Missouri State Highway Patrol Officers report that 20 year-old Katie Wessell traveled directly into the path of a 1992 Chevy being driven by Jeffery Craft of Jackson Missouri.  The collision was extremely violent and resulted in both vehicles being totaled out.  Craft sustained serious personal injuries and was rushed to St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau Missouri for emergency care.  The crash happened on Route FF approximately 4 miles north of Fruitland.  Authorities do not know what exactly caused Wessell to travel into the path of Mr. Craft.

Innattention is a common cause of crossing the centerline of traffic or traveling into the path of another vehicle.  Missouri residents are under a duty to exercise care in the operation of thier automobiles, which means staying attentive at all times and keeping a careful lookout laterally and ahead.  Failure to exercise the care required under the Missouri Statutory "Rules of the Road" may result in the injured victim having a civil cause of action against the other driver for negligence per se.  Contact Missouri injury attorney Stephen Schultz and get the experienced lawyers at Schultz Legal Group on your side!

When 19 year-old Cory Atkisson "reached down to retrieve something" his eyes left the road and caused a head-on automobile crash near Lebanon Missouri this morning.  Authorities report that a married couple, Brenda and Wallance Doty, were driving on Highway 5 when Atkisson's Toyota pick-up truck suddenly crossed the centerline and hit them head-on.  The crash crash impact was extremely violent, and the Doty's sustained catastrophic personal injuries.  Brenda and Wallance were airlifted by AIR EVAC lifeteam to St. John's Medical Center in Sprinfield Missouri.  St. John's is one of the only level-1 trauma centers in the Springfield area. 

This is a factual scenario our attorneys hear all to often.  A driver reaches down to retrieve a cellphone or CD and the next thing you know the car is in another lane, endangering other motorists.  Taking your eyes off the road is both negligent and negligent per se.  Certainly it is not worth it when you put others in extreme danger, with results that can be deadly.  If it is absolutely necessary to retrieve an item from below your field of vision, pull off the roadway to a safe location and retrieve what you were looking for without compromising your safety and others on the road. 

The Missouri accident and injury attorneys at Schultz Legal Group represent the victims of personal injury.  It is all we do and we are passionate at obtaining fair compensation for our clients.  Contact St. Louis car accident injury lawyer Stephen Schultz today for a personal consultation, or visit our website for helpful information in handling these hard times. Don't be victimized twice.

25 year-old Missouri motorist Brian Holmes was seriously injured yesterday in a truck crash when his 2003 Chevy collided with a tractor-trailer Interstate 70 in Jackson County Missouri.  Holmes, a resident of Independence Missouri was traveling on Missouri highway 70 when his car struck a Volvo tractor-trailer that was under tow.  The tractor-trailer was being operated by Michael Miller of Arkansas.  Holmes was transported by Jackson County ambulance to Centerpoint Medical Center.

Authorities are still investigating the cause of the collision, which occurred at approximately 1:48 a.m. in the morning.  It is unknown whether the tractor-trailer had proper emergency lighting displayed that would have alerted Holmes of the trailer.  Furthermore, authorities report that Miller (the truck driver) failed to stop in a expeditious manner once Holmes car struck the truck.

Contact St. Louis Tractor-Trailer Injury Lawyer Stephen Schultz to discuss whether the truck driver in your case acted in accordance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations in the operation of a tractor-trailer.  Our Missouri injury lawyers will dispatch an investigation team immediately to gather evidence and make certain that the trucking company preserves any evidence already gathered at the accident scene.   

Two young Missouri motorists were killed last night around 7:30 on Highway 54, roughly 6 miles south of Nevada Missouri in a catastrophic car crash.  17 year-old Corey Martin and 15 year-old Emily Debrine were riding in a 1993 Chevy pick-up when there truck was hit head-on by another car attempting to pass.  74 year-old Gale Pelser of Eldridge Missouri was attempting to pass another vehicle when he struck the young teenagers head-on.  Authorities pronounced Martin and Debrine dead at the scene and thus they were transported directly to Ferry's Funeral Home in Nevada Missouri.

This incident makes me sick to my stomach.  Two young lives taken when this incident was likely one that was completly preventable.  The lives of the survivors of both Corey Martin and Emily Debrine will forever be changed, as this Thanksgiving will mark tragedy for them indefinitely.  Attempting to pass on a two-lane highway is dangerous and the utmost care must be exercised in doing so.  Clearly Mr. Pelser failed to exercise the due care required by Missouri law.  I suspect we have all been in a similar situation as these two young kids, where an oncoming car is passing another vehicle and 'cutting it close'.  I personally have been forced to pull off into the shoulder of the highway to avoid potential contact with such a car. 

The surviving families of Martin and Debrine should contact an experienced Missouri Wrongful Death Lawyer to discuss potential civil recovery for the negligence of the other driver.  Missouri State Highway Patrol officers report that Pelser did not have car insurance.  While this certainly presents a potential hurdle to recovery in a civil claim, it doesn't necessarily preclude recovery all together.  Visit the Schultz Legal Group injury victim help center for more information.

Claud Beedle failed to stop his 1998 Kenworth truck in time to avoid rear-ending a 1995 Nissan being driven by Carissa Cotter-Curtsinger.  Curtsinger had her 3 year-old son Quintin in the car with her at the time of the tractor-trailer crash.  Authorities report that Curtsinger was lawfully waiting to make a left turn off of US-24 near Moberly Misouri when the tractor-trailer struck the back of her Nissan.  Carissa and Quintin were taken by ambulance to Moberly Regional Medical Center for treatment of their personal injuries.

Trucking companies and their commercial insurance companies usually have investigation teams on the scene of a tractor-trailer crash within hours or even minutes of the incident.  These investigation teams gather evidence, taken photographs, interview witnesses, and write their own accident investigation reports for the trucking company's insurance carrier.  Don't be victimized twice.  Contact an experienced Missouri tractor-trailer crash injury lawyer immediately and get an investigation team of your own on the scene. 

Missouri trucking accident injury attorney Stephen Schultz and his attorneys pride themselves on successfully representing those seriously injured due to the negligent behavior of a truck driver and his/her employer. We find that many times these truck drivers are operating 'over hours' (Section 395.3) in violation of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. Contact our lawyers today to discuss your Missouri tractor-trailer injury.

Janice Tarkington sustained serious personal injuries in a two-vehicle car crash on Highway 25 near Malden Missouri early Sunday morning.  Authorities report that 38 year-old Carl Cradduck pulled directly into the path of Tarkington, causing the two vehicles to collide.  Tarkington was ambulated and taken to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center for treatment for her injuries.  Authorities report that both motorists had insurance coverage. 

Injured in a Missouri car crash?  Call the experienced injury lawyers at Schultz Legal Group for an immediate personal consultation.  Our lawyers are respected by the insurance companies and defense firms throughout the State of Missouri.  Don't be victimized twice.  Visit the Schultz Legal Group injury victim information center today.

16 year-old James Ellis caused a major pile-up on Route JJ near Carl Junction Missouri yesterday evening.  Authorities report that Ellis skidded into the back of a new Toyota Scion being driven by Tammy Farmer.  Ms. Farmer was preparing to make a left turn into a private drive when Ellis rear-ended her and pushed the Scion directly into oncoming traffic.  Three people in the Scion were seriously injured:  Tammy Farmer, Katie Hardcastle and Zach Hardcastle were taken by ambulance to St. Johns Hospital in Joplin Missouri for treatment of their serious personal injuries.  This hospital is one of the only Level-1 trauma centers serving the Joplin area. 

Farmer's Scion was struck head-on by a Honda being driven by 20 year-old Jeremy Hubbard.  Officers report that Hubbard was unable to avoid the surprise of Farmer's car being suddenly pushed directly into his lane of traffic.  20 year-old Michael Pope was riding as a passenger in Hubbard's Honda and both he and Hubbard sustained serious personal injuries.  Jeremy Hubbard sustained catastrophic (life-threatening) injuries and was flown by helicopter to Freeman West Hospital in Joplin where he is listed in critical condition.  All three vehicles involved in this automobile crash were completely damaged and had to be removed by a wrecker. 



It appears as if one person's inattention is the root cause of this automobile crash which resulted in serious injury to several Missouri motorists.  Missouri State Highway Patrol officers have decline to comment on whether citations will be issued in this case but their investigations continue.  Often times in a crash involving catastrophic personal injury, authorities will conduct post-scene investigations that result in criminal prosecution.  Don't wait for authorities to determine liability.  Contact Missouri accident and injury attorney Stephen Schultz and the experienced lawyers at Schultz Legal Group on your side! Our investigation team will take measurements, photographs, witness statements, etc. Visit the Schultz Legal Group Injury Victim Website for additional information.     

78 year-old Burlee Sanders died in a serious automobile crash this morning near Steele Missouri.  Thelma Sanders, who was driving their 1996 Ford, sustained serious personal injuries in the crash as well.  Authorities report that Gary Ellis of Greenville Missouri failed to stop at a posted stop sign and broadsided the Sanders' Ford.  The Pemiscot County Coroner reported that Burlee Sanders died at the scene of the crash.  His wife Thelma was taken by emergency helicopter to Elvis Presley Trauma Center in Memphis Tennessee.  Next of kin have been notified of this fatality.

Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that citations are pending against Gary Ellis for failing to stop at a stop sign.  If found guilty, the charge would be a third-degree misdemeanor and  violation of Missouri Revised Statute 304.351, "Right of Way at Intersection".  When drivers plead guilty to a charge of failing to observe one of Missouri's Statutory Rules of the Road, they may be found negligent per se in a subsequent civil personal injury action.  In theory, the violation of a statute or city ordinance creates a presumption that the driver was negligent. Negligence is a legal term that says that a driver breached his/her duty of ordinary care. 

The Burlee Sanders may likely lead to a viable wrongful death claim.  Such a claim must be brought in accordance with Missouri's Wrongful Death Statute, Section 537.080.  Therefore, it is possible that Burlee's surviving wife, Thelma Sanders, will be able to file this type of action. The laws in Missouri are extremely particular when involving a civil claim for wrongful death.  Survivors should call an experienced Missouri Wrongful Death Attorney at Schultz Legal Group to discuss the proper steps in filing this type of civil action.  Our attorneys can be contacted by email, online, or toll-free at 866-840-3636. Don't be victimized twice!  
 

St. Louis Injury Attorney Stephen Schultz recently wrote:  I can't impress upon Missouri motorists how important it is to wear your safety belt every time you set foot into a vehicle.  Studies are conclusive that most fatalities that result from automobile collisions and trucking accidents are caused by an occupants failure to wear a seat belt.  The numbers are staggering.  The Missouri Department of Transportation recently stated that personal injuries sustained in automobile and truck crashes are 72% more severe when the driver/occupants don't buckle up.  Persons inside the car are tossed around like rag-dolls when a collision occurs and safety belts are not in use.

As of right now, Missouri law does not permit police officers to pull a motorist over solely for not using a seat belt.  However, officers can issue a seat belt citation if and when a motorist is pulled over for another reason, such as speeding.  Currently there are 24 states that allow for police officers to pull a motorist over for the sole purpose of writing a ticket for failing to use their seat belt.  Missouri legislators are considering a proposal to adopt this type of "primary enforcement", which would alter our current law.  Although I traditionally am not an advocate for increased police powers, I do feel this proposal should become law.  I say this primarily because of the tragedy that walks through the door of my Missouri personal injury law firm on a regular basis. 

Failure to buckle up can cost you more than a fine...it can cost you the ultimate price.  Don't be another statistic.  I have consoled numerous parents and relatives who lost a loved one in a catastrophic automobile crash or tractor-trailer collision, and the victim may have lived if he/she would have simply fastened a seat belt.  Visit my personal injury victim website for other helpful hints on preventing serious injury, or email me directly with your thoughts on this serious subject. 

42 year-old Michelle Caudill was driving her 2002 Oldsmobile on Missouri Highway 60 when another vehicle pulled directly in her path.  Missouri State Highway Patrol states that Fordland resident Clarence Evans pulled his Ford Escort into the path of Caudill's car.  Authorities haven't stated what exactly caused Evans to make this decision.  Ms. Caudill was ambulated and takent to Cox Medical Center in Springfield Missouri for treatment of her personal injuries. Both drivers were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash and both cars sustained extensive damage.

Pulling into the path of another vehicle can be caused by many factors, including:

• Misjudging speed
• Poor visibility
• Weather conditions
• Innattention
• Inexperience in reaction times
• Improper blinker usage
• Incorrect interpretation of consent (thought the other driver 'waved')

Ultimately all drivers on Missouri roadways must exerice due care and diligence in the operation of their motor vehicles.  This includes keeping a proper lookout laterally and ahead and exercising prudency in speed judgment.  In the case at issue here, it is unknown why Mr. Evans would have pulled in front of this vehicle but suffice to say he may have been negligent per se in the operation of his vehicle.

St. Louis Accident and Injury Attorney Stephen Schultz has dedicated his practice to assisting those personally injured due to the negligence and inattention of others.  Contact attorney Stephen Schultz at (314) 448-0934 or visit his Missouri Injury Lawyers at the Schultz Legal Group injury victim website. 

Pamela Wiley was operating her Jeep Wrangler with three children as passengers when the Jeep was struck down by a large Freightliner tractor-trailer.  Grant Mulhulland was driving the 2002 tractor-trailer on Interstate 29 near St. Joseph Missouri when he lost control while trying  pass and struck Wiley's Jeep from behind.  The truck crash caused Wiley's Jeep to run into a bridge guard rail and sustained serious damage.  Wiley and her three step-children sustained personal injuries and were transported to Heartland Regional Medical Center for treatment. 

Tractor-trailers can only pass motorist in certain circumstances and must exercise a high degree of care in doing so.  A commercial driver's license (CDL) is required to operate a tractor-trailer or any large vehicle over 26,000 pounds.  To obtain a CDL, each state has its own set of guidlines, but all states must have qualification requirements that are at least as strict as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation requirements.  First, a general knowledge test must include at least 30 questions.  Second, to pass the general and endorsement portion of the examine the applicant must correctly answer 80 percent of the questions.  Lastly, applications must correctly perform all skills required by 49 CFR 383.133.

Are you the victim of a tractor-trailer crash?  Did the other driver fail to exercise the care required in the operation of his rig?  Contact Missouri tractor-trailer accident attorney Stephen Schultz and get his team of specialists on your side.  Our attorneys will being securing critical evidence immediately and advise you of your legal rights.  Visit the Schultz Legal Group truck crash victim information page for additional legal advice.

 

26 year-old Missouri motorist Grant Atchley sustained serious personal injuries when another vehicle crossed the centerline of traffic and hit his 2007 Dodge head-on.  Authorities report that Sikeston resident Derek McKown was operating his 2006 Nissan on Highway 61 when he crossed the centerline just south Sikeston Missouri.  The crash occurred at approximately 7:20 a.m. on November 11, 2008.   Atchley was rushed by ambulance to Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston for emergency medical care.  McKown was also reported to have sustained personal injury.

Crossing the centerline of traffic is commonly caused by driver inattention.  Factors of innattention include use of a cell phone, operation of radio controls, eating/drinking, or driver fatigue.  The Missouri Statutory Rules of the Road require Missouri motorists to exercise ordinary care in the operation of their vehicles.  This includes maintaining attention ahead and laterally while driving any car.  Failure to exercise ordinary care typically means the driver was 'negligent' as a matter of law.  In such a case, any persons that sustained personal injuries as a direct result of this negligence may be entitled to compensation from insurance policies of interest.

To learn more about the Rules of the Road and Missouri injury law, visit the Schultz Legal Group injury resource center.  Our Missouri injury attorneys are available anytime to personally discuss the aspects of your particular injury claim.  Injury victims may also simply complete our online case contact form for immediate feedback from an attorney.

Three Missouri motorists were seriously injured when a Ford truck driven by James Reiners pulled directly into their path.  Reiners pulled his F-250 in front of the 2001 Windstar van as it was traveling down Highway 63 in Howell County Missouri.  Three people sustained serious injuries in the car crash:  22 year-old Rebekah Ford, 51 year-old Sheryl Ford, and 49 year-old Anna Luton were all in the Windstar van.  Rebekah, Sheryl, and Anna were ambulated and rushed to Ozark Medical Center in West Plains Missouri for emergency care.  Luckily all three were wearing seat belts at the time of the collision, otherwise their injuries could have been fatal.

Authorities issued a traffic citation to James Reiners for failure to yield.  He was reported to have State Farm automobile insurance in effect at the time of the crash.  The three women who sustained personal injuries in this collision will likely have a claim against State Farm for the negligent conduct of its insured.  Because three persons were seriously injured in this crash, recovery under the single State Farm policy may not make them "whole".  This is a common problem, especially when the negligent driver has Missouri minimum coverage.  Minimum coverage in Missouri is set at 25/50 for bodily injury, $25,000 in uninsured motorist coverage and $10,000 for property damage. The medical bills for these three injured women may exceed the policy limits in coverage available to Mr. Reiners at the time of the crash.

If you are one of several victims injured one single automobile accident, call St. Louis Automobile Injury Attorney Stephen Schultz for a consultation.  The accident attorneys in his firm will help you understand your rights in this type of situation and will investigate whether other forms of recovery exist in YOUR incident that may pick up any deficiency in coverage for the negligent driver.   

28 year-old John Winterbower died prematurely yesterday on Highway 54 in Audrain County Missouri when his 2000 BMW was violently struck from behind by a large Ford F-350 truck.  The Ford truck was being driven by 21year-old Paul Shields of Carrolton Missouri.  Authorities claim that Winterbower was legally stopped in traffic preparing to make a turn when Shields ran into the back of his car, pushing the BMW into oncoming traffic.  Winterbower was rushed to Audrain Medical Center were he was pronounced dead at approximately 7:34 a.m.  Edward Bigelow of Laddonia Missouri sustained personal injuries in the collision as well.

Remaing innattentive at the wheel is extremely dangerous a common cause of automobile crashes and trucking accidents.  The unexpected rear-end collision can cause catastrophic injury and even death, such as was the unfortunate outcome here.  The surviving family of John Winterbower will likely have a viable wrongful death claim against Shields and any other parties determined to be negligent in causing this incident.  Winterbower's family will have to follow the statutory guidelines set forth within the Missouri Wrongful Death Statute, and if followed they will be entitled to recovery for medical bills for John's treatment, funeral expenses, conscious pain & suffering, and other damages causally related to the incident. 

For more information on the statutory guidelines of recovery found within the Missouri Wrongful Death Statute, visit the Schultz Legal Group injury victim website.  Victims may also contact St. Louis Wrongful Death Attorney Stephen Schultz directly at (314) 448-0934 for immediate assistance with their legal claim.  

Missouri State Highway Patrol state that Floyd Bowman of O'Fallon Missouri ultimately caused a serious collision last week that resulted in the deaths of Bruce Cannon of Winfield and Earl Fetters of St. Charles.  The crash happened on Highway 79 as Bowman attempted to pass a vehicle resulting in a catastrophic chain of events.  Bowman was uninjured in the crash. Both Cannon and Fetters were pronounced dead at the scene by St. Charles County authorities.  Bernice and Michael Fetters both sustained personal injuries in the crash and were taken by ambulance to St. John's Medical Center.  As you can see, both cars were totalled.  To read more about this story, visit STLTODAY.com.













































Passing on this stretch of Highway 79 in St. Charles County can be particularly dangerous and motorist must take special care to allow for adequate time to clear a slower-moving vehicle without causing others to lose control of their cars in the process.  The deaths of these two men could possibly have be avoided if Bowman would have exercised the care required by Missouri law. 

The families that suffered this horrible loss would benefit from the advice of a Missouri wrongful death lawyer, especially since the Missouri Wrongful Death Statute is particular in who/when/how claims can be brought against a negligent party.  Visit the Schultz Legal Group website for helpful information on this topic.

36 year-old Lisa Morrissey sustained serious personal injuries in a car crash early Saturday morning when she collided with a trailer that had detached from another vehicle.  Morrissey was actually towing a trailer herself as well, filled with champion horses.  Morrissey was rushed to University Hospital where she was treated for a myriad of injuries, including a broken pelvis and leg and shattered collarbone.  She remains in the hospital recovering through Sunday.

Joseph Schuster of Columbia Missouri was listed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol as bring responsible for the trailer that had detached and ultimately caused the collison with Morrissey.  The trailer was described as not being a professionally made trailer.  The Missouri Statutory Rules of the Road and Missouri law require that motorists properly load and secure trailers that they haul.  Failing to adequately secure trailers and/or cargo can have catastrophic effects on other Missouri motorists, as can be seen in Mrs. Morrissey's collision. It appears relatively clear that Joseph Schuster was both negligent and negligent per se in his actions. 

Due to the particular facts of this crash, there may be various insurance companies having an interest in this outcome of any personal injury claim asserted by the Morrissey family.  When placed in a situation such as this, any victim should consult with an experienced Missouri injury lawyer to address how to adequately protect the injured's legal interests.  For more information on Missouri injury law, visit the Schultz Legal Group website or contact St. Louis Injury Attorney Stephen Schultz for an immediate consultation.

Missouri State Highway Patrol officials are still investigating the cause of a truck crash that occurred on Missouri Interstate Highway 55 last Thursday.  Apparently a small pickup truck being operated by Henry Nicley of Arkansas collided with a tractor-trailer driven by Michael Szkaradzinski.  The three men inside the small pickup truck were ambulated and transported to St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau Missouri.  Some witnesses are saying that the tractor-trailer ran into Henry Nicley's GMC pickup when he was merging onto the highway, while others claim that the GMC rear-ended the big rig. 

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration governs the interstate commercial trucking industry and the trucks that travel our interstate highways.  These trucks must be maticulously maintained and the drivers must recognize strict operating guidelines.  Completion of a daily driver's log is just one of rules that a truck driver must obey.  In situations when a truck is involved in a serious tractor-trailer crash, authorities may look to the driver's log to verifiy that the driver did not go 'over his hours of service.'  Truck drivers can only operate their rigs a certain number of hours within any 24-hour period.  To learn more about these rules, visit the Schultz Legal Group truck crash information center.

Personal injury claims resulting from tractor-trailer crashes are much more complicated than the traditional rear-end car crash. Contact Missouri trucking injury lawyer Stephen Schultz to discuss what needs to be done to preserve your injury claim when involved in a collision with a tractor-trailer. 

   

46 year-old Purdy Missouri resident Terry Jackson was seriously injured yesterday while riding his Indian motorcycle on County Road 1090.  Authorities report that Richard Jagears pulled his 1991 Ford pickup truck directly into the path of Jackson, causing Jackson to be ejected from his motorcycle.  Jackson sustained serious personal injuries and was take to Cox Monett hospital by emergency ambulance.  The driver of the Ford pickup did not sustain personal injury and was able to drive his truck away from the scene of the crash.

Motorcycle crashes in Missouri are notoriously caused by passenger vehicles pulling out in front of a motorcyclist.  For whatever reason, passenger vehicles claim they "didn't see the motorcycle coming" and 'couldn't avoid the collision".  The truth of the matter is, motorists driving passenger vehicles have to abide by the Missouri statutory rules of the road.  Automobile operators must keep a 'careful lookout directly and laterally ahead of their vehicle." 

If you have been involved in motorcycle crash and sustained personal injuries, don't let the person who caused the collision walk away unaccountable.  The other driver may have been both negligent and negligent per se in causing or contributing to cause the collision.  Call St. Louis Motorcycle Injury Attorney Stephen Schultz to discuss the facts of your injury claim.  The Missouri injury attorneys at Schultz Legal Group may also evaluate your claim by completing our short online case evaluation form.

Despite wearing her seat belt, 17 year-old Alisha Moss sustained serious personal injuries when her Oldsmobile was broadsided by Ricky Williams on Route Z at Farm Road 68.  Authorities that responded to the accident scene report that Williams failed to properly stop at a stop sign and struck Moss about .5 miles east of Willard.  While drivers of both vehicles were transported to Cox South Hospital in Springfield Missouri, doctors state that young Moss sustained the severe injuries of the two.  Both cars were totaled as a result of the crash and were towed away from the scene by Premier Towing. 

When driving in rural areas of Missouri, motorists may be tempted to disregard stop signs due to a lack of traffic at the time.  This is illegal, and more importantly it is dangerous to others traveling the roadway.  The young lady in this situation was the innocent victim of a motorist who decided consciously, or perhaps by mere inattention, to avoid stopping at a clearly marker stop sign.  Operators who fail to observe stop signs and cause a crash resulting in personal injuries are "negligent per se."  Negligence per se is a legal doctrine whereby the defendant is presumed to be at fault for causing personal injuries to a victim because he/she was in violation of a Missouri Statute or local municipal ordinance.  This theory of liability may be alleged against the defendant in a civil claim as a means of recovery.

To discuss whether negligence per se is a viable theory in your personal injury claim, contact  St. Louis injury lawyer Stephen Schultz and his attorneys for a free consultaiton.  We will walk you through the nuances of Missouri law and what theories of liability may be alleged in each particular factual situation.  Our attorneys are available for emergencies at (314) 448-0934.   
    

A large Peterbilt truck pulled out in front of a minivan yesterday on US 50 in Johnson County Missouri, causing a serious collision.  Cynthia Keehler and her 9 year-old son Jonathan Keehler were taken by LifeFlight Helicopter service to St. Lukes Hospital for treatment of their personal injuries.  The reporting officer at the scene indicates that the Peterbilt truck pulled directly into the path of Keehler's minivan, causing both vehicles to lose control.  The minivan sustained total damage of this truck crash.  A ticket was issued to Charley Vanlaere, the driver of the Peterbilt, for crude and inprudent operation of a vehicle. 

When a large truck pulls into the path of a smaller vehicle, it can be difficult for the vehicle (such as the minivan in this case) to safely swerve to avoid and imminent collision.  These trucks are so large and take up so much of the roadway, that avoiding a crash with one may only be avoided by running off the road.  Our Missouri injury lawyers see this same set of facts on a regular basis.  When large trucks fail to yield, the personal injuries sustained to occcupants of the smaller involved vehicles is often catastrophic.  One potential problem, at least when the truck is hauling a trailer (ie: tractor-trailer), there are no low sidebars on the trailer to keep a vehicle from actually going underneat the trailer.  Europe has safety regulations that require trailers to have side rails to keep this from happening.  The United States Department of Transportation has not yet decided to adopt such a safety regulation.

If you have been involved in a collision with a large truck or tractor-trailer and sustained personal injury, it is critical to obtain legal representation to properly protect your injury claim.  Many trucking companies employ "immediate response team" to react to crashes with company trucks.  Don't be the one without a similar team on YOUR side, contact St. Louis Truck Crash Lawyer Stephen Schultz for immediate assistance with your injury claim.