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" »

Law enforcement officials are reminding motorists that as the weather gets warmer motorcyclists will be returning to the roadways, the Lake News reports.

St. Louis motorcycle accident lawyers welcome the sunshine of spring and realize as the temperatures increase, so does the risks for Missouri motorcycle accidents.

Sharing the road is the message that Motorcycle Awareness Month brings to the table. Due to their size, motorcycles can easily vanish in drivers' blind spots. All motorists and riders need to use their turn signals so everyone on the road knows each others intentions.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a motorcyclists is 37 times more likely to be killed in a traffic accident than a passenger car occupant. In 2008, Missouri had 102 riders die in traffic crashes.

Safety tips for other motorists:
-Never share a lane with a motorcycle; they are entitled to the full lane. Motorcycles have all of the rights and privileges of any other vehicle on the road.

-At intersections and before entering or leaving a lane of traffic, always check for motorcycles. Look in your mirrors and turn your head to check for blind spots.

-Never merge into traffic or change lanes without using your turn signal.

-Turn signals on motorcycles are not self-canceling and sometimes riders forget to turn them off. Make sure the motorcycle is slowing down and turning before proceeding. Don't assume because the signal is flashing that the rider is turning.

-Never tailgate a motorcycle, keep a following distance of three or four seconds. When road surfaces are dry, motorcycles can stop a lot faster than a car.

-Distracted driving is a danger to everyone, pay attention while you are driving.

Rider safety tips:

-Never drink and ride.

-Wear a helmet, eye protection and bright clothing. Wear leather or thick clothing for protection - dress for safety.

-Know how your motorcycle handles in different road conditions.

-If you are new to riding, get formal training. If you haven't ridden in a while, take a refresher course. Know your bike well before riding in heavy traffic.

-Be visible, keep your headlight on night and day. Use reflective material on your motorcycle and clothing. Be mindful of vehicle's blind spots and stay out of them.

-Always use your turn signal, and turn it off after using it.

-Expect the unexpected - always be thinking about safety. Plan escape routes, increase your visibility by lane positioning and look for turning vehicles.

-Ride defensively.

Continue reading "Motorcycle Safety Awareness month meant to reduce motorcycle accidents in St. Louis" »

While a fewer than normal number of Missouri car accidents were reported over the Fourth of July weekend, St. Louis motorcycle accidents and accidents involving motorcycles elsewhere in Missouri continue to be a concern through the summer riding season.

The Missouri State Patrol reported three fatal accidents over the holiday. "Three deaths is still "more than we would like to see," State Patrol Lt. Mark Langer told the Star Tribune. "But it is far less than we have seen in recent years."

One of the accidents involved a motorcycle rider who struck a deer on Hwy. 169 near Garrison. The 63-year-old rider was killed in the crash.

But about half of Missouri motorcycle accidents are the fault of another motorist; the number one cause is failure to yield the right of way to a motorcycle when a vehicle is making a turn or exiting a private drive, parking lot or side street.

At least three riders have been seriously injured or killed this week in Missouri motorcycle accidents, including a man who died after colliding with a city bus in Columbia, CBS13 reported.

In 2008, motorcycle accidents claimed the lives of 5,290 riders nationwide and injured more than 96,000, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Missouri motorcycle accidents claimed 102 lives, placing the state among 17 that recorded more than 100 motorcycle fatalities.

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation offers car and truck drivers 10 Things they should know about motorcycles:

-Fewer motorcycles than passenger vehicles are on the road, making motorcycles more difficult to see. Watch for bikes, particularly at intersections.

-Motorcycles may look further away than they are and their small size can make judging speed difficult. Predict a motorcycle is closer than it appears and, if in doubt, wait for it to pass before proceeding into the roadway.

-A motorcycle is easily hidden in a car's blind spot. Take a moment to check thoroughly for a rider before changing lanes or turning at an intersection.

-Their small size may make a motorcycle appear to be speeding. Don't assume all riders are speed demons.

-Motorcycles often slow down by shifting or rolling off the throttle, making brake lights a poor judge of a rider's intentions. Allow 3 to 4 seconds following distance and anticipate a rider will slow down without warning.

-Many motorcycle turn signals do not shut off on their own, making them a poor indicator of a rider's intentions. Make sure a signal is for real before proceeding.

-A motorcycle is entitled to its own lane. Don't crowd a rider or attempt to share a lane. A rider may move around in a lane to avoid debris, to mitigate wind or for other reasons not apparent to a motorist in a passenger car.

-Maneuverability is one of a motorcycle's better characteristics, but don't expect a rider to always be able to dodge out of the way.

-The required stopping distance for a motorcycle is nearly the same as that of a car. Wet pavement or other conditions can make stopping more difficult. Allow plenty of following distance and don't expect a rider to be able to stop on a dime.

-Think of a moving motorcycle as a person. It is just as vulnerable.

Continue reading "Fewer St. Louis car accidents but Missouri motorcycle accidents remain a summer concern" »