Whiplash & Whiplash Injury St. Louis

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7 Early Morning Car Accident Risks

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By being aware of the risks associated with early morning driving, you can help keep yourself safe on the road.

Many drivers enjoy cruising around during the early hours of the morning when traffic is light, and the world is just starting to awaken. However, before you head out for your next drive in the early morning, it’s important to be aware of the risks associated with driving at this time. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the dangers of driving in the early morning hours and offer tips on how to stay safe while on the road.

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man driving in the early morning

Drowsy Driving

Drowsy driving is one of the biggest risks associated with driving in the early morning hours. When we’re tired, our reaction time slows, our judgment is impaired, and we’re more likely to make mistakes. That’s why it’s important to get a good night’s sleep before hitting the road.

Poor Visibility

Another risk associated with early morning driving is poor visibility. At sunrise, the sun can be low on the horizon, making it difficult to see other vehicles and obstacles on the road. This is especially true if you’re driving into the sun. To improve your visibility, ensure your windshield is clean and free of streaks or debris. You may also want to wear sunglasses to reduce glare.

Wet Roads

The morning hours are often when dew forms on the pavement, which can lead to wet roads. Wet roads are more dangerous for several reasons. First, they reduce traction, making it more difficult for tires to grip the road. Second, they increase the risk of hydroplaning, in which a layer of water forms between the tires and the road surface. This can cause a loss of control and lead to serious accidents. Finally, wet roads can be slick and slippery, making them more difficult to navigate. For all these reasons, it is important to exercise caution when driving on wet roads.

Drunk Drivers

Another hazard of early morning driving is drunk drivers. Unfortunately, there are always a few people who have had too much to drink the night before and are still over the limit in the morning. Be extra cautious of other drivers swerving or driving erratically.

Animals Crossing the Road

Morning is often when animals are most active, so be on the lookout for them darting out into the road. This is especially true in rural areas where there may be more deer or other wildlife present.

Distracted Pedestrians

Walking while sleep-deprived can be hazardous, and distracted pedestrians are more likely to walk into traffic without looking first.

School Buses

The roads are often filled with school buses in the early morning hours. While these buses may be a familiar sight, they can actually pose a serious risk to drivers. For one thing, school buses tend to make sudden stops, which can cause other vehicles to rear-end them. Additionally, school buses typically have large blind spots, making it easy for smaller cars to get lost in the shuffle. So be extra cautious around them.

By being aware of the risks associated with early morning driving, you can help keep yourself safe on the road. Remember to get plenty of rest before setting out on your journey, be alert and drive defensively. 

St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer

Unfortunately, despite taking all the proper precautions, car accidents can still happen. If you or a loved one have been in an accident, call us today for a free consultation and learn more about your legal rights.

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Car Accident Caused by Sun Glare

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For many drivers, the increased sunlight during summer can lead to problems with glare and an increased risk of being involved in a car accident.

Summertime means sunny days and longer hours of daylight. For many people, this is a great time of year. However, for many drivers, the increased sunlight can lead to problems with glare. Sun glare can make it difficult to see the road, which can lead to accidents. In fact, studies have shown that glare is a factor in more than 9,000 accidents each year. So what can be done to reduce the risk of accidents caused by glare? Here are five tips:

dri

5 Tips For Reducing Glare When Driving On Sunny Days

Keep Your Windshield Clean and Free of Dust, Fingerprints, and Grime

One of the best ways to reduce glare when driving on sunny days is to keep your windshield clean and free of dust, fingerprints, and grime. A dirty windshield will amplify the sun’s glare, making it more difficult to see. In addition, a build-up of dust and dirt can create a mirror-like effect, further exacerbating the problem. By keeping your windshield clean, you can help reduce the amount of glare you experience while behind the wheel. It’ll also give you a better view of the world around you.

Adjust Your Rearview Mirror to Point Slightly Downward

By pointing the mirror slightly downward, you’ll be able to see the road ahead without being blinded by the sun. And as an added bonus, you’ll also get a better view of any cars that might be tailgating you.

Wear Polarized Sunglasses

Another way to reduce glare is to wear polarized sunglasses. Polarized lenses are specially treated to reduce glare from the sun’s reflections off of surfaces like water and pavement. They work by filtering out horizontal light waves, which are the main cause of glare. This means that they can help you see more clearly on bright days. And while they may not completely eliminate all glare, they can certainly help reduce it.

Polarized sunglasses can also help reduce eye fatigue and protect your eyes from harmful UV rays.

Use Sun Visors and Install Additional Ones if Necessary

Sun visors are also great for reducing glare because they block out the sun’s rays before they hit your eyes. Most cars come equipped with visors that can be adjusted to block out the sun. However, if you find that the visors aren’t doing enough to reduce the glare, you can always install additional ones.

Avoid Driving During the Peak Hours of Sunlight

Though the tips highlighted above can help reduce glare, the best way to avoid it altogether is to avoid driving during the peak hours of sunlight. If possible, plan your errands for early morning or late afternoon, when the sun isn’t quite as strong. You’ll not only avoid the sun’s harshest rays but also enjoy a more pleasant drive. Your eyes will also thank you for it.

There you have it. Following these tips will help reduce the glare you experience when driving in bright sunlight. Remember to take breaks often, and never hesitate to pull over if you feel overwhelmed.

St. Louis Car Accident Lawyers

If you have been injured in a St. Louis auto crash caused by a negligent motorist, you may be entitled to compensation. The attorneys at The Hoffman Law Firm have over 25 years of experience handling auto accident cases and can help you get the full and fair compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.

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3 Common Neck Injuries Caused by Car Accidents

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Neck and spine injuries resulting from a car accident can take days or even weeks to show their first symptoms.

When it comes to car accident injuries, most people think about broken bones, open wounds, or traumatic brain injuries. However, not all traumas leave immediately visible marks. Some even take a few days or weeks to show the first symptoms, making it difficult for victims to link them to the incident.

Neck and spine injuries are such an example. Let’s see what are the most common ones and what kind of accident causes them.

Whiplash

Whiplash is one of the most common neck injuries caused by a car crash. It happens especially when your car is hit from behind, causing your head to suddenly be thrown in front. This can injure the muscles and soft tissue in your cervical area, which can cause pain and discomfort for days, weeks, or even months.

A lot of times, whiplash is ignored as the victim doesn’t notice it right away. In the accident and immediately after, the victims are often so pumped with adrenaline that they don’t feel the pain from their neck injuries. A few days later, they start noticing the first signs, but it can be too late.

Whiplash symptoms often include stiffness, headaches, neck and shoulder pain, and decreased mobility. In very severe cases, the victim will have problems with their balance or vision.

Disc Hernia

The soft part of the vertebrae can be moved out of place by the impact following a car crash and press against a nerve. This causes a lot of pain and lack of mobility, tingling sensations, and numbness in your arms or legs.

car accident victim getting medical treatment for a neck injury

A herniated disc can generally be treated with physiotherapy or, in some cases, only through surgery.

Injured Vertebrae

The massive forces that pull and push your body during a car accident can hurt your biggest bone structure easily. The spine may be composed of relatively large bones, but its structure is quite delicate. Moreover, it protects one of the most important parts of your neural system: the spinal cord. A car accident can cause the vertebrae to dislocate and even fracture, which can vary from mild to severe.

When dislocated, your vertebrae move, and the ligaments holding them together are torn. When the vertebrae are not only dislocated but also fractured, your injury becomes much more dangerous, as fragments of broken bone might enter your spinal canal and lead to temporary or permanent paralysis.

Have You Been Injured in an Automobile Accident?

If you have suffered from a neck or back injury following a car accident, please make sure a doctor sees you as soon as possible. Make sure to also seek legal advice from an experienced car accident attorney. Your medical treatment should be covered by the insurance company, and the settlement should also include a “pain and suffering” coefficient.

Be sure to go to all necessary investigations, like MRI scans or CAT scans, and follow your doctor’s recommendations thoroughly. It will all count when it comes to your car accident settlement.

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How to Obtain Compensation for a Soft Tissue Injury

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Soft tissue injuries, which are common in car accidents, are often harder to prove.

soft tissue injury

The most severe St. Louis car accident injuries are often easy to understand for both yourself and insurance companies. When you go to negotiate for compensation, it may be fairly simple to show what happened. On the other hand, soft tissue injuries are not so straightforward because the evidence of them is often less apparent. Despite being less visible, these injuries can still be debilitating for the person suffering from them. Given the pain and complexity surrounding these injuries, victims of them do well to speak with a St. Louis car accident lawyer to ensure fair treatment. Below, you’ll learn the basics about soft tissue injuries and what to do if you ever suffer one.

Definition

Soft tissue refers to the parts of your body that support your bones and organs. This includes muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, fascia, fibrous tissues, blood vessels, fat, and more. A soft tissue injury is an ailment that affects these body parts. A few typical soft tissue injuries are sprains, strains, bruises, and whiplash.

Why Getting Compensated May Be Difficult

There are two primary reasons why these injuries are so hard to get compensated for. The first is that they are often hard to prove. As mentioned above, something like a broken bone is incredibly easy to demonstrate. You take an X-ray, you show up to your negotiations in a much-needed cast, and generally, face few questions about your ailment. With soft tissue injuries, what is wrong may be barely visible with medical tests, or not at all. The second reason is that these injuries are often seen as less debilitating as others, so insurance companies will discount them. This is not true, as an ailment like back pain can keep a physical laborer out of work for years. Still, this is the assumption that many insurance providers operate on.

Your Top Pieces of Evidence

To prove your injury, you will need every piece of evidence available. This evidence will primarily be made up of medical documents and opinions. If you can get any sort of pictures or medical assessment documents that back up your claim, then do so. Another possible piece of evidence is an expert witness that is willing to testify on your behalf.

How Hard is it to Prove a Soft-Tissue Injury?

man holding neck after a car accident

Most car accident victims think soft-tissue claims are straightforward. However, soft-tissue injuries are generally harder to prove than other types of car injuries. Here are five reasons why:

Soft-Tissue Injuries Are Often Invisible to Imaging Tests

Unlike a broken bone or deep laceration, which will show up clearly on an X-ray, soft-tissue injuries are often invisible to imaging tests. This can make it tough to convince insurance companies and other interested parties that your injury is real and severe. As a result, many people who sustain soft-tissue injuries find themselves in an uphill battle to get the compensation they deserve.

Symptoms May Not Appear Until Days or Weeks Later

Another reason why these claims can be tricky is that soft-tissue injuries can take days or even weeks to manifest. So, if you wait too long to see a doctor, the insurance company may argue that your injuries are unrelated to the accident. That’s why it’s important to seek medical attention right away after an accident, even if you don’t feel injured. A medical professional can document your injuries and symptoms and help establish a link between the accident and your injuries.

Soft-Tissue Injuries Often Involve Subjective Symptoms

Although soft-tissue injuries can be just as severe as other car accident injuries, they often involve subjective symptoms, such as pain and stiffness. These symptoms can be difficult to document and may vary from person to person. As a result, insurance companies often deny claims for soft-tissue injuries, asserting that the claimant is not injured or that the symptoms are not as severe as they claim. This can make it hard for victims of soft-tissue injuries to obtain the compensation they need and deserve.

Soft-Tissue Injuries Can Be Aggravated by Everyday Activities

Another reason soft-tissue injury claims can be hard to prove is that these types of injuries can be aggravated by everyday activities. Even something as simple as walking or getting out of bed can cause pain and discomfort for someone who has suffered a soft-tissue injury. As a result, it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact source of the pain and suffering.

Pre-Existing Conditions Can Complicate Matters

If you have a pre-existing condition, it can be used against you to downplay the severity of your soft-tissue injury. For example, if you have arthritis in your shoulder and suffer a rotator cuff tear in an accident, the other side may try to claim that your arthritis is to blame for your pain rather than the accident.

How To Strengthen Your Soft-Tissue Injury Claim

Despite these challenges, there are certain steps you can take to strengthen your claim.

First, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible after the accident. This will provide documentation of your injuries and help establish a clear link between the accident and your injuries.

Second, keep a detailed record of all medical expenses related to your injury, including doctor visits, prescriptions, and other out-of-pocket costs. This documentation will be essential in showing the financial impact of your injuries.

Third, work with an experienced car injury attorney. An attorney can help you navigate the complex legal process and ensure that your rights are protected.

How to Get Compensated

Once you have obtained all of your evidence, it is time to compile it and present it. Generally, with the help of a lawyer, you will craft a plan to convince an insurance company, or a courtroom, that you deserve compensation. Your lawyer will gather more evidence if needed, tell you how strong your case is, then argue it for you.

It is important to remember that insurance companies are businesses that are trying to turn a profit. Part of that profit-seeking might be giving you a low offer for your soft tissue injury. One of the best ways to prevent this from happening, and to combat it if it does, is to hire an experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer. They will help you gather evidence, create a case, and get all of the compensation you deserve.

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FAQs About Circumstantial Evidence in an Auto Accident Case

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Circumstantial evidence generally refers to evidence that doesn’t directly prove the truth of an assertion but allows for an inference of its truth.

If you have been injured in a car accident, you may be wondering what type of evidence is needed to win your case. In general, there are two types of evidence: direct and circumstantial. Direct evidence is pretty self-explanatory; it’s evidence that directly proves that the defendant was responsible for the accident. Circumstantial evidence, on the other hand, is not as straightforward. This article will answer five frequently asked questions about circumstantial evidence.

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lawyer considering indirect evidence

What Is Circumstantial Evidence?

Circumstantial evidence refers to evidence that doesn’t directly prove the truth of an assertion but allows for an inference of its truth. In an auto accident lawsuit, this type of evidence can be used to prove liability. For example, if the defendant was speeding at the time of the crash, that fact may be used to infer that the defendant was negligent. Similarly, if the plaintiff was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident, that fact could possibly be used to infer that the plaintiff was contributorily negligent.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that circumstantial evidence is not always conclusive. For this reason, it’s often best to combine circumstantial evidence with other types of evidence, such as eyewitness testimony or expert opinion.

How Does Circumstantial Evidence Differ From Direct Evidence?

Direct evidence is typically defined as firsthand testimony or physical evidence that directly proves a particular fact. In other words, it directly proves that the defendant was responsible for the accident. Circumstantial evidence is not as straightforward; it supports the conclusion that the defendant was responsible for the accident, but generally does not prove it directly.

How Is Circumstantial Evidence Different From Hearsay?

Hearsay can be defined as “a statement made by a witness who did not see or hear the event in question”. In other words, it’s second-hand information. Circumstantial evidence is not second-hand information; it’s evidence that supports a conclusion indirectly.

What Are the Benefits of Using Circumstantial Evidence?

There are many benefits of using circumstantial evidence. Some of the most common benefits include:

  • It can be used to support a conclusion when there is no direct evidence available
  • It can be used to corroborate direct evidence
  • It can be used to fill in the gaps when the direct evidence is incomplete

What Are the Drawbacks of Using Circumstantial Evidence?

One of the major drawbacks of circumstantial evidence is that it’s often open to interpretation. What one person may see as a clear indication of fault, another may see as simply an unfortunate coincidence. This can make it difficult for jurors to reach a unanimous verdict and lead to lengthy and expensive court battles.

Another drawback of circumstantial evidence is that it can be easily manipulated, further complicating matters.

Another disadvantage of relying on circumstantial evidence is that it can give the impression that the plaintiff does not have a strong case. If the jury feels that the plaintiff is trying to hide behind technicalities, they may be less likely to award damages.

There you have it – a brief overview of circumstantial evidence in car accident lawsuits. While this type of evidence can be useful, it’s important to consider its limitations. If you have been involved in a car accident, it’s best to speak with an experienced auto injury attorney who can help you navigate the legal process, collect strong evidence and build a solid case.

St. Louis Auto Accident Lawyer

If you have been involved in an auto accident and are looking for an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney, contact The Hoffman Law Firm today. Our team has over 20 years of experience and is ready to help St. Louis car accident victims get the compensation they deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.

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Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

Why Do Drowsy Driving Car Accidents Happen?

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Drowsy driving is a serious problem with potentially fatal consequences. If you’re feeling drowsy, don’t take the risk.

According to the National Safety Council (NSC),  drowsy driving accidents are responsible for around 100,000 crashes and 1,550 deaths every year in the US. Clearly, this is a huge problem that needs to be addressed. But why do drowsy driving accidents happen in the first place?

tired driver behind the wheel

Not Getting Enough Sleep

This is perhaps the leading contributor to drowsy driving accidents. The CDC recommends that adults get at least seven hours of sleep every night, but many people don’t get nearly that much. In fact, one-third of Americans get six hours of sleep or less every night. If you’re not getting enough rest, your body isn’t able to function at its best. This means you’ll be more likely to make mistakes and won’t be able to react as quickly if something unexpected happens while driving.

Untreated Sleep Disorders

Another common cause of drowsy driving accidents is untreated sleep disorders. According to the CDC,  chronic sleep-related problems affect around 70 million Americans.  Of these, only a handful are being treated. Many people with sleep disorders are not even aware that they have a problem. Undiagnosed and untreated sleep disorders can have serious consequences, including drowsy driving accidents. If you suspect you might have a sleep disorder, talk to your doctor. Getting the treatment you need can help you avoid becoming another statistic.

Medications That Cause Drowsiness

Many people don’t realize that the medications they’re taking can make them drowsy and put them at risk for a crash. Some common offenders include antihistamines, antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, prescription painkillers, and even some over-the-counter cold remedies. If you’re taking any of these medications, be sure to read the label carefully and talk to your doctor about any potential risks. And if you’re feeling drowsy after taking medication, don’t get behind the wheel. 

Driving While Under the Influence of Alcohol

Another leading cause of drowsy driving is driving while under the influence of alcohol. Alcohol can cause drowsiness by disrupting the body’s natural sleep cycles and impairing judgment and motor skills. Even a small amount of alcohol can make it difficult to stay awake behind the wheel, and as alcohol levels continue to rise, so does the risk of falling asleep at the wheel. In addition, alcohol impairment affects reaction time, coordination, and decision-making, which are essential for safe driving. 

Medical Conditions

Though anyone can be a victim of drowsy driving, those with certain medical conditions are at an increased risk. Sleep apnea, for example, is a disorder that causes breathing to repeatedly stop and start during the night. This can lead to chronic fatigue and make it hard to concentrate during the day. Other conditions, such as narcolepsy, can cause people to suddenly fall asleep without warning. 

Drowsy driving is a serious problem with potentially fatal consequences. If you’re feeling drowsy, don’t take the risk. Pull over and rest or wait until you can drive when you’re more alert. Remember, it’s not worth risking your life or the lives of others just to save a few minutes.

St. Louis Car Injury Attorney

If you were involved in a crash caused by a drowsy driver, you may be entitled to compensation. An experienced St. Louis car injury attorney can evaluate your case and help you get the justice and compensation you deserve. Contact The Hoffman Law Firm today for a free consultation.

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Click to Call: (314) 361-4242