Missouri Accident Lawyer Blog

Five people were hospitalized Friday, two with serious injuries, after a series of collisions on I-55 in Jefferson County south of St. Louis.

The St. Louis area injury accident occurred when Jolene Hancock, 31, pulled her 2009 Toyota Tundra to the shoulder of southbound I-55, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report. While Hancock’s vehicle was on the side of the road, a southbound 2007 Hyundai Elantra, driven by Melina Clark, 16, traveled off the side of the road and crashed into the back of the parked Toyota.

The force of the impact pushed Hancock’s car back into the highway where it was struck by a tractor trailer, driven by Roger McIrvin, 54. The tractor trailer immediately pulled over to the shoulder, but Hancock’s car stayed on the highway where it sustained a third collision, this time from a 1993 Ford Explorer driven by Joshua Cheli, 30.

Jolene Hancock and two passengers in her car, Christopher Hancock, 34, and Tristan Hancock, 10, were taken to Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Jolene sustained the most serious injuries of the three.

Clark was taken by ambulance to St. Anthony’s Medical Center with moderate injuries. Cheli was also transported to St. Anthony’s with serious injuries.

McIrvin, the tractor trailer driver, was uninjured.

This Missouri rear end collision car accident is very complicated with multiple collisions that may take much more investigation to determine liability. The initial accident report doesn’t say why Hancock was on the shoulder of the road or what caused Clark to suddenly veer off the highway. Both are important factors that should be investigated by authorities and possibly a St. Louis area personal injury attorney.

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Posted In: Missouri Car Accidents , Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer News , Missouri Trucking Accidents , Personal Injury News

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A University of Michigan study has found a correlation between the number of homicides and the number of fatal car accidents in a state. This study comes right on the heels of a yearly survey of crime rates that has St. Louis ranked as the 2nd most dangerous city in the United States.

The researchers behind the Michigan study looked at data from the top states in traffic fatalities and compared several different factors. Among the factors was proportion of male drivers, proportion of older drivers, income and several others. The strongest correlation and best predictor of a high rate of traffic fatalities, though, is a high rate of homicides.

A representative of the researchers says a link could be made to aggression. High homicide rates reflect highly aggressive areas with more aggressive drivers.

So where does Missouri fit in and does the crime rate reflect the number of fatal Missouri car accidents? Well, the NHTSA has the Missouri traffic fatality rate at 1.4 deaths per 100 million miles traveled. That is a little above the 1.27 national rate. Government crime data shows the state's homicide rate is 6.3 per 100,000 people, which is also slightly above the national average of 5.7. On the surface, the Missouri statistics seem to fall in line with the Michigan study.

Further proof can be found in Louisiana, a state with one of the top rates in both homicides and deadly car and truck accidents.

Not every state follows the trend, however. Montana has the highest traffic fatality rate, yet it also has one of the lower homicide rates.

This study may turn out to be more of a case of loose correlation not equaling causation, but any attempt to determine and eliminate the cause of tragic car accidents is a noble one. As technology evolves and more accidents are investigated by crash experts, car accident attorneys, and policy makers, we may be able to come up with solutions to the traffic fatality problem. In fact, the national rate of traffic deaths nationwide for 2008 was the lowest it's been in more than 40 years.

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Posted In: Missouri Car Accidents , Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer News , Missouri Trucking Accidents , Personal Injury News

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On August 27, 2009, a downed stop sign at the intersection of Highways 17 and 142 in Howell County, Missouri resulted in a terrible tractor trailer crash. My personal injury law firm has been retained to represent the injured people in this crash.

Based upon tire marks in the mud, it appears a large truck knocked the stop sign down while turning the corner.

We are reaching out to anyone who can provide information about this stop sign. We would like to know the following:

1. Can anyone identify the truck that knocked down this stop sign?
2. When was this stop sign knocked down (how many days or hours prior to this crash)?
3. Did anyone see the crash on August 27, 2009 at this intersection?
4. Is this stop sign knocked over on a regular basis?
5. Did anyone notify MODOT (the Missouri Department of Transportation) about the downed stop sign prior to, or after, this crash?

On behalf of my clients, I very much appreciate anyone who has information to come forward. Please contact me at 314-518-8321 or ryan@thebradleylawfirm.com if you have any information about this downed stop sign.

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Posted In: Missouri Trucking Accidents

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A wrongful death case is one that deals with a death that resulted from the negligence of another person or, in some cases, a company or larger group. The unexpected death of a loved one brings a profound sadness, but along with the emotional distress comes more practical issues such as financial hardship. Not only do medical and funeral expenses need to be paid, but the lost wages can leave a family in fiscal insecurity that could take years to stabilize.

Many times, the surviving members of the family or a representative can file suit on behalf of the deceased. The success rate of these cases is actually fairly low. Despite the image of the multi-million dollar personal injury lawsuit that is often portrayed in movies and news media, most damage awards fall well short of a million dollars. Because of these facts, it is important that you seek an experienced personal injury attorney to assist you with your case because your family’s future could literally depend on it.

In order for a wrongful death suit to be successful, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant had a duty that was breached, and that this breach caused the death. This can happen in a fatal car crash, a medical malpractice case, premises liability, product liability, airplane crashes or any other situation where somebody’s recklessness caused the death of someone else.

The standards that apply to determining whether a duty was breached differ from situation to situation. Medical professionals are held to high standards when diagnosing and treating their patients while the average person on the street only has to be responsible for a reasonable amount of care for another person. A driver operating his personal family car is not held to the same standards as a commercial shipping truck driver who operates a tractor trailer for a living. In fact, for businesses that are involved in shipping or public transportation, there is a special category called ‘common carriers.’

Even when you have classified a driver as a common carrier, things are not cut-and-dry. The drivers have different levels of expected care for their own passengers as they do toward other drivers on the road.

All these exceptions and complications further illustrate the need for competent and skilled personal injury lawyers on your case. Do your research and contact a lawyer for a free consultation. Most attorneys will sit down and talk to you for free with no obligation to hire. This first hand experience is the best way to judge whether you want to hire an attorney.

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Posted In: Choosing a Personal Injury Lawyer , Medical Malpractice , Missouri Bus Accidents , Missouri Car Accidents , Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer News , Missouri Trucking Accidents , Personal Injury News , Product Liability Cases

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Two Missouri men were seriously injured Saturday when the dump trucks they were driving crashed on Highway 24 near Moberly, Missouri.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, David Underdale, 61, and Jeremy Imler, 33, were each driving Freightliner dump trucks on Highway 24 at approximately 10:45 a.m. Underdale, who was traveling eastbound, had to make an evasive maneuver when a third vehicle pulled into his path. As he did so, his truck crossed the center line and struck Imler’s dump truck, which was heading westbound. The third vehicle was not hit by either truck.

Both Underdale and Imler suffered serious injury and had to be airlifted to University Hospital in Columbia for treatment.

The driver of the third vehicle was not identified on the initial crash report and it is not known whether authorities have any information on the third vehicle.

Generally you hear about tractor trailer and large truck crashes causing serious injury to people in smaller passenger cars. This is an unfortunate example of how the power of these large trucks can be dangerous to even other large commercial and industrial vehicles. An investigation into this Missouri truck accident should determine whether the drivers where following proper safety regulations and hopefully find out who was driving the third vehicle and what his or her role was.

If either truck driver is found to be at fault, or if the driver of the third vehicle is found and evidence shows that he or she was negligent and caused the crash, a Missouri trucking accident lawyer may be able to recover damages to help the injured party cope with medical expenses, lost wages, and other hardships related to the crash.

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

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A new law banning texting while driving will take effect today in Missouri. The law states that nobody under the age of 21 can send, receive or read a text message while they drive.

This law is aimed at preventing serious injury accidents caused by inattentiveness. A large number of car wrecks are caused by drivers simply not paying attention to the road. One of the most infamous incidents in the St. Louis area over the last couple years took place last summer when a tractor trailer driver plowed through a line of cars while allegedly reaching for his cell phone. This tragic incident killed three people and injured 15. Charges were filed earlier this year in relation to that crash.

This new law would not have affected that incident as the driver was over 21. While several other states have bans or partial bans on cell phone use or texting, only Missouri is restricting use by a particular age group.

The fine for violating this law is set at $200.

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Posted In: Missouri Car Accidents , Missouri Legislative News , Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer News , Missouri Trucking Accidents , Personal Injury News

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Robert Phelps, 77, was killed Friday afternoon after the pickup he was in crashed into the side of a tractor trailer on Highway 60 in Carter County, Missouri.

The accident occurred at a Quick Stop gas station’s driveway. Phelps was traveling westbound approaching the Quick Stop. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the tractor trailer, driven by Douglas Gresham, 51, pulled out of the gas station and into the path of Phelps’ 1992 Chevrolet S-10 pickup. Phelps crashed into the trailer section of the big rig.

Phelps was taken by ambulance to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Gresham was uninjured.

An investigation into the Missouri tractor trailer crash is ongoing.

Should a personal injury attorney be called in to investigate the case, the biggest question would be how much time did Phelps have to react to the tractor trailer. If Gresham was inattentive and pulled the tractor trailer out in front of Phelps, he may be held liable for the accident. However, if Phelps was not paying attention, he may be considered at fault for the accident.

Authorities and a Missouri tractor trailer accident lawyer will likely look at the results of an accident reconstruction to answer these questions. Gresham’s log books will also be investigated to make sure he was following all motor carrier regulations.

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Posted In: Missouri Trucking Accidents , Personal Injury News

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

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Jeffrey R. Knight, 49, was charged with three counts of involuntary manslaughter for a massive tractor trailer crash on highway 40 last year, according to the St. Louis Post Dispatch.

The crash, which we’ve previously commented on, killed three people and involved 11 vehicles, including Knight’s tractor trailer. 15 others were injured.

According to officials, Knight was distracted by his cell phone just before the fatal St. Louis area crash. He had reached across his dashboard to pick it up and when his attention returned to the roadway, his tractor trailer was right upon a line of cars that had stopped for traffic.

Knight had a clean driving record prior to this accident and tests concluded that neither drugs nor alcohol were involved.

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Posted In: Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer News , Missouri Trucking Accidents , Personal Injury News

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Two people were hospitalized Thursday after a Missouri tractor trailer accident on Interstate 55 in Jefferson County, Missouri.

The accident occurred on southbound I-55 near Route Z, according to the initial crash report filed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Brittany Charboneau, 22, was stopped in her 2002 Pontiac Sunfire in the left lane. A 1996 Kenworth Conventional tractor trailer, driven by Walter Rodriguez-Martinez, 34, was also traveling southbound in the left lane behind Charboneau’s car.

The tractor trailer rear ended Charboneau’s car, pushing it into another vehicle, a 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier driven by Charlene Townsend, 66.

Charboneau suffered serious injuries and was transported to Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Townsend was also taken to Jefferson Regional with moderate injuries. Rodriguez-Martinez was uninjured.

All drivers were wearing a seat belt.

The investigating officer did not say why Charboneau’s vehicle was stopped in the left lane of the highway. Typically, though, negligence on the part of the at-fault driver is assumed in rear-end collision cases. Still, if a Missouri personal injury lawyer is called to represent any of the drivers involved, this piece of information will be needed.

The other major pieces of information that a St. Louis area tractor trailer accident attorney will seek is the background of the big rig and its driver. The driver is supposed to keep a log of all his driving to ensure that he does not violate any trucking regulations.

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Four people were injured Friday in a Missouri tractor trailer accident on Highway 63 near Kirksville.

According to the investigating officer of the Missouri Highway Patrol, the accident occurred around 4:35 p.m. when a 2005 Freightliner, driven by Jeffrey Haase, 43, rear-ended a 2008 Pontiac, driven by John Brownell, 54. Brownell’s Pontiac was forced into a third vehicle, a 1996 Ford driven by Nancy Morrison, 36, and both smaller cars ran off the roadway.

Brownell suffered serious injuries and was taken to University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri for treatment. Morrison also suffered serious injuries and was treated at Northeast Regional Medical Center. Morrison’s daughters, Brandy and Ashley, 16 and 13 respectively, were also injured, but less severely. They also received treatment at Northeast Regional Medical Center. Haase was uninjured, according to the initial crash report.

The initial crash report did not list any summons or explain why the truck driver might have crashed into the other cars.

As soon as they are able, the injured parties should contact a Missouri tractor trailer accident lawyer for help with their case. It is important to investigate the driver and his company by checking the driver’s logbook to make sure no motor carrier laws were violated. Often in tractor trailer accidents it is revealed that the driver was simply fatigued because he had been driving longer than regulations allow. It is not known if this is the case in the Kirksville accident, but the driver’s logs will be able to shed a light into this matter.

These logbooks are only kept for a limited time and then they are often destroyed. That is why tractor trailer accidents should be investigated by experienced personal injury attorneys as soon as possible.

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Paul Glaus, 66, was killed Tuesday when his pickup crashed into a tractor trailer on Highway 61 near Sikeston, Missouri.

The initial crash report filed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol said the accident occurred when the big rig, driven by Tony McCoy, 41, attempted to pass Glaus’ pickup. As the tractor trailer was passing, Glaus attempted to make a left hand turn and pulled in the path of McCoy’s Freightliner.

Glaus and a passenger, Matthew Marshall, 27, were taken St. Francis Medical center for treatment. Glaus was pronounced dead there at 11:45 a.m. Marshall survived the crash, but suffered serious injuries. McCoy was also treated for minor injuries.

Neither Glaus nor Marshall was wearing a seatbelt.

More details still need to be examined by authorities and a Missouri trucking accident attorney before liability can be determined in this tragic accident. Information about how fast each driver was going has not been released and it is not clear which driver is at-fault. The initial crash report has only a very brief description of the accident and no citations were issued by the investigating officer. A personal injury attorney would look at the results of the accident reconstruction as well as the truck driver’s personal logs to determine if either driver was negligent and caused the crash.

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Photo from STLtoday.com

A six-month investigation into a gruesome tractor trailer crash on Highway 40 is nearly complete, but some details are already being released by the media.

The accident in question was one we reported on last July where a tractor trailer crashed into a line of cars stopped in traffic on Highway 40 near the I-270 interchange. A total of 10 cars were crushed or knocked aside by the powerful truck and the accident resulted in three deaths and 15 injuries.

An investigation is ongoing, but according to a St. Louis Post Dispatch story the Missouri Highway Patrol has already finished its 140 page report. In it, the Highway Patrol said the truck driver, Jeffrey Knight, was inattentive and distracted by a cell phone. Knight said he reached across the dashboard to grab his cell phone just before the accident. This goes with other media reports that were released at the time of the accident that said Knight was distracted before the tragic Missouri crash.

The Post Dispatch also said the Highway Patrol reviewed Knight’s log books and ordered a federal audit of Holmes Transport, the company that employed Knight. Several motor carrier violations were found, according to a Highway Patrol spokeswoman quoted in the Post Dispatch.

No charges have been filed and one more report from an investigating officer must be filed. If all these claims turn out to be true, Knight could be prosecuted for criminal negligence. He and his company are already the target of civil lawsuits as five victims of the crash have contacted tractor trailer accident attorneys.

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Posted In: Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer News , Missouri Trucking Accidents , Personal Injury News

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Photo from STLToday.com

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An Amtrak train bound for St. Louis crashed into a tractor-trailer truck that had gotten stuck on the tracks near Brighton, Illinois on Monday morning.

Ten people, including the train’s engineer, were injured in the Illinois train wreck and taken to local hospitals. All of the injuries were considered relatively minor, though four people were unable to walk from the train under their own power immediately after the accident, according to a St. Louis Post Dispatch report.

The train hit the truck’s trailer that was blocking the crossing. The truck driver, Dustin Kroeschel, 24, was able to jump to safety before the crash.

Several of the train’s cars left the track, but thankfully none of them overturned or were terribly mangled.

Fortunately nobody was seriously injured or killed, but this incident should be investigated by local authorities, the trucking company, and an experienced Illinois train accident lawyer in order to prevent similar, and potentially more disastrous, accidents in the future,

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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.

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Posted In: Hit and Run Injuries , Missouri Trucking Accidents

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Deanna Reynolds, 40, and Edwina Perez, 65, were killed Wednesday when a tractor trailer slid sideways into oncoming traffic on Missouri 291 in Cass County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the tractor trailer, driven by Calvin Layden, 23, began to slide sideways as Layden attempted to make a right turn onto 239th street. As the trailer slid, it crossed into oncoming traffic where it collided with a 2000 Dodge, driven by Reynolds.

Perez was pronounced dead at the scene. Reynolds was pronounced after being taken to Centerpoint Hospital. Dorothy Reynolds, 47, a passenger in the Dodge, was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital with serious injuries.

No summons was issued by the investigating officer, though an investigation to determine the specifics of the accident and whether either driver should be held liable continues.

Members of the Major Crash Division of the Missouri State Highway Patrol were called to assist with the investigation at the scene.

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Margaret McCurnin, 76, was killed Monday when the car she was riding in was hit front behind and pushed into the path of an oncoming tractor-trailer on Missouri 171 near Carl Junction.

The accident occurred around 1:25 p.m. when the 2002 Mercury McCurnin was riding in slowed on the highway and was rear-ended by a 1999 Chrysler, driven by Shane McGinnis, 23. The collision caused the Mercury to veer into the northbound lane where it was hit by a tractor-trailer and a 2004 Nissan, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

McCurnin was pronounced dead at the scene. The three others in her car suffered only minor injuries.

No citations were indicated by the investigating officer. An accident reconstruction will be conducted to fill out the details of the crash.

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Shirley Riffe, 47, was killed Sunday when a tractor-trailer hit a SUV on the shoulder of eastbound Interstate 44 in Franklin County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Riffe was a passenger in the 2008 Chevrolet Suburban SUV, which had sustained a flat tire. The SUV, and the boat it was towing, pulled to a stop on the shoulder while Shirley and Donald Riffe, 46, changed the tire.

At approximately 1:40 p.m., a tractor-trailer driven by Faron Billeck, 44, left the roadway and crashed into the SUV and boat trailer. The boat was thrown from the trailer and struck Shirley Riffe.

Shirley Riffe was pronounced dead at the scene. Five others sustained minor injuries including Billeck and Donald Riffe. All of the injuries were treated at St. John’s Hospital in Washington, Mo.

Authorities are investigating what could have caused Billeck to lose control of his truck. The Highway Patrol did not release the name of the trucking company Billeck works for, but he is licensed in Texas.

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Authorities are still trying to identify one of the victims killed Wednesday in a 10-vehicle crash on I-44 near Joplin. The Missouri accident, which involved two tractor-trailers, killed two and injured five others.

The unidentified male was badly burned by fires that broke out as a result of the accident. Authorities are attempting to use dental records to identify the victim and his name could be known later this week, according to the Springfield News-Leader.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the chain-reaction crash occurred because a dense fog had formed along that stretch of I-44. A line of cars had slowed because of the limited visibility when the two tractor-trailers crashed into the line of cars and ignited the fire.

Anthony Embrey, 41, was one of two people killed by the crash. He was in one of the first vehicles hit by the tractor-trailers.

The crash report listed five other injures, including serious injuries to Bernave Esquirel, 52; Julie Allison, 41; and Ricky Allison, 62. The serious injuries were treated at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield with the Julie and Ricky Allison's injuries being so severe, they were air lifted to the medical facility. The other, less severely injured victims sought treatment at various local hospitals.

The tractor-trailer crash has already sparked discussion about the safety of area highways. The Joplin Globe published an editorial challenging the Missouri Department of Transportation to examine whether more safety measures are needed to protect motorists in severe fog. The editorial points out that flashing lights are used on I-70 in Rocheport to warn motorists crossing the Missouri River of dense fog. Other states have also installed automated warning systems to help prevent crashes in low visibility fog situations.

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Yasmin Jackson, 19, and Kevetta Davis, 19, were killed Friday when a truck driver who fell asleep at the wheel crashed into their SUV on I-57 in Southern Illinois.

The truck driver, identified as Dennis Hernandez, 38, was transporting equipment for musician and TV star Bret Michaels when he fell asleep, crossed the center line, and crashed into Jackson’s SUV as well as a pickup.

The passengers in the pickup, William Wiley, 63, and Colleen Wiley, 59, both suffered major injuries and were flown to Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Hernandez suffered minor injuries.

According to the Post Dispatch, Hernandez was charged with driving on a suspended license as well as several other traffic violations.

An investigation into the accident, including the truck driver’s log books, will reveal whether Hernandez violated any other Motor Carrier Regulations that might have contributed to this tractor-trailer accident. One of the most commonly violated rules is the Hours of Service Regulation which limits the amount of time drivers can be behind the wheel so they are not driving on short rest.

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The Major Crash Investigation Unit of the Missouri State Highway Patrol completed an investigation into a March 21, 2008 tractor-trailer crash that killed three children south of Rolla, according to the Rolla Daily News.

The accident occurred when a 2003 Freightliner tractor-trailer, driven by Alvin Lewis, 38, rear-ended a 1989 Ford Tempo on Highway 63 near Edgar Springs. Riding in the car was Mark T. Barton, Christina E. Miess, and Miess’ three children.

Christel Miess, 12; Gracey Miess, 5; and infant Gaberielle Miess were all killed in the crash.

According to the Rolla Daily News, the 117-page report details the events leading up to the crash where the Miess family stopped in a construction zone before being struck by Lewis’ tractor-trailer. The information in the report has been given to local prosecutors and will be used should a criminal trial or a personal injury suit arise from the incident.

While no charges have yet to be filed, the Daily News report suggests that Phelps County Prosecutor Courtney George is likely to seek charges of careless and imprudent driving or even manslaughter.

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Johnny Roberts, 23, was killed and another man was seriously injured Saturday when the pickup truck they were riding in collided with a tractor-trailer on Route B.

The accident occurred as Roberts’ pickup came over the crest of a hill on Route B. According to the highway patrol, a tractor-trailer, driven by David Jones, 66, was entering Route B from a gravel road and was blocking most of the roadway. Roberts was unable to stop and the pickup slid partially under the trailer, striking the front axle.

Roberts was pronounced dead at the scene. The passenger, Scott Labrozzi, 39, was taken to Heartland Regional Medical Center with serious injuries.

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Ralph Davidson, 72, was killed Thursday when he got out of his truck along Route NN in Nodaway County.

According to the highway patrol, Davidson’s 2000 Chevrolet Silverado was stopped in the westbound lane of route NN. Davidson had exited the truck and was standing near the flatbed trailer he was towing when a large dump truck, driven by Stephen Mick, 62, crashed into the trailer. The trailer hit Davidson and the dump truck overturned on the road.

Davidson was pronounced dead at the scene. Mick did not sustain any injuries according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol report.

An accident reconstruction will be conducted to determine the conditions that led to this crash. It is not known if Davidson was having problems with his truck or trailer which caused him to stop in the roadway. The report also doesn’t mention the speed of the dump truck and whether that affected the outcome.

The dump truck driver is licensed in Iowa though the company name and what might have been in the dump truck has not been released.

Unfortunately, these kinds of fatal crashes are not uncommon, especially in Missouri. Nationwide, there are about 5,000 fatalities a year caused by large truck crashes. Nearly 100,000 people suffer serious personal injury from accidents just like this one.

If you or someone you know is involved in an accident with a large truck or semi, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Because of the long list of regulations for truck drivers and the time sensitive nature of these cases, having a lawyer familiar with the trucking industry is essential.

At the Bradley Law Firm, we hold Missouri and Illinois truck drivers and their employers responsible if their negligence leads to a wrongful death or serious injury. We have over 30 years of experience with truck accident lawsuits and truck accident claims. Contact us for a free consultation.

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Tracy Rauls, 37, was injured Friday afternoon in an accident with a tractor-trailer on Highway 61 near Perryville, Missouri.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Rauls was traveling north in a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu when a southbound tractor-trailer, driven by Travis Obritsch, 32, attempted to turn and cut in front of Rauls’ car. Rauls was unable to avoid crashing into the side of the truck.

Rauls was airlifted to St. Francois Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Obritsch was uninjured, according to the highway patrol report.

One out of every eight Missouri car wrecks involves a large truck of some kind. Because of their size, accidents involving tractor trailers often result in serious personal injury, as was the case in the Perryville crash. Tractor-trailer accidents can also be complex to handle legally with different Federal rules and regulations to interpret. For this reason, it is important to contact an experienced personal injury attorney who understands both Federal and Missouri state motor carrier laws.

The Bradley Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars in trucking accidents for numerous clients over the last thirty years. We can help you with your truck accident claim and truck accident lawsuit. If you have questions about your legal rights, contact us for a free consultation. There is no obligation for this legal advice and you will never receive a legal fee from our firm. We are only compensated if we are successful on your case.

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Photo from Fox 2 News

Missouri truck driver David Willoughby, 70, was killed Wednesday night when his truck became stuck at a railroad crossing on Route N in Pacific.

According to the highway patrol, Willoughby’s truck lost traction in some loose gravel and was blocking the railway. Willoughby exited the vehicle to inspect the situation when a train crashed into the tractor-trailer.

The Highway Patrol indicates that Willoughby suffered an unknown medical condition in the moments before the crash. It is unknown at this time exactly what medical condition he suffered and if this affected his ability to safely escape the crash. The basis for this conclusion will need to be thoroughly investigated as the conclusion will affect legal liability in this case.

The road that Willoughby’s truck became stalled on is under construction and being repaved, according to the St. Louis Post Dispatch. Local drivers were cited as saying the road is nearly impassable and has no signs or barrels to warn motorists of the dangers. Piles of loose gravel are stacked near the railroad crossing.

If the conditions of the roadway were unsafe, the people in charge with the road's maintenance and even perhaps the rail company could be found liable for damages. A full investigation will need to be conducted by the highway patrol and an experienced personal injury attorney to determine these legal issues.

We will post more details about this incident as they emerge.

In cases like this, it is important that a personal injury lawyer is contacted as soon as possible. Many elements of personal injury law are time sensitive and crucial evidence may be lost if not collected immediately.

The Bradley Law Firm has handled personal injury cases for over 30 years. If you have question about your legal rights, contact us for a free consultation. We handle railroad crossing accident cases as well as many other types of lawsuits. There is no obligation for consulting with our law firm and you will never receive a legal fee from us. We are only compensated if we are successful on your case.

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Posted In: Missouri Train Accidents , Missouri Trucking Accidents

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A third victim of Tuesday’s Highway 40 tractor-trailer crash has died as more details emerge from the investigation.

According to authorities, Alvin Mast, 88, died Thursday at St. John’s Mercy Hospital. Two others, Lydia Miller, 55, and Charles Cason, 55, were killed instantly in the Missouri crash.

The St. Louis Post Dispatch reports that prosecutors have not yet filed criminal charges on the truck driver, Jeffrey Knight, 49, and will wait for the results of the crash investigation, which could take another week to complete.

According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, Knight plowed his tractor-trailer through traffic waiting at the ramp from Highway 40 to I-270. No evidence of drugs or alcohol was found, but authorities say Knight did take his eyes off the road just before the collision. The highway patrol has not released any more information as to what may have distracted Knight or what speed he was traveling.

We will continue to post updates as more details emerge.

If you have any questions about tractor-trailer law or personal injury law in general, visit our website or contact one of our attorneys for a free consultation.

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Posted In: Missouri Trucking Accidents , Personal Injury News

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In doing some research on some of the recent Missouri tractor trailer accidents, we came across an interesting article from the New York Times.

In the article, which was published in December of 2006, the reporter discusses the merits of adjusting trucking regulations, which was the debate at that time.

Some government officials wanted the regulations to be less strict, saying that being too hard on trucking companies and their drivers would unfairly hinder business. They wanted to increase the amount of time drivers could be behind the wheel, among other regulatory changes.

The Times reporter then uncovers some pretty startling facts about the trucking industry. He talks about how some drivers have no respect for their logbooks, which are documents that must be filled out accurately to make sure regulations are not broken. Truckers often refer to theses logs as “comic books” and will falsely record the number of hours they’ve worked. The fines for these infractions are small and many drivers get away with this practice simply because the Federal Motor Carrier Agency can’t monitor all the logs.

Many drivers also complained that they often felt pressure from their company to drive longer hours on little rest, when accidents are most common.

The report also says that statistically, the actual number of tractor-trailer crashes each year is equivalent to what would happen if the aviation industry had 25 major airline crashes annually.

If you would like to read the full article, you can find it here.

Knowing that trucking regulations are so routinely ignored, it is easy to see why there are so many Missouri truck accidents each year. If you have been involved in an accident with a tractor-trailer, the most important thing to do after exchanging information is contacting an experienced personal injury attorney.

The Bradley Law Firm has handled Missouri and Illinois trucking accidents for over 30 years. We know the laws of the trucking industry and how to uncover any negligence. Contact us today for a free consultation. Our lawyers will consult with you about your case and you’ll never receive a bill. We only get paid if we are successful on your case.

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Posted In: Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer News , Missouri Trucking Accidents , Personal Injury News

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Photo from STLtoday.com

Two people are dead and at least 16 others were injured in a horrific Missouri tractor-trailer crash involving 11 vehicles on Highway 40 this afternoon.

According to the highway patrol, a line of ten cars was stopped on the ramp from Highway 40 to I-270 because of congestion. A tractor-trailer, driven by Jeffrey Knight, 49, plowed through the line of stopped vehicles as it traveled eastbound on the highway.

Lydia Miller, 55, of Canton, Mo., and Charles Cason, 55, of Caseyville, Ill. were the two fatalities in this accident.

Of the other injuries, at least 8 were reported as serious by the officials on the scene. Among the more seriously injured were Susan and Levi Borntreger, 52 and 56, of Canton, Mo.; Gaylen Lovelady, 60, of Hunnewell, Mo.; David Jayne, 49, of Kirkwood, Mo.; and Mark Tiburzi, 52, of St. Peters, Mo. All of the injured were taken to St. John’s Hospital or Missouri Baptist.

An investigation into the accident, including an accident reconstruction, was being conducted at the scene, according to a St. Louis Post Dispatch report.

The report also says that authorities “have a very good idea” of what took place before the accident, but won’t yet disclose that information. One official says that he doesn’t believe alcohol was involved and that the incident was witnessed, though not recorded, by MoDOT officials monitoring a traffic camera

Knight was being questioned by the highway patrol and will be subjected to routine drug and alcohol tests. According to a KSDK report, he is a driver for Holmes Transportation, which is a general freight shipping company based out of Alabama. They employ 27 drivers and ship all across the county. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration says that Holmes drivers have received a satisfactory safety rating, though they have been involved in 3 non-fatal accidents in the last two years.

As more details emerge about the cause of this crash and the condition of the survivors, we will post them here.

KMOV has posted helicopter footage of the crash on KMOV.com.

For more information about the law surrounding trucking incidents, visit our website.

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Posted In: Missouri Trucking Accidents

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Robert Lord, 27, of Chaffee, Missouri was injured Wednesday night when his 1993 Toyota was rear ended by a tractor trailer on Interstate 55, according the Missouri Highway Patrol.

The investigating officer said the driver of the 2005 Freightliner Truck, Jamal Suleiman, 39, was attempting to change lanes when he struck the back of Lord’s vehicle. Lord’s Toyota was forced of the roadway and into the median.

Lord received treatment for his injuries at St. Francis Hospital in Cape Girardeau where he was listed in moderate condition. Suleiman was uninjured, according to the crash report.

This case, like other Missouri truck accidents we have covered on this site, should be investigated to determine if any trucking regulations were violated. Highly competitive trucking companies and overly ambitious drivers will often cheat the regulations by driving their big rigs longer or faster than is safe. This haste can lead to serious crashes and regulation violations are often grounds for punitive damages against a trucking company in these instances.

Dedicated truck accident lawyers have the industry knowledge and know how to handle a trucking violation case. A personal injury attorney should be contacted as soon as possible, though, because evidence of negligence on the part of the trucking company can be lost. Drivers are supposed to keep meticulous records of their driving hours, but the law only requires these records to be kept for a limited time.

Under most circumstances, Missouri law says that the at-fault driver’s negligence is presumed in rear impact car accidents. This is commonly called the “rear end collision doctrine,” and it is based on the reasoning that all drivers are required to be in control of their vehicles at all times.

If the driver in Wednesday’s crash is found to be negligent, a personal injury lawsuit could follow. At that time, discovery of pertinent documents will shed light on whether there were violations committed by this driver.

The Bradley Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars in trucking accidents for numerous clients over the last thirty years. Feel free to contact us with any questions related to your personal injury case. Consultations are always free.

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Posted In: Missouri Trucking Accidents

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Enoc Castanon, 5, was killed and several other children were injured Monday afternoon when the car they were riding in was struck by a tractor trailer on Missouri 96 near Carthage, according to the Missouri Highway Patrol.

The investigating officer said the crash occurred when a 1996 Pontiac, driven by Silvia Castanon, 37, slowed to make a left turn onto Route BB. The tractor-trailer, driven by Betty Ray, 59, was attempting to pass the Pontiac and struck it on the side.

Other passengers in the Pontiac suffering minor injuries were identified as Adelfi Castanon, 3; Edwin Vasquez, 12; Keila Vasquez, 7; Leslie Vasquez, 9; and Samuel Vasquez, 13. Silvia Castanon suffered moderate injuries. All injuries were treated at McCune Brooks Hospital in Carthage, according to the patrol report.

Enoc Castanon was not wearing a seat belt.

Since there was a fatality, Missouri Highway Patrol will perform an accident reconstruction to determine the specifics of the crash.

Truck accidents are often caused by drivers not following Federal trucking regulations. These regulations are designed to keep truck operators and other motorists safe. One of these regulations, Part 395, is the Hours of Service guideline. It limits when truck drivers can operate their rigs, based upon on-duty driving time, on-duty not driving and off duty time. Drivers routinely cheat this limitation by classifying time as off duty when they are really on duty, not driving. This cheating is caused by highly competitive trucking companies putting high pressure on their drivers to get loads to the destination quickly. Dedicated truck accident lawyers know the industry and know how to discover regulation violations. Regulation violations routinely are fertile grounds for the imposition of punitive damages against a truck company.

Drivers are responsible for keeping records of their driving hours, though trucking companies are only legally responsible for these documents for a short period of time. A Missouri personal injury attorney needs to be consulted as soon as possible to ensure evidence is not lost.

It is not yet known if any regulations were broken in the Carthage crash. If the driver is found to be negligent, a personal injury lawsuit could follow. At that time, discovery of pertinent documents will shed light on whether there were violations committed by this driver.

The Bradley Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars in trucking accidents for numerous clients over the last thirty years. Feel free to contact us with any questions related to your personal injury case. Consultations are always free.

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Posted In: Missouri Trucking Accidents

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Michael York, 51, a long time Missouri Department of Transportation worker, was struck and killed by a tractor trailer around 9:30 a.m., officials said.

York had worked for MoDOT for over 25 years, according to coworkers.

A tractor trailer with Phoenix Truck Line logos left skid marks across multiple lanes of the I-70 and came to rest near the exit for Highway 71. Police shut down eastbound I-70 and eastbound I-670 to investigate the accident.

According to MoDOT, the workers were maintaining lights along the highway and had set out cones and flashing warning lights. York was wearing an orange safety vest.

Accident investigators are working with MoDOT officials to determine the cause of the crash. Initial witness reports say the worker was crossing the highway when he was hit, but no official word has been released.

If it turns out that the truck driver was negligent in operating his vehicle, the family of the worker can sue for damages under personal injury law. More details about the incident will need to be examined by a personal injury attorney along with reports from the accident investigators. Family members of workers killed or injured by roadside accidents need to seek legal consultation as soon as possible in order to ensure that vital evidence is not lost or discarded.

If you or a loved one has been involved in such an incident, contact The Bradley Law Firm for a free consultation today.

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Posted In: Missouri Car Accidents , Missouri Trucking Accidents , Personal Injury News

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On Monday, April 21, 2008, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a Missouri truck accident involving a Mack Concrete pumping truck on Eastbound highway 54 at Lake Road 54-85. According to the investigating officer, Eric Branch, 31 of Eldon, Missouri, was driving the concrete truck when he made a left turn into the path of a 1992 Chevrolet S10 Pickup driven by twenty-three year old Kevin Huckabee. Mr. Huckabee had two passengers in his vehicle, Devin Clark, 21 and Dustin Vaughn, 23. Each of these young men resided in Macks Creek, Missouri.

Huckabee was flown to St. John's hospital in Springfield, Missouri where he was listed with serious personal injuries. Mr. Clark and Mr. Vaughn were pronounced dead at the scene by Camden County coroner Dr. James Jungles. Mr. Branch escaped from the crash unhurt.

Police have not stated what circumstances contributed to cause this horrific incident. Since this accident involved two deaths, the Missouri Highway Patrol will conduct a full accident reconstruction to determine exactly how this tragic incident occurred. Once completed, the police will have an understanding of each vehicle's speed immediately before impact.

As more information becomes available, we will update this blog. The Bradley Law Firm regularly posts up to date information on most traffic accidents involving serious personal injury and wrongful death on Missouri roadways and offer legal commentary on probable issues that will arise in these contexts. Our personal injury attorneys have helped hundreds of families and individuals dealing with catastrophic injury and loss. If you have any questions regarding Missouri personal injury law or wrongful death, contact us for free and talk to an experienced and dedicated trial lawyer today.

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On Tuesday, April 15, 2008, the Highway Patrol reported a serious Missouri truck accident involving a Freightliner semi on Route F. According to the investigating trooper, Sarah Yager, 18, of Higginsville, Missouri was driving a 1993 Oldsmobile Southbound on Route F. A 1998 Freightliner truck operated by Wilbern Manning of Corder, Missouri was traveling Northbound. Yager attempted a left turn in front of the Freightliner, and the two vehicles collided head on.

Yager was transported by Lifeflight to Centerpoint Hospital, where she was listed with serious personal injuries. No citations were issued as a result of this Missouri truck crash.

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On Wednesday April 9, 2008 the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a serious Missouri truck accident involving a Freightliner semi at the intersection of US 50 at Missouri highway 131. According to the investigating officer who worked this Missouri truck accident, Mitchell Holder, 44 of Odessa, Missouri was driving a 2007 Freightliner when he failed to yield at a crossover and pulled into the path of a 1998 Chevrolet driven by Robert Schlender, 49 of Sedalia, Missouri. Schiender's vehicle struck the the tanker unit of Holder's truck.

Schlender was transported to Centerpoint Medical Center by Lifelight Air Ambulance where he is listed in serious condition. No further information is available regarding his injuries.

Holder was issued a traffic citation for failure to yield to oncoming traffic.

If and when a civil lawsuit is filed against Mr. Schlender, there will likely be a claim for negligence per se. In Missouri, negligence per se is a cause of action that can be asserted when someone violates a law and as a result, one is injured. Under this theory of recovery, the injured party need not prove negligence (that someone failed to use the highest degree of care). Instead, proof of the violation alone is sufficient to prove negligence. All the victim must do is then prove causation and damages as a result of the violation.

For more information on Missouri negligence per se causes of action, contact us for a free case review.

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The Missouri Highway Patrol reported March 18, 2008 marked the 25th fatality within Missouri's Trood D this year. The newest victim was identified as Joshua Slatten, 21 of Springfield, Missouri. Investigators reported Mr. Slatten, 21, was driving a 2004 Ford F550 MODOT Dump Truck Northbound on US 65, near Springfield, Missouri when his vehicle collided with a 2007 Kenworth Tractor Trailer driven by Robert Christian, 32 of Desoto, Missouri. Police indicate the two trucks hit nearly head-on. Slatten had been setting up barriers along the flooded area of US 65.

Mr. Slatten was pronounced dead at the scene; Mr. Christian was taken to St. John's hospital in Springfield, Missouri, were he was treated for moderate injuries.

Investigation of this Missouri truck accident is ongoing. It is still unclear how the wreck occurred. As soon as more facts become available, we will post an update.

The Bradley Law Firm handles serious personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Missouri and Illinois. Contacting out law firm is free. We work on a contingency fee bases, which means you never receive any bills from us. In every case we handle, our law firm strives for complete justice for our clients to the full extent of the law. It is our job as Missouri personal injury lawyers to ensure you and your family obtain a fair and just result. If you or someone you know has any question regarding Illinois or Missouri personal injury or wrongful death law, please contact us.

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A St. Louis car - truck accident has claimed one life early this morning. The Bradley Law Firm has learned Amy L. Argent, 27 of Granite City, Illinois and her passenger, John R. Beans, 26 of Saint Louis, Missouri were traveling eastbound on Highway 270 at approximately 3:45 a.m. today when the Ms. Argent lost control of her 2004 Chrysler Seabring.

According to Trooper Lusk of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Argent's vehicle traveled off the roadway, striking a bridge parapet and overturned several times. Both occupants were ejected from the vehicle, resulting in Argent's body being thrown into the roadway. Afterwards, a 2002 Freightliner operated by Edward Carter, 60 of Grayson, Kentucky struck Argent's body.

Mr. Beans was transported to Christian Hospital Northeast by ambulance, where is listed as having sustained moderate personal injury.

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At approximately 6:30 a.m. on February 19, 2008, crews were called to a Missouri tractor trailer accident on Northbound I-55 at the intersection of I-70 near the Poplar Street Bridge in St. Louis, Missouri. According to the officers who investigated this St. Louis truck accident, the trailer detached from the tractor and spilled grain on the highway.

The driver of the truck was taken by ambulance to a nearby St. Louis Missouri hospital for personal injuries sustained in the crash. The name of the driver has not been released, nor has his medical condition.

Fortunately, no other personal injury was reported and the accident scene was cleared without further incident.

The Bradley Law Firm handles serious personal injuries in connection with large tractor trailer accidents. If you have questions regarding Missouri personal injury or truck crashes, please contact us for a free consultation. We have been litigating Missouri injury lawsuits for 30 years and have the highest rating from Martindale Hubbell, an independent lawyer rating service.

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Richard Baker of Warrenton, Missouri and his son, Rikki, were injured Saturday in a two vehicle Missouri car accident on the south I-70 service road. According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, a 2007 Freightliner tractor operated by James Byers from Davis, Oklahoma failed to yield to Mr. Baker, pulling into Mr. Baker's path. The driver of the tractor trailer was issued a citation for failure to yield.

Mr. Baker and his son were taken to St. Joseph West Hospital by the Warren County Ambulance district. Both of them were wearing their seat belt.

The tractor trailer operator had liability insurance through Bergkamp Insurance Center, Inc., a company out of Kansas. All commercial motor vehicles such as tractor trailers and other motor vehicles with a ground weight over 36,000 pounds are required to carry at least $750,000 of personal injury liability coverage in the event they cause a car accident were someone is injured. Most commercial carriers carry at least one million dollars of coverage.

If you are involved in a Missouri truck accident, please contact us for a free consultation regarding your rights.

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As a Missouri personal injury lawyer that deals with car accidents and wrongful deaths as a result of those car wrecks, it is always frustrating dealing with people who cause accidents, then flee the scene. This is especially true when that person wrongfully kills an innocent motorist. Fleeing the scene of a motor vehicle accident in Missouri is a felony if there is injury to a person. In my opinion, this is the ultimate act of cowardliness.

Yesterday, Joshua Logsdon, a 25 year old man from St. Charles, Missouri caused a multi-car accident that ended in the death of Lisa O'Bannon, a 45 year old woman from Maryland Heights, Missouri and her 12 year old daughter, Erin O'Bannon.

Witnesses told police Logsdon was merging onto I-70 from Cave Springs Road in St. Charles, Missouri when he decided to pass a tractor trailer driven by Dennis R. Bost of Hazelwood, Missouri while on the entrance ramp. In the middle of this ridiculous maneuver, his Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck went out of control, through a grassy median and onto I-70, where it hit two other cars before finally coming to a stop. One of the vehicles he hit was a 2006 Volvo Tractor Trailer operated by Timothy Burke of St. Louis, Missouri and a 1996 Lumina operated by Robin Downs of St. Louis. Ms. Downs suffered moderate personal injuries and was taken to St. John's Hospital in Creve Coeur, Missouri by St. Charles ambulance.

After this initial car accident was over and done with, other vehicles were approaching. Lisa O'Bannon, William O'Bannon and Erin O'Bannon were in their 2005 Dodge Caravan and stopped without becoming involved in this accident caused by Mr. Logsdon. At that time, a 2007 Western Star Tractor trailer operated by Michael Lair, 58 of Morrisdale, Pennsylvania, could not stop and crashed into the O'Bannon's minivan. William was taken to St. Joseph's Health Center and was listed as having serious personal injuries. Unfortunately, Lisa O'Bannon was killed along with her 12 year old daughter Erin.

It is unknown why the tractor trailer was unable to stop in this wreck.

Meanwhile, Mr. Logsdon was busy fleeing the scene of this horrific accident scene. At this time, Mr. Logsdon has not been apprehended. If anyone knows the whereabouts of this individual, please contact the Missouri Highway Patrol at Troop C Headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri at 314-340-4000.

It is my deepest hope this individual is apprehended and charged with vehicular manslaughter by the St. Charles, Missouri prosecuting attorneys office. This kind of aggressive and downright foolish road rage resulted in the death of a mother and daughter.

As soon as additional information becomes available, we will post that information.

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Alexandra Douglas and her passenger Denisha Davis, were in a tractor trailer accident on the on December 5, 2007. This St. Louis tractor trailer crash happened between Missouri and Illinois on the Poplar Street Bridge. As a St. Louis Missouri personal injury lawyer, since the St. Louis police department investigated this truck crash, it seems to me the accident happened on the Missouri side of the state line. As such, any attorney that files a personal injury lawsuit will do so in the City of St. Louis.

The tractor trailer that hit Ms. Douglas and Ms. Davis was operated by Raymond Parks of Oklahoma. He was operating a Schneider 2007 Freightliner tractor trailer. According to the truck driver, Ms. Douglas stopped in front of her and he was not able to react in time to stop. Ms. Davis indicated traffic did not "suddenly stop" and simply began to slow. As she slowed her vehicle, she was hit from behind by the truck. At that time, Ms. Douglas' vehicle was slammed into the vehicle in front of her.

After this Missouri car accident, Ms. Douglas and Ms. Davis were transported to an unknown hospital by Abbott Ambulance Service. The extent of their respective injuries is unknown.

Missouri law imputes liability to the truck driver in this trucking accident. Whenever someone hits another vehicle from behind, there is a presumption of negligence. That means, the court will presume the truck driver was negligent and it will be upon him to explain why he was not negligent.

If you or someone you know has been involved in an Illinois or Missouri truck accident, please contact us for a free evaluation of your personal injury claim.

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On October 29, 2007, 52 year old David Barnes of Mountain Grove Missouri was fatally killed when a tractor trailer, driven by Ricky Reed, failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of MO 39 and MO 95 and broadsided Mr. Barnes 2004 Jeep Liberty. Mr. Barnes was pronounced dead at the scene by Wright County Coroner.

It is unknown at this time if the Barnes Family has retained a lawyer to file a Missouri wrongful death lawsuit or make a claim against Mr. Reed's insurance company. If and when they do, we will be sure to update this posting. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Barnes family.

If you or someone you know has lost a loved one in a tragic accident, contact the Bradley Law Firm today to speak with a Missouri wrongful death lawyer about your case for free.

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On Saturday, November 3, 2007, an unidentified female claiming to be a "first responder" left a voice message on The Bradley Law Firm's after-hours voice recorder claiming the trash truck lost its brakes in the St. Charles wrongful death of Regina Lloyd. The unidentified caller claimed the truck took the right hand turn to avoid traffic ahead.

We are in the process of downloading the voicemail and will post the audio file here on this web blog as soon as possible.

If in fact the truck lost its brakes, experts would need to determine why the brakes failed. The most likely scenario for a vehicle losing braking power is improper maintenance. However, there are a host of other things that could cause this as well such as loss of hydraulic power or loss of air, if the truck was equipped with air brakes. It will be interesting to find out if in fact there was a braking malfunction in this case.

Once an investigation is completed, and more information is learned, we will update the web blog.

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Regina Lloyd, 49 of O'Fallon, Missouri was tragically killed Thursday when a trash truck rolled over on top of her SUV. The trash truck was turning from Highway 94 to Sidentop road in St. Charles, Missouri when it tipped up onto its side and rolled over onto Ms. Lloyd's vehicle, which was sitting in the turning lane on Sidentop road.

According to the police, Ms. Lloyd was trapped inside her SUV. It is unknown whether Ms. Lloyd was killed instantly. Apparently two other vehicles were hit by the trash truck prior to it toppling onto Ms. Lloyd's Mercury Mountaineer.

It is quite apparent the driver of the trash truck did not have complete control his vehicle. It seems to me the driver took the right hand turn onto Sidentop road while traveling too fast. It is possible the truck was excessively loaded with trash, making it top-heavy.

When the Lloyd family hires a Missouri personal injury lawyer to investigate their wrongful death claim, that attorney needs to investigate as to how much the load weighed. It is illegal for trucks to carry weights in excess of the amounts prescribed by Missouri law and the federal motor carrier regulations. It is quite possible the driver of this truck was in excess of these laws.

It is out understanding Ms. Lloyd left behind many children, most of whom are relatively young. Our thoughts and prayers are with these children and the rest of the Lloyd family. This was a horrible crash that could have been prevented.

The Bradley Law Firm has investigated and filed lawsuits in many truck crash accidents. If you or a loved one have been injured in a truck accident, please contact us for a free consultation.

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On October 7, 2007 around 3:30 a.m. on eastbound Interstate 70, a tractor trailer that was carrying mail rear-ended the vehicle of a Florida native woman causing her vehicle to catch fire. The tractor trailer then ran off the road and struck an embankment. The driver of the tractor trailer, who was identified as Jim Marchesi of Junction City, Kansas, was uninjured in this accident.

Police and firefighters who arrived at the scene found the car covered in flames in the eastbound lane. When they extinguished the flames, they found a deceased woman whose identity has not been released. Our deepest condolences go out the families of this tragic accident.

Accidents of this nature have unfortunately become very common in Missouri. It is imperative that tractor trailers and truck drivers keep a close eye on the road and their surroundings. With hauling such heavy loads, it's almost impossible for trucks to stop at the drop of a dime, which is why it is necessary for them to keep a safe distance between them and the car in front of them.

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Perry Davenport, a Bolivar, Missouri man, was driving on westbound Highway 44 on October 21, 2007 around 9:45 in the morning when his vehicle was struck from behind by a tractor trailer driven by Lawrence Kranz of Livonia, New York. The accident happened about three miles east from Mount Vernon, Missouri. The Missouri State Highway Patrol said that Mr. Davenport was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the accident.

Lawrence Kranz was not injured, but Mr. Davenport was transported by helicopter to St. John’s Hospital where he sustained serious personal injury. It is unknown at this time if Mr. Davenport has retained a personal injury lawyer to make a claim or file suit against Mr. Kranz’s insurance company for the injuries he sustained from this accident. If and when he does, we will update this blog.

The Bradley Law Firm had handles numerous Missouri tractor trailer accidents. We can help you with your truck accident claim and truck accident lawsuit. If you or someone you know has been seriously injured in a truck accident, please contact us to discuss your case for free.

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Charles Jones was driving on U.S. 63 in Maries County, Missouri on September 27, 2007 when his tractor trailer crossed the center line and sideswiped Shaun Roberts’s tractor trailer. Mr. Jones’ trailer continued on U.S. 63 and struck James Riddle's car nearly head on. Mr. Riddle's car traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned.

It is unfortunate that both Charles Jones and James Riddle were killed in this tragic accident. Mr. Riddle was transported to Phelps County Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead on arrival due to serious personal injuries. Mr. Jones was pronounced dead at the scene by Maries County Coroner David Martin. Our deepest condolences go out to the Jones and Riddle family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

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A truck accident in Pike County, Missouri occurred on Highway 54sent several Missourians to surrounding hospitals. The crash happened when Curtis Mechlin took a left turn onto westbound US54 and turned into the eastbound path of a tractor trailer driven by Fred Cole. Mechlin was struck in the in the driver’s side causing him to jackknife and travel off the south side of the road and overturn.

Curtis and his wife Rosa were transported by helicopter to St. John’s Mercy where they were both reported as having sustained very serious personal injuries. Fred Cole was taken to Pike County Memorial with moderate injuries.

Tractor trailers can be very dangerous. Their sheer size and weight make them an unstoppable force when pitted against a normal size vehicle. Please take extra caution when sharing the road around tractor trailers.

The Bradley Law Firm had handles numerous Missouri tractor trailer accidents. If you or someone you know has been seriously injured in a truck accident, please contact us to discuss your case for free.

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Gene and Wilma Vaughn were seriously injured on August 31, 2007 when they were attempting to make a left turn off Missouri highway 5 in Laclede County, Missouri, when a cement truck driven by Robert Stenson overturned and struck the Vaughn’s vehicle. The cement truck then went off the right side of the roadway and the Vaughn’s vehicle traveled off the left side of the roadway and down an embankment.

Robert Stenson was taken to St. John’s Hospital in Lebanon, Missouri by a private vehicle with minor injuries. The Vaughn’s were transported by St. John’s Air Ambulance to St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Missouri where they were both treated for serious personal injuries. It is unknown at this time if the Vaughn's have retained a Missouri injury lawyer to file a lawsuit or make an insurance claim.

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On August 27, 2007, Danny Hall was tragically killed on Highway 63 in a tractor trailer accident in Macon County, Missouri. The tractor trailer, driven by Matt Engen of Dallas City, Illinois failed to notice stopped traffic and his semi struck the rear of Mr. Hall’s vehicle. The force of the tractor trailer crash caused Mr. Hall’s vehicle to run off the roadway and strike a bridge wall causing it to catch fire. The vehicle then returned to the roadway, overturned and hit the undercarriage of another tractor trailer. Mr. Hall was pronounced dead at the scene by Macon County, Missouri coroner Brian Hays. An arrest is pending for Matt Engen. Our deepest sympathy goes out to Danny Hall’s family.

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On August 22, 2007, Butler County, Missouri was the scene of another tractor trailer truck crash with a small vehicle. David Rush failed to stop his tractor trailer at a stop sign on Route B and crashed into Mavis Presson and his wife, forcing them them off the roadway into a utility pole. Both Mr. and Mrs. Presson were transported by ambulance to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Missouri where they were treated for moderate personal injury.

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On August 21, 2007, Jonathan Wolfe lost control of his tractor trailer rig on Highway 59 in McDonald County, Missouri when going around a curve. According to the highway patrol, his truck and trailer crossed the center line when the towed unit detached from the tractor and overturned onto Bruce Wilkins' car. Mr. Wilkins was taken to Freeman Hospital in Neosho, Missouri where he was treated for serious personal injury.

In this truck crash, it is clear the driver of the tractor trailer was traveling too fast for conditions. In addition, there may have been some problem with how the trailer was attached to the tractor unit. When the Wilkins hire a Missouri personal injury lawyer, he or she will need to hire an expert to look at the vehicle to determine if an improper connection caused this car crash.

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On August 19, 2007 on I-70 in Lafayette County, Missouri, Hubert Mathis lost control of his tractor trailer due to the wet roadway and crossed the center line striking Thomas Sanchez's tractor trailer head on. Both tractor trailers caught fire. Hubert Mathis was pronounced dead at the scene by Lafayette County Coroner Dr. Singh. Thomas Sanchez was taken to I-70 Medical Center in Sweet Springs, Missouri where he was treated for serious personal injury then was transferred to University of Columbia Medical Center in Columbia, Missouri.

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On August 23, 2007, 30 year old John Swedroski, an Omaha native, was driving northbound on I-29 in Holt County, Missouri when a 2007 Volvo Tractor Trailer, driven by Jimmie Hamilton crossed the center line and collided with Swedroski’s vehicle. John and one of his passengers, 19 year old Alyssa Kelley, were pronounced dead at the scene by the Holt County Missouri Coroner. His 25 year old brother, James, was seriously injured and was transported to Heartland Regional Medical Center. The driver of the tractor trailer sustained only minor injuries but was transported to Heartland Regional Medical Center.

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A St. Louis, Missouri man received personal injuries in a one truck accident in St. Charles County, Missouri when his 2002 Freightliner tractor trailer traveled off the right side of Highway 67 a little north of the Highway 94 intersection. The tractor trailer crashed into a concrete abutment and overturned. It is unknown if the tractor trailer was hauling interstate, subjecting the driver to compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Regulations. William Mcleskey, the driver was taken by ambulance to Christian Northeast Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. The exact cause of the tractor trailer crash is unknown.

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A Labelle, Missouri man, 58 year old Danny Hall, was tragically killed Monday, August 27, 2007 when a 2007 Volvo Tractor Trailer, driven by Matt Engen, failed to observe the slowing traffic ahead and struck the back of Mr. Hall’s 2001 Ford Van, causing him to travel off the road and hit a bridge wall. His car caught fire and returned to the roadway, overturning and hit the rear of the tractor trailer. The 2007 Volvo Tractor continued to travel forward and struck the back of Hall’s vehicle. Hall was pronounced dead at the scene by the Macon County Missouri Coroner.

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The Finnegan family, of Eldon, Missouri was driving northbound on Route 52 Friday evening when a tractor trailer lost control and crossed the center line. The father, Michael Finnegan, who was driving, tried to avoid the crash but was struck in the driver’s side of the vehicle. Michael, his wife Marla, and his son Ryan were moderately injured and were taken by ambulance to Lake Regional Hospital. Unfortunately, their 11-year old daughter Nicole sustained serious injuries and had to be taken to University Hospital in Colombia, Missouri where she later died on Saturday due to serious personal injury.

According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, the Finnegan’s were all wearing their seat belts during the time of the accident. There are no reports yet as to whether Destry Strange, the driver of the tractor trailer is being charged with any citations or if the Finnegan’s have retained a personal injury lawyer to pursue Strange’s insurance company for their families’ injuries and the subsequent loss of their 11-year old daughter.

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This week, justice was finally obtained for Charles and Sharon Gass, personal injury victims of a negligent tractor trailer driver who rear ended them on Highway 54 in Pike County, Missouri on March 11, 2004. The Gasses were turning into the Cozy C campground off Highway 54 when the large truck hit them from behind. Sharon suffered a broken rib and suffered from shoulder, neck and back pain for years after the crash. Charles necessitated an anterior spinal fusion of the C6-7 level, performed by Dr. Chabot of St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. Gass already had C5-6 fused from a prior surgery in 1999. While the neck surgery was a success, it is ordinary for a person with a bi-level neck fusion to have a 10 to 15 degree range of motion loss. Mr. Gass' range of motion seemed to be a little worse than this. The Gass' medical bills were over $40,000.00.
On the second day of trial, while Ryan Bradley, the Plaintiffs' attorney, was still putting on the case in chief, the case settled for $197,500.00 plus court costs of approximately $5000.00. Todd Applegate, a partner of the St. Louis, Missouri law firm Rabbitt, Pitzer & Snodgrass defended the case.

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A dump truck and a sports utility vehicle collided in New Madrid County Missouri yesterday, sparking an inferno that killed Samuel Hector, a resident of New Madrid. According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, Mr. Hector was trying to cross highway 61 south of Sikeston Missouri and pulled directly into the path of the dump truck. The dump truck crashed into the SUV. It is unknown if Mr. Hector died immediately. Mr. Hector was 82 years old. Terry Moore, the dump truck driver escaped with no serious injuries.
Photographs of the crash scene evidence a very strong fire, fueled by gasoline. The SUV was barely recognizable as it was completely burned to the ground.
From the initial facts relayed from the highway patrol, there will most likely be no wrongful death claim filed on behalf of the Hector family. In Missouri, in order to recover for wrongful death, you must prove a family member died as a result of someones negligence. In this Missouri car crash, it appears the crash was the fault of Mr. Hector. Because of this, a wrongful death claim would be unfounded.
Missouri tort law would recognize a cause of action for the dump truck driver, if he chose to sue the estate of Mr. Hector under the legal theory of Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress. The legal theory behind this common law tort is that Mr. Hector owed Mr. Moore a duty to operate his vehicle with the highest degree of care yet failed to do so, resulting in damages in the form of mental distress. However, these claims are rare and in cases like this, a claim for emotion distress by the surviving party to a car crash would not be made.

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The Missouri Highway Patrol has added yet another Missouri truck crash to its roster of serious auto crashes this year. A 2003 Freightliner failed to yield to a vehicle driven by Ronald Mast of Meadville, Missouri, causing the tractor unit to slam into the rear of Mr. Mast's 2001 Dodge. Mr. Mast's vehicle was forced off the roadway and overturned, resulting in serious injuries to Mr. Mast. He was taken to University of Missouri hospital in Columbia, Missouri for serious injuries.
After the collision with the Mast vehicle, the tractor trailer crossed the center line of Highway 36 and crashed into a Massey Ferguson tractor driven by Linn County farmer, Robert Dimitt. The driver of the tractor, Roswell Spiker of Iowa, was charged by the Linn County Prosecuting Attorney's Office with "Operating a Motor Vehicle in a Careless and Imprudent Manner", a violation of Missouri statute 304.012. Mr. Roswell escaped from the crash with only moderate injuries. Mr. Roswell faces a class A misdemeanor, which carries a maximum jail sentence of 1 year and/or a $1000 fine.

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A 1994 International truck crashed into a motorcyclist on Highway M7 at Route T in Cass County Missouri on July 12, 2007. Corporal Scott of the Missouri Highway Patrol indicated the motorcycle driver, Joseph Decker was traveling at a high rate of speed. The truck driver, Ryan Malaska was unable to determine the speed of the bike and pulled out in front of it, causing serious personal injury to Mr. Decker.
Mr. Decker was airlifted, which is common in serious Missouri injuries occurring in rural counties, to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Motorcycle injuries often occur because of inattention and the inability of other drivers to see the motorcycle. This is especially true when riders travel at high rates of speed.
It looks as though this was a Missouri truck crash or you could call it a Missouri motorcycle crash that could have been avoided if both drivers would have paid more attention to traffic on the roadways.

Continue reading "Missouri Truck Crash Injures Motorcyclist" »

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A reckless truck driver who ran a red light on Northbound highway 63 in Macon County on July 11, 2007 caused serious personal injury to twenty year old Angela M. Carter of Kirksville, Missouri. According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, Franklin L. Bragg of Laplata, Missouri was driving a large truck, a 1987 International truck when he failed to yield before crossing the southbound lane of Missouri Highway 63.

Continue reading "Truck Crash Injures 20 Year Old in Macon County Missouri. Truck Driver Charged with Multiple Citations" »

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