The holiday season can be an especially difficult time to deal with injuries caused by a Missouri car accident. Car accident injuries can mar a time that is meant to be festive and lead to costly medical bills in the future. One recent auto collision led to five people suffering injuries that required hospitalization.

The accident happened in a Missouri town at an intersection just before 9 p.m. on the day after Christmas. A 16-year-old driver was reportedly traveling south in a 2007 Pontiac G6 when she failed to yield at a stop sign. As a result, she collided with a man driving a 1997 Dodge Ram at the intersection.

According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, the teenager did not obey the stop sign at the intersection where the accident took place. Three minor passengers in the 16-year-old’s vehicle suffered injuries and both drivers were evidently also injured. Police reports indicate that all five were transported to be treated for their injuries at the Hannibal Regional Hospital. Reports did not indicate what condition the injured individuals were in at the time of their hospitalizations.

There was not yet any word on whether the teen would be cited for failure to stop at the sign. However in some cases like this, injured drivers or passengers are able to pursue payment for their medical and other damages caused by such a car accident. Missouri law provides the opportunity for such personal injury claims to be filed in civil court, provided that evidence can be presented that demonstrates a driver’s negligence either caused or contributed to the collision.

Source: ConnectTristates.com, “Five injured in two-car crash in Hannibal,” Dec. 27, 2013