Rear-end accidents are generally clear cases of liability. Typically, the driver who rear-ends another vehicle is the responsible party, and as the responsible party, they should be liable for damages. However, in some cases, the driver of the lead car causes the accident. The facts surrounding any injury case are...
Personal Injury – Vehicle Crashes
What Is Road Rage?
Road rage occurs when a driver acts in a way that causes, or can potentially cause, physical harm or distress to other motorists. The behavior is antisocial and can lead to car accidents, injury, or death. In many states, road rage is a criminal offense, and it can lead to...
Did You Get Into an Accident With a Texting Driver? Here’s What You Can Do
Traffic laws regarding distracted driving vary from state to state. It is apparent that any type of distracted driving is unsafe, but texting while driving may be one of the most dangerous types of distracted driving. Thousands of Missouri drivers and pedestrians get into traffic accidents each year because a...
Southeast Missouri girl awarded $17 million in personal injury lawsuit against BNSF Railway
At Cook, Barkett, Ponder & Wolz, we’re committed to holding companies accountable when their actions put others in harm’s way. Here’s the latest example: CAPE GIRARDEAU, Sept. 10, 2019 – A Cape Girardeau County jury has awarded a record $17 million in damages to a 9-year-old Southeast Missouri girl who...
Ford issues recall of Ranger, Fusion models
Do you own a Ford Fusion or Ranger? The automaker is recalling almost 300,000 Ford Fusion and Ranger pickup trucks in North America that could roll away if not in “park” mode. Fusion models from 2013 through 2016 allow the key to be removed when the vehicle is not in...
Recent Recalls: Motor Vehicles
Manufacturers have a responsibility to ensure their products are safe for users, and to follow engineering standards that build in safety. Still, every day at worksites around America, in homes and on our roads, product failures result in tragedy for those who should be protected because manufacturers take shortcuts to...
Understanding under-insured motorist coverage
Each year, about 2.9 million people are injured in car crashes – resulting in medical care and productivity loss costs of about $99 billion nationally. Motor vehicle insurance coverage covers some of that cost in most cases. But what happens when you’re injured by another driver, and the cost of...
Teaching teens to drive under the (right) influence
Nothing kills more 15- to 20-year-olds than traffic accidents. And 80 percent of crashes involve some form of distracted driving – talking on a cell phone, or texting. Eating or paying attention to the back seat instead of the road. Many of those crashes could be prevented, which is why...
Comparative fault – seeking damages when you’re partly responsible for a wreck
Missouri, along with 12 other states, recognizes what’s known as the Pure Comparative Fault Rule. This allows a damaged party to recover even if he/she is 99 percent at fault, although the recovery is reduced by the damaged party’s degree of fault. An easy way to look at comparative fault...
Injury – What are my rights?
If you are involved in an accident, what are your rights? Most people know they are eligible to hire a Cape Girardeau personal injury lawyer, but what are you really entitled to? Every case is unique, but we have narrowed down the top rights you may receive if someone else...
8 Reasons CBPW is right for your case
We have over 101 years of combined legal experience. Partner Michael Ponder has over 25 years’ experience and was awarded the Lon O. Hocker Award from the Missouri Bar. $2.55 Million Settlement in Electrocution Case. We’ve litigated cases from Kansas City to Cape Girardeau, from Phoenix to Philadelphia and Miami...
5 Steps to Take After a Car Wreck
A car wreck can be a traumatic experience for anyone. Even if damages are minor and both parties are uninjured, you may find yourself panicking about what to do next. Here’s a list our Cape Girardeau car accident attorneys composed of important steps to take following any crash, no matter...