Safe Driving

How Comfort Can Put You in Danger – St. Louis Car Accident Attorney

February 20, 2020 by Christopher

Today’s vehicles pride themselves on offering great driving experience, which refers both to the way the cars perform in the roads of Missouri, as well as how comfortable you are behind the wheel.

However, are you too comfortable? Certain positions in your car may not be that safe and actually prevent you from acting fast when you need it. Here are some common driving or passenger positions that are very dangerous for you.

Feet on the Dashboard

On a nice drive through a clear road, your passenger may try to stretch their legs by placing them on the dashboard to relax. However, this position is very dangerous in the event of an accident, because the triggered airbag can cause serious injuries.

The accident doesn’t have to be severe. Some airbags are more sensitive and may be triggered even at a small impact.

Sitting Too Close to the Wheel

This is another position that can hurt you in case the airbag is triggered. The airbag will hit you at around 200mph, and the force may be just too much if you are sitting very close to the wheel. You should keep the recommended 10-inch distance.

Driving with the Arms (and Legs) Hanging Outside

Many drivers will let their hand out of the window of the vehicles. Needless to say, this is a very dangerous position, as you could seriously hurt yourself, or even have your limbs severed if another car hits you. Additionally, if you’re driving at a higher speed, your hand could be hit by a number of common objects like trees or poles, and you may not have enough time to pull it into the car before impact.

Not Wearing a Seatbelt

Even though the benefits of wearing a seatbelt are now common knowledge, roughly 11% of US drivers admit to skipping it sometimes. The number of backseat passengers that do not wear a seatbelt is even higher. The fact that legally only the driver and front-seat passenger are required to wear a seatbelt is a possible explanation for this.

However, not wearing a seatbelt can be quite dangerous, even if you are sitting in the back. The car could potentially flip, and without a seatbelt, you are exposing yourself to severe trauma.

Are You the Victim of a Car Accident?

Depending on the circumstances, car accident victims may legally eligible to get compensated for their injuries, property damage, and pain and suffering. If you have suffered because of another driver, reach out to a St. Louis car accident lawyer as soon as you can.

Give us a call 24/7 at (314) 361-4242 for a FREE case evaluation with an experienced attorney.

8 Car Safety Features That Help Prevent Auto Accidents

February 4, 2020 by Christopher

Being a good, cautious driver is not enough to fully prevent all car accidents. Unfortunately, there’s no way of anticipating or preventing crashes that happen out of someone else’s negligence, which is why it’s very important to use the safety devices that come with your car.

Now, some cars are more equipped than others in terms of safety measures, and for those of you who want to improve the safety of their vehicle, here is what to watch for this year.

Emergency Braking System

This safety system is a lifesaver, automatically applying the brakes when an object is crossing your car’s trajectory.

Forward Collision Warning

This system can help reduce the damage in the case of a frontal collision by giving the driver a warning when a collision may be imminent. In some cases, the driver has enough time to react and to avoid a much worse outcome.

Blindspot Warning

Cars coming from the blind spot when you are engaging in a maneuver often caused accidents, which is why this system came to aid. It warns the driver with audio and visual notifications that a vehicle is along their blindspot.

Lane Departure Warning (LDW)

When a car approaches from behind or starts crossing the lane markings, the driver gets some audible, visual and even tactile notifications about it.

Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)

As its name indicates, this system is designed to keep the car in its lane by giving steering input or applying the brakes when the car starts drifting away from the lane.

Pedestrian Detection Systems

One of the newest safety features on new car models is the pedestrian detection system, which uses advanced sensors to detect human movement near or on the path of the car. Some systems may apply the brakes if a pedestrian is detected, but they mostly just warn the driver about a potential collision.

Automatic High Beams

This system automatically switches between high and low beams, depending on the ongoing traffic, so you don’t have to do it manually. This helps you maximize the high beams to have good visibility during night driving but also avoids putting the other drivers in danger by forgetting to switch to the low beams in time.

Rear Cross-Traffic Warning

This function tells you if a moving object is expected to cross your trajectory while you are in reverse.

Look for These Safety Features

Having these car-assisted safety features is most likely going to become a standard for all drivers, but for now, it is an option that may add to the price of new cars. Choosing this type of technology is worth it, according to the statistics showing how much they actually reduce the likeliness of accidents.

If in spite of all precautions, you’ve been hit by another driver, then you should file for compensation and get the cost of your medical treatment cover. Get in touch with a St. Louis car accident attorney to maximize your chances of getting a fair settlement.

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Avoid an Auto Collision on Your next Summer Road Trip!

May 22, 2019 by Christopher

Summer is almost here, which means many Missourians will pack their bags, get in their cars, and go on vacation!

As you can expect, summer often means a lot more traffic. And whenever there are more cars on the road, the chances of accidents also tend to grow. Here are a few tips to keep you safe during your next summer road trip.

1. Wear a Seatbelt at All Times

Particularly if you’re stuck in traffic and barely moving, you may want to take off your seatbelt and relax for a bit. Longer drives can also make the seatbelt feel uncomfortable, but you should never take it off while in the car. If it’s starting to bother you, it’s better to pull over and rest for a bit.

2. Be Extra Careful When Driving at Night=

Driving at night is very common during a vacation because you’ll most likely want to arrive at your destination as soon as possible. However, you should be extra careful when doing so, because your senses and reflexes aren’t as great as during daytime driving.

For one thing, you’ll probably be a bit tired, which can affect your focus. Unless you’re used to being active during the night, your body will most likely demand it’s sleep soon. And, if that is the case, it’s best to listen to it.

3. Pack the Essentials for the Trip

Even if it’s just a few hours long drive, you should still make sure you have the important things with you: food, water, first aid kit, spare tire, and any other things you may need. It’s best to be prepared in these situations.

4. Have Another Driver Join Your Vacation

The best way to make sure you don’t get driver fatigue is to share the driving duties with another passenger and take turns. That way, you can minimize the chances of making a mistake because you’re too tired to focus, as you can take some time to rest while the other driver is behind the wheel.

Of course, sometimes that’s not possible, and you’ll be the only designated drivers. Don’t overextend your abilities, and take as many breaks as you need, maybe even spend a night at a motel instead of driving until dawn.

5. Take Care of Your Car Before

You don’t want your engine to stop on the road, do you? So take your car to a mechanic before any road trip, and have them check it to make sure everything’s in order before your vacation.

Involved in a St. Louis Car Accident?

If you’ve sustained injuries in a car accident during your spring break, you may be entitled to compensation. Get in touch with an experienced St. Louis auto accident lawyer to see if you have a case, and what your best legal options are.

Give us a call 24/7 for a FREE consultation :: (314) 361-4242

Get Legal Help

St. Louis Car Accident Involving Prescription Drug Use

May 21, 2019 by Christopher

Some studies show that certain medication can be associated with driving impairment that can affect a driver’s performance on the road and lead to collisions of varying degrees of severity.

If you get hit by an intoxicated driver, you generally have a very strong case. In Missouri, it is illegal to drive under the influence of drugs and alcohol. So, apart from the claim or lawsuit you may file against the driver, it’s very likely for the state to also intervene and impose its punishments.

However, what if the driver was on prescription medication? Unfortunately, here is where it gets rather complicated.

Driving while on Prescription Drugs

Most adults need to drive to keep their daily lives going. Unfortunately, some studies show that certain medication can be associated with driving impairment that can affect a driver’s performance on the road and lead to collisions of varying degrees of severity.

However, experts also say it is rather difficult to know if the driving impairment was caused by the prescribed drug, the person’s condition, or a combination of the two. And it’s these uncertainties that can affect a car accident claim.

What Does the Law Say?

In Missouri, it is illegal to drive under the influence of substances, including prescription drugs if they affect a person’s ability to be safe on the road. The laws explicitly mention the use of controlled substances, so by that definition, it may be possible to file a claim against an erratic driver under the influence of prescription drugs.

The state believes that even though these substances are legal, and a person needs to take them to treat themselves, they should be very cautious in how much or how often they do it if they also need to drive.

So if you intend to file a lawsuit against the other driver, it’s very likely to have a positive outcome since the law is on your side. However, most car accidents claims go through one of the driver’s insurance company, which means you may not be dealing with a judge and jury, but with an insurance adjuster.

And you might not go to trial even if you want to. First, a Missouri judge has to rule you have a case for trial. However, in these instances, it’s very likely for them to rule that the matter should be left out of court. You’ll need clear evidence of negligence or that the other driver intentionally tried to hurt you to go to trial.

What Should You Do?

Even if the law is clear, you still might be in for a lengthy battle to get compensation. Reach out to an experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer to help you with your case, and represent your interests in all legal proceedings.

Not only can they make sure the other side doesn’t use their prescription drugs use as an excuse to get out of paying for compensation, but can also help you get all of the compensation you are legally entitled to.

Give us a call 24/7 for a FREE consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer :: (314) 361-4242

Why Drowsy Driving Is so Dangerous

August 2, 2018 by Christopher

While drowsy driving does not get as much publicity as other unsafe driving conditions, it is a massive problem.

There are a lot of factors that go into a car crash. The most famous are alcohol, texting, and aggressive driving, but there is one reason that sometimes goes under the radar: Drowsiness. It is responsible for a shocking amount of car accidents and subsequent deaths, and it can happen to anyone. If you are ever involved in a drowsy driving accident, be sure to talk to a St. Louis car accident attorney to go over your options. Here’s what you need to know about drowsy driving.

How It Happens

Drowsiness on the road can happen due to a variety of factors. The most common ones are lack of sleep, medication, night driving, and long bouts of driving. These can present themselves in any number of ways. It can be an overnight road trip, a commute home after a long day, an early morning drive, or even a short trip to the drug store after you’ve had some cold medicine.

Why It’s Unsafe

The reason why drunk driving is so dangerous is that it decreases your alertness and compromises your decision making. Drowsy driving essentially does the same thing. It will slow your reaction time, make you pay less attention to the road, and impair your ability to make smart decisions.

The Statistics

Here is a statistic that should scare you: More than 40% of drivers admitted they have fallen asleep behind the wheel. That is a shockingly high number on its own and is even more surprising when you read that it is in the last month only. It is also estimated that 100,000 police-reported crashes and over 1,500 deaths are the results of drowsy driving each year. These numbers should convince you that this is a serious issue that deserves your attention.

Warning Signs

Some warning signs for drowsy driving include yawning, excessive blinking, missing street signs, and drifting.

Avoidance

There are two ways to avoid drowsy driving. The first is to prevent drowsiness altogether. To do this, you can make sure you get at least 7 hours of sleep per night, stay away from medication before driving, and avoid driving late at night. The second way is, to be honest with yourself and think about the consequences of driving tired. Chances are, you will know when you are being unsafe. You might realize it before getting into the car or mid-trip when you experience warning signs. The most important thing to do is not to try and wait it out. Be honest with yourself and get off the road.

Legal Implications

Drowsy driving is sometimes ruled driver negligence and can have serious liability consequences.

While drowsy driving does not get as much publicity as other unsafe driving conditions, it is a massive problem. When you drive, do everything you can to avoid it. That includes not driving tired, being aware of warning signs, and having the courage to stop driving if you believe you are too tired. Don’t get caught in an accident due to ignorance or negligence. Instead, do everything you can to avoid drowsy driving.

Get FREE Legal Advice

If you have been involved in a St. Louis car accident with a driver who was drowsy or fell asleep behind the wheel, get in touch with our experienced car accident lawyers 24/7 at (314) 361-4242 for FREE legal advice.

The Most Common Causes of Car Accidents

August 2, 2018 by Christopher

While a fair amount of St. Louis car accidents happen due to strange circumstances, the vast majority happen because of a specific set of common causes.

Understanding those causes can do two things for you. First, you can avoid those behaviors yourself, which will significantly decrease your risk of getting into an accident. Second, you can recognize when another driver is driving dangerously, and choose to keep your distance from them. With education and behavioral shifts, you can drastically increase your chances of safety.

Speeding

Cars driving over the speed limit get into accidents at a much higher rate than cars moving at appropriate speeds. This is because a speeding vehicle is hard to steer and slow down. If a speeding driver needs to stop quickly or make an evasive maneuver, they are much more likely to get into an accident than a driver that is going to speed limit.

Intoxication

Drinking alcohol or being on drugs significantly affects driving in a variety of ways. Drivers will often experience slower reaction times, poor judgment, aggression, and a tendency to become distracted. All of these factors combine to make intoxicated driving one of the top causes of accidents.

Distractions

Though most people are guilty of some sort of multitasking while on the road, it is incredibly unsafe and should be avoided. They eat, do makeup, take phone calls, text, and a variety of other distracting activities. The result is taking their eyes off the road and hands off of the wheel. This kind of distracted driving can be just as dangerous as drunk driving and is a significant cause of crashes.

Weather

The only common factor that is not behavioral is the weather. In the rain or snow, drivers will often lose control of their vehicles and the results will be dire. The best way to avoid this is taking all necessary safety precautions and avoiding the road entirely when conditions are especially dangerous.

Running Red Lights

Running red lights leads to a significant number of accidents every year. Overly aggressive or distracted drivers can do it, but either way, the consequences are dire. Given that these accidents come at high speeds and are often in a T-Bone alignment, the fatality rate of red light incidents is very high.

Fatigue

Drivers that are fatigued are a liability to themselves and the drivers around them. Much like drunk drivers, their reaction time and ability to stay focused suffer greatly. It may not get as much publicity as some other factors on this list, but fatigued driving is actually one of the most deadly.

Speak With an Attorney

Next time you’re out on the road, keep on eye on yourself and other drivers. If you are driving in a way that puts you at risk, then it is time to start removing that habit. On the other hand, if another driver is driving dangerously, then do your best to get away from them and towards safer drivers. If you end up in an accident for whatever reason, you can always contact our St. Louis car accident attorneys to discuss your options. Call us 24/7 at (314) 361-4242 for a FREE case evaluation.