Missouri Accident Lawyer Blog

The Bradley Law Firm, LLC, a Missouri personal injury law firm, based in St. Louis has learned of another serious car accident, that resulted in the death of a respected University of Missouri professor.

On Friday, February 22, 2008, 33 year old William C. Down, from St. Charles, Missouri, was arrested for Second Degree assault, driving while intoxicated and operating a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner, all stemming from a car accident that took the life of Charles D. Fulhage, a University of Missouri professor.

The Missouri Highway Patrol reported Down's was driving his 2002 Dodge pickup on Interstate 70, when he hit the rear of Mr. Fulhage's 2001 Ford Ranger truck, causing it to leave the road and overturn.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol alleged Downs was under the influence of marijuana, cocaine and prescription drugs at the time of the accident. Downs was arrested and jailed but was released later that night.

Boone County Missouri prosecuting attorneys have requested additional time to file amended charges against Downs.

It was reported Downs was previously arrested on October 5, 2007, in St. Charles, Missouri for drunk driving and plead guilty to those charges on February 7, 2008.

Mr. Fulhage was a MU waste management specialist and professor at the University of Missouri's Divison of Food Systems and Bioengineering.

The Fulhage family will certainly have a claim for wrongful death against Mr. Down. In addition, to compensatory damages, Missouri law also provides for punitive damages, those designed to punish those who commit acts that are done with a conscious disregard for the safety and well being of others. In this matter, the Fulhage family will likely seek both compensatory and punitive damages.

Drunk driving is a very serious offense. In recent years, the Missouri legislature has cracked down on those who drive drunk. For those that injure or kill others operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, significant jail time can be expected.

At the Bradley Law Firm, we take drunk driving cases that result in serious personal injury and wrongful death very seriously. We believe a concerted effort between the local prosecuting attorneys and the civil law firms that represent the injured victim can reduce the number of traffic related deaths and injuries stemming from intoxicated drivers.

If you or a family member have been injured by an intoxicated driver, or have a family member who was injured or killed by a drunk Missouri or Illinois driver, please feel free to contact us any time to discuss your case. As always, we offer free legal consultations with absolutely no obligation to retain our services.

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Posted In: Missouri Car Accidents

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At approximately 9:50 p.m. on February 14, 2008, three teens were involved in a one car accident on Southbound US 61 at the Business 54 overpass in Pike County, Missouri.

Heather D. Larenson, 16 was traveling Southbound on US 61 with passengers Morgan E. Betts 16 and Elizabeth K. Dopp 15, when her 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier veered off the right side of the roadway, struck a guardrail, traveled across the roadway, and struck the east guardrail. All girls were from Bowling Green, Missouri.

The driver, Heather Larenson was not injured. However Morgan Betts and Elizabeth Dopp were transported by ambulance to Pike County Memorial Hospital, where Betts was treated for moderate personal injuries and was subsequently released. Dopp was treated for serious personal injury.

Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper Long reported none of the teens were wearing their seat belts.

In this car accident, each of the injured parties will be entitled to medical payment coverage from the insurance on the vehicle that covered the Cavalier, if this coverage was purchased. In addition, there may be liability coverage for any negligence by the driver. Lastly, each of the injured parties will need to review their own car insurance policies to discover whether coverage will be extended under those.

The Bradley Law Firm has offices in Pike County, Missouri and the City of St. Louis. We offer free consultations on all personal injury cases. Contact us if you or someone you know have questions regarding Missouri personal injury claims or lawsuits.

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Posted In: Missouri Car Accidents

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A St. Louis car - truck accident has claimed one life early this morning. The Bradley Law Firm has learned Amy L. Argent, 27 of Granite City, Illinois and her passenger, John R. Beans, 26 of Saint Louis, Missouri were traveling eastbound on Highway 270 at approximately 3:45 a.m. today when the Ms. Argent lost control of her 2004 Chrysler Seabring.

According to Trooper Lusk of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Argent's vehicle traveled off the roadway, striking a bridge parapet and overturned several times. Both occupants were ejected from the vehicle, resulting in Argent's body being thrown into the roadway. Afterwards, a 2002 Freightliner operated by Edward Carter, 60 of Grayson, Kentucky struck Argent's body.

Mr. Beans was transported to Christian Hospital Northeast by ambulance, where is listed as having sustained moderate personal injury.

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Posted In: Missouri Trucking Accidents

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On Sunday, February 24, 2008, at approximately 2am, police officers were called to the scene of a fatal Missouri car accident at the 1000 block of Loekes Drive in Florissant, Missouri.

According to Florissant, Missouri police, William Karabus, 18-year-old Trevyn Simpson and three other unidentified passengers were traveling at a high rate of speed in a 2005 Nissan. The driver, Trevyn Simpson failed to negotiate a 90 degree turn, resulting in Simpson crashing into a ranch home.

Simpson was pronounced dead at the scene. A 20-year-old passenger was critically injured and transported to an area hospital. Two other teen passengers were treated and released by area hospitals.

Chief Karabus says the 2005 Nissan stuck the ranch home with so much force it knocked part of the foundation into the basement. The home owner was not home at the time.

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Three Missouri women passed away Sunday afternoon after an unidentified vehicle caused a one car accident. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported the driver lost control of the vehicle in order to avoid an imminent car wreck on highway 71, when a vehicle crossed the center lane and forced them off the roadway, where the car struck a tree. This Missouri car accident happened near Wilcox, in Nodaway County.

The fatally wounded include Alma Morris of Claremont, Missouri, Inez Honan of Elmo, Missouri and Julia Singh of Rome City, Indiana. In addition, the husband of Inez Honan sustained personal injuries.

In this most unfortunate car accident, all of the injured as well as the families of the fatally wounded will have personal injury claims and wrongful death claims against numerous insurance companies. In Missouri, the law requires all automobile policies to include uninsured motorist coverage- even liability only policies. Here, since the vehicle that caused this car accident did not stop, it is deemed an uninsured motor vehicle, allowing a recovery under the UM coverage of the insurance policy.

Insurance law is very complicated. In this accident, there are likely numerous insurance policies at play, requiring an in-depth investigation as to all applicable policies. In Missouri, uninsured motorist policies may be "stacked", so the amount due to the victims and their families could be quite large, depending upon the policy limits of each insurance policy.

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On February 24, 2008, at 2:30 a.m., rescue crews were called to a very serious Missouri car accident at Route J, approximately half of a mile South of Route A, near Monroe City, Missouri. Two minors and one adult were involved in the wreck. According to Corporal Bartels of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a vehicle driven by Nathan D. Brown, 18 of Maywood, Missouri traveled off the roadway, overturned, struck an embankment and came to a rest on its wheels.

The driver, Nathan Brown was taken by ambulance to Hannibal Regional Hospital, in Hannibal, Missouri where he was listed as having moderate personal injuries. One of the passengers, James C. Brown, 22 of Hannibal, Missouri, was transported by ambulance to Blessing Hospital in Quincy, Illinois and was listed with having only minor personal injury. Passenger Allison Allensworth, 18 of Maywood, Missouri was taken by ambulance to Hannibal Regional Hospital and was listed as sustained moderate personal injury.

Corporal Bartels arrested Mr. Brown, Nathan D. Brown for DWI, no valid driver's license, failure to drive on right half of the roadway, minor visibly intoxicated and two counts of 2nd degree assault.

The Bradley Law Firm, LLC handles personal injury claims, including Illinois and Missouri car accidents. If you have any questions about personal injury claims, please feel free to contact us.

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St. Louis, Missouri has seen a dramatic increase in the number of car wrecks in the last few weeks. Local auto collision shops have reported a two fold increase in business. While most of the damage is from collisions, some if it is from branches and tree limbs falling on cars.

The type of insurance claims made from these kinds of events can vary. For instance, if your car is involved in a Missouri car accident, and it was your fault, you need to make a claim under your collision policy, if you purchased this type of coverage. If you were not at fault, the other driver's insurance should cover your damage.

What if a tree limb falls on your car? This kind of damage would be covered under your comprehensive auto policy. Again, this is optional insurance, so you need to review your policy carefully to see if it will cover your damage. Most comprehensive insurance policies I have seen cover this type of damage.

With both comprehensive and damage policies, you will likely have a deductible. Many times, insurance companies will attempt to repair your car with used parts or non OEM parts. This is unacceptable, however you may have agreed to it under your contract of insurance. Carefully review this to see.

At the Bradley Law Firm, our St. Louis Missouri personal injury lawyers offer free consultations regarding insurance matters and car accident related injuries. If you have any questions regarding insurance or injuries from a car, truck or motorcycle accident in Missouri or Illinois, please contact us.

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At approximately 6:30 a.m. on February 19, 2008, crews were called to a Missouri tractor trailer accident on Northbound I-55 at the intersection of I-70 near the Poplar Street Bridge in St. Louis, Missouri. According to the officers who investigated this St. Louis truck accident, the trailer detached from the tractor and spilled grain on the highway.

The driver of the truck was taken by ambulance to a nearby St. Louis Missouri hospital for personal injuries sustained in the crash. The name of the driver has not been released, nor has his medical condition.

Fortunately, no other personal injury was reported and the accident scene was cleared without further incident.

The Bradley Law Firm handles serious personal injuries in connection with large tractor trailer accidents. If you have questions regarding Missouri personal injury or truck crashes, please contact us for a free consultation. We have been litigating Missouri injury lawsuits for 30 years and have the highest rating from Martindale Hubbell, an independent lawyer rating service.

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Posted In: Missouri Trucking Accidents

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At approximately 7:30 a.m. at the intersection of North 19th Street and Washington Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri, six children and two adults were taken to area hospitals for observation after a car accident that involved a school bus. Authorities say this St. Louis car accident happened when the driver of the car fell asleep and crashed into the rear of the school bus. This Missouri school bus accident did not result in any injury to the children aboard.

According to the St. Louis police officer who investigated this Missouri school bus accident, the bus driver sustained minor injuries. The driver of the car suffered more serious personal injury- a broken hip and a minor head injury.

The driver told paramedics he fell asleep and lost control of his car.

At the Bradley Law Firm, we handle school bus accidents involving serious personal injury to children. If you have any questions regarding school bus safety, or have a child who has been physically injured in a Missouri school bus accident, please contact us for a free evaluation of your case. Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis and collects no attorneys' fee unless we collect money damages on your behalf.

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On February 8, 2008, nine year old Laten Bradley was riding as passenger in a 1994 Dodge Shadow, driven by his grandmother, Kimberly Cecil, 49 of Keokuk, Iowa when their vehicle was hit by Albert Bosshart, 50, of Kirksville, Missouri. This Missouri car accident happened on US 136 approximately half a mile west of Alexandria, Missouri at approximately 6:15pm.

According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, Mr. Bosshart was traveling westbound on US 136 when he crossed the center line and struck the Dodge Shadow head on. Ms. Cecil was pronounced dead at the scene by the Clark County coroner, Edwin Wilson. Laten was transported by Lee County Iowa ambulance to a Keokuk hospital and was then transferred to Iowa City hospital, where he is listed with very serious personal injuries.

The driver that crossed the center line was also pronounced dead at Memorial Medical Center Hospital in Springfield, Illinois shortly after this most horrible car wreck.

The investigating officer noted neither Ms. Cecil nor Laten were wearing their seat belts at the time of this Missouri car crash, but that Mr. Bosshart was.

It is unknown what may have caused Mr. Bosshart's vehicle to cross the center line of this highway. The Missouri Highway Patrol will conduct a full invstigation and reconstruct the accident. Any time there is a wrongful death involved in a vehicle related accident, Missouri mandates a full reconstruction be performed. At that time, more information regarding vehicle speed and other factors will be learned to further shed light on this tragedy.

As more information becomes available, we will update the blog.

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Authorities say fog contributed to cause an early morning Illinois train crash in Worden, Illinois, a city near Edwardsville, Illinois, at approximately 8:20am. Bill Dittmar, a Worden County, Illinois fire fighter was quoted as saying "It's really foggy here" and that "I'm sure that contributed to the crash."

However, it is speculated the crossing arms and lights at the rail road crossing were not working. The operator of the truck that was hit by the train was taken to the Community Regional Hospital in Staunton, Illinois. No details regarding the extent of his injuries were released.

In this case, if it is determined the crossing guard did not function, there could be a lawsuit against the railroad whose responsibility it was to maintain the guard. More investigation would need to be conducted to determine liability, if any, on behalf of the railroad.

At the Bradley Law Firm, we handle train accident cases and provide free legal consultations on any personal injury case. Moreover, we have a team of seasoned investigators who are on call to investigate any accident at any time. These services cost our clients nothing in the event there is no claim to be made or it is determined there is no negligence on behalf of a party. In the event negligence is substantiated, the costs of the investigation are reimbursed from any recovery we may obtain for the client. Please visit our website at www.stllawhelp.com for more information regarding our services.

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Belleville, Illinois lawyer Robert Haida, the St. Clair County State's Attorney, is about to seek an indictment of Trooper Matt Mitchell in connection with the wrongful death of Kelli and Jessica Uhl, a most horrible Illinois car accident we have reported on more than one occasion on this blog.

A coroner's inquest determined the Uhl sisters were wrongfully killed as a result of a "reckless homicide." Investigators determined Trooper Mitchell was speeding along at 126 miles per hour when he lost control, crossed into the Uhl's lane of travel and more or less vaporized the Uhl vehicle.

Attorney Haida said it could take a few weeks before he took further action on this matter. On Monday afternoon, he indicated a special grand jury would be needed to review the evidence in this case. He indicated he wanted to have the case evaluated by testimony under oath by more than 60 witnesses, something that was not done in the coroner's inquest.

As we previously reported, Mitchell was involved in two previous Illinois car crashes in his six-year state police career. One of these Illinois car accidents resulted in a $1.7 million judgment against the state of Illinois.

As far as formal discipline from the Illinois State Police, a special Merit Board handles these. When additional information is obtained, Mitchell could be investigated

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Posted In: Missouri Car Accidents

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