Missouri Accident Lawyer Blog

Photo from Fox 2 News

Missouri truck driver David Willoughby, 70, was killed Wednesday night when his truck became stuck at a railroad crossing on Route N in Pacific.

According to the highway patrol, Willoughby’s truck lost traction in some loose gravel and was blocking the railway. Willoughby exited the vehicle to inspect the situation when a train crashed into the tractor-trailer.

The Highway Patrol indicates that Willoughby suffered an unknown medical condition in the moments before the crash. It is unknown at this time exactly what medical condition he suffered and if this affected his ability to safely escape the crash. The basis for this conclusion will need to be thoroughly investigated as the conclusion will affect legal liability in this case.

The road that Willoughby’s truck became stalled on is under construction and being repaved, according to the St. Louis Post Dispatch. Local drivers were cited as saying the road is nearly impassable and has no signs or barrels to warn motorists of the dangers. Piles of loose gravel are stacked near the railroad crossing.

If the conditions of the roadway were unsafe, the people in charge with the road's maintenance and even perhaps the rail company could be found liable for damages. A full investigation will need to be conducted by the highway patrol and an experienced personal injury attorney to determine these legal issues.

We will post more details about this incident as they emerge.

In cases like this, it is important that a personal injury lawyer is contacted as soon as possible. Many elements of personal injury law are time sensitive and crucial evidence may be lost if not collected immediately.

The Bradley Law Firm has handled personal injury cases for over 30 years. If you have question about your legal rights, contact us for a free consultation. We handle railroad crossing accident cases as well as many other types of lawsuits. There is no obligation for consulting with our law firm and you will never receive a legal fee from us. We are only compensated if we are successful on your case.

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Posted In: Missouri Train Accidents , Missouri Trucking Accidents

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Motorcyclist Michael Norman, 48, was killed Monday evening when he was hit head-on by a Jeep near Marshfield, Mo.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Norman was riding his 2004 Honda Motorcycle north on Route CC when a 1990 Jeep Cherokee, driven by Ethan Dinwiddie, 30, crossed the center line and struck him head-on. Authorities have not indicated what caused Dinwiddie’s vehicle to cross into oncoming traffic.

Norman was pronounced dead on the scene. Dinwiddie was taken to Cox South Hospital in Springfield with moderate injuries.

Because the accident resulted in a fatality, the highway patrol will conduct an accident reconstruction to determine exactly how this incident occurred.

This accident illustrates how vulnerable Missouri motorcyclists are to serious injury while on the roadways. Missouri motorcycle accidents often occur because other motorists don’t see the person on the motorcycle and a simple negligent act can lead to serious injury and death. Many drivers don’t look out for bike riders and will change lanes or turn into the motorcyclist.

The Bradley Law Firm has handled Missouri and Illinois motorcycle accidents for over 30 years. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident, contact one of our attorneys to discuss your legal rights. We will provide a free consultation with no obligation to hire our firm, as well a promise that you will never receive a legal bill. We only receive compensation if we are successful with your case.

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Posted In: Missouri Motorcycle Accidents

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Justin Larson, 26, of St. Louis, was seriously injured when he fell from an escalator Saturday night while attending the Cardinals-Mets game at Shea Stadium in New York.

Larson fell from the box-seat level to the floor, according to investigators. He was knocked unconscious and suffered broken ribs, a collapsed lung, and swelling of the brain. Larson was listed in critical condition at an area hospital.

This is not the first such incident to take place on an escalator at Shea Stadium. In April of this year, a 36-year-old man fell to his death after losing his balance on an escalator in a different section. In 1985, a 21-year-old also fell to his death from one of the stadium’s escalators.

Since this latest incident, several Mets fans have posted comments on the internet saying they have never felt safe on Shea Stadium’s escalators which are tall, narrow, and free-standing with nothing to prevent such dangerous falls.

The fact that no additional safety measures have been taken despite numerous deaths, injuries and complaints could be seen as negligence on the part of Shea Stadium’s owners. This falls under the area of law known as premises liability, which alleges that unsafe conditions led to a personal injury. Owners of property are required to maintain it and keep it reasonably safe, especially if dangers are known to be present.

If you or a loved one has been injured because of unsafe property conditions, the most important thing you can do is contact an experienced personal injury attorney.

The Bradley Law Firm has handled cases like this for more than 30 years. If you have any questions regarding your legal rights, contact us for a free consultation. Our lawyers can represent injured victims throughout the United States and regularly associate with counsel in states other than Missouri and Illinois to pursue claims. As always, you will never receive any legal bill from us and we only recover a fee if we are successful on your case.

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Posted In: Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer News , Missouri Premises Liability

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Kelvin and Betty Walker, 38 and 39 respectively, were hospitalized Friday after a multi-car accident on I-70 in Montgomery county.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Walkers ran their 2000 Kia off the roadway and struck the concrete median barrier. Kelvin exited the vehicle to inspect the damage. A 2004 Dodge, driven by Phyllis Rowe, 49, also ran off the roadway and struck the median, the Walker’s car, and Kelvin. A third vehicle hit a portion of the Dodge that came to rest partially blocking the roadway.

Betty and Kelvin Walker were taken to St. Joseph’s West Hospital in Lake St. Louis and were listed in moderate condition. Rowe suffered only minor injures and also sought treatment at St. Joseph’s West. The third vehicle was only moderately damaged and none of the passengers were injured, according to the investigating officer.

After seeking medical attention and exchanging insurance information, the most important thing to do when involved in a Missouri car accident is to contact a Missouri personal injury attorney. A competent Missouri personal injury will examine the information, determine probable liability and advise you on how to handle your case.

This Montgomery County, Missouri accident is slightly more complex because it involves multiple vehicles striking each other at separate times. In addition, while not indicated on the accident report, a brief online search revealed that the Missouri Department of Transportation had roadwork scheduled for the area and that may have contributed to the accident by blocking a portion of the median.

If the evidence suggests that the drivers involved were negligent with their cars or that MoDOT created unsafe conditions, the injured parties may be able to collect damages. Whenever someone is injured by another person’s negligence, the liability insurance of the party at-fault is required to pay for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any disability that results from the accident.

The Bradley Law Firm has handled Missouri and Illinois car accidents for over 30 years. Contact one of our attorneys for a free consultation. We will advise you on your case with no obligation to hire our firm.

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Posted In: Missouri Car Accidents

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A 7-year-old girl and her mother were killed Thursday when their SUV hit a van head-on along Highway 47.

The girl, Kailynn Hyde, and her brother, Bradley Hyde, 10, were riding with their mother, Michelle House, 28, when their 1988 Ford Bronco crossed the center line for an unknown reason. The Bronco then crashed head-on into a 2001 Chrysler van, driven by Lisa Starks, 43, according to the Missouri Highway Patrol.

Kailynn was pronounced dead at the scene with House being pronounced dead after being taken to Lincoln County Medical Center. Bradley Hyde was seriously injured and flown to Children’s Hospital. Starks and a passenger in the van, Bryan Woldanski, 44, were also seriously injured and taken to St. Joseph’s West Hospital.

The investigating officer said he didn’t know why House’s SUV crossed the center line, but a St. Louis Post Dispatch report indicates the possibility that a third vehicle was involved. An accident reconstruction will be performed as soon as the weather allows.

Accident reconstructions attempt to recreate the circumstances leading up to a Missouri car crash in order to determine how the accident happened. Trained investigators will look at tire skid marks, debris placement, road curvature, and many other factors to try and explain the cause of a fatal crash.

From a personal injury attorney’s perspective, there are some complicating factors to this case including the possibility of a third vehicle. The details of the investigation will need to be properly examined before liability can be determined. If you have been involved in a similar incident, you should contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to help you sort through the details of your crash.

The Bradley Law Firm has handled Missouri and Illinois car accident cases for over 30 years. Contact one of our experienced attorneys for a free consultation or visit our website for more information on personal injury law.

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Posted In: Missouri Car Accidents

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Photo from KY3 News

Ray Jones, 82, was killed Tuesday when the car he was riding in was sideswiped and forced off the road by a pickup truck that fled the scene after causing the accident.

According to the highway patrol, the 2005 Ford Taurus that Jones and his wife, Rebba, 78, were riding in was forced off Highway 60 and into several trees just west of Winona, Mo.

Ray Jones was pronounced dead at the scene. His wife, who was driving, suffered moderate injuries and was taken to St. Francis Hospital in Mountain View.

Missouri State Highway Patrol officers are still looking for the hit-and-run driver of the pickup. The truck was described as a blue Ford Super-Duty with a long bed and extended cab. There may be damage to its right side from the accident.

If you have information about the truck or driver, you should contact Highway Patrol’s Troop G headquarters at (417) 469-3121.

Whenever you are involved in a Missouri car accident, even if you do not believe the other party is injured, you must stop and exchange insurance information. Leaving the scene can result in felony charges and jail time.

To help pay for funeral expenses, Jones’ family may be able to pursue a claim on his own auto insurance policy for uninsured motorist benefits. Uninsured motorist coverage is designed to protect you should you be involved in an accident with an uninsured or hit-and-run driver, but filing the claim can be complicated. A personal injury attorney should be contacted as soon as possible to provide advice on how to properly handle these claims.

The Bradley Law Firm has over 30 years of experience in handling insurance claims. If you have questions regarding your insurance coverage, Contact us today for free consultation.

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Posted In: Hit and Run Injuries , Missouri Car Accidents

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A two-car crash injured five people, three seriously, Tuesday afternoon on Missouri 52 just west of Eldon, Missouri.

According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, a 2005 Dodge Ram Pickup, driven by Shane Davenport, 30, was traveling west on Missouri 52 when it swerved to avoid an unidentified car making a left turn. Davenport’s vehicle then crossed into the eastbound lanes where it hit a 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix, driven by Marilyn Byrd, 54, head-on.

Davenport was seriously injured as well as two passengers in Byrd’s vehicle, Junior Stone, 49, and Shannon Stone, 39. Byrd and another passenger, Jerry Barnhart, 52, suffered moderate injures. All of the injured were taken to Lake Regional Hospital in Osage Beach except for Byrd, who was taken to St. Mary’s in Jefferson City.

While the Missouri State Highway Patrol has a brief summary of the crash, this is just the opinion of investigating officer. Under Missouri evidence law, these opinions are considered hearsay unless the officer witnessed the crash or is trained in accident reconstruction. Since most highway patrol officers do not have this expertise, trained accident reconstructionists will need to be consulted in cases where legal causation as to liability is in dispute.

If you have been involved in a Missouri car crash, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. He or she will be able to organize an accident reconstruction and determine what parties are responsible.

The Bradley Law Firm has over 30 years of experience handling Missouri and Illinois car accident cases. Contact one of our attorneys today for a free consultation. We will advise you on how to proceed with your claim with no obligation to hire our firm. Also, we only collect attorney’s fees if we are successful in your case.

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Posted In: Missouri Car Accidents

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Daniel Coleman, 57, was seriously injured Sunday afternoon when his 2004 Harley Davidson motorcycle collided with another vehicle on Route Y.

According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, a Ford F150, driven by Daniel Cameron, 37, made a left turn into the path of Coleman’s motorcycle. Coleman crashed into the rear of the truck and was thrown from his motorcycle, which slid off the road. Cameron initially left the scene of the accident, but later returned.

Coleman was airlifted to Research Medical Center in Kansas City.

A summons was issued to Cameron for driving with a revoked license, failing to yield, and driving without insurance.

Even though Coleman was injured in an accident with an uninsured driver, he may be able to recover damages from his own insurance plan. Under Missouri law, all insurance plans, including liability only plans, come with uninsured motorist coverage that must provide at least $25,000 of coverage per person. This coverage allows drivers to file a claim against their own insurance company to pay compensation for bodily injury or death resulting from an accident caused by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver. Often insurance plans will not state that uninsured motorist coverage (UM) is included, hoping a claim will never be made. This is a sneaky tactic used by insurance companies more concerned with their bottom line than the health and financial stability of their clients. UM coverage is typically written for the same amount of liability coverage carried by the insured.

There is a Statute of Limitations that applies when filing uninsured motorist claims so it is important for anybody involved in such a crash to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

The Bradley Law Firm has over 30 years of experience in handling insurance claims. If you have questions regarding your insurance coverage, Contact Us today for free consultation.

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Posted In: Missouri Motorcycle Accidents

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A third victim of Tuesday’s Highway 40 tractor-trailer crash has died as more details emerge from the investigation.

According to authorities, Alvin Mast, 88, died Thursday at St. John’s Mercy Hospital. Two others, Lydia Miller, 55, and Charles Cason, 55, were killed instantly in the Missouri crash.

The St. Louis Post Dispatch reports that prosecutors have not yet filed criminal charges on the truck driver, Jeffrey Knight, 49, and will wait for the results of the crash investigation, which could take another week to complete.

According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, Knight plowed his tractor-trailer through traffic waiting at the ramp from Highway 40 to I-270. No evidence of drugs or alcohol was found, but authorities say Knight did take his eyes off the road just before the collision. The highway patrol has not released any more information as to what may have distracted Knight or what speed he was traveling.

We will continue to post updates as more details emerge.

If you have any questions about tractor-trailer law or personal injury law in general, visit our website or contact one of our attorneys for a free consultation.

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Posted In: Missouri Trucking Accidents , Personal Injury News

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Glen Hartless, 25, was seriously injured Thursday after a crashing his motorcycle into another vehicle in Park Hills, Missouri.

According to the highway patrol, Hartless was traveling westbound on Highway 32 when a 2003 Chrysler Sebring, driven by Helen Wakefield, 80, turned into his path. Hartless struck the vehicle and was thrown from his motorcycle.

Hartless was taken to Mineral Area Hospital. Wakefield was treated for minor injuries at Parkland Hospital.

Most Missouri motorcycle accidents occur when drivers in other vehicles fail to notice the person on the motorcycle. Often the driver will turn into the path of the motorcycle or merge into it when changing lanes.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a Missouri or Illinois motorcycle accident, one of the most important things to do is contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Cases like these are time sensitive and any delay could prevent you from recovering the cost of any medical expenses.

The Bradley Law Firm has over thirty years experience handling personal injury and motorcycle accident claims. If you have any questions or need legal advice, contact us for a free consultation.

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Posted In: Missouri Motorcycle Accidents

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In doing some research on some of the recent Missouri tractor trailer accidents, we came across an interesting article from the New York Times.

In the article, which was published in December of 2006, the reporter discusses the merits of adjusting trucking regulations, which was the debate at that time.

Some government officials wanted the regulations to be less strict, saying that being too hard on trucking companies and their drivers would unfairly hinder business. They wanted to increase the amount of time drivers could be behind the wheel, among other regulatory changes.

The Times reporter then uncovers some pretty startling facts about the trucking industry. He talks about how some drivers have no respect for their logbooks, which are documents that must be filled out accurately to make sure regulations are not broken. Truckers often refer to theses logs as “comic books” and will falsely record the number of hours they’ve worked. The fines for these infractions are small and many drivers get away with this practice simply because the Federal Motor Carrier Agency can’t monitor all the logs.

Many drivers also complained that they often felt pressure from their company to drive longer hours on little rest, when accidents are most common.

The report also says that statistically, the actual number of tractor-trailer crashes each year is equivalent to what would happen if the aviation industry had 25 major airline crashes annually.

If you would like to read the full article, you can find it here.

Knowing that trucking regulations are so routinely ignored, it is easy to see why there are so many Missouri truck accidents each year. If you have been involved in an accident with a tractor-trailer, the most important thing to do after exchanging information is contacting an experienced personal injury attorney.

The Bradley Law Firm has handled Missouri and Illinois trucking accidents for over 30 years. We know the laws of the trucking industry and how to uncover any negligence. Contact us today for a free consultation. Our lawyers will consult with you about your case and you’ll never receive a bill. We only get paid if we are successful on your case.

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Posted In: Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer News , Missouri Trucking Accidents , Personal Injury News

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Photo from STLtoday.com

Two people are dead and at least 16 others were injured in a horrific Missouri tractor-trailer crash involving 11 vehicles on Highway 40 this afternoon.

According to the highway patrol, a line of ten cars was stopped on the ramp from Highway 40 to I-270 because of congestion. A tractor-trailer, driven by Jeffrey Knight, 49, plowed through the line of stopped vehicles as it traveled eastbound on the highway.

Lydia Miller, 55, of Canton, Mo., and Charles Cason, 55, of Caseyville, Ill. were the two fatalities in this accident.

Of the other injuries, at least 8 were reported as serious by the officials on the scene. Among the more seriously injured were Susan and Levi Borntreger, 52 and 56, of Canton, Mo.; Gaylen Lovelady, 60, of Hunnewell, Mo.; David Jayne, 49, of Kirkwood, Mo.; and Mark Tiburzi, 52, of St. Peters, Mo. All of the injured were taken to St. John’s Hospital or Missouri Baptist.

An investigation into the accident, including an accident reconstruction, was being conducted at the scene, according to a St. Louis Post Dispatch report.

The report also says that authorities “have a very good idea” of what took place before the accident, but won’t yet disclose that information. One official says that he doesn’t believe alcohol was involved and that the incident was witnessed, though not recorded, by MoDOT officials monitoring a traffic camera

Knight was being questioned by the highway patrol and will be subjected to routine drug and alcohol tests. According to a KSDK report, he is a driver for Holmes Transportation, which is a general freight shipping company based out of Alabama. They employ 27 drivers and ship all across the county. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration says that Holmes drivers have received a satisfactory safety rating, though they have been involved in 3 non-fatal accidents in the last two years.

As more details emerge about the cause of this crash and the condition of the survivors, we will post them here.

KMOV has posted helicopter footage of the crash on KMOV.com.

For more information about the law surrounding trucking incidents, visit our website.

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Posted In: Missouri Trucking Accidents

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Two Missouri motorcycle accidents in the past two days have sent four riders to the hospital, two of them with serious injuries.

On Monday, Matthew McMullin, 40, was riding his 2004 Suzuki on Missouri 79 north of Elsberry when he hit a 2003 Ford Sport Trac, driven by Edwin Fattmann, 49. According to the highway patrol, Fattmann was attempting to make a left turn and cut in front of the motorcycle causing McMullin to hit the side of the Sport Trac.

McMullin suffered serious injuries and was taken by helicopter to St. John’s Hospital in Creve Coeur. Kimberly McMullin, 40, was also riding on the motorcycle and was taken by ambulance to St. John’s with only moderate injuries.

Today, on the other side of Missouri, a very similar accident occurred when James Mealman, 38, and Keith Mealman, 20, crashed their motorcycles on Missouri 291 south of Lee’s Summit.

James and Keith were riding on separate motorcycles and were attempting to pass a line of cars when they hit the side of a 1989 Ford F250 pickup, driven by Wilbur Strange, 53. According to the highway patrol, Strange was attempting to make a left turn and crossed into the path of the two motorcycles.

James Mealman suffered serious injuries and was taken to Research Main Medical Facility in Kansas City. Keith Mealman suffered only minor injuries, but was also taken to Research Main for treatment.

All four riders involved in the two incidents were wearing helmets.

These two incidents show the importance of both wearing the proper safety devices and being attentive on the roadways. Missouri motorcycle accidents often occur because other motorists don’t see the person on the motorcycle. Many drivers don’t look out for bike riders and will change lanes or turn into the motorcyclist. A simple negligent act can lead to serious injury and death as motorcyclists are so vulnerable on the roadways.

The Bradley Law Firm has thirty years of experience in handling personal injury claims and wrongful death claims arising from Missouri motorcycle accidents. If you have any questions about your legal rights in these cases, contact us today and one of our experienced attorneys will provide you with a free consultation. In addition, you will never be sent a legal bill from us. We only take a fee if we are successful on your case.

You may also visit our website’s section on Missouri motorcycle accidents for more information.

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Posted In: Missouri Motorcycle Accidents

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A sad update to the story we’ve been following out of Philadelphia, one of the women hit while jogging has died.

Cindy Grassi, 53, died from her injuries late Saturday night. The other woman, who we now know is Sandy Wacker, 36, remains in critical condition with numerous upper body fractures.

Grassi and Wacker taught together at Mark Twain Elementary in Brentwood. They often traveled together to watch Cardinals’ road games and were in Philadelphia for the Cards-Phillies series last week. They were out jogging when a car ran a red light and hit them both.

Joseph Genovese, 18, was the driver of the car and was charged Friday with driving under the influence and aggravated assault, among other offenses, according to a St. Louis Post Dispatch report. The story also cited Philadelphia news sources saying Genovese has had previous drug charges brought against him.

As more information is learned about this tragic incident, we will post additional detail.

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Posted In: Missouri Car Accidents , Personal Injury News

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Thresa McDonald, 39, was killed Saturday when the pickup truck she was riding in was hit by another truck on Highway 63 just south of Vienna, Missouri.

According to the investigating officer, McDonald was riding in a 1993 Chevrolet S10 driven by Ronnie Rollins, 28. Another pickup, a 2004 Ford F150 driven by Willie Stepp, 63, was negotiating a curve when it crossed the center line and hit the S10. Rollins’ vehicle overturned and ejected McDonald before coming to rest in a ditch. Stepp navigated his vehicle to a controlled stop in a nearby driveway.

McDonald was transported to St. John’s Hospital in Springfield where she was pronounced dead. Rollins was taken to Phelps County Regional Medical Hospital with moderate injuries, according to the highway patrol.

Charges are pending for Stepp. An accident reconstruction will be performed to determine exactly how this accident occurred and whether Stepp was negligent in operating his vehicle.

Whenever someone is injured by another person’s negligence, the liability insurance of the party at-fault is required to pay for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any disability that results from the accident. Since these matters are very time sensitive, it is important to contact an experienced Missouri personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

The Bradley Law Firm has handled personal injury cases for more than 30 years. If you have been involved in an accident, contact us and our lawyers will discuss the details of your case for free. We only receive payment if we are successful on your case.

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Posted In: Missouri Car Accidents

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Updating a story that we have been following, the cause of the plane crash that killed two pilots near Kansas City has been released. The official cause of the crash was dual engine power loss.

The National Transportation Safety Board released an accident report on Thursday that outlined the details of the crash. The plane had been on training exercises and had made stops in Topeka and Lawrence before heading to a “practice area” for maneuvers. The Aero Commander then did a series of sharp turns at low altitudes when the engine power failed.

Murray Brown, 47, and James Jambor, 24, who were the pilots on board, apparently tried to land the plane in the Leavenworth County field where they crashed. The landing gear was down and the flaps were at an approach setting, but the plane hit the ground at a too severe 53-degree angle.

Both men were pronounced dead at the scene.

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Posted In: Missouri Airplane Crashes , Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer News , Personal Injury News

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Photo from WTXF - FOX 29 News

Two unidentified women are in critical condition after they were hit by a drunk driver during a jog Thursday morning. Both joggers were from St. Louis and had traveled to Philadelphia with their husbands to watch the Phillies-Cardinals game.

The driver is in custody and will be charged with a DWI, according to a Fox 29 report.

Witnesses say the driver ran a red light and hit the women as they crossed the street.

We will post more information on this incident when it is released. It is virtually certain the driver will face additional criminal charges.

While many more details need to be examined by a personal injury attorney, the DWI charge is the first sign of a negligent act. A DWI conviction constitutes per se negligence. Negligence per se is a legal doctrine which states an act is deemed negligent if it violates a statute or regulation designed to keep people safe and is the cause of the injury. In this case, the regulation violated would be the laws against drunk driving. If a personal injury lawsuit were to follow, the lawyer would need to prove the violation of this statute contributed to cause the accident.

The Bradley Law Firm has handled cases like this for more than 30 years. If you or a family member has been injured by a drunk driver, contact us as soon as possible to discuss your legal rights. Our lawyers can represent injured victims throughout the United States and regularly associate with counsel in states other than Missouri and Illinois to pursue claims. As always, we will provide a free consultations and you never receive any legal bill from us. We only recover a fee if we are successful on your case.

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Posted In: Missouri Car Accidents , Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer News , Personal Injury News

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Patricia Troester, 61, was killed Tuesday when the 2008 Toyota she was driving crossed through the cable median on I-70 near Independence and struck oncoming traffic.

Cheryl Shaddox, 57, was one of the oncoming drivers hit by Troester’s vehicle. Shaddox was transported to Centerpoint Hospital with moderate injuries, according to the highway patrol.

It is not know what caused Troester’s vehicle to leave the roadway and cross the median. An investigation that includes an accident reconstruction will follow to determine how Troester lost control and if there were any faults in the cable median designed to prevent fatalities in incidents like this.

This is only the second such crossover fatality since the cable medians were installed at that location four years ago.

According to the Kansas City Star, in the seven years prior to the cable medians, 30 people died in 18 accidents along that same stretch of highway. According to the Transportation Research Board (TRB), the stretches of I-70 that have cable medians have seen more than a 90 percent decrease in crossover fatalities.

The cables are most effective when struck at less severe angles. In those cases, the posts give and the cables deflect up to 12 feet, slowing vehicles before they fully cross into oncoming traffic.

In Tuesday’s crash, a highway patrol engineer believes Troester’s vehicle likely hit the median head-on which was why it crossed into oncoming traffic.

Despite the safety record, cable medians have not been installed on all Missouri highways. The major reason is the expense. One mile of the cable barrier costs up to $100,000 to install and up to $10,000 dollars a year to maintain, according to the TRB.

The Bradley Law Firm has handled Missouri and Illinois car accident cases for over 30 years. If you have been involved in accident, contact us for a free, no obligation consultation.

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Posted In: Missouri Car Accidents , Personal Injury News

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Photo from KY3 News / Mark Parent

Two people were injured Sunday morning when their aircraft failed to successfully take off and ran over the end of the runway at Taney County Airport.

The owner and pilot of the plane, Gary Grandpre of Crete, Illinois, was taken to Skaggs Health Center in Branson along with his wife, whose name was not released, according to a KY3 report. Both suffered moderate injuries. Their children, who were also in the plane, were uninjured.

The plane, which was a Cessna Skymaster, appeared to lose power during takeoff. Witnesses say the plane was briefly airborne before falling back to the runway and blowing out a tire. The aircraft skid over 800 feet and off the end of the runway.

The FAA will look into the cause of this incident and whether a mechanical error was to blame.

This is the second Skymaster crash in the past month. In June, a Cessna Skymaster went down off the coast of Maine, killing both the pilot and a passenger. That crash is still under investigation.

Some pilots have commented on the unique design of the Skymaster and how it may be more difficult to fly if you are not used to it. If an engine loses power, it is very had to maintain control of the aircraft and glide it to a safe landing.

The Bradley Law Firm handles Missouri and Illinois aviation matters including jet and prop planes, as well as helicopter cases. If you have any questions regarding your aviation case, contact us for a free consultation.

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A two-car crash on Missouri 43 Sunday night killed three people and left one seriously injured, according to the Missouri Highway Patrol.

The investigating officer said that both drivers, Jesse Neal, 32, and Marya Toler, 50, were killed and Daniel Toler, 48, a passenger, was also killed. All were pronounced dead at the scene.

According to the patrol report, Neal’s 2007 Chevrolet pickup crossed the center line and struck Toler’s 1998 Mercury head on.

A daughter of the Tolers, Rebecca Toler, 26, was flown to St. John’s Hospital in Joplin where she was listed in serious condition.

It is not known what caused Neal’s vehicle to cross the center line. Since there were fatalities, the highway patrol will do an accident reconstruction to understand what led to this tragic accident. This will involve looking at on-board data recorders as well as examining tire skid marks and debris to determine all the specifics of the crash.

After fault is determined, a personal injury attorney will be needed to help the family of those involved recover damages. Whenever someone is injured by another person’s negligence, the liability insurance of the party at-fault is required to pay for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any disability that results from the accident. Since these matters are very time sensitive, it is important to contact an experienced Missouri personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

The Bradley Law Firm has over 30 years of experience in handling insurance claims. If you have questions regarding your insurance coverage, contact us today for free consultation.

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Posted In: Missouri Car Accidents

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John Hirner, 33, and James Tennimon, 14, were injured Sunday in an unusual incident as they rode a motorcycle north on Missouri 79 near Hannibal.

According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, a 1996 Chevrolet, driven by Ryan Tatman, 16, was traveling south on Missouri 79 when it lost its left rear tire. The tire crossed the center line and struck the motorcycle ridden by Hirner and Tennimon causing it to flip and land in the roadway. Tatman pulled his vehicle to the side of the road.

Both Hirner and Tennimon were taken to Hannibal Regional Hospital were they were treated for moderate injuries.

Both riders were wearing helmets.

If Hirner and Tennimon were to seek damages for their medical expenses, an investigation into the Chevrolet’s tire maintenance would need to take place. Forensic engineers would be consulted to determine whether the tire separated as a result of improper maintenance or road conditions. A personal injury attorney would need to determine who last serviced the tire and if they neglected to properly tighten the lugs and secure the tire.

If improper maintenance does turn out to have caused this accident, the last person to service the tires could be held negligent and responsible for paying the damages. In addition, a claim could be asserted against Mr. Tatman because all drivers are required to keep their vehicles in roadworthy condition. If it is discovered that Mr. Tatman knew or should have known the tire was loose or susceptible to falling off, he could be found guilty of negligence.

The Bradley Law Firm has handled Missouri personal injury cases for over 30 years. If you have been injured as a result of improper vehicle maintenance or some other mechanical failure, contact us today for a free consultation.

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Posted In: Missouri Motorcycle Accidents

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In response to a rash of Missouri boating accidents, Governor Matt Blunt signed legislation that lowers the legal blood alcohol level to .08.

The law, which goes into effect on August 28th, will make the legal limit for boaters equal to that of Missouri drivers. Previously, the limit for Missouri boaters was .10.

The law comes on the heels of numerous alcohol related accidents on Missouri waterways. The Missouri Water Patrol says alcohol was involved in all the fatal accidents on the Lake of the Ozarks in the past year.

Anyone who causes a death while boating under the influence will be charged with involuntary manslaughter, which could result in up to seven years in prison. This will also affect personal injury lawsuits as negligence in alcohol related accidents can be proved by citing blood alcohol regulation violations.

If you have been injured in a Missouri boating accident and would like a free legal consultation, contact us at The Bradley Law Firm. We have handled Missouri and Illinois boating accidents for over 30 years.

Posted by Ryan Bradley | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Missouri Boating Accidents , Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer News , Personal Injury News

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Robert Lord, 27, of Chaffee, Missouri was injured Wednesday night when his 1993 Toyota was rear ended by a tractor trailer on Interstate 55, according the Missouri Highway Patrol.

The investigating officer said the driver of the 2005 Freightliner Truck, Jamal Suleiman, 39, was attempting to change lanes when he struck the back of Lord’s vehicle. Lord’s Toyota was forced of the roadway and into the median.

Lord received treatment for his injuries at St. Francis Hospital in Cape Girardeau where he was listed in moderate condition. Suleiman was uninjured, according to the crash report.

This case, like other Missouri truck accidents we have covered on this site, should be investigated to determine if any trucking regulations were violated. Highly competitive trucking companies and overly ambitious drivers will often cheat the regulations by driving their big rigs longer or faster than is safe. This haste can lead to serious crashes and regulation violations are often grounds for punitive damages against a trucking company in these instances.

Dedicated truck accident lawyers have the industry knowledge and know how to handle a trucking violation case. A personal injury attorney should be contacted as soon as possible, though, because evidence of negligence on the part of the trucking company can be lost. Drivers are supposed to keep meticulous records of their driving hours, but the law only requires these records to be kept for a limited time.

Under most circumstances, Missouri law says that the at-fault driver’s negligence is presumed in rear impact car accidents. This is commonly called the “rear end collision doctrine,” and it is based on the reasoning that all drivers are required to be in control of their vehicles at all times.

If the driver in Wednesday’s crash is found to be negligent, a personal injury lawsuit could follow. At that time, discovery of pertinent documents will shed light on whether there were violations committed by this driver.

The Bradley Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars in trucking accidents for numerous clients over the last thirty years. Feel free to contact us with any questions related to your personal injury case. Consultations are always free.

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Posted In: Missouri Trucking Accidents

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Yorgan Yorganov, 33, was charged with operating a motorboat while intoxicated after he crashed his Seadoo into another jet ski driven by Tracy Sellmeyer, 45.

According to the Missouri Water Patrol, the accident occurred Sunday afternoon on the Grand Glaize arm of the lake. Witnesses said Yorganov “came out of nowhere” to hit Sellmeyer after making a sharp right turn.

Sellmeyer was taken to Lake Regional Hospital in Osage Beach and later flown to University Hospital in Columbia with serious injuries. Yorganov suffered minor injuries but refused medical treatment, according to the patrol report.

In addition to boating while intoxicated, Yorganov was also charged with operating a personal watercraft within 50 feet of another vessel.

Operating his vehicle under the influence of alcohol is a negligent act on the part of Yorganov. Should a personal injury lawsuit follow, a lawyer would need only to prove that violation of drinking regulations contributed to the cause of the accident.

A follow up investigation may be needed to gather more details about this crash. Boating accident cases are different than car accidents and a Missouri personal injury attorney with the appropriate experience should be contacted as soon as possible in the event of a boat or jet ski crash.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Missouri boating accident, contact The Bradley Law Firm for a free consultation. We have over 30 years of experience in personal injury law and we will be able to advise you on your case with no obligations.

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Posted In: Missouri Boating Accidents

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Kelly Glover, 53, was thrown from his 2004 Yamaha motorcycle when he was rear ended Tuesday night in Callaway County.

According to the highway patrol, the Missouri motorcycle accident occurred when Glover stopped on Route F to allow the vehicle ahead of him to make a left turn. Glover was then rear ended by a 1993 Chevrolet, driven by Laura Williams, 45, and thrown from his motorcycle.

Glover was taken by ambulance to University Hospital in Columbia where he was listed in moderate condition. Williams was not injured.

Fortunately, Glover was wearing a helmet. In motorcycle crashes, riders have almost no protection to prevent injury and, as a result, are more at risk on Missouri roadways. Statistics indicate motorcycle riders are four times more likely to sustain injury and twenty-one times as likely to die compared to those in other vehicles.

Missouri motorcycle accidents often occur because other motorists don’t see the person on the motorcycle. Many drivers don’t look out for bike riders and will change lanes or turn into the motorcyclist.

This Callaway County crash was also a rear end collision. From a Missouri personal injury lawyer’s perspective, this means the “rear end doctrine” would likely apply. This rule of evidence says when one vehicle hits another motorist from behind, negligence is presumed against the person who rear ended the car in front without having to identify how the crash happened. Many other factors can apply to rear end collisions, however, so it is important that a personal injury lawyer with extensive experience is contacted to prove this doctrine should apply.

The Bradley Law Firm has over thirty years of experience handling personal injury and wrongful death claims arising from Missouri motorcycle accidents. Contact the Bradley Law Firm today and speak to an experienced motorcycle personal injury lawyer about your case for free.

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Posted In: Missouri Motorcycle Accidents

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The St. Louis Post Dispatch reported the children of Andrea Whitehead were released from the hospital today after undergoing surgery. We previously reported on this tragic car accident when the Whitehead's vehicle traveled off highway 55 and off a 76 foot cliff. That Missouri car wreck claimed the life of Andrea Whitehead, but her children managed to pull through.

Here is the link to that story. Pay particular attention to this brave mother's last words to her children. They are truly touching.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/FA417844A5EBE47486257478004C5828?OpenDocument

Posted by Ryan Bradley | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Missouri Car Accidents

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