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Common Types of Car Accidents Claims that Benefit From the Experience of a Lawyer

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If you have been involved in a St. Louis car accident you may be wondering, “Do I really need to hire a car accident lawyer?”

This is a question you likely never thought about before the accident occured. One of the more unfortunate hallmarks of an auto accident is that it is almost always unexpected and that there’s never a good time to be involved in one.

st. louis woman with whiplash after car accident

So if you were recently involved in a car accident in St. Louis and you’re wondering if you should hire a car accident lawyer, the answer is that while it is not required, it is generally a good idea to speak with one. No matter the type of car accident you are involved in, if you sustained an injury, speaking with an experienced attorney about your case is generally a wise decision.

Here are some of the most common types of car accidents that will especially benefit from the assistance of an experienced St. Louis car accident.

1. Speeding

The reason why personal injuries and car accidents caused by speeding have such a strong correlation is that a vehicle that’s traveling past its posted speed limit can pack a pretty substantial punch.

Speeding is among the most common causes of car accidents in St. Louis. If you were hoping that the pandemic might have slowed that down a bit, the truth is that the roads have gotten more dangerous. Quiet streets have inspired some to even organize road races, thereby endangering other St. Louis residents. City authorities did recently respond to the problem by barricading downtown streets in an effort to keep the peace. 

2. Eyes off the Road

It’s the first rule we learn in driving school: eyes on the road. But for some of us, it seems as though the advice goes in one ear and out the other. Truth be told, many accidents are caused by drivers who are simply not paying attention.

Whether they are looking at their phones, joking with a friend in the passenger seat, or turning up the volume of their entertainment system, these distractions can come to a very abrupt and life-threatening halt. All it takes is a split second for the driver to lose control and cause irreparable damage.

3. Drunk and Drowsy Driving

Whether someone stepped into their vehicle after a few glasses of wine or is in dire need of a good night’s sleep, being drunk and drowsy are the two most dangerous states of mind while driving. 

Drunk driving is a pervasive problem across the country. When it is the reason for a car accident, it can add another complicated level of legal gymnastics to acquire your compensation promptly.

Drowsy driving has long been an underestimated issue that is only starting to spur some discussion. Americans fall asleep behind the wheel a surprising amount, with the CDC reporting that 1 in 25 adults have accidentally fallen asleep while driving.

Speak With an Experienced Car Accident Attorney

Car accidents happen for all kinds of reasons. Still, the overwhelming majority of crashes with a legally complex aftermath involve negligence due to speeding, distracted driving, and drowsy or drunk driving. If you sustained injuries after a car crash in St. Louis, speak with a car accident lawyer as soon as possible to learn more about your legal rights and options.

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What Makes Drowsy Truck Drivers So Dangerous

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missouri truck driver yawning

We don’t have to tell you that you are facing a lot of potential dangers when you are on the road. Some of them come directly from your behavior, like using your mobile phone when driving or speeding, but others will be directly caused by other motorists. Statistically speaking, there are some categories of drivers that you can meet on the road that are more dangerous than others: teenagers, drunk drivers, and tired drivers.

If you think that driving when tired is just more difficult, but not a reason to pass the wheel to someone else or take a break, you should have a look at the data over the years. Drowsiness behind the wheel is one of the top reasons for deadly accidents in the US. In fact, drowsy driving is considered by many to be similar to driving drunk.

What Makes Drowsy Truck Drivers So Dangerous

Commercial drivers are far more likely to drive while drowsy than other drivers. They drive almost daily, for long hours, and don’t always get the recommended resting time they would need. Sometimes they also have other tasks besides driving, like loading and unloading the merchandise on destination.

Driver fatigue makes you far more susceptible to accidents, as you are not able to react as promptly as normally. Tired drivers sometimes forget to signal when changing lanes or check the blind spots. With trucks, blind spots are already covering quite a big part of the view, so it’s more likely for them to have a collision.

The legally required recovery periods aren’t necessarily always enough to get the truck driver enough rest. Even if the company he works for will make sure he doesn’t drive more than the law mandates, it’s still not possible to predict whether he will have a good night’s sleep or not before driving for 10 hours straight. Regular schedules and resting conditions should always be checked closely.

How to Stay Safe

If you are wondering what preventive measures you should take to ensure you are as safe from harm as possible, here are some tips.

  • Try not to engage in risky maneuvers that involve passing trucks like staying close to them or driving in their blind spots
  • Keep a safe distance between you and any truck
  • Avoid driving long distances at the times of day when it’s more likely to be drowsy: midnight to early morning and late afternoon
  • Learn to detect drowsy driving in other drivers: they drift off their lane, hitting the rumble strips, etc. Then stay away from them.

If you were involved in an accident caused by a drowsy truck driver don’t hesitate to speak with an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney. They can help ensure that evidence is collected and your legal right to compensation is protected right from the start of your claim. Give us a call 24/7 at (314) 361-4242 for a FREE case evaluation.