Tragedy struck last week in Iowa, when a semitrailer slammed into a car on Highway 63 in Iowa. The truck accident killed Missouri residents, Charles Haffer Jr., and Tony Penberthy. The driver of the car, Robert Lindsey O’Fallon, survived the crash and received treatment at Ottumwa Hospital for his injuries. The driver of the semitrailer – who hailed from Florida – was not hurt.
Haffer Jr., who went by the nickname “Photo Billy,” had been a favorite driver at Quincy Raceways. Iowa State Patrol troopers say the accident happened early last Tuesday morning at Exit 30 on Highway 60. Lindsey’s Pontiac Sunfire had slowed down, apparently due to mechanical problems, possibly precipitating the crash. No one in the car had been wearing seatbelts, according to initial reports. The investigation is in its early stages, so it’s difficult to say what precisely caused the accident and who might be liable for the damages.
Lessons for you, if you’ve recently been injured in a truck accident in Missouri or Illinois – or elsewhere in the Midwest
Initial reports about injury truck accidents are often awash with speculation, intriguing details, and scary facts. But when you read about an accident in the paper — or online — you are really just looking at the tip of the iceberg. It’s easy to jump to conclusions based on your emotional “gut” reaction. This is true, whether you’re reading about an accident or you were a victim in one. Our instincts are to rush to judgment about who caused what, how and why.
Sometimes our guesses can be on the money. In some cases, it’s pretty obvious why an accident happened – for instance, say an executive had been blatantly texting on his cell phone, when he sailed through a red light intersection and clunked into your car. It’s clear that the driver’s negligence contributed to/caused what happened.
But you never can know.
Surprising details can emerge during investigations that can complicate your case or simplify it, depending on your point of view. Opportunities and “traps” (legally speaking) abound, for good and bad. For instance, initial reports regarding this case say that the Pontiac had slowed down due to mechanical problems. Were these problems caused by a failed part, shoddy mechanical job, or natural wear and tear? To what extent did the car’s strangely slow speed contribute to the accident and the injury/fatalities? What were the road conditions like at Exit 30, at the time?
Depending on the answers that the investigation yields, your strategy as a victim of a Missouri truck accident can change profoundly.
A way to manage the complexity
A smart, aggressive, and experienced Missouri truck accident law firm can help you look at what happened, protect your rights, and prepare effectively for various contingencies. Your job is to rest, recover, and get your life in order – as well as you can. Connect with the team here at Carey, Danis & Lowe for a complementary evaluation of your accident case.
