Recent Blog Posts

Distracted Driving Car Accidents Top the List in Missouri

St. Louis Missouri Car Accident Attorney — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 03:09:00 GMT

Distracted driving ends lives, and distracted driving is on the rise. Why? Cellphones top the list of causes for becoming distracted behind the wheel. The statistics don't lie, and they are frightening to say the least. Using a handheld device makes you 4X more likely to get into a serious crash. A recent online survey of 1,999 teens ages 16-19 found that 86% had driven while distracted even though 84% know its dangerous. 20% of injury crashes involved reports of distracted driving according to the NHTSA. 77% of young adult drivers are very confident that they can safely text and drive at the same time.

Distracted driving causes head-on car accidents, broadside collisions, and other fatal car accidents in Missouri. So why do we continue to risk our lives to take a call, or read a text-message, or tweet something meaningless. Our car accident law firm investigates hundreds of car accidents each year. Unfortunately, the majority of those car crashes involve a distraction coming from inside the vehicle of the negligent driver. 6,000 people died last year due to distracted driving. So what can we do to reduce that statistic? Because what were are doing now and teaching our younger drivers is simply not working.

When cellphones really became mainstream about 10 years ago, it was thought that using an earpiece or bluetooth headset would end distracted driving injuries. This had an impact for a few years. Then, with the increased use of social media such as twitter and facebook, cellphones became used more like mini-computers than the "telephones" they were originally devised for. Iphones and smartphones took distractions to the next level. Apps give users a wide variety of distractions to keep them occupied...and this translates to more 'eyes off the road.' Thus more distracted driving car accidents, serious injuries, and fatalities.

When you make the conscious decision to pay more attention to your phone that the road, you are engaging in conduct which may be deemed punitive if your actions lead to a serious injury or death of another passenger or motorist. As experienced Missouri accident injury lawyers, we seek justice for this type of negligence. Juries are becoming more and more critical of distracted driving civil lawsuits, and if you make the choice to put others at risk, you may be held accountable in a civil court of law.

Kansas City Woman Dies in Disabled Car After Being Struck

Kansas City Car Accident Lawyer — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:19:00 GMT

On Monday afternoon, around 3:00, Virginia Bruce pulled her vehicle on to the right hand shoulder of Interstate 470 West in Lee's Summit. Bruce was traveling with passenger Mary Bowers, and needed to pull off the interstate for unknown specific reasons, and stopped her vehicle. Crystal McCoy was traveling on westbound 470 when she collided with Bruce's vehicle. McCoy was traveling at interstate speed when she slammed in to the rear of Bruce's vehicle on the side of the interstate. The collision pushed both vehicles further off of the roadway and killed Bruce immediately upon impact. This was one of the first fatal car accidents in Missouri for the new year.

Emergency responders arrived at the scene and found the three involved individuals and their 2 vehicles totaled. Miraculously, passenger Mary Bowers sustained only minor injuries and was taken by ambulance to a local emergency room for evaluation. Virginia Bruce was pronounced deceased at the scene at was transported to the Jackson County Medical Examiner's office. Driver Crystal McCoy suffered from 'moderate' injuries and was taken to a local hospital as well. McCoy will make a full physical recovery from her injuries.

The life of Virginia Bruce has ended, and the lives of her family, friends, and loved ones will be forever changed. To be a victim of a sudden, accidental, and tragic death is something that most people are not prepared to deal with. After being forced in to this situation of coping and accepting what has happened, family members of the deceased individual is also faced with the decision of whether or not to pursue an injury claim. Thinking clearly can be at a loss during a time of grief, and it is an unfortunate reality that many people and companies use this disadvantage to you as an advantage to them. Having legal representation while being involved in an injury claim is the only way to guarantee that you are treated properly. Often times, legal representation is required at some point in the process, and we want to ensure you that we are right for that position in your claim.

Schultz & Myers has been practicing law in the field of personal injury specializing in serious injury and death for nearly a decade combined. We are experts in the law and more than familiar with recent changes and adaptations that work to the advantage of an injured party. An injury claim that involves a fatality is gut-renchingly difficult to work on, realizing the severity of emotional damages that some may truly never recover from. This fact drives us to handle cases just like this each and every day, doing whatever we possibly can to make a tragically wrong situation the smallest bit easier to cope with.

Our car crash attorneys are available any time, day or night, 7 days a week. We are available when you are, ready and eager to answer questions and point you in the right direction.

Young Missouri Resident Becomes a Fatality After Head-on Collision in Jasper County

Auto Accident Lawyer Missouri — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 22:56:00 GMT

Highway Patrol responded Tuesday afternoon to a 2-vehicle collsion on Cedar Road near Carthage, Missouri. Janiece Siebert was operating her vehicle eastbound on Cedar Road with her minor child as a passenger. Siebert ran her vehicle off of the right side of the road and overcorrected, causing her to lose control of her vehicle. Siebert's vehicle crossed the center line in to oncoming traffic, directly in to the path of 21 year old Chelsey Burgess who was traveling west on Cedar Road. The head on collsion caused immediate injury upon impact to both drivers. Both were rushed by ambulance to nearby hospitals. The injuries sustained by Chelsey Burgess were severe, ultimately ending her life at the hospital.

It is unknown at this time what caused Siebert to initially lose control of her vehicle and cause her vehicle to travel off of the roadway. Overcorrecting your car is often known to result in a loss of control, and in this case, unfortunately ta fatality. Cases involving wrongful death as a result of a motor vehicle accident can be a delicate case to handle, but it requires specific legal action pursuant to the Missouri Wrongful Death Statute. Our St. Louis based attorneys are experts in handling serious and fatal motor vehicle injury claims and are confident through experience at our ability to handle future claims.

Beginning a claim for wrongful death during such a tragic time in one's life may be impossible to imagine. An experienced auto accident attorney will gather initial information and combine it with research already obtained to build and progress your case in a swift and timely fashion. Clients have 24/7 access to their lawyer and have the opportunity to be as involved as possible. On the other hand, you may rest assured that while you are coping with life's current tragedy, a reputable lawyer is dedicated to working on your behalf for your claim.

We extend the opportunity victims and their families to speak with a seasoned trial attorney about your potential injury or wrongful death claim. No question is too big or too small when considering pursuit of a claim, and the expert legal advice from a Missouri attorney will more than likely expose you to insight not yet considered.

When hiring a lawyer, make sure to ask lots of questions, especially in regards to the experience of the law firm in handling large scale injury and fatality cases. Not all law firms are experienced in uncovering all avenues of economic recovery, including assets and hidden insurance policies. Past performance is not always a promise of future results, but Missouri injury law firms with a track record of sucess will often times be the best place to seek legal advice.

How much compensation should I request for a car accident injury insurance claim?

St. Louis, MO car accident injury law firm — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 02:53:00 GMT

One of the first questions that our St. Louis, MO car crash attorneys are asked is "how much should we demand as a settlement from the other driver and insurance company?" That is a difficult question to answer, especially if the injury victim is still getting medical treatment. There really is no accurate way to measure the value of a car accident injury claim until you have a complete understanding of all economic and non-economic damages, past, present and future. It does you no good attempting to negotiate a settlement until you have a complete understanding of what is at stake. This is a common mistake made by people who do not have an attorney on their side. Insurance companies do their best to settle cases very quickly, before a person knows how bad they are hurt and before they have the opportunity to consult with a personal injury attorney.

When it comes time to submitting a settlement demand to an insurance company, we follow many steps that have been perfected through years of litigating cases against large insurance companies, who will do anything to avoid paying what is fair to innocent victims of car accidents in Missouri. When thinking of the "right number" to ask for, understand that there is no magic formula for placing settlement value on a case. Insurance companies use claims computer software. As lawyers, we use personal judgment and the human factor. We do this because, after all, we are dealing with human beings and real damages.

Cardinal rule of settlement demands is to itemize each and every harm that has been caused by the crash. So for economic damages, itemize all medical expenses, prescription costs, lost wages, mileage, etc. And remember, if you took paid vacation time or paid sick time from work, you are still entitled to reimbursement from the at-fault party. For general damages, otherwise known as 'non-economic' damages, itemize all of the problems you have now that interfere with your ability to enjoy life. Examples would be loss of sleep, nightmares, pain & suffering, loss of mobility, interference with hobbies, etc. It is important to understand that your medical records are often not going to itemize your non-economic harms in a way that an unfair insurance claims adjuster will understand.

Finally, understand that claims handlers are highly trained in claim payout mitigation. Even if you are a smart, savvy professional, you will face an uphill battle ever obtaining a settlement that is in the "realm of reasonableness." This is something we often preach to our clients. If a settlement offer is not in the realm of reasonableness, why even continue to negotiate? There comes a time when litigation is the only viable option. For more information on how to negotiate your car accident injury settlement, contact our lawyers for a free consultation.

Uninsured Driver Causes Head-on Collision, Injures Winfield Family of Five

Winfield Car Accident Lawyer — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 00:48:00 GMT

Missouri State Highway Patrol responded Wednesday morning to a 2-vehicle crash on Missouri Route 47 in Lincoln County. 17-year-old Devan Cooksy was driving his uninsured vehicle west on Missouri 47 when he allegedly crossed the center line and struck an eastbound vehicle being driven by 40-year-old Tracey Swaringen. Tracey was traveling with passengers Andrea Swaringen (13), Deanne Swaringen (16), Hannah Swaringen (9), and Kaitlyn Swaringen (16). All involved individuals are Winfield, Missouri residents.

All 6 individuals suffered from immediate injury as a result of the forceful head-on collision. Drivers Devan Cooksy and Tracey Swaringen were both flown by emergency helicopter to St. Joseph Hospital West in Lake St. Louis. The 4 minor Swaringen passengers were all rushed to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. The projected condition of each driver and occupant is unknown at this time. Both vehicles involved sustained total damage and were towed from the scene.

This crash involves a young, potentially inexperienced driver who was negligent in operating her vehicle, therefore causing pain and suffering to herself and 5 other individuals, including young children. Mr. Cooksy was unable to provide insurance information at the scene of the crash. A Winfield car accident lawyer will work with the Highway Patrol to further this investigation, discovering if Mr. Cooksy has applicable automobile insurance. If coverage is available, recovery for this family of 5 is assumed to be fairly simple. Fault is 100% clear in this crash. Any settlement involving a minor (under the age of 18) requires specific legal action, where representation of an attorney is necessary. Our attorneys handle many cases involving minors and work hard to properly ensure a settlement is in the best interest of an injured minor and his family, as well as his future.

If Mr. Cooksy does not carry automobile insurance for his vehicle, the claim for compensation becomes an uninsured motorist claim, essentially obtaining recovery from the innocent driver's insurance coverage and their own insurance company becomes a defendant in the case. Uninsured motorist coverage is not applicable in every claim. Our Missouri auto accident attorneys recommend that anyone involved in an auto accident with an uninsured motorist to seek legal advice for how best to proceed. In this particular crash, 4 minor children and 1 adult suffered from serious injury as a result of a careless driver. Compensation for injuries, bills, and expenses should be fairly given to each injured individual.

If you or someone you know has been injured by an uninsured motorist, our Missouri car accident attorneys are here to help you. Call to discuss details of your claim and how working together on pursuit of your claim will benefit your outcome.

St. Louis County Crash Sends Injured Motorist to Local Hospital Emergency Room

St. Louis auto accident attorney — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 18:15:00 GMT

Highway Patrol responded Tuesday morning to a 2 vehicle crash at the intersection of Highway 30 and Kennerly Road in St. Louis County. James Dimitro (High Ridge) was driving east on Highway 30 approaching the cross street of Kennerly Road. Geraldine Ferguson (St. Louis) was northbound on Kennerly Road approaching the intersection. Ferguson had a green light to proceed through the intersection, where she attempted to turn left on to southbound Highway 30. Dimitro failed to stop at his red light and traveled through the intersection, crashing head on in to the driver's side of Ferguson's vehicle. Emergency crews arrived at the scene and rushed Ms. Ferguson by ambulance to St. Anthony's emergency room for immediate medical attention. This St. Louis car accident caused substantial damage to both vehicles & required towing from the scene.

James Dimitro was uninjured and may have received a citation at the scene for failure to obey a traffic signal, although this remains uncomfirmed. Ms. Ferguson was apparently operating her vehicle within the laws for Missouri motorists when that collision took place. The injuries she sustained along with the extensive damage done to her vehicle could have and should have been avoided by Dimitro abiding by the same Missouri laws. Due to Dimitro's negligence, Ms. Ferguson has inherited a devastating amount of negative changes and a long road of recovery – physically, emotionally and financially.

Though we deal with injury claims on a daily basis, it never becomes any less distressing knowing that most motor vehicle collisions are due to negligence and not following the safe guidelines which traffic laws provide for us. An accident only takes a split second – motorists must be aware of their surroundings at all times.

Our Missouri motor vehicle crash attorneys represent individuals just like Ms. Geraldine Ferguson who were operating a vehicle is a safe and law-abiding manner when they were caused harm by another motorist failing to do the same. After being injured in a motor vehicle accident, our attorneys work diligently to get you the best medical treatment and care while aggressively pursuing applicable compensation coverage for you. We work with our clients to obtain a favorable settlement. We do not stop anywhere short of this and continue to work on your behalf to obtain such an end result.

I look forward to discussing the details of a crash that you or someone you know has unfortunately been involved in. No claim is too large or too small for our office, especially when fighting for what is right.

Howell County Missouri Car Accident Sends Three to Area Hospital

Howell County Missouri Car Accident Lawyer — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 02:52:00 GMT

Emergency responders arrived at the scene of a 2 vehicle crash Thursday afternoon on Route CC in Howell County. Ronald Clayton (Dora, Missouri) was traveling west on Route CC and approached the cross street of County Road 4730. Michelle Farmer (West Plains, Missouri) was on County Road 4730 when she failed to yield to Clayton and pulled in to the path of Clayton, attempting to turn on to eastbound Route CC. Clayton was unable to avoid the collision and struck Farmer's vehicle, resulting in a t-bone car accident. Clayton, age 57, was noted as sustaining 'serious' injuries and rushed to a local emergency room. Farmer, age 19, was noted for 'moderate' injury and taken to a local emergency room. 20-year old Kelsey Riddle – Farmer's passenger – was transported to a Springfield area hospital after sustaining 'serious' injuries. Current medical conditions of each individual are unknown.

Failing to yield to oncoming traffic is a fairly common violation of Missouri motorist laws (Rules of the Road). Due to factors such as inattention, being in a hurry, and distraction force drivers to carelessly disregard common sense rules of the road, including traveling in to the path of oncoming vehicles. In this specific case, Farmer was negligent in failing to operate her vehicle in a safe manner, therefore jeopardizing the safety of her, her passenger, and other Missouri motorists. Insurance and coverage for compensation available to Farmer would be something that an experienced Missouri car accident lawyer would look into.

Adding the assistance of a Howell County Missouri car accident attorney to your injury claim can ensure that you are not taken advantage of at any point in the process and obtain a settlement that you are content with. Our team of expert attorneys are not paid until you are paid 100% of the time. This also guarantees that we reach a settlement that you personally approve. Call us today for a free consultation to discuss the details of your crash.

Fatality Accident in Maries County Missouri

Missouri wrongful death lawyer — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 14:00:00 GMT

24-year old Crocker resident John Mazurek caused a fatal head-on collision Thursday afternoon near Meta, Missouri. Highway patrol and emergency officials responded Thursday to the accident on Highway 133 just south of Meta. Mazurek was traveling north on Highway 33 when he crossed the center line and struck an oncoming vehicle head on. The other vehicle was being driven by 57-year old Wilberta Randolph. 85-year old Helen Wieberg was riding as a passenger in Randolph's car. Randolph's suffered fatal injuries from the collision, and was pronounced dead at the scene. Passenger Weiberg sustained 'serious' injury and was taken by emergency helicopter to University Hospital in Columbia. Wieberg's current conditions are unknown.

Investigations in this Missouri crash continue and may assist in discovering any contributing factors of Mazurek's negligent driving. Causing serious and fatal injuries in a motor vehicle crash leaves an endless trail of affected individuals. Ms. Weiberg will certainly be facing a long and demanding struggle of recovery from her physical injuries. She will also more than likely face adverse emotional and economical distress. One usually does not realize how greatly an auto accident can impact the flow of your life until they are in the unfortunate situation. The surviving members of Ms. Randolph's family and friends will also be plagued with the emotional and economic damages her untimely death has brought. Our team of Missouri injury and wrongful death attorneys has handled countless cases similar to this, unfortunately. We are able to navigate you through the complex legal process of obtaining compensation for any and all injuries sustained while you properly mourn your loss and attempt to rebuild your life.

We never wish the situation of a life changing auto crash upon anyone. However, after being victimized by a careless driver in Missouri, proper repercussion must be done to obtain what is rightfully yours. Contact a fatal car accident lawyer for assistance in how you can proceed with filing and winning an injury or wrongful death claim.

Mountain Grove Missouri Residents Injured by Another Driver

Missouri car accident lawyer — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 15:24:00 GMT

Our Mountain Grove Missouri car accident lawyers are reviewing a motor vehicle crash that occurred Monday afternoon in Wright County. Jerry Warner was traveling with passenger Mattie Warner (both of Mountain Grove) north on Missouri 95 when James Hiller (Lebanon) pulled out of a private driveway directly in to the path of Warner's vehicle. Warner was unable to stop or avoid Hiller's oncoming vehicle, causing a near head-on collision. All three individuals sustained injury as a result of the crash, and the vehicles were towed with noted "extensive" damage. James Hiller was taken to Cox South Hospital, and Jerry & Mattie Warner were rushed to St. John's Hospital in Springfield. The current conditions of these individuals is presently unknown.

Our Missouri car crash attorneys handle many cases involving careless drivers who pull in to the path of other motorists, causing serious injury. Fault is clearly given to a driver who fails to yield to oncoming traffic or ensure the roadway is safe for their entrance. However, insurance companies make money by saving the amount of what they pay out. Even with clear and admitted fault, an insurance company will be difficult to deal with because they will attempt to allot some amount of fault – even the smallest bit – to you. Claiming that an injured driver should have or could have avoided the crash attempts to place a small percentage of fault on you, the innocent driver, to cut back on the amount of compensation you are entitled to.

They may also claim that your injuries had been preexisting, or were not caused by this specific incident. Trying to work with an insurance adjuster easily leads to a dead end argument, ending in frustration with the claim in general. These adjusters can hope their tactics have "worked" on you and you will "give up", easily settling the claim for what they are offering. The fact is that any offer by the insurance company is well below what your claim is worth.

A Missouri head-on car accident lawyer can use experts to assist in your claim for compensation, clearly outlining what you are entitled to and why. Do not allow yourself to be a victim of a game being played by large insurance companies. Contact a car accident injury attorney today – free of charge – to discuss what options you may have in presenting your claim. We pride ourselves in our demonstrated success rate and have the past and current clients to prove it.

Motorcyclist Injured in Andrew County Missouri in Accident with Chevy Van

Schultz Legal Group — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:08:00 GMT

Missouri State Highway Patrol responded Wednesday afternoon to a motor vehicle crash in St. Joseph (Andrew County). The collision occurred around 2:00 PM on Missouri Route K where Danny Claycomb was traveling northbound and John Nattier was traveling southbound. Claycomb was driving a Moto Guzzi motorcycle and Nattier was driving a Chevrolet Astro van. The two vehicles approached each other near the cross street of Orchard Lane when Mr. Nattier turned in to the oncoming path of Claycomb, attempting to make a left hand turn on to Orchard Lane. Nattier's negligent action of failing to yield to oncoming traffic caused the two vehicles to collide, seriously injuring Danny Claycomb. Mr. Claycomb was rushed to the nearest emergency room to be treated for his extensive personal injuries.

Motorcycle drivers and riders are entering the fall season with excitement and anticipation. Cool and crisp weather presents ideal conditions for a ride. However, a cautious motorcyclist is aware of the dangers that simply taking to the Missouri roads entails. Motor vehicle drivers are often disrespectful of motorcyclists and fail to follow basic rules of the road – a possible example of what transpired in this crash between Danny Claycomb and John Nattier. Mr. Claycomb had the right of way, and Mr. Nattier was to lawfully yield to oncoming traffic until it was safe for him to complete his left hand turn. Nattier clearly failed to do so, allegedly trying to 'beat' Claycomb and complete the turn quickly. Because of Nattier's reckless decision, Danny Claycomb is faced with a long road of physical, emotional, and economical recovery.

Our Missouri motorcycle accident attorneys handled a number of cases involving motorcyclists who have been injured by a negligent driver. When injured on a motorcycle, unfortunately the injuries are often much more severe and require expert medical attention, treatment, and follow-up. Our attorneys work closely with some of Missouri's top rated physicians, expertly available to help you and your body fully recover. Having the best doctors and surgeons involved in your claim not only ensures you are given top-rated medical care, but also increases the validity of your injury claim. Our Missouri personal injury lawyers are here to assist innocent victims in finding the best treatment for truama and ultimately obtaining a fair and just settlement for your damages

Kansas Residents Seriously Injured in Missouri Car Crash in Henry County

Schultz Legal Group — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 19:24:00 GMT

Our Missouri car accident attorneys have been notified of a crash that occurred Tuesday afternoon on Missouri Route 7 in Henry County. 78 year old Donald Cupp (Olathe, KS) was driving north on the highway with his wife, 77-year old Martha Cupp riding as a passenger. Donald slowed his vehicle for reasons unknown at this time, when Kansas City resident Connie Mize crashed in to the rear of the Cupp's vehicle. The force of the impact reportedly pushed the Cupp's vehicle off of the roadway, also causing it to overturn. All three motorists were injured, though Donald & Martha Cupp were taken by emergency helicopter to a Kansas City hospital for their injuries, noted as 'serious'. Connie Mize was taken by ambulance to a local emergency room. Ticket and arrest information of Ms. Mize is currently pending.

Drivers are expected to be alert at all times, ready to respond to any situation in a safe manner. More often than not, our car accident lawyers report taht collisions are caused by inattention or variables that are able to be prevented. Missouri drivers are held to a specific set of laws placing responsibility on a driver for maintaining a safe vehicle. These laws are commonly referred to as the Missouri "Rules of the Road". One specific law is that each motorist must exhibit the highest degree of care when operating a motor vehicle in the state of Missouri. When a driver fails to do so, the consequences are high and typically result in physical injury or even death.

Our Missouri rear-end car accident lawyers are seasoned in handling injury claims as a result of motor vehicle collisions. Even the simplest rear-end crash quickly becomes complex, where the aide of legal expertise is crucial. A personal injuiry lawyer is retained to ensure that you are treated fairly throughout the claims process and are ultimately fully compensated for any damage(s) you sustained. No claim is too large or too small for legal assistance – insurance companies will try to devalue your claim no matter what the circumstance. Contact an experienced Missouri personal injury lawyer by calling (866) 840-3636 for a free consultation regarding your claim and to see how we may be able to assist you in your time of need.

Two Vehicle Double Fatality Car Crash in Lafayette County

Lafayette Car Accident Lawyer — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 14:32:00 GMT

Our Lafayette County car accident lawyers Missouri State Highway Patrol responded last night to a 2 vehicle crash on Route O in Lafayette County that resulted in 2 fatalities and 1 driver critically injured. Shalah McGinnis was driving south on Route OO near the intersection of Watershed Road when she crossed the centerline of traffic and struck northbound driver Phillip Randle head on. Randle had passenger Phyllis Slaughter in the vehicle with him. The impact of the crash caused both vehicles to roll and travel off of the highway. At-fault driver Shalah McGinnis was pronounced dead at the scene. Driver Phillip Randle was rushed to Centerpoint Hospital with "serious" injuries. Passenger Phyllis Slaughter was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead approximately 3 hours later.

This particular crash is especially traumatic in a number of ways. Any motor vehicle collision is tragic in itself. The addition of a fatal result – doubled, and that Phillip Randle is only 18-years old creates a particularly devastating claim. Mr. Randle will be facing extensive physical recovery from his injuries. Past and present clients of experienced Missouri wrongful death lawyers who have been through similar tragedies have also needed emotional and mental treatment for full recovery as well. A Missouri auto crash attorney may be able to assist in obtaining the proper treatment for you after evaluating your claim and recovery process.

An injury claim involving a deceased at-fault party is still very similar to a claim without a decedent, but it will involve a few legal steps that are best handled by an experienced wrongful death attorney. Our attorneys have handled injury claims, including those for wrongful death, throughout Missouri and have never settled for anything less than what is fair and justified by an injured client. Initial consultations are always free of charge and potential clients will always speak directly with a lawyer, not secretary or support staff. Legal involvement at the beginning of a wrongful death lawsuit solidifies the validity of your claim and sends a clear message to an at-fault party and their insurance company that you mean business and firmly believe in your claim. With a fatal accident attorney at your side, you are on your way to full and just compensation as permitted by Missouri law.

T-Bone Crash Sends Four Involved Motorists to Cass County Hospitals

Schultz Legal Group — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 23:12:00 GMT

Our Missouri car accident attorneys report that two drivers and two passengers were injured Monday late Monday morning when Jacob Borgstadt failed to maintain his vehicle safely and crashed in to a vehicle being driven by Bryce Elkins. Bryce and his passenger Bob Elkins, both from Greenwood, Missouri, were driving southbound on Highway BB when westbound driver Borgstadt failed to yield to traffic, and struck Elkins. Shellie Turley was a passenger in Borgstadt's vehicle and all 4 individuals were taken to area hospitals for their injuries.

Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that at-fault driver Jacob Borgstadt did not carry valid insurance on his vehicle at the time of the crash. Missouri motorists are required by law to hold and be able to show proof of insurance on any vehicle being driven. Unfortunately, it is fairly common for individuals to neglect this law and operate a vehicle without valid insurance. In the event that an uninsured motorist causes an accident, an injured party is unable to recover from the at-fault party.

Again, though this occurrence is not only against the law, it is frustrating and discouraging to someone who has been seriously hurt by a negligent driver. However, as a responsible and insured driver, YOU have the opportunity to seek compensation from your own automobile insurance company. Many Missouri drivers carry medical payments coverage, uninsured motorist coverage, and/or underinsured motorist coverage on their own policy, often times without even realizing it or what it is for. As your injury lawyer, we dedicate our time to exposing any and all coverage available to you as a victim of an uninsured, negligent driver. If you carry any of the above-mentioned coverage on your automobile policy, you are entitled to reimbursement from your insurance company. This coverage typically comes with little to no contest, and is obtained with NO penalty against your claim.

Being involved in an automobile accident is stressful in itself. Discovering lack of insurance coverage for the at-fault party presents additional stress as to how you will recover from your injury. Allow our attorneys to work with you and find what is available to you. Making an uninsured motorist claim is just as adversarial, if not more, than making a claim on someone else's insurance policy. Your own insurance company essentially becomes your own worst enemy in the case. Contacting an uninsured motorist lawyer is critical in order to obtain fair compensation.

Emergency Helicopters Called After Head-on Crash in Warren County

Warren County Car Accident Lawyer — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 19:35:00 GMT

3 adults and 1 young child were seriously injured Monday morning on Highway H in Warren County, Missouri. Isa Cartwright was driving south on the highway when she crossed the center line while going around a curve. Cartwright traveled in to oncoming traffic, causing a head-on collision with northbound driver Joni Pind. Pind had 2 passengers in the vehicle: Heather Smith and 3-year-old Chloe Smith. All 4 individuals necessitated extensive medical treatment for injury caused by the collision. Joni Pind and Heather Smith were taken by life flight helicopter to a St. Louis hospital. Cartwright was taken by ambulance to St. Joseph's Hospital and young Chloe Smith was rushed to Children's Hospital in St. Louis. Our Warren County car accident lawyers will continue to follow these developments.

Our Missouri car accident attorneys continue to investigate this crash along with the Missouri State Highway Patrol. It is unknown at this time if there were any contributing factors to Cartwright crossing the centerline of traffic, though liability against her is uncontested. Joni Pind and Heather and Chloe Smith are more than likely facing a road of physical, emotional and economical recovery and should be fairly compensated for what they are about to face.

Most car accident victims will discouragingly find themselves stuck in negotiating what is "fair" with an insurance company. The bottom line is that insurance companies are a business – they lack compassion when it comes to finding what is or is not "fair" in a settlement. That's where our attorneys come in. Our combined legal expertise has validly increased the value of injury claims for years. Don't put yourself in a position of navigating the unknown only to be discouraged when you come to a dead-end in any negotiation process you had planned on.

Contact a Missouri head-on car accident lawyer if you have been injured in an automobile related collision. Consultations are always free and you will be informed of all of your legal rights to compensation.

Four Texas Residents Seriously Injured in Pulaski County Missouri Car Crash

Pulaski County Car Accident Lawyer — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 16:17:00 GMT

Our Pulaski County Missouri Car Accident Lawyers report that four people sustained serious injury Thursday evening after being struck by another vehicle on Interstate 44. 37-year old Saritha Gaddam was driving on eastbound Interstate 44 when Heather Gunter, 44 years old, attempted to change lanes, rather striking Gaddam's vehicle. It is speculated that Gunter failed to safely check for surrounding vehicles before changing lanes of travel, causing the collision. The impact of the vehicles pushed Gaddam's vehicle off of the road, before it overturned. Saritha Gaddam had passengers Krishna Gaddam (40), Vaibhav Gaddam (10), and Prnav Gaddam (4) in the vehicle with her at the time. All 4 occupants of Gaddam's vehicle were rushed to the nearest emergency room via ambulance to be treated for their injuries, noted as serious. The Gaddam's are all residents of Flower Mound, Texas. Heather Gunter was reportedly uninjured and able to drive her vehicle from the scene of the accident.

All 4 Gaddam individuals are more than likely facing additional struggle in being injured out of state, away from their home. Our Missouri personal injury lawyers represent a number of out-of-state individuals in regards to Missouri car accident injury claims. Missouri law applies to anyone injured within state boundaries, no matter where they reside. Being a non-Missouri resident with an injury claim is not an issue, and these claims are treated no differently than anyone living within Missouri. The same process is followed, an experienced accident attorney will pursue all investigative matters and the injured party receiving all necessary medical treatment for their injuries.

If you have been injured in Missouri but live out of state, a Pulaski County Missouri auto accident attorney may be able to assist you. The lawyers at Schultz Legal Group offer free consultations and never charge attorneys fees in the event that your case is lost. Getting the best legal representation in any serious car collision case is critical if a victim has any chance of receiving a fair settlement from an insurance claims adjuster.