Navigating the roads alongside tractor trailers requires more than just casual attention—it demands defensive driving. These large vehicles have unique operational constraints such as longer stopping distances, wider turning radii, and larger blind spots. For passenger vehicle drivers, understanding how to drive safely around tractor trailers is vital. This blog offers essential tips for defensive driving that enhances safety for everyone on the highway. Understanding Tractor Trailers: Before diving into defensive driving techniques, it's crucial to recognize the limitations of tractor trailer ..read more

Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage is an important aspect of auto insurance policies, designed to protect policyholders in case of accidents involving drivers who do not carry enough insurance to cover the damages. “UIM” coverage is not to be confused with “UM” or UNINSURED motorist coverage.  In Missouri, Uninsured "UM" coverage is mandatory in every automobile insurance policy, and it covers you in the event that the other driver who causes a crash does not have insurance coverage.  Again, this type of coverage must be in every Missouri auto insurance policy. This article is NOT ..read more

In August of 2023, Missouri became the 49th state to prohibit drivers from texting while driving.  The law is entitled, “The Siddens Bening Hands-Free Law.” The law was named after two gentlemen who were tragically killed by distracted drivers in Missouri. The law prohibits texting while driving for all drivers, and it also requires drivers to use hand-free technology if making a call or using an app for things such as music or navigation. You may not hold your phone while operating a vehicle in Missouri, which means no scrolling or typing while driving. You may not even support your phon ..read more

KEEP YOUR DISTANCE FROM TRACTORS WITHOUT TRAILERS ON THE ROAD….BOBTAILING IS DANGEROUS! Have you ever driven down the highway and passed the tractor of a truck without a trailer attached? It can look rather strange.  The practice is referred to a driving a truck bobtail.  Not only does it look strange, bobtailing has its hidden dangers.   One danger specific to bobtailing is that a tractor that is traveling without the weight of a trailer has reduced traction, which increases the risk of skidding out of control.  This is particularly true when the roads are wet or icy ..read more

Who doesn’t love their dog?  Dog is man’s (and woman’s) best friend.  Many dog owners treat their dogs as if they are their children!  But it is important to remember that your dog is an animal and can’t reason like a human.  The sweetest dog may still sense that they are in some way being attacked and may injure someone.  As a result, you need to make sure that you are protected in the event your dog does the unexpected and bites someone. What is your legal responsibility if your dog hurts someone in Missouri? It is important to understand that dog bite laws vary from ..read more

It seems that I'm getting more and more phone calls from people who are injured as a result of a road rage incident. I witnessed one on the road a few weeks ago when an SUV cut off a van, and the van driver got angry, blared the horn, and then whipped around the SUV and slammed her brakes on it in front of the SUV.  Thankfully, no crash occurred, but it sure was scary! I do get the question, “can I sue the driver who caused a crash during a road rage incident?”  The answer is yes, you can sue the driver, but the problem is that person’s insurance company may likely deny any insurance ..read more

Comparative Fault in Missouri In the world of personal injury law, two of the most common types of cases involve negligence and premises liability. Negligence occurs when one party is harmed due to another party’s failure to use ordinary care. In Missouri, the injured party, or Plaintiff, must prove each of the following four elements to succeed on a negligence claim: 1) that the Defendant owed a duty of care to Plaintiff; 2) that the Defendant breached that duty of care; 3) that said breach of duty caused harm or injury to Plaintiff; and 4) that Plaintiff suffered damages as a result. Premise ..read more

Gary Boothe, Jr.  v. Dish Network, Inc. Missouri Supreme Court decision handed down December 21, 2021 On December 21, 2021, the Missouri Supreme Court reversed the Court of Appeals and held that the Labor Commission’s denial of benefits to a worker who was injured in a one-vehicle crash after he choked on his breakfast food was correct.  Gary Boothe Jr. (“Boothe”) was a Field Service Specialist for DISH Network, Inc. (“DISH”). In this position, he would drive a company vehicle to provide services to customers in a large area. Boothe would receive his itinerary around 7:15 a.m. in the ..read more

On November 9, 2021, the Missouri Supreme Court discussed the scope of co-worker liability in Brock v. Dunne. The case involved employees of JMC Manufacturing who were using a high-pressure laminating machine which applied a layer of glue to a sheet as a pair of rollers sitting above it, and second pair of rollers sitting below the sheet, would propel a sheet of particle board, gypsum, or medium-density fiberboard. Attached to the machine was a safety guard comprised of a hinged metal grate which rested over the bottom pair of rollers and guarded the pinch point created where the bottom roller ..read more

According to the U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics, the agricultural sector is still amongst the most dangerous in America, with 574 fatalities. Transportation incidents alone resulted in 274 deaths, including104 deaths involving land vehicles in non-roadway areas and 94 in roadway areas. More than 95,000 farms cover over 27 million acres here in Missouri, with more than 400,000 acres of farmland in Stoddard, Bates, Saline, Nodaway, and Vernon counties.[1] A fantastic investigative article by the Missourian details just how every day, Missouri farmers face hazardous work conditions and pote ..read more