Missouri Accident Lawyer Blog

Eric Benda Jr., 16, was killed and five others were injured in a two car crash Sunday morning on Missouri 5.

The Missouri car crash took place at the intersection of Missouri 5 and the Old Route 5 cut through. Eric Benda Sr., 39, was driving a 1997 Mitsubishi southbound and was approaching the intersection at the same time as a northbound 2006 Honda. Sharon King, 67, the driver of the Honda, attempted to make a left turn onto Old Route 5 and pulled in the path of Benda’s car. The two cars collided nearly head on.

Eric Benda Jr. was pronounced dead at the scene. Eric Benda Sr. and two other passengers in the Mitsubishi, Gregory Benda, 15, and Tanner Zeitvogel, 15, were injured and taken local hospitals for treatment. Sharon King and her passenger, Larry King, 60, were also taken to local hospitals for moderate injuries.

None of the people riding in the Mitsubishi were wearing a seat belt.

The initial crash report filed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol seems to say that King’s driving is to blame for the accident. The details in the initial crash report are not usually recognized as evidence in a personal injury lawsuit, however, so a Missouri car crash attorney should be contacted to perform further investigation.

Though none of the people in the Mitsubishi were wearing a seat belt, under Missouri law this fact may not be used as evidence of comparative fault in a personal injury lawsuit.

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Marilyn Walters, 61, was killed and two others were injured Saturday in a Missouri car accident on Highway 40 in Jackson County, Missouri.

The accident took place at the intersection of Highway 40 and Bowlin Road. Jerry Walters, 60, was driving a 2001 Saturn eastbound on Highway 40. At the same time, Richard Baldinger, 49, was traveling northbound on Bowlin Road in a 2009. Baldinger’s car broadsided Walters’ car in the passenger side.

Marilyn Walters, who was riding with Jerry Walters, was flown to Centerpoint Medical Center where she was pronounced dead. Jerry Walters was also taken to Centerpoint with relatively minor injuries. A third passenger in the Saturn, Christina Hainley, 29, was also injured, but she was taken to Research Hospital. Baldinger did not suffer any significant injuries, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

According to the initial crash report on file with the Highway Patrol, this side impact injury accident is still under investigation. Charges are pending.

If charges or a citation are issued, it will go a long way towards pointing out what happened. If a Missouri personal injury attorney can prove that Baldinger was negligent and caused the accident, the passengers in the other car may be able win damages to cover medical and funeral expenses.

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A two-vehicle Missouri car accident on Dulin Creek Road in Jefferson County sent two people to the hospital this afternoon.

The two drivers that were involved were Patrick Demsko, 44, and Brian Barner, 32, both of House Springs, Missouri.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Demsko was traveling northbound on Dulin Creek Road in a 2003 Dodge Caravan when he crossed the center line of the road. Barner was heading south at the time in a 2002 Chevrolet K20. Demsko’s vehicle crashed head-on into the front of Barner’s.

Demsko was flown to St. John’s Hospital in Creve Coeur for treatment. Barner was taken by ambulance to St. Anthony’s Medical Center.

Fortunately, both drivers involved in this wreck were wearing a seatbelt.

The description of this Missouri injury accident on the Highway Patrol’s initial crash report is very brief. There are no details about why Demsko’s vehicle would’ve crossed the center line. If one of the drivers contacts a St. Louis area personal injury lawyer he will have to expand the details of crash by gathering any witnesses and possibly performing an accident reconstruction.

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Updating a story we commented on earlier, a Sunset Hills police officer is being sued for wrongful death in connection to an accident on March 21 that killed four people, according to the St. Louis Post Dispatch.

The suit alleges that Christine Miller, 41, was drinking heavily at a bar before driving the wrong way on Dougherty Ferry and allegedly causing the accident.

Criminal charges were filed against Miller last week. She faces four counts of first-degree involuntary manslaughter and one count of second-degree assault stemming from injuries suffered by the other car’s driver who survived the wreck.

The passengers in the car were all natives of India and most were students at Eastern Illinois University. The four that were killed were Anusha Anumolu, 23; Satya Chinta, 25; Anita Veerapaneni, 23; and Priya Muppavarapu, 22. Nitesh Adusumilli, 27, was the driver and lone survivor of the second car.

O’Leary’s Restaurant is also being sued in connection with the accident, according to the Post Dispatch. The suit claims that the bar’s employees continued to serve Miller alcohol after she was intoxicated and did not prevent her from driving.

When a personal injury attorney feels a bar was negligent in allowing its customers to drive drunk, he might pursue a suit under ‘dram shop law’. This area of law governs the liability of liquor stores and bars when their patrons have alcohol related car accidents. Each state handles this area of law differently, which is why it’s important to hire an experienced Missouri car accident lawyer. Under Missouri law, for a dram shop case to be successful there must be proof that the person who later caused an accident was demonstrated significant impairment while at the bar.

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Hallie Johnson, 30, was killed Friday when the 1987 Ford Thunderbird she was riding in was hit by another car on Highway 60 in Shannon County, Missouri.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the accident occurred as John Johnson, 44, who was driving the Thunderbird, was preparing to make a turn onto Sunset Street from Highway 60. A 2006 Ford 500, driven by Sally Adams, 36, was approaching from behind. Adams attempted to pass some other traffic and struck the Thunderbird sending it spinning out into the grass. Hallie Johnson was thrown from the car.

Hallie Johnson was flown to Ozarks Medical Center where she was pronounced dead. John Johnson was also flown to Ozarks Medical Center with serious injuries. Adams did not sustain any serious injuries according to the initial crash report.

Neither Hallie nor John were wearing a seatbelt.

There are at least a couple things to learn from this tragic Missouri car crash. First, always wear a seat belt. There’s no way to know whether Hallie Johnson would have survived had she been wearing a seat belt, but her chances would’ve improved dramatically. Second, use extreme caution when passing on rural highways and roads. It’s perfectly legal to pass slower traffic on two-lane roadways, but only on stretches of road where it is safe to do so. Do not attempt to pass unless you can clearly see the road ahead of you. If are negligent in passing another vehicle and cause an accident, you and your insurance will probably be responsible for paying damages should a personal injury lawsuit arise from the crash.

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Three people were seriously injured, including one child, in a Missouri car accident on Missouri 64 in Dallas County, Missouri.

The crash occurred when a 1988 Lincoln Continental, driven by Tina Hughling, 42, crossed the center line of the roadway. According to the initial crash report, her car struck a 1983 Chevrolet S10 Pickup head on after crossing into oncoming traffic.

No indication was made as to why Hughling lost control of her vehicle and crossed the center line.

Brian Stafford, 28, was driving the pickup and sustained serious injuries. He was taken by ambulance to Central Missouri Hospital. Tina Hughling and her daughter, Ruby Hughling, 6, were both airlifted to Cox South Hospital with serious injuries.

Neither Tina Hughling nor her young daughter were wearing a seatbelt. Everybody should wear a seatbelt every time they get in a car. Not only will it protect you from serious injury, it is the law. Furthermore, if you are injured in a car accident and are found to have not been wearing a seat belt, you can be found to be comparatively negligent and your damages may be reduced.

The initial crash report submitted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol only has the basic information on this crash. It does not say why Hughling crossed the center line or what the speeds of the two vehicles were. There is simply not enough evidence to assign fault yet, which is why the drivers should contact a Missouri personal injury attorney to investigate the crash.

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Robert Bryant, 45, was seriously injured Saturday evening in Warren County after the Dodge Ram pickup he was driving crashed into a trailer being pulled by another pickup.

According to the investigating officer from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, both Bryant’s pickup and the pickup towing the trailer were near the center line on Route B. As they passed each other, the trailer drifted out and was struck by Bryant’s pickup.

Bryant was seriously injured and taken by ambulance to St. Joseph West Hospital. He was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

The investigation into this crash will look to see just where both vehicles were at the time of this Missouri injury accident. The initial crash report simply says that they were both riding close to the center line. If the pickup towing the trailer had drifted into oncoming traffic, then the driver may be found to be negligent and be held liable for damages.

Many personal injury lawsuits have been filed as a result of a trailer or other debris being lost by the vehicle towing it. You are legally responsible for all items being towed by your car or truck, and if they cause an accident, you may be held liable.

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A total of six people were hospitalized Monday evening after a head-on collision on Missouri 86.

The accident, which took place near Racine, Missouri, occurred when James Giberti, 22, lost control of his eastbound 2000 Oldsmobile and crossed the center line into oncoming traffic. Cynthia Weaver, 46, was traveling westbound in a 1998 Toyota and was struck head-on by Giberti’s car, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Weaver was driving with her husband, Daniel Weaver, 49; her son, James Weaver, 6; and Eunice Powell, 91. All of the passengers in Weaver’s Oldsmobile suffered significant injuries and were treated at local hospitals. Cynthia Weaver was flown to Freeman West Hospital while the other passengers were taken by ambulance to St. John’s Hospital.

Giberti and his passenger, Caleb McGuffey, 22, suffered less serious injuries but also sought treatment at St. John’s Hospital.

The investigating officer did not indicate what might have caused Giberti to cross the center line.

If there are no extenuating circumstances and the accident is found to have been caused by Giberti, his insurance may have to pay damages to the Weavers and Eunice Powell. Whenever someone is injured in a Missouri car accident by another driver’s negligence, the liability insurance of the at-fault driver is required to pay medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses of the injured party. Local authorities and a Missouri personal injury attorney will look at this case to determine who is to be held liable.

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Nicholas McCullough, 23, was killed early Sunday morning when he was hit by a car as he stood next to his truck in the eastbound lanes on I-70.

McCullough was standing next to his 1999 Chevrolet S-10 because it had been involved in a separate accident just moments before, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The truck had spun and was facing south across two eastbound lanes of I-70.

When McCullough had exited his vehicle, he was hit by a 2000 Ford Crown Victoria, driven by Timothy Fitzgerald, 48. McCullough was standing next to the passenger door of his truck when Fitzgerald hit both McCullough at the truck.

McCullough was pronounced dead at the scene and was taken to the St. Louis County Morgue. Fitzgerald was uninjured according to the investigating officer. Both vehicles were totaled.

Since there was a fatality, an accident reconstruction will be performed to better flesh out the details of this crash for the authorities and for a personal injury attorney.

There are some complicating factors about this case that a Missouri car accident lawyer must investigate before claiming liability or negligence on the part of either driver. The first thing that must be investigated is the initial crash. McCullough was standing next to his truck because it had just been involved in another crash. A personal injury lawyer will need to look at where exactly McCullough was standing and how much time Fitzgerald had to react. Also, if Fitzgerald was speeding or driving recklessly himself, he may be held at least partially liable.

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A complicated accident involving four vehicles on eastbound I-70 in St. Charles County, Missouri sent four people to the hospital on Friday.

The Missouri car accident began when a 2007 Ford Focus, driven by Leon Finch, 25, ran off the south outer road and through a chain link fence along the highway. Finch’s car entered the eastbound lanes of I-70 where it first struck the front of a 2009 Chevrolet Impala, driven by Patricia Ward, 57. The impact sent Ward’s vehicle into the path of Marcus Deeker, 56, and his 2001 Ford F-150.

Deeker’s pickup was towing a boat which hit another pickup driven by Timothy Steimel, 22. Steimel then hit Finch’s car and both vehicles came to a rest off the roadway.

Injuries were sustained by four people, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The most seriously injured were Ward and her passenger, Catherine Wineinger, 52. Finch suffered moderate injuries and Steimel was described as having minor injuries. All four people listed on the injury report were taken by ambulance to St. Joseph’s East Hospital in St. Charles, Missouri.

Obviously this is a complicated crash for authorities for a personal injury attorney to analyze. There are many questions that need to be answered by an accident reconstruction or other investigation before liability can be determined. A Missouri car accident attorney will need to look at each individual collision, find out why Finch lost control of his vehicle in the first place and how fast all the other vehicles were traveling.

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Three people were injured Tuesday afternoon when a Chevrolet pickup truck slammed into the back of an Isuzu Trooper in Phelps County, Missouri.

The Missouri injury accident occurred on Highway 63 near County Road 5340. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the driver of the Trooper, Melissa Wiley, 18, had slowed to make a left turn. Tony Goodfellow, 28, was following in the pickup, but failed to slow or stop and crashed into the rear of the first vehicle.

As a result of the impact, a leaf spring on the Trooper flew open and struck a third vehicle.

Wiley’s vehicle came to a rest overturned in the roadway, and Goodfellow’s traveled off the road into a house. Both were totaled.

Wiley and her passenger, Nikki Shaw, 11, were both injured and taken to Phelps County Regional Medical Center for treatment. Goodfellow was also injured and taken to Phelps County Regional. Nobody in the third vehicle was injured.

From an injury accident lawyer’s perspective, this seems to be a simple rear end collision case. In the majority of cases, negligence is assumed on the part of the at-fault driver in rear-end collision cases. While only the basic information on this crash was released by the highway patrol, you can see that not only did Goodfellow rear end the Isuzu Trooper, he did it with enough force to total both vehicles and flip over Wiley’s vehicle.

Should a personal injury attorney be called in to investigate, the first thing he or she will do is gather more information about the speed of both vehicles and how they were both driving just before the accident.

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Ashley Walker, 24, was killed and two others were seriously injured Sunday afternoon in a Missouri car accident on Highway 94 near Matson Hill.

Walker was a passenger in an eastbound 2001 Volkswagen Jetta, according to the Missouri Highway Patrol. The car’s driver, Ashley Matthews, 23, drifted off the side of the road before overcorrecting and crossing the center line into oncoming traffic. The Jetta struck a 2006 Cadillac CTS, driven by David Mann, 54.

Walker was ejected from the vehicle.

Walker was pronounced dead at the scene. Matthews and Mann both suffered serious injury and were taken to St. John’s Medical Center for emergency treatment.

The initial crash report does not say why Matthews drifted off the side of the road causing her to lose control of the vehicle in the first place. No citations were listed by the investigating officer, but if Matthews was distracted or otherwise found to negligent, she may be responsible for damages should a personal injury lawsuit arise from this crash.

An accident reconstruction will be conducted by authorities to determine exactly what happened and see what drivers are at fault. This information will be used by police and any car accident attorneys involved in the case.

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Quiana Bogan, 36, was seriously injured Wednesday in a Missouri car accident on Interstate 70 in North St. Louis.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Todd Kasban, 33, was traveling eastbound in a 2000 Ford Windstar just ahead of Bogan’s 2004 Nissan Altima. Kasban had to swerve to avoid another vehicle and in doing so, he lost control of his car and struck the median wall. After hitting the median, Kasban’s car crossed back into the path of Bogan’s car.

Bogan was taken to Barnes Jewish Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. Kasban did not sustain any serious injuries, according to the initial crash report.

Bogan was not wearing a seat belt.

The investigating officer did not have any details on the vehicle that Kasban had to swerve to avoid. It is not known whether this third vehicle made a negligent maneuver that may have started this chain reaction accident, or if Kasban was simply driving too fast and had to avoid the other car.

Details such as this would be investigated by a St. Louis area personal injury attorney should one be contacted on this case. A crash reconstruction would be able to look at the speeds and locations of all the vehicles involved and determine which drivers should be held liable for damages.

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A two-car crash on Route HH near Piedmont, Missouri seriously injured three people Saturday afternoon.

According to the investigating officer of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the two cars, a 1999 Dodge and a 2000 Ford, were traveling towards each other on Route HH. The driver of the Dodge, Kayla Hawver, 18, crossed the center line and struck the other car head-on.

The second vehicle had two passengers: Ted McKinney, 68, and Marilyn McKinney, 63.

All three people involved were seriously injured and needed to be airlifted to a nearby hospital. Hawver was taken to Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. The McKinneys were taken to St. Francis Medical Center.

It is not known why Hawver seemed to lose track of her vehicle and crossed the center line. Authorities will continue to investigate the crash and determine what exactly happened. A Missouri car accident attorney will also be able to use this information to prove liability should a personal injury suit arise from this incident.

Even though modern cars have many safety features to protect drivers in a head-on collision, they are still one of the most common and dangerous types of accidents on the roadway. The possibility of head trauma is high even with an air bag. The exact nature of the injuries in the Wayne County crash are unknown.

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Margaret Rhea, 62, was killed Friday evening after a Missouri car accident in Henry County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the accident occurred on Missouri 52 around 9:28 p.m. Rhea was traveling westbound in a 2001 Chrysler. A second vehicle, a 2005 Chevrolet driven by Norman Sapp, 63, was traveling eastbound on Missouri 52. Sapp lost control of his vehicle and crossed the center line. The two cars collided head-on.

Rhea was pronounced dead at the scene and taken to Hill and Sons Funeral Home. Sapp was seriously injured and taken to St. Luke’s Hospital for emergency treatment.

Sapp was not wearing a seat belt. The investigating officer did not know whether Rhea was wearing hers.

The initial crash report did not say why Sapp lost control of his vehicle. Since there was a fatality involved in this accident, an accident reconstruction will be performed to try and gather as many details about how this fatal Missouri car crash occurred. A Missouri personal injury attorney will be able to look at the results of the investigation should a wrongful death or personal injury suit arise from this case.

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Four people were hospitalized Thursday morning when one car rear-ended another on Missouri 96 near Halltown, Missouri.

The accident occurred when Melinda Hulbert, 31, failed to slow her 2003 Saturn before striking another car, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Hulbert’s car struck the rear of a 2004 GMC Sonoma and sent it off the roadway where it hit an embankment and overturned. Hulbert’s car remained in the roadway.

The driver of the second car, Sharon Evans, 45, suffered moderate injuries and was taken St. John’s Hospital. Evans’ two daughters, Misti and Krystal, 13 and 16 respectively, were both seriously injured. Both girls were also taken by ambulance to St. John’s Hospital. Hulbert suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Cox Medical Center South.

A Missouri personal injury attorney will need to review more details in this case, but from the description in the initial crash report, the Evans family may be able to recover damages for their injuries. Often, negligence is assumed in Missouri rear-end collision cases. There may be other important facts about this crash left off the initial report, though, that may affect the case.

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Mandy Doss, 22, was injured Tuesday after the car she was riding in crashed into another vehicle on Berry Road in St. Francois County, Missouri.

According to the Highway Patrol’s initial crash report, this Missouri car accident occurred when a 1997 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by Clayton Proffer, 21, attempted to enter Berry Road. Proffer failed to yield as he made the turn and pulled out in front of a 2008 Pontiac Torrent, driven by Beverly Hagan, 57. Hagan was unable to stop and crashed into the rear of Proffer’s vehicle.

Doss was a passenger in Hagan’s car. Doss was taken by ambulance to Parkland Health Center South for treatment. No one else involved in the accident suffered serious injury, according to the investigating officer.

Often in rear-end collision cases, the fault lies on the person driving the car in back that initiates the contact. The initial crash report for this crash, however, specifically mentions Proffer’s failure to yield as a major cause of this crash. Initial crash reports are considered hearsay in court so a Missouri personal injury lawyer will need to investigate the crash more thoroughly to back up the details outlined in the report.

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A Missouri car crash that killed four people on March 21 is still being investigated by authorities and the final report may not be ready for months.

The accident in question is one that we commented on involving several international students from Eastern Illinois University. The accident took place on Dougherty Ferry road when Christine Miller, 41, who was driving her car the wrong way in traffic, crashed into the side of a 1997 Honda Accord killing four of its passengers.

Miller and the driver of the second car, Nitesh Adusumilli, 27, were the only ones to survive wreck. Among the dead were Anusha Anumolu, 23; Satya Chinta, 25; Anita Lakshmi, 23; and Prya Muppvarapu, 22.

According to the Eastern Illinois University news website dennews.com, the Highway Patrol is investigating where Miller was prior to the crash. It is suspected that she had been drinking before the accident.

Miller may face criminal charges, especially if it can be proven that she was drinking prior to the crash. The information gathered in the final report could also be used by a St. Louis personal injury attorney should a civil lawsuit arise from this tragic accident.

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Kendra Moore, 26, and Lakishia Wells, 24, were both hospitalized after a three-car accident Friday afternoon on westbound 70 in St. Charles.

Moore and Wells were traveling in a 2005 Nissan Altima followed closely by two other vehicles, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. One of the other vehicles, a 2004 Saturn Ion driven by Amy Smyth, 31, failed to slow with traffic and rear-ended a 2003 Honda Civic in front of it. The Civic was forced into Moore’s Altima, causing the injuries.

Moore and Wells were both taken to Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Peters, Missouri for treatment. None of the other drivers were listed as having sustained significant injury.

According to the investigating officer that filed the initial crash report, Smyth was inattentive and failed to keep a proper lookout to her front which most likely would have prevented the accident.

While the initial crash report is just the opinion of the officer, a Missouri personal injury attorney will look at the physical evidence of the crash and be able to collect damages for those injured by another’s negligence.

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Four people were injured, two seriously, after a three car injury accident on Missouri 96 on Friday afternoon.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred just west of Phelps, Missouri when a 2002 Dodge Dakota, driven by Derick Sifferman, 19, slowed to make a turn. A second vehicle, a 2007 Ford Mustang driven by Sally Suschnick, 64, attempted to pass the slowing truck, but rear-ended it instead. While Sifferman managed to maintain control of his vehicle, Suschnick’s car crossed the center line and crashed head-on into a 2006 Chevrolet Impala, driven by Brandie Bogle-Smith, 26.

Bogle-Smith and a her passenger, Misti Wald, 26, were both seriously injured and taken to Freeman Hospital. Suschnick sustained moderate injuries and her passenger, Mikayla Bartlett, 12, suffered only minor injuries. Both received treatment at Freeman hospital. Sifferman was uninjured.

Thankfully, all those involved were wearing seatbelts.

More information must be gathered about this crash by a car accident attorney before any liability can be established. The initial report makes it seem as if Suschnick was not paying attention to Sifferman’s vehicle, but an experienced personal injury attorney will follow up on the initial crash report and examine all the facts of this Missouri crash.

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A Missouri man was seriously injured Wednesday afternoon after a two car accident on Missouri 52 in Benton County, Missouri.

William Case, 51, was traveling eastbound on Missouri 52 in a 1994 Nissan Pathfinder and attempted to make a left turn onto Route A just before the accident. As Case slowed to turn, a 1995 Chevy S-10, driven by Levi Riley, 18, rear-ended Case’s car. The force of the impact sent Case’s off the roadway and into an embankment where it overturned. Riley’s truck remained in the roadway.

Case sustained serious injuries and was taken to Boswell Medical Center for treatment. Case was uninjured, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The investigating officer indicated that an investigation into the accident is ongoing and that charges are pending.

Riley was driving his vehicle without proof of insurance.

Once the investigation has concluded and charges are filed, a Missouri car accident attorney will be able to use that information should a personal injury lawsuit arise from this Missouri car crash.

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Nermina Mehmedovic, 34, was injured Tuesday afternoon when her vehicle was rear-ended in a St. Louis area car accident.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Mehmedovic was traveling southbound in a 1998 Chevrolet Venture on Interstate 270 when she had to slow for traffic congestion. Following behind her was a 2001 Ford Explorer, driven by Richard Garavaglia, 23. Garavaglia failed to stop for the traffic and struck the rear of Mehmedovic’s car.

Mehmedovic was taken to St. Anthony’s Hospital for treatment. The investigating officer did not specify whether Garavaglia sustained any injuries.

The information in the initial crash report will need to be backed up by further investigation by a St. Louis area personal injury lawyer, but the type of crash is significant. Due to what car accident attorneys refer to as the “rear end collision doctrine,” negligence is assumed on the part of the at-fault driver in rear end collision cases.

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Photo from Columbia Tribune

Four people were injured Sunday afternoon in a crash involving two cars and a tractor trailer on Interstate 70 in Boone County, Missouri.

The Missouri car crash began when James Jantz, 45, lost control of his 2001 Ford Crown Victoria and began to hydroplane on eastbound I-70, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Jantz’s car struck another eastbound vehicle, a 2006 Mazda driven by Kelly Brown, 23.

Jantz’s vehicle continued to spin out of control before hitting a guard rail and finally coming to a rest in the median. The impact of the initial crash caused Brown’s car to go through the median cables into the westbound lanes of I-70 where it struck a 2007 Freightliner tractor trailer head on.

The tractor trailer also ran off the roadway after the impact, hit two signs, overturned and was engulfed in flames.

Brown and passenger in her car, Chad Bingheim, 24, suffered serious injury and were taken to University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri. The driver of the tractor trailer, Mohammed Ali, 28, and a passenger, Pamelia Ali, 39, suffered moderate injuries and were also taken to University hospital. Jantz was not injured according to the initial crash report filed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

This complicated crash needs the attention of an experienced Missouri personal injury lawyer. The brief description in the initial crash report can’t come close to fully detailing all the events leading up to the crash. The speeds of the vehicles, the conditions of the median barriers, and the road conditions are all factors that will need to be investigated.

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Morgan Folks, 19, and Robert Holland, 57, were both injured when the cars they were driving collided Thursday afternoon at the intersection of Route A and Route C in Camden County, Missouri.

According to the Missouri Highway Patrol’s initial crash report, Folks was traveling westbound on Route A in a 2005 Volkswagen and Holland was traveling southbound on Route C in a 2001 Lincoln as both vehicles approached the intersection. Holland attempted to make a left turn onto Route A and in doing so, pulled directly into the path of Folks’ car. The front end of Folk’s car crashed into the front end of Holland’s.

Folks suffered serious injuries and was flown to University Hospital for treatment. Holland was taken by ambulance to Lake Regional Hospital with moderate injuries.

Both drivers were wearing seatbelts.

The wording of the initial crash report seems to indicate that Holland was negligent in pulling out in front Folks and caused this Missouri car accident. The initial report, however, is not very detailed and does not stand up as evidence should a personal injury lawsuit arise from this crash. An experienced Missouri car accident attorney will need to review all the details of the wreck before liability can be determined.

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Two people were injured Thursday in a Missouri car crash on Interstate 44 in St. Louis County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Caleb Schmidt, 30, was traveling westbound on I-44 in the middle lane when he swerved to the right. As Schmidt swerved, the front end of his 2001 Ford F250 struck the left rear of a 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix, driven by Geneva Hinkle-Ali, 45. Hinkle-Ali’s car spun out of control and off the roadway. Schmidt’s vehicle also spun out of control and overturned on the side of the road.

Hinkle-Ali was taken by ambulance to St. John’s Mercy Medical Center for treatment of moderate injuries. Schmidt’s injuries were less severe, but he was also transported by ambulance to St. John’s for treatment.

Looking at the case from a St. Louis personal injury lawyer’s perspective, there are some details that still need to emerge. The initial crash report does not indicate why Schmidt would suddenly swerve to the right. The report sounds like he swerved quickly as if avoiding debris or another car in the roadway, but it does not say that specifically. Also, the report does not specify the speed of the two vehicles. If Schmidt was simply negligent in changing lanes, he may be liable for damages should a personal injury lawsuit arise.

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Sandra Moore, 46, was killed Tuesday afternoon when her 2003 Chevrolet Pickup collided with another truck on Highway 61 in Lincoln County, Missouri.

The accident occurred around 1:30 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 61 and Cannonball Road, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The second truck, a 1997 Ford F150 driven by Linda Grummel, 51, was heading eastbound on Cannonball Road and attempted to cross Highway 61. As Grummel crossed the highway, she drove her truck into the path of Moore’s truck and stuck the driver’s side. Moore’s truck overturned and she was ejected from the vehicle.

Moore was pronounced dead at the scene. Grummel suffered only minor injuries and sought treatment at St. Joseph’s Hospital West.

Moore was not wearing a seatbelt, according to the initial crash report.

The initial crash report is only considered hearsay when it comes to finding fault in an accident. In fatality accidents, an accident reconstruction will be performed to detail the events of the crash. From the way the initial report is written, it would appear that Grummel may be at fault, but there are some inconsistencies in the report about the direction of the vehicles. Regardless of what the initial report says, further investigation by a Missouri car accident attorney and local authorities will be needed to get a clearer picture of how exactly this fatal Missouri crash occurred.

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A cautionary tale about statutes of limitations was printed in the St. Louis Post Dispatch today.

The Post Dispatch reported on the story of James Barge, 29, a man who was involved in a fatal car accident four years ago. According to the report, an earlier accident on Interstate 170 in February 2005 blocked two lanes of traffic. Damon Covington, 58, was driving a little behind the accident and stopped to offer any assistance he could. That’s when Barge’s car crashed into the wreckage and killed Covington.

Barge was taken to a local hospital and submitted to a sobriety test that, while conducted hours after the accident, showed that Barge was likely over the legal limit at the time of the crash.

Despite the sobriety test results and a police report stating that Barge’s speeding kept him from avoiding the crash, Barge was not prosecuted and didn’t even get a speeding ticket, according to the Post Dispatch.

Authorities have three years under Missouri law to file criminal charges and due to oversights and miscommunication among the Missouri State Highway Patrol, no criminal charges were ever filed. Now that the deadline has passed, no charges ever will be filed.

This is an example of why you shouldn’t wait if you are involved in a Missouri car accident that causes you or someone you love serious personal injury. While the report described above was dealing mainly with the criminal charges, there are similar laws regarding personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits.

Under Missouri law, the statute of limitations on personal injury and negligence cases is typically five years with the Discovery Rule. Medical malpractice is two years and product liability is five years. The specifics of a case may affect the timeline, but these are the rough guidelines.

Don’t wait to contact a personal injury lawyer if you have been injured by someone else’s negligence. Wait too long and all you are doing is forfeiting your own rights.

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John Hesse, 80, and Judith Thompson, 53, were seriously injured Tuesday after their cars collided on Missouri 81 near Kahoka, Missouri.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, this Missouri injury accident occurred when Hesse tried to cross Missouri 81 in his 1999 Ford. Hesse’s car pulled into the path of Thompson’s 1999 Dodge and was struck in the passenger side door.

Both Hesse and Thompson were seriously injured. Hesse was taken by ambulance to Keokuk Area Hospital and Thompson was airlifted to Blessing Hospital.

Side impact collisions can, in many cases, be more dangerous than head-on collisions. Most cars have numerous safety features designed to keep passengers safe in the event of a head-on collision. The front end of the car also absorbs most of the impact. This is not the case in side impact collisions. While some vehicles do have side curtain airbags, the jarring side to side motion often creates neck injuries and the thin layer of the door often fails to keep the passenger safe from objects entering the cabin.

The initial crash report in the Kahoka crash is just the opinion of the investigating officer. Unless he actually witnessed the crash, it would be considered hearsay in court. A Missouri personal injury lawyer would need to conduct more extensive investigations should this incident produce a personal injury suit.

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Three people were injured Wednesday after two cars collided at the intersection of Highway 71 and Highway U in Nodaway County, Missouri.

According to the initial crash report, James O’Donnell, 19, was attempting to cross Highway 71 in a 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis just before the Missouri car crash. The investigating officer from the Missouri Highway Patrol wrote that O’Donnell failed to yield to a northbound 1996 Plymouth Neon, driven by Brandi Mallory, 33. The northbound vehicle struck the passenger side of O’Donnell’s Grand Marquis and both vehicles ended up off the northeast side of the intersection.

O’Donnell and Mallory were both injured and taken to St. Francis Hospital. A passenger in Mallory’s vehicle, Tannara Hoover, 19, was also injured and taken to St. Francis for treatment.

Neither Mallory nor Hoover was wearing a seat belt.

The Missouri Highway Patrol did not indicate any citations were given, but the initial crash report does seem to indicate fault on the part of O’Donnell for failing to yield. Should a personal injury lawsuit arise from the accident, a Missouri car accident attorney will investigate the crash further to see if indeed negligence on the part of either driver led to this multiple injury crash.

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Four people were killed and two were injured early Saturday morning in a Missouri car accident on Dougherty Ferry Road.

The driver of a 1997 Honda Accord, Nitesh Adusumilli, 27, was turning into the westbound lanes of Dougherty Ferry Road when the accident occurred, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Another car, a 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse driven by Christine Miller, 41, was heading east in the westbound lanes and crashed into the passenger side of Adusumilli’s car.

Adusumilli and Miller were both injured and taken to St. John’s Mercy Hospital for treatment. Four passengers in Adusumilli’s car, Anusha Anumolu, 23; Satya Chinta, 25; Anita Lakshmi, 23; and Prya Muppvarapu, 22; were all killed.

The St. Louis Post Dispatch is reporting that Adusumilli has regained consciousness, but he is still disoriented and hospital workers have not yet explained to him why he is in the hospital and what happened to the other people in his car, one of whom was his fiancée.

An investigation into the accident is ongoing. The Post Dispatch reports that charges are pending and that Miller may have been drinking prior to the crash. If this turns out to be true, it will be another in a recent string of fatal accidents involving drunken drivers in the St. Louis area, including a similar accident we posted here involving a driver heading the wrong way into traffic.

Setting aside the enormous emotional impact of this tragedy and looking at the facts from a personal injury lawyer’s perspective, once the charges are filed and sobriety test results are released they will go a long way toward pinning down liability and negligence on the driver responsible for the accident.

The Post Dispatch is also reporting that Miller is a police officer, but no sovereign immunity issues should arise if a St. Louis area car accident attorney is brought in to file suit as Miller was not in a police car and was not performing her duties as an officer.

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On the common questions asked of a personal injury attorney is, “What if I have lingering injuries from an accident I didn’t originally know I had?”

The answer to this greatly depends on your actions immediately after your accident or injury. The days after an accident can be hectic and confusing, especially if you are dealing with topics you’ve never studied like your rights as a victim, and insurance companies may rush you into a decision you are not ready for.

Insurance company adjustors will probably contact you with a settlement offer fairly quickly and ask you to sign a “Release of all claims” form. Signing this form basically means that you agree with the adjustors offer and are willing to sign away your right to further civil action regarding the case. There are times that this is a fine course of action, but there are many others when the insurance company does not properly asses the damage or your lingering pains require serious medical attention after signing the form.

Consider a person injured in a rear-end collision. Whiplash injuries are very common in these situations and the symptoms may linger for a very long time and require numerous expensive treatments. If that person just assumes the pain will go away naturally and signs the release forms, he will have no recourse a week later when his pain has worsened and is keeping him from working.

My advice would be to tell the insurance company to wait until you are absolutely sure the extent of your injuries is known. See a doctor and if the injury appears more serious than initially thought, contact a personal injury lawyer for advice.

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Gerald Hein, 64, was killed Thursday in a two car accident on Missouri 13 in Stone County, Missouri.

Hein’s 1998 Chevrolet Blazer crossed the center line on Missouri 13 at around 3:45 p.m., according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. As the Blazer went into oncoming traffic, it collided head-on with a 2008 GMC Acadia, driven by Kimberly Gregory, 28.

Hein was pronounced dead at the scene. Gregory suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Cox South Hospital for treatment.

Both drivers were wearing seatbelts.

Since this was a fatality accident, an accident reconstruction will be conducted to determine the specifics of the crash. The initial crash report does not indicate why Hein might have crossed the center line and this would be valuable information for a Missouri car accident attorney should one of the parties try to recoup their damages through a personal injury suit.

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Three people were hospitalized Tuesday after a side impact Missouri car crash on Missouri 210 in Ray County, Missouri.

The investigating officer described the accident occurring as the result of Dallas Jenkins, 16, pulling his 2001 Ford into the path of a 2002 Chevrolet. The Chevrolet, driven by Tracy Nichols, 34, struck the passenger side of Jenkins vehicle and then ran off the roadway, according to the initial crash report filed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Jenkins suffered minor injuries and was taken to Liberty Hospital for treatment. Nichols and her passenger, Shelia Littrell, 53, suffered more serious injury and were also taken to a local hospital.

All three involved were wearing a seatbelt.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is saying the investigation into this Missouri injury crash is ongoing and that charges are pending. Once charges are filed, we should have a better idea of how this accident occurred and who would be held liable if this wreck turned into a personal injury lawsuit.

From a Missouri car accident attorney’s perspective, the initial crash report alone is not enough to determine who was at fault. The officer said that Jenkins pulled in front of Nichols, but he could have had the right of way. It’s impossible to know without further investigation by a trained professional.

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A total of three cars were involved in a Missouri car accident on Highway 40 in St. Charles county Sunday afternoon that sent three to the hospital.

Shirley Garrett, 63, was driving her 2001 Honda CRV westbound in the eastbound lanes on Highway 40, according to the initial crash report. Kathi Klemp, 45, was in the eastbound lanes driving her 1995 Ford Windstar with her son Hunter Klemp, 9. Kathi was unable to avoid Garrett’s oncoming vehicle and they crashed head-on.

A third vehicle, driven by Glenn Craig, 41, was also traveling eastbound just behind Kathi Klemp and was unable to avoid hitting the two wrecked cars.

Kathi Klemp and her son Hunter were taken to St. John’s Hospital for treatment of moderate injuries. Garrett was also taken to St. John’s for treatment. Craig’s vehicle was totaled, but fortunately he did not suffer any significant injuries, according to the investigating officer.

Neither Garrett nor Kathi Klemp was wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.

The initial crash report filed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol does not give any indication as to why Garrett was traveling into oncoming traffic. The report also does not specify whether a citation was given to any of the drivers. A St. Charles County personal injury lawyer will need to examine the case to expand on the initial crash report before a personal injury suit takes place.

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David Warren, 38, and David Bateman, 18, were killed Tuesday after the Ford Crown Victoria they were riding in hit another car on Old Highway 54 in Callaway County, Missouri.

This fatal Missouri car accident occurred around 6:35 p.m., according to the crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol. A second car, driven by Tanner Brown, 17, was attempting to turn onto Old Highway 54 and crashed head-on into the Crown Victoria.

Both Warren and Bateman were pronounced dead at the scene. Brown was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital for treatment of moderate injuries.

Neither Warren nor Bateman was wearing a seatbelt. The investigating officer also noted that they were driving without their headlights on.

More investigation by a Missouri car accident attorney is needed and the case will undergo an accident reconstruction to better describe the details of the crash. While it appears Brown’s turn caused the accident, fault could also be placed on the other vehicle for driving without headlights after sundown. It could turn out to be a case of comparative fault where both parties bear some responsibility for the crash.

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The epidemic of drunken driving car accidents continues in the St. Louis area. This time two innocent people, a man and his wife, were killed and the woman was expecting their first child.

The victims, Adam Zimmer, 26, and Lindsey Arnold-Zimmer, 24, were killed Saturday afternoon on Route 111 when a drunk driver rear-ended their car and forced it into oncoming traffic, according to the St. Louis Post Dispatch.

According to police sources cited in the article, Donal Canterberry, 56, was the driver who hit the Zimmers and he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Canterberry was injured and taken to a local hospital for treatment. Four others in the oncoming car that hit the Zimmers were also injured, though their names were not released.

Charges have not been issued, but Canterberry can expect to face very serious criminal charges and potential jail time. He also could be facing a civil suit should the family of the deceased or any of the injured consult a personal injury attorney to recoup their losses.

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Robert Wood, 51, was killed early Thursday morning when his car was rear-ended on Interstate 70 near O’Fallon, Missouri.

The man who hit Wood, Chad Frazer, 29, was charged with involuntary manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident. According to the St. Louis Post Dispatch, Frazer’s blood alcohol level was over three times the limit at 0.27, and that was when he was tested more than an hour after the crash.

According to the initial crash report filed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Wood was traveling eastbound in the right lane on I-70 in a 1990 Mercury Topaz. Frazer was also traveling eastbound in a 1991 Ford Mustang when he came up behind a tractor trailer. Frazer attempted to pass the big rig to the right and in doing so he rear-ended Wood’s car sending it off the right side of the highway. Frazer’s car veered to left and came to rest along the median.

Frazer was reportedly traveling at speeds in excess of 100 mph when he hit Wood’s car.

Wood was pronounced dead at the scene. Frazer was taken to St. Joseph’s Health Center with moderate injuries.

It seems like we read about another drunken driving accident every week. Please make sure that you are responsible when you go out to a bar and always be extra vigilant if you are driving late on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday night.

If you or someone you love is involved in a crash with a drunk driver, contact a St. Louis car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Many important pieces of evidence may be lost if not collected quickly by a personal injury or wrongful death attorney.

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Joshua Douglas, a volunteer firefighter, has filed a personal injury suit against Greene County Deputy Gary McCormack and the sheriff’s office for a 2007 crash, according to the Springfield News-Leader.

The suit is a reversal of a previous suit where McCormack’s family filed a wrongful death suit against Douglas and the Ebenezer Fire Protection District.

McCormack himself was killed in the crash.

According to the News-Leader report, the crash in question took place in the early morning hours of October 6, 2007. Both Douglas and McCormack were responding to an emergency call and were racing toward the scene. They collided at the intersection of County Road WW and Farm Road 145.

Douglas alleges that McCormack was driving at excessive speeds and did not yield to Douglas’ vehicle.

The News-Leader also reports that a Missouri Highway Patrol crash reconstruction report has already been completed saying that Douglas was responsible for the crash. The report says it was Douglas who should have slowed at the intersection and his failure to slow at the stop sign led to the accident.

Douglas’ personal injury lawyer says that report is an opinion and that McCormack’s excessive speeding was the dominant factor in the accident.

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Six people were injured Friday in a side-impact collision on Route T in Savannah, Missouri.

The accident occurred around 4:30 p.m. as Lori Willis, 38, was driving her 2003 Toyota Camry west on Route T. According to the initial crash report filed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Willis lost control of her car and crossed the center line. Willis’ car continued into oncoming traffic where it hit the passenger side of a 1995 Chevrolet 1500, driven by Brandon Oliver, 28.

Lori Willis and two passengers, Dara Willis, 14, and Alyssa Bryan, 13, were seriously injured and taken to Heartland Medical Center for treatment. Oliver and his passengers, Jennifer Switzer, 22, and Maleah Switzer, 1, were less seriously injured, but still required treatment at Heartland Medical.

Switzer and Oliver were not wearing seatbelts.

This case is unusual because in addition to the Switzer and Oliver not wearing seatbelts, side impact collisions often cause more personal injury to those that are struck on the side. This is because cars have less safety measures to protect drivers from the side than they do from the front.

The investigating officer did not indicate what caused Willis to lose control of her vehicle and did not list any citations. A Missouri car accident lawyer could be called in to investigate and help injured parties recover damages.

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Five people were injured Wednesday in a two car accident on Rout AD in Franklin County, Missouri.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a 2001 Ford Ranger, driven by Rexal Clinton, 25, was following a slower moving vehicle on Route AD. Clinton attemptd to pass this vehicle by passing in the left lane. He attempted to make this move as he was going over the crest of a hill which probably obstructed his view. As he was cresting the hill, he collided with a 2005 Ford F-150 pickup truck.

Clinton was airlifted to St. John's Mercy Hospital in Creve Coeur for treatment. A passenger in his car, Jeremiah Rowling, 21, was taken to St. John's hospital in Washington, Missouri. Three people in the pickup were injured. The driver, Tayra Douglas, 28, and two youg chidren, Christopher and McKinzie Douglas, were all taken to St. John's in Washington for treatment.

While the initial crash report is not a full investigation into this incident, if a personal injury lawyer can back up the claim that Clinton attempted a pass on a hilltop he may be liable for damages. Passing in the oncoming traffic lane is a very dangerous maneuver and the driver that attempts it must make sure he is doing it on a safe stretch of roadway. A St. Louis area car accident attorney will investigate the crash and, by looking at skid marks on the roadway as well as other factors, will determine if negligent driving contributed to this accident.

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Paul Devasure, 40, was seriously injured Sunday afternoon on Route B when his pickup was hit by another truck that ran a stop sign.

According to the Missouri Highway Patrol’s investigating officer, Jason Hamilton, 17, was heading eastbound and tried to cross Route B. Hamilton failed to stop at a stop sign and crashed into the driver’s side of Devasure’s truck.

Devasure was flown to St. John’s Hospital in serious condition. Hamilton was also injured and taken to St. John’s with moderate injuries.

Neither driver was wearing a seat belt.

Even in cases where the initial crash report seems clear cut regarding fault, injured drivers should still seek the counsel of a Missouri personal injury lawyer. Other facts not stated in the initial report may be released later on. Insurance companies may also try to offer you less money than you are legally entitled to and without the assistance of a car accident attorney, you may not receive enough damages to cover your medical expenses. Insurance companies can often seem more concerned about the bottom line than the well-being of injured people.

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Two St. Charles County, Missouri men were hospitalized Friday after a three-car accident on I-270 near Page.

According to the initial crash report on file with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the accident occurred during afternoon rush hour and there was a backup in traffic. Scott Nilhas, 46, stopped his 2006 Ford F150 to due to the congestion and was rear-ended by 1992 Ford Taurus driven by John Wirkus, 55. Nilhas’ truck was pushed into a third vehicle directly in front of him by the impact.

Wirkus was seriously injured and taken to St. John’s Hospital in Creve Coeur, Missouri. Nilahas’ injuries weren’t as severe, but he was still taken to St. John’s for treatment of ‘moderate’ injuries. The driver of the third car was not injured, according to the investigating officer’s report.

Anybody involved in an injury accident should contact a St. Louis area personal injury attorney as possible, but this is especially true in more complicated, multi-car accidents. Often times in a chain reaction crash a driver is responsible for the damage done to the vehicle in front of him, but only a qualified car accident lawyer will be able to look at the specifics of a case and determine definitively who was at fault and who should pay the damages.

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Photo from KMOV

Newton Keene, 46, was reportedly drunk behind the wheel when he drove into oncoming traffic on Illinois 255 Thursday and caused a crash that killed three people, according to the St. Louis Post Dispatch.

The report says that Keene got on the highway going the wrong way and crashed into a car killing a woman and her friend as well as one of her two children. The names of the victims have not yet been released.

Keene and the other child were in serious condition after the accident.

Keene was charged with three counts of reckless homicide, aggravated drunken driving and aggravated reckless driving.

The Post Dispatch reported also that this is not the first time Keene has had problems with alcohol behind the wheel. He has been convicted six times for various drunken driving crimes and had his license revoked in Illinois and Missouri.

What happened was tragic and all the more so because it could have been avoided. With Keene’s record, it’s hard to see how he was able to get behind the wheel at all. He could be facing significant jail time from criminal charges and lots of damages from a civil lawsuit should an Illinois personal injury attorney be called in to investigate the case.

In drunken driving cases, both a criminal case and a civil suit may result where a driver is sued for damages in separate proceedings. DUI accident cases require an extra level of knowledge, so anyone injured in a drunk driving accident should make sure to find a car accident lawyer that has experience with DUI cases.

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A two-car crash on Highway N in Franklin County, Missouri injured two people Wednesday morning.

The two women were Donna Lehmain, 46, and Debra Wakefield, 55, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Each was driving one of the vehicles involved.

According to the initial crash report, Wakefield was traveling southbound on Highway N and Lehmain was heading north. Wakefield’s 2003 Jeep Liberty crossed the center line and struck Lehmain’s 2006 Chevrolet Impala head-on.

Lehmain was taken to St. John’s Hospital in Washington, Missouri and Wakefield was taken to St. Anthony’s Hospital in St. Clair, Missouri. Both women’s injuries were listed as moderate.

The crash report did not say why Wakefield’s vehicle crossed the center line.

The most important thing that a person seeking help from a head-on injury accident can do is contact an experienced Missouri car accident lawyer. A trained attorney will be able to assemble the evidence and build on the initial crash report to determine who is responsible for an accident and liable for the damages.

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Two Richmond, Missouri women were hospitalized with serious injuries Friday after their car crashed into a trailer that had become unhitched on Missouri Route O.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s initial crash report, Kelly Lee, 42, and Jacey Lee, 19, were traveling northbound on Route O in a 1996 Chevrolet. A trailer that was being towed by Taylor Earnest, 47, who was traveling southbound in a 2004 Ford, became unhitched. The loose trailer then crossed lanes and collided with Lee’s vehicle.

Both Jacey and Kelly Lee sustained serious injuries and were rushed to Centerpoint Hospital.

According to the investigating officer’s notes, no arrests were made and there was no mention of a citation being issued at the scene.

The Lee’s would be well advised to contact a Missouri auto accident lawyer to help them with their case. Drivers are liable for anything that may come off their car while on the roads. Any trash or large debris that falls off the back of a car can cause serious personal injury. Many times, though, the driver at fault simply leaves the scene because he didn’t want to deal with cleanup or simply didn’t realize he lost the debris. In this case, the driver who lost the trailer apparently stopped and was cooperative, but he still may be liable for damages. More investigation by a personal injury attorney will be necessary to determine whether Earnest was negligent in hitching his trailer or if there was some mechanical failure that caused the hitch to break.

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Three people were injured Wednesday afternoon in a two-car Missouri accident on Highway 5 near Camdenton, Missouri.

The accident occurred when a 1997 Ford, driven by Cecil Warren, 44, attempted to make a left turn onto Highway 5. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a 1988 Toyota, driven by David Johnson, 45, struck the side of Warren’s car as it tried to make the turn.

Warren was seriously injured and taken to Lake Regional Hospital. Johnson suffered less serious injuries, but still required treatment at Lake Regional. A passenger in Warren’s car, Lisa Essery, 43, was also hurt and taken to University Hospital in Columbia.

Warren and Johnson were wearing seatbelts while Essery was not.

The best thing those involved can do for themselves is secure the help of a Missouri car accident attorney. It is not clear from the initial crash report who would be at fault in this accident and more investigation by a qualified personal injury lawyer will be necessary to prove negligence. Factors such as the speeds of both vehicles will be discovered to expand upon the initial crash report and get a clearer view of the accident

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Michael Eades, 46, was seriously injured Tuesday morning after an accident involving three vehicles on Interstate 270 near Gravois Road.

According to the initial crash report, Eades was heading north on I-270 in a 1996 Dodge Neon alongside a 2001 Ford Expedition, driven by Robert Haul, 54. Haul attempted to change lanes, but lost control of his vehicle and crossed into the path of both Eades’ car and a third vehicle, a 1996 Dodge Avenger driven by Sarah Kapri, 28. Eades attempted to avoid the collision, but his car made contact with both Haul and Kapri’s vehicles.

Eades was taken to St. Anthony’s Medical Center for treatment. While their vehicles were damaged, neither Haul nor Kapri suffered serious injury, according to the investigating officer of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

What complicates this case from a car accident attorney’s perspective is the fact that there were three vehicles and the initial crash report is not clear as to exactly what transpired. The drivers involved would be well advised to seek the counsel of a St. Louis area personal injury attorney who will be able to investigate the case and determine who is liable for the damages.

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A two-car Missouri injury accident on Highway 71 sent five people to the hospital on Monday afternoon, four with serious injuries.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Raymond Weaver, 44, lost control of his 1995 Ford while driving south on Highway 71. Weaver apparently lost control because of icy road conditions and ran off the left side of the road across the median. Weaver’s vehicle continued into the northbound lanes where it struck a 2004 Chevy, driven by Robert Brooks, 29.

Weaver and a passenger in his vehicle, Kenneth Phillips, 19, were both seriously injured. Michelle Brooks, 33, and Kipton Brooks, 7, were also seriously injured as passengers in the northbound Chevy. Robert Brooks escaped with relatively minor injuries. All drivers and passengers were taken to Nevada Regional Hospital for treatment.

Of all those involved, only young Kipton Brooks was wearing a seatbelt.

While the road conditions were icy, that will not be an excuse should a personal injury lawyer be called and a lawsuit filed. If a driver is negligent in losing control of his vehicle on a slick road, he may still be liable for damages. Those injured in car accidents, icy roads or not, should consult a car accident attorney as soon as possible.

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Four people were hospitalized Friday afternoon after a four-car collision on Missouri 291.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol initial crash report indicates the Missouri car crash occurred when Ryan Robinson, 19, crossed the center line of the highway in his 1990 Chevrolet Corsica.

Robinson’s vehicle hit two oncoming vehicles, a 1999 Toyota Rav 4 and a 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix, driven by Stephanie Todd, 52. A fourth vehicle, a 2001 Pontiac driven by Deanna Whiting, 29, was unable to avoid the pile up and also struck Robinson’s car.

Robinson suffered serious injuries and was taken to Research Main Hospital for treatment. Whiting also needed immediate medical attention, but was taken by ambulance to St. Luke’s Hospital. Todd and a passenger in her vehicle suffered minor injuries, but refused treatment at the scene.

All those involved were wearing seatbelts.

Charges are pending, according to the Highway Patrol.

Once the Highway Patrol officially files charges, we’ll have a better idea of liability in this case. A Missouri car accident lawyer will use any citations and gathered information to make sure that any negligence on the part of the drivers will be revealed. In complicated cases like this one where there are multiple vehicles and separate collisions, it is even more important to secure the services of an experience personal injury attorney.

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Judy Simon, 48, and Jason Procter, 20, were both injured Wednesday evening after a two car crash on Missouri 59 near Diamond, Missouri.

The initial crash report on file with the Missouri State Highway patrol says the accident occurred when Simon attempted to make a left turn in her 1994 Dodge Caravan. Before she could make the turn, Simon was rear-ended by a 2003 Hyundai Elentra, driven by Jordan Koch, 19.

Procter was a passenger in Koch’s car and suffered serious injuries. He was taken to Freeman West Hospital for treatment. Simon suffered moderate injuries and was also taken to Freeman West Hospital. Koch did not suffer any serious injuries, according to the investigating officer.

Since this is a rear-end collision, a legal doctrine may apply that says the negligence of the at-fault driver is assumed. All a car accident lawyer called in to represent the victims would have to do is prove that the doctrine was applicable to this case.

The victims would be well advised to quickly contact a personal injury attorney. These matters are time sensitive, and even though the initial crash report is on file, more investigation must be done to fill in the details of the case. Initial crash reports are considered hearsay in court and need to be corroborated by further investigation.

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The second thought that goes through many people’s heads after a car accident is usually related to insurance. The most important thing after an accident, of course, is to make sure that you and anybody involved is treated for injuries, but soon the questions start to rise. How much is this going to cost? Am I covered for this? How do I find out if I’m covered?

Here is a list of some of the most common car insurance questions:

Are others covered if they drive my car?

What happens if somebody without insurance hits me?

The answer to all of these questions is…it depends. Many car insurance companies are different and the laws regarding minimum coverage change from state to state. The best way to find out is to examine your policy or call your agent before you get into an accident.

If you are involved in a Missouri or Illinois car accident and still don’t know the answer to these or any other questions, there are people that can help you. You should immediately contact a car accident or personal injury lawyer that is well versed in the specific laws of your state. Bring any information with you that you have on your policy and your attorney will help navigate the details. The important thing is to ask for help. Don’t try to go up against an insurance company if you only think you understand the policy.

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Cory Ramsey, 16, was killed and two other were seriously injured Friday evening in a two car accident on North Goodes Mill Road in Franklin County, Missouri.

According to the investigating officer from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the accident occurred when Bryant Vetter, 16, lost control of his 2004 Cavalier while traveling southbound on North Goodes Mill Road. Vetter’s car crossed the center line where it struck a Dodge Ram pickup, driven by Robert Riegal, 56, head on.

Ramsey, a passenger in Vetter’s car, was pronounced dead at the scene. Vetter and Riegal were taken to St. John’s Hospital in Washington, Missouri for treatment.

None of the three people involved were wearing a seatbelt.

The initial crash report did not say what could have caused Vetter to head into oncoming traffic. It also did not say that a citation was issued to either driver. An experienced St. Louis area personal injury lawyer would follow up and expand on the information in the initial crash report. He would look for any signs of mechanical failure as well as driver error and determine whose negligence caused this tragic accident.

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Michael Frick, 44, was seriously injured Monday after being rear-ended on Highway 61 in Jefferson County, Missouri.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Frick was traveling northbound on Highway 61 in a 1993 Ford Ranger when he was hit from behind by a 2005 Ford F350, driven by Michael Krampf, 26. After being hit, Frick’s vehicle crossed the center line and struck the side of a third vehicle, a 2007 Chevy Malibu driven by Patricia Kirchner, 58.

Frick suffered serious injuries and was taken to Madison Memorial Hospital for treatment. Neither Krampf nor Kirchner suffered any serious injuries, according to the investigating officer.

More investigation than the just the initial crash report is needed, but if all these details are true, Krampf might be liable for the damages in this Missouri car accident. Generally in rear end collisions a doctrine applies saying that negligence is assumed on the part of the at-fault driver. This is because all drivers should be in control of their vehicle at all times. All a Missouri personal injury lawyer would have to do is prove that the doctrine applied in this case.

Before making any conclusions, however, the case should be examined by a personal injury attorney that specializes in car accidents. Initial crash reports are just that, the initial findings of the investigating officer. Without further evidence to back them up they are often considered hearsay in court.

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Mitchell Bleile, 23, was killed and two others were seriously injured Wednesday afternoon in a two-car wreck on Highway 47.

The initial crash report, filed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, says the Eastern Missouri car accident occurred when Daniel Barbosa, 51, failed to stop his 2009 Dodge Charger at a stop sign on the intersection of Highway 47 and Route A. The Charger was hit on the passenger side by a 1984 Ford Van, driven by Perle Avery, 62.

Bleile was a passenger in Barbosa’s car and was pronounced dead at the scene. Barbosa and Avery both suffered serious injury and were flown to St. John’s Mercy in St. Louis.

It appears that Barbosa may have been negligent in not stopping at the stop sign, but the accident will still be investigated by a team of accident reconstructionists. They will flesh out the details from the initial crash report and their investigation will be used by a St. Louis car accident lawyer, should one be called in to handle the case.

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A large chain reaction accident on Highway 412 sent three people to the hospital, one with serious injuries, on Monday. A total of eight cars were involved in the accident.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the accident occurred as traffic began to back-up because of a previous Missouri car accident. Leslie Hill, 69, was traveling westbound approaching the backed up traffic and failed to stop. Her 2007 Volvo hit the line of cars causing a chain reaction.

Terry Grant, 36, was in a 1997 GMC pickup and was the first vehicle struck by Hill’s car. Grant was seriously injured and taken to Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center in Kennett, Missouri. Two others were injured in separate cars. Thomas Russell, 33, and Margaret Young, 53, were both taken to Twin Rivers for treatment.

Hill did not suffer any serious injuries according to the investigating officer.

Typically, in a chain reaction type crash, all drivers are responsible for the vehicle in front of them. This is because all drivers should leave a safe distance in between cars when stopped or in motion. Many factors still need to be examined by an experienced Missouri car accident lawyer, though, before any conclusions can be made.

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Linda Wall, 63, and Levi Clark, 17, were killed Saturday afternoon in an accident on Missouri 133 near Richland, Missouri.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s initial crash report, Clark’s 2000 Dodge Ram pickup truck crossed the center line on Missouri 133 and struck Wall’s 2008 Dodge Van head-on.

Clark was pronounced dead at the scene. Wall was taken to General Wood Community Hospital where she was later pronounced dead. A passenger in the van, Katie Wall, 11, was injured and taken to Phelps County Regional Medical Center.

Clark was not wearing a seat belt.

Since there was a fatality, an accident reconstruction will be conducted to determine some of the specifics of the car crash. This additional investigation will examine tire skid marks and debris patterns which provides valuable information that could be used by a Missouri car accident lawyer should one be contacted.

While there was already a description of the accident on the initial crash report, it was very brief and would be considered hearsay in court if the investigating officer didn’t actually witness the accident. It also didn’t explain why Clark crossed the center line. An accident reconstruction might be able to better illustrate the events of the crash to a personal injury attorney and indicate whether one of the drivers was negligent.

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Five people were seriously injured Friday evening in Henry County, Missouri after a three-car accident on Missouri 52.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the accident occurred when two cars, one driven by Mathew Martinez, 17, and the second by an unidentified driver, stopped on Missouri 52 because of traffic caused by a previous Missouri car accident. A 2004 Pontiac, driven by Mary Hayes, 47, was traveling behind the line of cars and couldn’t stop before crashing into Martinez’s car, which was then forced into the third car.

Mary Hayes and her husband Carl Hayes, 54, were seriously injured and flown to University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri. A third occupant of their car, Sheri Fannon, 28, was also seriously injured and flown to University Hospital. Two passengers in Martinez’s car were also seriously injured and flown to different hospitals. Paige Litz, 18, was flown to St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, and Jennifer Miller, 17, was flown to Children’s Mercy.

An investigation into the accident is ongoing. The initial accident report indicates that charges are pending, but it does not specify what type of charges or why Mary Hayes was unable to stop her vehicle.

Often, in cases were a line of cars has a chain reaction-type crash, each driver is considered responsible for the damages their vehicle causes to the one directly in front of them. This is because drivers are expected to keep a safe distance between them and any cars in front of them. Many other factors, such as the speed Hayes was traveling, must first be examined by a Missouri car accident attorney. The charges filed by the Highway Patrol will also help a personal injury lawyer to flesh out the details of the case so that the injured parties can receive the help they need.

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Icy roads may have contributed to an accident Saturday afternoon on Route Y that sent four people to the hospital, two with serious injuries.

Jesse Robbins, 43, was traveling westbound on Route Y near Missouri 89 when his car began to slide out of control and crossed the center line. According to the investigating officer, Robbins’ 1993 Dodge slid into oncoming traffic where it hit a 2003 Chevrolet head on.

Robbins was seriously injured and taken to Capital Regional Medical Center in Jefferson City, Missouri for treatment. Three occupants of the Chevrolet were also hospitalized. Michael Jarvis, 27, was seriously injured and both Jason Hafley, 23, and Wendy Jarvis, 38, suffered moderate injuries. All three were taken to Phelps County Hospital.

Though icy roads may have played a role this Missouri car accident, dangerous road conditions do not excuse any drivers that cause a wreck. This case will need to be investigated by an experienced personal injury lawyer, but the fact that there are winter weather conditions will not be a solid defense if one of the drivers is found liable for damages.

If you are injured in a Missouri car accident, even if it was partially caused by icy or wet roads, contact a Missouri car accident attorney as soon as possible.

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Victor Torres, 36, was killed and two others were seriously injured Friday evening in a Missouri car accident on Highway 5 in Camden County.

According to the initial crash report filed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Torres crossed the center line and struck another vehicle head-on. The investigating officer did not specify what might have caused Torres to lose control of his vehicle and head into oncoming traffic.

Torres was pronounced dead at the scene. Two occupants of the second car, Dean Garske, 60, and Kathy Garske, 56, were both seriously injured and taken to Lake Regional Hospital for treatment.

Both Dean and Kathy Garske were wearing seatbelts. Torres was not.

Missouri car accident law says that an accident reconstruction will now be performed. This additional investigation will flesh out the details of the wreck not included in the initial crash report. Since most patrolmen are not trained in accident reconstruction, many details are left off the initial report that could be useful for a Missouri personal injury lawyer who may be called to investigate the case.

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Five people, including two children, were injured in a Missouri car accident Saturday morning on Route M in Springfield, Missouri.

The accident occurred as Teresa Ireland, 39, was traveling north in her 2003 Dodge Neon and hit a 1998 Ford Taurus, driven by Amanda Williams, 25. According to the initial crash report filed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Ireland failed to yield to Williams’ car as she was making a left turn.

Ireland suffered minor injures and was taken to Cox South Hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, the injuries sustained by Williams and her family were more serious. Amanda and John Williams, 27, suffered moderate to minor injuries while the two five-year-old children in the car, Laura and Xander Williams, suffered more serious injuries. The Williams family was taken to St. John’s Hospital for treatment.

All involved were wearing seatbelts.

Thankfully no one was killed in this Missouri crash. The initial crash report was not very detailed and more specific information about the crash will need to be investigated by a Missouri personal injury lawyer.

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Victor Byrd, 17, was seriously injured early Friday morning along with three others in a separate car after an accident on Highway 60 near Monett, Missouri.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Byrd crossed the center line in his 1996 Chevrolet and hit a 2003 Chevrolet, driven by Tamara Roux, 43, head on.

Byrd was flown to St. John’s Hospital for treatment. Roux was taken by ambulance to St. John’s with serious injuries. Two passengers in Roux’s car, Aimee Roux, 22, and Jeremy Roux, 20, suffered moderate to minor injuries that were also treated at St. John’s.

The investigating officer did not specify why Byrd may have crossed the center line.

From a Missouri personal injury attorney’s perspective, the fact that a minor driver was involved is important. First, Missouri law says 16 to 18 year olds receive an intermediate driver’s license that has some limitations. Teens with an intermediate license may not drive alone between the hours of 1 and 5 a.m., and this Missouri car accident occurred shortly after 2 a.m. The crash report did not indicate wheter there was another person with Byrd at the time of the crash.

Another complicating factor about cases involving minors is that the parents can sometimes be liable for their child’s actions if they are found to have negligently allowed the minor to use something like a car when conditions are not safe. Many details still have to emerge from this case, but the parent’s liability will probably be investigated should a personal injury lawyer be contacted.

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Kathleen Groeper, 66, was killed Tuesday after she crashed her 2008 Ford Focus while trying to dodge debris on Highway 47 in Warren County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Groeper was traveling northbound on Highway 47 when she swerved to the right to avoid the debris. Her vehicle left the roadway and struck a driveway before overturning and crossing into the path of a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by Deborah Hawkins, 52.

Groeper was pronounced dead at the scene. Hawkins was taken by ambulance to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Lake St. Louis and treated for minor injuries, according to the investigating officer.

The initial crash report did not describe the type of debris that was in the roadway.

From a personal injury lawyer’s perspective, the type of debris and how it got on the roadway is very important. If the debris was man-made and fell off a truck or some other type of vehicle, the driver of that vehicle could be held liable for any damages that the debris causes. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 25,000 accidents involving falling debris occur each year in North America.

The problem, of course, is that it is very hard to track down the driver that lost the debris unless there are witnesses or some other identifying markings on the debris. Many times tractor trailer drivers may not even realize they have left something in the roadway. Other times the driver will just continue on without stopping to clean up the mess, thus leaving a dangerous obstacle for other drivers.

In Missouri, MoDOT workers will do their best to make sure the roadways remain clear and it is hard to hold them liable for any such incidents. A Missouri car accident lawyer would have to prove that the highway workers knew about the debris and still failed to respond in a reasonable amount of time. As we have discussed in other posts on this blog, sovereign immunity also offers additional protection for these workers.

If you are injured in a Missouri car accident caused by roadway debris, even if the person who left the debris is never found, you may be able to seek compensation from your own uninsured motorist coverage that is included in your insurance policy. Filing these claims can be complicated and they are definitely time-sensitive so you should contact an experienced St. Louis area personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

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Four people were injured, including two teens and a two-year-old, when a vehicle slid out of control Saturday on Highway 21 in Ripley County, Missouri.

According to the investigating officer’s crash report, Ashley Vosburg, 18, lost control of her vehicle and began to slide off the right side of the roadway. In trying to regain control of her 2001 Pontiac, Vosburg overcorrected and slid across the center line into oncoming traffic. Vosburg’s car crashed into a 1989 Ford Escort driven by Jerrie Joplin, 65.

Vosburg and a 2-year-old passenger, Allyssa Williams, suffered moderate to minor injuries and sought help for their car accident injuries at Ripley County Memorial Hospital. Jerrie Joplin and his passenger, Ethan Joplin, 16, suffered more serious injuries and were taken to by ambulance to Ripley County Memorial, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Thankfully no one was killed in this crash, but there were serious injuries and damages will need to be paid to cover the cost of medical expenses. It might be easy this time of year to simply blame bad weather for accidents like these, but that should not excuse drivers if they are found to be negligently operating their cars. If anything, drivers should be even more responsible and cautious in winter weather knowing the potential dangers on the road. Whether you think icy roads contributed to an accident or not, if you are injured in a Missouri car accident, you should contact a Missouri personal injury lawyer as soon as you are able.

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A three-car accident Friday morning on Highway 67 near Poplar Bluff injured four people, two seriously.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s initial crash report says the accident occurred when Darrell Healey, 44, drove a 1998 Toyota into a 2003 Buick, driven by Joe Falvey, 76. The impact of this crash sent the Buick into a third vehicle, a 2002 Chevy driven by Tim Mansfield, 37.

The report does not say what may have caused Healey to hit Falvey’s vehicle or what Falvey’s car was doing at the time of the accident.

Healey and Falvey were both seriously injured and taken to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center for treatment. Two passengers, one in Healey’s car and one in Falvey’s, were also injured in this Missouri car accident. Charles Harrison, 37, and Bobbie Falvey, 73, both suffered moderate injuries and were also taken to Poplar Bluff Regional. No injures were reported from the third vehicle involved in the crash.

The initial crash report is considered the opinion of the investigating officer and would be considered hearsay in court unless the officer actually witnessed the accident. Many details about the crash need to be filled in before liability can be determined. A Missouri personal injury lawyer may be called in to investigate the crash and advise the injured parties.

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Mary Wilson, 68, and Thomas Wilson, 72, were injured Wednesday when their car hit another vehicle on Route JJ just west of Moberly, Missouri.

The initial crash report, filed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, indicates the accident occurred when the second vehicle, a 1999 Ford driven by Cyrus Ewens, 38, turned in front Wilson’s 1993 Oldsmobile. Mary Wilson, who was driving the Oldsmobile at the time, was unable to avoid the collision and crashed into Ewens.

The Wilsons were both taken to Moberly Regional Medical Center for treatment. Ewens did not suffer any significant injuries, according to the investigating officer.

Thanfully, all those involved were wearing seatbelts, or this accident could have been much more serious.

Ewens was issued a summons for failing to yield. The fact that a summons was issued by the investigating officer would be a major indicator of fault, but filing these claims can be very complicated regardless. Anybody needing help after a Missouri car accident should seek the counsel of an experienced personal injury lawyer to make sure that all their medical expenses are covered.

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A two car Missouri accident Tuesday morning on Highway 63 hospitalized three people, including an eight year old girl.

The accident occurred when Latricia Hess, 39, attempted to cross the highway in her 2002 Chevrolet. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a 1997 Toyota, driven by Douglas Waite, 36, struck the driver’s side of Hess’ car. Waite’s vehicle came to a rest on the highway while Hess’ traveled into the median.

Waite and Hess both suffered serious injury and were taken to Moberly Regional Hospital for treatment. Waite’s daughter Mallorie, 8, was also injured in the Missouri car accident and taken to Moberly Regional.

Thankfully, all three people involved were wearing seatbelts or the injuries could have been worse, perhaps even fatal.

The initial crash report indicates that a summons is pending, though it did not specify for which driver or what offense. This information, when released, would be used by a Missouri personal injury lawyer should one be contacted to resolve the case.

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Denny Frazier, 22, was injured Saturday afternoon when his car collided head on with another on County Road 413 near Dexter, Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s report said the accident occurred at the crest of hill when Betty Musgrave, 81, began to drift into the oncoming traffic lane. Frazier was unable to avoid the collision as the drivers came over the hill.

Frazier was taken to Missouri Southern Health Care for treatment. Musgrave did not sustain any serious injury in this Missouri car accident, according the highway patrol report.

Musgrave was issued a summons for failing to drive on the right half of the roadway and for not wearing a seatbelt. The fact that the investigating officer ticketed Musgrave will be important should a Missouri personal injury lawyer be contacted to investigate the case.

Frazier was also issued a summons for not wearing a seatbelt.

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David Merchant, 27, was hospitalized early Friday morning after he was hit by a car on Missouri 25 near Advance, Missouri.

According to the report filed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, James Smith, 47, drove his 2003 Honda into another vehicle that was parked in the roadway. The second vehicle, a 2005 Ford, was then pushed into Merchant.

The report says that the 2005 Ford was stopped to assist Merchant, but does not list a driver’s name or what type of assistance they were attempting to provide.

Merchant was flown to St. Francis Hospital in Cape Girardeau for treatment. A passenger in Smith’s vehicle, Zenita Smith, 45, was also injured in this Missouri car accident and taken to St. Francis Hospital for treatment.

A Missouri personal injury lawyer will need to examine this case to determine the proper course of action for those injured. Details such as how the 2005 Ford was parked in the roadway will need to be examined to get a better idea of how this crash occurred and who is responsible.

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Six Missourians were hospitalized Saturday evening after a truck rear-ended another car and forced it into oncoming traffic on Route JJ near Carl Junction.

According to the report filed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, just before the Missouri accident Tammy Farmer, 35, had stopped her 2009 Toyota Scion as she prepared to make a left turn. James Ellis, 16, who was following in a 1994 Ford F150 pickup, failed to stop in time and crashed into Farmer’s vehicle. The impact of the crash sent Farmer’s vehicle into the oncoming traffic lane where it was hit head-on by a 2005 Honda Element, driven by Jeremy Hubbard, 20.

Farmer and Ellis were treated at St. John’s Hospital along with two passengers in Farmer’s car, Katie Hardcastle, 17, and Zack Hardcastle, 17. They are suffered moderate injuries according to the Missouri crash report. Hubbard received the most serious injuries and was flown to Freeman West Hospital. Michael Pope, 20, a passenger in Hubbard’s car was taken to St. John’s with moderate injuries.

Neither Hubbard nor Pope were wearing seatbelts, according to the investigating officer.

Missouri law often finds that negligence is assumed on the part of at-fault drivers in rear end collision cases. This is because all drivers should be in control of where their vehicle is traveling at all times. This is a more complicated case, though, as it involves three cars in two separate collisions. The crash report also does not say why Ellis was unable to stop before hitting the vehicle in front of him. More investigation by a personal injury lawyer and local authorities will be needed before all the specifics of this Missouri crash will be known.

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Milton Jensen, 78, is dead after a three-car accident Friday afternoon on Highway 63. The accident also injured Keith Kempker, 33, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The crash report says the Missouri car accident was caused when Jensen attempted to cross southbound Highway 63 in a 2002 GMC and pulled directly in the path of Kempker’s 2003 Ford. Kempker broadsided Jensen’s car and sent it off the roadway. Kempker’s vehicle remained in the roadway and rolled into 2007 Toyota, driven by Donna Evert, 64.

Jensen was flown to University Hospital in Columbia where he was pronounced dead. Kempker was taken to University Hospital in an ambulance and his injuries were described as moderate. Evert did not sustain any significant injury, according to the investigating officer.

Whenever a death is involved in a Missouri injury accident, the Missouri State Highway Patrol will perform an accident reconstruction to determine the exact events of the crash and which drivers are at fault. The data from this investigation will be used by a personal injury lawyer should a suit arise from the crash.

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Two people were injured Thursday evening on Route N in St. Charles County when a teenage driver apparently lost control of his vehicle and crossed into oncoming traffic.

The Missouri car accident was caused when Nicholas Rallo, 16, crossed the center line in his 2008 Toyota Scion, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Rallo’s vehicle then collided with Candice Bommarito, 58, as she was heading westbound on Route N in a 2005 GMC Envoy.

Both Rallo and Bommarito sustained serious injuries in the crash. Rallo was taken to Cardinal Glennon by helicopter, while Bommarito was flown to St. John’s Hospital.

Both drivers were wearing seatbelts.

No citation was issued by the investigating officer to either driver. A personal injury lawyer may be contacted by either party to help sort out the details of the wreck and attempt to collect damages to pay for what should be rather large medical expenses.

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Deborah Carpone, 49, and Steven Crawford, 51, were seriously injured Wednesday afternoon when their car collided with another on Highway 21 in Jefferson County.

According to the Highway Patrol, the Missouri car accident occurred at 4:20 p.m. when Robert Ellis, 50, who was traveling westbound on Highway 110, attempted to cross in front of Carpone and Crawford’s 1989 Chevrolet Blazer. Crawford, who was driving the Blazer, was unable to avoid crashing into Ellis’ 1990 Cadillac Seville.

Carpone and Crawford suffered serious injuries and were air lifted to St. John’s Hospital in St. Louis. Ellis received relatively minor injuries and was taken to Jefferson Memorial Hospital for treatment, according to the crash report.

While the initial crash report indicates Ellis pulled into the path of Crawford, this is just the opinion of the investigating officer and more investigation by an experienced St. Louis personal injury attorney will be needed to fully describe the specifics of the crash.

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A Missouri teen lost control of his vehicle Monday afternoon on I-270 and started a chain reaction crash that involved five separate vehicles and sent five people to the hospital.

Lenard Booker, 19, was northbound on I-270 in a 1993 Toyota Camry when he lost control of his car and crashed into the inside median wall. Diana Kahney, 65, was following behind Booker in a 2005 Ford Fusion and swerved to avoid hitting Booker’s vehicle. In swerving to avoid a collision, Kahney’s car struck a 2008 Ford Ranger. A dump truck and a 2005 Jeep Liberty were also unable to avoid crashing into the pileup of vehicles, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The injuries were all sustained by passengers in the first two vehicles, according to the initial crash report. Kahney suffered serious injuries and was taken to St. John’s Mercy for treatment. Booker and three passengers in his car, Breon Goff, 19; Kyeon Grimes, 19; and Andre Pendleton, 20; all suffered moderate to minor injuries and were also treated at St. John’s Mercy.

In complicated Missouri car crashes such as this, muc