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Whiplash St. Louis - Whiplash Injury - Car Accident

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What Parents Can Do to Prevent Teen Car Accidents in St. Louis

August 10, 2018 by Christopher

Handing over the keys can be a frightening experience for parents. However, if you teach your teen correctly, it doesn’t have to be.

teenage driving accident

When your child reaches driving age, it is a significant step towards independence. This increased freedom scares most parents, but the reality is that if you have raised your children well, they will usually act responsibly. Given the facts surroundings car accident & teens, what you should really be concerned about is their safety on the road. Below, we explain the basics of teen driving and the best ways to keep your child safe. If they ever do end up in an accident, it is best to speak with a St. Louis auto accident attorney.

Why Teens Are Often Unsafe

There are two primary reasons why teens are unsafe on the road. The first is inexperience. Generally, people start to drive somewhere between the ages of 15 and 19. That means that they are operating on just a few years of experience at most. The second reason is carelessness. Teens tend to be less mature, and thus are more likely to be careless on the road. This frequently leads to accidents.

Top Safety Tips

Though some accidents cannot be avoided, you can significantly decrease your child’s risk by following some of the most important safety tips. They are listed below.

Discourage Phone Usage – One of the top risk factors for teens is phone usage. If you watch your child, this makes a lot of sense. A lot of people in the modern world are glued to their phones, and this is especially true for younger people. When they are driving, they will be tempted to talk, text, or browse the internet. For accident avoidance, it is best to discourage this. A great way to do so is by having your teen put their phone in their glove box for the entirety of their drive.

Promote Defensive Driving– Any car accident attorney will tell you that aggression leads to accidents. If your teen is speeding or driving recklessly, they are at risk.

Minimize Driving in Groups – Studies have shown that teens driving in groups are less safe than driving alone. Try to have your child drive on their own as much as possible.

Communicate About Drunk Driving – Drunk driving is often a factor in teen accidents. You can discourage drinking and driving by having a simple conversation about it.

Lead By Example – Your children are generally going to focus on what you do, not what you say. If you practice unsafe habits, then don’t be surprised when they do the same. You can protect yourself and your child through following safe practices while driving with them.

Putting your teen on the road can be a frightening experience, but if you teach them correctly, it doesn’t have to be. Following a few easy safety tips can increase their safety drastically, so it is worth doing so. Still, no matter how safe your child is, they can be struck by another driver. If this ever happens, it is important to speak with a St. Louis car accident attorney to handle the aftermath properly and get the compensation you and your teen are entitled to.

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Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Teen Driving Accidents

St. Louis Wrong Way Car Crash

August 7, 2018 by Christopher

Some of the most dangerous accidents that take place on the streets and highways of St. Louis are wrong-way collisions.

When a wrong way car crash happens, both vehicles almost always experience severe damage, and often one or both of the drivers will be injured. If this ever happens to you, it is an excellent idea to speak with a St. Louis car accident attorney to discuss your options. Below, we explain the statistics, causes, danger, avoidance tips, and liability surrounding wrong-way collisions.

wrong way car crash st. louis

Statistics

The 2012 Highway Special Investigation Report, compiled by the National Transportation Safety Board, provides detailed statistics on these types of accidents. The following are a few of their key findings:

  • Wrong-way collisions result in somewhere between 300 and 400 deaths every year, with the instances of non-fatal crashes being much higher.
  • The majority of these crashes come on divided highways, which are roads that have traffic going two ways without a divider between them.
  • It has been found that over half of wrong-way drivers are drunk when they collide with a driver on the right side of the road.

Causes

Though a wrong-way collision can happen for a variety of reasons, there are a few common causes that come up over and over again. The four primary factors are distraction, intoxication, aggression, and fatigue.

Why They Are so Dangerous

The primary factor that separates harmless accidents from severe ones is speed. As you can imagine, a crash that happens at 5 MPH is less likely to cause severe injuries. On the other hand, wrong-way collisions often combine two critical factors. First, cars are going very fast. Second, they are headed straight at each other. In this case, the considerable momentum of both vehicles is fully transferred to the other, and the consequences are dire.

Avoidance Tips

The best way to avoid a wrong-way collision is, of course, to never drive on the wrong side of the road. To achieve this, simply do the opposite of the four causes we cited above. Pay attention to the road, never drive intoxicated, be defensive, and resist driving while fatigued. As far as dealing with other drivers on the wrong side of the road, your best shot is following general safe driving guidelines.

Liability

As far as liability goes, wrong-way collisions are usually fairly simple. Whichever driver was driving on the wrong side of the road is generally found liable, and they are required to pay damages. This doesn’t mean you are safe to fight this case alone, though. The most prudent way to approach any car crash case is with a lawyer at your side.

 

FREE Legal Advice 24/7

Though the results of a wrong-way collision are often incredibly damaging, the legal process that comes after doesn’t have to be. If you happen to be involved in one of these types of crashes, don’t hesitate to give us a call for FREE legal advice. Call us 24/7 at (314) 361-4242.

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Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: drunk driving, Injured in a Car Accident

Why Drowsy Driving Is so Dangerous

August 2, 2018 by Christopher

While drowsy driving does not get as much publicity as other unsafe driving conditions, it is a massive problem.

There are a lot of factors that go into a car crash. The most famous are alcohol, texting, and aggressive driving, but there is one reason that sometimes goes under the radar: Drowsiness. It is responsible for a shocking amount of car accidents and subsequent deaths, and it can happen to anyone. If you are ever involved in a drowsy driving accident, be sure to talk to a St. Louis car accident attorney to go over your options. Here’s what you need to know about drowsy driving.

St. Louis man asleep behind the wheel

How It Happens

Drowsiness on the road can happen due to a variety of factors. The most common ones are lack of sleep, medication, night driving, and long bouts of driving. These can present themselves in any number of ways. It can be an overnight road trip, a commute home after a long day, an early morning drive, or even a short trip to the drug store after you’ve had some cold medicine.

Why It’s Unsafe

The reason why drunk driving is so dangerous is that it decreases your alertness and compromises your decision making. Drowsy driving essentially does the same thing. It will slow your reaction time, make you pay less attention to the road, and impair your ability to make smart decisions.

The Statistics

Here is a statistic that should scare you: Around 1 in 25 drivers report having fallen asleep while driving just in the last 30 days. That is a shockingly high number on its own and is even more surprising when you read that it is in the last month only. It is also estimated that up to 72,000 crashes and 800 deaths are a result of drowsy driving every year. These numbers should convince you that this is a serious issue that deserves your attention.

Warning Signs

Some warning signs for drowsy driving include yawning, excessive blinking, missing street signs, and drifting.

Avoidance

There are two ways to avoid drowsy driving. The first is to prevent drowsiness altogether. To do this, you can make sure you get at least 7 hours of sleep per night, stay away from medication before driving, and avoid driving late at night. The second way is, to be honest with yourself and think about the consequences of driving tired. Chances are, you will know when you are being unsafe. You might realize it before getting into the car or mid-trip when you experience warning signs. The most important thing to do is not to try and wait it out. Be honest with yourself and get off the road.

Legal Implications

Drowsy driving is sometimes ruled driver negligence and can have serious liability consequences.

While drowsy driving does not get as much publicity as other unsafe driving conditions, it is a massive problem. When you drive, do everything you can to avoid it. That includes not driving tired, being aware of warning signs, and having the courage to stop driving if you believe you are too tired. Don’t get caught in an accident due to ignorance or negligence. Instead, do everything you can to avoid drowsy driving.

Get FREE Legal Advice

If you have been involved in a St. Louis car accident with a driver who was drowsy or fell asleep behind the wheel, get in touch with our experienced car accident lawyers 24/7 at (314) 361-4242 for FREE legal advice.

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Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Safe Driving, Safety

The Most Common Causes of Car Accidents

August 2, 2018 by Christopher

While a fair amount of St. Louis car accidents happen due to strange circumstances, the vast majority happen because of a specific set of common causes.

the most common causes of car accidents

Understanding those causes can do two things for you. First, you can avoid those behaviors yourself, which will significantly decrease your risk of getting into an accident. Second, you can recognize when another driver is driving dangerously, and choose to keep your distance from them. With education and behavioral shifts, you can drastically increase your chances of safety.

Speeding

Cars driving over the speed limit get into accidents at a much higher rate than cars moving at appropriate speeds. This is because a speeding vehicle is hard to steer and slow down. If a speeding driver needs to stop quickly or make an evasive maneuver, they are much more likely to get into an accident than a driver that is going to speed limit.

Intoxication

Drinking alcohol or being on drugs significantly affects driving in a variety of ways. Drivers will often experience slower reaction times, poor judgment, aggression, and a tendency to become distracted. All of these factors combine to make intoxicated driving one of the top causes of accidents.

Distractions

Though most people are guilty of some sort of multitasking while on the road, it is incredibly unsafe and should be avoided. They eat, do makeup, take phone calls, text, and a variety of other distracting activities. The result is taking their eyes off the road and hands off of the wheel. This kind of distracted driving can be just as dangerous as drunk driving and is a significant cause of crashes.

Weather

The only common factor that is not behavioral is the weather. In the rain or snow, drivers will often lose control of their vehicles and the results will be dire. The best way to avoid this is taking all necessary safety precautions and avoiding the road entirely when conditions are especially dangerous.

Running Red Lights

Running red lights leads to a significant number of accidents every year. Overly aggressive or distracted drivers can do it, but either way, the consequences are dire. Given that these accidents come at high speeds and are often in a T-Bone alignment, the fatality rate of red light incidents is very high.

Fatigue

Drivers that are fatigued are a liability to themselves and the drivers around them. Much like drunk drivers, their reaction time and ability to stay focused suffer greatly. It may not get as much publicity as some other factors on this list, but fatigued driving is actually one of the most deadly.

Speak With an Attorney

Next time you’re out on the road, keep on eye on yourself and other drivers. If you are driving in a way that puts you at risk, then it is time to start removing that habit. On the other hand, if another driver is driving dangerously, then do your best to get away from them and towards safer drivers. If you end up in an accident for whatever reason, you can always contact our St. Louis car accident attorneys to discuss your options. Call us 24/7 at (314) 361-4242 for a FREE case evaluation.

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Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Distracted Driving, drunk driving, Injured in a Car Accident, Safe Driving

Liability in St. Louis Parking Lot Accidents

July 30, 2018 by Christopher

Though St. Louis parking lot accidents happen at much lower speeds and are almost never fatal, there is still a high chance of financial damage and injuries.

When you imagine an auto accident, you probably think of the worst case scenario: A high-speed collision. While these types of accidents happen all the time, it is just as likely that you will get into an accident under 10 MPH. This may come in the form of a parking lot accident. Though St. Louis parking lot accidents happen at much lower speeds and are almost never fatal, there is still a high chance of financial damage and injuries. Because of this, it is best to understand liability in parking lot accidents and follow safety tips to avoid them. No matter how careful you are, you might end up in a parking lot accident anyways. If this is the case, don’t hesitate to contact a St. Louis auto accident attorney.

liability in st louis parking lot accidents

Right of Way

This concept is essential in assessing liability because ignoring it is one of the most common forms of negligence in parking lots. In a parking lot, the driver that is driving in the lane has the right of way, while the driver that is pulling out of their spot does not. If a car pulls out of their spot aggressively and gets into an accident with a car driving through a lane, the car pulling out will likely be found liable.

Pulling out Simultaneously

Sometimes two cars will be pulling out of their spots at the same time. In this case, the driver who starts first has the right of way and the driver who pulls out second will likely be found liable. Who went first can be a tough thing to assess, though, so this situation may yield both drivers being assigned equal fault.

Reckless Driving

Another way to assign negligence is if a driver is reckless and aggressive. This is often the case when a driver is driving too fast, fighting other drivers for spots, driving in the middle of the lane instead of their side, or driving distracted.

Pedestrians

While an accident between two cars often does not often yield serious injuries, when there is a pedestrian involved, the stakes are raised. This situation can lead to severe injury for the pedestrian and a significant amount of liability for the driver.

Safety Tips

First, make sure you follow general safe driving tips like avoiding distractions, driving below the speed limit, following right of way rules, using your turn signals, making full stops at stop signs, and driving defensively. Next, you can follow some parking lot specific tips like carefully looking around before backing out, listening for pedestrians passing by, and never racing for a spot.

Though they are generally not often fatal, a parking lot accident still costs you in repairs and time wasted. You’ll want to do everything you can to avoid one. When you are in a parking lot, be sure to drive slowly and defensively. If you still end up in an accident, discuss your options with an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney.

Call 24/7 for a FREE Consultation

(314) 361-4242

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Car Accident Claims

How to Obtain Compensation for a Soft Tissue Injury

July 29, 2018 by Christopher

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 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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Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: whiplash

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    The images included on this site are not actual attorneys, events, or clients. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertisements. The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established. Attorney Chris Hoffmann handles car and truck accident claims throughout Eastern Missouri and Western Illinois. He represents injured clients in St. Louis, St. Charles, St. Peters, Clayton, East St. Louis, Alton, Hillsboro and Belleville, and other cities in St. Louis County, St. Charles County, and Jefferson Country, MO, and St. Clair County and Madison County, IL.