some may argue that one of the causes of this auto accident was driver inexperience in addition to other feasible factors.

Continue reading "St. Louis Pedestrian Accident Kills Elderly Man" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Pedestrian Accident , Personal Injury , Wrongful Death

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According to a recent report, a single-vehicle car accident that occurred in Missouri, on Monday, July 27, 2009, along Interstate 44, claimed the life of a 23-year-old man from Dallas, Texas. The tragic death increased the number of 2009 auto accident fatalities in the Troop D area of Southwest Missouri to 59. What is staggering to imagine is that this calculation only relates to a portion of Missouri, thus leaving higher numbers of traffic deaths for the state.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the decedent lost control of his 1991 Voyager minivan when he was headed east on I-44. He was pronounced dead at the scene after his vehicle slid off the right side of the road and struck a tree, catching fire. It is not known at this time whether the victim was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the accident.

Based on a 2007 traffic crash statistic report conducted by the Missouri Department of Transportation for accidents that occurred on Missouri’s State Highway System, there were 14 total fatalities and 196 injuries resulting from auto accidents where the vehicle ran off the road. There are many factors such as dangerous road conditions, a stalled auto, an animal or object in the road, or threatening weather conditions, that can cause a driver to lose control of his or her vehicle and be forced to leave the road. The families of victims killed in auto accidents would be well advised to seek counsel from a skilled St. Louis auto accident lawyer if they believe a negligent driver was responsible for the accident and wrongful death.

Continue reading "Missouri Car Accident Marks 59th Fatality for 2009" »

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St. Louis County’s upcoming election in November will determine whether or not a 0.1-cent sales tax will be implemented, which according to a recent report, would raise nearly $13.6 million a year to finance an upgraded program for advanced emergency communications systems. This money would also go towards equipment to determine the location of those in distress or those reporting an accident via cell phone, and an improved siren system for police and firefighter vehicles. Already putting efforts into action, supporters and organizers of the sales tax have created a campaign committee and have begun raising money.

Whether or not the program will receive enough votes is yet to be determined. After being involved in an accident, whether it is a car accident, motorcycle accident, or truck accident, many drivers aren’t sure what their precise location is. This issue may be enough incentive to make citizens want the 28 emergency 911 centers in St. Louis County upgraded so that dispatches can easily determine the position of callers with cell phones.

The campaign’s slogan is, “If we cannot find you, we cannot save you.” For more information about the campaign and the program, visit www.citizensfore911.org.

Continue reading "St. Louis County Sales Tax for Emergency Communications Proposed to Make Response to Accidents More Acute" »

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According to a story on stltoday.com, a large church van overturned in an accident that left 16 people injured in Hollister, Missouri. Of the 16 injured passengers, 13 were treated and later released with only minor injuries. One accident victim was airlifted to a Springfield area hospital, while two other victims were driven to Springfield area hospitals. There is no update on the condition of the remaining three victims.

Police are investigating the cause of the crash, but suspect that slippery road conditions may have contributed to the incident. The auto accident in Missouri occurred at the bottom of a hill, and apparently resulted when the van crossed the center line, went off road, and then proceeded to crash into Kohler Creek. While inclement weather can certainly play a significant factor in causing a traffic accident, it is not the only danger that drivers of 15-passenger vans face.

Vans have a relatively high center of gravity to begin with, and their propensity for rolling over is considerably greater than nearly all over vehicles on the road. Factor in the shifting combined weight of passengers, especially since seatbelt usage may not be deemed a requirement by passengers, and the likelihood of a van rolling over is even greater. In any event, manufacturers of 15-passenger vans need to accept accountability for their shoddily designed vehicles.

Continue reading "Church Van Rollover Injures 16 in Hollister" »

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A recent article reported that a 48-year-old woman riding on the back of her husband’s motorcycle was killed in a Missouri motorcycle crash near Doniphan on Route 21. The Missouri State Highway Patrol said the accident was caused by a deer in the road that was struck by the motorcycle, which consequently was forced off the road and overturned. The Harley-Davidson was being driven by the woman’s 51-year old husband, who was seriously injured and flown to a hospital in Memphis, Tennessee for treatment.

Riding a motorcycle can be an exhilarating experience, but being exposed on a bike makes a rider and passenger more vulnerable to the many dangers associated with a vehicle accident. No one can say if the accident above could have been prevented considering that the motorcyclist only had a short amount of time to react with the deer suddenly in the road. This incident is a reminder to all of us, motorcyclists, car owners, and truck drivers alike, that it only takes a second for some unforeseen hazard to pose a risk to us while traveling, which is why our undivided attention must be, at all times, on both the road and the vehicles that surround us.

According to the Missouri Department of Transportation’s 2007 traffic crash statistics, there was a total of 1,395 motorcycle, scooter, and moped accidents in which there were 61 fatalities and 1,306 injuries. Injuries from a motorcycle collision may include broken bones, leg and arm fractures, brain injury, spinal injury, internal organ injury and damage, lacerations and bruises.

Continue reading "Eastern Missouri Motorcycle Accident Kills Woman" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Motorcycle Accidents , Personal Injury , Wrongful Death

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Carrollcountynews.com recently reported that a 75-year-old motorcyclist from Missouri was killed in Arkansas when his motorcycle collided head-on with a pickup truck. The accident occurred on Highway 23 when the 22-year-old driver of the truck crossed the centerline and struck the motorcycle. According to law enforcement officials, charges are pending against the truck driver who was injured in the crash.

Road conditions that day were dry, the motorcyclist was wearing his helmet, and even the driver of the truck was wearing his seatbelt. While the truck driver was injured after his vehicle rolled over, the motorcyclist lost his life. Tragically, it only takes one minor mistake for a life to be lost. While the outcome of the accident could have been prevented if the truck driver had simply remained in his traffic lane, it is an unfortunate fact that reckless driving habits take the lives of motorists throughout the U.S., Missouri included.

Motorcyclists are particularly susceptible to serious injury for the simple fact that they are not protected within the framing of an automobile. Therefore, it is absolutely critical that all motorists refrain from driving at excessive speeds. It is also important for motorists to take necessary precautions at intersections and safely proceed around bends in the road. Truck drivers in particular, being at the helm of large and powerful vehicles, need to exercise proper caution in order to prevent catastrophic accidents from occurring.

Continue reading "MO Motorcyclist Killed by Pickup in Head-On Collision" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Motorcycle Accidents , Personal Injury , Truck Accidents , Wrongful Death

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According to a recent report, on Wednesday, July 29, a 5-year-old boy crossing the street was struck and killed by a car going 10-15 mph. Apparently the young boy was in a hurry to catch up with some of his friends when he was hit. Police are ruling this incident an accident and the driver of the vehicle is not facing charges at this time. What concerns law enforcement, however, is why the young child was unsupervised in the first place. The pedestrian accident in Missouri occurred at 7:45 pm along Livingston Avenue in St. Ann.

The Missouri Department of Transportation’s 2007 traffic crash report indicates that there were 42 fatalities and 240 injures in pedestrian accidents in Missouri. That means that out of all the fatal traffic accidents in the state, 11.3% involved pedestrian deaths. On a more positive note however, the study reported that pedestrian fatalities decreased 18% during the one year period of 2007 to 2006.

Considering that 76% of pedestrian fatalities and 43.5% of pedestrian injuries in 2007 took place during the hours of darkness, both pedestrians and drivers have a serious responsibility to use extreme caution and awareness when traveling. If you are walking at night, remember to avoid wearing dark clothing and do not trust that a vehicle’s driver sees you.

Continue reading "Missouri Pedestrian Accident Kills 5 Year Old Boy" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Pedestrian Accident , Personal Injury , Wrongful Death

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The fifth annual “Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report” reveals a vast amount of information regarding America’s 200 largest cities and their collision frequency to determine which cities have the safest drivers. According to an article, the news isn’t great for Illinois. One of the Allstate data sections related to cities with more than one million residents, which included Chicago, Illinois. The report stated that drivers are more likely than the national average to experience a collision in U.S. cities with a population above one million. Chicago was listed as 170th in this category, making drivers 37.6% more likely to be in a collision compared to the national average. Phoenix ranked highest in this category as the safest large city for commuters.

Senior vice president of Allstate’s Claim Organization reasons that human error is the biggest cause of accidents throughout the nation and that it is “vital for us to educate drivers across the country on the importance of being tolerant and attentive behind the wheel.” As personal injury attorneys who handle auto accident cases in Illinois and Missouri, we couldn’t agree more.

Continue reading "Safe Driving Tips from Allstate's Best Driver Report" »

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In a press release issued today, text messaging and driving may soon be banned in all states. It will be mandated that all states ban texting while driving if they want to receive highway funding. If they do not comply with the requirement to ban texting while driving, their funding will be withheld. So far 19 states have banned texting and driving. Texting has been linked to many serious Missouri car and truck accident cases. Experienced personal injury lawyers always explore the possibility of an at fault driver texting before a crash.

Illinois is the most recent state to prohibit texting while driving. The law was signed into effect on August 6 bringing the total of states that have banned text messaging while driving to 19. It is expected that Missouri will soon follow the lead of its neighboring state.

In St. Louis, Missouri a tractor trailer accident causing multiple fatalities on Highway 40 was allegedly caused because the semi truck driver was texting while he was driving and caused a chain reaction accident. Entire families were killed during this horrendous truck accident.

According to the Automobile Club of America, the risk of having a car accident increases by 50% for those who text message and drive at the same time. With 46% of new drivers surveyed saying they text and drive, teens are the largest group texting and driving, increasing the risk of cell phone auto accidents in Missouri and throughout the nation.

Continue reading "Texting and Driving Can Be a Deadly Combination" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Cell Phone/Texting Accident , Personal Injury , Tractor Trailer Accident , Train Accidents , Truck Accidents , Wrongful Death

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The following article from the News-Leader in Springfield, Missouri describes a two-vehicle crash resulting in two injuries and one fatality in Taney County.

This Missouri car accident happened a little after noon on August 9, on U.S. 160, about a mile east of Walnut Shade, Missouri. A 70 year old Highlandville, Missouri man was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. It was reported that he was wearing his seat belt during the accident.

The driver of the other car involved in this Missouri car wreck was a 19 year old Forsyth, MO resident. He was taken immediately to St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Missouri with moderate injuries. He was also reportedly wearing a seat belt.

Additionally, a passenger was airlifted to St. John’s Hospital with serious injuries. The 16 year-old Reeds Spring, MO resident was reportedly not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident. According to a report from the Highway Patrol, a 1995 Ford F-150 crossed the center line and hit a 2005 Chevrolet van head-on.

The Highway Patrol report says there were no apparent signs that alcohol was a factor. At the time of this article, it is unknown whether law enforcement authorities plan to charge anyone for causing the auto accident in Missouri that led to the unfortunate death.

Continue reading "Missouri Car Accident Kills 70 Year Old Resident" »

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A tour bus for the Christian rock band MercyMe, en route to Six Flags in Eureka, Missouri, near St. Louis, was recently involved in an accident resulting in fatalities. The bus collision took place in northeastern Indiana, killing two passengers and the 18 year old driver’s unborn baby. No one in the band was seriously injured.

The two passengers in the car, a male and female, were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the car was in her third trimester of pregnancy and the baby died. The driver was hospitalized Saturday in critical condition, Officer Liza Thomas of Fort Wayne, Indiana police said.

Reports did not mention whether any passengers were wearing seatbelts.

According to Thomas, witnesses said the bus was going through a green light in the early hours of the morning at about 1:15 am on Saturday, August 8, when the car made a left turn in front of it.

Because of the driver’s condition, it has not been determined why she turned in front of the tour bus. It is unknown if she was trying to beat it through the intersection or just didn’t see it.

A photograph of the damaged bus was posted on the band’s website, depicting moderate crumpling to the front area of the vehicle. Six Flags issued a statement confirming the concert has been rescheduled for Sept. 5 and all concert tickets will be honored for the new date.

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An article reports that a Swansea man was killed and another man hospitalized for injuries he received when he was thrown from a vehicle in a car accident near Belleville recently. The man who was killed in the auto accident is reportedly a 79-year-old resident from Swansea who was driving a 2008 Buick LaCrosse when his car was struck head-on by a 1992 Dodge Ram conversion van. The van’s driver was taken to St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Belleville and later airlifted to a St. Louis Hospital shortly after 10 in the morning. At the time the article was published, the condition of the van’s driver was unknown.

According to law enforcement authorities investigating the accident, the auto accident occurred on Illinois 161 near Shiloh Road and east of Southwestern Illinois College. The impact threw the van’s driver onto the road and emergency response personnel say that the 79-year-old victim died on impact. The St. Clair County Coroner arrived about 9:45 a.m. to officially pronounce the Buick’s driver deceased.

Accident reconstruction indicates that the Dodge van was westbound when it crossed the center line and struck the LaCrosse, causing the fatal car accident which closed Illinois 161 in both directions for several hours. At the time the article was published, the results of routine blood tests from the drivers were not yet known, and it is also unknown whether or not law enforcement authorities plan to charge the van’s driver for causing the car accident that led to the other man’s death.

Sadly, car accidents claim many lives in the St. Louis area each year and many more people’s lives are changed forever from injuries they receive in car accidents caused by drivers who are under the influence of drugs and alcohol, driving recklessly, or operating their vehicles in a negligent manner. Beyond the injuries that St. Louis car accident victims suffer, they must often also contend with catastrophically high medical bills from hospital stays, rehabilitative regimens, prescription medication and loss of income.

Continue reading "Swansea Man Killed in Belleville Car Accident" »

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A Missouri motorcycle accident has resulted in injuries for a Columbia man hospitalized with undisclosed injuries. This recent article in the Columbia Tribune claims that the 25-year-old Columbia man was riding a 2007 Kawasaki which was westbound on Route F east of Route J when his motorcycle was struck by a vehicle which turned into the motorcycle’s path. According to law enforcement officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the motorcycle accident occurred around 6:30 in the evening when an eastbound 2008 Chevrolet driven by a 47-year-old Columbia woman turned directly in front of the motorcycle.

The impact with the car threw the motorcycle’s rider some distance and he was taken to University Hospital in an ambulance where he was listed in fair condition. The Missouri motorcycle accident report did not say whether or not the motorcycle rider was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. The Chevrolet’s driver was wearing a safety belt and was apparently unharmed in the accident.

A vehicle of some kind which crosses into the path of a motorcycle is a frequent cause of Missouri motorcycle accidents and the drivers of these vehicles often claim that they did not see the motorcycle in the moments before the accident occurred. Sadly, many motorcycle accidents in Missouri and other states across the country result in the motorcycle rider being seriously injured or killed. With the exception of a helmet, motorcycle riders simply have little to protect them from an impact with a vehicle which outweighs their motorcycle by thousands of pounds.

Continue reading "Missouri Motorcycle Accident Injures Columbia Man" »

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This article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that two St. Louis men caused a St. Louis car accident that claimed the life of a 48-year-old Dittmer man.

The two men—a 28-year-old and 21-year-old—were allegedly chasing a vehicle sometime on May 5, 2009, after a reported drug deal went awry in High Ridge. The two men reportedly fired weapons at a Jeep driven by a woman who had an adult male passenger and a 2-year-old child in the Jeep with her. Law enforcement officials with the Jefferson County Sherriff’s Office say that after the shots were fired at the Jeep, the female driver of the Jeep lost control of the vehicle and struck a truck. The driver of the truck suffered fatal injuries in the accident.

The victim’s mother said that her son had just dropped off his 11-year-old son nearby in Festus and was heading home after treating his son to an evening at the movies. She said that the man was only two miles from his home when the accident occurred.

Continue reading "St. Louis Car Crash Kills Man" »

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This article which appeared recently in the Joplin Globe describes a car accident in Missouri which occurred near Carterville in August 2008 around a mile east of Carterville on Highway 171. The Joplin man was allegedly the driver of a Porsche that was racing a Ford Mustang and was traveling at a high rate of speed when he lost control of the Porsche which struck the rear of a Dodge Durango driven by a 33-year-old Carthage man. The accident report submitted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol claims that the collision caused the Durango to leave the roadway and overturn.

Other passengers in the Durango included the driver’s 28-year-old wife, an 8-year-old son, and 7-year-old daughter who all sustained injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital. The 8-year-old sustained serious injuries, the mother’s injuries were described as moderate, and the 7-year-old daughter’s injuries were reportedly minor. An hour after the accident occurred, the Joplin man was given a breath test which indicted that his blood-alcohol content was 0.158 percent. In Missouri and every other state in the country, the legal limit for intoxication is 0.08 percent.

Racing on state highways at excessive speed could be considered reckless driving and operating a vehicle in a negligent manner. In addition, driving under the influence of alcohol can exacerbate charges of negligence and reckless driving. With three family members hurt and hospitalized due to the Missouri auto accident, the family in the Durango probably faces steep bills for their medical care.

Continue reading "Missouri Car Accident Caused by Drunk Driver Injures Woman and Children" »

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According to this report in the Hannibal Courier-Post, the driver of a tractor-trailer faces involuntary manslaughter charges in connection with a St. Louis truck wrongful death accident that claimed the lives of two northeast Missouri residents last summer. The driver, a 49-year-old man from Muscle Shoals, Ala., allegedly plowed his truck into stopped traffic on Interstate 64/40 in July 2008. The resulting impact killed an 88-year-old Kahoka man and 55-year-old woman from Canton. The truck driver is currently being held in the St. Louis County Detention Center in Clayton on a $250,000 cash-only bond.

Accidents involving tractor-trailers are especially deadly as these large trucks often haul up to 80,000 pounds of freight. Smaller passenger vehicles simply cannot withstand the impact of this much weight traveling at any rate of speed, and the rates of death and catastrophic injury are much higher when a semitrailer truck is involved. The survivors of truck accidents in Missouri often face a steep and very expensive uphill climb to recovery with lengthy hospital stays, grueling physical rehabilitation regimens, and medical bills that quickly climb into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

If you or someone you care for has been injured or killed in a truck accident, the St. Louis truck accident lawyers at Page Cagle may be able to help. This St. Louis personal injury law firm has helped countless clients injured or killed in St. Louis auto accidents receive the compensation they deserve to offset steep medical expenses, and hold those responsible for the accident accountable for their actions. To speak with their experienced St. Louis truck accident attorneys, call them today at 866-620-5757. More detailed information can be found at www.truckaccidentlawgropup.com.

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A three-vehicle auto accident in Missouri killed a 76-year-old woman from Camdenton and critically injured a 45-year-old woman from Richland. Both women were wearing their seatbelts. According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, the decedent, who was driving a 1990 Honda, stopped her car on Highway 5 to make a left turn onto Christopher Drive. A young man from Lebanon, MO, slammed into the rear of the decedent’s car, pushing the Honda into oncoming traffic.

A third person sustained severe injuries in the car accident. She was driving the opposite direction of the decedent on Highway 5 and struck the decedent’s vehicle head-on. The decedent was killed on impact and pronounced dead at the scene. The young man was alleged to have caused this Missouri car crash and was not wearing his seatbelt.

Allegedly the young driver failed to keep a proper lookout because he did not stop behind the decedent’s car while she was attempting to make a left turn. This could create liability on his behalf for the car accident and resulting damages. Car crashes occur every day and often result in multiple injuries and wrongful death in Missouri. Chain reactions usually occur when one car hits another and so on down the line, especially when cars are traveling at high speeds in high traffic areas.

Cautious driving is always advised, but a car accident caused by another driver’s negligence can’t always be avoided. If you or a loved one is injured in a car accident, it is important that you immediately seek a car crash lawyer to make sure your legal needs are represented. As a founding partner of Page Cagle, A Missouri Personal Injury Law Firm, and as an experienced St. Louis auto accident lawyer, I zealously represent my clients to make sure they are rightfully compensated for injuries. Call me for a free consultation at 314.322.8515 or toll free at 1.800.500.INJURY (4658). You can also email me at john@pagecagle.com or visit www.missouricaraccident.com for more information.

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In Texas, a high school golf coach was badly injured after his motorcycle collided with a pickup truck. He has been listed in critical condition, suffering from head injury, broken arms, legs, ribs, and a severe foot injury. The motorcycle accident allegedly occurred because the pickup driver failed to yield while merging onto the highway and did not see the motorcyclist. The motorcycle ran head-on into the driver’s side of the truck, causing significant external and internal injuries. The motorcyclist was not wearing his helmet, the pickup truck driver was not injured, and neither was speeding.

Helmet safety in relation to Missouri motorcycle injuries is always an issue of debate, as some states require helmet use where others do not, and some motorcyclists claim that helmets hinder their vision and hearing capabilities. The NHTSA sponsored a study of fifty motorcyclists of various ages and riding experiences to assess the abilities of motorcyclists wearing helmets. The study tests motorcyclists’ abilities:

1. To visually detect the presence of vehicles in adjacent lanes before changing lanes; and


2. To detect traffic sounds when operating at normal highway speeds.

The hearing results showed there were no significant difference in riders’ ability to hear the auditory signals regardless of whether they were wearing a helmet or not. At higher speeds, wind noise obviously makes hearing more difficult in general, but the helmets did not affect hearing abilities. Overall, any possible drawbacks of helmet use are severely negated by the benefits in terms of the protection offered in the event of an accident.

Further, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcycle helmets reduce the likelihood of crash fatality by 37 percent. Helmets are most important in preventing brain injuries; NHTSA statistics indicate that in the event of a motorcycle accident in Missouri and throughout the nation, motorcyclists not wearing a helmet are three times more likely to suffer brain injuries. Further, 65% of fatally injured motorcycle riders were not wearing a helmet in states without all-rider helmet laws as compared with only 13% in states with such laws.

Continue reading "Motorcycle Helmet Vision and Hearing Study" »

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A recent Missouri tractor trailer accident killed one person and has led to a personal injury lawsuit. Specifically, the family of the young man killed in this big rig crash has filed a wrongful death lawsuit. The crash occurred while the decedent was driving on east on Martin Luther King Bridge, from Missouri into Illinois.

As the decedent was driving eastbound, the tractor trailer and another vehicle, rented from Enterprise Leasing Company, were driving west on the bridge. The driver of the Enterprise vehicle wanted to pass the tractor trailer, despite being in a no-passing zone. When the car tried to pass the tractor trailer, he allegedly pulled into the decedent’s eastbound lane and caused the collision with the vehicles.

The family of the decedent seeks compensation for deprivation of the decedent’s love, affection, society and support in addition to costs associated with the death itself. This Missouri wrongful death suit was filed against the driver of the vehicle for negligence and also against Enterprise Leasing Company because the family alleged negligent entrustment of the vehicle being leased to the allegedly reckless driver. The family claims that the actions of Enterprise combined with the negligent driver were the proximate causes of the injuries and death suffered.

The family seeks in excess of $200,000 in this Missouri personal injury action. If you or a loved one is injured in a car accident, call Page Cagle for a free consultation with a skilled St. Louis trucking accident attorney. We are happy to assess your legal rights and discuss your legal options with you.

Call 314.322.8515 or toll free at 1.800.500.INJURY (4658). You can also email me at john@pagecagle.com or visit my website, www.injuredclient.com for more information. You pay nothing until you recover.

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It has been reported in stltoday.com story that the Missouri Legislature recently passed a bill that makes it illegal for anyone 21 years of age or younger to text while driving. The article claims that Illinois lawmakers are considering similar legislation in the very near future that will ban people of any age from composing or sending text messages, browsing the Internet, or downloading from a phone while driving a vehicle. The sponsor of the Missouri bill, Sen. Ryan McKenna, D-Crystal City, said that he has seen many people come close to Missouri car accidents because they were texting while driving.

Recent cases across the country where pedestrians and bicyclists died after being struck by drivers who were distracted by reading or composing texts spurred the legislation. "It's become so much a part of their life that they don't even think about it," said Illinois state Sen. Pam Althoff, R-Crystal Lake, a co-sponsor of the bipartisan bill in that state. “They need to understand that they're driving this 2,000-pound vehicle, and it could do significant damage as they're texting."

Personal communication devices represent another distraction for drivers, which make our roads more dangerous for other drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians. Under the new Missouri legislation, if someone is struck and injured or killed by a vehicle driven by someone under 21 years old distracted by sending or reading text messages, the driver may face additional criminal charges for that act. This new legislation will also make it easier for proving negligence in a motor vehicle accident claim brought by the victim or victim’s family.

If you or someone you care for has been injured or killed by a driver texting while operating a motor vehicle, call the Missouri personal injury law firm, Page Cagle. These skilled St. Louis auto accident attorneys can help hold those responsible for the accident and help you receive the compensation you deserve for injuries and damage you have suffered. To schedule a free consultation with experienced Missouri personal injury attorneys, call Page Cagle today at 866-620-5757. You can find more information by visiting www.injuredclient.com.

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A 22-year-old woman died after she was thrown from a motorcycle in Arlington, Texas. The woman was riding on the motorcycle with her friend late at night when they struck a car. The motorcycle was allegedly racing with another motorcycle, and each was estimated to be speeding above 100 mph. The motorcycle then struck the rear of a Sedan, which fled the scene of the auto accident.

The charges for the motorcyclists are pending the outcome of investigation. Police suspect the driver of the Sedan fled in fear of liability; however, the Sedan driver was generally not at fault before fleeing the scene. Although the sedan driver's liability has not been determined, as the circumstances of the event are still under investigation, generally leaving the scene of a car accident or motorcycle accident in St. Louis is a crime. The following is Missouri state law in regards to "hit and run" vehicle crashes:

"A person commits the crime of leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident when being the operator or driver of a vehicle on the highway or on any publicly or privately owned parking lot or parking facility generally open for use by the public and knowing that an injury has been caused to a person or damage has been caused to property, due to his culpability or to accident, he leaves the place of the injury, damage or accident without stopping or giving his information."

Further, leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident is a class A misdemeanor, except it is a class D felony if the accident resulted in:

1. Physical injury to another party; or
2. Property damage in excess of one thousand dollars; or
3. If the defendant has previously pled guilty to or been found guilty of a violation of this section.

When a motorcycle accident in Missouri occurs, the driver should always provide the following to either a police officer or the injured party:

1. Name;
2. Residence;
3. Insurance provider;
4. Motor vehicle number; and
5. Drivers license number.

Also, if a police officer is not in the vicinity, the driver should go to the nearest police station or judicial officer to provide those listed above in order to avoid liability for leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident.

If you have been in a motorcycle accident, as an experienced Missouri motorcycle accident attorney and personal injury lawyer at Page Cagle, I am happy to discuss your case with you and answer any questions you may have. I can be reached 24 hours a day at 314.322.8515 or toll free at 1.800.500.INJURY (4658). Call me personally and I will answer all the questions and concerns you may have. You can also email me at john@pagecagle.com or visit my website, www.MotorcycleInjuryLawGroup.com, for more information. There is no fee unless we recover for you.

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Motorcycle Accidents

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