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What To Do if an Uber or Lyft Driver Flees the Scene of an Accident in St. Louis

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Here are a few steps you should take if an Uber or Lyft driver flees the scene of your car accident.

If you’re hit by an Uber or Lyft driver as a pedestrian, bicyclist, or motorist, and they flee the scene, what should you do? Let’s discuss a few steps you should take to get the best possible outcome for your case.

rideshare accident

1. Call 911 Immediately

Fleeing from the scene of an accident in Missouri is a crime. You need to call 911 right away to get the police at the scene and file a police report about the incident. This will help establish a “paper trail” that will be very useful for your case.

2. Talk To Witnesses & Get Their Testimony 

If possible, it’s important to talk to witnesses and get their testimony, and convince them to stick around until the police arrive. Having multiple people back up the truth can help with your case.

This may also help establish whether or not the driver was an Uber or Lyft driver. For example, eyewitnesses may have noticed stickers or a glowing Uber or Lyft sign on the car’s dash. These are commonly used by Uber and Lyft drivers.  

You should also take any pictures that may help your case at this time, such as photos of car damage, paint that’s been transferred to your car, the environment where the accident happened, and so on. 

3. Contact an Attorney

The excellent news about Uber and Lyft hit-and-runs in Missouri is that, by law, all motorists are required to carry uninsured motorist coverage, which includes:

  • $25,000 per person for bodily injury
  • $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
  • $10,000 per accident for property damage

Your limits may be higher, depending on your policy. If you are involved in a hit-and-run accident, your UI/UM policy will generally cover your costs. Before speaking with your insurance company, it is also a good idea to speak with an experienced attorney to ensure your legal right to compensation is being protected.

4. Report The Accident To Uber or Lyft

Uber and Lyft both offer services that allow you to report accidents caused by their drivers. This may help you identify the driver since both services generally collect information about where drivers are while using their apps. 

St. Louis Rideshare Accident Lawyer

Handling a rideshare car accident case in St. Louis is never easy – and it’s even more complex when it’s a hit-and-run. Don’t go it alone. At The Hoffmann Law Firm, our team of St. Louis Uber and Lyft auto accident attorneys are on your side and ready to help you fight for the compensation you deserve after your accident. Contact us now for a free case review.

FREE Consultation

Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

When To File a Police Report After a Crash in Missouri

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The aftermath of a St. Louis car accident can get confusing quickly. Here’s what you should know about filing a Missouri police report after an accident.

If you’ve been in a car accident, you probably know the few basic things you need to do afterward: take pictures of the scene, do not admit fault to the other driver, call your insurance company, and so on. However, you may be wondering if you need to call the police to file a police report. Here are a few things you should know.

should i call police after car accident?

In Missouri, a Police Report is Required to be Filed in Certain Accidents

In the state of Missouri, you are legally required to file a police report if the crash:

  1. Led to the severe injury or death of someone
  2. Caused more than $500 worth of damage
  3. Involved an uninsured driver

At the scene, it can be tough to gauge the amount of damage done to both vehicles. More than $500 worth of damage may have been done, but you don’t know. You may discover internal damage later or have a problem pop up down the line. If you are even remotely unsure, it might be best to file a police report. 

You have up to 30 days from the day of the accident to file a report. This gap allows for the fact that you may be recovering from injuries after the accident or occupied trying to repair your car and deal with insurance. However, it might be easiest to do it as soon as possible afterward, while the details are still fresh in your memory.

What Are the Benefits of a Police Report?

A police report is a clear, undisputed record of the event. Many car accidents can turn into a he-said, she-said situation because neither driver wants to be at fault. However, if a police officer comes to the scene, they can examine the crash themselves, document the incident, and speak to both drivers. A police officer on the scene will also speak to any witnesses that might have seen the accident.

A Police Report Can Make Arguing Fault Easier

Missouri is a comparative fault state, so determining fault can be a murky process. However, a police report is an unbiased piece of evidence you can use when speaking to your insurance company or a judge. If you hire a car accident attorney to handle the case, they will likely ask to see a copy of the police report. 

If you hire a car accident lawyer in the state of Missouri, a police report will be very useful for them to analyze your case. For car accidents and personal injury, The Hoffman Law Firm has over 20 years of experience. Speak to a lawyer 24/7 for free at (314) 361-4242.

FREE Consultation

Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

What To Do if You Are Hit by a Drunk Driver in St. Louis, Missouri?

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Getting hit by a drunk driver is a physically and emotionally stressful experience. You may have to deal with personal injuries, injuries to a passenger, damages to your car, and more.

In 2019, drunk driving deaths reached their lowest number since 1982. However, over 10,000 people still died from drunk driving nationwide. Here’s what to do if you are hit by a drunk driver in St. Louis, Missouri.

whiskey and car keys

Seek Appropriate Medical Attention 

First, make sure you are in a safe space. Call 911 and get medical treatment as soon as possible if necessary. Drunk driving accidents can cause whiplash, concussions, and severe or fatal injury.

File a Police Report

In Missouri, you are required to file a police report if the crash caused a serious injury or death or caused more than $500 worth of damage. Even if you are unsure if the accident qualifies, file a police report to be safe. If you suspect the other driver was intoxicated, an officer on the scene can document the accident, interview witnesses, and provide testimony. A police report is a valuable, unbiased piece of evidence when you speak to your insurance company to establish fault.

Call Your Insurance Company & An Experienced Attorney

You’ll want to call your insurance company and report the accident as soon as possible. It is also a good idea to speak with an experienced attorney to ensure that you get the full amount of compensation you are legally entitled to for your injuries and damages.

Missouri is a Comparative Fault state – so the percentage of damages you can recover will depend on how much you contributed to the accident. In this case, a police report can be a helpful piece of evidence establishing the other driver was at fault.

DUI Consequences in Missouri

In Missouri, a driver is guilty of DWI if their BAC 0.08 percent or higher. For individuals under 21, 0.02 or higher. A driver can refuse a blood or breath test at the scene. However, under Missouri law, this results in an automatic one-year “Chemical Revocation” of the driver’s license. A driver will have 15 days to challenge the Chemical Revocation to a judge, or they will have their license suspended for a year – even if they never took a blood or breath test.

Speak With an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Saint Louis, Missouri

Getting hit by a drunk driver is a physically and emotionally stressful experience. You may have to deal with personal injuries, injuries to a passenger, damages to your car, and more. If you are unable to work or do not have a vehicle to use while yours is being repaired, it can be challenging to earn income. A lawyer with experience handling car accidents can work with your insurance company to get a settlement that covers you.

FREE Consultation

Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

“Can Social Media Posts Hurt My St. Louis Car Accident Claim?”

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Many people do not realize that a social media post can harm their St. Louis car accident injury claim.

It’s usually a good rule of thumb to be very cautious when using social media. This rule applies even more so when you have recently been in a car accident. Although many people don’t consider it, a seemingly innocent social media post can harm your St. Louis car accident injury claim.

Before you go and post to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok, let’s first examine how social media posts could hurt your future St. Louis car accident settlement.

posting to social media after car accident

Insurance Adjusters Are Watching

Insurance adjusters are usually quite skilled at what they do, and they have come up with plenty of clever tricks for saving their employers money. Insurance adjusters might attempt to view your social media pages to argue against your claim.  

For example, let’s say you are claiming that you badly hurt your leg in your recent car accident. If an insurance adjuster goes to your Instagram page and sees pictures of you hiking a week after the accident, they could deny your personal injury claim arguing that if you are well enough to go hiking, your leg must be fine.

Overusing Social Media Can Be Dangerous 

We all know that social media is often used to project an image to the public that is not often the truth. Someone can appear to be living an incredible life on social media, but in reality, be hurting on the inside. This is why you must be extra careful to post on social media if you seek damages for psychological injuries suffered from a car accident.

Opposing attorneys might argue that you are not really psychologically traumatized by your St. Louis car accident based on your excessive or overly positive social media posts. This is not to suggest that you need to post about how traumatized you are all of the time, but it is best to exert caution before posting anything. 

Public Record

Never forget that anything you say on social media becomes a matter of public record, whether your account is private or not. Generally, anything you say or post on social media about your St. Louis car accident could effectively be used against you in a court of law. 

Avoid speaking about your car accident on social media in any capacity. Take particular care never to admit any guilt. 

What You Can Do

The first thing you can do is to make sure that all of your social media accounts are set to private. Although this will not completely protect you, it will make it harder for adjusters and attorneys to find your posts. You should also avoid accepting new followers who you do not personally know. 

It would help if you also got in touch with an experienced attorney who can advise you and help protect your legal rights after a car accident. Our experienced legal team is here to help. If you have been involved in a St. Louis auto accident, give us a call 24/7 for a free case evaluation.

FREE Consultation

Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

The Dangers of Not Wearing Your Seat Belt

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There is a strong link between the failure to wear a seat belt and many serious injuries and fatalities resulting from car accidents.

Car accidents can occur anytime, anywhere. Missouri sees a fair share of car accidents, and many people get injured and lose their lives in these accidents. In Missouri, car accidents occur for various reasons, including the negligence or recklessness of one or more drivers. Regardless of the cause of the accident, the resulting injuries can be life-changing. There is a strong link between the failure to wear a seat belt and many serious injuries and fatalities resulting from car accidents.

buckling seat belt

According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, six out of 10 Missourians killed in traffic crashes are not wearing their safety belts. In fact, traffic accidents are among the most common causes of fatalities for those aged 30 and less in the US. In Missouri, people in the age group of 21-34 years are at the biggest risk of death from car accidents.

Recent statistics indicate that the rate of seat belt usage lags behind the national average. In fact, in 2019 around 87 percent of Missouri drivers use seat belts, while the national average was around 90 percent. If drivers and passengers used the restraint systems and strapped their children into appropriate boosters and car seats, the number of serious injuries and fatalities could be reduced significantly.

Most of us believe that winters are often a dangerous time to be on the roads because of poor weather conditions such as fog, snow, and ice. However, summertime has its dangers as well. Safety often depends on the drivers’ and passengers’ actions because it is often the negligence of a driver that directly causes a car accident and the resulting damages. Therefore, it is important to follow all traffic rules while driving, including wearing your seat belt at all times.

Injured in a St. Louis Auto Accident?

If you have been involved in a St. Louis auto accident caused by another driver’s negligence, you have a legal right to seek compensation. To ensure you do not settle for less than you are legally entitled to for present and future expenses, speak with an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney as soon as possible.

FREE Consultation

Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

7 Ways to Reduce Your Chances of Being Involved in a St. Louis Car Crash

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There are many rules of the road that drivers must follow in Missouri, but many behaviors can increase the likelihood of an accident.

Driving is not a right; it is a privilege. As such, those who drive are responsible for using caution and great care when behind the wheel. There are many rules of the road that drivers must follow in Missouri, but many behaviors can increase the likelihood of an accident. To limit your risks, try to avoid these driving practices.

st. louis driver

Since Missouri is an at-fault state, that means that whoever is negligent in an accident is generally responsible for paying for any injuries and damages. To make sure that you aren’t at fault, exercise good driving behaviors. To reduce your chances of causing or being involved in an accident:

  • Always make sure that if you are entering onto a roadway that you look both ways. It is important to be cautious of all traffic lanes and surroundings to avoid being in an accident.
  • Recognize your blind spots instead of relying on your car. New safety features and cameras are a great convenience but don’t make the mistake of thinking that they can override your vigilance. Be aware of when things are in your blind spot, and don’t rely too heavily on your mirrors or sensors.
  • Don’t follow too closely or tailgate. Riding closely on the tail of another driver isn’t going to make them go any faster or get you to your destination quicker. It is only going to increase the chances of you being in a car wreck. Keep a safe buffer in between you and the car ahead of you, just in case they stop suddenly.
  • Drive appropriately for the weather conditions. If there is snow on the road or heavy rain, take precautions and adjust your driving behaviors accordingly. Just because there is a posted speed limit doesn’t mean you can’t go under it when conditions call for you to use special care.
  • If you see someone driving erratically, move out of their way. If someone is tailgating you, move aside and let them pass. It is not your job to monitor their bad behaviors, and slamming on your brakes to teach them a lesson, or even slowing down, might be creating the potential for disaster.
  • Maintain your vehicle. Ensure that your car is in working order by always maintaining it according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
  • Obey the speed limit. In Missouri, the posted speed limits are not just an optional guide – they are the law. Make sure to follow posted speeds to avoid a ticket and reduce the potential for an accident.

Do Your Part to Prevent a Crash

The best way to avoid an accident is by driving to prevent one. Practice good driving habits when out on the road to limit the risks of being in an accident and reduce the potential that you might be at fault. If you are in an accident, make sure to speak with an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney at The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. to protect your legal interests and help you get the compensation you are entitled to under Missouri law.

FREE Consultation

Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242