Missouri Accident Lawyer Blog

A tragic Missouri motorcycle accident took the life of a Missouri teenager and left another in serious condition Saturday evening in McDonald County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Michael Dutton, 17, was riding a Kawasaki motorcycle on Bear Hollow Road at the same time Camron Bridges, 17, was approaching on a Kawasaki four-wheeler. They struck head on, totaling both vehicles.

Both victims were taken to a local hospital. Bridges was pronounced dead shortly after 1 a.m. on Sunday while Dutton remained in serious condition.

Neither victim was wearing a helmet, according to the initial crash report.

No description of what actually caused this serious Missouri motorcycle crash was given in the report. It was late, so visibility was low and could have contributed, but it is not certain which driver was out of his lane to cause the head-on collision.

Dutton was tested for alcohol in accordance with Missouri law after a fatal traffic accident. An investigation into the crash continues.

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Posted In: Missouri Motorcycle Accidents , Personal Injury News

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Harley-Davidson Inc. has issued a recall for more than 100,000 motorcycles manufactured in the last year because the danger of leaking gasoline after a motorcycle crash.

Specifically, the recall affects bikes manufactured from June 6, 2008 to November 19, 2009, including some touring models.

The problem occurs in front-end motorcycle accidents when stress is placed on the fuel tank. There is a chance that the fuel tank could rupture in this scenario, which could leak gas and ignite causing serious personal injury to the rider.

According to Harley-Davidson Inc., they are not aware of any incidents related to this problem, but issued the the recall voluntarily once the problem was discovered. As part of the recall, customers can have their bikes modified with braces on the gas tank to prevent the leaks.

Contact Harley-Davidson for more information.

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Posted In: Missouri Motorcycle Accidents , Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer News , Personal Injury News , Product Liability Cases

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James Bauer, 63, was killed Sunday evening when his 2006 Harley Davidson motorcycle was hit by another car.

Bauer was traveling eastbound on Missouri 52 about two miles from Route T when the accident occurred. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a 1998 Chevrolet, driven by Eric Wilbanks, 18, hit Bauer’s motorcycle from behind. No specific details regarding how fast the vehicles were going or what could have caused Wilbanks to hit the motorcycle were available.

Bauer was taken to University Hospital in Columbia where he was pronounced dead.

Since this Missouri motorcycle accident resulted in a fatality, there will be an accident reconstruction to determine exactly what happened.

Bauer was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

While rear-end collisions usually indicate negligence on the part of the at-fault driver, we will have to wait to see if further investigation backs up the accident description in the initial crash report. If Wilbanks is found to be liable for the accident, Bauer’s family may be able to contact a Missouri motorcycle accident lawyer to file a wrongful death claim and recover damages to help pay for funeral expenses and other bills resulting from the crash.

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Posted In: Choosing a Personal Injury Lawyer , Missouri Car Accidents , Missouri Motorcycle Accidents , Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer News , Personal Injury News

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Missouri Governor Jay Nixon vetoed a bill today that would have allowed many Missouri motorcycle enthusiasts to ride without a helmet.

The bill had passed both the Missouri House and Senate and had been waiting on Nixon’s approval for several weeks. We commented on the bill in a post last month about motorcycle safety laws.

The bill would have repealed many of Missouri’s existing helmet laws and allowed anybody over 21 to ride a motorcycle without a helmet if they so choose. Under Missouri law, all motorcyclists must wear a helmet at all times to protect themselves from motorcycle injury accidents.

Nixon said he made the decision that was the most safe and cost-effective one for Missouri. He believes that more motorcyclists would die in accidents and treating the additional injuries would cause health care costs in the state to rise.

A similar bill was vetoed by former Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan in 1999.

Several studies from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have shown that personal injuries and fatalities related to motorcycle accidents increased in states that have limited or repealed helmet laws.

Overall, motorcycle crashes are on the rise across the country. Over three thousand people die each year due to injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents. Sometimes these are wrongful death cases where another driver doesn’t see the smaller motorcyclists and pulls his vehicle into the path of the bike causing the tragic incident.

Supporters of the bill to repeal the helmet laws say they will continue to push for their cause.

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Posted In: Missouri Legislative News , Missouri Motorcycle Accidents , Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer News , Personal Injury News

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Mathew Stone, 16, was seriously injured Wednesday when his 2006 Kawasaki Ninja crashed into a car on Route KK in Lincoln County, Missouri.

According to the investigating officer from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the car was a 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse, driven by Virginia Anderson, 53. Anderson had been stopped at a stop sign at the intersection of Walker Road and Route KK. As Stone traveled southbound on the motorcycle, Anderson attempted to make a left turn onto Route KK and pulled into the path of the motorcyclist.

Stone suffered serious personal injury and was flown to St. Joseph West Hospital in St. Charles for treatment. Anderson was uninjured in this Missouri motorcycle accident, according to the crash report.

It is not known how fast Stone was driving his motorcycle. An accident reconstruction will be able to determine how fast Stone was driving and how much time he had to react to Anderson pulling out in front of him.

If Anderson is found to be negligent in pulling her car onto Route KK, Stone may be able to recover damages to cover medical expenses. Even if Stone was speeding himself, a St. Louis area personal injury lawyer may be able to get some damages awarded based on the comparative fault system. These laws allow for multiple parties to be at fault for an accident with damages being paid based on their level of negligence and proportion of responsibility for the accident.

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Posted In: Choosing a Personal Injury Lawyer , Missouri Car Accidents , Missouri Motorcycle Accidents , Personal Injury News

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Three people suffered serious personal injury when three motorcycles crashed into a John Deere Tractor on Missouri 139 Saturday afternoon.

The accident occurred in Carroll County, Missouri as the tractor, driven by Donald Cooper, 55, entered the roadway ahead of a group of motorcycles. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the first motorcycle, a 1998 Harley Davidson driven by Robert Ely, 33, crashed into the rear of the tractor. Wade Beers, the driver of the second motorcycle, attempted to avoid a collision by laying down his motorcycle and sliding off the roadway. The third motorcycle and its driver, George Pease, 52, then hit the tractor as well.

Ely and a passenger on his bike, Laura Lisby, 30, were seriously injured and taken to University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri for treatment. Pease also suffered serious personal injury, but was taken instead to Carroll County Memorial Hospital.

All riders in this motorcycle accident were wearing a helmet.

No summons information was provided by the investigating officer.

The question for a Missouri personal injury lawyer is whether or not the tractor driver negligently pulled his tractor in front of the group of motorcyclists. By performing an accident reconstruction, authorities will be able to determine the speeds of the motorcycles and just how long the drivers had to react to the tractor being in the roadway in front of them.

If the driver of the tractor was issued a summons, that would also be an indication that he was likely at fault for this Missouri motorcycle crash.

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Missouri Senate Bill 202, a bill that would allow motorcyclists to ride without a helmet, is still awaiting a signature from Governor Jay Nixon.

The bill passed through both the House and Senate last month and will become law if Nixon doesn’t veto it.

The bill will change two motorcycle related laws in Missouri if passed. The first, and most publicized change, is that anybody over 21 will have the option to wear a helmet when riding their motorcycle. Currently, all riders must wear a helmet at all times to protect against motorcycle injury accidents.

The other major element of Senate Bill 202 that’s not getting as much attention from the media, though it’s certainly getting the attention of Missouri personal injury attorneys, is the effect the bill will have on insurance law.

Under current law, if a motorcycle was involved in an injury accident with a car, an insurance company could deny the cyclist a large portion of their insurance claim on the grounds that a motorcycle is a hazardous vehicle. Insurance companies could do this even if the motorcyclist was fault-free in the accident.

Legislators found this discrepancy unfair to motorcyclists so the bill would close this loophole and force insurance companies to treat cyclists the same as car drivers.

If signed by the governor, the law would take effect this year and expire in August 2014 giving the Missourians time to see the ramifications with regard to public safety and insurance law before renew or rewriting the law.

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Posted In: Missouri Legislative News , Missouri Motorcycle Accidents , Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer News , Personal Injury News

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Steven and Tina Johnson, 40 and 39, were hospitalized Saturday after the Harley Davidson motorcycle they were riding on crashed into a 1995 Buick LeSabre that was pulling out of a private drive in St. Louis County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s investigating officer, Daniel Witte, 63, was pulling the Buick out of a private driveway onto Highway F near Lake Tickawatha. The Johnsons were riding their motorcycle southbound on Highway F and Steven Johnson tried to stop before hitting the car. He applied the brakes, but was unable to stop the bike from sliding into the car.

Tina Johnson was flown to St. John’s Mercy Hospital with serious injures. Steven Johnson was also taken to St. John’s, but he was transported by ambulance with more moderate injuries. Witte was uninjured.

The task now for authorities and for a personal injury attorney will be to investigate the scene and determine who is at fault for this accident. The initial crash report lays out the basic information, but leaves out some vital details like how fast the Johnson’s were going on their motorcycle.

If Witte was inattentive and pulled his car out directly in front of the Johnsons, he may be liable for damages and the Johnsons may be able to recover their medical fees. An investigation into this injury accident may also show that Steven Johnson was driving the bike too fast and was the one more at fault for the wreck.

One way that investigators and a motorcycle accident lawyer can get this information is by performing an accident reconstruction. By looking at the skid marks on the road and the debris patterns, experts can pretty accurately determine the speeds of both vehicles and how much time Steven Johnson had to react to Witte’s car coming into the roadway.

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Posted In: Missouri Motorcycle Accidents , Personal Injury News

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The Missouri House and Senate have both passed a bill that would allow motorcycle riders to ride without a helmet except on highways. The law will go into effect if Gov. Jay Nixon doesn’t veto it.

Under the current law, all riders must have a helmet at all times to protect themselves from motorcycle injury accidents.

If the new law is put in place, anybody over 21 will have the option to wear a helmet when they ride their motorcycle. According to the St. Louis Post Dispatch, 30 other states have similar partial helmet laws or no helmet laws.

Supporters of the change say riders should have the freedom to choose without the government becoming a nanny-state and legislating personal safety.

Opponents say that the costs associated with fatal and serious injuries sustained in Missouri motorcycle accidents are passed along to non-riders by increased insurance premiums and taxes.

In 2007, over 2,300 accidents involving motorcycles occurred in Missouri. 93 people were killed in these accidents and over 2,000 were injured. According to the Post Dispatch, Arkansas and Texas both saw sharp declines in helmet use after they loosened helmet laws in recent years. Fatalities in both states increased by 25 percent in the year after the laws were passed.

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Randy and Brenda Youngblood, 50 and 41 respectively, were hospitalized Friday morning after a Missouri motorcycle injury crash in Shannon County.

While the full details of the crash are not known, an initial crash report was filed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. According to the investigating officer, the Youngbloods were riding a 2004 Suzuki Motorcycle northbound on Highway 60 near Montier, Missouri. A 2003 Ford F-150, driven by Donna Smith, 36, was traveling eastbound on Route U and attempted to pull onto Highway 60. Smith’s pickup pulled out in front of the Youngblood’s bike and Randy Youngblood was unable to avoid crashing into the passenger side of the truck.

Both Randy and Brenda Youngblood were taken by ambulance to St. Francis Hospital for treatment. Fortunately, they were both wearing helmets or their injuries could have been much more serious or even fatal.

The initial crash report seems to indicate that Smith pulled out in front of the motorcycle because she didn’t see it coming. This is a common problem on the roadways of Missouri that has lead to numerous other personal injury lawsuits. Many drivers, particularly in large pickups or SUV’s, cause accidents because they don’t see the much smaller motorcyclists and negligently pull in front of them.

More investigation by authorities and a Missouri motorcycle accident attorney will be needed before liability is known in this Shannon County crash.

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Dustin Reed, 21, was killed Friday while riding a moped on Missouri 47 in Franklin County, Missouri.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Reed was traveling southbound in front of a 1996 Chevrolet Blazer, driven by Scott Pelton, 17. Reed and his moped began to drift across the center line just before making a right turn at Mooreland Drive. As Reed was making the turn, his moped was struck on the right side by Pelton’s Blazer. Reed was thrown from his moped and the Blazer ran off the roadway, struck a street sign, and came to rest in a ditch.

Reed was pronounced dead at the scene. Pelton suffered no major injuries, according to the investigating officer.

The dangers of moped and motorcycle riding are well known. Each year, nearly 5,000 people die in motorcycle or moped accidents. A person is 35 times more likely to die in a crash on a motorcycle as opposed to riding in a passenger car. Crashes are often caused because other drivers simply don’t see the motorcyclist on the roadway.

Mopeds and motorcycles might have their unique risks, but that does not mean riders lose their right to recover damages in an accident. Many times insurance companies will try to say a rider was at least partially at fault for an accident. The personal injury attorney representing the rider will then have to examine all the details including tire skid marks, vehicle speed and road conditions to expose negligence on the part of the other drivers.

If you or a loved one are injured in a motorcycle or moped accident, you must act quickly. Keep good documentation of the events of the crash and call an experienced St. Louis moped or motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible.

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Christopher Fry, 26, was killed Friday when his motorcycle collided with a 2000 Toyota on Missouri 33 at 114th Street.

According to the investigating officer, Fry was traveling south on Missouri 33 when the Toyota, driven by Richard Goodman, 31, emerged from a private drive and crossed into Fry’s path. Fry was thrown from his motorcycle by the crash.

Fry was taken to Liberty Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Goodman suffered no injuries, according to the Highway Patrol.

An investigation into the accident continues. It is not known how fast Fry was traveling and whether Goodman negligently pulled out of the private drive into the motorcycle’s path. An accident reconstruction will look at tire skid marks and debris placement to get a better idea of the events leading to this crash and determine liability.

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A recent Missouri court ruling found that a Missouri man, Andrew Hack, was driving his motorcycle while intoxicated despite the fact he was only pushing the motorcycle.

The incident occurred when Hack, who had met some friends at a bar, decided to move his motorcycle from in front of the bar so a coworker could take it home. Ironically, Hack said he was giving it to his coworker because he didn’t want to have his license revoked for drinking and driving.

Hack began pushing the motorcycle, which was running, around the bar when it suddenly jumped forward and crashed through a fence. An officer that was sent to investigate arrested Hack and gave him a blood-alcohol content test which showed Hack had drank over the limit.

Initially, a trial court ruling said that Hack was not driving the motorcycle and should retain his license. The State of Missouri appealed and the Missouri Court of Appeals reversed the decision, saying that having the key in the ignition, the engine running, and using the motor to assist in movement constitutes operating the motorcycle.

While it is unfortunate that Hack appeared to be trying to do the right thing, nobody should ever put the keys in the ignition after they have been drinking. DWI convictions are taken very seriously by Missouri law enforcement and for good reason. Missouri is above the national average in alcohol related crashes with several thousand each year. These accidents caused over 2,000 injuries and 155 deaths in 2006, the last year such statistics were compiled. Hack is perhaps fortunate that only a fence was damaged by his motorcycle and nobody was hurt.

If you or someone you know has been involved in an accident with a drunk driver, you should contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Personal injury cases are time sensitive and vital evidence can be lost if not collected quickly.

The Bradley Law Firm has handled personal injury cases for over 30 years. If you have any questions about your legal rights, contact one of our attorneys for a free consultation.

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Chad Fuqua, 40, was killed early Monday morning when his motorcycle collided with a 2007 Hummer on Business Loop 65 in Hollister, Missouri.

According to the highway patrol report, the Hummer, driven by Chadwick Carter, 27, made a U-turn into Fuqua’s path. Fuqua struck the left rear of the Hummer and was thrown from his motorcycle.

Fuqua was taken to Skaggs Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 1:15 a.m.

Accidents involving fatalities are subject to an accident reconstruction. The police report has a brief description of the crash, but this is considered hearsay unless the investigating officer witnessed the crash or is trained in accident reconstruction. This additional investigation will analyze tire skid marks and debris patterns to determine whether the drivers involved were operating their vehicles in a negligent manner.

If Carter is found to have been negligent in making the U-turn, Fuqua's family may be able to collect damages to cover funeral costs and other expenses. Whenever somebody is injured or killed in a Missouri accident, the liability insurance of the at-fault driver is required to pay for any expenses that resulted from the crash.

It is possible that Carter did not see the much smaller motorcycle as he made his turn. Most Missouri motorcycle accidents occur when other drivers are unaware of the motorcycle and turn into them. If you or someone you know is injured in a motorcycle crash, you should call an experienced motorcycle personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

The Bradley Law Firm has handled motorcycle cases for over 30 years. Contact us for a free consultation where we will discuss your legal rights. You will never receive a bill from us and we are only compensated if we are successful on your case.

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Patty Coe, 37, was seriously injured Wednesday when the Harley Davidson motorcycle she was riding was rear-ended on Gateway Drive just north of Neosho, Missouri.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Coe and the motorcycle’s driver, Steven Woodworth, 43, were attempting to make a left turn when they were hit from behind by a van. The driver of the van was Monna Rice, 63, also of Neosho.

Coe suffered serious injuries and was taken to Freeman West Hospital in Joplin. Woodworth was treated for minor injuries at the same hospital. Rice was uninjured, according to the investigating officer.

This incident is very similar to another Missouri motorcycle crash from Sunday in which a pickup rear-ended a motorcyclist that had just made a left turn. As with that incident, which we reported on here, the “rear-end collision doctrine” would likely apply. This doctrine simply states that negligence is presumed on the part of the at-fault driver in rear-end collisions. In both cases, however, a personal injury attorney should be contacted immediately as evidence can be lost if action is delayed.

This Missouri crash is also a reminder to motorists to be more attentive on the roadways. Most Missouri and Illinois motorcycle crashes occur when other drivers fail to notice the motorcyclist and turn or merge into them.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a similar crash, contact The Bradley Law Firm for a free consultation. We have over 30 years of experience and our personal injury attorneys will offer you advice with no obligation to hire our firm. You will also never receive a legal fee from us as we are only compensated if we are successful on your case.

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Corey Stuck, 17, was killed Sunday in a motorcycle crash near Lee’s Summit.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Stuck was riding a 2002 Honda motorcycle on Highway 50 when he hit a 2001 Toyota Camry, driven by Lolita McRoy, 70, that failed to yield while crossing the highway.

Stuck was pronounced dead at the scene. McRoy was treated for minor injuries.

Since there was a fatality in this accident, an accident reconstruction will be conducted to determine the exact circumstances that lead to this Missouri crash. While the Missouri State Highway Patrol has a brief summary of the crash, this is just the opinion of investigating officer. Under Missouri evidence law, these opinions are considered hearsay unless the officer witnessed the crash or is trained in accident reconstruction. Most highway patrol officers do not have this expertise, so trained accident reconstructionists will often need to be consulted in incidents like the Lee’s Summit crash.

If the other driver is found to be at fault, Stuck’s family may be able to collect damages to help pay for the funeral and other expenses. Whenever someone is injured by another person’s negligence, the liability insurance of the party at fault is required to pay for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any disability that results from the accident. Since these matters are very time sensitive, it is important to contact an experienced Missouri personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

The Bradley Law Firm has over 30 years of experience handling wrongful death and injury accident cases. Contact us for a free consultation if you or a loved one has been involved in an accident in Missouri or Illinois.

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Charles Wells, 68, was seriously injured when his motorcycle was rear-ended on Route M near Lawson, Missouri.

According to the investigating officer, Wells had made a left turn onto Route M from 160th Street when he was struck from behind by a Chevrolet pickup, driven by Clinton Whitney, 21. Wells was thrown from his 2004 Kawasaki motorcycle by the impact.

Wells was taken to Liberty Hospital with serious injuries. Whitney was uninjured, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

An investigation into the cause of this accident will need to be performed by a personal injury attorney in conjunction with the local highway patrol. At this time, it is not known whether Whitney did not see the motorcycle or was traveling too fast to stop.

Under most circumstances, Missouri law says that the at-fault driver’s negligence is presumed in rear impact accidents. This doctrine, commonly referred to as the “rear end collision doctrine,” is based on the reasoning that all drivers are required to be in control of their vehicles at all times. A personal injury lawyer would need only to convince a judge the doctrine applies to prove negligence.

The Bradley Law Firm has handled personal injury cases from Missouri and Illinois motorcycle accidents for over 30 years. If you or a family member have been involved in a similar accident, contact one of our experienced attorneys for a free, no obligation consultation.

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Motorcyclist Michael Norman, 48, was killed Monday evening when he was hit head-on by a Jeep near Marshfield, Mo.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Norman was riding his 2004 Honda Motorcycle north on Route CC when a 1990 Jeep Cherokee, driven by Ethan Dinwiddie, 30, crossed the center line and struck him head-on. Authorities have not indicated what caused Dinwiddie’s vehicle to cross into oncoming traffic.

Norman was pronounced dead on the scene. Dinwiddie was taken to Cox South Hospital in Springfield with moderate injuries.

Because the accident resulted in a fatality, the highway patrol will conduct an accident reconstruction to determine exactly how this incident occurred.

This accident illustrates how vulnerable Missouri motorcyclists are to serious injury while on the roadways. Missouri motorcycle accidents often occur because other motorists don’t see the person on the motorcycle and a simple negligent act can lead to serious injury and death. Many drivers don’t look out for bike riders and will change lanes or turn into the motorcyclist.

The Bradley Law Firm has handled Missouri and Illinois motorcycle accidents for over 30 years. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident, contact one of our attorneys to discuss your legal rights. We will provide a free consultation with no obligation to hire our firm, as well a promise that you will never receive a legal bill. We only receive compensation if we are successful with your case.

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Daniel Coleman, 57, was seriously injured Sunday afternoon when his 2004 Harley Davidson motorcycle collided with another vehicle on Route Y.

According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, a Ford F150, driven by Daniel Cameron, 37, made a left turn into the path of Coleman’s motorcycle. Coleman crashed into the rear of the truck and was thrown from his motorcycle, which slid off the road. Cameron initially left the scene of the accident, but later returned.

Coleman was airlifted to Research Medical Center in Kansas City.

A summons was issued to Cameron for driving with a revoked license, failing to yield, and driving without insurance.

Even though Coleman was injured in an accident with an uninsured driver, he may be able to recover damages from his own insurance plan. Under Missouri law, all insurance plans, including liability only plans, come with uninsured motorist coverage that must provide at least $25,000 of coverage per person. This coverage allows drivers to file a claim against their own insurance company to pay compensation for bodily injury or death resulting from an accident caused by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver. Often insurance plans will not state that uninsured motorist coverage (UM) is included, hoping a claim will never be made. This is a sneaky tactic used by insurance companies more concerned with their bottom line than the health and financial stability of their clients. UM coverage is typically written for the same amount of liability coverage carried by the insured.

There is a Statute of Limitations that applies when filing uninsured motorist claims so it is important for anybody involved in such a crash to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

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.

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Glen Hartless, 25, was seriously injured Thursday after a crashing his motorcycle into another vehicle in Park Hills, Missouri.

According to the highway patrol, Hartless was traveling westbound on Highway 32 when a 2003 Chrysler Sebring, driven by Helen Wakefield, 80, turned into his path. Hartless struck the vehicle and was thrown from his motorcycle.

Hartless was taken to Mineral Area Hospital. Wakefield was treated for minor injuries at Parkland Hospital.

Most Missouri motorcycle accidents occur when drivers in other vehicles fail to notice the person on the motorcycle. Often the driver will turn into the path of the motorcycle or merge into it when changing lanes.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a Missouri or Illinois motorcycle accident, one of the most important things to do is contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Cases like these are time sensitive and any delay could prevent you from recovering the cost of any medical expenses.

The Bradley Law Firm has over thirty years experience handling personal injury and motorcycle accident claims. If you have any questions or need legal advice, contact us for a free consultation.

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Two Missouri motorcycle accidents in the past two days have sent four riders to the hospital, two of them with serious injuries.

On Monday, Matthew McMullin, 40, was riding his 2004 Suzuki on Missouri 79 north of Elsberry when he hit a 2003 Ford Sport Trac, driven by Edwin Fattmann, 49. According to the highway patrol, Fattmann was attempting to make a left turn and cut in front of the motorcycle causing McMullin to hit the side of the Sport Trac.

McMullin suffered serious injuries and was taken by helicopter to St. John’s Hospital in Creve Coeur. Kimberly McMullin, 40, was also riding on the motorcycle and was taken by ambulance to St. John’s with only moderate injuries.

Today, on the other side of Missouri, a very similar accident occurred when James Mealman, 38, and Keith Mealman, 20, crashed their motorcycles on Missouri 291 south of Lee’s Summit.

James and Keith were riding on separate motorcycles and were attempting to pass a line of cars when they hit the side of a 1989 Ford F250 pickup, driven by Wilbur Strange, 53. According to the highway patrol, Strange was attempting to make a left turn and crossed into the path of the two motorcycles.

James Mealman suffered serious injuries and was taken to Research Main Medical Facility in Kansas City. Keith Mealman suffered only minor injuries, but was also taken to Research Main for treatment.

All four riders involved in the two incidents were wearing helmets.

These two incidents show the importance of both wearing the proper safety devices and being attentive on the roadways. Missouri motorcycle accidents often occur because other motorists don’t see the person on the motorcycle. Many drivers don’t look out for bike riders and will change lanes or turn into the motorcyclist. A simple negligent act can lead to serious injury and death as motorcyclists are so vulnerable on the roadways.

The Bradley Law Firm has thirty years of experience in handling personal injury claims and wrongful death claims arising from Missouri motorcycle accidents. If you have any questions about your legal rights in these cases, contact us today and one of our experienced attorneys will provide you with a free consultation. In addition, you will never be sent a legal bill from us. We only take a fee if we are successful on your case.

You may also visit our website’s section on Missouri motorcycle accidents for more information.

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John Hirner, 33, and James Tennimon, 14, were injured Sunday in an unusual incident as they rode a motorcycle north on Missouri 79 near Hannibal.

According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, a 1996 Chevrolet, driven by Ryan Tatman, 16, was traveling south on Missouri 79 when it lost its left rear tire. The tire crossed the center line and struck the motorcycle ridden by Hirner and Tennimon causing it to flip and land in the roadway. Tatman pulled his vehicle to the side of the road.

Both Hirner and Tennimon were taken to Hannibal Regional Hospital were they were treated for moderate injuries.

Both riders were wearing helmets.

If Hirner and Tennimon were to seek damages for their medical expenses, an investigation into the Chevrolet’s tire maintenance would need to take place. Forensic engineers would be consulted to determine whether the tire separated as a result of improper maintenance or road conditions. A personal injury attorney would need to determine who last serviced the tire and if they neglected to properly tighten the lugs and secure the tire.

If improper maintenance does turn out to have caused this accident, the last person to service the tires could be held negligent and responsible for paying the damages. In addition, a claim could be asserted against Mr. Tatman because all drivers are required to keep their vehicles in roadworthy condition. If it is discovered that Mr. Tatman knew or should have known the tire was loose or susceptible to falling off, he could be found guilty of negligence.

The Bradley Law Firm has handled Missouri personal injury cases for over 30 years. If you have been injured as a result of improper vehicle maintenance or some other mechanical failure, contact us today for a free consultation.

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Kelly Glover, 53, was thrown from his 2004 Yamaha motorcycle when he was rear ended Tuesday night in Callaway County.

According to the highway patrol, the Missouri motorcycle accident occurred when Glover stopped on Route F to allow the vehicle ahead of him to make a left turn. Glover was then rear ended by a 1993 Chevrolet, driven by Laura Williams, 45, and thrown from his motorcycle.

Glover was taken by ambulance to University Hospital in Columbia where he was listed in moderate condition. Williams was not injured.

Fortunately, Glover was wearing a helmet. In motorcycle crashes, riders have almost no protection to prevent injury and, as a result, are more at risk on Missouri roadways. Statistics indicate motorcycle riders are four times more likely to sustain injury and twenty-one times as likely to die compared to those in other vehicles.

Missouri motorcycle accidents often occur because other motorists don’t see the person on the motorcycle. Many drivers don’t look out for bike riders and will change lanes or turn into the motorcyclist.

This Callaway County crash was also a rear end collision. From a Missouri personal injury lawyer’s perspective, this means the “rear end doctrine” would likely apply. This rule of evidence says when one vehicle hits another motorist from behind, negligence is presumed against the person who rear ended the car in front without having to identify how the crash happened. Many other factors can apply to rear end collisions, however, so it is important that a personal injury lawyer with extensive experience is contacted to prove this doctrine should apply.

The Bradley Law Firm has over thirty years of experience handling personal injury and wrongful death claims arising from Missouri motorcycle accidents. Contact the Bradley Law Firm today and speak to an experienced motorcycle personal injury lawyer about your case for free.

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Our Missouri personal injury lawyer blog routinely reports on statewide car, truck and motorcycle accidents in an effort to bring awareness to how accidents happen and the factors that contribute in causing them. In addition, our Missouri lawyers provide commentary from a legal perspective in an effort to help people become aware of the legal issues involved in these types of cases. Knowledge is power. All too often good people are taken advantage of by large insurance companies. Hopefully by reading our posts, you have learned something about Missouri car accident law, what claims can be made and the underlying insurance issues.

With these principals in mind, we now report a new incident involving a motorcycle and a car. On March 20, 2008, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a very serious accident occurred between a vehicle and a motorcycle in Green County, Missouri.

William Schroeder, 77 of Springfield, Missouri was driving a 2000 Honda Accord when he crossed the centerline and struck a 2008 Harley Davidson Motorcycle driven by Michael Davis, 40 of Springfield, Missouri. Mr. Davis was taken to Cox South Hospital in Springfield, Missouri where he was treated for serious injuries. Schroeder was reported to have no injuries.

At this time, it is unknown what caused Mr. Schroeder to cross the centerline. When these details are released, we will update this blog.

In this case, we are unable to determine what insurance coverage either party had. For more information regarding liability, under-insured motorist and uninsured motorist insurance coverage, please visit our St. Louis law firm web site for more information.

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Posted In: Missouri Motorcycle Accidents

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Stephen Buckman, 19 of Desloge, Missouri was killed in a serious motorcycle accident while on an off-road trail in the St. Joe State Park in St. Francois County, Missouri on Sunday at approximately 3:55 p.m. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported Buckman was struck head-on by an all-terrain vehicle driven by Dalton Smith, 12 of Cedar Hill. Buckman was thrown from the motorcycle and pronounced dead at the scene. Dalton was not injured.

As of late Sunday, no charges have been filed and this Missouri motorcycle crash remains under investigation. The exact cause of Mr. Buckman's death has not been released and it is unknown whether Mr. Buckman was wearing a helmet.

In Missouri wrongful death matters such as this, authorities typically gather witness statements and prepare a written report. If the crash happens on a Missouri roadway, the Missouri Highway Patrol Accident Reconstruction team is called in to perform an accident reconstruction. Since this most unfortunate incident occurred off-road, it is unlikely authorities will conduct additional investigation to determine if other factors contributed to cause this motorcycle accident. As such, it will be up to the family and their lawyer to conduct additional investigation if other contributing factors are discovered. Many times, motorcycle accidents can occur because of structural, mechanical or electrical failure of the motorcycle.

At The Bradley Law Firm, we have decades of experience in conducting thorough and complete investigations of catastrophic accidents, including motorcycle accidents. Contact us today if you have any questions regarding motorcycle, car or truck accidents.

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A St. Louis motorcycle accident resulted in the death of an unidentified man today. According to the police, a rider was operating his bike on the 900 block of Lemay Ferry Road. St. Louis county police indicated the rider lost control of his motorcycle. However, police declined to comment if any other vehicle was involved in causing this motorcycle accident. Police have not yet released the identity of the rider. No other injuries were reported.

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Jeremy Carney of Stella, Missouri was riding his motorcycle on Route 0 in Newton County, Missouri on October 4, 2007 when Ferrales Ruiz made a left turn in front of Mr. Carney causing his motorcycle to hit the front right of Mr. Ruiz's car.

Mr. Carney was Life Flighted to Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, Missouri where he sustained serious personal injuries. Mr. Fruiz was not injured in this car accident.

The Bradley Law Firm has over thirty years of experience handling personal injury and wrongful death claims arising from Missouri motorcycle accidents. Contact the Bradley Law Firm today and speak to an experienced motorcycle personal injury lawyer about your case for free.

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George Higgins, 62, was tragically killed Sunday morning in a Missouri motorcycle crash, when a vehicle driven by Michael Barnum crossed into his lane on 1st street in Barton County, Missouri. He was taken to St. John’s Hospital in Joplin, Missouri where he later passed due to serious personal injuries. We expect a Missouri wrongful death lawyer to file suit on behalf of Mr. Higgins within the next few months.

Every lawyer in a Missouri wrongful death lawsuit must get court approval for any settlement that is reached between the decedent's survivor and the tortfeasor. The Missouri wrongful death statute 537.080 provides who may sue on behalf of the wrongfully killed person.

The St. Louis injury lawyers at the Bradley Law Firm have handled numerous wrongful death cases. If you or a loved on have been seriously injured or killed in a car wreck, please call us today at 888-STL-INJURY to discuss your case for free.

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Posted In: Missouri Motorcycle Accidents

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An O'Fallon, Missouri man sustained moderate personal injury operating his 2006 Harley Davidson motorcycle in St. Charles, Missouri. As 56 year old Billy Gillam was attempting to merge onto Highway 79 from eastbound Interstate 70, he lost control of his motorcycle, which caused it to travel off the roadway. According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, the motorcycle struck a sign and overturned, ejecting Mr. Gillam.

Mr. Gillam was taken to St. Joseph Hospital by St. Charles, Missouri ambulance where he was treated for serious injuries. It is undetermined at this time if some object in the roadway caused Mr. Gillam to lose control of his motorcycle. If there was a foreign object in the roadway, Mr. Gillam may be entitled to Uninsured Motorist benefits under his Missouri insurance policy.

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A St. Louis, Missouri motorcycle crash seriously injured Arnold, Missouri native Joby Coleman on August 28, 2007. According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, Mr. Coleman was riding his motorcycle when it crashed into the rear of David Stewart's 1989 Toyota Corolla. According to the investigator, the Toyota swerved to avoid hitting another stopped vehicle when the motorcycle crashed into the rear of it.

Mr. Coleman was flown by helicopter to St. Louis University Hospital and was treated for serious personal injury. No court documents have been filed for personal injury to date. As soon as Mr. Coleman seeks a motorcycle injury lawyer and documents are filed with the St. Louis County Court, we will report on what allegations of negligence are alleged.

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Posted In: Missouri Motorcycle Accidents

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