Auto Accidents

A 91-year-old woman was struck by an SUV while crossing Highway 12, in Cokato, Minnesota. She died before she could be airlifted from the scene.

Ruby Voight had just gone shopping. She was walking home at about 5:15 p.m. with her packages in the basket of her walker. The 1996 Chevy Tahoe, driven by 55-year-old David Rostomily, was driving westbound on Hwy 12. Ruby was in the crosswalk at Johnson Avenue NW when she was struck.

Wright County Sheriff’s Office and the State Patrol were at the scene. They will continue to investigate the accident. Alcohol does not appear to be a factor. Mr. Rostomily stopped and is cooperating with authorities.

Helping Accident Victims and Families

In pedestrian accidents, especially when a wrongful death has occurred, it is vital to interview eyewitnesses and protect evidence. The loss of a parent or grandparent is very difficult and if the estate was not in order, a significant amount of money could have been lost to taxes.

The attorneys with TSR Injury Law have years of experience handling pedestrian accidents and wrongful death cases. We will support you through this difficult time by providing legal counsel, doing all of the paperwork, and filing your claim. Call (612) TSR-TIME and speak to a licensed Minneapolis personal injury attorney or submit our free consultation form and a member from our legal team will contact you shortly.

Free Consultation – Ph: (612) TSR-TIME.

The love of a mother knows no bounds. Yesterday a mother gave her life for her 3-month-old daughter.

Oakdale police reported that Stacey Morgan, 33, must have realized that she was going to be struck from behind, because at the last second she shoved the baby stroller away from danger. Her daughter was ejected from the stroller, but since she was strapped into a car seat on top of the stroller, she was uninjured.

The accident happened in the 6900 block of 29th Street, in Oakdale, just before 8 a.m. Ms. Morgan was running east on 29th Street. A 16-year-old male was driving a 1997 Infiniti, in the same direction, and struck Ms. Morgan from behind.

Ms. Morgan sustained serious head injuries and was transported to Regions Hospital. She died a short time later.

Minnesota State Patrol will help further investigate the incident. Alcohol is not suspected as a factor in this tragedy.

Who Can Be Held Liable?

There are many cases of pedestrian accidents where the driver was inattentive, speeding, on the cell phone, or was texting while driving. The Minnesota personal injury lawyers at TSR Injury Law have the skill and expertise to investigate and take those findings to build a persuasive, winning case. We have handled many pedestrian accident cases, including those involving personal injury and wrongful death. Call (612) TSR-TIME for efficient, aggressive representation. If you prefer, you may submit our contact form.

No fees. No cost. You do not pay unless you win.

Last Thursday, in Hugo, a semi truck rear ended a minivan killing 2 of the 3 occupants. Carolyn Anderson, 59, stopped to make a left turn at 159th Street when her van was hit by the semi truck driven by Seth Strehler, 32, of Rockford, Minnesota. Carolyn died at the scene. Her 88-year-old aunt, Rose Bongiovanni, of St. Paul, was taken to Regions Hospital, where she later died. Minnesota State Patrol said that with all of the new development in the area cross traffic has increased. It is vital for drivers to be alert and slow down.

Saturday, in Carver County, a three-vehicle fatal accident took the lives of two people and injured four others, including 3 children. Two of the three drivers died in the chain reaction semi truck crash, Sandra Babatz, 45, of Norwood Young America, and Juan Overa, 35 of Sullivan, Texas.

Semi truck driver Gordon Curtiss, 52, of Hutchinson, was traveling east on Highway 212 in a 2007 Kenworth semi truck. Sandra Babatz was also going east driving a 2003 Pontiac Vibe. Highway 212 is just two lanes at that point, Babatz stopped on the highway to make a left turn off the highway, onto CR 51 going north. Babatz was rear ended by Curtiss and pushed into the other lane of traffic. She was broadsided by a 1999 Chevrolet pickup truck driven by Olvera.

Both of these accidents highlight the need for more attentiveness to driving, especially on two-lane highways. If either of these accidents happened because of negligence on the part of the semi truck driver, a trustee can be named by the courts and wrongful death claims can be filed.

Acts of negligence:

• driver negligence which includes texting while driving, dialing cellphone, eating, driving while tired
• equipment violations
• negligent hiring which means a trucking company may have hired an unqualified driver
• over hours

Help For The Families of Victims

At the time of the accident, you lost a loved one and your world crumbled and changed forever. You need someone to help carry the load. The Minneapolis personal injury attorneys at TSR Injury Law can help you maneuver the legal system, do all of the paperwork, research and access all of the insurance policies available, and file your claim. Call (612) TSR-TIME or submit our free consultation form.

Last weekend brought to light again the need for stiffer penalties for drunk driving. There was another needless death. A multiple repeat-offender was apparently driving drunk again, crashed into a vehicle, killing the 17-year-old driver.

Todd Lifto, 44, drove his 2001 Chevrolet Silverado pickup the wrong way on County Road 35, with no headlights — and speeding. He crashed into the 1998 Toyota Camry that Jonathon Kramnic was driving. Jonathon was airlifted to North Memorial Medical Center, Robbinsdale, where he died Sunday.

The crash occurred on Saturday about 6:30 p.m., on County 35, near Jamison Avenue, in St. Michael. Lifto was charge on Wednesday with two counts of criminal vehicular homicide. One of the counts is based on the use of alcohol before the crash, according to Tom Kelly, the Wright County Attorney. The drunk driving charges have not been filed, pending the test results.

What Options Are Available For Victims’ Families?

In a case like this, the victim’s family can file for punitive damages as well as a wrongful death beneficiary claim. The laws regarding Minnesota Wrongful Death are complex. It is vital to retain an experienced, knowledgeable law firm to represent you in your Minnesota wrongful death claim.

The basis for a wrongful death claim is not about the damages to the deceased, but the resultant loss for the surviving spouse, family members, or parents. The losses include most factors that place burdens on the survivors, including:

• loss of salary
• health benefits
• pain and suffering
• funeral expenses
• burial expenses

Pecuniary damages can also be included in the claim to receive compensation for:

• loss of services, protection, care
• loss of companionship
• loss of advice

Contact a Minneapolis wrongful death attorney at (612) TSR-TIME. Our partners have decades of combined experience and are consistently named Minnesota Super Lawyers.

In October, a teacher bicycling was killed in a traffic accident involving a semi near Belgrade. The victim was also a coach in the Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa district.

The teacher, Richard Vos, 38, a BBE wrestling coach and math teacher, was killed while he was bicycling along U.S. 71 around 5 a.m. when a semi, driven by Brian L. Anderson, 50, was heading southbound and hit Vos.

Vos was wearing a helmet and Anderson sustained no injuries. A set of headphones were also found near the scene, but it is not clear if they played a role in the crash.

The BBE School District cancelled all of their sports activities that day in memory of their beloved teacher.

In the school’s blog, they stated that Vos began teaching for the school district in 1998 and was assistant coach of the varsity wrestling team until 2001. He then became the head coach and coached the junior high track and field team. The school also said that Vos worked very hard to build the school’s wrestling program. He convinced parents to become volunteers and was an instrumental player in getting the school to convert unused classrooms into a wrestling practice area.

The BBE school district has said that he will be dearly missed by the students, his fellow teachers, and the community as a whole.

Later on the day Vos was killed, his family visited the scene to mourn his loss.

Voss leaves behind his wife and two children.

There was a serious head-on car crash near Gilbert early Christmas morning. Three people were involved in the two car crash.

According to the Minnesota State Patrol website, a 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier was traveling eastbound on Minnesota Hwy 135 west of Gilbert, at 12:20 a.m. The Cavalier was in the westbound lane, passing vehicles, when it struck a 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche heading west.

At least one person was seriously injured in the car crash. Officials have not released their identities or conditions. The website classified the crash as a serious injury accident.

There were multiple police departments working at the car crash site, including officers from Eveleth, Gilbert, and Virginia. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office and Minnesota State Patrol were also called to the scene. The car crash did not appear to be weather-related.

A Strain Bus Lines Motorcoach crashed and rolled on Interstate 90 Wednesday afternoon. Initial reports are that at least 23 people were on the bus at the time of the crash and that at least 2 people died at the scene.

The crash happened at about 3:30 p.m. on eastbound I-90. The bus crossed over into the westbound lanes, crashed, and landed on its side in the ditch. The interstate was closed to enable medical crews to assist. Seven ambulances and six helicopters responded from the area including, Mayo Clinic, Mercy Hospital, Austin Medical Center, St. Mary’s Hospital (Rochester) and Naeve Hospital (Albert Lea).

According to Freeborn County Chief Deputy Gene Arnold the driver of the bus was critically injured and transported to St. Mary’s Hospital. Arnold also stated that there were not enough ambulances to transport all of the victims.

The bus was owned and operated by Strain Bus Lines Motorcoach Tours, Rochester. It was making its weekly Wednesday shuttle from Rochester, Byron, Kasson, and Blooming Prairie to Diamond Jo Casino in Northwood, Iowa and back. The passengers were mostly senior citizens.

As recently as August of 2008, the bus had some mechanical issues. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Strain Bus Line has not had a fatal crash for the past two years, but they have had a higher percentage of buses that have been taken out of service compared to other bus companies.

Accident Victims Have Rights

The Minneapolis truck accident lawyers at TSR Injury Law are skilled, aggressive litigators. We have recovered millions for victims of motor vehicle accidents. Call (612) TSR-TIME or submit our free consultation form. Time is critical. Evidence needs to be preserved and witnesses interviewed.

When you take out your RV, whether for a weekend camping trip with the kids, or a month long tour with your spouse, you don’t ever plan on getting injured. You may have an itinerary of where to go, where to stay, who to see and what to bring but you don’t count on what happens if you are in a serious accident. RV accidents can result in life threatening and even fatal consequences. Any accident that occurs on the road can result in devastating injuries including:

• Serious brain and head injuries such as skull fractures
• Spine and back injuries
• Paralysis and permanent disability
• Concussions
• Nerve damage
• Death

ATV and Recreational Vehicle Accidents

At TSR Injury Law Firm we handle all personal injuries on and off the road. If you have been injured or if you are enquiring on the behalf of a loved one that was killed on the roads in an RV accident, then you have certain legal rights. Our qualified Minneapolis auto accident attorneys can help you see your options and understand what comes next in the often confusing and stressful task of trying to mend your life back together after a serious road accident.

We can help you determine what you are entitled for and offer our assistance to those faced with:

• Recreation vehicle accidents including campervans, motorcycles, ATV’s
• Boating and jet ski accidents
• Mechanic defects and product liability cases, such as improper tires
• DUI and DWI road accidents

We offer our assistance in a number of different ways. Our goal is to make this often difficult task as simplified and stress free to you and for your family. After all you have been through, you deserve this and much more! We offer:

• Complete investigation into the accident
• Defective product and liability research
• Insurance claims, denials and all other aspects of insurance related issues

Contact An RV Accident Lawyer in Minneapolis

Driving any type of vehicle on the road, from a motorcycle to a campervan, comes with certain risks. However, in many instances, the accident will not be your fault. There are several instances where you may be eligible for more compensation than what your insurance company is offering you. Instances where the accident is the direct result of someone else, such as a drunk driver, should be looked over by an experienced Minneapolis injury lawyer.

Call (612) TSR-TIME for a free initial consultation about your case or submit our free consultation form.

Tragedy struck early Sunday morning near Cambridge, Minnesota. A newly-licensed, 16-year-old-driver hit another vehicle at 2:40 a.m. The teen driver survived, but the four passengers in her vehicle died; as did the the two occupants of the other vehicle.

The 16-year-old was traveling east on Hwy 95, driving a 1998 Pontiac Grand Am, when she struck a westbound 2000 Oldsmobile Bravada. The roads were wet at the time of the crash. The name of the teen driver has not been released, because she is a minor and there is the possibility of criminal charges being brought against her.

The passengers in the Grand Am were: Kelsee Blackledge, 15; Stephen Kendryna, 16; Travis Buchan, 17; and Travis Gryczkowski, 21. The names of the deceased in the Bravada have not been released pending identification.

The Minnesota State Patrol was on the scene with the Braham Police Department, Cambridge Police Department, Isanti County Sheriff Office, and the Isanti Police Department. The driver of the Grand Am was wearing a seatbelt, but it appears that the other occupants were not buckled up. The accident is under investigation to see if alcohol played a role in the crash.

This was the third crash this weekend involving teen drivers on Minnesota roads. All three of the crashes involved fatalities.

Help For Victims’ Families

Our hearts go out to the families of the victims of these crashes. Nothing can be done to change the outcome of a tragic accident, but counseling, education, and getting involved with proactive, safety groups (like SADD or MADD) can help those left behind work through grief and benefit others.

If you want any information about your legal rights, call a Minneapolis injury lawyer at TSR Injury Law at (612) TSR-TIME or submit our contact form. Our lawyers are skilled, aggressive litigators. We can review your options and help in any way. The phone call is free.

A Star Tribune delivery truck was broadsided by a Geo Prism, that ran a red light, early Monday morning. It happened at Washington Avenue North and 10th Avenue North, just around the corner from the distribution center.

The driver of the Prism tried to flee the scene, but was found and arrested under suspicion of driving under the influence. One person in the car was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center with serious injuries. The truck driver was not injured.

Sgt. Jesse Garcia of the Minneapolis Police Department said, “A drunk driver went through a red light and basically caused this accident.” The driver was identified. “He does have some priors, and he does have some alcohol-related charges on his driving record,” said Garcia. “So, you know, it sounds like someone that has issues with alcohol.”

If you have been injured by a drunk driver, you need professional legal representation to access all of the compensation available. Our car accident lawyers in Minneapolis are skilled, knowledgeable litigators with years of experience in personal injury law. TSR Injury Law is a sponsor of MADD Minnesota and the recipient of the 2008 MADD Choice Award.

Call (612) TSR-TIME or submit our free consultation form.

A car collided with a light-rail train in Bloomington Monday afternoon. The driver of the car and a train passenger were transported to the hospital with neck and back injuries.

A spokesman for Metro Transit reported that the driver of the train was able to slow down before the crash, but could not stop the train in time. The Chevrolet Malibu was exiting from eastbound Interstate 494, toward 34th Avenue South, when the brakes failed. The woman driving was not able to stop and crossed the path of the southbound Hiawatha Line train.

Metro Transit is investigating the incident, but it appears the car’s mechanical failures are to blame.

Any auto collision can be a very traumatic experience for everyone involved. If a vehicle malfunctioned, there may be a case for product liability. A product can be found deficient if it has a manufacturer’s defect or a design defect. It takes an aggressive litigator to investigate, persuade, and win deserved compensation. Contact an experienced car accident lawyer in Bloomington at (612) TSR-TIME. Our attorneys have decades of combined experience handling complex crash cases.

A New Year’s Day crash left 2 dead.

Scott Heckel, 44, of Pine City, was driving his 1995 Chevrolet GMT-400 east on Hwy 70 and attempted to pass in a no-passing zone. He crashed into a westbound 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue, killing the driver and passenger. The deceased are Michael Moris, 50, and Robin Moris, 48, both of Pine City.

The GMT-400 then slid into the eastbound lane and side swiped a 1999 Dodge Caravan, sending it into the ditch. The driver, Patricia Denn, and passenger, Matthew Denn, sustained minor injuries. Heckel is in serious condition.

The accident is under investigation by Minnesota State Patrol and Pine County Sheriff’s Office. Alcohol is suspected and charges are pending.

If you have lost a loved one in an auto accident and believe that you have a case, contact an auto accident lawyer in Minneapolis at (612) TSR-TIME. We will work tirelessly for justice for your family.