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3 Habits Every Teenage Driver Should Cultivate to Prevent Car Accidents

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Some simple tips can help teenage drivers decrease their chances of being involved in an automobile accident.

Establishing safe driving habits early on can save lives!

Statistics have shown that automobile accidents are the foremost reason for death among adolescents. The risk of being involved in automobile accidents is high within the first six months after adolescents receive their drivers’ license. More often than not, it is due to lack of experience and over-enthusiasm from perceived independence.

father teaching teenage son how to drive safely

Speeding, distraction, and failure to notice and respond to possible dangers are common reasons for teenage drivers’ accidents. The common reason for distraction among adolescents is texting and driving. Recent statistics indicate that around 30% of male drivers aged 15–20 years and 18% of female drivers aged 15–20 years involved in fatal crashes were speeding. The risk of drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 being involved in an automobile accident is four times higher than drivers in an older age group or drivers between the ages of 25 and 69.

Some simple tips can help teenage drivers decrease their chances of being involved in an automobile accident.

Check Your Surroundings

Experienced drivers are in the habit of checking all of their surroundings on the road. In addition to checking what is going on in front of and behind one’s vehicle, it is vital to check blind spots before switching lanes. When teenage drivers are aware of their surroundings, their chances of being involved in an accident decrease.

Monitor Your Speed

The main reason why speed limit notices are posted in some areas, such as exit ramps, is to ensure that inexperienced drivers are aware of the necessary speed that will allow them to safely exit ramps. A driver’s surroundings may change in an instant, making an unexpected stop necessary. For this and other reasons, it is important for all drivers to monitor their speed and ensure that they are well within the speed limit. It is also essential to teach adolescents how weather conditions can affect driving situations, such as rain or snow.

Remove Source of Distractions

Lives can be saved when parents have rules while driving. These rules include not using mobile phones or setting a maximum number of people inside the vehicle. Parents should establish probationary periods to ensure they gain enough experience to drive independently. Some authorities recommend that parents establish a six-month period before allowing their adolescent children to drive independently.

Evidence indicates that adolescent drivers whose parents establish regulations and provide supportive guidance are less likely to become involved in automobile accidents. Therefore if you are a parent, it is vital that you instill safe driving happens in your child. It could save not only their lives but the lives of others.

If, despite driving safely, you have been involved in a St. Louis car accident, contact The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. 24/7 at (314) 361-4242 for a free consultation with an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney!

FREE Consultation

Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

Dental Injuries After a St. Louis Car Accident

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Dental injuries resulting from a car accident can be very costly to treat, and their impact may be felt for years.

When you think of car accident injuries, dental injuries probably aren’t the first thing that pops into your mind. However, dental injuries rank among the most common injuries that one can suffer after a car crash. These injuries can be incredibly costly to treat, and their impact can be felt for years.

st. louis woman with dental injuries

Common Dental Injuries: Direct and Indirect Injuries

Dental injuries can be categorized into two types: direct and indirect injuries. For example, if you were speeding and an object hits your mouth during the accident, you might suffer a direct dental injury. On the other hand, if your mouth was open, and the impact of the accident caused it to close, your lower teeth may be knocked by your upper teeth, causing an indirect dental injury. 

Common Types of Dental Injuries

Here are common dental injuries you might suffer after an auto collision.

  • Fractured teeth: This is one of the most common dental injuries. It can take the form of fractured teeth’ enamel, pulp, or dentin. This injury often results in sensitivity or tenderness to the fractured part.
  • Tooth luxation: Were you in an accident, and now your tooth is displaced in a manner that, when touched, moves in all directions? You could have suffered tooth luxation. This occurs when the ligaments that hold your tooth in place are disrupted. Immediate dental care will help place your tooth back to its initial position and fix other hidden injuries.
  • Avulsed tooth: This occurs when your tooth is knocked out of its socket. You need to seek dental care immediately to re-implant the affected tooth before it dies.

Dental injuries can be mild or severe. The severity of a dental injury typically depends on the amount of force present during an accident. 

How to Get Compensation for Dental Injury After a Car Accident

The insurance company will not compensate you for your dental injuries unless you provide concrete proof of the injuries. One of the best ways to do this is through an x-ray. An X-ray will go a long way in showing the extent of the injury and treatment required. Also, ensure you safely keep all the dental care records, including surgery and implant documents.

Some of the damages you may be entitled to in your dental injury case include medical bills and lost wages. You could also get compensation for pain and suffering if your dental injury alters your look or eating habits. 

If you have been injured in a car accident it is highly recommended that you speak with an experienced attorney. They can help you gather relevant evidence, interpret the laws for you, protect your rights and interests and negotiate with the insurer on your behalf.

St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer

Any injury suffered after an auto crash can have a lasting impact on the victim’s health, finances, and life. If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence, you are generally entitled to compensation for your losses. Our St. Louis car accident attorneys are committed to protecting the rights of injury victims in and around St. Louis, Missouri. 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

3 Things You Should Avoid Saying After a Car Accident

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What you say after a car accident has the potential to jeopardize your claim, even if you weren’t at fault for the accident.

Getting involved in a car accident can be pretty frightening and traumatizing. Car accidents happen in the blink of an eye; one moment, you’re cruising smoothly on the highway, the next moment, you may wake up on a hospital bed. If you’re fortunate enough to be conscious, it’s likely hard to think straight with so much going on around you. If you’re not careful, you might unknowingly say something that could ruin your chances of receiving fair compensation.

This article will highlight a couple of things you should never say after a car crash. That’s because saying these things could jeopardize your claim, even if you aren’t at fault for the accident.

aftermath of st. louis car accident

Quick Reminder: Missouri Is an At-Fault State 

It’s important to keep in mind that Missouri is an at-fault state. This means that the at-fault party must pay for all the injuries and damages resulting from the accident. 

Saying something that might be construed as an admission of liability will not only jeopardize your ability to get reimbursement for injuries sustained, you’ll also be held responsible for the other parties’ injuries and damages.

What You Shouldn’t Say After an Accident

With that out of the way, let’s look at a couple of things you shouldn’t say after a car accident.

“I’m Sorry“

Apologizing seems like the responsible thing to do after an accident. However, in an accident, saying “I’m sorry” can easily be interpreted to mean, “I’m the one to blame, so please forgive me for my actions.” Regardless of your pure intentions, most insurers interpret “I’m sorry” as admitting fault, so do your best to resist the urge to apologize even when under pressure.

“That Was My Fault” or “My Bad“

Saying the accident was your fault is a direct admission of liability. Understandably your mind might be whirring after an accident, but never, under any circumstances, explicitly admit fault.

Saying that it was your fault isn’t the only phrase that admits fault; other admissions of fault include saying:

  • “My bad.”
  • “You came out of nowhere.”
  • “I didn’t see you.”
  • “It was too foggy.”

“I’m Not Hurt“

Never say you’re okay or not hurt, even if there is no pain or visible injuries. Keep in mind; some injuries like whiplash or concussions take a few days or weeks to surface. Saying you’re not hurt could ruin your chances of getting compensation for any delayed injuries. 

Let Your Attorney Do The Talking

It’s easy to say the wrong things in the commotion that follows after an accident. However, even in your dazed state, avoid uttering the words discussed above. An even better alternative is to keep quiet and let an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney do the talking for you. 

Give the Hoffman Law Firm a call today if you need professional legal representation after an auto accident.

FREE Consultation

Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

Who Is at Fault in a Car Accident T Bone?

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While there is usually one driver at fault, there are times when both drivers involved share fault for a t bone car accident.

Most T-bone crashes occur at intersections when a driver fails to heed a stop sign/red light. T-bone crashes are often complicated affairs and can, at times, be very challenging to prove liability. Below, we’ll look at how T-bone crashes occur and how liability is determined.

car that has been t boned in an accident

How Do T-Bone Accidents Happen?

As mentioned above, T-bone accidents usually happen at intersections, possibly because of intentional or unintentional running a stop sign or red light. However, this is not the only cause of T-bone collisions. Poor judgment, drunk driving, speeding, distracted driving, and poor road conditions can also lead to a T-bone collision.

Although rare, T-bone accidents can also happen on highways and in parking lots. A driver can lose control and skid sideways on highways, causing an oncoming vehicle to crash into it. One driver might be reversing out of a parking spot in parking lots, and another car crashes into its side.

How to Determine Liability in T- Bone Collisions

The problem with T-bone collisions is that it’s not that easy to tell who’s at fault. In fact, there are multiple scenarios where more than one party may be at fault for the accident. The most common parties responsible for T-bone accidents include:

One of the Drivers Involved in the Accident

In some instances, the drivers involved might share fault, and it’s generally up to the drivers’ attorneys to argue who had the right of way. Regardless of the situation, liability almost always leads back to a single driver. So the first thing an attorney will look at is who was involved in the T-bone crash. Next, an attorney will examine the circumstances leading to the accident and draw logical conclusions that trace back to the driver at fault.

A Third-Party Driver

In some instances, the driver at fault may sidestep the entire collision and drive off unscathed. For instance, a motorist may make an improper turn and make an oncoming vehicle swerve and hit another vehicle. In such a situation, the motorist who offsets the chain of events is generally to blame for the T-bone accident.

Other potentially at-fault parties include the local government, the road engineer, the vehicle manufacturer, or pedestrians.

Proving Liability

Proving liability in a T-bone accident is often not easy. You’ll benefit greatly from the help of a car accident attorney to gather strong evidence. Your attorney will then use the evidence to point fault at the other driver or prove that most of the liability falls on the other driver.

St. Louis T Bone Car Accident Attorney

If you have been involved in a St. Louis t bone car accident, get in touch with the experienced St. Louis car accident attorneys at The Hoffmann Law Firm for a FREE case evaluation.

FREE Consultation

Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

Rear End Collision Lawyer: Common Causes and How to Determine Fault

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Let’s consider several causes of rear end collisions and how negligence in rear end collisions is generally determined in Missouri.

According to data gathered by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 1.7 million rear-end-related crashes are reported annually – accounting for 29% of all auto crashes. The report also indicates that, on average, 1,700 people lose their lives in these crashes, and an additional 500,000 suffer severe injuries.

Let’s consider several causes of rear end collisions and how negligence in rear end collisions is generally determined in Missouri.

What Causes Rear End Collisions?

Like accidents of any type, rear-end-related accidents often occur when motorists fail to follow basic traffic laws. Here are several leading causes:

  • Speeding: When a driver speeds or makes frequent and sudden changes in speed, they can lose control of their vehicle and rear-end into other cars that are proceeding with caution.
  • Distracted driving: This is another key risk factor in rear-end collisions. When a driver sends a text message, talks on the phone, or uses GPS, their attention will be off the road. And they may not notice when the leading vehicle slows down or stops suddenly. Even if they do notice, they usually do not have enough time to react.
  • Mechanical problems: When a driver is driving an improperly maintained vehicle, a car wreck is likely. Any mechanical problem can make it impossible for a car to slow down and stop in time.
  • Poor weather conditions: When it’s raining, snowing, or foggy, the driver may not be able to see sudden movements of the car in front of them, and this can lead to a rear-end wreck.

Common Injuries in Rear End Collisions

The impact of a rear end wreck can cause severe injuries, such as:

How Is Fault in Rear End Collisions Determined in Missouri?

Generally, the rear driver is held liable for the rear end wreck. Under Missouri laws, drivers must keep a safe distance when following other vehicles on the road. Failure to do so is considered negligence. That said, there are some situations where the rear driver may not be at fault.

The rear driver may not be liable if:

  • If the lead driver reverses into the back car
  • If the brake lights of the lead driver are faulty, failing to caution the rear driver
  • If the lead driver has a tire blow-out and fails to signal the following vehicle

Proving Negligence

To receive payment from the other driver’s insurance, you will be required to prove that the other driver’s actions led to the rear end collision. Unfortunately, proving negligence is not as easy as you may think. It’s highly recommended to speak with an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible so they can help you collect evidence that will enable you to paint a clear picture of how the crash happened and prove negligence.

Rear End Collision Lawyer St. Louis

If you have been seriously hurt in a St. Louis rear-end accident, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages from the negligent party. Our highly experienced rear end collision attorneys at the Hoffman law firm can help you identify the negligent party and gather evidence to prove your claim. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

FREE Consultation

Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

Concussion From a Car Accident – What You Should Know

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Here’s how concussions occur, what their symptoms are, and what your legal rights are if you get concussed in a car accident.

Did you know that 16,500 people seek medical care for traumatic brain injury in Missouri annually? Did you also know that car accidents rank among the top causes of brain injury? This article will shed some light on one of the most common brain injuries after a car accident: Concussions. We’ll take a look at how they occur, their symptoms, and your legal rights if you get a concussion after a car accident.

doctors reviewing brain scans

How Do Concussions Occur?

If you are involved in a car accident, you may hit your head on hard static objects like the back of your seat, steering wheel, dashboard, or your windshield. This impact may cause the soft tissues of your brain to bruise, tear, swell or bleed, causing concussions. That’s why it’s important to seek a medical checkup after an auto accident, whether you think you are physically injured or not.

Symptoms of Concussions

Signs and symptoms of a concussion can be difficult to identify. That said, some symptoms could indicate you have a concussion. Here are just a few common symptoms:

  • Physical symptoms: Some of the physical symptoms of a concussion include seeing blurry images, experiencing difficulties in speech, nausea, light and noise sensitivity, and dizziness.
  • Cognitive symptoms: Cognitive concussion symptoms may range from impaired judgment, confusion, loss of memory, and difficulty concentrating.
  •  Behavioral symptoms: These symptoms may include poor impulse control, mood swings, anger, or restlessness after a car accident.

Concussion and Loss of Consciousness

There is a belief that you always lose consciousness when you have a concussion. This is not true. Sometimes, a minor concussion can take days before the symptoms start to show. Below are three grades of concussions based on consciousness.

  • Grade 1: You don’t lose consciousness. However, you may lose your memory for 30 minutes.
  • Grade 2: You lose consciousness and memory for about 30 minutes to 24 hours.
  • Grade 3: You lose consciousness for at least 5 minutes and memory for more than two days.

Your Legal Rights After a Car Accident

Concussions can be expensive to treat. And with all the medical bills and lost wages, your quality of life may be affected, and you’ll need time to recover. Who should pay for all this? If another party caused your accident, their insurance company would generally be responsible for compensating you. A fair settlement should include benefits for pain and suffering, lost wages, medical bills, emotional distress, disfigurement, reduced earning capacity, lower quality of life, and disability.

However, keep in mind the insurance company may deny your claim or try to push you to accept their offer before your concussion symptoms start to show. That’s why it’s recommended to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer who can guide and help you avoid accepting less than you are legally entitled to.

Speak With an Experienced St. Louis Car Accident Attorney

If you’ve suffered a concussion after a car accident,  our experienced car accident attorneys can help you get the compensation you deserve! Call us today for a FREE case evaluation.

FREE Consultation

Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

Should You Settle Your Car Accident Claim on Your Own or Speak With an Attorney?

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Car accidents often become an extremely complicated process, as insurance companies try to save money and offer as little as possible in the way of a settlement.

If you have been involved in a St. Louis car accident, it is highly advisable that you speak with an experienced attorney about your accident to determine what your legal rights are and ensure that they are protected. Here are 5 factors to consider:

st. louis woman with whiplash after car accident

1. Status of Fault Liability

Cases where the other driver and his insurance company have accepted liability are often fairly straightforward; however, cases where the fault liability is contested become complicated and may end up in court. You will be generally be required to prove the other driver’s fault, and failing to do so will result in a denial of compensation. Having an experienced attorney on your side can ensure you are not pressured to settle for less than you are legally entitled to.

2. Out-of-Pocket Expenses

After an accident, you end up spending some money on your treatment and/or on repairing the damage to your vehicle. In many cases, your out-of-pocket expenses may add up to the thousands. An attorney can help you keep track of your out-of-pocket expenses and fight to get you compensated for these.

3. Extent of Bodily Injuries

Serious injuries sustained in an accident often take a long time to recover, and a permanent injury will stay with you for your life. A broken bone, a herniated disc, and other such injuries may require surgery, increasing the expenses for treatment. A permanent injury or disability will affect your day-to-day life and should be compensated adequately. Typically the higher the compensation amount, the less likely the other party is to agree to pay.

4. Is your case going to Court?

If you have exhausted all other means of negotiations and settlements, you will likely have to take your case to court. Having an experienced attorney by your side will undoubtedly increase your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve. They understand that tricks insurance companies use to try lowering your settlement amount.

5. Time Invested

Representing your own case will no doubt require a great deal of time and energy. Especially in complex cases, you may invest hours in researching legalities and preparing your case, not to mention the stress of presenting your case, should it go to court. With an experienced car accident attorney on your side, you will be able to focus on physical recovery and can rest assured, knowing everything is being done to protect your rights and get you the compensation you deserve.

Contact The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. today if you have been involved in a St. Louis car accident. We can evaluate your case for free, help you determine what your legal options are, and assist you through every step of the process.

FREE Consultation

Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242