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.

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.

Business owners have a duty to take reasonable steps to protect their patrons from harm. To illustrate an example of negligence by a business owner, imagine a situation in which two men are thrown out of a Branson bar for being drunk and belligerent. Moments later, a woman passes the bar bouncers who ejected the men. The bouncers don’t bother to mention that the intoxicated men are outside. If the woman leaves unaware of the potentially dangerous situation and is attacked by the men in the parking lot, she may be entitled to compensation. In this hypothetical case, the bar owner would be held liable for the woman’s injuries in what is known as a premises liability case.

If you are injured on someone’s property because of inadequate security measures, you may be able to seek compensation for your losses. It’s crucial for property owners to maintain safety, especially if they are doing business in an area that has a high crime rate. This may include having adequate lighting, hiring security guards or installing video cameras for surveillance. Whether they own a restaurant, a bar, a hotel or any type of business, property owners have a duty to warn the public of known dangers and carry adequate insurance.

An assault on someone’s property can be a frightening and painful ordeal. If you sustained such an injury, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages as well as psychological injuries and pain and suffering, among other losses. Attorneys for the insurance company may try to minimize your losses to pay you as little as possible. It’s wise to get in touch with an experienced attorney.

Serving families in Springfield, Columbia, Jefferson City, Joplin and throughout Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma, Tolbert Beadle & Musgrave LLC fights aggressively for clients. Our goal is nothing less than returning maximum compensation for injury victims. If you were injured due to negligent safety measures, you deserve justice. Put the power back in your hands. Contact us today for a free and confidential initial consultation.

Authorities continue to investigate a fatal, four-vehicle accident on Interstate 44 in Missouri involving two school buses, a tractor trailer and a pick-up truck in a construction zone which killed two people and injured more than 50 passengers. The initial investigation by police has concluded that bus driver inattention and short following distances may have contributed to the crash. However, authorities have said the final investigation could take up to one year to complete.

Fatal car accidents happen every day in Missouri. Last year, motor vehicle accidents killed 652 people and injured 29,922 people on Missouri’s roads. What can you do to protect yourself? How can you stay safe?

The Interstate 44 accident reminds us about the importance of driving carefully in construction zones. In 2008, 720 people died nationwide driving in highway work zones, including 18 people in Missouri, according to federal government statistics.

The fatal accident on Interstate 44 also reinforces the importance of remaining focused on the road while driving. Distracted drivers cause accidents all the time. People lose focus behind the wheel for many reasons. Talking on a cell phone. Changing the radio station. Distractions caused by passengers in the vehicle.

What would you do if you were hurt in a serious car accident? What if someone in your family was killed in an accident? Who would you turn to for help? Who would you trust? You need someone who has experience dealing with such traumatic events. You need someone who can help guide you and make sure you and your family are taken care of during this chaotic time. You need the Law Offices of Tolbert Beadle & Musgrave.

Our experienced lawyers can give you the attention and peace of mind you deserve. We understand what a difficult time people can have after they’ve been injured or a family member has been killed in a car accident.

Car accidents are serious business. You need skilled, attentive professionals on your side to make sure all your needs are fully addressed. Contact Tolbert Beadle & Musgrave today. We’re here for you.

We all are so busy these days with family, work and other responsibilities. If you sustained a personal injury, you may be tempted to put off taking any immediate legal action.  But it’s important to be aware that your rights may be affected if you wait too long to initiate a lawsuit for any type of wrongful conduct, from an auto accident to a workplace injury or a slip and fall. You may be unable to obtain the justice you deserve in your case because time has run out under the Missouri statute of limitations.

In personal injury law, the statute of limitations refers to the window of time you have to file a lawsuit after wrongful conduct has caused you harm. In general, the time period runs from the time the accident occurs, or in some cases when it was “discovered,” to the date the time expires to file a lawsuit.  If you are injured and try to file a lawsuit after the statute of limitations expiration date, a court may dismiss the lawsuit entirely.

The time period on statute of limitations varies from state to state and from claim to claim. Because it can be difficult to keep track of the various statutes and exceptions, it’s wise to contact a qualified attorney who can tell you how the statute of limitations might apply to your specific case.

The following are examples of different types of Missouri cases and how the statute of limitations would apply to them:

• Personal injury: 5 years for a case arising out of negligence; 2 years for an intentional wrongful act; 3 years in Arkansas and 2 years in Oklahoma
• Products liability: 5 years
• Professional Negligence: 2 years
• Negligence resulting in death is 3 years in Missouri and Kansas
• Fraud: 10 years

Don’t delay filing your case beyond the time period outlined in the statute of limitations. If you wait too long, you may lose your rights. It’s a good idea to consult with a lawyer well before the statute of limitations expires. If you or a loved one was injured due to another’s negligence, contact Tolbert Beadle & Musgrave today. An experienced attorney can provide a free and confidential consultation and answer any questions you have about your case and the statute of limitations. Get in touch with us today before it’s too late. We vigorously defend the rights of our clients and pursue the full compensation entitled to them under state law.