Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

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" »

Posted by John J. Page | Permalink | Email This Post

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

Bookmark:

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" »

Posted by John J. Page | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Drunk Driving Accident

Bookmark:

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" »

Posted by John J. Page | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Auto Accidents , Drunk Driving Accident , Personal Injury , Wrongful Death

Bookmark:

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" »

Posted by John J. Page | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Drunk Driving Accident , Personal Injury , Wrongful Death

Bookmark: