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Safe Driving

How Unrestrained Pets Can Lead to St. Louis Car Accidents

October 14, 2021 by whipadmin

Let’s discuss a few ways unrestrained pets can cause car accidents. We’ll also discuss how you can pursue compensation if involved in such an accident.

Taking your pet with you on a road trip or camping may seem like a lot of fun. However, drivers should be aware that pets can cause dangerous distractions and lead to debilitating car accidents, especially when they are unrestrained in the car.

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dog in backseat of a car

Let’s discuss a few ways unrestrained pets can cause car accidents. We’ll also discuss how you can pursue compensation if involved in such an accident.

Dangers of Driving with an Unrestrained Pet

Anything loose in the car is potentially hazardous, including your pet. Here are ways your pet, even well-behaved ones, can cause a deadly distraction:

  • They may block you from seeing the road
  • They may try to jump from a moving car
  • They may get under your feet and tamper with the brake or accelerator pedal
  • They may be frightened and jump on your lap for protection without warning
  • They may unexpectedly shifts the car gear
  • They may bump into the steering wheel

Is It Legal to Drive with a Loose Pet in Missouri?

While it’s currently legal to drive with a pet in your car in Missouri, you’re required to exercise utmost care every time you hit the road. Any driver who fails to exercise the duty of care and puts other road users in harm’s way may be held liable in the event of a car accident.

Driving with Your Pet in the Car

You may not realize the danger a loose pet poses when driving until it’s too late. Your best chance of safety is to restrain your pet, even if you’re making a short trip.  Also, it is generally best to put them in the back seat to minimize distractions or temptation to pet them.

If your pet doesn’t like to be restrained, be sure to leave it at home. Below are examples of restraints you can use to make your driving experience safe for you and your pet:

  • A harness seat belt. This will generally work well for pets that are okay with staying at one spot throughout the entire drive. You can easily attach a harness seat belt to your car’s seat belt, thereby allowing you to securely and safely travel with your dog.
  • A spacious pet crate. A crate is not only a comfortable place for your dog but also useful for training.
  • A hammock. If you have a large pet and are taking a long trip, a hammock will allow your pet to roam in the back seat without causing distraction. Additionally, a hammock will help keep dirt, mud, and hair off your car seat.

Seek Legal Help From a St. Louis Car Accident Attorney

Have you been injured in an auto crash caused by a loose pet? Get in touch with our experienced St. Louis car accident lawyers 24/7. We have over 20 years of helping accident victims and can evaluate your case for free.

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Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

Filed Under: Whiplash St. Louis Blog Tagged With: Car Accident Claims, Safe Driving

What You Should Know About Anxiety and St. Louis Car Accidents

September 3, 2021 by Christopher

Anxiety can severely lower your concentration, cognitive abilities and lead to slowed reaction time.

Did you know that stress and excessive worrying due to anxiety can lead to a car accident? Let’s discuss how anxiety affects driving and how you can recover your damages after an anxiety-related car accident.

woman with anxiety behind the wheel of a car

How Does Anxiety Affect Driving?

Generally, defensive driving requires you to be alert at all times. However, anxiety can severely lower your concentration, cognitive abilities and lead to slowed reaction time. Here are more ways anxiety can affect driving:

  • When a driver is anxious, their mind often wanders, and they may miss road signs or even pull out of an intersection, causing a T-bone accident.
  • Anxiety disorder can cause moments of extreme fear, diminished coordination, and confusion. When this happens, a driver may slam on the brakes, swerve, or unknowingly press the accelerator, causing tragic rear-end or head-on collisions.
  • When a driver is anxious, their emotions run high. As a result, they can easily become angry and impatient and cause road rage accidents. 
  • Anxiety can cause paranoia, especially when a driver approaches bridges, water bodies, or tunnels. This could lead to an unexpected lane change, which could lead to a catastrophic U-turn accident. 
  • Anxiety attacks can make a victim dizzy. It can get even worse when it happens on a highway with fast-moving vehicles. The driver may become restless and experience difficulty breathing. This can take their concentration off the road and cause a fatal accident.

How Should You Address Anxiety Attacks When Driving?

If anxiety strikes when driving down the road, find a safe place to pull off of the road. This will help prevent potential collisions with unsuspecting drivers. You can also turn on your AC and slowly take deep breaths. If the symptoms don’t go away, park your car in a safe place and seek medical attention.

What if an Anxious Driver Hit Me? 

If an anxious driver injured you, you need to file a car accident claim to help you recover compensation for your injuries and other damages you may have incurred due to the accident.

It would be best to work with an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney. Your attorney can help you avoid mistakes that could jeopardize your case. They’ll also help you get fair compensation.

Speak With a Car Accident Attorney 24/7

If you have been injured in a St. Louis auto accident, call The Hoffmann Law Firm 24/7 for a free case evaluation. We have over 20 years of experience and can help you determine what you are entitled to after a car accident.

FREE Consultation

Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

Filed Under: Whiplash St. Louis Blog Tagged With: Safe Driving

3 Habits Every Teenage Driver Should Cultivate to Prevent Car Accidents

June 22, 2021 by Christopher

Some simple tips can help teenage drivers decrease their chances of being involved in an automobile accident.

Establishing safe driving habits early on can save lives!

Statistics have shown that automobile accidents are the foremost reason for death among adolescents. The risk of being involved in automobile accidents is high within the first six months after adolescents receive their drivers’ license. More often than not, it is due to lack of experience and over-enthusiasm from perceived independence.

father teaching teenage son how to drive safely

Speeding, distraction, and failure to notice and respond to possible dangers are common reasons for teenage drivers’ accidents. The common reason for distraction among adolescents is texting and driving. Recent statistics indicate that around 30% of male drivers aged 15–20 years and 18% of female drivers aged 15–20 years involved in fatal crashes were speeding. The risk of drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 being involved in an automobile accident is four times higher than drivers in an older age group or drivers between the ages of 25 and 69.

Some simple tips can help teenage drivers decrease their chances of being involved in an automobile accident.

Check Your Surroundings

Experienced drivers are in the habit of checking all of their surroundings on the road. In addition to checking what is going on in front of and behind one’s vehicle, it is vital to check blind spots before switching lanes. When teenage drivers are aware of their surroundings, their chances of being involved in an accident decrease.

Monitor Your Speed

The main reason why speed limit notices are posted in some areas, such as exit ramps, is to ensure that inexperienced drivers are aware of the necessary speed that will allow them to safely exit ramps. A driver’s surroundings may change in an instant, making an unexpected stop necessary. For this and other reasons, it is important for all drivers to monitor their speed and ensure that they are well within the speed limit. It is also essential to teach adolescents how weather conditions can affect driving situations, such as rain or snow.

Remove Source of Distractions

Lives can be saved when parents have rules while driving. These rules include not using mobile phones or setting a maximum number of people inside the vehicle. Parents should establish probationary periods to ensure they gain enough experience to drive independently. Some authorities recommend that parents establish a six-month period before allowing their adolescent children to drive independently.

Evidence indicates that adolescent drivers whose parents establish regulations and provide supportive guidance are less likely to become involved in automobile accidents. Therefore if you are a parent, it is vital that you instill safe driving happens in your child. It could save not only their lives but the lives of others.

If, despite driving safely, you have been involved in a St. Louis car accident, contact The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. 24/7 at (314) 361-4242 for a free consultation with an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney!

FREE Consultation

Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

Filed Under: Whiplash St. Louis Blog Tagged With: Distracted Driving, Safe Driving, speeding, Teen Driving Accidents

The Dangers of Not Wearing Your Seat Belt

February 16, 2021 by Christopher

There is a strong link between the failure to wear a seat belt and many serious injuries and fatalities resulting from car accidents.

Car accidents can occur anytime, anywhere. Missouri sees a fair share of car accidents, and many people get injured and lose their lives in these accidents. In Missouri, car accidents occur for various reasons, including the negligence or recklessness of one or more drivers. Regardless of the cause of the accident, the resulting injuries can be life-changing. There is a strong link between the failure to wear a seat belt and many serious injuries and fatalities resulting from car accidents.

buckling seat belt

According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, six out of 10 Missourians killed in traffic crashes are not wearing their safety belts. In fact, traffic accidents are among the most common causes of fatalities for those aged 30 and less in the US. In Missouri, people in the age group of 21-34 years are at the biggest risk of death from car accidents.

Recent statistics indicate that the rate of seat belt usage lags behind the national average. In fact, in 2019 around 87 percent of Missouri drivers use seat belts, while the national average was around 90 percent. If drivers and passengers used the restraint systems and strapped their children into appropriate boosters and car seats, the number of serious injuries and fatalities could be reduced significantly.

Most of us believe that winters are often a dangerous time to be on the roads because of poor weather conditions such as fog, snow, and ice. However, summertime has its dangers as well. Safety often depends on the drivers’ and passengers’ actions because it is often the negligence of a driver that directly causes a car accident and the resulting damages. Therefore, it is important to follow all traffic rules while driving, including wearing your seat belt at all times.

Injured in a St. Louis Auto Accident?

If you have been involved in a St. Louis auto accident caused by another driver’s negligence, you have a legal right to seek compensation. To ensure you do not settle for less than you are legally entitled to for present and future expenses, speak with an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney as soon as possible.

FREE Consultation

Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

Filed Under: Whiplash St. Louis Blog Tagged With: Safe Driving, Safety

7 Ways to Reduce Your Chances of Being Involved in a St. Louis Car Crash

February 15, 2021 by Christopher

There are many rules of the road that drivers must follow in Missouri, but many behaviors can increase the likelihood of an accident.

Driving is not a right; it is a privilege. As such, those who drive are responsible for using caution and great care when behind the wheel. There are many rules of the road that drivers must follow in Missouri, but many behaviors can increase the likelihood of an accident. To limit your risks, try to avoid these driving practices.

st. louis driver

Since Missouri is an at-fault state, that means that whoever is negligent in an accident is generally responsible for paying for any injuries and damages. To make sure that you aren’t at fault, exercise good driving behaviors. To reduce your chances of causing or being involved in an accident:

  • Always make sure that if you are entering onto a roadway that you look both ways. It is important to be cautious of all traffic lanes and surroundings to avoid being in an accident.
  • Recognize your blind spots instead of relying on your car. New safety features and cameras are a great convenience but don’t make the mistake of thinking that they can override your vigilance. Be aware of when things are in your blind spot, and don’t rely too heavily on your mirrors or sensors.
  • Don’t follow too closely or tailgate. Riding closely on the tail of another driver isn’t going to make them go any faster or get you to your destination quicker. It is only going to increase the chances of you being in a car wreck. Keep a safe buffer in between you and the car ahead of you, just in case they stop suddenly.
  • Drive appropriately for the weather conditions. If there is snow on the road or heavy rain, take precautions and adjust your driving behaviors accordingly. Just because there is a posted speed limit doesn’t mean you can’t go under it when conditions call for you to use special care.
  • If you see someone driving erratically, move out of their way. If someone is tailgating you, move aside and let them pass. It is not your job to monitor their bad behaviors, and slamming on your brakes to teach them a lesson, or even slowing down, might be creating the potential for disaster.
  • Maintain your vehicle. Ensure that your car is in working order by always maintaining it according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
  • Obey the speed limit. In Missouri, the posted speed limits are not just an optional guide – they are the law. Make sure to follow posted speeds to avoid a ticket and reduce the potential for an accident.

Do Your Part to Prevent a Crash

The best way to avoid an accident is by driving to prevent one. Practice good driving habits when out on the road to limit the risks of being in an accident and reduce the potential that you might be at fault. If you are in an accident, make sure to speak with an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney at The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. to protect your legal interests and help you get the compensation you are entitled to under Missouri law.

FREE Consultation

Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

Filed Under: Whiplash St. Louis Blog Tagged With: Safe Driving, Safety

How Driving With Your Pet Can Result in an Auto Accident

August 3, 2020 by Christopher

Pets can be a danger for drivers traveling with them, as they obviously won’t be aware of the danger of distracting their owner.

The image of a dog traveling with its owner in the car and happily sticking its head out of the window and its tongue out is a common view around the world. Unfortunately, it’s one of the things that cannot only put in danger the beloved companion, but also its owner and others on the road.

Taking your pet with you in the car while driving is often inevitable. Whether you are taking your dog with you on vacation, your cat to the vet, or just bought a pet bird that you are bringing home your children, you likely have a good reason for taking them with you. However, regardless of your reasons, you should always make sure that the trip will be safe for everyone. 

driving with pet safe

How to Properly Restrain Your Pets During Travel?

Even though Missouri state law does not require you specifically to restrain your dog during driving, it is highly recommended that you do it, as it protects the pet’s life and prevents it from distracting you and causing an accident.

The method of restraining depends a lot on the pet and its size. 

Travel Crates

They are often recommended as the safest method of transporting a pet and the least stressful for them. Using a crate that is fit for the size of your pet is important, so is providing comfort for them. Use a blanket or toy that the pet has used and is marked with its scent, provide food and water, and get the pet used to the crate before any travel.

Car Barriers for Pets

Any person who has traveled with their dog in the back seat knows that they can get agitated and distracting. To prevent the dog from jumping on the front seats and causing an accident, you can install a barrier made of mesh or other material that can keep the pet in the back of the car. For big dog owners, there are also solutions for keeping them in at the rear compartment of the car, separated by a solid metal net. 

Harnesses 

Another system that can work for dogs is a harness that can be secured in the back seat. It will prevent the pet from jumping on the front seats and it also protects it in case there is a sudden stop or a collision. 

Why Is It Important to Keep Your Pets Secure While Driving

Pets can be a danger for drivers traveling with them, as they obviously won’t be aware of the danger of distracting their owner. They can try to escape from the car, make loud noises, and move around the car, which can all be very dangerous for themselves and for drivers. 

Make sure your pet’s life is safe in your car, and that you can drive responsibly while enjoying their company. 

If you have been involved in a St. Louis car accident involving a pet, get in touch with an experienced car accident attorney at The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. to learn more about your legal right to compensation.

FREE Consultation

Speak with an experienced attorney 24/7

Click to Call: (314) 361-4242

Filed Under: Whiplash St. Louis Blog Tagged With: Safe Driving, Safety

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