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.