Missouri Truck Accident Lawyer Blog

A 70 year old Wentzville woman was killed in a St. Charles County Missouri dump truck accident. Her husband witnessed the fatal Saint Charles County Missouri trucking accident from his vehicle, which was behind hers during the accident.

Shirley A. Kutter of Wentzville, Missouri stopped her 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser in the cross over section of Highway 61 at Peine Road. Kutter stopped her vehicle in the cross over to yield to emergency vehicles – a fire truck and an ambulance were near. After the emergency vehicles left her vicinity, Kutter pulled away from the median. The front of a 2007 Sterling Dump Truck slammed into her car.

Kutter was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident by EMS. Truck driver Robert W. Stone of O’Fallon, Missouri only sustained minor injuries in the accident. Kutter was with her husband before the accident, but they decided to take separate vehicles to their destination. According to local news reports, Kutter’s husband witnessed the entire accident. He was not physically harmed during the accident.

Fatal Missouri car accidents put substantial emotional strain on the accident victim’s surviving loved ones. Grief is linked to serious declines in both emotional and physical health. Bereaved adults are at risk of developing major depression, a serious psychiatric condition. Grief-related depression may cause adverse physical reactions such as dramatic weight gain or loss, changes in appetite, sleep problems, and suicidal thoughts. Bereaved individuals who actually witness the catastrophic death of a loved one may suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD symptoms include high levels of anxiety, nightmares, and “flashback” memories of the catastrophic event.

Fatal Missouri car accidents put an enormous financial strain on the accident victim’s spouse. If the accident victim received medical treatment for accident-related injuries before passing away, the victim’s spouse may face resulting medical bills. The victim’s spouse may have to struggle with the expenses incurred funereal expenses, which are most often unplanned for before the accident. The accident victim’s spouse must face these unexpected expenses without the benefit of the victim’s wages. If the accident victim’s spouse wants to pursue a Missouri wrongful death lawsuit, the threat of attorney’s fees may add to the pressure.

Accident victim spouses should consider hiring a personal injury attorney on a contingency basis. Missouri car accident lawyers who work on contingency do not charge for their services upfront. If the client wins a judgment or settles a case, a portion goes to the attorney as payment. If the client loses, the attorney does not charge. Contingency fees help accident victims and their loved ones by reducing their financial risk in their pursuit of compensation.