Monday morning's rush hour traffic triggered an accident involving 3 vehicles on Interstate 70 east in St. Charles County.  At approximately 8:20 AM, congestion on the interstate caused traffic to slow and stop near Mid Rivers.  Brenda Berrong (Oak Ridge) had brought her vehicle to a stop and Kevin King (O'Fallon) had stopped his vehicle behind hers.  21-year-old Hailey Newlin (O'Fallon) approached the traffic, but was unable to stop her vehicle, crashing in to the rear of King.  The force of the impact then pushed King's vehicle in to the rear or Berrong.  The 3-vehicle collision sent both King and Berrong to Barnes St. Peters for their injuries.  Newlin was reportedly uninjured. Our team of St. Charles personal injury lawyers are continuing to investigate this matter, specifically any reason behind Newlin's inability to stop her vehicle, ultimately causing 2 collisions. 

A number of factors could have contributed to this, including driver inattention, vehicle malfunction, alcohol or drug abuse, or weather conditions.  However, it is important to know that no matter what the contributing circumstances, if any, fault is often contested by insurance claims adjusters.  Kevin King and Brenda Berrong may be entitled to compensation for any damage done to their vehicle as well as payment for any injuries sustained. In a rear-end car accident, many injured parties attempt to resolve the claim without legal assistance but still get jerked around by claims adjusters.  From signing medical record release authorizations to a recorded statement, injury victims are often required to jump through hoops for an adjuster when they are not represented by an accident injury lawyer.

Often times, our personal injury lawyers are hired some time after the claim has started due to the fact that people attempt to handle it directly with an insurance company, only to find out that it is not as simple as expected.  The task is usually frustrating and untimely.  Insurance companies will typically argue fault or a "fair" amount of compensation, both of which are without merit.  With the assistance of a team of Missouri personal injury attorneys, we face the battle for you, objectively presenting your claim for what it's worth.  At the resolution of your injury claim, we guarantee your satisfaction or we do not get paid ourselves. We look forward to speaking with you on the details of your injury claim. 

Attorney involvement from the beginning of St. Louis car accident claim ensures that you will be able to focus on returning to the life you had prior to a motor vehicle crash, while our team works on your behalf for recovery.  After being injured by a negligent driver, we encourage you to pursue your claim to its maximum capacity, which we welcome to assist you with.

With a busy holiday weekend coming up, it is a good time to discuss how to stay safe on Missouri roads.  One of the most common causes of car accidents in Missouri is driver inattention.  Inattention can result in improper lane changes, head-on collisions, crossing the centerline of traffic, and rear-end accidents.  As a St. Louis car accident lawyer, I represent folks seriously injured or killed due to negligent driving habits of others.  Missouri law requires drivers to exercise the highest degree of care when driving a motor vehicle.  That includes paying attention at all times.  Failing to do so can result in negligence per se based on a violation of the Missouri Rules of the Road. 

So what can you do to avoid a car accident?  The first thing is try to travel at odd times, including very early morning, mid-afternoon, or early evening hours.  Avoiding rush hour traffic and road congestion increases your chances of avoiding an accident.  Many accidents take place because of road rage, which is more prevalent during peek driving hours.  Also, make it a habit of driving defensively.  Checking your mirrors on a regular basis and being aware of your surroundings greatly increases your ability to make an emergency maneuver to avoid a negligent driver.  Remember, when you slam on your brakes, others traveling behind you too close can cause a rear-end crash.  Always maintain a safe and appropriate following distance so to be able to rapidly slow down without causing a chain reaction collision.

Personal injury claims can carry on for months and years.  A bad Missouri car crash can cause serious debilitation, excessive medical expenses, and lost wages.  So you want to do everything possible to increase your odds of avoiding a car accident claim all together.  If you are involved in an accident, your chances of running into an unfair insurance claim adjuster are high, especially given the current economic climate, when large insurance companies are acting aggressive to save money by denying or minimizing bodily injury claims.  In the event you must file an injury claim, contact a St. Louis auto accident attorney to avoid being taking advantage of by an insurance claims adjuster.

With triple digit temperatures (hopefully) behind us, we are approaching yet another season of heavy motorcycle traffic.  Most motorcycle enthusiasts, including myself, take licensing and safety classes in preparation for motorcycle use.  But we all know that excitement and enthusiasm about riding can often times trump our availability to be conscious of operating safety.  As a St. Louis motorcycle accident attorney, I share a few basic reminders of what to be aware of as a cautious rider this season:

*Hill crests - the tops of hills can easily hide from motorcyclists what is on the other side.  Often times, sharp turns, other vehicles, or road debris are waiting on the other side of a hill crest.  Motorcycle drivers fail to see over a hill crest until the last second when it may be too late.  It is important to maintain a safe traveling speed when approaching the top of the hill in order to safely navigate around anything that may be on the other side.

*Potholes, unmarked construction sites and gravel in the roadway:  Any driver is sure to experience some surprises on the pavement they are traveling on.  Passenger cars and trucks are equipped with their larger size to roll over small obstructions on pavement and it goes unnoticed.  With a motorcycle, however, a piece of loose gravel or small pothole has potential to cause serious damage to both the bike and the rider.  Keep a preventable eye on the road and your surroundings at all times.  Many Missouri motorcycle accidents happen because of failure to safety navigate a pothole. 

*Nature:  Deer and other wildlife pose a threat to all drivers, with an added danger to motorcyclists.  Again, due to lack of vehicle structure being operated that would otherwise provide a barrier of protection with a driver of a car or truck, motorcycle drivers are essentially face-to-face with an animal in the event of striking one.  In addition to wildlife, environmental factors such as rain, dew or fog stage potentially unsafe roadways.  It is imperative to maintain a safe, smooth speed of travel with extra precaution around curves and intersections.

*Other drivers:  Motorcycle drivers are held to a higher standard of caution while driving and have an increased amount of factors to be aware of compared to motor vehicle drivers.  You are more than likely one of the most careful drivers on the road - when on a motorcycle, you are not distracted by a cell phone, eating, or messing with music or other passengers.  You are in control, focused, and in anticipation of any potential hazards. 

Remember that other motorists are not - they are distracted by a number of things and may not be paying attention to you.  Maintain a safe distance in between you and other vehicles, and always avoid anyone who looks like they do not have full control of their vehicle.  Keeping these few things in mind along with your basic knowledge of safely operating your motorcycle, you will contribute to the maintenance of Missouri's safe roads.  If you or someone you know has been injured while on a motorcycle, contact our St. Louis personal injury attorneys for assistance.

59-year old Alan Boydston of Plattsburg, Missouri, was driving west on Missouri 116 Tuesday afternoon when he began to slow his vehicle, assumingly for an upcoming left hand turn.  68-year old James Cockrill, a Texas resident, was driving a Ford 250 pickup on Missouri 116 behind Boydston, though failed to slow his truck, slamming in to the rear of Boydston's Chevrolet Cavalier.  Boydston was pushed off of the roadway and his vehicle immediately caught fire.  Emergency responders arrived and Mr. Alan Boydston was pronounced dead at the scene by the Clinton County coroner.  Mr. Cockrill was uninjured and able to independently leave the scene. 

It is unknown at this time if any charges or citations were given at the scene.Sadly, we have represented the families and survivors of many Missouri motorists who have met an untimely death as a result of a careless driver.  A fatal car accident is the highest level of 'injury' that one can experience, and is handled very similar to any injury claim with a surviving individual.  Victims and their families are entitled to compensation for any unforeseen expenses such as medical bills, loss of employment, emotional distress, funeral expenses, or future losses.In wrongful death claims or any claim with a deceased individual, specific legal action must be taken in order to properly obtain a settlement.  Our St. Louis personal injury and wrongful death attorneys have a strong record of success when representing individuals in this adverse situation. 

A Missouri wrongful death lawyer is available 24 hours a day and welcome the opportunity to speak with the surviving family members of a fatal car accident victim.  The protection of our clients is the top priority of any reputable Missouri personal injury law firm.