On Wednesday evening just after 6:30 pm, a man was putting gas in his friend’s disabled vehicle on Interstate 55 when he was hit and killed by a semi-truck that was driving by. Moustafa Elmansy (67) received a call from a friend saying he needed help because his car ran out of gas on I-55. Elmansy got gas and went to help his friend. Elmansy parked in front of his friend’s vehicle in the left shoulder of the interstate, and the gas tank faced the highway. Elmansy was standing near the passenger side of his friend’s car, and as he started putting gas in the car, he was hit by an 18-wheeler. After the semi-truck hit him, Elmansy was dragged by the truck for several hundred feet. The name of the truck driver has not been release but according to the St. Louis Post dispatch, he is 59 years old, and stopped his truck after the accident happened.

Moustafa Elmansy died at the scene of the accident. According to reports the driver of the semi-truck didn’t even see the victim before he hit him. I would like to offer my condolences to the friends and family of Moustafa Elmansy. This was a tragic accident that shouldn’t have happened.

Missouri Highway Patrol offered some tips on staying safe if you have car trouble, and I wanted to make these known, so hopefully a tragic accident like this doesn’t happen again.

1. You have a lot more room on the right shoulder; so if possible, pull over there if you’re having car issues.
2. You have more protection inside your car, so try to stay in it if possible.
3. Missouri Highway Patrol has a toll free number for drivers having car trouble, dial *55 and give them your location.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, you might not need a lawyer, but you will need helpful and accurate information. Before you speak to a lawyer, insurance adjuster, or sign any forms, you need to read my FREE book, “The Missouri Accident Book: Dealing with the Aftermath.” This book will arm you with the information necessary to make all the right moves after your Missouri car accident.

A hit-and-run accident in St. Louis County that occurred Thursday evening left one St. Louis woman dead. According to a report posted by CBS St. Louis, Ciby Kimbrough (70) was killed in a two vehicle collision that happened around 7:40 pm at the intersection of Clayton Road and Wood Hill Drive. The police arrived at the scene and Kimbrough’s vehicle was there, but the other vehicle involved had fled.  Police later found the second vehicle west of the scene, but the driver was nowhere to be found. Ciby Kimbrough was rushed to Mercy Hospital after the accident, where she later died.

The vehicle police found near the scene was a gray 2004 GMC Envoy, and the registered owner is George Putney of St. Louis. Police haven’t been able to locate Putney. Anyone with information is urged to call Town and Country Police at (314) 432-1000.

Hopefully the authorities will find the one responsible for this accident; sadly situations like this happen too often. The gutless “person” at fault should be punished. As a St. Louis personal injury lawyer I see the effects of horrific car accidents all the time. When I read about someone refusing to take responsibility for their actions it disgusts me. This is one of the reasons I decided to start participating in the Hit-and-Run Reward Program. An anonymous tip line that helps put hit-and-run drivers behind bars. Through the Hit-and-Run Reward Program responsible citizens can anonymously provide information to WeTip (call 800-644-8678), which will then be relayed to local law enforcement. If that information leads to the arrest and felony conviction of a hit-and-run driver the tipster stands to receive a reward of up to $1,000.

If you’ve been involved in a St. Louis hit-and-run accident you might not need a lawyer. But before you have to talk to any lawyers or insurance adjusters you need to read my book to ensure that you are 100% prepared for any and all post-accident scenarios. “The Missouri Accident Book” is a comprehensive guide of legal advice about Missouri car accidents that can help anyone make sure they make the best decisions possible after their Missouri car accident. Click here to order your free copy today.

*UPDATE: George Putney (52) is now in the custody of The Town and Country Police Department. Putney is currently being held at the St. Louis County Justice Center on $15,000 bond for his involvement in the fatal accident that killed Ciby Kimbrough, 70.

A rollover car crash in St. Charles County last Thursday was the result of a speeding driver, and left two injured. According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, around 4:50 am, Nathan Bracy (28) was driving his 2002 Ford Explorer northbound on the ramp from US Highway 61 to Interstate 70. Reports indicate that Bracy was driving too fast for the conditions, which caused him to lose control of his vehicle. After losing control, Bracy’s vehicle went off the right side of the road, struck a ditch and overturned. Terrell Fane (25) was riding as a passenger in Bracy’s vehicle at the time of the accident.

Fane and Bracy both experienced moderate injuries as a result of this accident, and were taken by ambulance to St. Joseph Hospital West for treatment. Both individuals involved in this accident were reported as wearing their seatbelts.

I hope that both Nathan and Terrell experience complete and speedy recoveries from their injuries. This accident is the perfect example of how dangerous speeding can be.
Speeding is often a significant factor in automobile accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as many as one in three accidents may be caused by excessive speed. This accident appears to be another example of the dangers of speed.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a Missouri car accident, you might not need a lawyer, but you will need helpful and accurate information. Before you speak to a lawyer, insurance adjuster, or sign any forms, you need to read my FREE book, “The Missouri Accident Book: Dealing with the Aftermath.” This book will arm you with the information necessary to make all the right moves after your Missouri car accident.

A distracted driver caused an accident on Wednesday in Jefferson County leaving himself and his two passengers injured. According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, John Reed (41) was driving his 2002 Hyundai Accent southbound on Missouri Route F just south of McNamee School Road. Around 6:00 pm he wasn’t paying attention which caused his vehicle to travel off the left side of the road and overturn. Two passengers, Teresa Knipe (41) and Lynnette Moore (41), were riding in the vehicle at the time of the accident.

As a result of the accident, all three individuals were taken to Mercy Medical Center by ambulance for treatment of moderate injuries. Knipe and Moore were reported as wearing their seatbelts at the time of the accident, while the driver, John Reed, was not wearing his.

I hope that all involved in this accident experience a complete and speedy recovery. This is the perfect example of how dangerous distracted driving can be.

Distracted driving is contributing to an ever increasing number of traffic accidents. The driver looks away for just a second to text, reply to email or place a call and by the time they look up it is too late. Fortunately, cell phone records can reveal such distractions after the fact even if the driver doesn’t initially come clean about the distraction.

If you or a loved one have been injured by a distracted driver, you might not need a lawyer, but you will need helpful and accurate information. Before you speak to a lawyer, insurance adjuster, or sign any forms, you need to read my FREE book, “The Missouri Accident Book: Dealing with the Aftermath.” This book will arm you with the information necessary to make all the right moves after your Missouri car accident.

When you’re thinking about filing a Missouri injury case or contacting a Missouri injury lawyer, you’re probably wondering: “how can I be sure I have a good case?”  That’s not always easy to determine but you can be sure you need to know at least one thing; can you prove liability in your Missouri injury lawsuit?  In a Missouri injury case, liability is when a person (including a company) is legally or financially accountable to another person (or society) as a result of an act that has caused damages.  That is a long definition and it is not a black or white definition. This is why having an experienced personal injury attorney is so important to the success of your case.

Determining liability in a Missouri injury case will vary depending on the type of accident. For example proving liability in a slip and fall accident is going to be different than it will be in a car accident.  There are also times when more than one party is liable for an accident. Sometimes a Court will decide that a person is, in part, liable for their own injuries!

The most common type of liability in a Missouri injury case is called negligence.  Negligence is the failure to take reasonable precaution or care to prevent an injury to others. In a slip and fall case, if a property owner neglects to clear a high traffic walkway of ice, he could be deemed negligent.  This is especially true if said property owner has had ample time to address the problem or was aware of the problem and neglected to do so.  To prove that a party is negligent in a Missouri injury case the plaintiff has to prove that the defendant had a duty to act with reasonable care and failed to do so.  The defendant’s failure to act then directly resulted in the plaintiff’s injury.

In many Missouri injury case it will be difficult to prove liability. Having a lot of strong evidence is important to support your claim that the defendant is liable. If you’re trying to prove liability against a corporation they may be on hook for your damages and if you were severely injured those damages may be sizeable.  Because of the large amount of money at stake everything in the case will be thoroughly scrutinized. Furthermore the defendant will probably be willing to spend thousands upon thousands of dollars to make sure they won’t have to spend more. You can be sure they’ll have a tough, experienced legal team on their side.

As I said, proving liability is difficult, especially in big cases. The responsibility of doing so is placed entirely on the plaintiff. They must not only prove the liability, but demonstrate the extent of the damages to determine compensation. This is why finding an experienced Missouri injury lawyer is key to ensuring that you have a successful Missouri injury claim.  If you have been hurt in a Missouri auto accident, Missouri dog bite, or have any other type of Missouri injury case, contact the experienced Missouri injury attorneys at Castle Law Office. Call us toll free at 1-866-990-8989 or check us out on Facebook.

Around 4:15 am on Saturday, a Missouri Car Accident in Jefferson County left two people injured. According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, Dillon Watson (21) was driving a 1999 Dodge Avenger westbound on Jarvis Road at Sandy Valley Road when the accident happened. According to reports, Watson failed to stop at a stop sign, traveled across the intersection and struck an embankment. Madison Watson (21) was riding as a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the accident.

Madison Watson experienced moderate injuries and was taken to Jefferson Regional Hospital in Crystal City by ambulance for treatment. Dillon Watson was seriously injures as a result of the crash, and was taken to Barnes Hospital in St. Louis by helicopter.

I hope both people involved in this accident experience and complete and speedy recovery from their injuries. According to reports, Madison Watson was not wearing her seatbelt, and it is unknown at this time if Dillon Watson was wearing one.

I know people get tired of hearing the old advice about how seatbelts save lives and prevent serious injuries, but it is true.  In a single car accident like this, many times seatbelts are the difference between going to the hospital and not.  Even though the initial report states no seatbelts were worn, sometimes that is not the case and it just appears that way because the seatbelt failed.  It is just as common of a fact that seatbelts fail as it is that seatbelts save lives.  If Dillon Watson and Madison Watson were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the car accident, it would be a great idea to make sure nothing happens to the car until an expert has had a chance to look at it to determine if the seatbelts did fail.  If so, Dillon and Madison may very well have a claim against the car manufacturer for their injuries.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a Missouri car accident, you might not need a lawyer, but you will need helpful and accurate information. Before you speak to a lawyer, insurance adjuster, or sign any forms, you need to read my FREE book, “The Missouri Accident Book: Dealing with the Aftermath.” This book will arm you with the information necessary to make all the right moves after your Missouri car accident.

Target Corporation, of Minneapolis, MN has recently issued a voluntary recall of their 6-piece LED Flashlight Sets. The recall has been issued because the products can heat up, smoke or melt when turned on, which can cause fire or burn hazards.

The 6-piece flashlight sets are made of silver plastic with black rubber around the handle and base of the light. The recall includes sets with the UPC code 490021010049 printed on the back of the package. The sets of six include two small flashlights that are about 3 inches long, two medium flashlights that are about 6 inches long, and two large flashlights that are about 7 ½ inches long.

It is recommended that you stop using the flashlights immediately and return to any Target store to receive a full refund.

For more information, you can contact Target at (800) 440-0680, Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT, or visit the company’s website at www.target.com.

You can view the recall on the website of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a defective product, contact a Missouri Defective Product Attorney to discuss your case.

A Franklin County car accident that occurred early Tuesday morning left four St. Clair, MO males injured. According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, around 1 am, Dylan Sheldon (19) was driving a 2002 Volkswagen Jetta southbound on Peacock Road about a mile south of Springfield Road. Sheldon was travelling too fast and became airborne after coming to the top of a hill. This caused him to lose control of the vehicle, travel to the left side of the road, strike a tree, and overturn.

Three passengers were riding in Sheldon’s vehicle at the time of the accident: Dalton Conway (19), Daniel Holmes (20), and Tyler Kennedy (20). Sheldon and Holmes were seriously injured as a result of the accident. Sheldon was taken to Mercy Hospital in Washington, MO by ambulance for treatment. Holmes was taken to Mercy Hospital in Creve Coeur by helicopter. Conway and Kennedy were reported as moderately injured after the accident, and were both taken to Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan. Conway and Kennedy were reported as not wearing their seatbelts at the time of the accident, while it is unknown if Holmes and Sheldon were wearing theirs. I hope that all involved in this accident experience a complete recovery from their injuries.

We all remember the days in those first years of driving when we got all our friends in the car, hit the back roads and just let it rip.  20 years later we look back and think how dangerous that was.  Today, it is considered one of the many forms of distracted driving that is fast becoming the leading cause of all traffic accidents.  I know Dylan didn’t mean to lose control of the vehicle and cause the injuries to his friends, but that is why they call them accidents.  The passengers in the Dylan Sheldon’s car will now likely face huge medical bills and maybe years of trauma over being in a rollover accident.  Given that Dylan Sheldon was an adult, it may very well be the case that his insurance for a rollover accident like this is minimal.  Dalton Conway, Daniel Holmes and Tyler Kennedy will likely need to look beyond Dylan’s auto policy for another source of funds to compensate them for their losses.  This could include Dylan’s parents if he still lives at home or maybe an umbrella policy of some kind.

In addition, it would be in their best interests to investigate the design of the road itself to determine if that was an additional cause of this unfortunate accident.  If it was, then the state of Missouri might have some liability or maybe even the county.  Regardless, before simply accepting a quick settlement from Dylan Sheldon’s insurance company, these families may wish to speak with someone who can properly investigate all of the possible options.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a Missouri car accident, you might not need a lawyer, but you will need helpful and accurate information. Before you speak to a lawyer, insurance adjuster, or sign any forms, you need to read my FREE book, “The Missouri Accident Book: Dealing with the Aftermath.” This book will arm you with the information necessary to make all the right moves after your Missouri car accident.

On January 5, a roll-over accident in Jefferson County left a teen woman with serious injuries. According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, Richard Maiden (22) was driving a 2000 Toyota Echo north on Old Sugar Creek Road, just south of Diehl Road. Around 7:15pm, Maiden traveled off the right side of the road and over-corrected. This caused his vehicle to then go off the left side of the road, strike an embankment, and overturn. Maiden had one passenger, Elizabeth Bercher (19), riding in his vehicle at the time of the accident.

As a result of the accident, Elizabeth Bercher experienced serious injuries, and was taken to St. Anthony’s Medical Center by ambulance for treatment. Richard Maiden was not reported as being injured in this accident. According to the report, neither of the individuals riding in the vehicle were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the accident.

I hope for a speedy and complete recovery for Elizabeth Bercher. She’s lucky the outcome was not worse especially since she wasn’t wearing her seatbelt.

Even thought reports indicate that those involved in this accident were not wearing their seatbelts, the injuries Bercher sustained could’ve been the result of a defective seatbelt. The Bercher family would be well-advised to contact a lawyer who specializes in serious traffic injuries and also auto defects. They will only know for sure if they can recover the vehicle and have it properly examined for any possible defect. A car accident attorney would be able to help the Bercher family determine any defects and pinpoint the exact nature of Glendale’s death.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a Missouri car accident, you might not need a lawyer, but you will need helpful and accurate information. Before you speak to a lawyer, insurance adjuster, or sign any forms, you need to read my FREE book, “The Missouri Accident Book: Dealing with the Aftermath.” This book will arm you with the information necessary to make all the right moves after your Missouri car accident.

Around 3:30 am on Tuesday morning, a one-car accident in St. Francois County took the life of a 34-year-old man riding as a passenger, and left the driver seriously injured. According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, Brian Motley (37) was driving his 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo northbound on Route E about ½ mile south of the Big River Bridge in St. Francois County when the accident occurred. Motley’s vehicle traveled off the edge of the road when he over-corrected, which caused the vehicle to go off the left side of the road, and then roll over.

Nathan Patterson (34) was riding as a passenger in the Monte Carlo at the time of the accident, and was killed as a result. Brian Motley experienced serious injuries and was taken to Barnes Hospital by helicopter for treatment. According to reports, Patterson was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the accident, while Brian Motley was wearing his.

This was a very tragic accident that shouldn’t have happened. My condolences go out to the friends and family of Nathan Patterson.

In Missouri, it’s mandatory for drivers and their passengers to wear a seatbelt. Missouri’s vocal seatbelt campaign, Arrive Alive, estimates that Missouri’s overall seatbelt usage is 76 percent, compared to 85 percent nationwide. Sadly, 7 out of 10 Missourians killed in car accidents are not wearing their seatbelt. So, get in the habit of wearing your seatbelt, it may save your life.

Although reports seem to indicate Nathan was wearing his seatbelt, many times I have found the seatbelt actually was being worn and simply failed.  Initial reports aren’t always accurate, so the Patterson family would be well advised to take the necessary steps to keep Mr. Motley’s vehicle for inspection by an expert BEFORE changes are made to it such as repairs, or worse yet, it is taken to a junk yard.  If a seatbelt did fail, important evidence must be gathered before it is lost.  When you or a family member have been involved in an accident such as this where there is a tragic death, the last thing you are thinking about is what evidence to try to protect.

If you or a loved one have been involved in a Missouri car accident you might not even need a lawyer. What you do need after any accident is helpful and accurate information. Order a FREE copy of: “The Missouri Accident Book”, a must have consumer guide written to make sure you’re armed with the information necessary to make all the right moves after your Missouri car accident.