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Why November and December Witness Higher Rate of Car Accidents

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car-accident-st-louis-injuryCar accidents can occur anytime, anywhere. However, higher rates of car accidents are reported in the months of November and December compared to other times of the year.

This higher volume of car accidents in November and December can be attributed to several reasons:

Day Light Savings Time

Some studies have shown that time changes that happen with Day Light Saving Time increase the risk of accidents as people adjust to new sleep cycles.

Shorter Days

With days becoming shorter, many of us have to drive or walk back home in the dark, and this can be a little difficult to adjust to. Drivers tend to feel more fatigued driving in the dark and this combined with poor visibility increase the risk of accidents.

Holiday Season

The holiday season often means more parties and more alcohol, and this directly translates into a higher risk of car accidents. In Missouri, drunk driving increases during this period and many accidents are reported as a result. So, it is important to avoid drinking and driving. If you plan on drinking make sure you have someone else drive you home. Apart from drunk driving, the general mood of the people and increased activity on the roads increase the risk of an accident.

Increased Stress

With the holiday season around the corner, many Missourians are busier than ever. With all the holiday plans, social events, and shopping to attend to, the additional tasks increase stress. All this and stress can mean distraction, leading to an automobile accident. When the driver is thinking about shopping and party plans, it takes attention away from the task at hand. This often leads to intersection accidents and right of way collisions. When the drivers are tempted to multitask or check their cell phones while driving, it can lead to an accident.

It is not easy to escape all the stress and excitement of the holiday season, but it is extremely important to put safety first and be stress and distraction free while driving. Don’t push yourself too hard, and take off the non-essential tasks from your to-do list. Plan your day well and keep adequate time for rest. By doing so, you will not only reduce the risk of an accident occurring but will also allow you to enjoy your holidays in a stress-free manner.

Taking some extra precaution during the holiday season can save lives and prevent many injuries. Small things like putting your cell phone away and following all traffic rules can go a long way in making our roads safer. So, enjoy your holiday season to the fullest and keep roads safer by being extra cautious!

Consult With a Car Accident Lawyer

If you or someone dear to you gets injured in a car accident this holiday season, contact an experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer to discuss your legal rights and to get help with the claim process. Call (314) 361-4242 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced attorney from The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C.

How to Know if Someone is in Shock

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A car accident victim may experience shock, a life-threatening medical condition that can worsen quickly.

auto accident injury St. Louis

Every year, car accidents claim the lives of thousands of people. While most of these deaths are a direct result of car accident injuries, a large number of deaths are caused by shock. It is important to understand the signs of shock so that you can help a victim until emergency personnel arrives.

Shock After a Car Crash

After a car accident, a victim may experience two types of shock: physiological and psychological. Physiological shock is a medical term used to refer to the state a person enters when tissues and organs do not receive enough blood and oxygen. Psychological shock can mimic physiological shock and one can experience it after a traumatic experience either from physical or emotional trauma. A car accident victim can experience both these types of shocks and it is important to get early medical treatment to prevent complications or death.

Signs and Symptoms of Shock

A person who has gone into shock may not be able to answer basic questions such as name, location, or what time of the day it is. Failure to answer any of these questions could indicate that the victim is experiencing shock. Other symptoms include:

  • nausea and weakness
  • pale, clammy skin
  • profuse sweating
  • shallow, fast breathing
  • fast pulse in the neck
  • unconsciousness
  • blue or white lips and fingernails
  • confusion

Until Help Arrives

It is important to seek immediate medical attention for shock. Here are a few things that you can do to help the patient while you wait for emergency personnel.

  • Keep the victim warm with a blanket or coat to conserve body heat.
  • Loosen clothing.
  • Control bleeding with pressure.
  • Elevate the feet, but try not to move the patient if he or she has suffered a serious injury such as a possible spinal injury.
  • Reassure the patient.
  • Remain calm.

St. Louis Car Wreck Injuries

If you have been injured by a negligent driver, you can make a claim for compensation with the help of a St. Louis car accident attorney. Call The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. at (314) 361-4242.

100 Deadliest Days for Teen Drivers

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What makes the summer time more dangerous for teen drivers?

teen driving accident st. louis

Car accidents are an everyday occurrence on Missouri roads. Thousands of people are injured and many others are killed every year. Of all drivers, teen drivers are believed to be at the highest risk of car accidents because of their inexperience and recklessness. Teen drivers are more prone to making poor driving decisions, often leading to car accidents.

The AAA Foundation conducted a study of police-reported teen driver accidents over a period of 10 years. The study revealed that during the summer of 2012, close to 1,000 people were killed in accidents involving teen drivers. Surprisingly, around two-thirds of the victims who were killed in the accidents involving teen drivers were not the teens.

A Dangerous Time of Year for Teen Drivers

Although an accident involving a teen driver can occur anywhere and at any time, some days are known to be more dangerous than others as far as teen accidents are concerned. During 2013, there was a 43 percent increase in teen driving accidents in the summer compared to other times of the year. The time period between Memorial Day and Labor Day seems to the deadliest for teen drivers.

What makes summer more dangerous for teen drivers? In summer, teenagers tend to drive more for recreational purposes than just back and forth to school. In addition, they are more likely to be driving with teen passengers and this means the risk of an accident increases further, because passengers can be a serious distraction for a young driver. Teen drivers also tend to speed or take risks just to impress their passengers. Teen passengers are also known to ride without a seatbelt when they are riding with their peers. All of these distracted behaviors increase the risk of a car accident, making summer the most dangerous time of the year for teen drivers.

The Role of Parents

Parents can play a huge role in training their kids to be safer drivers, reminding them of safe driving practices. Keep reminding them to put their cell phones away while driving. The best way to teach safe driving habits is by being a good role model. Make sure you wear a seatbelt, put away your cell phone, and obey all traffic rules when driving.

Injured by Negligent Driver?

If you have been injured in a car crash caused by a negligent or reckless driver, pursue a claim for damages from the at-fault driver. Consult with a St. Louis car accident attorney to discuss your case. Call The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. at (314) 361-4242 for a free consultation.

3 Types of Distracted Driving

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Distracted driving has been an issue on Missouri roadways for decades, long before smartphones became popular.

distracted driving st louis car accident

With the rise in the popularity of smartphones and text messaging, distracted driving car accidents are often talked about in the news. Yet distracted driving has been an issue on Missouri roadways for decades, long before we ever imagined having a phone that was so smart. If you have been hurt in a car crash because the other driver was simply not paying attention, a St. Louis car accident attorney can help you build a case for distracted driving.

Forms of Distracted Driving

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving is defined as anything that diverts a driver’s attention away from navigating his or her vehicle and responding to a critical event. There are three different types of distracted driving:

  • Visual distraction – The driver’s eyes are taken off of the road.
  • Cognitive distraction – The driver’s attention is not on the road.
  • Manual distraction – The hands of the driver are not on the wheel of the vehicle while it is in motion.

If you think about distractions such as texting while driving, this involves all three of the defined forms. Most significant distractions do involve more than just one of the categories listed above. Experts look at the distraction safety problem from two different vantages. One is the actual amount of attention demanded by the task and the other is with the frequency it is performed. Again, text messaging is most dangerous, as it involves all of the types of distractions and is typically engaged in multiple times in order to finish a conversation.

The Cause of a Distracted Driver Car Accident

Text messaging has become one of the leading causes of distracted driving accidents in Missouri and across the nation, but it is certainly not the only one. Electronic devices, in general, are on the rise as well, giving a driver ample gadgets to divert their attention while they should be focused on the road. GPS systems, iPods, and even the basic car stereo are still causing drivers to take their eyes off of the road, potentially leading to a car accident.

How a St. Louis Car Accident Attorney Can Help

An accident investigation at the scene is not always enough to pinpoint the cause. A St. Louis automobile accident attorney can conduct their own private investigation into an accident, often uncovering information not found in the police report. Proof that the other driver was fiddling with a device while driving will help strengthen your car accident claim.

Distracted driving car accidents have been steadily rising over the last ten years, as we are becoming more reliant on our electronic devices during the day. In order to avoid being hurt or causing harm to another, it is best to put electronic devices to the side or set them on autopilot whenever you are behind the wheel.

Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer St Louis

If you have been injured in a distracted driver car crash, speak with a St. Louis auto accident attorney from The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. as soon as possible. We can assist you in proving the cause of the accident and receiving compensation for your injuries and other financial damages. Call us at (314) 361-4242 for a free consultation.