St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer Blog

As we are in the heart of the holiday season, Missouri will not only have to worry about hectic traffic but the dangers of winter weather conditions as well. During this time, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) would like to remind drivers to be cautious on our roadways. Even the smallest amount of snow can cause fatal car accidents in St. Louis and elsewhere if drivers aren't careful.

"We encourage drivers to slow down and to steer and brake gently in snowy areas," said Beth Wright, MoDOT state maintenance engineer. "Be certain to allow plenty of distance between your vehicle and those ahead of you."

Our St. Louis car accident attorneys would like to remind drivers to stay at least 100 feet away from slow plows that are out and about clearing the roadways, spreading salt and performing other duties to help clear the way for better travel conditions. Workers with MoDOT will be out at the first sight of snow working to clear the busiest highways of the state. Drivers are urged to be extremely cautious when driving near hills, curves in the roadways and bridges as cars can lose traction easily in these areas.

Drivers are also asked to stay informed with the latest road condition updates throughout the state by visiting Missouri Department of Transportation's website for its Traveler Information Map.

"One click on the map and you can see what's happening on the roads and determine your plan of action," Wright said.

Being aware of weather conditions can help you to avoid a potentially fatal car accident, which is proven to be some of the most dangerous times on our roadways. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), more than 285 people are expected to die as the result of car accidents during the Christmas holiday period. This period is defined by officials as the time from 6 p.m. on December 23rd to 11:59 p.m. on December 26th. Traffic accidents during this time are expected to injure an additional 28,500 people.

The NSC also predicts that another 295 people will die as the result of car accidents during the New Year's holiday period. This period is defined by officials as the time from 6 p.m. on December 30th to 11:59 p.m. on January 2nd. Traffic accidents during this time are expected to injure an additional 29,500 people.

During the holiday season, officers throughout the state will be on the hunt for dangerous drivers on our roadways. Please be cautious, alert and responsible at the wheel to not only avoid a costly traffic citation, but to avoid a potentially fatal accident.

"It's about safety," said MoDOT's Jan Skouby. "Any steps that can be taken to reduce fatalities is something MoDOT will support in any way we can."

Continue reading "Boost in Traffic Over Holiday Week Brings Risks for Car Accidents in Missouri" »

New accident statistics have been released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Statistics show that more than 800 people died in car accidents in St. Louis and elsewhere throughout the state in 2010. While this is a small decrease in the total number traffic accident fatalities from 2009, there is still much more that needs to be done to make our roadways safe for everyone.

According to the newly released report, about 33,000 people died in car accidents in 2010 across the United States. While this is a decrease in the total number of traffic fatalities from 2009 to 2010, there were a few accident categories that experienced an increase, including fatalities among motorcyclists, large truck occupants, bicyclists and pedestrians.

St. Louis car accident attorneys understand that while the total number of 2010 traffic fatalities did in fact decrease from the 2009 totals, the number of accidents started to increase during the last part of the year. As the economy continues to recover, drivers will start driving even more, which will increase our risk for a traffic accident. Despite the reported decrease, drivers are asked to remain cautious and alert behind the wheel to avoid a potentially fatal collision.

Transportation officials point out that the 2010 totals are the lowest they've been since 1949. Again, while this should be positive news, the fact that accidents are increasing is alarming for transportation officials and for motorists nationwide.

"While we have more work to do to continue to protect American motorists, these numbers show we're making historic progress when it comes to improving safety on our nation's roadways," said U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Secretary LaHood.

To help get a better look into accident trends in the U.S., the NHTSA has launched two new measures that are used to better target the most common accidents we see on our roadways. These two new measured include the "distraction-affected crashes" and "alcohol-related crashes." Distraction-related accidents took the lives of nearly 3,100 people in 2010, while alcohol-related accidents will account for about a third of all fatal accidents.

Key Findings of the 2010 Motor Vehicle Crashes Overview:

-Nearly 33,000 people died in traffic accidents.

-Nearly 2.25 million people were injured in traffic accidents.

-Fatal alcohol-related car accidents involving van drivers actually increased.

-The number of fatalities among vehicle occupants who were retained at the time of an accident experienced an increased.

-There were twenty states that experienced an increase in the total number of accidents.

-Fatalities among motorcyclists over the age of 50 increased, while the number of fatalities among riders under the age of 50 actually decreased.

-Accidents in urban areas increased significantly, while the number of rural-area accidents decreased slightly.

Drivers are asked to remain cautious and alert on our roadways. A significant number of these accidents are in fact preventable with responsible driving habits. Be safe and enjoy the remainder of the year.

Continue reading "NHTSA's Newly Released Data Illustrated Risks of Car Accidents in St. Louis, Nation" »

December is a popular time to gather with friends and family and to celebrate the holiday season, but it's also a deadly time on Missouri roadways. Recently, dozens of Highway Patrol Troopers and the families of drunk-driving accident victims launched the new "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign.

In 2010, there were more than 210 fatalities and nearly 900 injuries resulting from alcohol-related car accidents in St. Louis and elsewhere throughout the state, according to Connect Mid Missouri. Just between Thanksgiving and Christmas of 2010, there were nearly 70 fatalities that resulted from traffic accidents in our state. Twenty of these fatalities were the result of alcohol-related accidents. There were more than 4,600 injured on our roadways during this time as well, nearly 325 were related to alcohol-related accidents.

"We are stuck back in the day when our children were taken from us and the only way we can make any sense of it and be able to move forward is to stop this and help prevent this," said Pam Huggins, the mother of an accident victim and who is participating in the new campaign. The campaign will be sharing the stories of family members and friends of those who were killed in alcohol-related accidents. Troopers recently gathered at the state's capitol saying that they were going to increase enforcement efforts to bust drunk drivers and to enforce the state's laws.

Our St. Louis car accident attorneys understand that your risks for being involved in a drunk-driving traffic accident are drastically increased during the last quarter of the year. Friends, families and tourists travel all throughout the state to attend holiday celebrations. Many of these gatherings serve alcohol and unfortunately, many drivers get behind the wheel after having too much to drunk. Drivers are urged to be cautious on our roadways and remain sober to avoid a potentially fatal accident during the holidays.

According to Leanna Depue, the Highway Safety Director, the decision to drink and drive is the wrong one. Troopers statewide will be out during the holiday season and will be nabbing intoxicated drivers on our roadways.

Depue offers these safety tips to help avoid a run in with the law or a fatal car accident:

-Go out and celebrate with a plan, a plan on how to get home safely.

-Make sure that you always have a designated driver.

-Call a cab if you're drinking and looking to get home.

-Stay at a friend's house if you can't get a safe ride.

-Get a hotel room if you cannot find a safe place to stay.

-If you're hosting a party, remember to offer nonalcoholic beverages as well.

The state's highway patrol will be conducting its first sobriety checkpoints from the 5th of December to the 12th.

"Our message is simple. No matter what you drive - a passenger car, pickup truck, sport utility vehicle or motorcycle - if we catch you driving impaired, we will arrest you," said Colonel Ronald Replogle, of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Continue reading "Officers Increase Patrols to Reduce Risks of Alcohol-Related Car Accidents in Missouri through Holidays" »