Following too closely behind other vehicles can have devastating consequences. Drivers may not leave themselves enough space to react if the car ahead of them slows down unexpectedly. Many fatal car accidents in Missouri result from such basic errors.

A recent crash on Highway 21 in the area of De Soto occurred under such circumstances and claimed the life of one person. According to a report by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the incident happened shortly before 4 p.m. on a recent Wednesday. A 56-year-old Potosi driver was southbound on the highway when the car ahead of her slowed to turn left. Because there was no time to slow down, the only way to avoid rear-ending the turning car was to swerve into the lane of the northbound traffic.

A northbound car was struck head-on. Emergency services rushed to the accident scene and transported the 58-year-old passenger of the southbound vehicle to a hospital where she succumbed to her injuries within one hour. The drivers of the two cars that collided were both airlifted to another hospital with injuries of undisclosed severity.

Losing loved ones in avoidable car accidents is naturally devastating. At this difficult time, the victim’s surviving family members may have to face medical bills, end-of-life expenses and other financial losses. They will be entitled to pursue recovery of damages by filing a wrongful death lawsuit in a Missouri civil court against the driver of the car. If negligence can be established, the court will adjudicate all the documented claims for losses incurred before entering a monetary judgment.

Source: myleaderpaper.com, “Passenger dies in De Soto-area head-on crash“, Peggy Bess, Sept. 1, 2016