Four vehicles were involved in a traffic accident Wednesday morning that left one man dead. Several other accident victims suffered injuries serious enough for authorities to call in helicopters to bring the victims to hospitals in Springfield, Missouri.

The four car wreck erupted after police say a 34-year-old woman crossed over the center line on Barry County Route W. Her Chevrolet Trailblazer slammed into a Ford Ranger first–then the sport utility vehicle struck a Malibu. That second collision sent the Malibu spinning back over the center line where it was struck by a Dodge Durango.

A passenger in the Malibu was killed in the multi-vehicle accident. The Malibu is the car that was struck twice–once each by the Trailblazer and the Durango. The driver of the Malibu survived, but the Missouri Highway Patrol says that the 27-year-old Purdy, Missouri, woman suffered serious personal injuries. She was one of four people who were flown to Springfield after the multi-car wreck.

The three others to suffer serious injuries who were airlifted were the driver of the Ranger and two passengers from the Durango. The highway patrol says that the woman driving the Trailblazer that crossed the center line before the fatal wreck and her 3-year-old passenger suffered mild to moderate injuries.

When more than two vehicles are involved in a car accident, the issues that can arise in the investigation can become complicated. Accident victims may see low-ball offers from insurance companies who may not want to cover losses that the accident victims have sustained. But, it is important that survivors of a multiple vehicle wreck seek the proper treatment during the recovery process.

Source: KOLR 10 News, “Wheaton Man Dies in Four-Vehicle Accident,” Oct. 24, 2013