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Car Accident Claims

St. Louis Carpool Accident – Who Is Responsible?

April 5, 2022 by Christopher

A recent study by the U.S. Census Bureau found that more than 15% of all commuters carpool to work.

While this number is on the rise, so are carpool accidents. In this article, we’ll discuss what a carpool accident is, explore the causes and who may be responsible for them. We’ll also provide some tips on how to stay safe while carpooling.

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group of workers carpooling

What Exactly Is Carpooling?

Carpooling is when two or more people share a ride. This can be done informally between friends or family or through a formal arrangement like a vanpool or rideshare program. Carpooling saves money on gas, wear and tear on your vehicle, and it’s good for the environment. It also helps reduce traffic congestion and can make your commute shorter and less stressful.

However, there are some risks associated with carpooling, including carpool accidents. These accidents can be serious and sometimes even fatal. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were nearly 400,000 carpool accidents in the U.S in 2016.

What Causes Carpool Accidents?

Many factors can contribute to a carpool accident. Some of the most common include:

  • Distracted driving
  • Drunk driving
  • Drowsy driving
  • Reckless driving
  • Weather conditions
  • Road Rage
  • Poorly maintained vehicles

Who’s Responsible for Carpool Accidents?

Generally, the vehicle’s driver is usually held responsible for a carpool accident. This is because they are the ones in control of the vehicle. However, there are exceptions to this rule. For example, if the carpool driver is working for a rideshare company like Uber or Lyft, their employer may be held liable for the accident.

What Can You Do to Stay Safe While Carpooling?

Here are some tips to help you stay safe while carpooling:

  • Make sure the driver is sober and alert. If they seem tired, ask them to pull over so someone else can take the wheel.
  • Avoid distractions by putting away your phone and not talking to the driver while driving.
  • Wear your seatbelt and make sure everyone in the car is buckled up.
  • Choose a safe route and avoid any areas with construction or bad weather.
  • Choose a safe vehicle to ride in. Avoid old cars or those that don’t have seatbelts.

St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer

A carpooling accident can leave you injured, feeling helpless, and unsure of how you can move forward. The good news is, you don’t have to go through this alone. At The Hoffman Law Firm, our experienced St. Louis car accident lawyers can help you get the compensation and justice you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.

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Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Car Accident Claims

Keeping a Car Accident Journal After an Auto Accident

March 11, 2022 by Christopher

If you are involved in a car accident, a journal can prove extremely useful in documenting and proving your injuries, expenses, and pain and suffering.

Automobile accidents can be extremely traumatizing especially if they cause serious injuries and property damage. Although most of us like to believe that it can never happen to us, especially if we drive carefully at all times, the reality is that all of us are at risk of being involved in an accident.

woman writing in journal after a car accident

Despite your best efforts to stay safe, you may get involved in an automobile accident caused by another careless, negligent, or reckless driver. In this case, you can generally claim financial compensation for your injuries and property damage from an at-fault driver. However, to make a successful claim, you need to prove that the accident was the other person’s fault and that you suffered injuries as a result. To do this, it is extremely important that you record all facts and gather all possible evidence that can strengthen your claim. Maintaining a car accident journal can be helpful in preparing your case and making a successful claim.

This journal can be helpful evidence in your car accident case and may be shared with your lawyer and in court. Here is what you may record in your car accident journal.

Information to Include in Your Journal

Details about the accident: It is extremely important that you record all the details of the accident as soon as possible after the crash. You should include the details of the other driver, his behavior before and after the crash (drunk, distracted, drowsy, aggressive, etc.). Also, include the details such as weather conditions at the time of accident, road defects and other information that may be relevant to the cause of accident.

Medical treatment and doctor’s treatment: You can obviously get your medical records from your doctor, but it is important that you write down what your doctor said at your appointments. This will help you keep track of your treatment and recovery.

Pain and suffering: This step is very important because your pain will fade over time, and you need to document how bad it was to prove how much you suffered.

Impact of the accident on your life: If you had to miss work, vacations, family events, or you could not pursue your hobbies due to car accident injuries, you should note it down in your journal.

Note all details honestly and add a date to all your journal entries.

Keeping an Accident Journal

Make sure you maintain your journal in a convenient way so that you can make entries easily and then retrieve the information when required. You can keep a document on your computer or tablet or use the traditional paper journal. Whatever method you choose, the idea is to record all the information that may be relevant to your claim.

If you have been injured in a St. Louis automobile accident, it’s in your best interests to speak with an experienced St. Louis car wreck attorney as soon as possible.

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Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Car Accident Claims

10 Common Reasons Auto Accidents Happen in the Summer Months

March 9, 2022 by Christopher

Summertime is a great time to be out and about, enjoying the sun and warm weather. However, it’s also a time when car accidents seem to happen frequently.

Here are 10 common reasons car accidents happen in the summer months.

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two young women on a summer road trip

1. People are driving more. With the warmer weather and longer days, people are naturally inclined to get out and about more. Unfortunately, this means more cars on the road and more opportunities for accidents to happen.

2. People are driving faster. With the good weather and open roads, people tend to let their foot off the gas a bit more and go a little faster than they normally would. This can lead to accidents especially if the drivers aren’t paying attention.

3. The roads are more crowded. With everyone driving more, the roads are bound to be more crowded and congested. This can lead to accidents as people jockey for position on the road.

4. There are more pedestrians and cyclists. With the nice weather, there are also more people out walking and biking. Unfortunately, this can lead to accidents, for example, if drivers don’t yield the right of way.

5. There are more construction projects. With the warmer weather, construction crews are able to work longer hours and get more projects done. This can lead to accidents if drivers aren’t paying attention to the road or if they don’t slow down in construction zones.

6. The days are longer. With the days being longer, there is more time for people to be out and about. Unfortunately, this means more traffic on the roads and more opportunities for accidents to happen.

7. People are vacationing. With the summer months comes the vacation season. As a result, people are traveling more, which means more cars are on the road. This can lead to accidents, especially when driving in unfamiliar territory or not paying attention to the road.

8. There are more young drivers on the road. With school out for summer, there are more inexperienced drivers on the road leading to accidents.

9. People are drinking more. With the warmer weather and summertime fun, people are more likely to drink alcohol. This can lead to drunk driving accidents if they’re not careful or if they’re driving after having too much to drink.

10. People are distracted. With all the summertime activities, people are more likely to be distracted while driving. Unfortunately, this can lead to accidents.

Have You Been Injured in a Summertime Auto Accident in St. Louis?

As you can see, there are many reasons why car accidents happen more in summer. Unfortunately, this means that the risk of being injured in an auto accident also increases. If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident, we can help. Give us a call 24/7 for a free case evaluation.

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Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Car Accident Claims

6 Ways to Prevent Auto Accidents When Driving Early in the Morning

March 2, 2022 by Christopher

This article will discuss six ways to stay safe on the road and prevent car accidents when driving early in the morning.

Auto accidents during the early morning hours are common. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to help prevent these accidents from happening. This article will discuss six ways to stay safe on the road when driving early in the morning.

st. louis man driving in the early morning

Early Morning Car Accidents

First, let’s take a look at some of the statistics associated with morning accidents.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than one-third of all car accident fatalities occur between the hours of midnight and six in the morning. Furthermore, drivers are about four times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident during these early hours than they are during the afternoon or evening. There are several reasons for this disparity. For one, many people are driving on tired legs after a long night of sleep. Additionally, there tends to be more traffic on the road during the morning hours, and visibility is often reduced due to darkness and foggy conditions. Finally, many drivers aren’t paying attention to the road because they’re distracted by their morning routines.

How to Stay Safe

So, what can you do to stay safe when driving early in the morning? Here are six tips:

1. Ensure You Get a Good Night’s Sleep Before Getting Behind the Wheel. It’s important to be well-rested when driving, and this is especially true during the early morning hours.

2. Start Your Car and Let It Warm Up for a Few Minutes Before Driving. This will help you see better and avoid being blinded by oncoming headlights.

3. Be Aware of Your Surroundings and Watch for Pedestrians, Cyclists, and Other Vehicles.

4. Avoid Distractions. Keep your windows rolled up and the radio turned off so you can focus on the road.

5. Avoid Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol. It’s never safe to drive while impaired, and the risks are even greater during the early morning hours.

6. Leave Extra Space Between Your Car and the One in Front of You. This will give you more time to react if someone cuts you off or slams on their brakes.

Though driving early in the morning can be challenging, following these tips can help you stay safe on the road.

What if You’re Hit by Another Driver and Sustain an Injury?

Sadly, despite your best efforts, you may still be involved in an accident. If this happens, it’s important to know what to do.

First and foremost, seek immediate medical attention. Even if you don’t think you’re injured, it’s important to get checked out by a doctor. Many injuries aren’t visible right away, so it’s important to be evaluated by a professional.

Next, speak with an experienced car accident attorney. They can help you understand your rights and get the compensation you legally deserve.

St. Louis Car Accident Attorneys

Have you been involved in an early morning accident in St. Louis, Missouri? The experienced car accident attorneys at The Hoffman Law Firm are here for you. We have over 20 years of experience helping accident victims get the compensation they deserve and can help you too. Call us today for a free consultation!

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Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Car Accident Claims, Injured in a Car Accident, Safety

What Does It Mean to Yield the Right of Way?

January 25, 2022 by Christopher

Failing to yield the right of way often results in serious and even fatal car accidents in St. Louis.

stop sign

Yielding the right of way essentially means letting another car enter an intersection before you do. However, yielding the right of way transcends more than just driving in an intersection and touches every aspect of driving.  Other situations where drivers can yield the right of way include when merging into a multi-lane roadway or when you reach a dead-end while driving on a rural road.

Yielding the right of way isn’t about asserting your dominance on the road. On the contrary, it’s about letting another vehicle go before you to mitigate the chances of colliding with each other.

When Should You Yield the Right of Way?

Missouri has pretty straightforward laws on situations when you should yield the right of way. Here are a few situations when you should yield the right of way.

Intersections

  • Motorists should yield the right of way when pedestrians are crossing the intersection legally.
  • When entering a parking area, alleyway, or driveway, vehicles must yield right of way to crossing pedestrians.
  • All drivers turning left should let all vehicles going straight go first before turning.
  • In four-way intersections, you should generally let the drive that reaches the intersection first cross first.
  • In cases where the intersection lacks stop signs or traffic lights, you should generally allow drivers coming from the right to pass before you proceed.

Emergencies and Emergency Vehicles

When ambulances and other emergency sound their siren, you should give them the right of way so they can get the victim to the hospital in good time.

Pedestrians With Disabilities

  • Blind passengers, usually with a guiding dog or a white cane with a red tip, get the right of way in intersections.
  • Pedestrians on wheelchairs or crutches also deserve the right of way, especially in busy intersections.

Yield the Right of Way to Sidestep Accidents

Yielding the right of way not only lets you avoid traffic violations but also helps mitigate car accidents. So make sure you yield the right of way appropriately to prevent accidents.

If you have been involved in a car accident due to another driver’s failure to yield the right of way, get in touch with an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney at The Hoffmann Law Firm 24/7 for a free consultation.

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Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Car Accident Claims

Common Causes of Child-Pedestrian Accidents and How to Prevent Them

January 19, 2022 by Christopher

Let’s consider the leading causes of child-pedestrian accidents and tips to help prevent these accidents.

While the frequency of child-pedestrian accidents has decreased over the years, pedestrian injuries are still a leading cause of injury-related death among children in the US. According to the CDC, nearly 20% of 15 years and below children killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2018 were pedestrians. And as it turns out, these deaths could have been prevented.

Let’s consider the leading causes of child-pedestrian accidents and tips to help prevent these accidents.

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two children crossing the road

Common Causes of Child-Pedestrian Accidents

A vast majority of child-pedestrian accidents revolve around a driver’s negligence. We are talking about everything from distracted driving, impatient drivers, impaired drivers, failure to yield the right-of-way, rolling stops, and failure to slow down in school zones. Child-pedestrian accidents can also be caused by reduced visibility, such as bright lights shining in a child’s eyes, objects or cars on the side of the road, or poor weather conditions. 

In other instances, the child can contribute to the risk of pedestrian accidents. Children are often impulsive and playful, which can lead to poor decisions while walking near traffic. In addition, children have limited side (peripheral) vision, which means they may have trouble seeing movement to the side, increasing their risk for accidents. At times, children can become so caught up in the destination that they forget to pay attention to the world around them.

What You Can Do to Prevent Child-Pedestrian Accidents

Parental guidance is the number one safeguard against child-pedestrian injuries and deaths. Here are ways parents and caretakers can help prevent child-pedestrian accidents:

  • Teach your child to look left, right, and left again, and look out for traffic.
  • Young children learn by watching adults. So don’t let your child pick up bad road habits from you. Instead, set a good example by obeying traffic laws and signals and crossing at intersections only.
  • Insist that your children put away phones and other distractions when in traffic.
  • Teach your child to always walk on the sidewalk.

Holding Negligent Parties Accountable

All drivers have a duty to share the road with pedestrians and use reasonable care to avoid hitting any pedestrians. If a driver breaches this duty and hits a child pedestrian, the driver may be held liable for the accident and the resulting injuries.

However, as with any other injury claim, you’ll be required to provide evidence that proves beyond reasonable doubt that the driver was negligent and their action caused your child’s injuries. This is where an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney will benefit your case greatly. Your attorney can help you collect evidence and prove your claim has merit.

St. Louis Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

Car injuries can have long-term consequences for a child, as well as their loved ones. Give us a call 24/7 for a free case evaluation with an experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer.

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Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Car Accident Claims, Child 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.