Car Accident Claims

Familiarizing yourself with common road debris can go a long way in reducing your chances of getting involved in road debris-related crashes.

Between 2011 and 2014, it’s estimated that road debris was the contributing factor in more than 200,000 police-reported auto accidents. These accidents accounted for approximately 39,000 injuries and over 500 deaths.

Fortunately, familiarizing yourself with common road debris can go a long way in reducing your chances of getting involved in road debris-related crashes.

Common Types of Road Debris

Road-kill

Every day, stray dogs, cats, and feral wild animals are hit, run over, or flattened by passing vehicles. They are often left on the road, increasing the risk of road-debris-related accidents.

Automotive Parts

 It’s not uncommon to find blown-out tires, spare wheels, jack, mud flaps, and other parts of a vehicle scattered all over the highway. These parts can damage your car or injure you and other occupants in the car.

Roadside Debris

Construction work, vehicle breakdowns, and items left behind after road accidents are other common examples of roadside debris that can cause an accident.

Fluids

Antifreeze or motor oil may leak from broken engines or faulty parts such as worn belts making the roads extremely slippery and hard to manoeuver.

Debris from Commercial Vehicle Explosions

Propane tanks, fuel drums, and large metal objects are common debris from commercial vehicle explosions and wrecks.

Road Construction Debris

Common road construction debris such as cones, barrels, or other tools and equipment mistakenly left behind by work crews can fly through the air and cut into a driver’s windshield, leading to an accident.

Rocks and Road Debris Caused by Roadwork

Road construction and repair projects tend to leave roads with rocks and potholes. This often causes lane closures and traffic jams which may disrupt drivers and lead to catastrophic accidents.

Unsecured Cargo

Unsecured large objects such as logs and hay bales on roadways can make you abruptly apply the brakes, and this can lead to a head-on accident, rear-end collision, rollover, or chain-reaction crash.

Who is Responsible for a Debris-Related Crash?

Some of the liable parties you can sue for a debris-related crash are:

• A truck driver or passenger vehicle driver who had improperly secured their load that eventually fell off the road, leading to an accident.
• The government entity responsible for road construction and maintenance.
• The construction company that left potholes on the road or did not store their construction equipment and debris off the road.

Seeking compensation on your own can be complicated and stressful. It is generally helpful to have an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney by your side. An experienced attorney can help determine who is responsible for your accident and work to get you the full amount of compensation you are legally entitled to.

Speak With a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer 24/7

Are you in St. Louis, Missouri, and have been injured in an accident caused by debris on the road? Call The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. 24/7. We have over 20 years of experience protecting the rights of injury victims in St. Louis, Missouri, and can evaluate your case free of charge. Call us today to discuss your claim.

While pedestrian-car accidents in St. Louis can take many forms, some are more common than others.

Overall, about 6,721 pedestrians were killed in road accidents in 2020, a 21% increase from 2019 and the highest number of pedestrian deaths in the U.S. since the 1970s. The number of pedestrian injuries was also over the roof. 

While pedestrian-car accidents can take many forms, some are more common than others. Some common types of pedestrian accidents include, but are not limited to, the following.

Intersection Crashes

In most situations, drivers are at fault for intersection accidents. For example, a driver may think they have checked the intersection, pull out, only to hit you when crossing the street. Additionally, some reckless drivers may run a red light and end up hitting you in the process. 

Crosswalk Accidents

As a pedestrian, the crosswalk is the last place you’d expect to experience a car accident. Generally, drivers are supposed to stop and let pedestrians cross at every crosswalk. However, not all drivers are careful to double-check whether the crosswalks are clear. 

Dart/ Dash Accidents

These occur when a pedestrian gets into the path of an unsuspecting driver while trying to cross the street. Although most of these accidents happen due to pedestrian negligence, speeding drivers may also be at fault.

Work and Play Zone Accidents

Drivers have a responsibility to slow down when they enter work zones or residential areas. For example, when children are playing near a road, chances are they might run after a ball and be hit by a vehicle. An impatient driver might also lose control and run right into work zones and injure construction workers.

Backing-Up Accidents

These are common in parking lots. Missouri laws are clear; every driver should check their blind spot carefully when reversing. However, this does not mean you should let your guard down. As a pedestrian, you are also responsible for your safety. Therefore, watch for backing cars and trucks to avoid entering their path. 

Off-Road Accidents

A speeding vehicle may leave the road and hit you while standing or walking on the sidewalk. A drunk driver can also lose control of their vehicle, drive straight into a bus stop, and injure people.

Mailbox Accidents

A driver could also be in a hurry and hit you while checking your mailbox. In many cases, such drivers are either distracted or intoxicated.

Seek Legal Help From a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer

Complex legal procedures and laws can overwhelm you when filing a pedestrian accident claim. Additionally, the insurance company may try to take advantage and pay you less than what you deserve. To combat these tactics, it is highly recommended that you speak with an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney as soon as possible.

Have you been injured in a pedestrian-car accident in St. Louis, MO? Let the Hoffman Law Firm help you. We have over 20 years of experience protecting the rights of car accident injury victims. Call 24/7 for a FREE case evaluation.

What you say after a car accident has the potential to jeopardize your claim, even if you weren’t at fault for the accident.

Getting involved in a car accident can be pretty frightening and traumatizing. Car accidents happen in the blink of an eye; one moment, you’re cruising smoothly on the highway, the next moment, you may wake up on a hospital bed. If you’re fortunate enough to be conscious, it’s likely hard to think straight with so much going on around you. If you’re not careful, you might unknowingly say something that could ruin your chances of receiving fair compensation.

This article will highlight a couple of things you should never say after a car crash. That’s because saying these things could jeopardize your claim, even if you aren’t at fault for the accident.

Quick Reminder: Missouri Is an At-Fault State 

It’s important to keep in mind that Missouri is an at-fault state. This means that the at-fault party must pay for all the injuries and damages resulting from the accident. 

Saying something that might be construed as an admission of liability will not only jeopardize your ability to get reimbursement for injuries sustained, you’ll also be held responsible for the other parties’ injuries and damages.

What You Shouldn’t Say After an Accident

With that out of the way, let’s look at a couple of things you shouldn’t say after a car accident.

“I’m Sorry“

Apologizing seems like the responsible thing to do after an accident. However, in an accident, saying “I’m sorry” can easily be interpreted to mean, “I’m the one to blame, so please forgive me for my actions.” Regardless of your pure intentions, most insurers interpret “I’m sorry” as admitting fault, so do your best to resist the urge to apologize even when under pressure.

“That Was My Fault” or “My Bad“

Saying the accident was your fault is a direct admission of liability. Understandably your mind might be whirring after an accident, but never, under any circumstances, explicitly admit fault.

Saying that it was your fault isn’t the only phrase that admits fault; other admissions of fault include saying:

• “My bad.”
• “You came out of nowhere.”
• “I didn’t see you.”
• “It was too foggy.”

“I’m Not Hurt“

Never say you’re okay or not hurt, even if there is no pain or visible injuries. Keep in mind; some injuries like whiplash or concussions take a few days or weeks to surface. Saying you’re not hurt could ruin your chances of getting compensation for any delayed injuries. 

Let Your Attorney Do The Talking

It’s easy to say the wrong things in the commotion that follows after an accident. However, even in your dazed state, avoid uttering the words discussed above. An even better alternative is to keep quiet and let an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney do the talking for you. 

Give the Hoffman Law Firm a call today if you need professional legal representation after an auto accident.

If you are hitting the road this summer, it is important to understand what to do if you are involved in a car accident while in another state.

If you are hitting the road to a faraway destination this summer, you may be crossing many State lines. And anytime you are on the road, there is a chance you may be involved in an accident.

Missouri is a state that operates under comparative negligence, but not all states are the same. When you are in a car accident away from home, your home-state car accident laws generally won’t apply; therefore, it is good to be aware of what to expect.

Car accident law is based on the doctrine of negligence. Negligence means that a driver did something that directly led to an accident happening. It can also mean that a driver failed to act when they should have and that failure to act directly led to an accident.

What Is Comparative Negligence?

In the state of Missouri, if you are in a car accident, two drivers can be held responsible for their “portion” of the accident.

Since two drivers, or even multiple drivers, can act negligently, resulting in a car accident, comparative negligence is a way of making sure that each driver is responsible for the part they played or how much their negligent act contributed to the car accident.

What Is an At-Fault State?

Some States operate under the at-fault negligence law. At-fault states require that only one driver is deemed negligent and responsible for an accident. In at-fault states, any driver over 50% responsible for a car accident generally becomes 100% liable for paying for it.

If you are involved in an accident in a state that adheres to the at-fault negligence law, one party will likely be held solely at fault and responsible.

What Is a No-Fault State?

Some states adhere to the no-fault negligence law. In no-fault states, it doesn’t matter who is negligent or to blame in an accident. No-fault states require that every driver have insurance to cover them if they are in a crash.

Since it doesn’t matter who caused the accident, each driver takes care of their respective injuries and damages. States that adhere to no-fault laws are required to carry insurance called PIP, which is a policy that covers the driver no matter who is at fault.

Missouri requires that each driver carry the mandatory minimum liability insurance. Since it is a comparative negligence state, the insurance company covers the insured person’s portion of negligence. However, if you are driving in another State where the laws are different, you might have a hard time dealing with the difference in how insurance companies pay.

St. Louis Car Accident Attorney

If you are involved in a car accident in another state this summer, it is a good idea to speak with an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney to sort through the details and ensure you do not end up settling for less than you are legally entitled to.