Missouri Accident Lawyer Blog

Two women were moderately injured in a St. Louis County Missouri car accident on southbound I-270 on March 25, 2011 at 3:24pm. One driver struck the other while changing lanes in a Missouri side impact collision.

Stephanie L. Mayo, 34, of Maryland Heights, Missouri drove a 1996 Ford Thunderbird on southbound I-270 near highway 21. Mayo changed lanes, causing the accident. Mayo crashed into the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu driven by Diane L. Slattery, 67, of St. Louis, Missouri. Both vehicles drove off the right side of the road and slammed into a rock wall.

Both Slattery and Mayo were moderately injured in the Missouri car accident. Slattery was taken to St. Anthony’s Medical Center by Mehlville E.M.S. for medical treatment. Abbort E.M.S. took Mayo to St. John’s Medical Center. Both vehicles were totaled and towed away from the scene of the accident. Both women were wearing their safety device. According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, Mayo was a Missouri uninsured driver.

Missouri defensive driving courses provide invaluable lessons in accident prevention, injury minimization, and dealing with aggressive drivers. Driving well is not enough to avoid car accidents. Learning how to avoid collisions when other drivers make mistakes (e.g. not checking their blind spot before changing lanes) is essential to driving safety. Learning how to identify dangerous drivers and quickly respond to them minimizes the risk of a Missouri auto accident. Minimizing the risk of car collisions prevents personal injury, decreases vehicle damage, and saves money. Many states offer insurance credits to drivers who take defensive driving courses. Regardless of whether insurance credits are available, Missouri defensive driving courses are recommended for drivers of any skill level.

Continue reading " Two Local Women Crash Into Rock Wall Off Side of I-270 in St Louis County Missouri Car Accident " »

Ten Missourians were sent to the hospital for the medical treatment of Missouri car accident injuries after an Adair County, Missouri car crash. The collision occurred on MO-149, 8 miles north of Novinger, at 2:38pm on March 27, 2011.

Driver Charles C. McFarland, 52, of Novinger failed to yield the right of way to highway traffic as he left Grapevine Road to enter MO-149. McFarland’s 1987 GMC was hit by driver Jennifer L. Belzer, 41, of Columbia. She had been traveling on MO-149 in a 1999 GMC before the Missouri car accident.

McFarland suffered moderate injuries, along with his occupant Virgil J. McFarland, 54, of Novinger. Belzer additionally suffered moderate injuries in the Missouri auto accident. Belzer had 7 passengers; each suffered an injury as a result of the accident. Belzer’s passengers were Ricky J. Belzer, Esther H. Belzer, Lydia G. Belzer, Maggie C. Belzer, Mariah L. Belzer, Noel F. Belzer, and Sarah D. Belzer. Two of the passengers were moderately injured. The rest of the passengers sustained minor injuries.

The drivers and passengers were all transported to Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville, Missouri. The Adair County Sheriff’s Office, the Northern Novinger Rural Fire Department, and the Adair County Ambulance assisted the injured drivers and the injured passengers. Both GMC vehicles sustained extensive damage in the Missouri car collision.

Missouri statute §304.351(1) mandates that “[t]he driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to a vehicle which has entered the intersection from a different highway.” This Missouri law mandates that a driver entering a highway must yield to the traffic already traveling on that highway when there is no traffic control at the intersection. Failing to yield the right of way gives the other driver little time to respond and therefore endangers everyone at the intersection.

Violating §304.351 is deemed a class C misdemeanor. If the violation caused a physical injury, the court assesses a financial penalty. The court may also suspend the offender’s driving privileges for a statutorily define period. An experienced Missouri car accident attorney can use a violation of §304.351 as evidence of negligence to secure just compensation for the victims of a failure-to-yield Missouri car accident.

Continue reading " Ten Missourians Injured In Adair County Missouri Failure-to-Yield Car Collision " »

Syreeta A. Holland is in DePaul Hospital after being moderately injured in a Missouri rear end collision caused by an inattentive driver on March 25, 2011 at 11:45pm. Her car was totaled in this City of Saint Louis Missouri car accident.

According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, Paul E. Johnson failed to notice stopped traffic ahead of him on eastbound I-70, just west of Jennings Station Road. He slammed his 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe into the 2005 Nissan Armada driven by LaAngela A. Tompkins in a Missouri rear impact car accident. Then Johnson changed lanes and side-swiped Bertha C. Himes, who was driving a 2005 Nissan Armada, in a Missouri side impact car accident. After hitting Himes’s vehicle, Johnson crashed into Holland’s 2008 Mercedes C300. Johnson’s Tahoe then swerved and struck a 2008 Saturn Astro driven by John N. Wulf in a Missouri front impact car collision. After colliding with the four vehicles, Johnson traveled away from the scene in the grassy interstate median.

Holland sustained the only reported injury in the five car accident. Her Mercedes C300 was totaled in the accident. She was taken by Northeast Fire and EMS to Depaul Hospital. Johnson’s Tahoe was also totaled. The other vehicles sustained minor to moderate damage. All of the drivers were reportedly insured and wearing their safety device except for Johnson.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rates driver inattention as the leading factor in both crashes. In a research report made in conjunction with the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, the NHTSA found that 80 percent of crashes involve driver inattention within three seconds before the event. Cell phone use and drowsiness are key causes of driver inattention. The study emphasized that driving conditions change abruptly so drivers cannot predict when it is safe to look away from the road. Drivers should avoid Missouri dangerous driving distractions like applying makeup or using mobile electronic devices while driving.

The driver of a motor vehicle has a duty to exercise reasonable care while driving. If an inattentive driver was distracted by eating or talking on a cellular phone, an knowledgeable Missouri accident attorney can argue that the driver breached his duty to exercise reasonable care. If the attorney proves by a preponderance of the evidence that the breach caused the crash and the crash resulted in damage to you, a successful claim for negligence is made.

Continue reading " Inattentive Driver Sends St Louis Woman to Hospital with Moderate Injuries in Five Car Collision " »

Two men suffered serious injuries in a Missouri front end collision on March 20, 2011 at 2:17am.

The Franklin County Missouri car accident occurred on Missouri Route AT near Missouri Route M. Jeffrey Liviapoma, 19, of Manchester, Missouri was driving on a roadway near 2:00am. He lost control of his 2002 Chrysler Town and Country and crossed the centerline of the roadway. Liviapoma’s car crashed into a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt driven by Justin E. Derecskey, 30, of House Springs, Missouri in a Missouri front impact collision.

Both Liviapoma and Derecskey were seriously injured in the accident. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, neither man was wearing his safety device. Derecskey was taken to St. John’s Mercy Hospital in Washington, Missouri by ambulance. The Arch helicopter took Liviapoma to St. John’s Mercy Medical Center in Creve Coeur. Liviapoma was reportedly uninsured.

Missouri law requires that all vehicle drivers and owners have a liability insurance policy, imposing minimum levels of coverage. Each driver is required to have uninsured motorist coverage of at least $25,000 for bodily injury per person and $50,000 for bodily injury per accident. Missouri requires that proof of insurance be kept in the vehicle at all times.

The financial consequences of being in a Missouri car accident with an uninsured motorist are staggering. In a typical accident, the insurance company of the party at fault would cover expenses and pay damages. If the at-fault party does not have insurance, the victim is stuck with the bill. Uninsured motorist coverage is the surest way to protect your finances in the event of a car crash with a Missouri uninsured driver.

Missouri uninsured drivers themselves face significant financial risk when driving. Uninsured drivers receive no assistance from insurance companies to pay for vehicle damage, medical expenses, or protracted lawsuits. Lacking car insurance may also prevent a party from collecting damages from an at-fault party.

Continue reading " Franklin County Head-On Collision Seriously Injures Two " »

A four car Missouri car accident combined the destruction of a Missouri rear impact car accident and a Missouri wrong way accident on March 21, 2011 at 5:08pm. Two Stockton residents were taken to the hospital for medical treatment.

Ernest E. Rosenbaum, 43, stopped his 1994 Dodge Caravan in traffic on MO-32 just west of Stockton. Marvin F. Robinson, 46, had also stopped his 1991 Chevrolet in traffic on the same roadway. Michael G. Gioshes, 51, struck Robinson’s Chevrolet in a Missouri rear end collision, forcing Robinson’s Chevrolet to strike Rosenbaum’s Dodge. After striking Robinson’s vehicle, Gioshes’s Ford crossed the highway centerline into oncoming traffic. Gioshe’s Ford struck Michael G. Terhune, 56, in a Missouri wrong way auto accident.

Robinson, who was reportedly not wearing a safety device during the accident, suffered serious injuries. Kialla L. Barila, 14, suffered moderate injuries. She was an occupant in Gioshes’s Ford. Both Robinson and Barila were taken to Citizens Memorial Hospital in Bolivar, Missouri. This complex collision totaled two cars and caused moderate damage to the other cars involved.

Knowing what to do after a Missouri car accident can be confusing. Car crashes are often chaotic and disorienting. Knowing what to do is critical, because actions taken after an auto accident can affect the victim’s compensation. First, call the police and get medical assistance immediately after an accident. Delaying medical treatment will allow insurance companies to argue that the accident did not cause the injury. Second, exchange insurance information with the other people involved in the accident. Exchanging contact information is also recommended. Third, photograph the accident as well as the injuries and vehicle damage that it caused. Keeping a disposable camera in the car at all times is advisable. Fourth, keep documentation of the consequences of the accident (e.g. medical records, doctor’s visits, et cetera).

Accepting medical treatment, cooperating with the police, and refusing to accept the blame for the accident are wise choices that protect your rights after a collision. Remember to never give a written or oral statement to an insurance company before contacting a Missouri car accident lawyer.

Continue reading " Four Car Collision in Cedar County Sends Two Stockton Missouri Residents to Hospital " »

A Pleasant Hill father rescued his infant son from the icy wreckage of a Missouri rollover accident on March 14, 2011 at 8:15am in a Cass County Missouri car accident.

24 year old William S. Whenham from Pleasant Hill, Missouri drove his infant son Colton L. Whenham on MO-7 on Monday morning. The roadway was covered in slush. The father lost control of his 2009 Ford F150 Pickup. The truck ran off the right side of the road, crashed down an embankment, and overturned. The truck submerged into the creek upside down, only the undercarriage and tires of the truck visible. The infant son was still buckled inside.

The father managed to rescue his son from the wreckage. The infant submerged in the icy waters for less than a minute. The F150 sustained extensive damage in this Missouri car accident. Emergency crews found the father and son suffering from hypothermia symptoms on the side of the road. The father only had minor injuries. The infant was taken to Children’s Mercy Hospital for treatment.

According to local reports, the father could have been driving too fast for the inclement weather conditions. Missouri law requires motorists to exercise the highest degree of care while driving on Missouri roads. Operating a vehicle in a careful and prudent manner is required at all times. When the roads are slushy and icy, driving prudently often means driving slower than usual. When the weather becomes drastically colder, as it did on Monday morning, drivers should monitor their rate of speed so as not to endanger others.

Continue reading " Pleasant Hill Father Saves Infant Son from Watery Wreckage In Cass County " »

Orlando Soto of Plato, Missouri narrowly avoided serious injury in a snowy nighttime Franklin County, Missouri car crash on March 14, 2011 at 10:00pm.

Joy L. Exline of Krum, Texas lost control of her 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt on eastbound I-44 and slowed to a near stop. Soto was driving his 2009 Chevrolet Silverado immediately behind Exline. When Exline almost stopped, a Missouri rear end impact accident occurred as Soto’s Silverado struck Exline’s Cobalt. Soto then veered off the roadway and hit the cable median barriers.

The Missouri car accident caused extensive damage to Soto’s Silverado and totaled Exline’s Cobalt. Exline and her passenger, 12-year-old Chyanne M. Atherton, were taken to Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan, Missouri. They suffered minor injuries. The Highway Patrol did not list any injuries for Soto.

The “rear end doctrine” complicates personal injury cases for back-most drivers like Soto in Missouri rear end collision. The rear end doctrine presumes that the back-most driver was both at fault for the accident and was negligent while driving. The back-most driver would then be responsible for showing that the front driver was actually at fault.

The front driver in a rear end collision would be at fault if she drove in such a way that the back-most driver could not reasonably avoid the collision. Courts often look to expert testimony to determine vehicle speeds before the accident, damage and injury caused by the accident, distance between the vehicles, and other factors related to the accident. Whether to apply the rear end doctrine to a case is a complex decision within the judge’s discretion. The rear end doctrine is the default rule in Missouri, so it will apply to most cases involving Missouri rear end collisions.

Continue reading " Plato Missouri Man Escapes Serious Injury in Snowy Franklin County Missouri Car Crash " »

A three-car accident caused by a rear-end collision in just south of Mansfield, Missouri left two people seriously injured on Friday, March 11 at 2:25pm.

Rhonda R. Gerald stopped her 1994 Chevrolet in Friday afternoon traffic on Missouri Route 5. Gerald was then rear-ended by a 2011 Honda driven by Karen W. Blevins. The Missouri rear-end collision started a chain reaction that forced Blevins to cross the centerline and strike a 2006 Lincoln driven by Michael Tovar of Mountain Home, Arkansas. The rear-end collision combined with the Missouri wrong-way auto accident caused extensive damage to all vehicles involved.

Gerald of Mansfield, Missouri suffered serious injuries in this Missouri car accident. An ambulance transported her to St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. Betty J. Tovar, a passenger in the 2006 Lincoln driven by Michael Tovar, also suffered serious injuries. She was transported to Cox South Hospital in Springfield, Missouri, by air ambulance. No injuries were reported for other drivers or passengers.

Rear-end collisions are the most common type of auto accident at 2.5 million each year nationwide. Driver inattention is often a cause of car accidents in which a stopped car is rear ended. Driver inattention is not a new phenomenon, but the increase in electronic device use while driving exacerbates the problem. The Journal of the Transportation Research Board published a study in 2009 analyzing the effects of electronic device usage in Missouri car accidents from 2001 to 2006. The study found that driver inattention led to a higher likelihood of crash involvement. Specifically, the highest number of inattention-related accidents occurred when drivers used cell phones or other electronic devices while driving.

Driver inattention from text messaging and cell phone use endangers Missouri drivers. Missouri does not have a cell phone ban for drivers, despite the scientific link between cell phone usage and car accidents. Missouri’s limited text messaging ban only applies to novice drivers, defined as drivers aged 21 and younger. Given the laxity of Missouri’s driving regulations, driver inattention will continue to play a prominent role in Missouri rear impact car accidents.

Continue reading " Rear-End Collision in Wright County Missouri Causes Chain Reaction Leaving Two Seriously Injured " »

Personal injury lawyer Ryan Bradley's trial result against former US Attorney Eric Tolen was featured on KSDK news in St. Louis as the top news story on March 8, 2011. For more information about the case, visit our website which includes a copy of the Missouri personal injury petition and Final Judgment.

Continue reading " $30,040,000.00 Trial Result Recorded in St. Louis County by the Personal Injury Lawyers at The Bradley Law Firm; Largest Personal Injury Award Ever Recorded in St. Louis County " »

A teenaged girl from Cowgill, Missouri lost her life in a tragic Missouri car accident in Caldwell County on the M-116, four miles east of Polo. The crash happened on the afternoon of Sunday, February 27 at 1:07pm.

Kasey L Bolling, age 16, lost control of her 1999 Ford Contour on the wet roadway. She skidded sideways into oncoming traffic and was involved in a side impact car accident on the front passenger-side by a 2009 Ford F-250 driven by Kevin T Smith, 47, of Polo, Missouri. Kasey was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident by the Caldwell County Coroner Dana Brown.

Kevin Smith and his passenger, Parker Smith, 13, were moderately injured. They were taken to Liberty Hospital in Liberty, Missouri by the Caldwell County ambulance.

Kasey Bolling was wearing her safety device according to the investigating officers. Under Missouri statute §304.012, all operators of motor vehicles are required to use the highest degree of care when driving on Missouri roads and highways. Missouri state law additionally requires drivers to operate at a “rate of speed so as not to endanger the property of another or the life or limb of any person.” This means that when the road is slick from inclement weather, driving the speed limit may not necessarily equate to driving with the highest degree of care. In these cases, Missouri law requires operators to drive at a speed less than the applicable limit. Violating § 304.012 R.S.Mo. is a class B misdemeanor. When an accident is involved, the violation is a class A misdemeanor.

Continue reading " Fatal Accident for Teenaged Girl from Cowgill, Missouri " »

A St. Francois County Missouri car accident claimed the lives of two Missourians late Monday, February 28th at 10:10 pm. According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, this front impact car accident occurred on Highway O-32 just east of Schwartz Rd when Judson D. Kimbrough crossed the center lane of MO-32, and collided with eastbound driver Jacob A. Blum. Both vehicles were totaled. Jacob Blum, who was reportedly not wearing a safety device, was pronounced dead by the St. Francois County Coroner at 10:40pm. Judson Kimbrough and his passenger Jarvis Kimbrough were transported by helicopter to St. John’s Mercy in Creve Coeur, Missouri. Judson Kimbrough was pronounced dead around midnight. Jarvis Kimbrough was seriously injured.

Missouri's wrongful death statute can help alleviate the financial consequences of losing a loved one. The statute sets forth categories of damages a family may recover for as well as who in the family may recover. In addition, the statute sets a strict time limit on when the claim must be filed. If a family waits too long to file the wrongful death petition with the court, they may be forever barred from doing so.

Continue reading " Head-On Car Collision in St. Francois County Missouri Results in Double Fatality " »