(ThompsonLawSTL) It’s that time of year beloved by parents and dreaded by kids - back-to-school time! With more buses on the road, children waiting at stops, and people rushing to get the kids dropped off at school before hurrying to work, it’s a good time to review Missouri rules about bus safety. First, the buses themselves. Missouri actually has extensive rules concerning minimum...
(ThompsonLawSTL) Recently the Missouri Court of Appeals for the Western District issued an interesting opinion that decided against Geico and in favor of “M.O.,” a woman who had previously been in a romantic relationship with Geico’s insurance policyholder, “M.B.” M.O. v. Geico Gen. Ins. Co. and Government Employees Ins. Co., WD84722 (Mo. App. June 7, 2022)...
(ThompsonLawSTL) Insurance policies are contracts. You (the policyholder) agree to pay the insurance company a certain amount of money, and the insurance company agrees to provide insurance coverage for liability, and often uninsured motorist coverage or underinsured motorist coverage as well. These coverages will each have a limit shown on your policy. Missouri requires insurance policies...
(ThompsonLawSTL) Say you’re in an auto accident one day after a driver runs a stop sign, and you end up crashing into the side of his vehicle after he unexpectedly pulls out in front of you too late for you to stop. You have some injuries but are able to speak to the driver, and you both agree he was responsible. The police come to the scene, take statements, and you leave in an ambulance...
(ThompsonLawSTL) What happens if you get rear-ended by someone who doesn’t have any insurance? What happens if you get hit by a hit-and-run driver who leaves the scene of the crash, and you can’t ever identify who the driver was? What happens if your medical bills are $300,000, but the driver responsible for your injuries only has a state-minimum $25,000 policy? These questions (and...
(ThompsonLawSTL) You signed a contract. Maybe to buy a house. Maybe to sell your used record collection. Maybe to get your master bathroom renovated. Now the other party is refusing to follow through with the contract! What do you do? You have a potential breach of contract claim. To prove a claim for a breach of contract in court, you have to prove four things: (1) a contract existed...
Maybe you were rear-ended on the highway. Maybe someone ran a red light. Maybe a driver didn’t see your vehicle coming and pulled out right in front of you. What are your first steps? At the crash site First, very first - check to see if you are injured or if other occupants in your vehicle are injured, and how badly. If you or anyone has serious physical injuries requiring immediate...