Missouri Highway Patrol Troop "H" responded to a grim scene this afternoon when the driver of a 1996 minivan crossed the center line of traffic and struck another vehicle head on.  The driver of the minivan was pronounced dead at the scene.  The driver and occupant of the car that was struck head on sustained serious injury.  Troopers are still investigating the cause of why the driver of the minivan crossed the center lane of northbound Missouri route 148.

The driver and occupant of the vehicle struck by the driver of the minivan have claims against the deceased driver's insurance company, perhaps even the decedent's estate.  These types of cases can be tricky.  First, you have a defendant that is no longer alive, and second, in certain cases the injured persons must open an estate for the defendant in order to initiate a claim.  The courts will often appoint a defendant "ad litem" to represent the estate of the deceased driver.

Wrongful death claims and claims against a deceased car driver are cases the attorneys at Schultz Legal Group handle frequently.  We are intimately familiar with the Missouri Wrongful Death Statute as well as the procedural issues involved when there exists a claim against a deceased defendant.  St. Louis injury lawyer Stephen Schultz is available at (314) 448-0934 or by email to discuss your claim 7 days a week.  Our attorneys work weekends!