Every year, some families are informed by law enforcement agencies here in Missouri and across the country that their loved ones died in car accidents. Some of those accidents are head-on collisions. In fact, three families were recently given the news that their loved ones died in such a crash. Another family was told that their loved one was injured in the same wreck.
According to reports from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a pickup truck was heading northbound on a recent Wednesday night. A 33-year-old Missouri man was operating the vehicle. For some reason, the pickup crossed over into the southbound side of the highway and slammed into another vehicle.
Three people occupied the southbound vehicle. Both of the passengers, a 68-year-old man and a 44-year-old man, suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene. Both men were from Iowa, along with the driver. He survived the crash, but was transported to an area hospital with injuries. The driver of the pickup truck died from the injuries he suffered in the crash as well.
However, that does not mean that the families of the two deceased victims and the injured passenger will not have the opportunity to file wrongful death or personal injury claims, as applicable. Evidence will need to be gathered and presented to a civil court that proves that the actions of the southbound driver caused the deaths and injuries suffered by the victims. If a Missouri court rules that negligence occurred, awards of damages consistent with those awarded in other head-on collisions.
Source: radioiowa.com, “Fort Dodge men killed in Missouri accident“, March 18, 2016
