BRANSON, Missouri- 26-year-old Bailee Wali-Uddin is recovering from injuries sustained when the 2002 Dodge Dakota she was traveling in collided with a 2015 Toyota Sienna.
According to reports, the driver of the Dodge lost control of the vehicle, causing it to crash into the Sienna and sending both vehicles off the side of the roadway.
Wali-Uddin was taken by ambulance to Cox Hospital to receive treatment for her injuries.
The Missouri State Police is investigating the cause of the crash. No other information was immediately available.
Thoughts on vehicle collisions and the crashworthiness of the vehicle at the time of the crash
We are so grateful there were no fatalities because of this accident, and we want to send our best wishes to Ms. Wali-Uddin as she recovers from her injuries. Given the size of the vehicles involved, coupled with the fact that the impact of the crash sent both vehicles off the road, we know that this could have been much worse. Regardless, Ms. Wali-Uddin deserves answers as to what caused the driver of her vehicle to lose control and what ultimately caused her injuries.
Unfortunately, the first possibility our investigative team would likely look at is distracted driving. The rise in crashes caused by the unsafe use of smartphones while driving has been astronomical. In response, every state has passed laws that put into place harsh punishments for those who engage in distracted driving. If an investigation reveals that the driver of the Dodge was using their smartphone inappropriately at the time of the crash, Ms. Wali-Uddin would be able to recover against the driver for negligence.
We would also want to examine the crashworthiness of the Dodge. Crashworthiness refers to the ability of a vehicle to protect its passengers in the event of a crash, and there are strict safety requirements that vehicle designers must meet for a vehicle to be deemed crashworthy. Safety belts, airbags, roof strength, and head restraints are all features that would be examined by our investigators. If any are found to be out of compliance with crashworthiness standards, or there was a safer alternative design available, Ms. Wali-Uddin may be able to recover against the vehicle manufacturer or service shop, as applicable.
Whatever the cause is determined to be, Ms. Wali-Uddin deserves answers about the cause of the crash and the opportunity to hold any wrongdoers responsible. We will, of course, wait for the results of the official investigation, but we also want to advocate for an independent legal investigation to ensure all causes and opportunities for recovery are identified. We send Ms. Wali-Uddin our deepest condolences and wish her a speedy recovery.
