According to a recent article on KSDK.com, the Missouri State Highway Patrol has recently released several tips for drivers after a fatal accident along a busy stretch of interstate in St. Louis. Southbound Interstate 55 was closed just this week when a pedestrian was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer near Sidney Street.
Police say the victim, 67-year-old Moustafa Elmansy, got a call from a friend saying he needed help. The friend was pulled over on the shoulder of I-55 after his car had run out of gas. The victim bought gas and rushed out to help his stranded friend. When Elmansy arrived, he parked in front of his friend's stalled vehicle and began adding gas to the car when he was clipped by a passing semi. Police have said that the truck driver told them he never saw the victim prior to the impact.
Missouri State Highway Police Sergeant Al Nothum said that if a driver encounters vehicle issues "always yield to the right." This is because drivers have significantly more room on the right shoulder than the left. Nothum says following a few guidelines can save you from a potentially dangerous situation, risking not only injury, but also death. The left shoulder, where Elmansy was hit and killed, is not a place to be outside of the car. A good general rule of thumb is to stay inside your vehicle where you at least have some level of protection. Once a driver exits the vehicle their chance of injury increases exponentially.
The Missouri Highway Patrol also has a toll free number for drivers who find themselves in dangerous situations while on the interstate. "Call *55 and inform them where you're at," Nothum said. "Give them a good location and tell them you need assistance immediately." Highway Patrol says that someone will be dispatched immediately to provide a safe perimeter and assistance.
The victim that was tragically killed was married with children. Though it is a horrible accident, police so far believe no serious charges are expected. However, the investigation remains ongoing.
Suffering from a pedestrian accident caused by another person's actions can leave you facing injuries that will affect your life in a number of ways. You need to understand that you do have rights to protect during this difficult time so that you can move forward. You can resolve this matter in a beneficial way when you ensure that your case is handled properly so that you do not suffer medical bills, lost work wages and other costs. With the help of an experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer, you can begin to move forward with your case and regain your life.
The tragic consequences of traffic accidents are why we at Sansone / Lauber repeatedly stress vigilance and awareness while operating motor vehicles. It only takes one or two seconds of distraction to cause irreparable damage. Our Missouri car accident attorneys regularly handle car accidents and cases involving pedestrians being struck by other vehicles. For information on how to protect your legal rights if you or a loved one has been seriously injured, call our office today for free at 1-314-863-0500.
Source: "Missouri Highway Patrol offers tips after Moustafa Elmansy killed on I-55," by Steve Patterson, published at KSDK.com.
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