Many states have laws written specifically for teenage drivers in an effort to reduce the number of auto accident injuries. Known as graduated driver licensing (GDL), these laws restrict when or sometimes where teenagers can legally operate a car. Such laws exist in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and many other states.

But not enough states have tough enough laws, according to a recent national study. That’s the conclusion of a study done by the National Safety Council, which researched the issue for the Allstate Foundation. Nationwide, the study estimates that 2,000 traffic fatalities each year could be prevented if states had tougher phased-in teen driving laws.

Car crashes involving teenagers happen fast. What would you do if were injured in an accident? You need a tough Missouri teen auto accident attorney on your side. You need Tolbert, Beadle & Musgrave. Serving clients throughout Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma, our knowledgeable attorneys work tirelessly every day for auto accident victims, including helping people to decide if they should file an auto accident lawsuit in Missouri. Auto accidents can be complicated. Your recovery should be simple. Allow us to help you cut through the red tape and get your life back on track. Contact an auto accident attorney in Missouri who fights for justice. Contact Tolbert, Beadle & Musgrave.

Teenagers literally think differently. Increasing scientific evidence has found that teenagers’ brains are physically different from adults and still developing. That’s why teens often do things that make people think, “What were they thinking?”

That’s why the National Safety Council supports states adopting seven specific rules for teenage drivers aimed at reducing the number of auto accidents. These rules include states waiting until drivers are 16 years old to issue a learner’s permit and 16½ years old to issue an intermediate license.

Don’t let someone else’s irresponsible behavior disrupt your life. Take action now. Contact a law firm that puts people first. Contact Tolbert, Beadle & Musgrave – we’re on your side.

Due to the popularity of cell phones, many people expect everyone to be available instantly all the time. But when people attempt to drive and use a cell phone at the same time, they often put everyone at risk on the road. That’s the conclusion of the National Transportation Safety Board, which supports banning cell phones while driving nationwide, including hands-free cell phones. “It’s about not being engaged at the task at hand,” NTSB chairman Deborah Herman said in a front-page New York Times article. “Lives are being lost in the blink of an eye.”

No one ever expects to be a victim of a serious car crash. But accidents happen. How you deal with one can make a major difference in your life. Don’t leave your future to chance. Contact a texting auto accident attorney in Missouri you can trust. Contact Tolbert, Beadle & Musgrave. Serving clients throughout Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma, our experienced distracted driving attorneys in Springfield, MO have years of experience helping people. Our patient, knowledgeable legal team welcomes the opportunity to review your specific case. Contact an auto accident attorney in Missouri focused on results. Contact Tolbert, Beadle & Musgrave.

Many states across the country have taken a tough stance against texting while driving. Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma have all banned texting while driving for all drivers. Missouri prohibits drivers under 21 years old from texting while driving. But it’s not enough, according to Herman. She compared using a cell phone while driving to drunk driving. “It’s going to be very unpopular with some people,” Herman said, referring to the idea of completely banning drivers from using cell phones. “We’re not here to win a popularity contest. We’re here to do the right thing.”

If you or someone you love has been injured in an auto accident, take back control. Contact Tolbert, Beadle & Musgrave. When you choose us, you can be confident we will do everything we can to get you the compensation you rightfully deserve.

Tolbert, Beadle & Musgrave – we’re on your side.

In an instant, the lives of an entire family can be turned upside down by a single fatal auto accident. Each year, more than 30,000 people die in auto accidents nationwide. That’s more than 92 people each day!

The statistics are just as startling in many states. In 2009, auto accidents resulted in the deaths of 585 people in Arkansas, 386 people in Kansas, 878 people in Missouri and 738 people in Oklahoma.

Sadly, fatal auto accidents happen far too often. Just recently, a 15-year-old girl died in a two-car accident west of Springfield, MO, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Accidents happen fast. But the effects can last a lifetime. What would your family do if you lost a loved one in a fatal auto accident? How would you pay your bills? What if the other driver was drunk? What if the other driver didn’t have insurance? What if your insurance company refused to cooperate? Should you file a wrongful death lawsuit?

Knowing what’s the right thing to do after an accident can be hard. Scared? Confused? Contact a committed Missouri fatal auto accident attorney. Contact Tolbert, Beadle & Musgrave. Serving clients in Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma, our experienced fatal auto accident attorneys in Springfield, MO understand the complex and unique nature of each auto accident. We realize these issues can be overwhelming for people dealing with them for the first time. Allow us to share our knowledge with you. Contact a Missouri fatal auto accident attorney who puts people first. Contact Tolbert, Beadle & Musgrave.

A shocking study by the American Automobile Association (AAA) revealed just how much auto accidents cost families. According to their study, the cost of a single motor vehicle fatality exceeded $6 million nationwide in 2009. That figure is 85 percent – or $2.76 million – higher compared to 2005, when the estimated cost of a single motor vehicle fatality was $3.24 million.

Don’t wait for insurance companies to decide your future. Take back control. Contact Tolbert, Beadle & Musgrave. We’re on your side.

Many states across the country have taken a tough stance against texting while driving. Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma have all banned texting while driving for all drivers. Missouri prohibits drivers under 21 years old from texting while driving. All these restrictions might seem harsh to some people. But a recent scientific study found that texting severely impairs a driver’s ability to safely operate a vehicle. Specifically, the study conducted by the Texas Transportation Institute discovered that drivers react twice as slow while texting.

Don’t suffer in silence. Take action. You need a texting auto accident attorney in Missouri on your side. You need Tolbert, Beadle & Musgrave. Serving clients throughout Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma, our experienced distracted driving attorneys in Springfield, MO have dedicated their careers to providing years of first-class legal advice. We understand how complicated accidents can quickly become. Medical problems can be serious. Bills can pile up. Insurance companies be uncooperative. We can help. Contact an auto accident attorney in Missouri focused on fighting for justice. Contact Tolbert, Beadle & Musgrave.

Results from the recent study conducted by the Texas Transportation Institute revealed some shocking statistics. Using a closed road, the scientific test involved drivers attempting to read or write a text message while driving on an open road and a section of roadway lined with construction barrels. Throughout the test, drivers who were texting reacted much slower than the test subjects who were not texting. “It is frightening,” the researchers wrote, “to think of how much more poorly our participants may have performed if the driving conditions were more consistent with routine driving.”

Texting accidents happen fast. But the effects can last a lifetime. You don’t have to suffer. Take action. Contact a Missouri texting auto accident lawyer who will fight for your rights. Contact Tolbert, Beadle & Musgrave – fighting for justice, one client at a time.

Pedestrian injury accidents happen far too often. More than 59,000 pedestrians are injured each year in accidents nationwide. In 2009, a total of 4,092 pedestrians were killed in accidents, according to statistics compiled by the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration. And certain cities are more dangerous than others. In the Midwest, cities like St. Louis, Kansas City and Oklahoma City are among the most dangerous cities in America for pedestrians, according to a recent New York Times article. Specifically, Oklahoma City ranks 22^nd on the list, followed by St. Louis (23^rd) and Kansas City, Missouri (26^th).

Pedestrian accidents happen fast. Suddenly, you might not be able to work for weeks or months. You might require extensive physical rehabilitation. We can help. Contact a personal injury lawyer in Springfield, MO who puts people first. Contact Tolbert, Beadle & Musgrave. Serving clients throughout Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma, our experienced Springfield, MO personal injury attorneys have dedicated their careers to helping pedestrian injury victims. We understand how traumatic a pedestrian injury accident can be for people. Your entire world can be instantly turned upside down. We’re ready to work with you to help you obtain the compensation you rightfully deserve. Put your trust in a Springfield, MO personal injury lawyer who puts people first. Contact Tolbert, Beadle & Musgrave. We’re on your side.

Many factors often come into play in a pedestrian injury accident. Sometimes, the driver’s distracted. Common distractions include talking on a cell phone or texting while driving. Other times, the driver may be breaking the law. They might fail to observe posted traffic signs or operating a vehicle without a license or driving drunk. No matter what the circumstances, we will work tirelessly to uncover the truth behind your accident.

Don’t let someone else’s reckless behavior ruin your life. Take back control! Contact Tolbert, Beadle & Musgrave. When you choose us, you’re putting the power of a first-class law firm in your corner.

Don’t be a victim. Choose Tolbert, Beadle & Musgrave. We’re on your side.

Grandparents do more than just spoil their grandchildren. They keep their young passengers safe on the road, according to a recent auto accident study. Specifically, children are twice as safe when their grandparents are driving instead of their parents. “What we learned was that grandparents drive very, very cautiously when their grandchildren are on board, making a special effort to drive safely,” Dr. Fred Henretig, who conducted the study, told Time Magazine.

Even so, accidents happen. What would you do? What if you sustained a serious injury? What if your grandchildren were hurt? You need a personal injury lawyer in Springfield, MO who will fight for your rights. You need Tolbert, Beadle & Musgrave. Serving clients throughout Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma, our experienced Springfield, MO personal injury attorneys work tirelessly for our clients. We have years of experience handling complicated auto injury accident cases. Allow us to put our knowledge to work for you. Contact Springfield, MO personal injury lawyers who put people first. Contact Tolbert, Beadle & Musgrave.

Accident statistics for older drivers can be confusing. The odds of getting in a fatal accident increase noticeably each year for drivers over 75 years old, according to the Centers for Disease Control. And yet older drivers are some of the most responsible drivers. An estimated 77 percent of drivers over 65 years old wear their seatbelts compared to 63 percent of drivers 18 to 64 years old. They also have far fewer accidents involving drinking and driving compared to drivers 21 to 64 years old.

Dealing with the aftermath of an auto accident can be traumatic, especially if you’re an older driver. Injuries can sometimes be severe. Your recovery time might take weeks or even months. We can help. We have dedicated our careers to helping people injured by other drivers in an accident. We know what it takes to win a case and we will work tirelessly to get you the compensation you rightfully deserve.

Tolbert, Beadle & Musgrave – fighting for justice for you!

What time of year is the deadliest for teenage drivers? Statistically, right now, summertime. The 100 deadliest days on the road for teenage drivers occur between Memorial Day and Labor Day each year, according to a study released recently by AAA. During that time, more than 7,300 passengers and drivers between ages 13 and 19 were killed in auto accidents between 2005 and 2009, reports AAA.

Have you been injured in an accident caused by a teenage driver? Is your family dealing with the aftermath of a teenage driver accident? Put your trust in a Springfield Missouri car accident lawyer who puts people first. Contact Tolbert, Beadle & Musgrave. Serving clients throughout Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma, our experienced Springfield, MO auto accident attorneys have dedicated their careers to getting our clients the compensation they deserve. Contact a Springfield Missouri auto accident lawyer who will work for you. Contact Tolbert, Beadle & Musgrave.

Why are teenagers more likely to cause auto accidents than adults? Here are some of the most common factors that put teen drivers at risk according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Teens often under estimate dangerous situations
• Teenagers drive faster and leave less room between other vehicles
• 26 % of male drivers 15 to 20 years old in fatal crashes had been drinking
• 75 % of teen drivers killed in a DUI accident were not wearing a seatbelt

No one wins when a teenager causes a fatal accident. Everyone involved – the other driver, the passengers, their families – must suffer the consequences for the rest of their lives. Allow one of our professional, experienced attorneys to help guide you through this difficult time in your life. Choose a law firm dedicated to working with families: Tolbert, Beadle & Musgrave. We’re on your side.

The financial impact of fatal auto accidents can be devastating. Each year, motor vehicle crash-related deaths across America cost families more than $41 billion in medical and work loss costs, according to a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Accidents happen fast. But the impact of a crash can last a lifetime. Are you prepared? Get straight answers to your difficult questions from an experienced Missouri car accident lawyer. Contact Tolbert, Beadle & Musgrave. Serving clients throughout Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma, our experienced Springfield, MO auto accident attorneys work tirelessly for our clients. Turn to a Missouri auto accident lawyer dedicated to putting your interests first. Contact Tolbert, Beadle & Musgrave.

The CDC’s recent study breaks down the financial impact of fatal motor vehicle accidents each year state by state. Here’s the startling annual statistics for states serviced by Tolbert, Beadle & Musgrave:

• Arkansas: $613 million in lost work, $5 million in medical costs
• Kansas: $428 million in lost work, $5 million in medical costs
• Missouri: $1.06 billion in lost work, $10 million in medical costs
• Oklahoma: $693 million in lost work, $7 million in medical costs

The lost work statistics are especially surprising. These numbers demonstrate what a crash victim would have made if they had survived the accident.

Serious accidents demand serious attention. Stop living in fear of bill collectors and insurance companies. Take back control. Contact Tolbert, Beadle & Musgrave. Let one of our experienced, knowledgeable lawyers guide you through the complicated red tape after your family’s fatal accident.

You need a law firm who works for you. You need Tolbert, Beadle & Musgrave. We’re here for you.

Passengers often sustain injuries in car accidents. But what if the injured passenger was riding with a drunk driver? What would you do? How would you obtain compensation to pay your bills caused by the accident? And are the laws different in one state compared to another? Relax. We can help.

Any time passengers sustain injuries in a car accident, passengers almost always have a personal injury claim against one of the drivers. Drunk driving accidents complicate the situation, especially if the passenger knew the driver was drunk when they chose to get into the vehicle involved in an accident.

Another important factor to consider is who supplied the alcohol to the driver. If a bar or liquor store knowingly sold alcohol to the driver in an intoxicated state, you may be able to pursue a case against the bar or liquor store.

Liability laws can complicate the situation. Such laws vary from state to state. Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma have a fault-based insurance system. Under this system, insurance companies pay according to each party’s degree of fault. Kansas is a no-fault insurance state. That means your insurance company pays your medical bills regardless of who caused the accident. But getting insurance companies to cooperate can be a challenge.

Drunk driving accidents are complicated. Knowing what to do can be difficult. You need an experienced legal team in your corner. You need someone who truly understands the law. You need the Law Offices of Tolbert Beadle & Musgrave.

Tolbert Beadle & Musgrave have years of experience defending clients seriously injured in drunk driving accidents in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Our lawyers tenaciously investigate every case and work tirelessly to obtain the full compensation you deserve for your accident. We understand how traumatic drunk driving accidents can be. We can help.

Don’t leave your future to chance. Take action. Contact Tolbert Beadle & Musgrave today. We’re on your side.



Missouri voters recently approved a ballot measure strengthening dog breeding regulations statewide. The measure will limit the number of breeding dogs allowed in a breeding operation, increase space requirements for animal enclosures and expand requirements for veterinary care.

Specifically, the regulations will require anyone who has more than 10 breeding dogs to meet certain standards for housing, food and veterinary care. Owners will be limited to no more than 50 breeding dogs.

Large dog breeding operations known as puppy mills are big business in Missouri. There are 1,400 dog breeders in Missouri – the most of any state in the country.

Missouri is also known nationwide for dog fighting. Last year, officials arrested 30 people in five states and seized 378 fighting dogs in Missouri, which officials described as the breeding ground for the nation’s largest dog fighting network. And recently, Missouri made headlines worldwide again when 17 dogs attacked and killed an 84-year-old dog owner in Williamsburg, Missouri.

Vicious dog attacks wreak havoc on people’s lives. Each year, dogs bite more than 4.7 million Americans nationwide. One in five dog bites nationwide result in injuries requiring medical attention, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

What would you do if you were attacked by a dog? How would you pay your medical bills? Who would you trust to fight for your rights? You need someone serious about making sure authorities hear your side of the story. You need someone who knows all the nuances of Missouri’s dog laws. You need the Law Offices of Tolbert Beadle & Musgrave.

Tolbert Beadle & Musgrave have years of experience defending clients seriously injured in dog attacks in Missouri as well as Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma. Our lawyers tenaciously investigate every case and work tirelessly to obtain complete compensation for all your injuries.

You deserve justice. Demand it. Contact Tolbert Beadle & Musgrave today. We mean business.