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!

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.

Children drown more often than you may realize. Among children 1 to 14 years old, drowning is the second leading cause of accidental deaths nationwide.  And among the 3,443 people who died nationwide from drowning in 2007, one out of five victims was under 14 years old. Just recently, a 5-year-old boy drowned and died in a swimming pool in southwestern Missouri near Springfield.

Swimming pools are magnets for children on a hot, summer day. But children can drown just as easily in streams, lakes or even in water as shallow as a bathtub. And for every child who dies from drowning, another four must be rushed to an emergency room for nonfatal injuries caused by being submerged under water. Nonfatal drowning injuries can sometimes result in severe life-altering injuries, including permanent brain damage, learning disabilities and permanent loss of basic functioning, including being in a vegetative state for life, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Sometimes, children drown accidently. Other times, other people’s reckless behavior results in your child’s death or serious injury. That’s why laws exist requiring swimming pools to be properly fenced in. That’s why responsible adults put life preservers on children any time they ride in a boat. Accidents happen. Be prepared.

Has your child been seriously injured or killed in a drowning accident? Don’t be a victim. Take action. You need someone who knows how to hold irresponsible people accountable for their actions. You need someone who will vigorously fight for your rights and make sure your family gets the compensation you deserve. You need the Law Offices of Tolbert Beadle & Musgrave.

Serving Springfield and other communities throughout Missouri, Tolbert Beadle & Musgrave have years of experience defending families victimized by a child drowning. No parent should ever have to go through such a traumatic experience. If you do, let us help guide you through this painful process. Contact Tolbert Beadle & Musgrave today. We’re on your side.

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.

Every 13 seconds in America, someone sustains an injury in a car accident. That’s more than 2.3 million people injured in auto accidents every year, according to the latest government statistics from 2008.

In Missouri, injuries sustained in car accidents also remain a serious risk. In 2008, car accidents injured more than 31,000 people and killed 960 people in Missouri. Just recently, a two-car crash on Route 71 injured six people.

The drivers of both vehicles in the Route 71 crash reportedly sustained minor injuries in the car accident. Some seats are more dangerous than others in a vehicle, especially if you’re a passenger in a car. If you’re riding in the back seat, you’re much safer than the passenger riding in the front seat. But if you’re riding in the front passenger seat, the driver has a much better chance of surviving a car crash than you.

Car accidents cause a wide range of injuries. The most common injuries in car accidents are to people’s head, neck or back. And even though you might not feel injured immediately after an accident, serious injuries can develop days or even weeks later. That’s why it’s crucial you seek immediate medical attention after being involved in a car accident.

Knowing what to do after being injured in a car accident can be difficult. You feel terrible. You just want to rest. But there’s so much to do. You have to deal with insurance companies, doctors, maybe even the police. Questions often lead to more questions. Bills pile up. You feel completely overwhelmed.

Relax. We can help. We have years of experience dealing with auto injury accidents. We know how to navigate through all the red tape to make sure you get back on your feet without going broke. We’re Tolbert Beadle & Musgrave, LLC.

Our experienced lawyers can evaluate your case for free. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Contact Tolbert Beadle & Musgrave today. We’re on your side.

What would you do if your child was injured at a playground? Sound far fetched? Such injuries are more common than you may realize. Each year, emergency rooms treat more than 200,000 children under 14 years old for injuries sustained on playgrounds across America, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some injuries are severe. And in some cases, children even die as a result of playground injuries.

The most common type of non-fatal playground injuries include severe–fractures, internal injuries, concussions, dislocations and amputations, according to the CDC. Where do these injuries happen? Often, kids get hurt on playgrounds at schools. Statistically, girls get hurt more often than boys. And the age group most at risk for playground injuries is children 5 to 9 years old.

Knowing what to do after your child sustains an injury on a playground can be extremely difficult. You’re terrified, confused, anxious to make sure your child receives the best care possible. You might not even understand the laws regarding injuries to children. Did you know that statute of limitation laws in Missouri place restrictions on how long someone can seek compensation for such serious injuries?

Relax. We can help. The Law Offices of Tolbert Beadle & Musgrave know how to get results. Our lawyers have years of experience defending families who have been affected by a traumatic event like a serious injury to a child on a playground.

Understanding what to do after your child has been injured at a playground can be extremely difficult. Let us take the mystery out of knowing what’s the right thing to do. Contact Tolbert Beadle & Musgrave today. We’re on your side.

Everyone loves celebrating July 4^th. Sadly, this weekend is also the most dangerous time to drive on America’s roads. Statistically, July 3^rd and 4^th are the two deadliest days of the year to drive. On average, 161 people are killed each year on July 4^th in car accidents nationwide, making Independence Day the deadliest day on America’s highways. But serious accidents can happen at any time, especially during the summer months on busy highways like Missouri’s Interstate 44. That’s why Missouri State Police will be stepping up enforcement efforts this weekend.

The July 4^th holiday also ranks near the top for alcohol sales each year nationwide. Statistically, this holiday ranks number one – ahead of Labor Day, New Year’s Eve and Memorial Day – for beer consumption nationwide.

Not surprisingly, drunk driving can be a serious hazard facing people on the road this holiday weekend. What can you do to protect yourself? How will you stay safe on the road this July 4^th?

If you don’t have to travel this weekend, we advise staying off the road. If you must travel to get to your holiday destination, travel on days other than July 3^rd or 4^th. Or at the very least, drive during daylight hours. Statistically, fatal accidents involving drunk drivers are more than four times as likely to occur at night versus during the day.

Drunk drivers wreak havoc on the roads across the country. Don’t let such reckless behavior ruin your life. If you’re a victim of a drunk driving accident, take action. Contact the Law Offices of Tolbert Beadle & Musgrave. Our experienced lawyers will vigorously fight for your rights and the justice you deserve.

Drunk driving accidents are serious. That’s why you need a law firm who means business. That’s why you need Tolbert Beadle & Musgrave.

Every day, a bicycle accident happens nearly every single minute nationwide. Each year, more than 500,000 people are injured and 700 cyclists killed nationwide in bicycle accidents, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Sadly, Missouri is not immune to bicycle accidents. More than 2 million people ride bicycles regularly in Missouri. Just recently, a 44-year-old cyclist was killed in Kirksville when a tractor-trailer truck struck his bike one recent Tuesday morning.

Many cities and states have passed laws requiring cyclists, especially children, to wear helmets at all times. Laws vary throughout the country. In Missouri, some municipalities have laws requiring cyclists to wear helmets, while other communities do not have such laws. But you should know that wearing a bicycle “helmet is the single most effective way to prevent head injury,” according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. And especially in the case of children, wearing a properly fitted helmet can significantly reduce the risk of head injuries. One study found that bicycle helmets reduce the risk of head injuries in children by 63 percent.

Even so, bicycle accidents happen. What would you do if you were injured in one? Do you have an action plan for how you would handle such a traumatic event? Here are some suggested steps you can take if you’re injured in a bicycle accident, especially one involving a car or any other kind of motor vehicle.

• Contact the police. Even if you don’t think you’re injured, make sure the police come to the accident. Be especially sure police take your statement about the accident. This is your chance to tell your side of the story.
• Gather information. Write down the names, phone numbers and addresses of all witnesses and drivers involved in the accident. Write down anything important about the scene of the accident. Traffic signs, road conditions, anything out of the ordinary. Don’t miss your opportunity to record this information.
• Seek immediate medical attention. Your life could be at stake. Just because you don’t think you’re injured doesn’t mean you’re okay. Let a medical professional decide whether or not you’re healthy.

Don’t let a bicycle accident ruin your life. Take action. Contact the Law Offices of Tolbert Beadle & Musgrave. Our skilled attorneys can expertly handle your bicycle accident injury case. When you choose us, we will work tirelessly to get you the compensation and justice you deserve for your bicycle accident injury.

Bicycle accident injury cases are complicated. Don’t leave your future to chance. Go with the legal team that knows how to win: Tolbert Beadle & Musgrave. They’re on your side.