According to ABC 17, a wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against the Missouri Highway Transportation Commission. The lawsuit is being brought by the family of Jessica Sage, who was killed in a crash off Highway 63 in Boone County. The family is seeking at least $25,000 in damages.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP), a 15-year-old was driving the car on Highway 63 near Bonne Femme Creek when it traveled off the road, injuring the 15-year-old driver and killing the passenger, Jessica Sage. Both individuals were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.

ABC 17 reports that the lawsuit claims a lack of certain safety features on the road is to blame for the crash. According to the lawsuit, there was no shielding or guardrail in place to prevent the car from leaving the roadway. Additionally, the lawsuit alleges there was no adequate Clear-Zone on the right side of southbound Highway 63 and no proper slope for a driver to recover.

This is not the first wrongful death lawsuit the Missouri Highway Transportation Commission has faced. I-70 is infamous for being one of the most dangerous highways in the United States. In 2006, a widow was awarded $3,000,000 for the death of her husband on I-70. The 2006 lawsuit alleged dangerous conditions like the alleged conditions in the suit brought by the Sage family.

Wrongful Death Lawsuits

There is no adequate compensation for the loss of a loved one. You can, however, be compensated for the loss of income, pain or suffering, and other damages in the event that a loved one is lost in a preventable incident. Losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence or recklessness is always a difficult period in one’s life and hiring an attorney with the right experience could help lighten your heavy load.

The Holiday Season is upon us, and you can bet that people will be on the road to go see loved ones. Please exercise safety and caution when on the roadways this Holiday Season.