Missouri Accident Lawyer Blog

A Missouri rollover accident resulted in the death of two Naylor, Missouri residents, including a 3-year-old. Two other people were injured. The Missouri rollover accident occurred on June 4, 2011 at 4:43pm on Business 67 just one mile south of Poplar Bluff, Missouri.

Robin R. Steele of Naylor, Missouri lost control of a 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier, sliding into opposing traffic. The Chevrolet crashed into a 1999 Ford F150 driven by Cleveland S. Koonce of Poplar Bluff, Missouri in the opposite direction. The force of the collision caused both vehicles to overturn.

A woman and child were killed in the Butler County Missouri rollover accident. Robin R. Steele, the 36-year-old Chevrolet driver, and 3-year-old occupant Jayden K. Baugus were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident by Butler County Coroner Jim Akers. Their next of kin have been notified. Trisha K. McGaughy, a 32-year-old Chevrolet occupant from Fairdealing, suffered serious injuries. Cleveland Koonce sustained moderate injuries. The Missouri State Highway Patrol did not report whether any driver or occupant wore a safety device during the accident.

Missouri rollover accidents are disproportionately fatal car accidents. Rollovers are less than 5% of car accidents in Missouri, yet they account for nearly 30% of Missouri traffic fatalities. The greatest contributor to serious injuries and fatalities from rollovers is a roof collapse. When a vehicle’s roof collapses in a rollover accident, safety features like air bags and seat belts can no longer protect the accident victims. As a result, surviving accident victims may suffer traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury.

Determining liability in a Missouri rollover accident is difficult because a number of parties may be responsible. A post-accident investigation may focus on a number of parties. Mechanics may be investigated for negligent work that could have made the vehicle more likely to overturn. Vehicle manufacturing companies may be investigated for potential manufacturing defects that made the vehicle too susceptible to rollover accidents. As in any multivehicle accident, a surviving driver will be held accountable for negligently operating a vehicle.