Missouri Injury Lawyers Blog

Attorneys Rex Gump and Chris Faiella of Tatlow, Gump, Faiella & Wheelan, LLC obtained a global seven figure settlement on behalf of a couple who were injured when their pickup truck was struck from behind by a commercial box truck on a divided highway. The client's vehicle went off the right hand side of the roadway, struck a highway sign and continued into a ditch where it landed upside down. The husband sustained multiple broken bones and was hospitalized for an extensive period of time.

Our investigation revealed that the operator of the box truck was in the course and scope of his employment. It also revealed that he was operating a vehicle in a rain storm at a high rate of speed with his windshield fogged over. Numerous eyewitnesses and medical and police personnel were interviewed to determine these facts.

Continue reading "TGFW Attorneys Negotiate Large Settlement in Serious Truck Crash" »

The Missouri Department of Transportation maintains an interactive map to keep people informed about roadway conditions throughout the state. This is particularly helpful when winter weather hits and you need to know the condition of the roads you plan to travel. Visit the MODOT Traveler Information Map and stay safe.

Sleep apnea is extremely common among truck drivers, which makes sense considering their lifestyle. Studies have shown that 20 to 30 percent of automobile accidents that involve tractor-trailers occur due to sleep apnea. Proper diagnosis of the disease can be made by having a sleep study performed. There are different treatments for sleep apnea which could help reduce the amount of accidents on the road.

What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea occurs when normal breathing is reduced due to the muscles in the back of the throat becoming too relaxed.
When this occurs usually the person wakes up. Some people can wake up several times a night which can cause them to be extremely drowsy the next day.

Risk factors include:
Obesity- Over half of people with sleep apnea are obese.
Age- A person is more likely to suffer from sleep apnea if they are over age 40.
Nasal Obstruction- People with allergies, sinus problems, and/or a deviated septum can be more prone to sleep apnea.
Male- Men are twice as likely as women to have the disorder.
A large neck- Men- larger than 17 inches, women- larger than 15 inches.

• Signs and symptoms include:
• Trouble concentrating
• Forgetfulness
• Difficulty staying asleep
• Loud Snoring
• Gasping and snorting
• Excessive daytime sleepiness

For more information on this please see the Federal Motor Carriers website.

Jessica Evans, 27, of Butler, MO was pronounced dead at the scene of an accident that occurred on December 28th at 7:06PM in Cass County on US 71 just 1 mile north of Archie.

The accident occurred as Carl Joyce, 20, of Overland Park, KS, who was driving a 1994 Pontiac and Evans who was driving a 2003 Chevrolet were in the southbound lane of US- 71 and collided. After impact, Evans' vehicle traveled off the left side of the roadway, overturned and came to rest in the left lane of northbound US- 71. Joyce's vehicle traveled off the left side of the roadway and came to rest in the median. William Denby, 55, of Humansville, MO was driving a 1997 Kenworth in the northbound lane of US- 71 where he struck Evans' vehicle which was disabled from being hit just seconds earlier. Evans was air lifted to Research Medical Center. Carl Joyce was transported by private vehicle to Overland Park Regional Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

The crash was investigated by Sergeant S. Lutjen and was assisted by Sergeant K. Fisher, Corporal M. Fennewald, Sergeant F. Chambers, Trooper K. Schmutzler, Trooper K. Murphy, CVO B. Sanders, Major Crash Team Investigator, Sergeant G. Billings, the Archie Police Department and the Cass County Sheriff's Department.

For more information, visit the MSHP crash reports at the following pages: Accident A110716A, Accident A110717A.

Stevie Burk, 52, of Nixa, MO and Bobby Burk, 73, of Springfield, MO were both trasported to Phelps County Regional Medical Center by Pulaski County Ambulace District for treatment of injuries that were sustained in an accident on I- 44, 5 miles east of St. Robert at 10:55PM on November 9th. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the accident occured as Daniel Shafer, 44, of Coloma, MI was operating a 2007 International Eagle when he began to slide and struck the rear of the 2000 Ford F- 450 driven by Stevie Burk. Burk's vehicle then traveled off the right side of the roadway and down an embankment. Shafer's vehicle came to rest in the roadway when it became disabled. The crash was investigated by Trooper Chase Stallcup.

Telisha Anderson, 35, of Columbia, MO was transported to University Hospital by ambulance for treatment to minor injuries she sustained while operating a Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT) truck on Monday. The accident occured at 7:45PM on October 18th, when
according to the report, of Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop F, when a 2003 Chevrolet that was driven by Roy Coyle, 41, of Boonville, was headed westbound on I- 70 at Route BB. Coyle drove past three different sets of signs that indicated the left lane was closed a distance ahead, which encompassed 8/10ths of a mile before he struck the parked MODOT arrow truck with a flashing arrow in the left lane.

Coyle and two occupants, Christina Kelley, 28, and Haven Kelley, 2, both of Boonville, Mo were transported to University Hospital by ambulance for treatment to minor injuries as well. The accident was investigated by Trooper G. Grundy.

One of the leading reasons for car crashes is driver inattention. When operating a vehicle, it is very important to keep your focus on the roadway and the traffic around you. MODOT says driving safely through road construction zones is as easy as remembering the three "S's" of work zone safety.

1. Manage your speed: Slow down when approaching a work zone and don't resume normal speed until you see a sign posted that you've exited the work zone.

2. Manage your space: Leave plenty of room between your vehicle and the one in front of you and don't irritate a driver behind you who is "tailgating" or following you too closely by slamming on your brakes. This could lead to road rage and a greater chance of a collision.

3. Manage your stress: Avoid cell phone or radio distractions in work zones. Keep your cool while you wait. A work zone now means a better, safer roadway later.

To read more on MODOT's work zone safety tipes, visit their website.

Patricia Hedgecock, 68, of Kirksville, MO was taken by Macon County Ambulance to Northeast Regional Hospital for treatment to moderate injuries she sustained in a car accident.

The accident took place on October 11th at 3:25PM at the Laplata junction.According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop B, the accident occured as Hedgecock, who was driving a 2009 Chevrolet was headed northbound on US- 63, when a vehicle that was eastbound on MO- 156 pulled into her path. The eastbound vehicle was a 1995 Chevrolet that was being driven by Nathan Petersen, 16, of Laplata, MO.

The accident was investigated by Sergeant Roberts and assisted by Corporal C. McIntyre, Trooper M. McIntyre, and by the Laplata Fire and Rescue.

On October 8th at 3:40PM on MO-5, 300 feet north of MO- 7 junction in Camden County, an accident occured involving five vehicles, including a school bus and a 1998 Peterbilt Truck. According to the report of the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop F, the accident occured as a 1998 Pontiac driven by Robert Shirley, 32, of Stoutland, MO, a 2004 Mazda, driven by Jerry Southard, 64, of Lebanon, MO, and a 1998 Mitsubishi, driven by Erika Groves, 16, of Camdenton, MO were all stopped in traffic waiting to make a left hand turn. The 2008 International School Bus, driven by Shawn Danuser, 42, of LInn Creek was slowing behind the other vehicles when it was struck in the rear by a 1998 Peterbilt Truck that was driven by Patrick Wortman, 54, of Rosendale, MO. This caused a chain reaction and the bus hit the Pontiac, which hit the Mazda, which smashed into the rear of the Mitsubishi.

Sixteen occupants of the bus were injured. The sixteen injured were; Michael Alderman, Nathanial Bellew, Kelsey Bryant, Trever Bryant, Dylan Fleming, Jerry Frey, Ryan Ginsberg, Dylan Hooper, Nichole Howel, Kyle Mills, David Prather, Cooper Smith, Dakota Smith, Zachary Taylor, Stormy Wise, and Marissa Wood all of Camden County. All of the children sustained only minor injuries, except Nicole Howel who sustained moderate injuries. Howel was transported to St. Johns Hospital in Springfeild by St. John's helicopter service. The other injured children were transported to Lake Regional Hospital in Osage Beach by St. John's EMS. The bus driver, Shawn Danuser also sustained moderate injuries and was transported to Lake Regional Hospital by private vehicle. Robert Shirley, the driver of the 1998 Pontiac sustained minor injuries and was transported by St. John's EMS to Lake Regional Hospital.

The accident was investigated by Sergeant Buttram, Corporal Gisselbeck, Trooper Atkinson, and Trooper Mistler. They were assisted by the Camden County Sheriff's Department, Camdenton Police and Fire Department, Mid County Fire Department, and by St. John's EMS.

Donna Ruoff, 58, of Gower, MO was walking eastbound on Route DD in Buchanan County .1 mile west of County Line Road when she was struck by a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by Charles Wilson, 44, also of Gower. The accident occured on September 21st, at 7:39AM. According to the report of the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop H, the accident occured as Wilson was travelling westbound on Route DD when his cell phone began ringing and he looked down to retrieve it. When he looked back up he was blinded by the sun and crossed the centerline and struck Ruoff. Wilson's vehicle came to rest on the north side of the roadway facing west. Ruoff came to rest on the south side of the roadway facing south.

Ruoff sustained serious injuries and was transported to Heartland Regional Medical Center by Lifenet. The accident was investigated by Trooper Lutz and was assisted by Trooper Graham, Trooper Garton, the Buchanan County Sheriff's Department, Clinton County Sheriff's Department and the Gower Police Department.

Texting and driving causes more accidents and is more dangerous than drinking and driving.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop D, an accident occured on US- 54 a 1/2 mile west of El Dorado Springs at 7:30AM on September 16th, that involved four vehicles with three people sustaining injuries. The accident occured as three vehicles, a 2003 Dodge 2500 Truck, driven by Larry Pettibon, 29, of Nevada, MO, a 1999 Dodge Dakota Truck, driven by Jeffrey Wooldridge, 32, of El Dorado Springs, MO, and a 1991 Chevrolet Geo, driven by Christopher Price, 30, of Roscoe, MO, were all stopped in traffic. A fourth vehicle, a 2010 Ford F350 Truck, driven by Douglas Voyles, 55, of Winona, MO, failed to stop and struck Price in the rear which caused a chain reaction where Price struck Wooldridge in the rear, and with Wooldridge striking Pettibon in the rear.

Pettibon sustained minor injuries and was transported by private vehicle to Cedar County Memorial Hospital. Wooldridge sustained minor injuries and was taken by ambulance to Cedar County Memorial Hospital. Price sustained serious injury and was airlifted to St. John's Hospital in Joplin. Voyles sustained no injury. The accident was investigated by Sergeant Gary Riggs.

Tagger Kellum, 16, of El Dorado Springs, MO was driving a 1985 Toyota Pickup on September 14th, when he was involved in a crash at 9:04PM. The accident occured on County Road 201, 2 miles south of El Dorado Springs. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop D, the accident occured as the vehicle ran off the roadway at an intersection and struck a ditch.

Kellum had two occupants, Dustin Hall, 15, and Michael Christensen, 15, both of El Dorado Springs, MO. All sustained moderate injuries. Kellum was transported to Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, while Christensen and Hall were both transported to Cedar County Memorial Hospital in El Dorado Springs, MO. The crash was investigated by Trooper Brad Crockett.

An accident that occured on September 13th at 10:33PM on MO- 15, 6 miles South of Paris has injured two. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop B, Kathryn Riechmann, 29, of Paris, MO and James Griffith, 49, of Madison, MO were both southbound on MO- 15 when Griffith, who was driving a 2002 Ford F350 Truck, slowed to make a right turn into a private drive and was struck by Riechmann, who was driving a 2007 Ford Fusion. Riechmann tried to avoid causing a collision and ran off the west side of the roadway.

Both Riechmann and Griffith sustained moderate injuries and were transported to Audrain Medical Center by Monroe County Ambulance. The crash was investigated by Trooper Nichols and assisted by Trooper Mattingly, The Monroe County Sheriff's Department and First Responders.

Michael Siegler, 19, of Belle, MO was the passenger of a 2005 Dodge driven by Bradley Wells, 18, also of Belle, MO when he was killed in an accident that occured on MO 89, 2.5 miles south of US 50 on September 10th at 7:45AM. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop F, the accident occured when Wells was passing a tractor trailer on a curve and travelled off the left edge of the road into a ditch, struck a culvert pipe and overtuned several times. The vehicle came to rest in the left road ditch on its top.

Wells and Siegler were both transported to St. Mary's Hospital by ambulance. Wells sustained only minor injuries. Siegler was pronounced dead at St. Mary's Hospital by Dr. Slaughter. The accident was investigated by Trooper Baker and assisted by Trooper North and the Osage County Sheriff's Office.

According to the Missouri State Highway Arrest Reports, Wells was arrested for 1) Minor in Possession by Consumption, 2) Zero Tolerance, 3) Careless and Imprudent Driving Resulting in an Accident.

Continue reading "Belle, MO Teen Dies in Osage County Crash" »

Victoria Fritchey, 19 and Aleksa Baker, 3, of Dixon, MO sustained minor injuries in an accident that occured on I- 44 westbound at mile marker 180.2 on September 8th at 5:48PM. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop I, the accident occured as a tractor trailer driven by an unidentifiable man was changing lanes and struck a 2000 Freightliner driven by Joseph Ragan, of Pecan Gap, TX in the side. That caused Ragan to swerve into the path of Fritchey who was driving a 2006 Pontiac G6. Fritchey then ran off the side of the road, overcorrected, and struck Ragan in the rear.

Fritchey and Baker were both transported to Phelps County Hospital. The accident was investigated by Trooper Goodson and assisted by Sergeant Dubois, Coporal Keathley, and CVE Noble.

Nicholas White, 32, of Springfield, MO was seriously injured after being struck with a truck on August 23 at 9:52PM on Highway 160, a half mile west of Springfield. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop D, White was attempting to cross lanes of Highway 160 and was struck by a 2008 Dodge that was being driven by Sharon Hancock, 65, of Springfield, MO. White was taken to Cox South Hospital in Springfield. The accident was investigated by Trooper Stevens.

For more information on bicycle safety, visit Bicycle Safe's article, 10 Ways Not To Get Hit