Shawn Auxier and Mathew Smith injured in Morgan county big-rig wreck - The Law Offices of Kevin Roach, LLC. | The Law Offices of Kevin Roach, LLC.

Shawn Auxier and Mathew Smith injured in Morgan county big-rig wreck

Missouri State Highway Patrol Car Crash

On Wednesday, June 27, Shawn Auxier and Mathew Smith, both Missouri residents, were badly injured in a single-vehicle accident on MO-5 at the US-50 intersection.

The accident began at approximately 12:05 pm when Shawn Auxier, 46, of Boonville, failed to stop at a stop sign and lost control of the 2002 Freightliner tractor-trailer he was operating.

The tractor-trailer travelled off the road and down an embankment before crashing into a nearby stand of trees. Mathew Smith, 27, of Columbia, was riding with Mr. Auxier at the time, and also suffered serious injuries.

According to the official highway patrol crash report, both parties had to be transported to University Hospital for further observation and treatment.

All parties were wearing their safety belts at the time of the incident.

Missouri State Highway Patrol Car Emergency 911

The Legal Claims

Missouri and Illinois offer a widespread system of personal injury laws meant to protect parties who are injured through another party’s negligent acts.

The party seeking relief will be entitled to payment for lost wages, pain and suffering, 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.

Missouri law states that you have five (5) years to file your personal injury lawsuit, unlike Illinois law which allows only a two (2) year period, though you never want to wait that long to file a claim. Some cases require a good deal of discovery and preparation, so the sooner you contact an attorney to file the case, the better your odds of recovering everything you are owed will be.

Do I need an attorney?

Some accident victims are reluctant to hire an attorney because they think they cannot afford one. However, most personal injury attorneys, including Kevin Roach, are only paid if you receive a settlement or a verdict in your favor.

You do not pay anything up front.

Also, remember that the statistics show that people who hire a personal injury attorney usually end up receiving far more accident compensation than if they handled the case on their own – on average, 3.5 times more. The bottom line is – you will most likely receive more for your injuries by hiring an experienced and proven auto accident personal injury attorney.

Kevin Roach is one of those attorneys. He is a highly experienced and well-rated attorney who has practiced personal injury law since 2001. Kevin oversees every personal injury case to ensure that you receive the maximum financial award for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering.

Does it Matter That It Was a Big-Rig Wreck?

One of the most common questions we field when interviewing potential clients is; why does it matter if the vehicle that struck me was a big-rig or other large commercial vehicle? Large commercial vehicles often have different kinds of rules and regulations which govern their operation, and they always have a different type of insurance than that used by normal, non-commercial, drivers. All of these issues make big-rig wrecks unique, though just as easily handled by an experienced litigator such as those at the Roach firm.

If you still have questions about your car, truck, or motorcycle accident, please do not hesitate to contact Kevin Roach today for a free consultation, (866) 519-0085.