Whiplash St. Louis - Whiplash Injury - Car Accident

Whiplash St. Louis - Whiplash Injury - Car Accident

Texting Isn’t the Only Distraction

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Study shows distracted driving involving smartphones includes more than just texting.

St. Louis automobile crash lawyer

A lot has been said about the dangers of distracted driving. In spite of all the driver education and awareness campaigns, distracted driving is till claiming lives on American roads each day. There is research to prove that even a few seconds of distraction is enough to put lives in danger, however, many drivers still do not abstain from reading and writing text messages. However, texting is not the only distraction that leads to crashes. In this post, our St. Louis automobile crash lawyer will discuss the other distractions that pose danger to drivers.

We all are well aware of the consequences of texting and driving. In 2015, 861 traffic related deaths were reported in Missouri. Of these, around 100 involved the use of cell phones. Missouri law prohibit anyone under the age of 21 from texting and driving. Although the dangers of texting and driving are well known, many teenagers’ habits have now evolved into something even more dangerous. They now using social media while driving. Research shows that the smartphone usage slows down the driver’s distraction time by over 38 percent. Alcohol on the other hand, typically slows the reaction time by 12 percent.

A study by AT&T has revealed that over 40 percent of drivers use social media while driving. Drivers do not just text while driving, they also update statuses, post to Instagram, and send Snapchats. According to distraction.gov, at any given time there are over 660,000 drivers using their cell phone while driving. This is a startling number given the risks involved, and the potential there is for an accident resulting from this action.

There was a recent case involving a 30 year old man who got killed in a collision caused by a distracted driver. The at-fault driver was had been taking a Snapchat video right before the crash occurred. Snapchat has a feature that allows the users to take a video and then the app automatically posts how fast the user is traveling.

The AT&T study also revealed some other statistics. According to research, the various smartphone activities that drivers engage in while driving include:

  • Texting (61 percent)

  • Email (33 percent)

  • Surfing the web (28 percent)

  • Facebook (27 percent)

  • Instagram (14 percent)

  • Snapchat (11 percent)

The study also found out that:

  • 60 percent of the drivers keep their cellphone within easy reach when driving

  • 22 percent of those who access social network while driving blame it on addiction

  • 30 percent of those who post to twitter while driving do it all the time

  • 27 percent of those who shoot videos while driving think they can do so safely

Distracted driving is a problem that can only be countered with collective effort. It is important for all drivers to pledge not to use their smartphones or engage in other distractions while driving.  

St. Louis Automobile Crash Attorneys

If you or someone close to you has been injured in a car accident caused by a distracted or negligent driver, you should speak with an experienced St. Louis automobile crash lawyer to ensure your legal right to compensation is protected. Contact our attorneys 24/7 at (314) 361-4242 to schedule a free case evaluation. We want to help!

What You Should Know About Whiplash

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Every year, more than 3 million auto accident victims endure a whiplash injury.

st louis car wreck attorney whiplashWhiplash injuries are most often caused by rear-end car collisions and are the most common type of neck injury. Whiplash ranges in severity from minor soft tissue damage to nerve and spinal damage. Symptoms are often delayed and it is common for a person not to seek medical treatment right away because of a lack of pain. However, complications of untreated whiplash include chronic pain and disability.

What is Whiplash?

One of the most common auto accident claim for injury is whiplash. Whiplash is not a medical term; rather it describes the neck pain associated with damage to the soft tissues such as the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Whiplash is caused when the neck is violently moved back and forth beyond the normal range of motion. A doctor may diagnose whiplash as cervical sprain, cervical strain, or hyperextension injury. Rear-end collisions often cause whiplash injury. Other types of car accidents that cause whiplash include T-bone car accidents, head-on collisions, and rollover accidents.

Symptoms of Whiplash

Whiplash is not in itself a deadly injury; however, it often results in chronic pain and disability. Most symptoms will present with 24 hours of the injury, yet the symptoms can be delayed for weeks after an accident. Because of delayed symptoms, it is critical for a car accident victim to seek medical attention, even if he or she does not have any pain. Symptoms of whiplash include:

  • neck pain and stiffness
  • increased pain with neck movement
  • loss of range of motion in the neck
  • headaches, most often starting at the base of the skull
  • tenderness or pain in shoulder, upper back, or arms
  • tingling or numbness in the arms
  • fatigue
  • dizziness
  • blurred vision
  • ringing in the ears

Treatment for Whiplash

The treatment for whiplash has changed over the last several years. A car accident victim with a neck injury was most often fitted with a soft cervical collar to be worn for several weeks to immobilize the area. Now this is considered to slow the healing process because the loss of range of motion leads to increased pain and stiffness. Damaged muscles become less flexible and do not heal properly with less blood flow to the soft tissues and may cause muscle atrophy. It is believed that excessive rest and immobilization contributes to chronic pain. The recommended method of treatment is early range of motion exercises combined with pain management. Physical therapy and occupational therapy can help a patient return to normal daily activities.

Consult with a St. Louis Car Wreck Attorney

If you have been injured in a car accident and have suffered a whiplash injury, call The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. at (314) 361-4242. We offer free consultations and you never pay attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Whiplash Injury and Rear-End Collisions

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Whiplash is a common injury associated with rear-end collisions.

whiplash car accident St. Louis

The National Safety Council reports that 20 percent of victims in rear-end car accidents suffer from whiplash. A whiplash victim can experience pain and soreness that lasts more than a year.

Women are more likely to suffer whiplash in a car accident because of differences in height, strength and the position of the head restraint. Children who are seated in the third row of minivans and SUVs are also at risk for whiplash injuries.

Symptoms of Whiplash

Whiplash is an injury to the neck caused by an abrupt back and forth jerking motion of the head. Whiplash causes injury to the soft tissues in the bone and spinal cord in the neck and back. The intervertebral joints, discs, ligaments, cervical muscles, and nerve roots may become damaged.  Symptoms of whiplash include:

  • neck pain and stiffness
  • headaches
  • pain in the shoulder or between the shoulder blades
  • low back pain
  • pain or numbness in the arm and/or hand
  • dizziness
  • difficulty concentrating or remembering
  • irritability, sleep disturbances, or fatigue

Diagnosis of Whiplash

A victim of a rear-end collision may not seek medical attention because they feel no immediate pain after an accident. However, symptoms of whiplash injuries are often delayed. Standard X-rays are often used to diagnose soft tissue injuries. CT scans and MRIs may be used to diagnose disc, muscle, or ligament damage.

Treatment of Whiplash

Pain management is a big part of treatment for whiplash. A doctor may prescribe pain relief medication along with physical therapy, massage, heat, and ice. More extensive treatments such as traction, injections, and ultrasound may be required, depending on the severity of the injury. In the past, cervical collars were used to immobilize the neck. The current trend is to encourage early and gentle movement.

According to vehicle safety researchers, the proper position of head restraints and seat belts can protect most passengers from rear-end collision injuries. Head restraints in rear-end collisions are as important as seat belts in frontal collisions.

Help from a St. Louis Car Accident Attorney

The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. has been assisting whiplash victims for more than 15 years and we can help you obtain the compensation you need for medical expenses and other losses. We offer free consultations in all personal injury cases and you never pay attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Contact us at (314) 361-4242.

Accident Attorney Discusses Missouri Laws on the Use of Headlights

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If you have been involved in a St. Louis car crash and headlights were a factor, you may be entitled to financial compensation.

headlights car accident st louis

The darkness of the night, rain, snow, or fog can decrease a motorist’s visibility. In such conditions, use of headlights is important to decrease the risk of a St. Louis car wreck. Our attorneys would would like to take this opportunity to discuss Missouri’s law regarding headlight use. Missouri law requires a vehicle’s headlights to be switched on when visibility is decreased due to fog or other weather conditions, or when the windshield wipers are in use.

In 2004, a law came in effect that dealt with the use of headlights at specific times. Section RSMo 307.020 that deals with when headlights are required was amended to include new requirements. Here is what the law reads. “When lighted lamps are required” means at any time from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise and at any other time when there is not sufficient light to render clearly discernible persons and vehicles on the highway at a distance of five hundred feet ahead.  Lighted lamps shall also be required any time the weather conditions require usage of the motor vehicle’s windshield wipers to operate the vehicle in a careful and prudent manner as defined in section 304.012, RSMo.   The provisions of this section shall be interpreted to require lighted lamps during periods of fog even if usage of the windshield wipers is not necessary to operate the vehicle in a careful and prudent manner.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reminds the drivers that it is always better to be visible then to be in an accident. Laws have been enacted in order to promote safety on the highways. The Missouri State Highway Patrol also explains that it is a good idea to slow down in bad weather conditions, and to wear seat belt and make sure that the passengers are either in an approved child restraint seat or are buckled properly when riding in a vehicle.

High Beams Vs. Low Beams

As most of us are aware, high beams are not useful in rainy or foggy conditions as they reflect off the water particles at the motorist. However, low means aim down at the road and are helpful when visibility is poor.

Lights as a Factor in Car Accident Causes

In many cases, the driver neglects to turn on his/her headlights and this leads to a collision with other vehicles or even pedestrian. If the eye witnesses testify that at the time of crash, one of the vehicles had not switched on headlights, the driver of that vehicle may be held liable for the crash.

If you are involved in a car accident, whether during the day or night, and lights could be a factor, make sure you talk to eye witnesses, take photographs of accident scene, and get all the information you can.  Speak to a qualified St Louis Automobile Accident Attorney for legal help.

Call (314) 361-4242 for a free case evaluation.

Providing a Written Statement After an Auto Accident

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Should you answer insurance investigator’s questions or provide a written statement after a St. Louis automobile accident?

car accident statement st. louis

Recorded and written statements are a part of almost every car accident case, whether it is a simple claim or a full blown lawsuit. However, the question is whether a person should agree to give a recorded statement or not? Is there an advantage to providing a written record rather than answering the investigator’s questions? Consider the following.

Insurance Companies Often Want Recorded Statements

Insurance companies are known to use pressure tactics to get the claimants and witnesses to provide a recorded statement during investigation. The insurance adjuster may demand a recorded statement during the initial call itself. This happens because the insurance adjusters and even the investigators usually have a script for recorded statements and as they ask questions they tend to focus in the information they think is relevant to the claim even though it may not be relevant to the claimant. Also, adjusters find recorded statements easier to control, and they are often able to ambush the claimant with a request for recorded statement. For this reason, most recorded statements are provided without any input from a St. Louis Car Wreck Lawyer. The claimants should understand that the statement they provide can have a direct effect on the insurance company’s decision regarding liability, which could mean the difference between obtaining rightful compensation and nothing at all.

In short, insurance companies prefer recorded statements over written statements as they are more likely to benefit the insurance company.

Do I Have the Right to Give a Written Statement?

The claimant has the right to provide a written statement. Depending on the insurance policy, the claimant may not have the right to deny providing a recorded statement, however, the claimant is never prevented from providing a written statement stating his/her version of events. In spite of this, many people let go of this opportunity to narrate their side of the story.

Giving a written statement to the insurance company lets the claimant narrate exactly what happened leading up to the claim with as much detail as he/she wants. The advantage of a written statement is that it can be done in your own time and there is no pressure to get it right the first time. The claim can control the message and is not dependent on the adjuster who may ask the questions that distort the story or suit his interests.

Injured in a St. Louis Car Accident?

If you have been injured in a car accident, you will have to give a statement to the insurance company, it would be in your best interest to seek help of a St. Louis Injury Attorney before speaking with or providing insurance adjusters with a statement. This will ensure that your best interests are protected. Call (314) 361-4242 to schedule a free and private consultation with an experienced car accident attorney at The Hoffmann Law Firm L.L.C. today.

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