On Friday, June 15, Perry L. McLeod, Karl O. Blaser, Howard P. Resz, and Emily D. Lewis–plus their respective passengers–all became involved in a multi-car accident on 1-49 at the Route C juncture. The accident began when Karl O. Blaser began to slow down on I-49 due to traffic congestion and a tractor-trailer driven by Perry L. McLeod slammed into Karl O. Blaser’s vehicle from behind, forcing it from the road where it flipped repeatedly. Perry L. McLeod’s big-rig then struck the vehicles operated by Howard P. Resz and Emily D. Lewis, each in turn. According to the official crash report, the accident may have been caused by a mechanical failure in Perry L. McLeod’s brake system. Tragically, Karl O. Blaser was pronounced dead at the scene, with several other parties also receiving signficant injuries in the crash. All injured persons were transported to area hospitals for treatment.
A traffic fatality can be a terrible and traumatic event in the life of a family. We at the law offices of Kevin J. Roach wish the family and friends of Karl O. Blaser our sincerest condolences, and we hope all other parties will have a succesful, thorough, and swift recovery from their injuries.
Missouri offers a broad system of personal injury laws meant to protect parties who are injured through another person’s negligence. Here, the accident will likely be determined to be Mr. McLeod’s fault. The party seeking relief will be entitled to payment for lost wages, any damaged property, and any medical bills incurred as a result of the accident that are not a result of his or her own negligence. Furthermore, Karl O. Blaser’s surviving family and next of kin may seek to sue on his behalf through Missouri’s wrongful death statute.
If you’ve been injured in a big-rig or tractor-trailer accident, consult the personal injury experts at the law offices of Kevin J. Roach, (866) 519-0085, today.
