accident prevention

Statistics show that driving during the summer may put drivers at a higher risks of car accidents than other months of the year.

Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that in Missouri the number of car accidents start to grow in May, peak in August, and slowly go back down around October.

The conclusion you should draw after looking at this data is this: you should be very careful when driving in the summer.

Why Are Summer Months More Dangerous?

There are a number of reasons why driving in the summer may be riskier:

• More teen drivers on the road – because of the summer break, these inexperienced drivers may have more time to get behind the wheel

• Tourists and travelers – summer is the time when city traffic may get a lot worse because more people are visiting a particular area

• Road construction sites – there is a lot more construction done to the roads during the summer than winter

• Driving under the influence – summer is a popular time for various celebrations, barbecues, and other events where individuals may choose to drink alcoholic beverages. Unfortunately, some of them also decide to get behind the wheel after they’re done having fun.

• Heat strokes – driving when it’s extremely hot can lead to dehydration and driver fatigue, which impairs a driver’s ability to drive safely, putting themselves and others in danger.

How to Stay Safe

It’s important to take a few extra precautions when driving during the summer. Small actions can go a long way to keeping you and your family safe and avoiding a potential collision.

Here are some things you can do:

1. Check Your Vehicle

Keep your vehicle up to date on all its repairs for the summer, with special attention to the air conditioning, engine, and tires.

2. Stock up

Always have plenty of water in the car with you, especially if you’re planning to go on a longer drive. Staying hydrated is essential in avoiding heat strokes and driver fatigue.

3. Avoid Congestion

If possible, try to avoid times of day or roads where there is a lot of traffic. It’s best to opt for alternative routes, even if they take longer, since this way you’ll avoid getting stuck in traffic.

4. Pay Attention

It’s incredibly important to pay attention to the road and the other drivers. If you see a driver behaving strangely, with unpredictable actions, it’s best to try to avoid that vehicle. The driver may be intoxicated or inexperienced.

Injured in a St. Louis Car Crash? Speak With an Attorney!

Unfortunately, no matter how much you prepare or how careful you are, sometimes the inevitable happens. If you’ve been the victim of a car accident and want to file an insurance claim, please reach out to a St. Louis car crash lawyer right away to ensure your legal rights are protected.

Driving is a daily activity for many Missourians. However, for some, it can unfortunately result in a tragic car accident.

According to the latest data offered by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, there were 47,977 car accidents in the entire state, 766 of which had fatalities.

When you break down the data, you’ll see there are three very common reasons for why a simple drive may result in a car accident. If you’ve been the victim of one, it is important to contact a St. Louis car accident lawyer as soon as possible to ensure your legal rights are protected.

Inattention

21.2% of fatal crashes and 27.2% of total crashes are caused by driver inattention. There are many distractions you can encounter on the road, but the widespread use of mobile devices is often the most common element that can make drivers take their eyes off the road.

It’s not just talking on the phone while behind the wheel that’s a problem. People sometimes bend to pick up a dropped phone, check a notification, or even video-call friends or families. You may just think that 2 seconds of looking at your phone won’t do much different, but even if you are distracted for a moment, you are effectively not in control of the car.

Driving Under the Influence

Drunk driving only accounts for 4.2% of total car crashes, but it’s the reason why 25.1% of total accidents end up fatal, making it the second most deadly cause of vehicle collisions.

Drunk driving is illegal in every state, yet statistically, it seems that many people still get behind the wheel even after they’ve consumed alcohol. Under the influence, your reflexes aren’t as sharp, and you are unable to make quick decisions. This can either make you cause an accident because of a driving mistake or render you unable to appropriately react if an accident ensues on the road.

Speeding

Speeding is, by far, the most common cause for car accidents in Missouri, and the most deadly. It accounts for 28% of total crashes, and a staggering 37.8% of fatal crashes.

The data combines two different events related to speeding. One is exceeding the speed limit. Many drivers admit to driving over the legal limit even as much as 15mph over on a freeway, and 10mph over in a residential area.

The second refers to driving too fast when the weather conditions are adverse. Many drivers will simply drive too fast even when there’s heavy rain or snow, which makes it easy for the wheels to slip and lose control of the vehicle.

Be careful when you’re behind the wheel. Even if you think of it as a routine task, one small driving mistake could have severe repercussions.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, a St. Louis car accident lawyer can help you obtain the compensation you are legally entitled to. Give us a call 24/7 at (314) 361-4242 for a FREE case evaluation.

One report shows that 2.9% of women are injured in a car during pregnancy.

Expecting mothers will do anything to protect their unborn child, but sometimes the risks can be unavoidable. For instance, many pregnant women continue to work during their pregnancy, and some will need to drive to and from their place of work on a daily basis.

One report shows that 2.9% of women are injured in a car during pregnancy. In addition to the injuries the mother can suffer as a result, there are also a number of risks to the fetus. If you were in a car accident while pregnant, it’s vital to seek medical treatment at once. Additionally, you should also reach out to an experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer to see what your legal options are.

Potential Risks

The types of injuries the pregnant mother can sustain because of a car collision greatly depend on the crash itself. However, here are some possible scenarios:

• Premature Labor – The stress caused by a car accident can lead to the mother entering labor prematurely. That poses a great threat to the baby’s survival;

• Miscarriage – If the woman sustains great injuries to the stomach or uterus, there is the risk of a miscarriage;

• Direct Injuries to the Fetus – If the injury affects the baby directly, there is a possibility of birth defects;

• Pregnancy Complications – The impact can cause a high-risk pregnancy, which means the mother and baby will most likely need to be closely monitored. Sometimes, these cases can also force the mother to be on bed rest until the condition improves or even until birth.

How to Protect Yourself and Your Baby

As your pregnancy progresses, it will most likely become more and more uncomfortable to perform some of the tasks you would have normally, like driving. However, if your doctor clears you to drive while pregnant, you should not necessarily feel pressured to stop because of the potential risks.

There are some precautions you can take to keep you and your baby safe:

• Be More Cautious – You may have broken a few traffic laws in the past, such as speeding to avoid being late for work. However while pregnant, it’s best to follow these laws strictly and exercise caution every time you get behind the wheel. Even after your pregnancy, you should follow the rules of the road.

• Take a Moment to Make Sure You Are Comfortable – The seatbelt or seat position will begin to bother you. Before going for a drive, make sure they are not an issue that can distract you on the road.

• Take the Vehicle for Check-ups Regularly – Have a mechanic look at the engine, wheels, and even airbag functionality.