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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 run the 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 314.480.3378 or you can fill out our personal injury intake form and Mr. Hoffmann will personally call you back.

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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 314-480-3378 or by filling out our online intake form.

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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 314-480-3378 or fill out our online intake form.

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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.

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