Solo-Vehicle Crash on Highway 36 Injures Passenger [Linn County, MO]

Linn County, MO (February 19, 2025) – A driver and a passenger were injured following a vehicle crash on Highway 36 Monday night.

The solo-vehicle crash happened around 8:20 p.m. one mile east of Bucklin.

Police said a tractor-trailer was overtaking a minivan driven by a 55-year-old man from Bloomington, Illinois.

The van driver’s vision became obstructed and the vehicle traveled off the right side of the road, struck a ditch, and overturned.

The rescuers rushed the van’s driver and his passenger, a 56-year-old woman, also from Bloomington, Illinois, to Pershing Memorial Hospital in Brookfield.

MSHP officers said the driver and passenger were both wearing seat belts at the time of the accident.

Focus on the Road

Millions of people take to the roads for work, school, errands, or leisure. While many of these trips are uneventful, accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. Traffic accidents can change lives in an instant, causing physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial hardship.

Wearing your seatbelt is the simplest and most effective way to protect yourself in an accident. It can reduce the risk of serious injury or death by up to 50%.

Most importantly, we should never drink and drive.

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Personal Injury Claims After a Traffic Collision: What You Need to Know

When involved in a traffic collision, filing a personal injury claim is necessary to recover damages. This legal process allows the victims to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other expenses caused by the traffic collision. However, the process is often complex, and understanding how it works is crucial for anyone pursuing a claim.

The first step in a personal injury claim is to determine liability. In most cases, the driver responsible for the traffic accident, which could be due to negligence, distracted driving, speeding, or other factors, will be held accountable. Establishing fault is key to securing compensation. Gathering pieces of evidence such as police reports, traffic camera footage, witness statements, and medical records can strongly prove who was at fault.

Once liability is established, the injured party can then seek compensation for various types of damages. Medical expenses which include hospital bills, rehabilitation costs, prescription medications, and any long-term care needs, will be a significant part of the claim. 

Additionally, if the traffic collision resulted in lost wages or has impacted the victim’s ability to work, these financial losses can also be added to the claim.

Pain and suffering which is a more subjective form of compensation, is one of the most debated aspects of a personal injury claim. Courts and insurance companies assess this based on how severely the victim was injured and the accident’s impact on the victim’s life, including physical and emotional distress.

Do not forget about the statute of limitations, which dictates the time frame within which a claim must be filed. Failing to file within this period may result in losing the right to pursue compensation.

Let Our Expert Attorneys Guide You 

A personal injury claim can help you recover damages if you’re injured in a traffic collision. Seek legal counsel from Sweet Lawyers to ensure your rights are protected and that you have the best chance of receiving fair compensation.

See what our clients say or better yet, call us today at (800) 674-7852.