Single vehicle car accidents lead to many deaths and injuries

Missouri residents may be concerned when they read reports about teenagers being involved in car accidents. Sadly, many of these incidents result because a driver was not following the rules of the roadway. Some of these car accidents only involve only one vehicle that leaves the roadway after the driver loses control. The tragic reality is that many teenagers suffer severe and fatal injuries as a result of these accidents.

Missouri troopers reported a single-vehicle accident that happened on a recent Friday evening just west of Briar. Five teenagers were traveling on US 160 in a pickup truck. The 16-year-old driver apparently lost control of the vehicle and then over-corrected, which caused the pickup to roll over. All of the occupants were ejected from the vehicle.

A 17-year-old passenger lost his life and was declared dead at the accident scene. The 16-year-old driver and a 15-year-old passenger suffered severe injuries and were airlifted to a hospital. The remaining two passengers, both 17 years old, were transported by ambulances to a local hospital after also suffering injuries. An investigation to determine possible contributing factors and the cause of the accident is underway.

Missouri residents who have lost loved ones or whose loved ones were injured in car accidents that were caused by the negligence of other parties retain the right to pursue recovery of damages, such as medical and end-of-life expenses. This is even true when the victims were passengers in a vehicle driven by a negligent party. Monetary damages may be awarded in the event of a successfully litigated personal injury or wrongful death civil lawsuit. In cases like the one described here, both the driver and any owner of record of the pickup truck could potentially be held responsible for the incident.

Source: kait8.com, “1 teen killed, 4 injured in southeast MO crash”, James Long, May 24, 2014