23-year old Joshua Dillon was fleeing from St. Joseph Missouri Police Officers when he violently crashed into a blue Ford Ranger on 22nd street.  The driver of the Ford Ranger sustained personal injuries and was taken to Heartland Regional Medical Center for emergency medical treatment.  The Ford Ranger sustained a direct hit to the driver's side door.  Both vehicles are believed to be totaled.  Authorities are still investigating the matter to determine what criminal charges, if any, should be brought against Mr. Dillon for causing the crash.  

If you have been involved in a Missouri automobile crash with a fleeing criminal, contact St. Louis accident and injury attorney Stephen Schultz to discuss your rights against the driver of fleeing vehicle.  Many times the driver may not have adequate car insurance to compensate third-party injury victims for their serious personal injuries.  Contact our experienced lawyers to find out what else can be done to obtain the compensation you entitled to pursuant to Missouri law.

An tractor-trailer crash resulting in two fatalities was reported by Troop A of the Missouri Highway Patrol earlier this afternoon.  A 1996 International being operated by 23 year old Calvin Layden was making a right-hand turn when his vehicle began to slide, striking a 2000 Dodge being driven by Deanna Reynolds.  Ms. Reynolds was pronounced dead later that afternoon at Centerpoint Hospital.  Reynolds' passenger, Edwina Perez was pronounced dead at the scene by the Jackson County Medical Examiner.  Dorothy Reynolds, another passenger in the Dodge, sustained serious injury and was transported to St. Lukes Hospital for treatment.

A crash investigation team has been assigned to this crash and a supplemental crash report may be available within 30 days of the crash.  Many times in cases involving tractor-trailers where personal injuries result in death, the authorities will assign a crash investigation team to determine factors of the crash itself and perhaps if any criminal charges should be brought against either driver. 

Another important fact to consider in a fatal crash is that the trucking company's insurance company will likely have a "immediate response team" assigned to the crash and one scene within 24 hours.  The goal of the immediate response team is to gather evidence and suppress any factors that may later be determined detrimental to the insurance company's defense of subsequent personal injury or wrongful death claim.  Don't be the one without the immediate response team.  Contact a Missouri tractor trailer injury lawyer at Schultz Legal Group for immediate representation in your injury claim or even a loved one's wrongful death claim.  Our lawyers will have investigators of our own on the scene quickly, seeking to preserve critical evidence which may be vital to your claim. 

Dwaine Cantrell and Jake Cantrell both sustained personal injuries in a Missouri automobile accident which occurred early this morning around 6:30 a.m.  The two injury victims were riding in a 1996 Chevy which was broadsided by another Chevrolet being operated by Gary Ballard of Fordland Missouri.  Both Jake and Dwaine Cantrell were ambulated and presented to Cox South Hospital in Springfield for emergency medical care.  The impact caused by being broadsided resulted in Cantrell's car to overturn and strike both a steel pole and utility post.  The car was completely totaled.

In this particular crash, 19-year old passenger Jake Cantrell was reportedly not wearing a seat belt.  He is lucky to not have been ejected from the Chevy as it overturned and struck several poles.  Both Jake and Dwaine may have viable personal injury claims against the driver of the vehicle that broadsided them on U.S. Highway 60. 

For more details on how personal injury claims are evaluated by car insurance companies, visit the Schultz Legal Group injury victim website for an insightful look into the claims process.  Without the assistance of a Missouri accident and injury attorney, it is highly unlikely that an injury victim will receive anything close to the compensation that he/she may be legally entitled to.  Contact St. Louis automobile accident attorney Stephen Schultz today for a free case evaluation.  

Two tractor-trailers were involved in a crash with a SUV last Thursday afternoon.  The truck crash occurred on a wet Missouri Interstate 70 near Lambert Airport and a traffic camera captured the footage.  Missouri Department of Transportation and Missouri Highway Patrol are still investigating the exact cause of the incident.  There has been some recent commentary that the particular corridor of Highway 70 near Lambert Airport is confusing and dangerous for drivers.  The highway zig-zags several times and painted lines in the pavement are not perfectly clear, especially as the highway approaches the highway 170 interchange. 

 The above still image shows the tractor-trailers being moved by heavy equipment as the entire westbound lanes of Highway 70 were closed.  A tractor-trailer crash can be especially difficult for cleanup crews to contend with.  Often times emergency responders must shut down the entire highway for movement of trucks and treatment of personal injuries.

Requesting that evidence, such as traffic camera data, be preserved is critical to any claim for personal injuries arising out of a truck crash.  The Missouri Department of Transportation has traffic cameras placed in hundreds of locations throughout Missouri.  Making a Sunshine Law request pursuant to Section 610.011 of the Missouri Revised Statutes is the proper way to obtain records such as these from MODOT. 

Contact St. Louis truck crash injury attorney Stephen Schultz to discuss how to properly preserve the evidence that is critical to YOUR case.  Our experienced tractor-trailer injury lawyers make several Sunshine Law requests in every case involving a commercial truck so that any and all evidence is obtained on behalf of our clients.   

An accident reconstructionist offered favorable courtroom testimony for the young University of Missouri-Columbia student who was severely injured in 2005 when two vehicles struck her bicycle as she was heading to class.  Krysten Chambrot was struck by defendant #1's Miata, catapulted into the air and then ran over by a truck operated by defendant #2.  Chambrot suffered catastrophic injury to her lower extremities, resulting in amputation and mangle.  She also broke her jaw during the collision.

Expert testimony is critical in cases where the facts are in dispute.  In this case, the facts of the crash itself were in contention, requiring the use of a reconstructionist to determine speed of the vehicles, contact points, and ultimately, fault.  Expert recontructionists rely upon evidence from the scene, witness statements, and mathematical formulas in creating their account of what really happened during the collision.  Expert testimony such as this can be critical in determining whether a driver was negligent, negligent per se, or even reckless.

Our St. Louis accident and injury lawyers retain experts such as an accident reconstructionist when the the facts of the accident scene are unclear.  Experts provide our attorneys with an independent assesment of the facts using sound principles of physics and evidence gathered in the case.  Often times these experts testify at trial, helping the jury understand what really happened at the scene.  Call injury attorney Stephen Schultz today to learn how an accident reconstructionist can help in YOUR case!    

 

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has issued a report that fatal injuries resulting by motorcycle crashes are 38% lower than when involving motorcycles without anti-lock brakes.  Apparently a common problem with stopping motorcycles in a controlled manner is that the wheels lock up causing imminent skidding.  Skidding can cause a motorcycle to be 'laid down', resulting in serious injury and 'road rash' to the operator and/or passenger.

Deaths caused when driving motorcycles have almost doubled from 1998 to 2007.  This is of great concern because the use of motorcycles has risen, but it hasn't doubled as the death have.  The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported that claims are down 20% for those owners of motorcycles equipped with anti-lock brakes.  BMW, Harley-Davidson and Honda are the three motorcycle manufacturers offering the most models equipped with anti-lock brakes.

Are you the victim of a motorcycle crash resulting in personal injuries?  Call the Missouri accident and injury attorneys at Schultz Legal Group to discuss YOUR legal rights.  Several of our attorneys are motorcycle enthusiasts themselves and appreciate the danger posed out there on Missouri's roadways.  Call our emergency personal injury helpline at (314) 448-0934.

Near Joplin Missouri, a car being driven by Shane McGinnis failed to slow to traffic and crashed into the back of a 2002 Mercury operated by Deanna Higgins.  The collision pushed Higgins' car into the path of a tractor-trailer, causing total damage and resulting in serious personal injury to Deanna Higgins, Michael Higgins, Catherine, Hackler.  Tragically 76 year-old Margaret McCurnin of New Jersey was pronounced dead shortly upon arrival by Air EVAC at St. John's Hospital in Joplin. 

Failing to slow down when approaching traffic commonly is a result of driver inattention.  The resulting collision often causes serious personal injury to the victim because due to a lack of awareness of the imminent crash.  Factual scenarios such as this tragidy in Joplin Missouri are also common and the cars that are 'pushed' into the path of oncoming traffic really don't have a chance.  Failing to slow down when approaching traffic is both negligent and negligent per se due to the operators failure to observe Missouri's Statutory Rules of the Road, as discussed throughout Chapter 304 of the Missouri Revised Statutes.

To discuss a Missouri personal injury or wrongful death claim with our experienced Missouri injury lawyers, call (314) 448-0934 or complete the Schultz Legal Group online case evaluation form.  You may also email St. Louis accident attorney Stephen Schultz anytime for prompt attention.

Members of the Blair and Buckler families were seriously injured on October 20th when a 2006 Cadillac being driven by Forrest Riley smashed into the back of Jerry Blair's Chevrolet, causing it to cross the centerline and strike a Mercury occupied by four Bucklers.  Mary, Laura, William and Wendell Buckler all sustained serious injuries.  Wendell Buckler, the driver of the Mercury, was airlifted to University Hospital in Columbia for emergency care.  Jerry and Rachell Blair were injured but refused medical treatment.

It is unknown what caused Forrest Riley to violently crash into the back of Blair's vehicle, causing a head on collision.  Luckily all persons involved in this crash were wearing seat belts, otherwise the injuries could have been much worse.  All cars are known to have automobile insurance.  Which insurance companies will be liable for which injuries is yet to be determined.  Because this particular crash involved several serious injuries, it is always a possibility that there may not be adequate insurance coverage available to compensate the victims of this crash.

Missouri accident and injury lawyer Stephen Schultz encourages all Missouri motorists to carry the 'right' amount of liability, UNinsured (UM), UNDERinsured (UIM), and Medical Payments (MED PAY) coverages.  On countless occassions our attorneys witness situations where the injuries sustained in a car wreck are so severe that the insurance coverage of the guilty party just isn't enough to properly compensate.  In such a case, it is CRITICAL to have the proper coverages on your OWN policy of insurance. Call our office today for a free consultation to discuss your injury and whether your own coverage will be able to 'pick up the deficiency' in coverage. 

The Missouri Highway Patrol and Missouri Department of Transportation are promoting 'safe driver week' this week throughout the entire state.  A major initiative in this focus is to promote awareness amongst commercial tractor trailer drivers to be aware of the cars around them when operating their big rigs.  Serious personal injury and wrongful death often occurs in a tractor trailer crash.  A battle between a 60,000 pound rig and passenger car is usually won by the truck. 

MODOT encourages truck drivers to thoroughly inspect their loads before heading out on the road, as well as clean all side mirrors and windows for adequate visibility.  Because these trucks weigh an enormous amount, they are inherently hard to to stop or swerve in an attempt to avoid/prevent a collision. 

Missouri non-commercial motorists are encouraged to take precaution when approaching tractor-trailers on the highway.  Keeping away from blind spots is a high priority in crash avoidance.  Also be aware that sometimes truck drivers make evasive moves to allow merging vehicles or when changing lanes to overtake slower moving traffic.  Take care when approaching a truck from behind and when attempting to pass, do so in a relatively quick manner, thus avoiding excessive time in the trucks blind spots.

For more information on this initiative, visit the KOMU website in Boone County Missouri.  To learn more about Federal and State commercial trucking laws, visit the Schultz Legal Group Missouri Injury Victim Website for helpful information on this wide area of regulation.   

Shirley Riffe, 47, was riding as passenger with another male in an SUV that was on the shoulder of Missouri Highway 44 changing a flat tire.  The SUV, which was towing a boat, was parked well off of the highway when a tractor-trailer being driven by Faron Billeck of Texas crashed into the temporarily disabled SUV.  The tractor-trailer actually struck the boat that was being towed by Riffe's SUV, at which time it became airborne and utlimately caused the premature death of Ms. Riffe.  The crash was investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. 

This crash involved a tractor-trailer and its recordable and reportable to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).  When tractor-trailers are involved in crashes with other vehicles, they must report the details of the crash to the FMCSA.  Tractor-trailers involved in interstate commerce must follow both federal and state laws and statutes.  The trucking companies that employ and/or use these trucks must also abide by the same rules and statutes.  The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Code of Federal Regulations, Federal Department of Transportation, are a few examples of FEDERAL authority controlling the commercial trucking industry.  In exchange for issuance of a "DOT number", trucking companies and their trucks must operate consistent with the rules and regulations promulgated by these authorities.

This particular crash is especially tragic for numerous reasons.  First, it was highly preventable.  Tractor-trailers must change lanes to accommodate disabled vehicles that are temporarily parked on the shoulder of streets and highways if it is safe to do so.  Not only did this truck NOT accommodate the disabled SUV by changing lanes but it actually ran off the road into the shoulder stricking the boat and utlimately causing the death of young Shirley Riffe. 

Ms. Riffe's surviving spouse, next of kin, and parents may have a civil cause of action pursuant to Missouri's Wrongful Death Statute.  That list of persons will have priority according to their perspective 'class', 'tier' or 'ranking' under the statute.  A wrongful death claim filed in Missouri must meet certain requirements to the statute.  Damages which are recoverable include funeral expenses, compensation for conscious pain & suffering, and various other losses directly caused by the negligent truck driver.  St. Louis Wrongful Death Lawyer Stephen Schultz regularly files these types of claims against truck drivers and the potentially negligent carriers they work for.

Visit the Schultz Legal Group truck crash resource center today for help with your claim!

October 16, 2008:  Two cars were involved in a high speed head-on collision this afternoon, resulting in serious personal injuries and the death of two motorists.  23 year-old Sean Knox allowed his vehicle to cross the center-line of Missouri 131 and crash directly into the front of a vehicle being operated by Dale Manuel.  Mr. Manuel and another passenger in his vehicle, James Booe.  The car being driven by Dale Manuel also had other passengers, including an infant, who sustained minor to severe personal injuries. 

Crossing the center line of traffic is a common cause of head-on collision in the State of Missouri according to the Missouri Department of Transportation.  The reasons for vehicles crossing the center-line include such common causes as sending text messages on a cell phone, lighting a cigarette, or adjusting the station on the radio.  A primary cause is the use of a cell phone.  We all are guilty of using our cell phone while driving.  However, the use of a hands-free kit can allow for the safe use of a cellphone while driving, as the driver is able to keep his or her eyes on the road and not on the keypad. 

Are you a Missouri motorist that has been injured due to another driver crossing the center line of traffic?  Call St. Louis Accident and Injury Attorney Stephen Schultz to discuss your legal rights and remedies against the negligent driver.  Our injury attorneys are also available to discuss the rights of those who lost loved ones and who are entitled to recovery pursuant to Missouri wrongful death statutes.

Two young students in Rolla died in a single car crash late last week.  Joshua Roach, who was a senior at Missouri University of Science & Technology, died late Monday.  Roach was only 23 years old.  Derek Medlock was actually DOA at the scene, as reported by University Police and The Kansas City Star.  Authorities have not been able to determine who, either Roach or Medlock, was driving at the time that their car lost control and left the roadway.  The crash occurred at approximately 12:30 am on Friday.

The surviving spouse, relatives and linear decedents of a fatal injury victim may be able to file a Wrongful Death Claim against guilty parties.  In this situation, the authorities are still attempting to determine who was the driver.  If that remains undetermined, it is possible that the survivors may have a claim against the decedent's own car insurance policy.  Wrongful Death claims in Missoui are governed my the Missouri Wrongful Death Statute, found at RSMO Section 537.080 (2000). 

According to the Missouri Wrongful Death Statute, there are three priorities of classes of potential persons that can recover on a wrongful death claim. The first class or tier is the spouse, children and parents of the decedent.  The second is siblings and their decedents.  The final tier encompass the plaintiff ad litem. 

If you need help understanding the Missouri Wrongful Death Statute and how it applies in your potential claim, call the attorneys at Schultz Legal Group for an immediate consultation.  St. Louis Wrongful Death Lawyer Stephen Schultz can be reached at (314) 448-0934, or by email.   

A 1997 Chevrolet being operated by Travis Holtzclaw was involved in a single-car crash over the weekend.  Apparently Holtclaw's Chevy veered off the roadway, Holtzclaw overcorrected, causing the car to travel down a ditch, overturn and violently collide with a tree.  16-year old Holtzclaw had four other passengers in the car with him at the time of the crash, including three other 16-year olds and 42-year old Robert Hubert.  Hubert was taken by AIR EVAC helicopter to University Medical Center in Columbia.  The remaining injured persons were taken by private conveyance or ambulance to Moberly Regional Medical Center. 

The passengers in Holtzclaw's car potential have a personal injury claim against the driver of the Chevy and even the owner.  When the driver of an automobile is negligent and his/her actions cause injury to passengers, the passengers may recovery against the driver's car insurance policy.  Even when there is no insurance on the car itself, the other occupants may potentially have a claim against other sources of liability insurance.  These cases can be complicated, especially when there are several potential parties of interest.

Have you been a passenger in someone else's car and sustained personal injury?  Call the personal injury attorneys at Schultz Legal Group today to discuss your legal rights.  Visit our helpful personal injury victim information center for assistance with your claim, or contact St. Louis Injury Lawyer Stephen Schultz directly!

15-year old McKenzie Shelton was seriously injured when the Polaris ATV (all-terrian vehicle) he was operating struck a tree in the woods.  The crash happened in Camden County Missouri at approximately 1:00 pm on October 12t.  Shelton was wearing a safety device (helmet) at the time of the crash, however he still sustained catastrophic injury.  He was transported to University Hospital ER by helicopter.  The 2000 Polaris ATV Shelton was operating sustained extensive damage.

ATVs are inherently dangerous, especially when operated by young children.  This particular personal injury case reportedly involved a 15 year-old driver.  The problem is that ATV's are extremely powerful and becoming more popular with Missourians.  For example, a 2007 TRX 400EX is capable ot reaching speeds of 60-70 mph.  Couple that with the inexperience of younger drivers WHO DON'T EVEN HAVE A DRIVER'S LICENSE YET and it results in a recipe for disaster. 

ATV injury claims can implicated various theories of tort law, including: negligence, negligence per se, negligent supervion, negligent entrustment.  Negligent supervision and negligent entrustment are triggered when the registered owner of the ATV "entrusts" it to another person, one who may have little to no experience in the operation of such a machine. In such a case, the entrustor's homeowners' insurance policy may have an interest in the outcome of the claim.

St. Louis ATV Injury Lawyer Stephen Schultz and his colleagues are experienced in the handling of ATV injury claims.  Contact us anytime at (314) 448-0934, by email, or complete the online case evaluation form for an immediate response. 

This perplexing question is seldomly answered until its too late.  There you are, seriously injured in a car accident, truck crash, or motorcycle crash.  Adding fuel to the fire, the negligent party that caused the crash only had Missouri minimum liability coverage.  With the exception of commercial tractor-trailer owners and operators, Missouri vehicle owners are only required to carry $25,000/$50,000 in liability coverage.  The problem is that a just a couple of days in the hospital results in medical bills exceeding $25,000, leaving you (the victim), in a serious financial predicament.  Even those with health insurance are at risk because often times co-insurance, deductibles, and other remaining charges mount quickly. 

I can't tell you how important it is to research automobile insurance carriers and evaluate your personal insurance needs.  UNinsured Motorist Coverage (UM) and UNDERinsured Motorist Coverage (UIM) are critical forms of coverage that are triggered when you are injured by either 1) an uninsured motorist, or 2) a motorist that doesn't have enough liability coverage to adequately compensate you for your injuries.  UNDERinsured Motorist Coverage may be the most crucial form of additional protection one can purchase on an automobile insurance policy. 

As a St. Louis Injury Lawyer committed to protecting the legal rights of injury victims, I often find that most Missouri motorists fail to carry adequate lines of insurance coverage on their automobiles.  Unfortunately, this is only learned when I am unable to recover adequate compensation for clients despite obtaining the full policy limit of coverage available to the negligent driver who was at fault for the crash. 

Most of my clients end up adding coverage to their automobile policies after our firm resolves their injury claim.  Doing this may not help in the current claim, but it will eliminate the risk of being underinsured in the event of a subsequent injury.  I can tell you that a few of my clients have called upon this additional coverage upon a future injury claim and expressed extreme gratitude for my recommendation of adding the appropriate coverages. 

I urge anyone interesting in learning more about the differences between 'minimal' vs 'adequate' insurance coverage to contact me, Missouri Injury Attorney Stephen Schultz, personally at (314) 448-0934 or by email.  You may also visit my informative Missouri Injury Website for helpful questions and answers to common insurance questions.  I will go through each line of coverage and which ones are critical and which ones can be discarded in order to prevent you from being victimized twice in the future.

The driver of a 1995 Chevy Blazer failed to yield to a motorcycle on Route J near Gainsville Missouri, causing serious injury to both persons on the motorcycle.  The 2005 Yamaha Roadster was being operated by William Friel, and along with his passenger wife Susan, the two persons were seriously injured due to the failure of the operator of the Blazer to observe the Missouri Statutory Rules of the Road. Missouri State Highway Patrol issued a summons to the driver of the Blazer and those criminal charges remain pending.  Susan was airlifted by Air EVAC to St. John's Hospital in Springfield Missouri.  Her husband William was ambulated and taken to Baxter Hospital for emergency medical care.

This factual scenario involving a automobile and a motorcycle in a motorcycle crash is relatively common.  For whatever reason, automobile operators fail to appreciate the proximity of a motorcyclist or completely disregard their presence on the roadway.  Statistics show that motorcycle use in the state of Missouri is on the rise.  In fact, you will notice billboards up and down numerous Missouri Interstates warning motorists of the presence of motorcycles on the state's roadways.  The important thing for car drivers to understand is that motorcycles are EVERYWHERE, and motorcycles handle much differently that automobiles.  What would be a relatively easy evasive maneuver for a car is quite difficult for a motorcycle.

Are you a motorcyclist who has been injured by the careless behavior of a car driver?  Call our experienced motorcycle injury lawyers today at (314) 448-0934 or by email.  Several of our St. Louis Injury Attorneys are motorcycle enthusiasts themselves and appreciate the dangers of everyday riding.  Complete our brief online case evaluation form for an immediate response. 

21 year-old Timothy Curtis sustained fatal injuries on October 6, 2008 as he was driving his Ford Contour on US Highway 65 when a 2002 Chevy Silverado crossed the center line and struck him head-on.  Mr. Curtis, a resident of Unionville Missouri was reported by Missouri State Highway Patrol as wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash.  Despite being restrained by a safety device, Curtis had no chance against the larger Chevy truck.  This fatal car crash marked the 37th Missouri motorist fatality of 2008 and the first of October. 

Head-on collisions result in some of the most catastrophic injuries that our injury lawyers see.  Unfortunately many of these crashes cause the innocent victim the greater of the injury.  Just as in the case of young Timothy Curtis, innocent victims who sustain fatal injury may have a viable wrongful death claim against the driver of the other vehicle that caused the unnecessary collision.  The wrongful death claim will be governed by Missouri's Wrongful Death Statute, Section 537.080.

If you have a loved one who has been fatally injured due to the negligence of another motorist, call the experienced wrongful death lawyers at Schultz Legal Group for a consultation.  Our lawyers can be reached anytime at (314) 448-0934 to discuss the nuances of the Missouri Wrongful Death Statute and what needs to be done to protect your legal interests.