Missouri Accident Lawyer Blog

In Missouri, when someone is killed as a result of some one's negligence, the family of that person has what is called a wrongful death claim against the negligent driver. Naturally, Missouri and every other state think it is unfair for someone to escape responsibility for their negligence. Instead, negligent drivers (those who fail to use the highest degree of care in the operation of their vehicles) are required to pay the decedent's family damages for various damages associated with that person's death.

Recently, there was a car accident in Missouri that resulted in the wrongful death of a Missouri man. Early in the morning on Sunday, March 30, 2008, the Missouri State Highway Patrol responded to a fatality incident at the intersection of US 65 at Spickard South End. The investigating officer reported Ryan Harris, 30 of Unionville, Missouri was driving his 2001 Chevrolet Southbound on US 65 when he crossed the center line and struck head on a vehicle operated by William Powell, 87 and passenger Ila Powell, 65 both of Princeton, Missouri.

William Powell was pronounced dead at the scene and his wife, Ila Powell was transported by Grundy County Missouri Ambulance to Wright Memorial Hospital with moderate injuries. Harris was transported by Grundy County Ambulance to Wright Memorial Hospital and was listed with serious injuries.

In this case, the Missouri highway patrol will conduct an accident reconstruction, which will determine the factors that contributed to cause this most devastating Missouri car wreck.

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A wrong way driver is responsible for a crash that took the life of a Desloge, Missouri man on March 27, 2008. Michael Whitaker, 45 of Irondale, Missouri was driving his 1990 Chevrolet Caprice Northbound in the Southbound lanes of US 67 while Nicholas Layton, 29, of Desloge, Missouri, was driving his 2007 Kia Spectra Southbound on US 67. A horrible crash was imminent. Whitaker hit Layton head on.

Layton was taken to Jefferson Memorial Hospital by St. Francois County Ambulance; Whitaker was taken to Mineral Area Regional Hospital by St. Francois County Ambulance. It is unknown whether criminal charges are being sought against Mr. Whitaker or what possessed him to travel the wrong way. Layton passed away at the hospital at 1:30 a.m. later that day.

The family of Mr. Layton will have multiple causes of action against Mr. Whitaker in a civil court. Hopefully, the investigating officers have conducted a through investigation of the incident and Mr. Whitaker will be brought to justice for his actions.

If you have been involved in a Missouri car accident and have questions regarding your rights, contact us and speak to an experienced trial lawyer today.

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Tracey Gutierrez, 41 of Warrenton, Missouri was driving her car on Highway D near Highway T in Warren County, Missouri at approximately 10:00 p.m. on March 25, 2008 when an unknown vehicle crossed the center line and hit his 2001 Ford Taurus.

The driver of the car still remains unknown. According to Gutierrez, the impact forced him to leave the roadway, go down an embankment and hit a tree. Mr. Gutierrez was transported by helicopter to St. John's Medical Center in Creve Couer, Missorui, where he was listed in serious condition. It is unknown if Gutierrez was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

Mr. Gutierrez will be afforded car insurance coverage for uninsured motorist benefits under his own auto policy. In Missouri and Illinois, drivers who are injured by hit and run drivers are entitled to collect under their own insurance policies. Please see our insurance claims information web site for more information.

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Our personal injury lawyers routinely report on recent automobile accidents that occur throughout Missouri and Illinois. We recently learned of another auto crash that occurred in Crawford County, Missouri on March 23, 2008.

According to the Crawford County police, St. Charles, Missouri native David C. Adams, 52, was seriously injured in a two-car accident with Khyle Foulds, 25 of Lynn, Missouri on I-44. According to investigators, Mr. Foulds cut in front of Mr. Adams, causing Mr. Adams to crash into the driver's side of Mr. Fould's Chevrolet Corsica and overturn several times, landing on its roof.

Mr. Adams was transported to Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan, Missouri and treated for personal injuries. Both drivers were wearing their seatbelts.

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Our Missouri personal injury lawyer blog routinely reports on statewide car, truck and motorcycle accidents in an effort to bring awareness to how accidents happen and the factors that contribute in causing them. In addition, our Missouri lawyers provide commentary from a legal perspective in an effort to help people become aware of the legal issues involved in these types of cases. Knowledge is power. All too often good people are taken advantage of by large insurance companies. Hopefully by reading our posts, you have learned something about Missouri car accident law, what claims can be made and the underlying insurance issues.

With these principals in mind, we now report a new incident involving a motorcycle and a car. On March 20, 2008, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a very serious accident occurred between a vehicle and a motorcycle in Green County, Missouri.

William Schroeder, 77 of Springfield, Missouri was driving a 2000 Honda Accord when he crossed the centerline and struck a 2008 Harley Davidson Motorcycle driven by Michael Davis, 40 of Springfield, Missouri. Mr. Davis was taken to Cox South Hospital in Springfield, Missouri where he was treated for serious injuries. Schroeder was reported to have no injuries.

At this time, it is unknown what caused Mr. Schroeder to cross the centerline. When these details are released, we will update this blog.

In this case, we are unable to determine what insurance coverage either party had. For more information regarding liability, under-insured motorist and uninsured motorist insurance coverage, please visit our St. Louis law firm web site for more information.

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Missouri car accidents and teen drivers seem to go hand in hand. Recent data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently published date that suggests that mile for mile, teens are involved in wrecks four times as often as older drivers.

At approximately 8:56 p.m. on March 19, 2008, the Missouri State Highway Patrol was called to the scene of a one car accident at Millers Ford, just south of Seven Hills Road in Benton County, Missouri. According to investigators, this Missouri car accident involved three teenagers. Kaylin Jeffries, 16 of Cole Camp, Missouri was driving her 1992 Pontiac with passengers McKenzie Heimsoth, 17 and Angel Mclean, 18 both of Cole Camp, Missouri when the vehicle exited the right side of the roadway. Jeffries over-corrected and exited the left side of the roadway, returned to the road and overturned. Jeffries and Mclean were both ejected from the car.

Jeffries and Mclean were transported to the University of Missouri- Columbia hospital by air ambulance where they were treated for serious personal injuries. Heimsoth was transported to Bothwell Hospital by Cole Camp EMS.

Missouri State Highway Trooper Hollis reports the driver had no insurance on the vehicle and the accident is still under investigation.

This is a classic case where Uninsured Motorist insurance coverage will come into play. Most people do not recognize all Missouri auto insurance policies by law must include uninsured motorist coverage. This is true even if your insurance agent tells you your policy does not have this type of coverage or it is not listed on your insurance card. Contact a Missouri personal injury lawyer so he or she can review the facts of your particular incident and determine what policies may afford coverage. Remember, under Missouri law, your insurance agent does not owe you any duty of care. In fact, recent testimony in other cases reveals many insurance companies grade agents on the number of claims their insureds have. The less claims, the better the rating. You know what that means.

As always, there is no substitute for good legal advice. The Bradley Law Firm has helped injured Missourians achieve fair and just results against insurance companies for over 30 years. If you want a free consultation, feel free to contact us.

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On March 18, 2008 Jake Vogel, 18 of Catawissa, Missouri and his 18 year old passenger, Charles Nine of Pacific, Missouri, were driving a 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse while traveling Southbound on Route F. At the same time, Brittany Morgan, 16, of Pacific, Missouri was driving a 1992 Honda Accord Northbound on Route F, when according to investigators, Vogel was driving too fast for weather conditions and crossed the solid yellow line, traveled into the Northbound lane, and struck the front of Morgan's vehicle.

All three teens were transported to St. Johns Hospital in Washington, Missouri. Vogel and Nine were listed as sustaining "minor injuries," while Morgan suffered "moderate personal injuries." All teens were treated and released. No traffic citations were issued.

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The Missouri Highway Patrol reported March 18, 2008 marked the 25th fatality within Missouri's Trood D this year. The newest victim was identified as Joshua Slatten, 21 of Springfield, Missouri. Investigators reported Mr. Slatten, 21, was driving a 2004 Ford F550 MODOT Dump Truck Northbound on US 65, near Springfield, Missouri when his vehicle collided with a 2007 Kenworth Tractor Trailer driven by Robert Christian, 32 of Desoto, Missouri. Police indicate the two trucks hit nearly head-on. Slatten had been setting up barriers along the flooded area of US 65.

Mr. Slatten was pronounced dead at the scene; Mr. Christian was taken to St. John's hospital in Springfield, Missouri, were he was treated for moderate injuries.

Investigation of this Missouri truck accident is ongoing. It is still unclear how the wreck occurred. As soon as more facts become available, we will post an update.

The Bradley Law Firm handles serious personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Missouri and Illinois. Contacting out law firm is free. We work on a contingency fee bases, which means you never receive any bills from us. In every case we handle, our law firm strives for complete justice for our clients to the full extent of the law. It is our job as Missouri personal injury lawyers to ensure you and your family obtain a fair and just result. If you or someone you know has any question regarding Illinois or Missouri personal injury or wrongful death law, please contact us.

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Stephen Buckman, 19 of Desloge, Missouri was killed in a serious motorcycle accident while on an off-road trail in the St. Joe State Park in St. Francois County, Missouri on Sunday at approximately 3:55 p.m. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported Buckman was struck head-on by an all-terrain vehicle driven by Dalton Smith, 12 of Cedar Hill. Buckman was thrown from the motorcycle and pronounced dead at the scene. Dalton was not injured.

As of late Sunday, no charges have been filed and this Missouri motorcycle crash remains under investigation. The exact cause of Mr. Buckman's death has not been released and it is unknown whether Mr. Buckman was wearing a helmet.

In Missouri wrongful death matters such as this, authorities typically gather witness statements and prepare a written report. If the crash happens on a Missouri roadway, the Missouri Highway Patrol Accident Reconstruction team is called in to perform an accident reconstruction. Since this most unfortunate incident occurred off-road, it is unlikely authorities will conduct additional investigation to determine if other factors contributed to cause this motorcycle accident. As such, it will be up to the family and their lawyer to conduct additional investigation if other contributing factors are discovered. Many times, motorcycle accidents can occur because of structural, mechanical or electrical failure of the motorcycle.

At The Bradley Law Firm, we have decades of experience in conducting thorough and complete investigations of catastrophic accidents, including motorcycle accidents. Contact us today if you have any questions regarding motorcycle, car or truck accidents.

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At approximately 1:15 a.m., Sargent Bill Mahoney with Kansas City, Missouri police department saw a Mazda 626 tailgating another vehicle in an aggressive manner in the southbound lanes of U.S. 71. Police proceeded to stop the Mazda on the ramp to 22nd Street, but when the officer stopped the Mazda, it sped off at a high rate of speed, leaving the officer no choice but to stop the pursuit as the Mazda was travelling too fast.

Sgt. Mahoney reported the Mazda struck a vehicle carrying two adults and two children at the intersection of 13th and Holmes. Fortunately, no one in that vehicle sustained personal injuries. However, the impact with the other vehicle caused the Mazda to lose control, clip a utility pole and hit three parking meters before hitting a dumpster on the sidewalk between 12th and 13th Street.

The driver, a 40 year old Kansas City, Missouri man, was ejected from the vehicle and instantly killed. His female passenger was taken to the hospital and was listed as having moderate injuries.

An autopsy was performed to determine whether the driver was intoxicated. However, the results were not available.

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An afternoon Missouri car accident on March 9, 2008 near the intersection of Highway 61 and Harris Road resulted in personal injuries to two drivers. Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper

According to Trooper Gibson, Ruth Bledsoe, 44 of Moscow Mills, Missouri and her passenger, Roger Povich, 37 of Elsberry, Missouri were traveling north on US 61 when their vehicle hit a 2005 Dodge Dakota driven by David Carlyle, 66 of Elsberry, Missouri.

Povich and Carlyle were both taken to St. Joseph West hospital by St. Charles County Ambulance. Povich was treated for minor injuries and Carlyle was treated for moderate injuries. Both have been released from the hospital. No traffic citations were issued.

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The Missouri Department of Transportation is "tooting their own horn" so to speak. The good news? Missouri wrongful deaths from cars and trucks that cross the median are down. In 2006, MODOT reported 55 deaths in crossover accidents. In 2007, the year after approximately 500 miles of cross guards were installed, the number of deaths was only 2.

Officials tabulated this data from the Missouri Highway Patrol, which keeps detailed information regarding all personal injuries and deaths from accidents on Missouri highways.

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On February 25, 2008 at approximately 10:50 am Missouri State Highway Patrol was called to the scene of a Two car accident which occurred on Northbound I-29 in Platte County, Missouri.

On February 25, 2008 at 10:50am, Linda Wood, 53 and her passenger Joann Wood, 78 both of St. Joseph, Missouri were traveling in the right lane of I-29 approaching a construction zone. An unknown driver, traveling in the left lane of I-29, began changing lanes and struck the Woods' vehicle. After the impact, the Woods' vehicle travelled off the roadway, struck a guardrail, returned to the roadway, traveled off the left side of the road and struck a guard cable before coming to rest in the median. The unknown driver left the scene of the accident.

Both Linda and Joann Wood were taken to a North Kansas City Hospital were Linda was treated for minor personal injuries and Joann was treated for moderate personal injuries.

The police are still investigating this crash. If you have any information regarding this vehicle, please contact the Missouri Highway Patrol.

In this accident, both of the injured victims will have claims against their respective insurance companies for uninsured motorist coverage.

The Bradley Law Firm handles insurance claims and offers anyone who has an insurance claim a free, no obligation consultation. Contact us to speak with an experienced insurance claim lawyer today.

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While our Missouri personal injury law firm typically restricts this blog to cases involving serious personal injury or death, this is a story that could have turned tragic. Luckily, no injuries were reported.

A St. Louis school bus driver has been fired after the district said she violated school policy in failing to check her bus after dropping off students. Deanna Anderson, Transportation Director for St. Louis Public Schools, said a four-year-old girl fell asleep and awoke alone on her school bus, parked at the yard.

When she was discovered by another driver, the child was taken to her classroom at Wilkinson Early Childhood Center. However, the bus driver did not tell the teachers nor school administrators why the child was more than an hour late.

This story is eerily similar to another St. Louis, Missouri incident where a child was left near Washington University Medical School in a car and subsequently died from heat exhaustion.

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A Missouri car accident has claimed the life of a Montgomery City, Missouri man. At approximately 5:42 a.m. on Monday, March 3, 2008, Missouri State Highway Patrol officers were called to the scene of a serious three car collision involving Patrick Meyer, 19 years old of Hermann, Missouri, Carl King, 50 years old of St. Louis, Missouri and David Wetter, 22 years old of Montgomery City, Missouri.

According to Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper Baughman, Patrick Meyer was driving a 2003 GMC Sierra eastbound on Highway 100 when he crossed the center line and struck the drivers side of a 2005 Chevrolet Impala, operated by Carl King. At that time, both vehicles spun out of control and Meyer's vehicle crashed head on into a 2007 Toyota Camry, operated by Wetter.

Meyer and King were both transported to St. Johns Hospital in Washington, Missouri by the Washington County Ambulance district. Meyer sustained moderate personal injuries and King sustained minor injuries.

Wetter was pronounced dead at the scene and taken to St. Louis Morgue by Russell Funeral Home.

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A St. Louis Missouri school bus was involved in an accident this morning around 7:30am at the intersection of South Kingshighway and Mcree Avenue. The children were all students at Gateway High School. A school official indicated four of the children were transported to Cardinal Glennon Children's hospital and the other four were taken to St. Louis Children's hospital, where they were treated for minor injuries.

The Bradley Law firm handles Illinois and Missouri school bus accidents. If you have questions regarding any aspect of these kinds of cases, we will answer any questions you may have free of charge.

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Around 9:00 p.m. on February 5, 2008, eighteen year old Trista Elmore was driving on State Route AA in Jackson County, Missouri when thirty-three year old David Main, who was driving on the wrong side of the highway, struck Trista’s vehicle head-on.

Both Trista and her passenger, fourteen year old Darius, were transported by ambulance to Children’s Mercy Hospital with serious personal injuries. David Main was taken to Centerpoint Medical Center where he sustained only moderate injuries.

David was arrested for DWI and failure to drive on the right side of the road.

The Bradley Law Firm, a St. Louis Missouri personal injury law firm, with over thirty years of personal injury experience, helps those injured in Missouri car accidents by meeting with them for free, regardless of whether that person employs their services. If you have been involved in a car accident in Missouri and need to ask an experienced personal injury lawyer a question, feel free to contact us.

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