Personal Injury Law

Morgan County Crash Injures Five

By Ryan Bradley, Esq.

A two-car crash injured five people, three seriously, Tuesday afternoon on Missouri 52 just west of Eldon, Missouri.

According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, a 2005 Dodge Ram Pickup, driven by Shane Davenport, 30, was traveling west on Missouri 52 when it swerved to avoid an unidentified car making a left turn. Davenport?s vehicle then crossed into the eastbound lanes where it hit a 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix, driven by Marilyn Byrd, 54, head-on.

Davenport was seriously injured as well as two passengers in Byrd?s vehicle, Junior Stone, 49, and Shannon Stone, 39. Byrd and another passenger, Jerry Barnhart, 52, suffered moderate injures. All of the injured were taken to Lake Regional Hospital in Osage Beach except for Byrd, who was taken to St. Mary?s in Jefferson City.

While the Missouri State Highway Patrol has a brief summary of the crash, this is just the opinion of investigating officer. Under Missouri evidence law, these opinions are considered hearsay unless the officer witnessed the crash or is trained in accident reconstruction. Since most highway patrol officers do not have this expertise, trained accident reconstructionists will need to be consulted in cases where legal causation as to liability is in dispute.

If you have been involved in a Missouri car crash, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. He or she will be able to organize an accident reconstruction and determine what parties are responsible.

The Bradley Law Firm has over 30 years of experience handling Missouri and Illinois car accident cases. Contact one of our attorneys today for a free consultation. We will advise you on how to proceed with your claim with no obligation to hire our firm. Also, we only collect attorney?s fees if we are successful in your case.

Full post as published by Missouri Accident Lawyer Blog on July 23, 2008 (boomark / email).