Missouri Injury Attorney Blog

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, William H. Pridemore, 51, of Quincy, Illinois was taken to the hospital after he was hit from behind by a 2007 Mack dump truck on the morning of December 28, 2009.

This commercial trucking accident transpired on Missouri Highway 6, about two miles east of Kirksville, when the 2003 Freightliner van, driven by Pridemore, was stopped and attempting to turn left when he was struck in the rear by the Mack truck, driven by Edwin E. West, 48, of Kirksville. The van then traveled off the right side of the roadway and came to a rest. Pridemore was then transported by ambulance to Northeast Regional Medical Center with serious personal injuries.

The dangers of 18-wheeler and large commercial trucks are prevalent in that drivers of smaller, commuter vehicles who are involved in accidents with these large trucks are likely to suffer serious personal injuries such as broken bones, brain and spinal cord damage, or even death. On the other hand, the drivers of these large trucks often walk away from these crashes unscathed.

Negligence on the part of large truck drivers is unacceptable and they, along with their employers, must be held accountable for their actions. Missouri 18-wheeler accident attorney, David Payne, will be glad to review your claim if you or a family member has suffered personal injuries or death due to the negligence of large truck drivers.

Contact David Payne anytime at 417.847.7516 for a free consultation and an outline of your legal rights and options.

Below are some statistics provided by the Missouri Department of Transportation.

• In 2007, there were a total of 72,155 crashes that involved passenger cars in Missouri.
• The percentage of these crashes that resulted in fatalities was about 0.06 percent.
• In 2007, there were a total of 5,052 crashes that involved 18-wheeler and large trucks.
• The percentage of these crashes that resulted in fatalities was about 2.0 percent.

As you can see from the statistics above, 18-wheeler and large truck accidents are nearly four times more likely to result in fatalities than accidents involving passenger cars. These accidents can often be life changing for the persons involved and their families.

Based on the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s accident report, it appears that the driver of the dump truck failed to slow down or didn’t see Pridemore as he was attempting to turn. If that was the case, both the truck driver and his employer could be held liable for the accident and the injuries that resulted from the crash.

This particular accident could have happened because the truck driver was careless and didn’t slow down. The 18-wheeler truck’s brakes could have failed. Or the truck driver could have been distracted. All of these are the most common causes of large truck accidents in the United States.

If you or a loved one has suffered personal injuries or death in an accident where an 18-wheeler or large truck was involved, you would be well-advised to contact experienced Missouri 18-wheeler accident attorney, David Payne, who will help determine who should be held responsible.

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Posted In: Advice for the Injured , Auto Accidents , Brain Injury , Commerical Trucking Wrecks , Insurance Claims , Spinal Cord Injury , Wrongful Death Claims & Litigation

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Jemma Dant, 28, of St. Louis, died in December 2005 when an 18-wheeler truck hit her vehicle and forced it into another truck on I-44 near St. Louis, MO.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed due to the negligence of another on Missouri’s roadways, contact auto accident attorney David Payne. He has the experience you need to help you through all the aspects of your accident and take one more step in keeping our roadways safe.

A panel has just recently ruled that the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) must claim responsibility. The panel was ordered to pay $1.3 million to the family of Jemma Dant because of the fact that they failed to give enough warning of the halted traffic on the Interstate.

The attorney representing Dant’s family stated, “The whole argument is that if you (MoDOT) just would have warned the motorists of the traffic backup, the crash wouldn’t have occurred. If there’s going to be something unexpected on a highway, you have to warn people about that.”

Auto accident victims who are injured by a negligent driver can receive compensation that covers the following:
• Medical expenses
• Loss of wages
• Cost of physical therapy
• Other damages relating to the accident

A skilled auto accident attorney at David Payne Law will also look into whether a dangerous road condition could have contributed to the accident, like in the case of Jemma Dant. If that was the case, then the government agency responsible for maintaining that particular roadway could be held liable for damages, as well.

Call David anytime at 417.847.7516 for a free, no-obligation consultation.

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Posted In: Advice for the Injured , Auto Accidents , Commerical Trucking Wrecks , Wrongful Death Claims & Litigation

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Two gentelmen suffered serious personal injuries in a Missouri 18-wheeler accident on July 14, according to a report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Mark L. Mickel, 43, of Matthews, MO, was traveling westbound on Highway 32 in a 1996 International truck when he crossed the center line and hit a 2005 Chevrolet Uplander, driven by Stephen K. Nixon, 62, of St. Louis, MO. Mickel went off the left side of the road and hit a tree. Nixon went off the right side and overturned. Both men were taken to St. Genevieve County Hospital with minor personal injuries.

So many of these accidents result in serious injuries and death, but luckily this Missouri commercial truck accident resulted in only minor injuries for the persons involved.

I wish the best for these two gentlemen in their recoveries.

Although there were less large truck-related accident deaths in 2008 (4,229) compared to 2007 (4,822), too many Americans continue to perish in 18-wheeler and large trucking accidents. Although some of these accidents do not occur at the fault of the truck driver or trucking company, there are still steps that they can take to prevent accidents.

Steps that truck drivers can take include, but are not limited to, the following:

•Do not drive when fatigued
•Always check your blind spots
•Stay a safe distance behind other vehicles
•Properly maintenance your truck
•Reduce your speed in work zones
•Frequently inspect your truck
•Properly secure your cargo
•Practice defensive driving
•Always get plenty of rest before driving

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a Missouri 18-wheeler and large truck accident, please contact an experienced Missouri injury attorney at David Payne Law. David will properly investigate the evidence, assess your injuries, and pursue the maximum recovery that you deserve.

Contact David Payne at 417.847.7516 anytime for a free and comprehensive consultation.

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Posted In: Advice for the Injured , Auto Accidents , Commerical Trucking Wrecks , Insurance Claims , Wrongful Death Claims & Litigation

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The June 28 seven-vehicle pile-up that took place on the Will Rogers Turnpike left 10 people wrongfully dead and marked Oklahoma’s 32nd fatal 18-wheeler accident, according to a recent OKNews article.

Seven federal investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board, along with local investigators, looked through the remains of one of Oklahoma’s deadliest highway crashes. Capt. Craig Medcalf of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) determined that the tractor trailer was roadworthy and its brake pads were in good condition.

"In an accident of this magnitude, everything’s going to be closely looked at,” Medcalf said.

The truck’s driver, Donald Creed, 76, of Willard, MO, could face up to 10 negligent homicide charges, Ottawa County District Attorney Eddie Wyant said.

The 18-wheeler is owned by Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) of Kansas City, KS. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), AWG has a satisfactory rating. The FMSCA’s records show no problems with the company’s drivers and they have an above-average-out-of-service-rate, which is how frequently the trucks have been taken off of the road after a safety threat is found.

On the afternoon of the crash, Larry Smith, of Tulsa, OK, was stuck in traffic on I-44, along with his wife, granddaughter, and one of her friends, on their way to Branson to celebrate his granddaughter’s birthday.

Smith’s wife, Marcella, heard the crash. “All of a sudden we heard this pow-pow-pow there. There was no horn. No screeching. No anything,” said Marcella.

The OHP determined that Creed was in “apparently normal” condition with no sign of drug s or alcohol and he was not using a cell phone.

A cruise-control device revealed that Creed’s truck was traveling at 71 mph at the time of the crash, Horton said. The speed limit on that stretch of the turnpike is 75 mph.

"We actually interviewed truck drivers that were immediately behind him, they all were able to detect the backup so they started backing off and slowing down,” said Patrol Captain Scott Horton. "He just pulled away.” Troopers saw no signs or evidence of braking by Creed, continued Horton. "No skid marks,” he said. "We didn’t see any visible signs of braking.”

“While Creed was within federal daily driving limit requirements, fatigue could have played a factor in the crash,” Horton said. “It will be at least a month before a report will be ready to turn over to prosecutors,” he added

Clayton Boyce, vice president of public affairs for the American Trucking Association, offered condolences to the victims’ families. Little can be said until after the investigation is complete, he stated.

Families in which loved ones have perished or suffered personal injuries due to an 18-wheeler accident, like this one, would be well-advised to retain the services of experienced Missouri 18-wheeler accident attorney, David Payne. David Payne Law will help determine the facts of the case, identify the negligent parties, and attempt to hold them responsible.

Where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, families of deceased traffic accident victims are able to file a wrongful death claim. Such a claim compensates the victim’s families for the death of their loved one that may have been caused by the negligence of another party.

Contact David Payne at 417.847.7516 for a free, no obligation consultation. David will outline your legal rights and the options you have regarding your claim.

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Posted In: Advice for the Injured , Auto Accidents , Commerical Trucking Wrecks , Wrongful Death Claims & Litigation

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A Missouri 18-wheeler accident leaves a Clarence girl with serious personal injuries.

Kelli A. Chittum was taken to Samaritan Hospital on the afternoon of June 30, 2009 after a 2005 Freightliner, driven by Bronius Steponavicius, 52, of Schiller Park, IL, rear-ended the 1994 Volvo she was in. Chittum was stopped in a construction zone, along with Howard W. McConnell, 89, of Leonard, MO, when Steponavicius hit her. This caused Chittum to then hit the rear of McConnell’s 2001 Mercury.

In this commerical trucking case, it is not clear why the negligent driver did not stop; it could have been a number of reasons:

•Bad weather
•Sleep Deprivation by the truck driver
•Use of drugs or alcohol by the driver
•Improper upkeep of the truck
•Malfunction of the truck’s brakes
•Improper loading
•Driver inattention

In a crash involving a 30-ton truck and a 3-ton car, the automobile never comes out on top. The occupants of the car are likely to sustain serious personal injury or wrongful death in accidents that involve 18-wheeler and large trucks.

If you or a loved one has suffered personal injuries or death in an accident where an 18-wheeler or large truck was involved, you would be well-advised to contact experienced Missouri 18-wheeler accident lawyer, David Payne, who will help determine who should be held responsible.

Time is of the essence in cases such as these. Trucks involved in accidents may be fixed and return to the road promptly. As a result, critical evidence may be lost. This is why it is important to contact a Missouri 18-wheeler lawyer in a timely manner.

Lawsuits involving truck accidents often include a thorough investigation of facts surrounding the accident. This includes a review of inspection logs, compliance audits, truck driver logs, and other records that relate to previous accidents involving the truck driver in your case. David Payne Law, LLC will carefully review these facts to determine that the truck driver was to blame for your accident.

Missouri 18-wheeler accident lawyer, David Payne, will be glad to review your claim if you or a family member has suffered personal injuries or death due to the negligence of large truck drivers.

Contact David Payne anytime at 417.847.7516 for a free consultation and an outline of your legal rights and options.

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Posted In: Advice for the Injured , Auto Accidents , Commerical Trucking Wrecks , Insurance Claims

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A Missouri Interstate 70 tractor-trailer accident leaves an Independence girl with serious personal injuries. This is the type of case where an experienced injury lawyer can help the family of this injured girl through the minefield of issues that undoubtedly awaits them.

About 9:45 in the evening on June 29, 2009, Ashley R. Sutton, 17, was driving eastbound on Interstate 70 in her 1996 Saturn near mile marker 19. Tony L. Smith, 53, of Seale, AL was also traveling eastbound in a 2007 Freightliner 18-wheeler truck. As Smith was attempting to change lanes, he struck Sutton. Sutton was then transported to St. Mary’s Medical Center in Blue Springs, to be treated for personal injuries.

Negligence is one of the leading causes in many 18-wheeler truck accidents like this one. The most common factors involving negligence can include the following:

•Driver fatigue
•Use of drugs and/or alcohol
•Distraction
•Inattention
•Speeding
•Reckless driving

If you or a loved one have been injured or has died due to an accident involving an 18-wheeler or other large trucks, contact experienced Missouri 18-wheeler accident attorney David Payne. Truck accident lawsuits are often defended strongly by insurance and trucking companies. This is why you are well-advised to grasp our extended hands of helping here at David Payne Law, LLC.

Under Missouri law, both the driver and the owner of the truck may be held liable for injuries resulting from a Missouri 18-wheeler accident. Recovery may be made for things that include:

•Lost wages
•Medical bills
•Pain and suffering resulting from the accident
•Emotional trauma

Negligence on the part of large truck drivers is unacceptable and they, along with their employers, must be held accountable for their actions. Missouri 18-wheeler accident attorney, David Payne, will be glad to review your claim if you or a family member has suffered personal injuries or death due to the negligence of large truck drivers.

Contact David Payne anytime at 417.847.7516 for a free consultation and an outline of your legal rights and options.

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Posted In: Commerical Trucking Wrecks

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An 18-wheeler accident on I-44 in the northeast corner of Oklahoma on June 26, 2009, leaves 10 people dead and numerous others injured.

According to a June 28 article from the Associated Press, the driver of an 18-wheeler truck, Donald Creed, 76, of Willard, MO, failed to slow down for a previous accident that had traffic lined up on the Will Rogers Turnpike near mile marker 321. The semi-truck collided with several cars, which then caused a chain reaction where seven cars were either damaged or destroyed. Creed’s truck came to a rest on top of three vehicles.

One of the vehicles involved in this I-44 18-wheeler accident was that of the Hayes family, who were traveling to a funeral in Missouri. Randal Hayes, 38, Shelby Hayes, 35, and Ethan Hayes, 7, all of Frisco, TX, died as a result of the crash on that Friday afternoon. Shelby’s mother, Cynthia Olson, 55, of Crossroads, TX, also died in the wreck caused by the truck.

Other victims included Oral Hooks, 69, Earlene Hooks, 63, Antonio Hooks, 42, and Dione Hooks, 41, all of Oklahoma City, OK. The Hooks family was headed to Missouri to visit Ronnie Hooks. "They were on their way to see me in St. Louis," Hooks said. "I was to be ordained as an elder in the Church of God and Christ."

Ricardo Reyes, 39, and Ernestina Reyes of Phoenix, AZ perished in the crash, as well. Their daughter, Andrea Reyes, 12, was taken to Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, MO and is in serious condition.

My heart goes out to all of the families involved in this accident. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Alcohol was not involved in this accident, but an initial Oklahoma Highway Patrol report stated that Creed was traveling at an unsafe speed for the traffic conditions. Families in which loved ones have perished or suffered personal injuries due to an 18-wheeler accident, like this one, would be well-advised to retain the services of experienced Missouri 18-wheeler accident attorney, David Payne. David Payne Law will help determine the facts of the case, identify the negligent parties, and attempt to hold them responsible.

Where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, families of deceased traffic accident victims are able to file a wrongful death claim. Such a claim compensates the victim’s families for the death of their loved one that may have been caused by the negligence of another party.

Contact David Payne at 417.847.7516 for a free, no obligation consultation. David will outline your legal rights and the options you have regarding your claim.

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Posted In: Commerical Trucking Wrecks

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According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, two residents of Lamar, MO were taken to the hospital after they were hit from behind by an 18-wheeler truck on the afternoon of June 15, 2009. This Missouri 18-wheeler accident transpired on Highway 71, three miles south of Lamar, when a 2005 Buick, driven by John Wagaman, 78, was attempting to change lanes and was struck in the rear by a 2006 Freightliner, driven by Eric M. Fields, 37, of Billings, MO. The Buick ran off of the highway and came to rest in a ditch. Wagaman and his passenger, Nora Wagaman, 77, were taken to Barton County Memorial Hospital after sustaining personal injuries.

The dangers of 18-wheeler and large commercial trucks are prevalent in that drivers of smaller, commuter vehicles who are involved in accidents with these large trucks are likely to suffer serious personal injuries such as broken bones, brain and spinal cord damage, or even death. On the other hand, the drivers of these large trucks often walk away from these crashes unscathed.

Negligence on the part of large truck drivers is unacceptable and they, along with their employers, must be held accountable for their actions. Missouri 18-wheeler accident attorney, David Payne, will be glad to review your claim if you or a family member has suffered personal injuries or death due to the negligence of large truck drivers.

Contact David Payne anytime at 417.847.7516 for a free consultation and an outline of your legal rights and options.

Below are some statistics provided by the Missouri Department of Transportation:

• In 2007, there were a total of 72,155 crashes that involved passenger cars in Missouri.
• The percentage of these crashes that resulted in fatalities was about 0.06 percent.
• In 2007, there were a total of 5,052 crashes that involved 18-wheeler and large trucks.
• The percentage of these crashes that resulted in fatalities was about 2.0 percent.

As you can see from the statistics above, 18-wheeler and large truck accidents are nearly four times more likely to result in fatalities than accidents involving passenger cars. These accidents can often be life changing for the persons involved and their families.

Based on the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s accident report, it appears that the driver of the semi truck failed to slow down or didn’t see Wagaman as he was changing lanes. If that was the case, both the truck driver and his or her employer could be held liable for the accident and the injuries that resulted from the crash. This particular accident could have happened because the truck driver was careless and didn’t slow down. The 18-wheeler truck’s brakes could have failed. Or the truck driver could have been distracted. All of these are the most common causes of large truck accidents in the United States.

If you or a loved one has suffered personal injuries or death in an accident where an 18-wheeler or large truck was involved, you would be well-advised to contact experienced Missouri 18-wheeler accident attorney, David Payne, who will help determine who should be held responsible.

Posted by David Payne | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Advice for the Injured , Auto Accidents , Commerical Trucking Wrecks

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18-wheeler trucks are far more dangerous on our Missouri highways than smaller cars, trucks, or SUVs. These large trucks require more time to stop, they have larger blind spots, and they carry larger, heavier cargo. 18-wheeler trucks are also more susceptible to turning over due to their high center of gravity.

Some statistics for the state of Missouri provided by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration include:

• In 2007, 1,557 large trucks were involved in crashes in which passengers sustained personal injuries.
• In 2007, there were 2,332 injuries in crashes involving large trucks.
• Also, there were 136 fatalities in crashes involving large trucks in 2007.

If you or a loved one has suffered personal injuries or death in an accident where an 18-wheeler or large truck was involved, you would be well-advised to contact experienced Missouri 18-wheeler accident attorney, David Payne, who will help determine who should be held responsible.

Some causes of 18-wheeler and large truck accidents are listed below:
• Driver error
• Driver negligence
• Lack of proper maintenance of the truck
• Overloading the truck
• Driving at unsafe speeds

In Missouri accidents involving 18-wheeler or large trucks, it is the driver or the passengers of the smaller, commuter vehicles who suffer the most. 18-wheelers can weigh up to 40 tons and the impact of a truck that size crashing into a smaller vehicle can be enormous. Even when survivors emerge from the crash, injuries resulting from such accidents can be cataclysmic.

Missouri 18-wheeler accident attorney, David Payne, will be glad to review your claim if you or a family member has suffered personal injuries or death due to the negligence of large truck drivers.

Contact David Payne anytime at 417.847.7516 for a free consultation and an outline of your legal rights and options.

Posted by David Payne | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Advice for the Injured , Auto Accidents , Brain Injury , Commerical Trucking Wrecks

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