Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Seeking Compensation for Hit-and-Run Crashes in Missouri

In Missouri, victims of car accidents can hold the at-fault driver financially liable r for their losses. This process becomes complicated when the at-fault driver flees the scene of the crash. It is challenging to hold someone financially accountable for medical bills, lost wages, and suffering when the authorities are struggling to track them down. It’s important to contact the police immediately if you are injured in a hit-and-run accident.

Negligent drivers can be held accountable for the damages they cause and for leaving the scene of the accident. Under Missouri Statute 577.060.1: “A person commits the crime of leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident when being the operator or driver of a vehicle…knowing that an injury has been caused to a person or damage has been caused to property, due to his culpability or to accident, he leaves the place of the injury, damage or accident without stopping.” Drivers in Missouri must remain at the scene and exchange information with those involved in the crash.

The Dangers of Summer Driving

It is a common misconception that the only dangerous time to drive is during the winter months when Missouri is covered in snow and ice. There are many dangers present during the summer months as well. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports August and September are the most dangerous months of the year with regard to fatal car accidents.

• Vacation driving: The highways are often more congested during the summer because of drivers on vacation. Some drivers are simply unfamiliar with local roadways while others are fatigued and distracted.
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What to Do After an 18 Wheeler Accident

Despite the ever present number of 18 wheelers on our highways, no-one really expects to be involved in an accident with one. In fact, the thought of the devastating consequences if an 18 wheeler losing control and hitting another vehicle is enough to drive most drivers off the road altogether. But motorists do continue to share roads throughout the country with these massive vehicles and accidents do happen. In order to take advantages of your rights when involved in an 18 wheeler accident, there is a procedure to follow.

How to Receive Compensation After an 18 Wheeler Accident

Every year, there are estimated to be more than a quarter of a million large truck accidents throughout the country, including 18 wheelers. This estimation puts your chances of being injured in an 18 wheeler accident as quite high, whether as a passenger or a driver in another vehicle. Eighteen wheeler truck drivers are constantly under pressure to reach their destination without any delays so they may not take the required rest times while on the way. This means they can be a danger if they lose concentration due to fatigue or exceeding the speed limit in their rush to meet deadlines.

Fortunately, anyone who is injured in an accident with an 18 wheeler can file a personal injury claim against the person responsible for the injuries.

Pedestrian-Train Collisions Increase in Missouri

In 2014 there was an increase in the number of pedestrian casualties on railroad tracks in Missouri. According to a recent news report in Semo Times, 20 pedestrians were killed on train tracks in Missouri in 2014. That is a 25 percent increase from the previous year. Collisions between vehicles and trains remained the same with 48 crashes and two fatalities.

Trains take a long time to slow down, so if you are walking or driving over a train track, you must make sure a train is not coming. When driving over train tracks:

The Importance of Preserving Evidence After a Truck Accident

Your chances of receiving fair compensation after a Missouri truck accident are greatly increased when you have sufficient evidence to back up your claims. It’s crucial to secure and preserve evidence right after an accident. The insurance companies involved in your case may only preserve the evidence they want to. Important pieces of evidence may never be preserved if you aren’t proactive about securing it. Trucking companies often   have first response teams that are skilled at investigating and collecting the evidence they want.

Watch Out for Drunk Drivers This St. Patrick’s Day

Usually during certain holidays, Missouri police officers put in extra hours because they know there will be drunk drivers on the roadway. You can see an increase in roving patrols and DUI checkpoints around Thanksgiving, New Year’s Eve, Fourth of July, and St. Patrick’s Day. According to a LakeExpo.com news report, the Osage Beach Police Department will be out in full force from March 14-17 between 7 p.m. and 3 a.m. this year as part of the annual nationwide St. Patrick’s Day Holiday DWI enforcement.

NTSB Officials Say Fatigue Played a Role in Missouri Train Crash

Federal investigators determined this week that erratic shifts and sleep deprivation may have played a part in a collision between two freight trains in May 2013 in southeast Missouri. According to an Associated Press news report, the accident occurred when a Union Pacific freight train pulling 60 cars hit a 75-car Burlington Northern Santa Fe train at the Rockview intersection. The collision resulted in derailment, a fire, and an overpass collapse in which five automobile passengers were injured.

What You Should Know About Traumatic Brain Injuries

A brain injury is one of the most devastating injuries that can occur in a car accident. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries (TBI).

Even minor crashes can cause a wide range of injuries if a victim strikes their head against a hard surface or experiences a sudden unexpected jolt. The force of impact or the sudden shaking motion can cause internal trauma to the brain, such as contusions (bruising) or hemorrhages (bleeding).

Travel Tips for the Holidays

There’s an incredible rise in traffic throughout the state of Missouri during the holiday season. According to AAA, roughly 94.5 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home this time of year. At least 91 percent of those travelers (about 85.8 million) will be on the road.

With so many people on the highway rushing around, road travel can be dangerous. Here are some tips to make your holiday journey safer.

• Never drive distracted. Hand your cell phone to a passenger and let someone else do the navigating. Keep your eyes and attention on the road.
• Drive sober. Drunk driving accidents increase during the holidays. Avoid becoming a statistic by staying away from the steering wheel if you’ve been drinking.
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