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accident prevention

How You Can Prevent St. Louis Car Crashes This Summer

July 6, 2020 by Christopher

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.

summer driving safety tips

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.

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Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: accident prevention

Top 3 Causes of Automobile Accidents in Missouri

August 8, 2019 by Christopher

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

missouri automobile involved in an 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.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: accident prevention

Driving During Pregnancy: Potential Injuries and How to Protect Yourself

April 5, 2019 by Christopher

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.

pregnant woman driving

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.

Injured in a Car Accident While Pregnant?

A St. Louis car accident attorney can help you file a claim against the other driver if you or your unborn baby get injured in a collision. Get in touch with a lawyer as soon as you can to see what your legal options are.

Call 24/7 :: (314) 361-4242

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Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: accident prevention

How Proper Vehicle Maintenance Can Prevent a Car Accident

September 19, 2018 by Christopher

One important aspect of driver safety is keeping your vehicle properly maintained.

vehicle maintenance

Though there are hundreds of things that can go wrong with a car, some of them are more common than others. The aspects of vehicle maintenance that counteract those problems are especially crucial for two reasons. First, they carry out a critical function in vehicle safety. Second, they do so very frequently because they are used in essential activities like braking and turning. For these reasons, you should prioritize the following 7 aspects of vehicle maintenance. If you do not, you could be headed for a crash.

Brakes

Your first line of defense against an accident is paying attention. If you keep your eyes on the road, you will be able to execute the maneuver you need to make to avoid crashing. Often, that maneuver is hitting the brakes. Once you do, your brake pads take over. If they are worn too thin, your stopping distance will increase, and you could end up in a crash.

Tire Wear

Another significant factor in stopping quickly is having tire tread. When you try to stop, the force that slows you down is the friction between your wheels and the road. If your tires are too old, this friction will be insufficient, and you will not be able to stop in time. Additionally, tires play a critical role in turning, which is also compromised by inadequate tread.

Tire Pressure

Though tire pressure is less of an issue than wear, it still deserves your attention. When tires are inflated too much or too little, they do not function properly. This is especially apparent while turning. Sometimes accident avoidance comes down to just a few inches, so a small change in vehicle behavior can be crucial.

Oil Changes

Drivers frequently neglect oil changes, but doing so can cost them their money and health. The reason is that an engine with old or insufficient oil does not run correctly. Not only does this mean expensive repairs, but if your car malfunction at the wrong time, it could lead to a severe accident.

Headlights and Brakelights

One reason to keep your headlights and brake lights in order is avoiding those pesky traffic tickets. The danger of poor light maintenance goes beyond the financial aspect, though, as these lights play a critical role in traffic safety.

Wiper Blades

When the weather gets rainy in St. Louis, your visibility drops significantly. To counteract this effect, you can turn on your wiper blades. Unfortunately, many people’s blades are not in optimal condition and will do a poor job of helping them see.

Battery

A malfunctioning battery will likely not get you into an accident, but it can be a source of significant frustration. If your battery is in poor condition, your car might not start, and you could be left stranded.

When you drive the streets of St. Louis, you should keep yourself and those around you safe. One aspect of doing so is keeping your vehicle properly maintained. This will increase your odds of staying safe and avoiding a car accident.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: accident prevention, Safety

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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.