Property damage refers to any kind of harm caused to your vehicle or belongings after a crash. This includes a wide range of situations, from minor dents and broken headlights on your car to destroyed items like cell phones, laptops, or custom equipment inside the vehicle. Property damage is the overall umbrella for claims…
Tires separating from large trucks or big rigs are not an everyday occurrence. However, when it does occur, the consequences can be devastating. These incidents can unfold in seconds, leaving nearby drivers little to no time to react. What makes these types of incidents especially concerning is that, in many cases, they are preventable…
March 31, 2026 | St. Louis, MO On the evening of March 31, 2026, a three-vehicle crash occurred around 7:30 pm on westbound Interstate 270. The collision took place near the Missouri Route 367 exit in north St. Louis, and left eight people injured, including six children. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol,…
Loss of consortium is a type of non-economic damage available in certain personal injury and wrongful death cases. It compensates a spouse or close family member for the loss of companionship, affection, support, and marital relationship caused by another person’s injury. These damages recognize that a serious injury affects more than the injured person….
In Missouri, pain and suffering damages are not calculated by a specific formula or standard guide. Instead, these damages depend on factors such as the seriousness of your injuries, your recovery time, long-term effects, and how your accident impacts your daily life. Courts, juries, and insurance companies decide how much to award for pain…
Despite significant advances in vehicle safety, thousands of people are killed on U.S. roads each year. In fact, from 2014 to 2023, over 380,000 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes, with such incidents rising by 25% during the same time period. In this study, we calculated the yearly fatal crash rate per capita…
A vehicle is designated a total loss when the reasonable cost to repair it, plus its salvage value, equals or exceeds a set percentage of its actual cash value (ACV). In Missouri, for most newer vehicles (under 6 years old generally), state law requires that a car be declared a total loss if repair…
Motorcycle helmets generally do expire. However, there’s no legal “expiration date” stamped on helmets under Missouri law or federal rules. This is more about safety for the person wearing it and manufacturer recommendations. Most major helmet manufacturers recommend replacing your helmet every five years, even if it appears to be in good condition. Materials…
A blind spot, or “no-zone,” is an area around a large truck where the truck driver’s view is either limited or completely blocked. These spaces can hide entire cars, motorcycles, bicycles, or pedestrians from a truck driver’s mirrors. Blind spots are found in different places on all trucks, but they are especially big and…
When a semi-truck jackknifes, the trailer swings out to one side and forms an angle with the cab, much like the action of folding a pocketknife. This often puts both the truck driver and nearby motorists in sudden danger. Because of how big these trucks are and the force involved, injuries can be severe…
