Occupants of vehicles that crash while traveling at high rates of speed are more likely to suffer severe injuries than those who travel at the posted speed limits. Unfortunately, many drivers fail to recognize their responsibility for the safety of the passengers in their vehicles. Too many fatal car accidents are reported in Missouri in which passengers lose their lives while apparent negligent drivers survive.

One such an accident was reported by the Cape Girardeau police earlier this month. Reportedly, a car was speeding along a local highway when the driver failed to maintain control of it. He left the roadway and crashed into a ditch. Two passengers were also in the vehicle.

Police reported that the skid marks from where the driver applied the brakes to the spot at which the car came to a halt in the ditch covered a distance of more than 70 feet. This is an indication of the speed at which the car was traveling. Reportedly, two of the occupants were ejected while the driver had to be extricated from the wreck. All three occupants were taken to a hospital for treatment of the injuries they suffered.

Sadly, the 43-year-old passenger who was sitting in the back seat later succumbed to his injuries. The surviving family members of passengers who die in car accidents are entitled to pursue financial relief by filing wrongful death claims against an allegedly negligent driver in a Missouri civil court. Upon proof of negligence, the court will consider documented claims for financial losses. These may include end-of-life expenses, loss of future income, loss of companionship and more. This process is typically followed by the entering of a monetary judgment for documented damages.

Source: kfvs12.com, “1 person died after crash on E. Cape Rock in Cape Girardeau on Monday“, Amber Ruch, Oct. 4, 2016