Missouri Injury Lawyers Blog

Christopher Guinther, 40, of Thompson, MO and Theresa Loschky, 42, of Centertown, MO were involved in a crash at 2:40PM on July 26 on US 50at Route U. According the MSHP Troop F the accident occurred as Guinther who was driving a 2000 Chevrolet Truck swerved onto Route U to miss a Fed Ex truck that was merging into the eastbound lane on US 50, causing him to strike a 2001 Chevrolet driven by Loschky. Both drivers received moderate injuries and were transported by EMS to Capital Region Hospital in Jefferson City.

According to the MSHP Troop F, on July 27th Rebecca Fisher, 35 of Hallsville, MO and her passenger, Shannon Fisher, 12 were stopped on Route B at McGee Road waiting to make a turn when her 1994 Toyota was struck in the rear by Adrien Creed, 19 of Centralia, MO who was driving a 2006 Ford Focus. All sustained minor injuries and were taken to Boone Hospital in Columbia.

For more information on avoiding rear-end accidents, visit this DriverThink article.

Gerald Hatfield, 42, and Dustin Hatfield, 10, both of Polo, MO were involved in a crash that occurred at 12:20AM on July 25 at Lake Drive south of Route D, 12 miles southeast of Marceline, MO in Chariton County. According to the MSHP Troop B, Gerald Hatfield was driving a 2004 Dodge when he went off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree. Dustin Hatfield sustained moderate injuries and was transported by private auto to Perishing Memorial Hospital in Brookfield, MO for medical treatment. The MSHP was assisted by the Chariton County Sheriff's Department.

According the MSHP arrest reports, Hatfield was arrested for 1) DWI, 2) Careless and Imprudent Driving, 3) Failure to Secure a Child, and 4) No Car Insurance. Hatfield is being held in the Chariton County jail.

Holly Marshall, 22, of Santa Fe, Tennessee, Danielle Sayevich, of Long Island, New York, and Lacie Tate, 21, of Grand Blanc, Michigan were involved in a one vehicle car crash in Macon County. The accident occurred at Logan Place, 7 miles southeast of Macon on July 21, 2010 at 11:15PM. According to the MSHP Troop B, Marshall was eastbound in a 2000 Chevrolet Blazer on Logan Place when she lost control on a gravel road and slid off the south side of the road. The vehicle struck an embankment and overturned, coming to rest on the driver side.

Marshall and Tate sustained moderate injuries and were transported by Macon County EMS to Samaritan Hospital in Macon. Sayevich sustained serious injuries and was transported by Air Evac. to University Hospital in Columbia. Troop B was assisted by Macon County Sheriff's Department, EMS, Fire and Rescue, and the Rural Fire Department.

When driving on gravel roads, you should watch out for loose edges, potholes, ruts, washouts, narrowing roadway, and any other surface variations. Slow down if visibility is reduced by dust thrown from other vehicles. For more driving tips on gravel roads, visit this site.

Carolyn Flynn, 38, of Gravois Mills, MO was pronounced dead at the scene of a crash by Morgan County Deputy M. Neinhaus. The accident occurred on Rt. J at Webb Road on July 20, 2010 at 1:16PM in Morgan County. According to the MSHP Troop F, the accident occurred when William Donnelly, 67, of Stover, MO was driving his 2010 Ford and crossed the centerline and struck Flynn. Flynn's 2000 Chevrolet overturned and exited the south side of the roadway and came to rest in a ditch.

Flynn had one passenger, Todd Stenzel, 47, of Gravois Mills, MO. Stenzel was transported to Lake Regional Hospital by Mid-MO EMS for treatment to moderate injuries. Flynn was transported to Kidwell-Garber Funeral Home. Stover sustained no injuries.

Continue reading "Fatal Head On Crash in Morgan County" »

This month Tatlow, Gump, Faiella & Wheelan LLC is celebrating twenty years of service by Sidney Eckman Wheelan, a partner with TGFW. Sidney joined the firm in 1990 as a paralegal. After working for a few years, she decided to attend law school but continued to work for the firm. Sidney graduated from the University of Missouri School of Law in 1999 and became an associate attorney at TGFW. Last summer, Sidney became a partner at TGFW.

During her time here, Sidney has successfully handled many claims for personal injuries, insurance bad faith, wrongful death, workers' compensation, social security disability and many other areas of litigation. She is a member of a variety of professional organizations, including the Missouri Association for Trial Attorneys and the American Association of Justice. Sidney is also active in many community organizations in Monroe and Randolph counties.

Matthew Powers, 21, of Osage Beach was operating a Tige Runabout boat that belonged to Linda Swineburg, also of Osage Beach on July 17. According to the Missouri State Water Patrol District 2, Powers' boat was pulling a wake boarder and a tube. Two women, Jessica Hendricks, 20, of Osage Beach and Bethann Smith, 21, of Linn Creek were riding the tube when the boat turned to close to the shore. The tube hit the shore and both females were ejected. The accident occurred around 6:18p.m. at Pin Oak Cove located in the Lake of the Ozarks.

Both Hendricks and Smith were taken to Lake Regional and then Flown to University Hospital in Columbia, MO.

Trenton Mendenhall, 28, and Casey Mendenhall, 26, both of Hillsboro, MO were both killed in a tragic wreck at 11:15 on July 12, 2010 at I- 55 at Little Saline Creek Bridge in. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, T. Mendenhall was driving a 2010 Volkswagon Beetle when he lost control and drove off the left side of the roadway and into the median. The vehicle then travelled between the two bridges, vaulted down an embankment and landed on its top. Both were pronounced dead at the crash scene by the St. Genevieve County Coroner and were then transported to the Basler Funeral Home.

Charles Dyson Jr., 36 and Kevin Matheson, 30, both of Jefferson City, MO were pronounced dead at the scene of a motor vehicle crash which occurred on Route J. .2 miles south of Old Rt. J. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that on July 16 at 11:00p.m. Dyson was driving a 1994 Ford Taurus, when he crossed the centerline and struck Matheson, who was driving a 1998 Dodge, head on.

Dyson and Matheson were both taken by Freeman Mortuary to Capital Region Medical Center in Jefferson City.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop F reported a crash on July 11, 2010 at 2:06p.m. on Highway 54 west of Route A in Audrain County. The accident occured when Charles Howdeshell, 50, of Vandalia, MO attempted to make a pass in his 1998 Pontiac and struck a 2004 Mazda driven by Douglas Hill, 50,of North Liberty, IA. Hill then travelled into the oncoming traffic lane and was struck head on by a 2008 Chevrolet, driven by Robert Becker , 50, of Laddonia, MO.

Howdeshell sustained no injury and was taken directly to the Audrain County Jail.

Hill sustained serious injuries and was taken by ambulance to Audrain Medical Center (AMC), and later flow to University of Missouri Hospital and Clinics (UMHC) in Columbia. Hill also had three passengers. Karen Ballenger, 51, and Jay Ballenger, 52, both of Tipton, IA who sustained serious injuries and were taken by ambulance to AMC. Hill's other passenger was Lynn Fraker,54, of North Liberty, IA, who was pronounced dead at the scene by Audrain County Coroner Pat Farnen.

Becker also sustained serious injuries and was taken by ambulance to AMC and later flow to UMHC in Columbia. Becker had four passengers; Denise Becker, 51, Mackenzie Becker, 21, Christopher Becker, 19, and Alexander Becker, 14, all of Laddonia, MO all of whom sustained moderate to serious injuries and were taken by amulance to AMC.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol was assisted by the Audrain County Sheriff's Department.

Gerald Parker, 69, of Bethany, MO sustained minor injuries on July 5, 2010 at 5:53 p.m. on U.S. 24 just 1 mile east of Keyetsville. According to Missouri State Highway Patrol, Parker was headed westbound in a 2003 Chrysler when he lost control on the wet roadway and travelled off the north edge of the roadway and overturned.

Parker refused treatment for minor injuries on the scene. The Missouri State Highway Patrol was assisted by the Chariton County Sheriff's Department and Chariton County Ambulance.

Vehicle tires in need of attention can lead to serious injuries, especially in inclement weather. You can help prevent hydroplaning by checking tire pressure and tread wear and tear regularly to reduce the likelihood of losing traction with the road during a rainstorm. Always be sure to give yourself extra time to get to your destination in bad weather. Allow extra room between yourself and vehicles in front of you since it is harder to slow down or stop when the roadway is wet or icy.

Cody Hill,17, of Moberly,MO, Ethan McAdams,16, of Clifton Hill, MO, and Joshua Bennet, 28, of Moberly, MO were involved in a two car crash on July 7,2010 at 11:45a.m. at the intersection of County Road 1330 and County Road 1635. McAdams was a passenger in Hills car, who was driving a 1999 Chevrolet. Bennett was the driver of a 2008 Chevrolet. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop B, Hill was southbound on County Road 1635 and Bennett was eastbound on 1330 when Hill failed to yeild at the intersection and he struck Bennett in the side.

All involved were transported by the Randolph County EMS to Moberly Regional Hospital. Hill was the only one wearing a seatbelt and sustained minor injuries while McAdams and Bennett sustained moderate injuries. The Missouri State Highway Patrol was assisted by the Randolph County Sheriff's Department and Randolph County First Responders.

Gravel roads and two-lane country blacktops present a variety of hazards to drivers. It is very important when traveling these types of roads to use extra caution. Often these roads are not as well cared for as major highways and have more hills, curves and limited signage.

Christopher Brandstetter, 31, of Moberly, MO and Shirley Brandenburg, 73, of Brookfield, MO were involved in a two vehicle crash on July 7, 2010 at 5:00a.m. on MO 5 south of Rt. C north of Keyestville in Chariton County, Missouri. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop B, Brandstetter was driving a 1983 Jeep going northbound in a southbound lane attempting to tow a vehicle when Brandenburg, operating a 1997 Pontiac southbound struck him.

Brandenburg was transported to Perishing Memorial Hospital by Chariton County Ambulance. Brandstetter sustained no injuries. The Missouri State Highway Patrol was assisted by Chariton County Sheriff's Department and Ambulance.

Cassie J. Carpenter, an Associate Attorney at Tatlow, Gump, Faiella and Wheelan, LLC, attended the Missouri Association of Trial Attorney's Convention at Lake of the Ozarks on June 24-27, 2010. The purpose of the convention is to allow trial attorneys from across the state to meet in order to exchange ideas, learn about the most recent changes in the law and learn about new technology that could assist in the management, settlement and trial of their cases. Lawyers must constantly keep up-to-date on the most recent court decisions, legislation and court rules in order to be effective at obtaining a favorable result for their clients. Conventions such as these help attorneys manage the continuously changing law. Ms. Carpenter attended sessions in which she was able to learn new litigation strategies, deposition tactics, successful methods for question key witnesses, presentation of evidence and maintenance of professional and ethical behavior in difficult circumstances.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a one vehicle crash on July 6,2010 at 7:07p.m. located on MO- 136/3.5 miles west of Unionville. The driver of a 2009 Toyota was 17 year old Austin Bruce of Lucerne, MO who sustained minor injuries. His passenger was 15 year old Riley Bruce, who sustained moderate injuries. A. Bruce failed to negotiate a curve causing him to run off the right side of the road, strike an embankment, becoming airborne, and later coming to rest in a fence row.

A. Bruce sought his own medical attention, while R. Bruce was transported by private vehicle to Putnam County Hospital and then transported by ambulance to Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville. Both were wearing seatbelts. The Missouri State Highway Patrol was assisted by the Putnam County Sheriff's Office.

Between 2005 and 2008, run-off road crashes have been the second leading cause of car crashes in Missouri. The Missouri Department of Transportation has begun installing additional safety measures to help drivers on Missouri roads. Some of these include installing rumble strips on the edgeline and centerline of roads, installing more chevrons to alert drivers to upcoming curves, and making curves and turn signs bigger so they're more visible to drivers.