Posted On: November 30, 2011

Fatal Franklin County Missouri Car Accident on MO-30

A teen from High Ridge, Missouri died in a Franklin County Missouri stop sign accident on November 29, 2011. Two other Missourians suffered moderate injuries in the Franklin County Missouri car accident.

The Tuesday afternoon accident occurred with 17 year old driver Gunnar T. Smith failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection between highway 30 and Hendricks Road. Smith’s 2003 Ford Escort collided with a 1999 Winnebago in the intersection. The Winebago was driven by Glennon O. Naeger of Perryville, Missouri.

Nicholas S. Decker, a teenaged occupant in Smith’s vehicle, died in the fatal Franklin County Missouri accident. Both drivers – Smith and Naegar – suffered moderate injuries in the accident. Naeger received treatment at St. Anthony’s Medical Center while Smith was transported to Mercy Hospital in Creve Coeur, Missouri. Decker’s next of kin has been notified.

Stop sign violations are a major cause of Missouri car accidents. Many types of stop behaviors lead to stop sign accidents. A common cause of Missouri stop sign car accidents is the failure to stop at the stop sign. Other car accidents result when a driver does stop at a stop sign, but fails to notice traffic already in the intersection.

A study published in the Journal of Safety Research analyzed the crash reports of crashes at stop sign controlled intersections. According to the results, 70% of all crashes at stop sign controlled intersections are caused by stop sign violations. The study found that roughly 700,000 motor vehicle crashes occur at stop signs. A substantial proportion of those accidents cause physical injuries. Drivers under the age of 18 accounted for a disproportionate amount of Missouri stop sign accidents.

Stop sign accidents in which the driver completely failed to stop at the stop sign are more likely to cause injury. Failure to stop at a stop sign may be the result of driver negligence. Drivers may be too distracted by conversations or mobile devices to notice the stop sign. A municipality may be at fault for a stop sign accident. The stop sign may be difficult to see because trees or other large objects are obscuring their view.

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Posted On: November 28, 2011

St. Charles County Missouri Three-Vehicle Accident Injures Four

Missourians from Troy and Dittmer were injured in a St. Charles County Missouri three car accident on November 26, 2011 at 8:25am. The morning accident involved both eastbound and westbound traffic on I-70, west of Wentzville Parkway.

The St. Charles County Missouri rear end car accident occurred as a 2001 Infiniti I30 crashed into the rear of a 2007 Lexus ES350 driven by Gregory D. Noe of Chesterfield, Missouri while driving on westbound I-70. Both the Infiniti and the Lexus travelled off the left side of the interstate highway. The vehicles smashed through the median cables and drove on the other side of the interstate. The Lexus came to stop on the inside shoulder, avoiding oncoming traffic. Noe, the driver of the Lexus, had no reported injuries in the accident.

The Infiniti drove into eastbound traffic into the path of a 2007 Jeep Liberty. The Jeep and the Infiniti collided. The Infiniti did not come to rest until it reached the south side of the interstate. Four Missourians were injured in the St. Charles County Missouri multi-vehicle accident. Jeep driver Ashley S. Lehman and two child occupants – 3 year old Braden L. Lehman and 5 year old Wyatt A. Lehman – sustained injuries in the accident. They avoided serious injuries by wearing safety devices appropriate for their age and size. Infiniti driver Cortney B. Miller of Dittmer, Missouri sustained injuries as well. Miller did not wear a safety device during the accident. St. Charles County Ambulance transported all the injured parties to Mercy Medical Center for treatment.

The cable median on I-70 failed to stop two passenger vehicles from crossing onto the other side of the highway in the above accident. Multiple styles of highway barriers are available to states and which style they choose may have a great impact on the rate of injurious Missouri car accidents. Cable barrier medians have exploded in popularity in the past decade, in part because they are inexpensive to build. Cable barrier medians cost 50% less than traditional concrete highway medians or steel medians. Missouri was one of the first states to adopt cable median barriers, along with North Carolina, Texas, Washington, and California. Now the majority of states use cable barriers.

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Posted On: November 26, 2011

I-55 Street Racers Cause St. Louis County Missouri Car Accident

A St. Louis teen was injured in a St. Louis County Missouri car accident that occurred on northbound I-55 at 11:40pm on November 25, 2011. Two other vehicles that were racing late Friday night cut off Emina Ofmanovic, 18, who was driving a 2010 Mazda 3. The Mazda went off the right side of the roadway. The Mazda crashed into a guardrail and a concrete wall. Ofmanovic was taken to St. Anthony’s Medical Center by Mehlville Ambulance.

Illegal street racing is a dangerous phenomenon that threatens public highway safety. Illegal street racing occurs when drivers unaffiliated with organized motorsports compete at high speeds on public roadways. Illegal street racers may hold their events when there are fewer vehicles on the road (e.g. late at night). However, the street racers travel at such high speeds that any other vehicles present on or near the road are put at a serious risk.

Illegal street racers imprudently create a risk of harm for themselves and their spectators. For example, a 17 year old St. Louis teen was killed earlier this year. One of the racing vehicles hit her while she was acting as a “flag girl.” The racing drivers fled the scene of the accident as the girl died.

Illegal street racers create a serious risk of harm for vehicle occupants unrelated to the race. Street racers may cut off vehicles driving at reasonable speeds and create a Missouri single vehicle accident. Ofmanovic was injured in a Missouri street racing car accident because the racing vehicles cut her off, for instance. Street racing vehicles may crash directly into other vehicles on the roadway as well.

Illegal street racing is banned in all of Missouri by statute 304.012.1, which regulates vehicle speed. The statute states that “[a] person shall operate a motor vehicle in a careful and prudent manner and at a rate of speed so as not to endanger the property of another or the life or limb of any person and shall exercise the highest degree of care.” By definition, street racers do not drive in a careful and prudent manner while racing. The primary goal of a street racer is drive as fast as possible.

Under Missouri state law, cities and towns have the ability to prevent racing on Missouri’s highways through traffic ordinances and fines. Cities may even imprison violators. Any penalties are punishments that a city may impose on an illegal street racers do not interfere with an accident victim’s ability to recover for injuries sustained in a street racing accident.

Posted On: November 23, 2011

St. Clair High School Teen Killed in Franklin County Missouri Car Crash

Corina L. Wilken, a 17 year old from St. Clair, was killed in a Franklin County Missouri car accident. The Missouri car accident seriously injured Tyler M. Palmer, a 16 year old from St. Clair. The tragic accident serves as a stark reminder about the importance of safe teen driving.

Palmer was driving a 2001 Dodge Stratus on northbound Highway 47 when the Franklin County car accident occurred. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Palmer was driving too fast for road conditions. The Dodge began to spin. The Dodge careened off the left side of the roadway and crashed into a tree.

An emergency responder revealed that Wilken died at the scene of the accident. She did not wear a safety belt during the accident. Palmer was transported by flight to Mercy Medical Center in Creve Coeur, Missouri. Palmer suffered serious injuries during the Franklin County Missouri car accident, including a ruptured spleen, collapsed lung, broken bones, and spine damage. A recent update indicated that Palmer was in an induced coma. Palmer may be unable to breathe on his own.

Teen car accidents statistics tell a dire story about teen driver safety. Traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States. Studies show that drivers between the ages of 16 to 19 have the highest crash rates when compared to other age groups. Researchers believe that several factors account for the large amount of Missouri teen driver car accidents, including poor risk analysis and distracted driving.

Poor risk analysis plays a large role in teen car accidents. Teenagers tend to underestimate the amount of risk while driving. Teens engage in risky driving behavior without quite comprehending the amount of risk that they are taking. For example, a teen driver may drive significantly faster than the speed limit on a curvy road without appreciating the danger of that choice. Teens tend to overestimate their abilities to avoid threats as well. A teen driver may attempt a turn in a busy intersection with the mistaken belief that the other vehicles are easily avoidable.

Distracted driving is a major problem for teen safety. Teenagers often engage in dangerous, distracting behaviors while driving. Teens are more likely than older adults to write and read text messages while operating a motor vehicle. In response to the texting while driving phenomenon, Missouri law bans drivers under the age of 21 from texting while driving.

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Posted On: November 21, 2011

Three Injured in Jefferson County Missouri Car Accident

Missourians from Imperial and St. Louis were injured in a Jefferson County Missouri single vehicle car accident on November 20, 2011. The 8:30pm Jefferson County Missouri car accident occurred on northbound Old Lemay Ferry, north of Spring Forest Drive.

27 year old drier Tyler J. Flotow of St. Louis, Missouri lost control of a 2003 Subaru Baja on the wet roadway. The Subaru travelled off the roadway, striking a post off the right side of the road. Three people were injured. 14 year old Floyd H. Duncan of Imperial, Missouri suffered the worst injures in the accident. Flotow and Nicholas M. King, 20, of Imperial, Missouri sustained physical injuries in the accident as well. The three accident victims were taken by Rock Township Ambulance to St. Anthony’s Medical Center.

Missouri single vehicle accidents are not always the result of driver negligence. Single vehicle accidents may be caused by environmental circumstances outside of the driver’s control. For example, poorly tied down debris may fall into the roadway from another vehicle. The driver may swerve to avoid the road obstruction, only to drive off the roadway in an accident. Since the driver did not collide with another automobile, the crash report may indicate that a Missouri single vehicle accident occurred though the driver was not at fault.

Single vehicle accidents may also be caused by poorly maintained roads in Missouri. Poorly maintained roads are safe when initially built, but become dangerous as a municipality neglects its duty to maintain the roads. Poorly maintained roads increase the risk of serious traffic accidents. However, some municipalities are cutting the budget designated for road maintenance in response to strict budget cuts and decreased tax revenue. Structural problems on bridges, unfilled potholes, and overgrown plants blocking sight lines may go uncorrected for an extended period of time.

Municipalities that fail to fulfill their duty to maintain the roads in their jurisdiction are liable to accident victims. If the failure to maintain a road was the cause of a Missouri single car accident, the accident victim may be able to obtain compensation for injuries sustained from the municipality. Accident victims who wish to obtain compensation from municipalities should contact an experienced Missouri car accident attorney. Municipalities may have mandatory administrative procedures with strict deadlines.

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Posted On: November 19, 2011

Failure to Yield Causes St. Charles Missouri Car Accident

Two people were sent to Christian Northeast Hospital for medical treatment after a St. Charles County Missouri car accident. The Saint Charles Missouri car accident occurred at the intersection of northbound Highway 67 and Red School Road.

Denise M. Newberry of Florissant, Missouri was driving on northbound 67 in a 2009 Nissan Quest as the accident began. Matthew A. Gearing of Bethalto, Illinois was driving a 2003 Dodge Stratus on eastbound Red School Road. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Gearing failed to yield to Newberry’s vehicle. Gearing drove his Dodge into the path of Newberry’s Nissan. The Nissan crashed into the passenger side of the Dodge. Both drivers were injured during the Missouri car accident. Both vehicles sustained extensive damage.

Missouri failure to yield car accidents cause extensive vehicle damage and serious physical injuries. A failure to yield car accident occurs when a driver fails to adhere to right-of-way rules at an intersection or road junction. Failing to yield to other vehicles is a dangerous mistake to make on the road. Drivers reasonably expect that other drivers will observe the rules of the road. When a negligent driver fails to yield, other drivers are caught off guard and have a limited amount of time to adjust their speed and direction.

Failure to yield properly is against Missouri law. Missouri statute 304.351 governs the right of way rules for intersections and the consequences for failure to yield. If there are no traffic control devices (e.g. traffic light, stop sign, et cetera) at an intersection, a vehicle approaching the intersection must yield to traffic already in the intersection. If two vehicles approach the intersection at roughly the same time, the driver on the left must yield the right of way to the driver on the right. If a driver intends to make a left turn in the intersection, the driver attempting the left turn must yield to any incoming traffic.

Missouri statute 304.351 imposes on penalties on drivers who fail to yield in accordance in the law as a deterrent. A violation of the statute is a misdemeanor offense. If the failure to yield caused some physical injury, the violator will be fined up to $200. If the violation caused serious physical injury, the violator may be fined up to $500. If the violation caused a fatality, the violator may be fined up to $1,000. The financial penalties in the statute do not interfere with the compensation owed to the victim.

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Posted On: November 16, 2011

St. Francois County Missouri Head-On Collision Injures Two Women

Two Missourians suffered physical injuries as a result of a St. Francois County Missouri front impact car accident on November 8, 2011 at 5:30pm. The Saint Francois County Missouri head-in car accident began as Tamara N. Sykes of Middlebrook, Missouri drove on eastbound Missouri Route NN in a 2004 Jeep Cherokee. Sykes crossed the centerline in the roadway and crashed head-on into a 2006 Chevrolet Impala. The Impala was driven by Miriam D. Counts of Ironton, Missouri.

Both drivers suffered injuries as a result of the accident. Counts suffered serious injuries. Sykes sustained moderate injuries. Both women were taken to Parkland Health Center South in Farmington, Missouri. The women were transported by St. Francois County ambulance. Both vehicles were totaled in the accident.

Missouri head-on collisions carry an extreme risk of serious injury for Missouri drivers. In a high speed front end car accident, at least vehicle occupant is likely to suffer serious physical injury. Accidents in which one vehicle crosses the centerline of the roadway to crash into another vehicle are particularly dangerous because both vehicles were travelling at full speed before the crash occurs.

Accident victims deserve a full investigation into their Missouri front impact car accident. A properly conducted investigation may reveal the type of negligence at the heart of the accident. Common causes of front end collisions are: drowsy driving and distracted driving.

Drowsy driving occurs when a fatigued driver operates a motor vehicle. Drowsy driving is a serious threat to public safety. Sleepiness and fatigue cause serious cognitive deficient that increase the risk for a car accident. Drowsy drivers have slower reaction time and impaired vision, compared to alert drivers. Drowsy drivers also suffer from problems with information processing.

Distracted driving increases the risk of a car accident because the driver’s attention is taken away from operating the motor vehicle. Distracted drivers engage in attention-sapping behaviors like texting, talking on the phone, eating, adjusting a GPS device, or applying makeup. Distracted drivers may drift into other lanes without even realizing. Distracted drivers create a heightened risk for Missouri front impact car accidents because they may negligently drive into oncoming traffic.

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Posted On: November 14, 2011

Two Missourians Killed in Fatal Boat Accident in Florida Races

Two Missourians were killed in a powerboat accident on Wednesday, November 9, 2011. The fatal Missouri boat accident occurred during the opening of the Key West World Championship boat races in Key West, Florida. The fatal accident did not stop the planned three days of racing, but may have placed a dark cloud over the festivities.

Robert M. Morgan of Sunrise Beach, Missouri and Jeffrey Tillman of Kaiser, Missouri were killed in the Missouri boat accident resulting in wrongful death. Morgan was the boat’s throttleman and Tillman was the driver. The Missourians were in a boat called Big Thunder Marine, a boat that competes in the Superboat Unlimited Class.

According to a witness, the boat caught air during operation and the front of the boat went straight in the air. The boat came down on its right front. The witness described the force of the boat’s collision with the water as “powerful” and “crushing.” The Missouri boat crash occurred next to the spectator area of the harbor.

Both accident victims were transported from the scene of the accident for medical treatment. Reports indicate that Morgan passed away in an air trauma ambulance. Tillman passed away near arrival at an area hospital. The races continued after the accident victims were taken from the scene of the accident. A non-fatal accident occurred during the same race; the organizations then stopped the race.

The nature of Missouri boating accidents creates multiple occasions for serious injury or death. When a high speed boat crashes occurs, the force of the accident may jerk the accident victim’s body in unnatural ways. Shards of glass or other sharp pieces of the boat may strike the accident victims during the collision. The boat’s occupants may be violently thrown from the vehicle. Crashing into the water may create a “crushing force.” Moreover, seriously injured accident victims are at a high risk of drowning. If emergency services fail to respond quickly, a seriously injured accident victim may not be able to stay afloat.

The injuries that accident victims suffer as a result of Missouri boat accidents are often fatal. Determining liability may be difficult because of the complexity of the factors involved. Courts may ask questions such as: What were the weather and water conditions during the accident? Are the accident victims partially at fault for the accident? Did the accident victims sign any waivers with the defendant before the accident occurred? If so, were the waivers a valid contract? An experienced Missouri accident attorney will understand how to navigate the court system and interactions with insurance companies. Contact a Missouri accident attorney as soon as possible after your Missouri boat accident.

Posted On: November 12, 2011

Bicyclist Seriously Injured in Missouri Hit-and-Run Accident

A bicyclist was seriously injured in a Ste. Genevieve County Missouri hit and run accident. The Missouri hit and run accident occurred on Missouri Route F, 1.3 miles east of Pleasant Hill Church Road. The bicyclist was Mahan Deeds from Evansville, Indiana. Deeds was cycling westbound on Route F when he was struck from behind by an unknown vehicle. Deeds was taken by the Arch helicopter to Mercy Medical Center in Creve Coeur, Missouri. The motor vehicle that slammed into Deeds’ bicycle sustained minor damage. As of the time of the crash report, the Missouri State Highway Patrol had not identified the driver in the hit-and-run accident.

Missouri hit-and-run car accidents occur when a driver leaves the scene of a traffic accident before the authorities arrive and without helping the accident victims. Unfortunately, hit and run accidents are a significant problem in the United States. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, hit and run traffic accidents account for 18% of pedestrian traffic accident fatalities. Reports indicate that hit and run accidents may account for nearly 4% of fatal traffic accidents overall.

The Missouri legislature enacted statute §577.060 to combat Missouri hit and run car accidents. The statute makes leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident a crime against public safety. A motor vehicle driver violates the statute by leaving the scene of the accident knowing that a person (or a piece of property) was harmed in the accident. The driver may avoid committing a crime under the statute by leaving detailed contact information with the injured party or a police officer.

Leaving the scene of an accident is a misdemeanor by default. Leaving the scene accident may be a misdemeanor, for instance, when a driver lightly hits a parked car and drives away without leaving behind contact information. Leaving the scene of an accident becomes a class D felony under three circumstances: (1) if the accident victim suffers physical injury, (2) if the collision caused property damage greater than $1,000, or (3) if the negligent driver has left the scene of a traffic accident before.

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Posted On: November 7, 2011

Two from St. Louis Area Injured in Missouri Rear End Accident

A man from Florissant and a man from St. Louis City were injured in a Lincoln County Missouri rear end collision on November 6, 2011 at 5:05pm. The accident occurred on U.S. Highway 61 south of Wilson Rd.

The accident began as Gary J. Bruckner of St. Louis, Missouri slowed his 1995 Chevrolet truck to make a left turn. Iowa driver Zachariah T. Rhodes failed to stop as Bruckner slowed. Rhodes crashed a 2003 Ford F150 into the rear of Bruckner’s vehicle. Two people were injured in the Lincoln County Missouri rear end accident. Bruckner and occupant Kenneth A. Bruckner of Florissant were transported to St. Joseph West by Lincoln County Ambulance.

Missouri rear end car accidents are unfortunately common. Statistics indicate that there are as many as 1.8 million rear end accidents a year. Rear end accidents account for more than 20% of injury causing traffic accidents. Clearly, rear end accidents are a serious threat to the safety of our public highways.

Missouri rear end car accidents vary in the degree of injury. Some rear end car accidents are nicknamed “fender benders.” In a fender bender rear end accident, the vehicles were traveling at a slow speed when they collided. Fender bender may result in minor to moderate vehicle damage, but the risk of injury is lower. A fender bender may occur if a following driver slows in response to a stopped vehicle, but does not slow down enough to avoid tapping the vehicle in front.

High speed rear end car accidents carry a heightened risk of serious physical injury. The collision causes the vehicles to abruptly stop. Accident victims may be suddenly thrown forward in their seats, causing serious injury. A deploying airbag may break an accident victim’s nose. The seat belt may break the accident victim’s collarbone. The sudden change in velocity may cause “whiplash” neck injuries or spinal cord injuries. Victims of high speed rear end car accidents may face serious hospitalization and medical expenses.

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Posted On: November 5, 2011

Sullivan Man Injured in Franklin County Missouri Front Impact Car Accident

Joshua C. Tucker, 26, of Sullivan, Missouri suffered moderate injuries in a Franklin County Missouri front impact car accident on November 5, 2011. Tucker was transported to Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan, Missouri after the Franklin County Missouri car accident.

The accident began as Tucker attempted a left turn in a 1991 Honda Accord. The front of the Accord crashed into the front of 2006 GMC Sierra driven by Honey A. Gerheauser, 36, of Sullivan. The Missouri front impact accident totaled the Honda and caused extensive damage to the GMC.

Front end collisions are among the most destructive type of car accident in Missouri. Vehicles involved in Missouri front end collisions are often travelling at high speeds when the accident occurs. The vehicles come to an abrupt and violent halt in a collision. The collision creates harsh forces that the human may not be able to withstand without injury.

Missouri front end collisions are often caused by negligence, including distracted driving. As mobile electronic devices increase in popularity, the rate of distracted driving increases as well. Drivers may check their email, text message, talk on the phone, and change the music on their MP3 players while driving. Drivers may engage in traditional distractions like adjusting radios and monitoring children in the backseat of the car. Driving distractions steals the driver’s limited attention away from the conditions on the road, increasing the risk of a serious accident.

Drugs and alcohol may play a role in Missouri front end collisions as well. Drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol are dangerous drivers. Drugs and alcohol distort the driver’s perception. An intoxicated driver may cross the centerline of a roadway, increasing the risk of a head on collision, without noticing. An intoxicated driver is less capable of adapting to changing road conditions. Intoxicated drivers may overcorrect from mistakes or fail to notice traffic patterns. It is now common knowledge that drunk driving is a major contributing factor in carq accidents. Any drunk driver who causes an accident may be found negligent.

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Posted On: November 3, 2011

Car Overturns on I-44 in Missouri Rear End Car Accident

Three people suffered moderate injuries in a St. Louis County Missouri rear end accident on November 8, 2011. The St. Louis County Missouri car accident occurred on westbound I-44 at 9:14am during the morning rush hour traffic.

The Missouri rear end accident occurred as two vehicles travelled on westbound I-44 just west of the Big Bend exit. The first vehicle was a 2000 GMC Savanah and a 1999 Mercury Sable. The Mercury slammed into the rear of the GMC. The impact of the rear end collision forced the GMC to crash into the guardrail of the roadway. The GMC overturned.

The Missouri rear end car accident injured three people. GMC driver Terry R. Lochmann of Granite City, Illinois and his occupant Rodney R. Macon of Collinsville, Illinois were treated at Mercy Hospital in Creve Coeur, Missouri. Mercury driver Damine M. Thorton of St. Louis, Missouri went to St. Anthony’s Hospital. All three injured parties were transported to their respective hospitals by Abbot Ambulance.

The State of Missouri touches the border of eight other states: Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. The two largest metropolitan areas of the state are located near the state border. St. Louis, Missouri is located on the border of Missouri and Illinois. Kansas City, Missouri is located on the border of Missouri and Kansas. The location of Missouri and its major cities increase the likelihood that a Missouri car accident may involve residents of other states.

Accident victims from other states are often confused about where to file a Missouri car accident lawsuit. While filing in their home state may be more convenient, the home state’s courts may lack authority to make a binding judgment on the defendant. Accident victims from other states who become injured in Missouri car accidents, should be able to successfully file Missouri’s courts.

Missouri courts have the authority to make binding rulings about Missouri car accidents. Missouri statute §506.500 authorizes the courts of Missouri to have jurisdiction over any person who commits “a tortious act within this state.” That language means that anyone who negligently causes an injury in the state of Missouri may be held accountable for that negligence in Missouri, regardless of citizenship. If a car accident occurs in Missouri, Missouri’s state courts have the authority to make rulings about it.

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Posted On: November 3, 2011

Lincoln County Missouri Car Accident Causes Chain Reaction in Work Zone

Two people and four vehicles were harmed in a Missouri chain reaction car accident on November 1, 2011 at 6:50pm. The Lincoln County Missouri car accident happened on Missouri route 47 near Fairgrounds Road.

Traffic was stopped in a work zone on eastbound MO-47. Alexander P. Ronsick failed to stop for traffic in a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The PT Cruiser crashed into the rear of a 2006 Buick Lucerne driven by Francis R. Biron. The impact of the collision pushed the Lucerne into the rear of a 2008 Cadillac CTS driven by Daniel J. Clark. The impact pushed the CTS into the rear of a 2003 Buick Lesabre driven by James M. Schaper. Four vehicles were involved in the Missouri chain reaction accident. Ronsick is a resident of Moscow Mills, Missouri. The other drivers are residents of Troy, Missouri.

Two people – Ronsick and Biron - suffered moderate injuries in the Lincoln Missouri County car accident. Biron wore a seatbelt during the accident, but Ronsick did not. The injured parties were taken to St. Joseph Hospital West by Lincoln County Ambulance.

The State of Missouri is working diligently to improve the safety of Missouri’s highways and bridges. For example, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) initiated the Safe & Sound Bridge Improvement Program, which will replace more than 800 bridges by 2013. The projects aim to improve safety and provide jobs.

Highway improvements necessarily result in work zones. MoDOT tries to make work zones apparent through warning signs and bright orange cones. Despite MoDOT’s efforts to make work zones apparent to drivers, Missouri work zone car accidents still occur. More than 1,000 people were injured in Missouri work zones in 2010, a 53% increase from the number of work zone injuries in 2006. 15 MoDOT workers were killed in the line of duty.

According to MoDOT, there are five major contributing factors to Missouri work zone car accidents: (1) following too closely, (2) inattention, (3) improper lane usage or lane changes, (4) driving too fast for conditions, (5) and failure to yield. These factors are particularly dangerous in work zones because MoDOT employees could be outside their vehicles, working to improve the state’s highways and bridges. Drivers should prudently exercise due care to avoid contributing to Missouri work zone accidents.

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