Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

A recent article in the Springfield News-Leader reported that a teenage suspect wanted in connection with a fatal car crash in Missouri was recently apprehended by police. The Southern Missouri Fugitive Task Force found the seventeen-year-old woman in a home in southwestern Greene County. She surrendered herself to the police without incident.

Police allege that the woman was one of the drivers in a May 31 car crash that left a 21-year-old male passenger in her vehicle dead and a second passenger severely injured. The driver of the car with which the woman collided suffered minor injuries. At the time of the Missouri vehicle accident, the woman's blood alcohol level was allegedly .191 percent - more than twice the legal limit. She is facing criminal charges including involuntary manslaughter and two counts of second-degree assault.

Just two weeks before the accident, the woman had pleaded guilty to another drunk driving accident in June 2009, receiving a two-year suspended sentence.

Drunk drivers who cause auto accidents in Missouri, especially accidents that result in injury or death, face criminal penalties for their actions. These drivers may also be held liable in civil court by their victims. Compensation in a car accident resulting in injury may include payment by the drunk or negligent driver for a victim's medical bills, lost wages, compensation for pain and suffering, and more.

If you've been injured by a drunk driver, the legal team at Page Law can help. Our experienced Missouri car accident attorneys will examine your case carefully and fight to hold negligent parties responsible for their actions. Please don't hesitate to call Page Law today at (314) 322-8515 for a free consultation.

Governor Jay Nixon recently signed into law a bill that stiffens the penalties for drunk drivers in Missouri. According to a Missourinet report, the new law focuses on repeat offenders and drivers with high blood alcohol levels. These drivers, if convicted, must spend additional time in jail. The bill also sends repeat offender's cases to the circuit court, instead of allowing them to be heard in the more lenient municipal courts.

In addition to cracking down on repeat offenders, the bill requires law enforcement agencies and courts to keep detailed records of drunk driving arrests and convictions. These agencies are also required to report their drunk-driving data. Courts have also been given the power to create special “DWI dockets” solely to handle drunk-driving cases. Prosecutors have also been given more powers to present evidence of previous Missouri DWI convictions when trying the cases of repeat offenders.

The bill passed the Missouri House and Senate unanimously. It represents a high priority for the governor, who convened a number of law enforcement professionals in a summit last November to address the dangers of drunk driving.

“The bottom line is that Missouri's roadways will be safer,” Nixon said about the new law.

The safety of drivers on roads throughout America is endangered every day by drunk drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 31.6% of fatal traffic accidents in 2008 were caused by a driver with a blood alcohol content above the legal limit.

Drunk drivers can cause Missouri vehicle accidents that bring about severe injuries and even death. When motorists drive under the influence, he or she can be held legally accountable. If you or a loved one has been injured by a drunk driver, please contact the skilled St. Louis drunk driving accident attorneys at Page Law. Our experienced legal team will examine the details surrounding your accident and fight to help you hold negligent parties accountable for their actions. Call Page Law today at (314) 322-8515 for a free and confidential consultation.

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.

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According to a recent story from KPLR 11 in St. Louis, a Missouri mayor was among many caught up in police operations for catching drivers under the influence of alcohol this July 4 season. The report indicates the mayor was detained on the evening of July 4 returning home from holiday festivities.

This kind of incident shows just how serious DUI and DWI violations are becoming in America. When public officials are caught in this kind of behavior, the situation becomes all the more dangerous and pervasive. Drunk driving violations are a major part of police operations all across the country, as law enforcement continues to crack down on unsafe operation of motor vehicles to limit the inevitable injury and fatality associated with drunk driving.

Everyone on the road is vulnerable to the effects of drunk driving. It is unfortunately an “equal opportunity” hazard. As reports continue to show the high rates of injury and fatality associated with DUI and DWI, law enforcement continues to work harder to keep drunk drivers off of the road and, in many cases, keep racking up more and more DUI and DWI convictions. Drunk driving continues to claim lives and lead to life-changing injuries for many Americans.

Often, an individual or family dealing with the result of a drunk driving accident in Missouri has to multitask, coping with the emotional burden while handling all of the financial and legal ramifications. It can be hard for these individuals to simultaneously figure out how these events impact their day-to-day budget and schedule, while doing the fact-finding about who may be responsible and how to get compensation for an injury or fatality.

Continue reading "Missouri Mayor Caught in July 4 DUI Operations" »

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" »

A Missouri car accident on Interstate 70 recently killed a 51-year-old man. According to police, the 51-year-old, of Wright City, was killed because a negligent, drunk driver was traveling over 100 mph and collided into the decedent’s car.

The alleged facts of the case are as follows:
1. A 29-year-old was driving a Mustang on I-70, near Bryan road;
2. The Mustang driver was allegedly going at least 100 miles per hour in the center lane of traffic when he came up behind a tractor trailer;
3. He was traveling too fast to slow down and prevent hitting the tractor trailer, so he switched into the right lane;
4. Upon switching lanes, the Mustang struck the rear of the decedent’s car, throwing the decedent’s car off of the right side of I-70;
5. The decedent was killed on impact and pronounced dead at the scene.

The Mustang driver also sustained injuries in this car accident. His car ran off the left side of I-70 and hit a median wall. He fled the scene of the accident but was arrested shortly thereafter. He had a blood alcohol level of 0.27 an hour and a half after the wreck and was subsequently charged with involuntary manslaughter and leaving the scene of a drunk driving accident in Missouri.

Continue reading "Missouri Car Accident on Interstate 70 Kills Man" »