Car Accidents
Missouri Motorcycle Legislation Headed to Governor
Posted by: Christopher Hoffmann
April 30, 2009
Motorcyclists who are at least 21 would be able to ride without a helmet on all roads in Missouri except for interstate highways if the governor signs recently passed legislation into law.
The bill, which was approved on April 29 by the House and earlier passed by the Senate, repeals the mandatory helmet law. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, previous efforts to roll back the safety helmet law have been controversial. But this time, the measure sparked little debate.
Supporters of the legislation say it is more fun to ride without a helmet. They also believe the state should not micromanage their lives.
Safety advocates argue that helmets save lives. According to Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, an alliance of consumer, health and safety groups and insurance companies and agents, helmet use drops from 71 percent to 58 percent annually when states repeal helmet use laws.
A 2001 study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicated that helmets reduce the risk of death by 29 percent and are 67 percent effective in reducing brain injuries.
The motor vehicle accident lawyers at The Hoffmann Law Firm represent motorcycle accident victims struck by cars or trucks. If you or a loved one has been injured or a loved one has been killed in a motorcycle accident, contact our auto accident attorneys by calling 314.361.4242 or filling out our personal injury intake form.
Hit and Run Accident Kills Pedestrian
Posted by: Christopher Hoffmann
April 23, 2009
An early morning hit-and-run motor vehicle accident in St. Louis left one pedestrian dead, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
The fatality is a reminder that traffic safety continues to be a problem for pedestrians.
According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration data, 4,654 pedestrians were killed in the United States in 2007 as a result of traffic crashes.
The data sheet also notes:
- On average, a pedestrian is killed in a traffic crash every 113 minutes and injured in a traffic crash every 8 minutes.
- There were 70,000 pedestrians injured in traffic crashes in 2007.
- Most pedestrian fatalities in 2007 occurred in urban areas (73%), at non-intersection locations (77%), in normal weather conditions (90%), and at night (67%).
To help communities create a safer, more walkable environment, the Federal Highway Administration has put together a 79-page guide that offers residents suggestions. The guide provides safety examples from other communities, includes checklists to assess problems related to safety and recommendations for working with community groups and elected officials to improve walkability.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car or truck accident, contact The Hoffmann Law Firm by filing out our online contact form or by calling 314.361.4242.
Traumatic Amputations and Automobile Accidents
Posted by: Christopher Hoffmann
April 09, 2009
Traumatic amputation or limb loss can be the result of many different types of accidents including motor vehicle accidents.
According to the National Limb Loss Information Center, upper limb amputations make up almost 70 percent of all trauma-related amputations. Men face a significantly higher risk of amputation as a result of an accident. As men and women age, the risk of undergoing a traumatic amputation increases. Those over the age of 85 are at the highest risk for becoming an amputee.
At The Hoffmann Law Firm, we help people who have been injured in car accidents as a result of the carelessness of another. In addition to providing legal assistance, we believe it is also important to provide our clients with information that may be useful when it comes to adapting to life after an auto accident injury.
For amputees, the Amputee Coalition of America hosts a Web site that offers a wealth of information. The information center contains fact sheets that offer tips for new amputees such as how to manage pain, locating a certified prosthetist and information on wound care. For children, there are fact sheets on how to help a child adjust to limb loss or a parent's amputation.
There is also an abundance of information relating to advocacy, financial help, peer support and preparing for surgery.
The ACA also connects individuals to support groups in their state. In Missouri, there are support groups listed for Blue Springs, Farmington, St. Louis and Springfield.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car or truck accident, contact The Hoffmann Law Firm by filing out our online contact form or by calling 314.361.4242.
Head injuries in St. Louis may one day be detected by a blood test
Posted by: Christopher Hoffmann
April 02, 2009
Brain injury patients in St. Louis may one day receive a relatively simple blood test that could predict whether the head injury is a serious one.
According to Science Daily, two recently published studies indicate that blood tests of the S-100B serum protein biomarker conducted within four hours of an injury accurately predicts which patients will suffer head trauma such as a hemorrhage or skull fracture.
The test takes approximately 20 minutes and avoids unnecessary radiation exposure associated with CT Scans. Although CT Scans are the accepted screening tool in the United States, researchers found that 95 percent of the scans look normal for patients with a relatively mild by potentially life-changing injury.
The studies, published in the Journal of Neurotrauma and the Annals of Emergency Medicine, looked at a blood test that is already routinely used in 16 European countries. The U.S. researchers announced they will continue to look into the accuracy of the blood test this by studying 1,500 patients.
Motor vehicle accidents account for about 28 percent of all traumatic brain injuries. Of all brain injuries severe enough to require hospitalization, almost 50 percent were linked to car crashes. If the researchers are able to confirm the findings and Food and Drug Administration approves the blood test, it could help prevent the serious, long term effects associated with auto accident head injuries.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an automobile accident, call The Hoffmann Law Firm on fill out our online intake form. Our lawyers have a track record of success when it comes to handling car accidents, truck accidents and motorcycle crashes.
Whiplash Can Lead to Chronic Pain
Posted by: Christopher Hoffmann
March 27, 2009
Whiplash is a neck injury that occurs when the head moves suddenly backward then forward. As the Mayo Clinic notes, it is a common injury that is most often associated with rear-end car crashes.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke states that whiplash may include "injury to intervertebral joints, discs, and ligaments, cervical muscles, and nerve roots." According to eMedicine Health, symptoms of whiplash include:
- Neck pain
- Neck swelling
- Tenderness along the back of your neck
- Muscle spasms (in the side or back of your neck)
- Difficulty moving your neck around
- Headache
- Pain shooting from your neck into either shoulder or arm
A motorist who suffers mild whiplash in a car crash may recover from the injury within four to six weeks. Unfortunately, for those who receive severe whiplash in an auto accident, the recovery can be much longer. In some cases, whiplash can lead to severe, disabling chronic pain.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, contact The Hoffmann Law Firm by filling out our online contact form or by calling 314.361.4242.
The Hoffmann Law Firm specializes in motor vehicle accident claims. By focusing our practice on car accident and truck accident claims, we are in a better position to provide you with important information - especially information regarding the value of your claim and the strengths and limitations of your case.
Car Crashes are the Leading Cause of Spinal Cord Injuries
Posted by: Christopher Hoffmann
March 12, 2009
According to The National Spinal Cord Injury Association, more than 30 people each day are paralyzed as a result of sustaining a spinal cord injury. The leading cause of spinal cord injuries are auto and motorcycle accidents, reports the Mayo Clinic.
The spinal cord consists of a bundle of nerves that carry messages to and from the brain to the rest of the body. A spinal cord injury disrupts the delivery of those messages. A spinal cord injury survivor may suffer paralysis and loss of sensation below the injury.
Adjusting to life after a spinal cord injury can be a challenge. Fortunately, there are resources for survivors and their families to turn to after an injury.
The National Spinal Cord Injury Association is dedicated to educating and empowering survivors. The organization's Web site is packed with information and resources.
The Mayo Clinic's Web site contains helpful information on testing, treatment and complications associated with spinal cord injuries.
The Hoffmann Law Firm's Web site contains legal information that may assist survivors and their families who are coping with a spinal cord injury related to an auto accident. If you or a loved one sustained a spinal cord injury in a truck, car or motorcycle accident and would like to discuss your rights, please fill out our online contact form or call us at 314.361.4242 or 866.763.6433.
Seat Belt Safety for Children
Posted by: Christopher Hoffmann
March 06, 2009
According to Safe Kids USA, car crashes are the number one killer of children in the United States between the ages of 3 to 14. To lower the risk of death or serious injury, parents need to know the correct way to buckle up as well as the safest equipment to use.
For parents whose children have outgrown car seats, booster seats remain a must. Recently, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute released safety ratings for booster seats.
Surprisingly, 13 of the 41 booster seats tested failed to make the grade. The 13 booster seats that the researchers refused to recommend did a poor job of improving the fit of the lap and shoulder belts for children. Good booster seats make sure that seat belts cross a child's bony parts such as the pelvic bones. The booster seats that failed to make the grade left the lap belt partially or fully on the abdomen.
The researchers concluded the ten best-bet boosters include 3 backlessseats: Combi Kobuk, Fisher-Price Safe Voyage and Graco TurboBooster. The six highback booster seats identified as best bets include: Britax Monarch, Britax Parkway, Fisher-Price Safe Voyage, LaRoche Bros. Teddy Bear, Recaro Young Style and Volvo booster cushion. The combination Safeguard Go seat, when used as a backless booster, was also named a best bet.
If you have been in a motor vehicle accident, you should seek our services. Motor vehicle accidents are all we do, and we do them well. Our lawyer, Chris Hoffmann, has over 10 years of experience and a track record of success in handling car accident and truck accident claims throughout Missouri and Illinois.
Pregnant Motorists and Seatbelt Safety
Posted by: Christopher Hoffmann
February 24, 2009
One of the most common questions pregnant motorists ask is whether it is safe to wear a seatbelt. The answer is most definitely yes.
According to a University of Michigan study, the deaths of approximately 200 unborn children could have been avoided if the mother had been wearing a seatbelt. The study's researchers reviewed data from 57 crashes and concluded that seatbelts could have prevents serious or deadly fetal injuries in 84 percent of the crashes.
The study also estimated that approximately 170,000 car crashes each year in the United States involve pregnant women and as many as 370 unborn babies die.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration recommends the following for pregnant motorists:
- Always wear a seatbelt.
- Adjust the lap belt across the pelvis and below the belly.
- Place the shoulder strap across the chest.
- Leave the airbag turned on.
- Move the front seat as far back as possible so that the breastbone is at least 10 inches from the steering wheel or dashboard.
The NHTSA warns expectant mothers that they should never place the lap belt across or above the belly and they should never put the shoulder strap behind the back or under the arm.
A serious or catastrophic injury can alter the lives of the family as well as the immediate victim. The whole family is affected by the additional time and expenses required to care for an injured victim, as well as lost income and other contributions.
At The Hoffmann Law Firm, we are sympathetic to your needs and want to help. We understand what you are going through, and we will fight to get you the compensation you need and you deserve for injuries suffered in a motor vehicle accident.
Car accidents may spark fires
Posted by: Christopher Hoffmann
February 20, 2009
When a car crashes, there is always a concern that a spark will ignite leaking gasoline or that a rear-end collision may cause an improperly designed or placed fuel tank to explode. Motorists who are trapped in the burning wreckage may suffer severe, permanent or even fatal burns.
If you have suffered injuries in a car crash fire caused by the carelessness or negligence of another, The Hoffmann Law Firm may be able to help. Our law firm focuses its practice on car and truck accidents which allows us to better provide you with important information related to your potential case.
In addition to legal advice, burn survivors and their families may need other support services.
The Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors "connects burn survivors, their loved ones and burn care professionals with valuable resources and a support network." For over 30 years, the organization has helped young burn survivors cope with school reentry, adults return to their community and workplaces after a burn accident and has sponsored the World Burn Congress.
In the St. Louis area, survivors and their families may find support and assistance through the Burns Recovered Support Group. Formed in 1983 by burn survivors with the help of St. John's Mercy Medical Center's burn care team, the group assists survivors with their recovery, supports medical facilities and promotes burn prevention and treatment awareness. In addition, the Burns Recovered Support Group provides assistance to children who wish to attend Burn Camp, a summer camp where children can enjoy outdoor activities in a supportive environment.
A motor vehicle accident can have a long-lasting impact on you and your family. If you or a loved one has been injured, contact our firm to schedule a free consultation by filling out our online intake form or calling 866.763.6433.
Dizziness and Driving
Posted by: Christopher Hoffmann
February 11, 2009
For people who suffer from dizziness caused by inner ear or vestibular disorders, driving can be difficult.
According to the Vestibular Disorder Association, inner ear disorders can cause dizziness, hearing changes, fatigue, nausea, anxiety and vertigo - the sensation that you're moving, spinning or falling even though you're not. Specific inner ear disorders include Meniere's Disease, Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, Secondary Endolymphatic Hydrops, Labrynthitis and Vestibular Neuritis.
As researchers noted in the Journal of Safety Research, some patients with a vestibular disorder have been advised by their doctors not to drive. The article, "Driving disability and dizziness" states:
"People with vestibular disorders rely heavily on visual information for spatial orientation, to reduce vertigo, to tell them when they are steering straight ahead, and to tell them when they are upright. They become disoriented more easily than normal people by extraneous visual stimuli, or visual noise. These problems are reflected in their significant difficulty driving in reduced visual conditions at night or in the rain. Theirdifficulty making left turns, driving on freeways and other high traffic roads, changing lanes while driving, and driving during rush hour may be partly attributed to increased sensitivity to motion of other objects that they see."
Many of the patients interviewed for the study lived in the Houston and Birmingham areas. Though many indicated they would take public transportation, it was not convenient or accessible.
Fortunately, the patients who participated in the study reported fewer instances of being stopped by the police. The crash rates for people suffering from a vestibular disorder were no different than from those of the general population.
The researchers opined: "This finding probably reflects the caution with which most patients drive."
At The Hoffmann Law Firm, we hope you can avoid an auto accident. However, if you are involved in a car crash, help is available. Please schedule a free consultation with motor vehicle accident attorney Chris Hoffmann by calling us at 314.361.4242 or filling out our personal injury intake form.
Brain Injuries and Motor Vehicle Accidents
Posted by: Christopher Hoffmann
February 05, 2009
Brain injuries can be one of the most devastating consequences of a motor vehicle accident or truck crash. According to the Brain Injury Association of Missouri, motor vehicle crashes cause 49 percent all traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Of the head injuries that require a hospital visit, almost half were connected to an auto accident.
In a collision, the motorist may suffer a blow to the head or even a penetrating head injury. According to the Brain Injury Association of America, the brain injury can be mild -- only a brief change in mental status or consciousness - or severe. A severe brain injury can leave a person unconscious for an extended period or with amnesia.
Living with the long-term effects of a brain injury can be difficult. The survivor may need help with managing stress, controlling his or her temper and problem solving. When a TBI survivor is unable to return to work, the financial stress on the family may be enormous. Coping with the effects of a severe brain injury can be stressful not only for the survivor but the spouse, children and parents of a TBI survivor.
Fortunately, there are several support groups located across Missouri for TBI survivors and their families. A listing of meeting locations and times is contained on The Brain Injury Association of Missouri Web site.
If you or a loved one has been in a motor vehicle accident and suffered a brain injury, contact The Hoffmann Law Firm. For over a decade, we have handled auto and truck accident cases, including claims involving brain injuries.
For a free initial consultation, fill out our online contact form or call 866-763-6433.
Weather Conditions Dictate Speed
Posted by: Christopher Hoffmann
January 08, 2009
Several recent multi-car wrecks highlight the serious hazards Missouri drivers face while traveling on icy roads.
On Monday night, Interstate 55 near Scott City was shut down for about three hours after a series of chain-reaction crashes, KFVS-12 reports.
At about 10:30 pm, a truck driver hit a patch of ice and lost control of his semi before his rig overturned. A Scott City police office responding to the scene also lost control of his car on the icy road and slid down an embankment. The patrol car then hit a MoDOT vehicle that had slid off the highway and overturned.
Although at least five other cars were involved in the pile-up, no one was seriously injured.
Unfortunately, that isn't always the case. Many people are hurt or killed each year in weather-related auto accidents.
That's why it is important to slow down when the roads are slick. Even if a motorist is following the posted limits, a driver can still be going too fast when the weather conditions are considered. Under the law, a motorist who is driving too fast for the conditions and causes an accident may be sued for negligence.
At the Hoffmann Law Firm, we hope you can avoid a future accident. However, if you were unfortunate enough to be involved in an auto accident, rest assured that help is available. Please schedule a free consultation with motor vehicle accident attorney Chris Hoffmann by calling us at 314.361.4242 or filling out our personal injury intake form.
Driver Who Survived Initial Crash Killed by Semi
Posted by: Christopher Hoffmann
December 24, 2008
A chain-reaction crash on an icy interstate in Warren County, Mo. led to the death of a 50-year-old man from North Carolina, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
On Tuesday, Edwin W. Sargent slid off the highway and struck a Chevrolet that had already slid into the median. Sargent exchanged information with the other driver and took cell phone photos of the accident.
Two 18-wheelers came over a hill, lost control and slammed into each other. One of the trucks struck Sargent. The driver of the Chevrolet had already gotten back in his vehicle when his car was also hit but one of the big rigs. He was seriously injured.
According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, more than a dozen vehicles were involved in the chain-reaction accident.
According to an article from the Red Cross, 70 percent of automobile accidents resulting in death are ice or snow-related. Another 25 percent of winter deaths are attributed to people being caught out in a storm.
When winter travelers are caught in a storm, it is recommended that they stay in the car. Many people die while trying to walk to safety. Stranded drivers should tie a piece of cloth to the antenna and runthe car, using the heater, every 10 minutes each hour. The interior light should stay on while the engine is running and people should move their arms and legs to prevent hypothermia.
If you have been injured in a car accident or truck accident, please contact personal injury attorney Chris Hoffmann to schedule a free consultation before speaking to a claims adjuster or insurance company attorney. We can be reached at 314.361.4242 or you can fill out our personal injury intake form and Mr. Hoffmann will personally call you back.
Crash Taxes Levied on Unsuspecting Drivers
Posted by: Christopher Hoffmann
December 18, 2008
Auto accidents are unpleasant, especially when the crash is caused by the carelessness of another. But it is even worse when a bill arrives weeks later that charges a fee for the emergency help that arrived on the scene after the accident.
In an article on MSN Money, reporter Peter Lewis writes that towns, cities and counties in at least 24 states are considering so-called accident response fees. Private vendors are promoting the crash taxes at city council meetings and police and fire chief conventions. They often arrive with a model ordinance and a proposal to take a 10 percent cut of the money collected.
"Insurance trade groups estimate the typical bill for nonmedical accident response fees at between $100 and $300, although some run considerably higher. Ordinances establishing crash response fees typically distinguish between resident and nonresident, who's at fault and who has insurance. They usually go after out-of-towners, especially if there's an interstate highway nearby that spurs the bulk of accident responses."
Fortunately for Missouri residents, the state has banned the practice. But that doesn't mean that Missouri drivers involved in an accident in other states won't receive a bill.
If you have been injured in an automobile accident, you may be able to seek monetary compensation for injuries and damages. Cases are fact specific, typically with complex issues of proof and fault in dispute. Working with an experienced attorney from The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. in Saint Louis, Missouri, will help you sort out your legal options.
Contact The Hoffmann Law Firm by calling 314.361.4242 or by filling out our online intake form.
MADD Candlelight Vigil Honors Memories of Victims
Posted by: Christopher Hoffmann
December 11, 2008
Last weekend, St. Louis families gathered to honor the memories of their loved ones who were killed by drunk drivers and to bring attention to the deadly problem.
The candlelight vigil, sponsored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving Gateway Affiliate, was held at Kirkwood United Methodist Church on Dec. 6.
Brian Buccholz lost his stepdaughter, Nicole Allen, 21 in a drunken driving accident. A junior at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, Allen was a passenger in a car that was stopped at a red light when another vehicle rammed into it. The driver of the other car had a blood-alcohol level of 0.24 percent - three times the legal limit.
Buccholz told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that the vigil was an important part of the grieving process for his family:
"You need a place to be sad. You need to be around people who have been through what you've been through."
Approximately 40 percent of all driving fatalities are caused by drunk driving. These accidents could have been avoided. If you, or a family member, were unfortunate enough to be involved in a drunken driving accident, please retain an experienced lawyer immediately. The sooner an experienced attorney gets involved, the better.
An experienced motor vehicle accident attorney can work with a toxicology expert to gather evidence from police reports, the scene of the accident and from witnesses.
At The Hoffmann Law Firm in St. Louis, our car and truck accident lawyer Chris Hoffmann can assist you in obtaining the compensation you need for present and future needs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. To schedule a free consultation, call 314.361.4242 or fill out our online intake form.
Prime Time for Deer-Car Crashes
Posted by: Christopher Hoffmann
December 02, 2008
From late October through December, the deer population in Missouri is on the move. Unfortunately, it is also the peak time for deer-vehicle collisions, the Columbia Tribune reports.
There are several reasons for the activity: mating season, deer are on the run from hunters, and farmers bringing in the harvest push deer from their cover.
A Missouri Highway Patrol database reveals that there were nearly 11,000 deer-vehicle collisions in 2007. Of that amount, 3,419 were reported to law enforcement agencies. The Missouri Department of Conservation counted another 7,454 deer in road kill reports. Five motorists were killed. Most deer strikes happen between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m.
It isn't just a rural problem. Last year, 29 percent of the deer strikes were in urban areas and the eight highest-ranking counties were in and around the Kansas City and St. Louis metro areas.
Highway Patrol Capt. Tim Hull provided some tips on how motorists should react when a deer unexpectedly appears on the road.
"'Too many people swerve to avoid the deer and end up going off the road. Slow down as much as possible and steer straight. It's going to do much less damage' than going off the road or rolling the vehicle over."
In addition to driving straight, motorists are advised to stay calm and buckle up.
At The Hoffmann Law Firm, it is our hope that motorists are able to avoid accidents. However, if you or a loved one has been injured in a car or truck accident because of the carelessness of another, please contact our law firm to schedule a consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney.
Rural Road Safety
Posted by: Christopher Hoffmann
November 20, 2008
When it comes to crashes on Missouri highways, the chances that an accident will be a fatal one dramatically increase if it happens on a rural roadway.
According to the traffic crash statistics released by the Missouri Department of Transportation for 2007, 700 fatal crashes occurred on the state's highways. Seventy-one percent of those crashes took place on a rural road.
The experience at the national level is similar. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorists on rural roadways have a much greater risk of being injured or killed than those in urban or suburban areas.
Robert F. Dallas, the director of the Governor's Office of Highway Safety in Georgia, highlighted the issue of safety on rural roads in an open letter dated Nov. 14. He noted:
"Rural roads frequently become fatal crash sites because they're often narrow, two-lane roads with no physical barriers or division separating oncoming traffic. Add the element of frequent entering and exiting traffic and it creates a formula for fatalities."
If you were seriously injured in a car or truck accident, seek serious counsel from an experienced lawyer who only handles motor vehicle accident claims. Schedule a free consultation today by calling us at 314.361.4242 or filling out our personal injury intake form. In motor vehicle accident claims, experience matters.
Crashes on I-44 Jump after Lanes Narrowed
Posted by: Christopher Hoffmann
November 13, 2008
As the lanes on Interstate 44 in St. Louis County have narrowed, the number of car crashes on the same stretch of highway has expanded.
According to an analysis of Missouri Highway Patrol crash data by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the number of nonfatal injury and noninjury crashes on I-44 has jumped 27 percent since lane widths were reduced from 12 feet to 11 feet.
To accommodate increased traffic on I-44 as a result of the Highway 40 closures, the shoulders were trimmed and the lanes were narrowed. This allowed highway officials to add an extra lane.
Despite the fact that the speed limit was lowered from 60 mph to 55 mph, the number of accidents rose after the lanes were narrowed.
The increase is consistent with data compiled by the Federal Highway Administration. Post-Dispatch reporter Elisa Crouch writes in the Nov. 12 article:
"The skinnier the lane, the less room there is for error."
When lanes were narrowed to 11 feet, the crash risk rises to five percent. If the lanes were trimmed to ten feet, the risk would increase to 30 percent. As a result, the FHA recommends that interstates have lanes that are 12 feet wide.
The Missouri Department of Transportation also notes that increased traffic on I-44 could be contributing to the uptick in accidents. Since the Highway 40 closures, traffic is 10 to 30 percent heavier on I-44.
Other factors cited in the article as contributing to the rise in accidents include speeding and tailgating.
The greatest number of accidents on I-44 happens near the exit and entrance ramps at Lindbergh Boulevard, Big Bend Boulevard and Jefferson Avenue.
At the Hoffmann Law Firm, we hope you can avoid a future accident. However, if you were unfortunate enough to be involved in an auto accident, rest assured that help is available. Please schedule a free consultation with motor vehicle accident attorney Chris Hoffmann by calling us at 314.361.4242 or filling out our personal injury intake form.
Passing Car Triggers Deadly Crash
Posted by: Christopher Hoffmann
November 06, 2008
An elderly man who passed a car in front of him on the highway triggered a chain reaction crash that left two people dead and one person seriously hurt, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Floyd Bowman, 78, was traveling south on Highway 79 in St. Charles County. His car came up behind another southbound vehicle driven by Earl Fetters, 70. Fetters’ 65-year-old wife, Bernice, was also in the car.
Bowman passed Fetters’ car and then side-swiped an oncoming auto driven by Bruce Cannon. Cannon, 53, then lost control of his vehicle and slammed into Fetters’ car. Earl Fetters and Cannon were killed. Bernice Fetters was seriously injured. Bowman was not hurt.
The news report does not indicate whether any citations were written or charges were filed as a result of the deadly crash.
Every year, countless numbers of people are injured or killed in motor vehicle accidents. In 1997, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration conducted a national survey on aggressive driving. The survey found:
In addition to unsafe speeds, other types of unsafe driving commonly encountered were weaving in and out of traffic (24%), tailgating (17%), driver inattention (15%), unsafe lane changes (10%), unsafe passing (9%), ignoring stop signs (8%), failing to yield (6%), drinking and driving (5%), and running red lights (5%).
A car accident can change your life, and the lives of those you love, forever. Call 314.361.4242 to speak with a personal injury attorney who focuses on car accidents and truck accidents or fill out our online contact form.
Six Charges Filed after Series of Car Crashes
Posted by: Christopher Hoffmann
October 30, 2008
A Springfield police officer who was involved in a series of car crashes on a single day now faces six criminal charges, the Springfield News-Leader reports.
On Sept. 23, Joseph N. Motte, 54, was getting onto Interstate 44 near Waynesville when his car crashed into a tractor trailer. Despite the collision, Motte was able to continue driving his car for seven more miles. That's when his car ran off the road and struck a cable barrier.
Investigators at the scene found a whiskey flask, two open beer cans and two loaded handguns in Motte's car. Motte failed a sobriety test, and, prosecutors allege, he reeked of alcohol.
On Oct. 22, Motte was charged with three Class D felonies including leaving the scene of an accident and two counts of possessing a loaded firearm while intoxicated. He was also charged with misdemeanor driving while intoxicated and two counts of careless and imprudent driving.
Motte now faces the possibility of prison time as well as an internal investigation. Motte has been placed on administrative leave and if it is determined that he violated the police department's internal policies, he could be fired.
Fortunately, he only suffered minor injuries. Not everyone is so lucky. Each year hundreds of thousands of people are injured and tens of thousands killed in alcohol-related accidents nationwide. In fact, about 40 percent of all driving-related deaths are caused by drunk driving.
If you, or a family member, were unfortunate enough to be involved in a drunk-driving accident, please retain an experienced lawyer immediately. The sooner an experienced attorney gets involved, the better.
An experienced motor vehicle accident attorney can work with a toxicology expert to gather evidence from police reports, the scene of the accident and from witnesses. At the Hoffmann Law Firm in St. Louis, our car and truck accident lawyer Chris Hoffmann can assist you in obtaining the compensation you need for present and future needs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Call 314.361.4242 or fill out our personal injury intake form today, and attorney Chris Hoffmann will personally call you back. The amount of compensation you receive from an injury claim is important for you future - choose your lawyer carefully.
