Missouri Injury Attorneys Blog

The A.W. Smith Law Firm helped a victim receive an $800,000 settlement, only one month before going to trial, in his personal injury suit.

Michael Smith received the settlement from the owner of a tractor trailer who crossed over the median and side-swiped Smith, nearly resulting in the loss of his arm.

Smith was traveling on Highway 43 in Benton County, Arkansas (Ar.) when his Ford Escort was side-swiped by a Mack tractor-trailer driven by Clifford Dozier for Simmons Flood. The Escort was struck by the dual wheels of the tractor trailer as the two cars rounded a corner at the same time. Part of the trailer then crashed through the car, entering the driver's compartment, and slicing through Smith's shoulder. Smith, who required extensive surgery and rehabilitation, eventually returned to work, but not without permanent limited range of motion.

The $800,000 settlement was reached only one month before the case went to trial.

Continue reading "Arkansas Tractor Trailer Crossover Crash leads to Personal Injury Settlement" »

Another victim falls prey to a car crash after using a cell phone while driving. According to the Boone County News Report, the crash occurred on a curvy and dangerous stretch of Route N. south of Rock Bridge Memorial State Park. Brenton Biggerstaff was taken to University Hospital for injuries related to the crash.

According to Biggerstaff, he was talking on the phone while driving and then dropped it. During an effort to pick the phone up from the floor, Biggerstaff's 2001 Nissan became airborne over a private driveway before hitting an embankment of dirt. Biggerstaff's injuries were described as moderate by the Missouri State Highway Patrol that worked the crash.

Using a cell phone while driving can be extremely dangerous. Although teenage drivers are the primary individuals that use cell phones while driving, it is not uncommon among other age groups. Several state legislatures have passed laws which ban cell phone use or texting while driving. While there are proposals before the Missouri legislature, no law has been passed.

Source: Cell phone causes one-car accident, Boone County Journal, October 21, 2009

Continue reading "Boone County Crash Results From Cell Phone Use" »