Missouri Accident Lawyer Blog

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

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

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

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

Continue reading "Bicyclist Seriously Injured in Missouri Hit-and-Run Accident" »

Lynn Blackey, 59, was hospitalized after a St. Louis car accident which began with her car getting struck by a hit-and-run driver on I-44.

Blackey was heading eastbound on the interstate in her 2009 Kia Spectra at the time of the accident, according to the initial crash report. Suddenly, an unidentified vehicle rear-ended her car and sent it spinning out of control. Blackey's car was hit by a third vehicle, a tractor-trailer, before skidding off the left side of the roadway and into the cable median.

The driver who hit Blackey didn't stop and continued heading east on I-44.

Blackey was taken by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment. Her injuries were not considered life-threatening. Fortunately, nobody else was injured in what could have been a much worse situation.

If you have any information on the driver of the vehicle that started this incident before fleeing the scene, please contact the Troop C headquarters of the Missouri State Highway Patrol at (636) 300-2800.

Leaving the scene of an accident is a serious offense. Whether you think you were at-fault or not, you must remain at the scene until emergency responders arrive and tell you it's okay to leave. If found, the hit-and-run driver in this Missouri car accident case will likely face criminal charges.

Even if the driver is not found, those injured by a hit-and-run driver can often claim the accident against their own insurance policy's uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. For more information on how to handle a complicated car accident case, consult a St. Louis personal injury attorney.

A tragic pedestrian accident claimed the life of a young Kansas City girl and has authorities and residents looking for the driver of the truck that hit her.

The victim, being identified by local media only by her first name, Taylor, was a four-year-old girl who lived on 152nd Terrace.

The accident occurred early Sunday afternoon near the girl's home. While there were no witnesses to the actual incident, several witness accounts of the area just before and just after the accident have led investigators to believe a pickup truck was speeding down the road and hit the girl before continuing on without stopping.

Neighbors contacted paramedics, but they were unable to save the young girl.

Residents say that speeding has been a problem in the area and signs warning drivers to slow down for children have been posted along the street.

Authorities are looking for any information on the driver or the truck, which is being described as an older brown or possibly gold pickup. Anyone with useful information should contact the TIPS hot-line at 816-474-TIPS.

Authorities are looking for information on an ATV driver that hit a pedestrian and then fled the scene in Dent County.

According to the Highway Patrol, the Missouri hit-and-run injury accident took place on County Road 5160 a little after 11:00 p.m. on Saturday. Ronald Conaway, 44, was walking along the roadway when he was struck by an unknown ATV. The ATV then continued driving and left the scene heading east.

Conaway was flown to St. John's Hospital in St. Louis for emergency treatment. His injuries were considered serious.

Police are still looking for information about the ATV and its driver. At the moment, they don't have even much of a visual description. If you have any information that would be helpful in tracking down the driver, please contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol at (573) 751-3313.

Drivers that cause and then flee an accident scene are often charged with severe criminal penalties whether they are on an ATV or a larger vehicle involved in a Missouri car accident.

As far as paying for medical bills after a hit-and-run accident, the injured party may be able to make a claim against their own insurance policy's uninsured motorist coverage. This coverage is designed to protect people should they get involved in a wreck with somebody that doesn't have adequate insurance to pay for their emergency medical bills.

Being in a serious car accident is stressful enough under normal conditions. You are worried about your health and the safety of those riding with you. Then your thoughts wander to how you are going to pay for the damages and what you need to tell the insurance company. Generally, you call the police to have a report written up and then the at-fault driver's liability insurance will take care of many of the expenses arising for the injured party. But what happens when the at-fault driver doesn't stay at the scene? It can be a helpless feeling to be left injured on the side of the road while the other person illegally drives away.

Your first priority should be to ensure your safety and the safety of those riding with you. Get out of the roadway if you can and make sure that emergency responders are notified.

If there are witnesses, make sure to get their information and see if they can give the police a statement. It is incredibly helpful to have additional people corroborate your account of the crash.

Be sure to write down everything you know about the car that hit you. If you got the license number, that's great, but any information is helpful. Knowing the make, model and color can all help track down the person that hit you. Don't rely on your memory at this stressful time. Be sure to write everything down.

Even if authorities never find the at-fault driver, you can file a claim with your own insurance company's uninsured motorist coverage. By law, your plan must include this coverage that protects you should you be involved in a Missouri car crash with a driver that doesn't have insurance or attempts to flee the scene of the wreck.

Unfortunately, insurance companies may still try and not pay the claim even if you followed all the steps above. If this happens to you, contact a Missouri car accident lawyer as soon as possible and he will be able to help you preserve your rights as an accident victim.

Nichole Royer, 21, was injured during Monday’s rush hour when her car was hit by another driver who then fled the scene, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The Missouri hit-and-run accident occurred on I-70 near Mid Rivers Mall Drive. Royer had stopped her 1989 Buick Park Avenue for traffic which had built up during the afternoon rush. An unidentified driver, who presumably was not paying attention to the traffic, slammed his vehicle into the rear of Royer’s. The impact sent Royer’s car forward into a third vehicle which sustained moderate damage.

The driver that caused the wreck fled the scene and no description of the driver or the vehicle was given by the Highway Patrol. If you have any information that may help locate this driver, please call the patrol’s Troop C headquarters at (636) 300-2800.

Royer was taken to St. Joeseph’s Hospital for treatment. Fortunately, despite the fact that her car was totaled and rear impact collisions have been known to cause serious injury, Royer suffered only non-life threatening injuries.

The driver of the third vehicle was uninjured.

Leaving the scene of an accident is a serious offense and hopefully the driver will be found and face criminal charges for this cowardly act. Even if the driver is not found, Royer can obtain civil relief by contacting a St. Louis area personal injury attorney who can assist her in preparing a claim against her own insurance company’s uninsured motorist policy.

Four people were injured, one seriously, by a Missouri car accident on I-70 in which one driver fled the scene.

The hit-and-run injury accident occurred in Lafayette County at around 1:15 Wednesday afternoon. Kenneth Dusch, 42, was driving eastbound in a 1995 Chevrolet with a boat trailer. Behind Dusch was 27 year old Erik Myhill who was driving a 2007 Toyota. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Myhill overtook Dusch's vehicle and crashed into the boat trailer. The impact caused Dusch's vehicle to overturn and flip into the median. The trailer detached and was flung off the south side of the roadway.

Riding with Kenneth Dusch was his family including Theresa, 41; Jackson, 15; Samuel, 11; and Lily, 9. Theresa Dusch suffered the most severe injuries and was flown to an area hospital for life-saving treatment. The other members of the Dusch family sustained minor to moderate injuries and were taken by ambulance to local medical centers.

After the wreck, Myhill fled the scene of the crash. He was later stopped by police and charges are pending.

An investigation into the accident is ongoing.

Myhill made a bad situation much worse for himself by fleeing the scene. It is illegal to leave the scene of a Missouri car accident whether you think you are at fault or not.

Now, instead of staying at the scene, calling for help and cooperating with authorities, Myhill will almost certainly be facing serious criminal charges. If the description of the accident in the initial report is accurate and Myhill is found to be at fault for the accident, the Dusch's may be able to contact a Missouri car accident lawyer to help them recover damages to cover medical bills and other expenses stemming from this incident.

Linda Rogers, 45, was killed Saturday night when she was hit by a driver who then left the scene, according the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Rogers was walking along I-70’s eastbound lanes near the I-170 junction when the accident happened. An unknown vehicle traveling in the eastbound lanes hit Rogers as she walked and then left the scene.

Rogers was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders.

The driver in this Missouri hit-and-run crash is unknown and no details about the vehicle were listed on the initial crash report. If you have any information related to this accident that may be helpful to authorities, call the Highway Patrol’s Troop C headquarters at (636) 300 - 2800.

Leaving the scene of a Missouri car accident or pedestrian accident is a serious offense. If the driver is ever located, he or she will likely face criminal charges as well as a possible civil suit.

If the driver is never found, Rogers’ family may be able to make a claim with her own insurance company’s uninsured motorist coverage. Every insurance company has to provide uninsured motorist coverage that will protect you if you are injured in a car crash with a driver without insurance or an unknown driver, as in a hit-and-run case.

Dealing with these claims can be complicated and your insurance company may be difficult to work with. Because of this, it is a good idea to speak with a St. Louis area personal injury attorney and learn your legal rights before dealing with the insurance companies.

Police are looking for information to help them identify the driver of a pickup truck who was involved in a hit and run crash Friday night on Route E in Lafayette County, Missouri.

The crash happened near the intersection of Route E and Keith Road when the unidentified driver crossed the center line and struck a 1994, driven by Gregory Hoffman, 48. The truck slammed into the side of the Ford causing extensive damage before fleeing the scene of the accident.

Hoffman and a passenger, Rheanna Chapman, 25, were both injured and taken by ambulance to Centerpoint Hospital for treatment.

No information about the truck or driver is known although there should be at least some minor damage to the front of the truck from this Missouri car crash. If you have any information that could help identify the driver or locate the truck, please call the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Troop A headquarters at 816-622-0800.

If the driver is ever found, he will likely face severe criminal charges for leaving the scene of an accident. A personal injury suit may also be brought to allow the injured parties to recover damages and pay for medical expenses.

If he or she is not found, however, the injured parties may still make a claim on their own insurance. All insurance companies in Missouri are required to provide uninsured motorist coverage to protect you in the event you are in an accident with somebody who does not have liability coverage equal to the legal minimum. This also applies to hit and run crashes where the other driver is never found. Since filing these claims can be tricky, it is best to consult a Missouri personal injury attorney before any decisions are made.

Esteban Hernandez, 19, was killed Saturday night in Laclede County when an unknown vehicle hit him on Missouri 5 and then left the scene.

According to the investigating officer of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Hernandez was walking along the southbound lanes of Missouri 5 when he was hit by the unknown driver. He was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later when his body was discovered.

As of right now, the Highway Patrol does not have a vehicle description nor have any witnesses come forward.

Leaving the scene of a Missouri car accident, even if you do not think there were any injuries, can result in felony charges and jail time. It is grossly irresponsible to leave the scene when a fellow driver or pedestrian may have been hurt.

Hopefully the driver is found and justice is served for this tragic incident. If you have any knowledge that would be helpful in finding the hit-and-run driver, please contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Troop I headquarters at (573) 368 – 2345.

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

Photo from KMOV-TV

Donald Legens, 34 was killed and his infant son was critically injured after a hit-and-run driver crashed into Legens’ car early Friday morning, according to a St. Louis Post Dispatch report.

According to witnesses cited in the report, a tow truck smashed into the car, which was stalled in the road, and then fled the scene. The crash occurred on West Pontoon Road in Granite City, Illinois.

Legens’ car had apparently run out of gas and the truck hit the car as Legens’ stood outside refueling it. His son remained strapped in a car seat inside the vehicle, according to the Post Dispatch story.

Legens’ was pronounced dead at the scene from massive head trauma. His son, whose name has not been released, was flown to Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in critical condition.

Police have arrested tow truck driver Mark Alan Ikerman, 43, in connection with the crash on a tip from a witness. Ikerman lives in Edwardsville, Illinois and works for Manheim Auto Auction.

Ikerman has been charged with two counts of aggravated driving under the influence, leaving the scene of an accident, and failure to report an accident.

A study by USA Today shows that the number of hit-and-run car accidents has jumped 20% since 2000 and is now at its highest level in more than a decade.

Leaving the scene of an accident is a felony offense and results in hundreds of deaths each year. Despite this fact, some motorists still flee the scene in an attempt to avoid a confrontation with police sent to investigate the crash.

In 2003 alone, 1,557 people were killed nationwide in hit-and-run accidents. In many cases, the offending driver is never caught and brought to justice.

Even if the hit-and-run driver is never found, those injured in the crash can still get help from their own insurance company. Typically, the liability insurance of the at-fault driver pays for injuries sustained in an accident. In hit-and-run accidents, the at-fault driver is obviously not present so the injured party must make a claim on his own coverage plan. All insurance companies are required to include uninsured motorist coverage in all their plans that will cover expenses if you are involved in an accident with a hit-and-run driver.

This coverage applies even if you are a pedestrian hit by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver. Over 900 pedestrians are killed by hit-and-run drivers each year.

Filing these claims can be very complicated so it is important to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

If you ever happen to witness a driver leaving the scene of an accident, please don’t stay silent. Call 911 and give a vehicle description so that the driver might be brought to justice.

Gale Smith, 41, of Piedmont, Mo. was arrested in connection with a hit-and-run accident that killed one pedestrian and seriously injured another.

The accident happened early Saturday morning when Dean Nordman, 41, and Jacob Thomas, 14, were attempting to cross Route HH in Wayne County. A westbound vehicle hit both pedestrians and left the scene, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Nordman was pronounced dead at the scene. Thomas was flown to St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau with serious injuries.

According to a Southeast Missourian report, Smith was initially arrested on a warrant for parole violation and a charge of child neglect. After he was taken brought in, Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers began questioning Smith about the hit-and-run accident.

One official cited in the Southeast Missourian report said that fog may have contributed to the accident.

Leaving the scene of a Missouri car accident, even if you do not think there were any injuries, can result in felony charges and jail time. It is grossly irresponsible to leave the scene when a fellow driver or pedestrian may have been hurt.

Even if Smith is cleared of the charges and the true hit-and-run driver is never found, Nordman’s family may still be able to pursue a claim on his own auto insurance. Auto insurance companies provide uninsured motorist benefits, which are designed to protect you should you be involved in an accident with an uninsured or hit-and-run driver.

Photo from KY3 News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Konrad G. Whitt, 27, was found dead Sunday morning in the westbound lanes of I-70 near downtown after an apparent hit-and-run accident, according to a report in the St. Louis Post Dispatch.

Witnesses told police they saw Whitt’s body on the roadway, but did not see the vehicle that hit him.

If you have any information on the driver, please call the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department at 314-444-5345.

Leaving the scene of a Missouri car accident, even if you do not think there were any injuries, can result in felony charges and jail time. It is grossly irresponsible to leave the scene when a fellow driver or pedestrian may have been hurt. Hopefully, the driver in this case will be found.

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

After an accident and the exchange of insurance information, one of the most important things to do is to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. The Bradley Law Firm has handled injury cases for over 30 years and offers free consultations on all injury matters. Please contact us for a free consultation on your injury case.

Clyde Barrell, 51, died Monday after being involved in a hit and run incident over the weekend. Barrell was riding his bicycle on East Elm Street around 1:44 a.m. on Saturday, May 31, when he was struck from behind by what witnesses described as a small, dark colored vehicle that continued without stopping.

Officers responding to the 911 call found Barrell lying in the road with visible injuries to his face and head. EMS units transported Barrell to the Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion and he was later flown to the St. Louis University Medical Center in Missouri. Officials at the Medical Center say he died at around 5:30a.m. on Monday.

The West Frankfort police believe that weather conditions may have contributed to the incident and ask that anyone that may have information on the driver contact the police department or call them at 618-937-3502.

In this Illinois car accident, even if the driver is never found, Barrell’s family could make a personal injury claim on Barrell's own auto insurance policy for Illinois uninsured motorist benefits. States have different regulations on the amount of personal injury protection coverage that insurance companies must offer their insureds. Since this is such a complicated issue, it is very important a talented Illinois personal injury attorney is consulted to examine the case. Hopefully, if and when the driver is found, negligence claims will asserted against him or her. In addition, that driver will likely face multiple criminal charges, including leaving the scene of an injury accident. Whenever you are involved in an accident, even if you do not believe the other party is injured, you must stop and exchange insurance information. In many instances, failure to do so may result in very serious felony charges against you and a high likelihood of jail time. In this most unfortunate case, the driver, if found guilty of felony charges, will likely do considerable jail time.

After an accident and the exchange of insurance information, one of the most important things to do is to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. The Bradley Law Firm has handled injury cases for over 30 years and offers free consultations on all injury matters. Please contact us for a free consultation on your injury case.