Late Wednesday morning there was a serious automobile crash in St. Francois County Missouri.  42 year-old Kenneth Tabor of Farmington Missouri was driving westbound on Highway 32 when he crossed the centerline of traffic and caused a serious head-on collision.  Tabor's vehicle crashed head-on into a Dodge van being driven by Earnest Lancaster.  Earnest's wife Nora Lancaster was also riding in the van and sustained catastrophic personal injuries.  Mrs. Lancaster was pronounced dead shortly after the collision.  Earnest Lancaster also sustained serious personal injuries and was flown to St. John's Hospital in St. Louis for emergency treatment.  The Lancasters are residents of Bismark Missouri.

This death marked the12th death reported by the Missouri State Highway Patrol this month and the 141st for 2008.  Authorities have not determined what caused Tabor to cross the centerline and cause this automobile crash.  Crossing the centerline of traffic is a common cause of serious personal injuries in Missouri automobile and tractor-trailer accidents.  Crossing the centerline, unlike other driving infractions, causes the most severe personal injuries because of the shear speed and force of the impact between vehicles.  These types of collisions mostly occur in rural two-lane highways.

If you have been seriously injured by an inattentive driver or lost a loved one due to the negligence of another motorist, contact Missouri injury lawyer Stephen Schultz and get the experienced attorneys at Schultz Legal Group on your side.  Our lawyers are compassionate in the handling of Missouri serious injury and wrongful death claims.  Don't be victimized a second time by a unfair insurance company! 

63 year-old Linda Wall of Richland Missouri was killed yesterday in a severe head-on automobile collision on Missouri Highway 133.  Wall's daughter, 11 year-old Katie Wall sustained serious personal injuries as a result of the crash.  Katie Wall was ambulated and transported to Phelps County Regional Medical Center for emergency treatment.  Authorities report that Linda Wall initially survived the crash itself, but later died at General Leanard Wood Community Hospital.  The driver of the ohter vehicle, Crocker resident Levi Clark also died as a result of the impact.

Aparently Mr. Clark crossed the centerline of traffic on Highway 133 and ran directly into southbound traffic.  The resulting collision between Clark's truck and Wall's van was extremely violent.  Both cars were total losses and towed to Larry's towing in Richmond.  Authorities have not expressed an opinion of why Clark crossed the centerline of traffic and caused this head-on collision.

This is a tragidy that will be felt by everyone.  Katie Wall will likely have a viable personal injury claim for damages against Shelter Insurance, and the surviving family spouse and family members of Linda Wall will have a wrongful death claim.  In Missouri, any claim for damages resulting from a death must proceed accordingly to the rules set forth in the Missouri Wrongful Death Statute.  Contact Missouri wrongful death lawyer Stephen Schultz and get the experienced injury attorneys at Schultz Legal Group on your side.  Our lawyers are senstive to the extreme distress caused by a catastrophic automobile collision and will pursue the negligent parties in accordance with Missouri personal injury law. 

A Peterbilt truck can weight well over 60,000 pounds.  When a car collides with a large Peterbilt truck the resulting personal injury and property damage can be substantial.  Authorities report that Harold Glacken of St. Louis Missouri failed to yield his 2008 Peterbilt truck to oncoming traffic on westbound highway 30 in Jefferson County Missouri.  Glacken's failure to obey Missouri law caused a serious truck crash on December 27, 2008.  53 year-old Doris Davis, 15 year-old Felicia Dobbs and 13 year-old Trisha Huckabee were all riding in a Nissan Maxima that was forced to crash into Glacken's truck.  Davis, Dobbs, and Huckabee were all transported to St. Anthoneys Medical Center for treatment for their serious personal injuries. 

It is nearly impossible to avoid impact with a large truck that pulls directly into the path of your vehicle.  Do the large size and weight of these trucks, avoiding a collision with one in your path of traffic is difficult.  Drivers of these large trucks are required to exercise the highest degree of care in the maintenance and operation of thier trucks.  In fact, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations require these truck operators to abide by strick rules and guidelines in order to drive on Missouri's highways and roadways.

If you have been victimized by a negligent truck driver, contact St. Louis truck injury lawyer Stephen Schultz and get the experience of Schultz Legal Group on your side!  Our attorneys will dispatch a crash investigation team and work diligently to preserve any evidence necessary to protect your personal injury claim.  Visit our Trucking Injury Victim Information Page for additional assistance. 

Failing to exercise the due care in the operation of a vehicle as required under Missouri law can have serious consequences.  Sometimes those consequences include serious personal injury or even death.  Authorities report that 20 year-old Michael Flint was driving westbound in highway 32 when he swerved into oncoming traffic to avoid another vehicle in his lane that was turning into a private residence.  This dangerous maneuver caused a head-on collision between Flint and 18 year-old Barry Cahill of Salem Missouri.  Cahill sustained catastrophic personal injuries in this car crash and was rushed to Salem Memorial Hospital for emergency treatment.  Flint was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.

Swerving around turning traffic on a two-lane highway is extremely risky.  The Missouri injury lawyers at Schultz Legal Group handle these types of cases on a regular basis because, unfortunately, motorists just don't appreciate the danger involved in not exercising patience.  Serious personal injury and death are common results, as was the case here.  Both families are now forced to deal with a Christmas tragidy that probably could have been completed avoided had careful driving habits been used.

If you have been seriously injured in a Missouri automobile collision, contact St. Louis injury lawyer Stephen Schultz and get the experience of Schultz Legal Group on your side.  Our attorneys will make certain that you are not victimized twice.

20 year-old Pacific Missouri resident Cathryn Houlihan was tragically killed around 4 p.m. on Christmas day in a automobile accident near Franklin County Missouri.  Authorities report that 73 year-old Margaret Mitchell was driving her van on the wrong side of Missouri Interstate Highway 44 when she collided head-on with Houlihan's truck.  The head-on collision was extremely violent and as a result both drivers lost their lives.  Reporting officers have not determined what would have made Mitchell drive on the wrong side of Highway 44.  They have reported however that Mitchell drove about 5 miles in the wrong direction before striking Houlihan in the head-on collision.

The wrongful death attorneys at Schultz Legal Group have represented the surviving victims of deadly automobile collisions.  The incident becomes even more tragic and sensitive when both drivers lost their lives in the crash.  Missouri's Wrongful Death Statute permits recovery for the surviving family members against the decedent's automobile insurance company and/or estate.  The procedural requirements under the wrongful death statute are particularly complicated, especially when the collision involves multiple fatalities.  Only certain persons are entitled to recovery in this type of situation.

If you have lost a loved-one due to the negligent driving behavior of another motorist, contact Pacific Wrongful Death Lawyer Stephen Schultz and get the attorneys at Schultz Legal Group on your side!  Our attorneys are experienced in handling sensitive wrongful death claims and are here to fight for your legal rights.

Manuel Saldana was merging eastbound onto Missouri Interstate 70 in Saline County when a tractor-trailer crashed into his vehicle from behind.  Two small children in Saldana's vehicle sustained personal injuries as a result of this truck crash.  8 year-old Jennifer Jaime and 6 year-old Manuel Jaime sustained moderate personal injuries and were taken to I70 Medical Center by ambulance.  The 2007 Freightliner tractor-trailer being operated by Eric Thomas of St. Louis, Missouri, may have been going to fast for road conditions when it slammed into the back of the Chevrolet that carried young Jennifer and Manuel.  Missouri State Highway Patrol officers are still investigating the incident to determine if any citations should be issued to the driver of the tractor-trailer.

Stopping on the shoulder of any Missouri interstate highway is a gamble.  Motorists should make certain to pull over as far as possible, even into the grass if it is safe.  When merging back onto the highway, the driver should allow adequate merging distance to gain enough speed to safely enter the highway.  Our Missouri injury attorneys have handled countless personal injury cases where a automoble is merging back onto the highway and is struck by another car or tractor-trailer.  The resulting injuries have often times been catastrophic. 

Are you the victim of a careless or inattentive tractor-trailer driver?  Contact Missouri tractor-trailer injury attorney Stephen Schultz and get the experienced lawyers at Schultz Legal Group on your side!  Don't be victimized twice.

36 year-old Sharon Foster was attempting to pass on a two lane road when she failed to properly judge distance needed to safely pass, causing a serious head-on automobile collision.  25 year-old James Farrar of Cedar Hill Missouri sustained serious personal injuries and was rushed to St. Anthony's Medical Center by ambulance.  His passenger, 24 year-old Kimberly Farrar, was rushed to Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis Missouri by Arch Helicopter.  Tragically, Kimberly Farrar's personal injuries from this car crash proved fatal and she could not pull through.  Both cars were totalled as a result of this crash.

Passing on a two-lane highway is extremely risky.  This particular crash happened after 6 p.m., so visibility was dark and roads may have been a little icy due to recent cold weather throughout Missouri.  Authorities haven't commented on whether Sharon Foster will be issued a summons for causing this collision.  However, many fatal car accidents are caused by driver misjudgment in speed and distance when passing on two-lane highways.  The resulting head-on collisions are extremely violent and often cause catastrophic personal injuries.

If you have been injured or lost a loved on due to the neligence or carelessness of another driver, contact the experienced automobile accident attorneys at Schultz Legal Group to discuss the facts of your case.  If the claim involves one for wrongful death, many Missouri procedural requirements must be followed in order to properly recover what is afforded by the Missouri Wrongful Death Statute.  Contact injury attorney Stephen Schultz for a personal consultation to discuss these requirements.  Don't be victimized twice.

Icy roads may have contributed to a fatal automobile accident in Missouri Interstate Highway 70 on December 23.  The pileup caused numerous personal injuries and one fatality.  50 year-old Edwin Sargent of North Carolina originally survived the pileup but was then fatally struck by tractor-trailer being operated by Derell Boyd of Centralia Illinois.  Boyd's tractor-trailer completely destroyed Sargent's car, which was in the center median, before striking Boyd.

The surviving next of kin of Edwin Sargent may have viable claim for wrongful death against the operator of the tractor-trailer and/or any other persons determined to be negligent in causing this collision.  Even though the incident involved several vehicles and bad weather, it will be up to investigators and the courts to utlimately determine if something could have been done to avoid causing these personal injuries and wrongul death.

Visit the Schultz Legal Group injury victim website for information on Missouri law and helpful hints in assisting those injured in automobile accidents and tractor-trailer crashes.  Don't be victimized twice.

21 year-old Natasha Rogers was seriously injured yesterday in an automobile collision near Camdenton Missouri.  Authorities report that she was preparing to make and was rear-ended by a 1999 Dodge being driven by 22 year-old Tiffany Miller of Eldridge Missouri.  Miller's car struck the car that Rogers was riding in as a passenger, causing total damages to both vehicles.  The impact was so violent that Miller's automobile then crossed the center line and was struck head-on by a third vehicle.  Rogers sustained serious personal injuries as a result of the collision and taken by ambulance to Lake Regional Hospital on Highwah 54 near Highway KK.

Rear-end collisions are commonly caused by inattention or following too close to another vehicle.  Typically in Missouri there will be a presumption that the car that rear-ended another vehicle was negligent in failing to 'exercise care' in the operation of a motor vehicle.  Our Missouri injury attorneys often find that when deposing the officer that took the crash report, that the driver that rear-ended our client could have avoided the collision by exercising prudent and careful driving habits.  Accordingly, many of these types of collisions could be completely avoided.

Have you been rear-ended by a negligent driver?  Contact Missouri automobile accident attorney Stephen Schultz and get the experienced lawyers at Schultz Legal Group on your side.  Visit our automobile accident injury victim information center for helpful tips in getting through these trying times.

This serious automobile collision occurred just south of Holt Missouri on Interstate 35 in Clay County.  Authorities report that numerous motorists sustained personal injury and two people died as a result of the crash.  The chain reaction of collisions was reportedly caused by a Saturn that lost control and entered the lane of oncoming traffic.  A Ford Explorer packed with travelers from Wisconsin was also involved in the collision and several of the occupants sustained moderate personal injuries.

Missouri Highway Patrol officers working the scene report that the collision may have been caused by numerous circumstances, including excessive speed on a slick road surface and perhaps inattention. 

If you have sustained personal injuries as a result of a negligent or careless driver, contact Missouri accident attorney Stephen Schultz for a personal consultation.  Get the experienced injury lawyers at Schultz Legal Group on your side and don't be victimized twice. 

Missouri State Highway Patrol have not confirmed whether or not icy road conditions caused a serious automobile collision on Interstate 70 near Warrenton Missouri.  The accident happened around noon on Tuesday and involved several cars and tractor-trailers.  Westbound traffic on Interstate 70 was completely shut down for about an hour as motorists who suffered severe personal injuries were treated and removed from their cars.  One wrongful death was reported as result of this collision that involved nearly 15 cars.

The stretch of Highway 70 in between St. Louis and Kansas City is heavily traveled by both automobiles and tractor-trailers.  There are tractor-trailer accidents that happen on this span of highway on a daily basis.  When the weather is questionable, Highway 70 can become stop and go in populated areas such as Warrenton, Columbia, and Boonville.  Missouri Highway Patrol advises those traveling on this busy roadway to exercise special care when the weather turns cold.

If you have been injured in a Missouri automobile accident or truck crash, contact St. Louis serious injury attorney Stephen Schultz and get his experienced injury lawyers on your side!  The injury lawyers at Schultz Legal Group are available anytime to personally discuss your claim.  Don't be victimized twice. 

Missouri State Highway Patrol have not confirmed whether or not icy road conditions caused a serious automobile collision on Interstate 70 near Warrenton Missouri.  The accident happened around noon on Tuesday and involved several cars and tractor-trailers.  Westbound traffic on Interstate 70 was completely shut down for about an hour as motorists who suffered severe personal injuries were treated and removed from their cars.  One wrongful death was reported as result of this collision that involved nearly 15 cars.

The stretch of Highway 70 in between St. Louis and Kansas City is heavily traveled by both automobiles and tractor-trailers.  There are tractor-trailer accidents that happen on this span of highway on a daily basis.  When the weather is questionable, Highway 70 can become stop and go in populated areas such as Warrenton, Columbia, and Boonville.  Missouri Highway Patrol advises those traveling on this busy roadway to exercise special care when the weather turns cold.

If you have been injured in a Missouri automobile accident or truck crash, contact St. Louis serious injury attorney Stephen Schultz and get his experienced injury lawyers on your side!  The injury lawyers at Schultz Legal Group are available anytime to personally discuss your claim.  Don't be victimized twice. 

Cold and icy road conditions throughout Missouri caused numerous automobile accidents on Tuesday.  There was a large pileup near Springfield Missouri this afternoon on Highway 44 and Highway 65, on the westbound exit ramp.  A tractor-trailer and several cars collided on the ramp and numerous motorists sustained personal injuries.  Several injured drivers were ambulated at taken to St. John's Medical Center and Cox Memorial Hospital in Springfield. 

Icy road conditions require motorists to exercise responsible driving habits, including reducing their speed and increasing the distance between each car and truck.  Pay special attention to bridges and overpasses, which can easily freeze overnight and cause a dangerous road condition.  Tractor-trailer drivers should pull over and wait out the dangerous conditions.  These big trucks take an increased distance to stop, and when roads are icy and slick, tractor-trailers take require even more distance to stop or avoid a collision with slowing traffic.

Missouri Department of Transportation has set up a road condition line for motorists to check status of Missouri's highways.  Drivers should call 1-888-275-6636 when roadways may be icy and check status of their travel route.  If you have been sustained personal injury as a result of a careless or imprudent driver, contact Missouri Injury Lawyer Stephen Schultz and get the experienced attorneys at Schultz Legal Group on your side!  Our lawyers are available at (314) 448-0934, toll free (866) 840-3636, by email, or online.  Visit our Missouri personal injury victim information center for more information. 

A fatal automobile crash was reported to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Friday evening near Camdenton Missouri (Lake of the Ozarks).  36 year-old Victor Torres was killed when his car crossed the center line and collided head-on with a 2004 Chevrolet being driven by Dean Garske of Warrensburg Missouri.  Garske and his wife Kathy Garske were both rushed by ambulance to Lake Ozark Regional Medical Center in Osage Missouri.  Both Dean and Kathy were reported as having serious personal injuries as a result of this automobile collision.

Authorities are not aware of what caused Torres to allow his vehicle to cross the center line.  Because this car crash involved a fatality, authorities will not have the final 'official' police accident report completed for a couple of weeks.  In contacting the Highway Patrol, Troop F did not confirm or deny whether a crash recontstruction report would be created for this accident.  Crossing the center line can cause catastrophic injury and death, as was the case in this particular incident. 

Missouri personal injury claims against a decedent's insurance company are particularly tricky.  First, the person who may ultimately be held responsible for causing the collision is dead, which is tragic in and of itself.  Second, in some cases an 'estate' may have to be opened to represent the decedent, or in the alternative, the defendant ad litem.  Lastly, because the crash involved a fatal injury, there are certain Missouri procedural concerns that must be properly addressed in order for the personal injury victim to recover from any insurance company.  Contact Missouri injury lawyer Stephen Schultz to discuss your injury claim and how Missouri's procedural requirements may be applicable.

Jesse Robbins of Bland Missouri slid across the center line of traffic on Route Y in Osage County causing a head-on collision with a 2003 Chevy.  The car crash was severe, and 3 occupants in the Chevy sustained serious personal injuries as a result of the collision.  27 year-old Michael Jarvis, 23 year-old Jason Hafley and 38 year-old Wendy Jarvis were all ambulated and taken to Phelps County Hospital for emergency medical care.  Authorities have not issued summons yet in the crash, but suspect that slick roads may have been to blame. 

Head-on automobile crashes nearly always cause serious personal injury to drivers and passengers involved.  Head-on collisions can result from mere inattention, inclement weather, or a combination of both.  The property damage is often severe, causing a total loss to cars and trucks involved.  Missouri motorists need to keep in mind that crossing the center line of traffic happens regularly in two-lane highways.  If there are no barriers in between oncoming traffic, the resulting collision will be catastrophic.  Authorities recommend that motorists pay special attention on these types of roads and if they notice an oncoming car crossing the center line, to use the shoulder if necessary to take evasive action to avoid a collision. 

Have you or a family member been victimized by an inattentive or negligent driver?  Visit the Schultz Legal Group injury victim website for helpful information and advice on how to cope during this difficult time.  Missouri injury attorney Stephen Schultz and his experienced lawyers are available any time to meet with injury victims in their homes, office, or hospital room. 

22 year-old Tabitha Pratt of Sikeston Missouri sustained serious personal injury in an automobile crash in Southeast Missouri late Sunday afternoon.  Authorities report that 41 year old Peggy Butrum failed to yield to Pratt's late model Dodge, thus causing this car collision.  Missouri State Highway Patrol report that Pratt was ambulated and rushed to St. Francis medical center in Cape Girardeau for emergency care. 

This automobile crash marks another of many serious collisions in New Madrid County Missouri this month.  Authorities report that inclement weather may be partially to blame for the increase in accidents.  Missouri motorists should keep in mind every time they travel on our state's roads that when the temperature drops below freezing, a potential for encountering black ice increases.  Drivers should pay special attention and adjust vehicle speed according to changes in road conditions. 

If you have been involved in a car crash or tractor-trailer collision and sustained personal injury, contact the Missouri injury lawyers at Schultz Legal Group.  Our experienced Missouri injury attorneys may be contacted immediately via our website case evaluation form. 

December means Christmas parties, social gatherings, and inclement weather.  Put these together and statistically you have one the deadliest months of the year to be driving Missouri roads.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that in December 2007, almost 1000 motorists were wrongfully killed on the nation's roadways due to the carelessness of a drunk driver.  The NHTSA considers a blood alcohol level of .08 or higher as being 'drunk'.  In Missouri, you will be arrested for operating a motor vehicle with a B.A.C. of .08 or higher.NHTSA Driving Statistics.pdf.   

In the state of Missouri last December there were 68 incidents of automobile collisions and tractor-trailer crashes that resulted in a wrongful death.  21 of these fatalities involved a driver who was impaired by alcohol (.08 BAC or higher).  Couple drunken driving with slick roads and there is a fair chance that catastrophic personal injuries may result.  The Missouri Department of Transportation Safety and local authorities are ramping up enforcement of laws so don't take a chance and incarceration, serious personal injury, or even death. 

Some safe tips to keep in mind when navigating Missouri roads in the month of December:

• If you plan to attend a Christmas party, make riding arrangements before you even get to the party
• Contact your local MADD or SADD organizations to arrange for a sober driver
• When approaching intersections at night, even if the light is green pay special attention to all incoming means of traffic in case someone fails to stop or is sliding on slick roads while attempting to stop
• If you notice another driver that is acting impaired, contact local authorities and report the license plate number and make of the vehicle.  However, do not attempt to follow/pursue the impaired driver yourself
• Call a Taxi...its the easiest way to guarantee a sober ride home

If you have been injured in an automobile accident or truck crash, seek medical treatment immediately and then contact St. Louis accident and Missouri injury lawyer Stephen Schultz to discuss your case.  His injury lawyers never charge attorneys fees unless they are successful in the prosecution of your personal injury claim.

Injury victims may also visit our website, Schultz Legal Group, for helpful information to assist in the handling of these types of claims.  

The weather in Missouri over the past few days has been causing automobile collisions all over the state.  Tractor-trailer accidents across the state have caused injuries in numerous stretches of Missouri highways, according to a recent influx in Missouri State Highway Patrol crash reporting.  Just past Friday, a horse trailer near Kansas City Missouri drove over black ice on a stretch of Highway 435 resulting in several horses being destroyed.


Authorities are pleading with Missouri car drivers and tractor-trailer operators to slow down and use extra care in navigating highways in this type of weather.  Just as in the recent crash near Kansas City, motorists can unexpectedly hit a patch of 'black ice' causing their car or truck to lose control.  The resulting loss of control may cause the driver and others serious personal injuries.  So think twice before you rush to your next destination in this type of dangerous weather.



If you are involved in an automobile accident or tractor-trailer crash, contact the experienced Missouri injury lawyers at Schultz Legal Group for an immediate consultation.    

A 1966 Farmhill tractor caused a serious automobile collision late Saturday afternoon near Lancaster Missouri.  Anita and Charles Jackson were reportedly driving eastbound on Missouri highway 136 near Lancaster when they approached a tractor being operated by 50 year-old Samuel Kerby of Glenwood Missouri.  The Jackson's car collided with the tractor and ran off the roadway.  Both Anita and Charles Jackson sustained serious personal injury and were taken by ambulance to Northeast Regional Hospital in Missouri.  The 2001 Chevy in which the Jackson's were traveling in was totally destroyed, as was the farm tractor owned by Samuel Kerby. 

Traffic accidents in rural Missouri commonly include incidents involving farm equipment that is traveling on the roadway.  There are particular laws and Missouri statutes that address the rules these farm operators must observe when traveling in large farm equipment.  Depending upon the circumstances, operators may be negligent per se in failing to observe these laws.  Contact St. Louis accident and injury lawyer Stephen Schultz today for a consultation to discuss the facts of your injury claim.

A serious automobile crash occurred on US Highway 60 in Missouri on Friday December 12th near Monett Missouri.  Authorities report that Victor Byrd of Pierce City Missouri crossed the center line of traffic on Highway 60, crashing head-on into a 2003 Chevy with several occupants.  The driver of the other car, 43 year-old Tamara Roux sustained serious personal injuries and was flown to St. John's Hospital in Springfield Missouri for emergency treatment.  Her two children, 22 year-old Aimee Roux and 20 year-old Jeremy Roux also sustained personal injuries, but not as severe as their mother Tamara.  The two children were ambulated and taken to St. John's Hospital in Springfield as well.

Crossing the center line of traffic is becoming a leading cause of personal injuries to motorists in the State of Missouri.  Our personal injury lawyers have clients who are wheelchair bound due to this type of careless operation of a motor vehicle.  In addition to negligence per se, drivers who cross the center line of traffic may also be qualified as acting grossly negligent, which increases our clients' right to recovery.  We urge Missouri injury victims involved in automobile accidents to review Missouri's Statutory Rules of the Road, as laid out in Chapter 304 of the Missouri Revised Statutes.

So what else should you do when involved in a automobile accident in the State of Missouri?  First and foremost, seek immediate medical attention even if you "don't feel that hurt."  A common misconception in car accidents is that if it doesn't hurt, its not injured.  That isn't entirely accurate.  To the contrary, many injuries, primarily in the back and spine, won't manifest themselves for several hours or days.  Therefore, it is always a good rule of thumb to seek medical care for diagnostic treatment immediately following a car accident.  Then, contact St. Louis accident and injury attorney Stephen Schultz for a free consultation to discuss your claim.  The expert personal injury lawyers at Schultz Legal Group won't let you be victimized twice.

49 year-old Gary Beth didn't have much of a chance when another vehicle crossed the center line of traffic and struck his 2003 Chevy head-on late Tuesday afternoon.  Authorities report that 24 year-old Nicholas Harig allowed his Mitsubishi to drift over the center line and strike Gary Beth at a very high rate of speed.  The automobile collision was extremely violent and both cars sustained total damage.  Mr. Beth is a native of Rogersville Missouri.  Harig was a resident of Springfield Missouri.

The decedent's survivors of this tragic car crash may likely have a claim for wrongful death against several persons of interest.  Those persons of interest may include the driver of the other vehicle and any persons who may have 'entrusted' the other vehicle to its current driver.  Missouri law does recognize claims for negligent entrustment, which typically involve a situtation where one person, with knowledge of another person's dangerous tendencies behind the wheel, entrusts the vehicle to that person. 

To learn more about negligent entrustment, wrongful death, and negligence per se, visit the Schultz Legal Group injury victim information website.  Victims and their loved ones may also contact St. Louis Wrongful Death Lawyer Stephen Schultz directly at (314) 448-0934 for immediate legal assistance. The experienced personal injury lawyers at Schultz Legal Group won't let you be victimized twice.

Authorities report that 52 year-old Bessie McCabe sustained serious personal injuries in a car crash on Route O in Franklin County Missouri.  A 2007 Honda being operated by Angela McCracken pulled directly into the path of the Saturn that McCabe was riding in as a passenger.  The driver of the Saturn, Anita Berry, apparently did not sustain injury.  McCabe was ambulated and taken to St. John's Medical Center in Washington Missouri for treatment for her injuries. 

Missouri State Highway Parol officers have yet to issue summons to McCracken for pulling into the path of the Saturn and causing these injuries.  Both parties were reported to have valid automobile insurance.  Injury victims have certain things they should do to protect their legal interests in any subsequent civil claim arising out of an automobile crash.  Visit the Schultz Legal Group injury help center for answers to frequently asked questions or call St. Louis Injury Lawyer Stephen Schultz for immediate assistance. 
  

St. Louis Injury Lawyer Stephen Schultz represents those who are seriously injured every day in a automobile crashes and tractor-trailer accidents where a contributing cause is cell phone use.  Crossing the center line of traffic and driver inattention are reasons commonly cited by the Missouri Highway Patrol and local municipal law enforcement for catastrophic collisions on Missouri roadways.  Authorities report that 1 in every 7 crashes involved some type of cell phone distraction.

In today's technologically 'connected' world, most of us use our cell phones when driving in our automobile.  The bottom line is that it takes away from our concentration on the road and surrounding motorists.  Several Missouri State Representatives are discussing a plan to push through legislation in Jefferson City to ban cell phone use by drivers, or at least limit use to drivers that utilize a 'hands-free' type device.  States such as New Jersey, New York, and Illinois have already put such legislation into place.

Even more dangerous than talking on a cell phone when driving is texting or email messaging.  I found the results of a recent study in Columbia Missouri alarming.  Visit the Missourian for testing data.  Researchers concluded that reaction times for drivers who were text messaging were 35% slower, compared to only a 12% reduction in the reaction time for a drunk driver.  A driver's ability to stay in his/her own lane while text messaging is seriously compromised. 

The bottom line is that operating a car or tractor-trailer while on the phone is dangerous and may soon be considered illegal.  Statistics show that you are seriously increasing your chances of causing personal injury to yourself and others.  If you MUST make a phone call, use a hand-free device.  If you MUST respond to a text message or email, pull over into a parking lot and type your message.  Don't risk your life and those of others by causing a major crash...the phone call isn't worth it.

Mr. Schultz is the director of Schultz Legal Group, where he is exclusively dedicated to the practice of personal injury litigation. Missouri personal injury attorney Stephen Schultz speaks for the victims and survivors of accidental injury and death claims.  Stephen can be reached by email 24 hours a day.  

 

 

40 year-old Fenton Missouri resident Joseph Eggers reportedly lost control of his large Sterling flatbed truck and struck several vehicles, causing serious personal injuries to several Missouri motorists.  Authorities report that Eggers may have lost control due to the icy pavement on Gravois Road just west of Summit Drive in Jefferson County Missouri.  The out-of-control truck crashed into several vehicles. 

Those who sustained serious personal injuries in the crash include Vanna Rice and her 4 year-old daugther Gabrielle Rice and Gregory Van Horn.  Gabrielle and Vanna Rice were ambulated and rushed to St. John's Mercy Medical Center for emergency treatment.  Gregory Van Horn was taken to St. Anthonys Medical Center for treatment of his personal injuries. Thankfully no other serious injuried were reported despite the major property damage caused to the vehicles.

Owners and operators of trucks must exercise a "high degree of care" in the operation of thier large vehicles.  Depending on the size and weight of these trucks, many drivers are required to obtain a CDL (Commercial Drivers License) in order to operate this type of vehicles.  Missouri's commercial drivers license safety manual says that these drivers are commonly referred to as "specialists".  As such they must exercise extreme prudency, especially when there is inclement weather such as rain, snow and sleet.  While the Missouri State Highway Patrol has not issued a summons yet in this crash, the driver of this flatbed truck may still be legally liable for the serious personal injuries sustained by these innocent Missouri motorists.

Have you been injured in a automobile accident or truck crash.  Contact St. Louis accident and injury attorney Stephen Schultz today and get the experienced injury lawyers at Schultz Legal Group on your side.  Don't be victimized twice.

23 year-old Ste Genevieve native Robert Whittu sustained serious personal injuries in a automobile crash near White Sands Missouri.  The crash occurred on December 7th as Whittu was driving his Ford Fiesta on Sugar Bottom Road when a Ford Mustang, being driven by 16 year-old Trentin Parker, crossed the centerline and struck Whittu head-on.  The collision was extremely violent, causing severe damage to both vehicles.

41 year-old Deborah Yarbrough was riding as a passenger in Whittu's car and also sustained catastrophic personal injuries.  Yarbrough was taken by Air EVAC Lifeteam to St. John's Medical Center in St. Louis.  St. John's Medical Center is one of the only Level-1 trauma center's in eastern Missouri.  Whittu was taken by Arch helicopter to St. Louis University Hospital.  Both persons are listed in serious condition.

Authorities have not reported why 16 year-old Bloomsdale resident Trentin Parker crossed the centerline of traffic and caused this head-on collision.  Although a common cause of crossing over the centerline is inattention and failure to keep a proper lookout ahead.  These causes are also presumptions that this driver may be considered as being negligent per se due to Parker's failure to observe and comply with Missouri's Statutory Rules of the Road.  To learn more about your causes of action against a Missouri driver who has been 'negligent per se' Missouri accident and injury attorney Stephen Schultz for a personal consultation.  Get the experienced injury lawyers at Schultz Legal Group on your side!   

Verne Massey didn't see it coming as she pulled her Ford Escort off the shoulder on eastbound Highway 44 near St. Robert Missouri.  She apparently had pulled her car over on the shoulder to avoid a previous accident.  Without warning, a tractor-trailer being operated by Andrew Smith started skidding on the wet pavement and the trailer violent struck Massey's car.  Authorities report that both Verne and her grandson Page Massey sustained personal injuries in this truck crash.  Both were taken by Pulaski ambulance to Phelps County Regional Medical Center. 

Andrew Smith, the driver of the 2004 Freightliner tractor-trailer, was reported to be licensed in Illinois to operate his truck.  Smith must still follow the Missouri Statutory Rules of the Road as well as abide by the Federal Regulations set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.  Driving in inclement weather requires drivers of these large trucks to pull off the side of the road or exercise increased care in the operation of their rigs.  Exercising due care means drivers must slow down to compensation for slower stopping distances that may come with slick roads and poor visibility.

If you are the victm of a negligent truck driver, call the St. Louis Injury Lawyer Stephen Schultz and the Missouri trucking injury lawyers at Schultz Legal Group to discuss your claim.  Our experienced lawyers will begin immediately preserving critical evidence such as driver log books, shipping manifests, QUALCOMM data modules, and driver qualification files.  Injury victims can also visit the Schultz Legal Group truck crash injury victim website for helpful points and answers to frequently asked questions.