Car accidents: 2 lives lost in wrong-way crash on Christmas Day

On behalf of Noland Law Firm, LLC posted in car accidents on Tuesday, December 29, 2015.

Losing a loved one on Christmas Day is not something to be wished on anyone. In one of many car accidents involving wrong-way drivers on Missouri roads, two drivers lost their lives early on Christmas morning. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that the wreck occurred on Interstate 70 in St. Louis.

An accident report by MSHP indicates that a 65-year-old driver from Bridgeton was eastbound on I-70 when his vehicle was struck head-on by another car. Officers say the other vehicle, driven by a Berkeley resident, was westbound in the eastbound lane. The reason for driving in the wrong traffic lane is unknown and may be difficult to determine, as the wrong-way driver was killed in the accident.

The driver of the vehicle that was heading east also lost his life. Four passengers in that car suffered injuries, and they were all transported to the hospital. The severity of their injuries was not reported. 

Whenever deaths occur in car accidents on Missouri roads that are suspected to have been caused by the negligent driving of other parties, the surviving family members may pursue financial relief by filing wrongful death lawsuits in a civil court. Similarly, those who have suffered injuries in such accidents may file personal injury claims. However, negligence will have to be established in court before it will consider claims for specific items of monetary damages. In addition to end-of-life costs and/or medical expenses, all other documented financial and emotional losses will be considered by the court for inclusion in a judgment.