St. Louis Injury Lawyer Blog

We're getting weather in the 80s and as the heat increases, so do the risks for child injury in St. Louis and elsewhere throughout the state. For that very reason, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is working diligently to get the word out to parents, caregivers, childcare providers and others who transport children -- the word about heatstroke and hyperthermia.

In 2011, there were more than 30 children who died after an adult left them in a vehicle alone. It's during the hotter weather that these risks increase. You may think it's okay to leave a kid in the car with the air conditioner on and the windows rolled down, but that's not the case. Children should never be left inside a vehicle unattended. These kinds of accidents are the number one cause of non-crash, auto-related deaths for this young age group and there's nothing these kids can do about it -- they rely on the responsibility and discipline of adults to keep them safe and injury free.

St. Louis personal injury attorneys understand that kids are getting out of school soon and will be taking more trips with mommy, daddy, daycare providers, babysitters and guardians. It's important that each of these people know to check the car before getting out and locking it up. This should be a habit and should be done every time an adult leaves a vehicle. That's where the NHTSA's campaign, "Where's baby? Look before you lock," comes in.

"This campaign is a call-to-action for parents and families, but also for everyone in every community that cares about the safety of children," said U.S. DOT Secretary Ray LaHood.

During the upcoming weeks, the NHTSA will be launching a number of advertisements, running both online and on the radio, to get parents, guardians and childcare providers to think twice before getting out of their vehicle. It's important to always check both the front and the back seats for children every time. You might think this could never happen to you, but most of the fatalities resulting from these scenarios in 2011 were in fact accidents. Drivers just forget.

Being left inside a vehicle has some serious repercussions. Some of the injuries that accompany these scenarios are various heatstroke-related symptoms, loss of hearing, loss of sight and even irreversible brain damage. It only takes a few seconds to prevent these kinds of accidents and these injuries. Be a responsible adult and check the car every time.

Precautions to help to prevent these kinds of incidents:

-Never leave a kid in a vehicle without supervision. Windows and a/c don't ensure safety from heatstroke, hyperthermia or other heat-related injuries.

-Always check your vehicle before you park it and leave it.

-Ask your childcare provider to alert you immediately if your child doesn't show up when expected.

-Leave a reminder in the front seat to make sure you check the back seat before exiting.

-Keep your briefcase, your purse or another important item in the back seat to make sure that you turn around and scan the backseat before departing every time.

Continue reading "Car Accidents in St. Louis and Elsewhere Increase with Heat: Children at Risk" »

More 16 and 17-year-old drivers are dying in car accidents in St. Louis and elsewhere throughout the state. According to a recent study from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), Missouri saw an increase in the number of deaths among these drivers during the first six months of 2011 in comparison to the stats from the year before. Missouri actually saw one of the most severe spikes in these kinds of deaths - more than 200 percent.

The state had three teen fatalities during the first six months of 2010, but saw 10 in the first six months of 2011. That is the second-highest increase in the country, only behind Illinois.

Nationwide, there was an 11 percent increase in the number of deaths among this young group of drivers. There were 190 teen deaths throughout the country during the first half of 2010, while there were 211 during the first half of 2011.

Our St. Louis car accident attorneys understand that there are a number of factors that affect teen's driving abilities behind the wheel. While teens are at their most vulnerable - in their first few months and years behind the wheel - they can be greatly impacted by the kind of Graduated Driver's Licensing (GDL) program that is implemented in their state, as well as parental oversight.

In the state of Missouri, teens are allowed to get their learner's license once they've turned 15. During this time, they have to complete 40 hours of supervised driving, 10 of which need to be done at night. They have to hold this license for a minimum of 6 months. Once they turn 16 they can apply for a restricted driver's license. In this state, they are prohibited from driving between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. For the first six months of this license, they are not allowed to have more than one passenger in the vehicle who is under the age of 19. After the first 6 months, they can't have any more than three passengers under the age of 19. Nighttime restrictions and passenger restrictions are lifted after they turn 17 and after they've held the restricted driver's license for at least 11 months.

Parents are an important part of this learning process. Parents should help to enforce the state's GDL restrictions, along with any additional restrictions they feel necessary. Parents are some of the most influential people for these young drivers. Help to teach your teen safe driving habits as early as possible.

The recent study from the GHSA was led by Dr. Allan Williams, a former member of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). He released the findings of this report just as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released its findings concluding that the number of these driver deaths actually decreased by less than one percent during the same time period.

The truth of the matter, according to Williams, is that 80 drivers who were 16 died during the first half of 2010, while 93 were killed during the same time in 2011. That's a 16 percent increase. There was an increase from 110 to 118 for the same time for 17-year-old drivers, illustrating a 7 percent increase.

"While it is not a surprise that these numbers are stabilizing or slightly increasing, states should not accept these deaths as something that cannot be prevented. More work can and should be done to save teen lives," said Williams.

Continue reading "Car Accidents in Missouri Increasing Teen Driver Fatalities" »

As we face our frigid winter weather, drivers will be facing increased dangers on the roadways and increased risks of car accidents in St. Louis. To help keep drivers safe, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has its crews read to roll.

Transportation efforts include about 3,000 employees and nearly 2,000 pieces of snow-removal equipment to tackle the 32,000-mile highway system in our state. In addition to this army of snow fighters, the MoDOT has the ability to hire emergency equipment operators to help fight off the remnants of our winter storms. When a storm blows through, transportation employees attack the main roadways that are most affected by the winter snow and ice.

These pieces of snow-removal equipment include salt spreaders, snow plows and other de-icing maters. Through these efforts, MoDOT hopes to reduce the risks of a weather-related car accident in St. Louis and elsewhere throughout the state.

Our St. Louis car accident lawyers ask that all motorists be extremely cautious when traveling on our roadways when the winter weather comes hauling in. The snow and icy layering our roadways during this time of year can serve as a catalyst for a fatal traffic accident. Please be careful on our roadways to help you and your passengers to get to your destination safely. Alertness and caution may be your best defense against an accident during this time.

Before heading out, you are urged to check out the MoDOT's Traveler Information Map for the latest roadway conditions. This map offers travelers with information regarding closed roadway, traffic delays, road work and current conditions. You can also call 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636) to get this roadway information.

Drivers are urged to be cautious when driving on icy or snowy roadways. Be cautious and alert. There are a few safety tips, from MoDOT, that can help to keep you safe on our roadways through the dangerous winter weather.

Winter Driving Safety Tips:

-Inspect your vehicle. Make sure that your car's battery is working properly, that the antifreeze is full and fresh, that your exhaust system is working properly and that your car's oil can withstand the rigors of cold weather.

-You should ultimately avoid driving when weather road conditions are icy and snowy.

-Be sure to always keep a first-aid kit in your vehicle.

-You should also keep a flashlight, extra batteries, extra clothes, blankets, nonperishable snack, water, booster cables, etc. in your vehicle in case of an emergency.

-Always obey the posted speed limit. Your best bet is to slow down your speed when driving through snow and ice. Be sure to adjust your speed to accommodate the current weather conditions.

-Always give snowplows plenty of room. Never travel too closely to a snowplow.

-Always keep your tank at least half full.

-If you don't feel comfortable driving, pull over until the weather conditions clear.

Continue reading "Winter Weather Increasing Risks for Car Accidents in St. Louis" »

Officials with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released earlier a new recommendation for a federal ban against the use of portable electronic devices for drivers on U.S. roadways, according to CBS St. Louis. The meeting in which this recommendation was reached was used to discuss the 2010 car accident in Missouri that happened in Gray Summit in which two people were killed and another 38 were injured. The young driver who was blamed was disobeying the state's distraction-relating road laws. According to the Governors Highway Safety Administration, the law prohibits drivers under the age of 21 from texting at the wheel. Everyone else is free to do as they wish.

"No call, no text, no update is worth a human life," said NTSB chairman Deborah Hersman.

Our St. Louis car accident attorneys understand that Missouri has some of the most relaxed laws in the country regarding driver distractions. Most drivers can engage in whichever distractions they would like while operating a motor vehicle. Only drivers under the age of 21 are prohibited from text messaging at the wheel. Still, officers have a tough time enforcing this law because they're unable to tell if a young driver was dialing a phone number or composing a text. A federal ban may be the only effective way to get drivers to curb the distractions and for enforcement officers to effectively target disobeying drivers.

Under the new recommendation, drivers would still be able to use portable devices that aid driving safety and use them in emergency situations.

Officials are noticing more and more drivers on our roadways engaging in this dangerous behavior. Last year, there were over 1 million accidents that were caused by a distracted driver. These incidents accounted for roughly 25 percent of all traffic accidents during that year.

"This (distracted driving) is becoming the new DUI. It's becoming epidemic," said NTSB member Robert Sumwalt.

The National Safety Council (NSC) is strongly supporting the NTSB's recommendation to make portable electronic devices illegal for drivers across the country. The NSC recognizes the difficulty that officers have enforcing these scattered laws. Distraction-related laws in each state vary and are difficult to enforce. One full ban across the nation would help to eliminate that confusions and get drivers on the road to safer roads. In 2010, there were roughly 3,100 people in the country who were killed because of accidents that involved a distracted driver.

While a federal ban may be one of the most effective ways to help ensure that all drivers are placing their full attention on the roadway, we still ask all drivers to practice responsible driving habits until then. Safe and alert driving habits may be the best way to ensure roadway safety. As holiday traffic picks up, with Christmas and New Year's right around the corner, please be safe on our roadways and voluntarily curb distractions at the wheel.

Continue reading "Missouri Car Accident Influences Officials to Recommend Full Ban on Cell Phones at the Wheel" »

The number of crowd-related injuries in St. Louis and elsewhere during big sale events has increased in past years. In fact, in 2008 an employee died during the opening of a store on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving when most major retailers and other businesses offer big discounts. This year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offers employers some safety tips to help reduce the risks of accidents. With Black Friday right around the corner, OSHA is asking employers to start planning now to help keep everyone safe on one of the biggest shopping days of the year.

Our St. Louis injury attorneys remind employers that they are required to take the proper safety measures to eliminate hazards for workers. One of the most dangerous hazards during popular sales events such as Black Friday is crowds, especially when shoppers are camping out in front of your business for days.

Safety planning should start now. Create a plan to share with workers before the big day arrives. There should be a plan on how to manage crowds, how to best minimize dangers and what to do in the event of an accident. OSHA offers the following tips to help you plan.

Planning the event:

-Make sure you have the proper crowd-management personnel on site, including security guards or police officers.

-Map it out. Make sure employees are placed in a designated area.

-Discuss responsibilities for the big day with employees.

-Make sure employees receive training on how to properly manage large crowds of shoppers.

-Make sure that local authorities, including the fire department and EMS personnel, know that you'll be hosting an event.

-Designate a worker to contact authorities in the event of an accident or an emergency.

-Map out your store. Place signs in appropriate areas notifying shoppers with the locations of restrooms, check-out counters, restrooms and "hot" sale items.

Before the event:

-Make sure you have barricades and rope lines in place to help organize large crowds and popular areas.

-Keep lines away store entrances.

-Make sure there are breaks in these lines so that customers can enter in intervals to help avoid overcrowding.

-Designate a worker to explain the procedures with customers, including locations of entrances, exits, check-out counters and popular sale items.

-Consider an online lottery, tickets or wristbands for big sale items to eliminate the rush.

-Make sure employees have an effective way to communicate with one another, such as walkie-talkies.

-Keep shopping carts and other bulky items out of walkways.

During your Black Friday sale:

-Notify all employees before opening store entrances.

-Make sure authorized personnel are located at each entrance.

-Use a PA system to communicate with shoppers.

-Keep workers and security personnel out of walkways.

-Know your store's maximum occupancy. Never exceed this limit. Let customers in appropriately.

-Make sure shoppers with disabilities are offered a safe entrance.

-Never block exits.

-Keep Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and first-aid kits on hand.

We wish everyone a safe shopping day and encourage you to keep safety as a top priority.

Continue reading "Black Friday Crowds Increase Risks of Work Accidents in St. Louis" »

Halloween is right around the corner, and with the spooky holiday comes serious risks for child injury in St. Louis . As our little ghosts and goblins suit up for some trick-or-treat fun, we urge parents and guardians to take a timeout and review some simple Halloween safety tips to help ensure the safety of everyone.

"The single most important thing is for kids to wear costumes that can be easily seen by drivers," says Dr. Joseph Gunn of the St. Louis Children's Hospital, "and be very careful about obeying the rules of crossing the streets."

Our St. Louis, MO, car accident attorneys ask that everyone be on the lookout for one another on our roadways this Halloween. Motorists are asked to be extra careful and cautious when driving in or near residential neighborhoods as excited children will be jetting about from house to house gathering treats.

If you're heading out on Halloween with trick-or-treaters, here are some safety tips from Hopkins-St.Louis Park:

-Make sure that all young trick-or-treaters are under parental supervision.

-Everyone should either have reflective tape on their costume or a flashlight in their hand to be more visible to motorists.

-All walkers should be wearing comfortable shoes.

-Be sure that all costumes are short enough to help prevent a trip and fall hazard.

-Feed young ones dinner before heading out so that they're less likely to snack on candy throughout their journey.

Trick-or-treaters old enough to travel about without supervision:

-Make sure you're with a friend. Don't trick-or-treat alone.

-Make sure you have a planned route. It's important to pick a path that is away from busy roads and has sidewalks or safe walkways.

-Trick-or-treaters should never go up to a house that doesn't have any lights on. You should only approach houses that are well-lit.

-Wear a comfortable costume.

-Always carry a cellphone for emergencies.

-Wear reflective tape on your costume or carry a flashlight to help ensure that motorists see you.

-Keep an eye out for vehicles that are pulling into or backing out of driveways. Children are oftentimes overlooked in these scenarios.

-Never dart out from behind a parked car.

-Look both ways before and during your trek across a road.

-Never walk across someone's lawn.

-Accept treats only at the door.

-Never get into the car or go in the house of a stranger.

Halloween at your house:

-Make sure your driveway, sidewalk and front porch are clear of debris.

-Wipe up all surfaces that may be wet.

-Make sure all of your lights are on and working.

-Never leave candles or lit jack-o-lanterns unattended.

-Keep candy away from pets and keep pets away from the front door as many are overwhelmed by the doorbell and young trick-or-treaters.

We know it's supposed to be a night of fright, but there's no room for injuries. Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

Continue reading "Our St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyers Wish You a Safe and Happy Halloween!" »

There are many reasons to go out for a walk or hop on a bicycle for a leisurely ride around the neighborhood. But for some Missouri students, these two forms of transportation may be the only way to get to and from school. With that comes the real risk of potentially being involved in a traffic-related pedestrian accident in St. Louis.

Today, Oct. 5th, the International Walk to School Day campaign is back to help raise awareness about the risks these young pedestrians face. The annual event is also a good time to discuss ways to help reduce traffic accidents and to campaign for safer roadways for walkers. Our Missouri pedestrian accident attorneys understand the benefits and possible rewards of this campaign.

The first Walk to School Day started in 1997 in Chicago when it was used as a day for children and community leaders to get together to raise awareness about the need for more walkable communities. Later in 2002, the event recorded its largest number of participants -- 3 million people worldwide. In 2005, the event helped to rally for new legislation that now provides federal funding to states to help construct more walkable roadways. Now there are more than 11,000 schools in every state that have been awarded some of this federal funding -- more than $600 million -- to help communities improve conditions for pedestrians.

The campaign not only reinforces the call for safer roadways, but also reminds us that walking is a great way to help keep our young ones in shape. It can also lead to other healthy habits and helps reduce air pollution.

Schools in Columbia participating in the 2011 International Walk to School Day:

-Benton Elementary School

-Blue Ridge Elementary School

-Cedar Ridge Elementary School

-Derby Ridge Elementary School

-Fairview Elementary School

-Grant Elementary School

-Lee Elementary School

-Millcreek Elementary School

-Parkade Elementary School

-Paxton Keeley Elementary School

-Ridgeway Elementary School

-Rockbridge Elementary School

-Russell Elementary School

-Shepard Elementary School

-West Boulevard Elementary School

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were approximately 34,000 pedestrian fatalities in the U.S. in 2009. Five percent of these accidents involved people younger than 15 years old. More than 1,300 pedestrians in this young age group were killed in traffic-related accidents during 2009. Approximately 180,000 were injured in these same incidents. This means that every day there were approximately 4 deaths and 490 injuries experienced by children under 15 in pedestrian accidents.

We would like to encourage you and your child to get involved in this year's events. You can visit the campaign's website to find out exactly Who's Walking in Missouri. Remember to talk with your child about how to be a safe pedestrian. Keep the dangers, risks and importance of safe habits as a frequent topic of conversation in your household.

Reasons to walk, according to the campaign:

.-An excellent source of physical activity.

-To reduce risks of fatal car accidents.

-To raise community awareness about pedestrian safety.

-To raise awareness about environmental issues.

-To help reduce vehicular traffic.

-To reclaim neighborhoods.

-To share time with family members, friends and community leaders.

Continue reading "Missouri to Participate in International Walk to School Day to Raise Awareness of Pedestrian Accidents in Missouri and Elsewhere" »

Chuggington is here to teach your kids some important pedestrian, school bus, bicycling and vehicle safety tips to help prevent child injury in Missouri and elsewhere.

Chuggington is an animated series that has partnered up with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to teach children to always be safe around cars.

The campaign is geared towards children under the age of 7. The series also comes with a number of downloadable safety tips, a kid-focused safety pledge and a number of games and activities that parents and guardians can do with their children to help promote the safe traveling habits.

"This exciting partnership with Chuggington will help us bring our traffic safety message to young children and parents alike," said Ray LaHood, the Secretary for the U.S. Transportation.

Our St. Louis injury attorneys understand that this kind of campaign is an extremely effective way to teach children safe habits, including buckling up in a vehicle, how to safely cross the street and to always wear a bicycle helmet. Parents are urged to sit down and enjoy the animated series to teach children about these safe habits. Educating children at an early age may be one of the best ways to help to ensure their safety.

Currently, car accidents are the leading cause of death for children who are 14-years-old and younger. In 2009, these types of accidents took the lives of approximately 1,300 children and injured another 179,000. Child pedestrians are also at a high risk for injury on our roadways. In 2007, there were about 260 child pedestrian fatalities and another 115,000 injuries to children of the same age group.

The partnership between the NHTSA and the Chuggington series is being used to help to teach children about important lessons that they can carry with them for the rest of their lives. During each of the episodes, the characters on the series will be rewarded for good behavior with "The 'Think Safe, Ride Safe, Be Safe!' badges. They will also be encouraged to join the traffic safety pledge. Parents are encouraged to teach children this message and make sure that they remember it. It's a quick little saying that will help to keep them safe.

The campaign was released just in time to coincide with National Child Passenger Safety Week. This is a week that was created by the NHTSA that urges parents to visit a child seat inspection location in Missouri to ensure that their child's car seat is properly installed into their vehicle.

It is estimated that approximated 75 percent of all child car seats are installed improperly in the U.S. At these inspection stations, experts will be on hand to look over your car seat and to provide you with instruction and tips to ensure that your seat will be properly installed during each and every car ride.

It's a known fact that car seats save children's lives, but it is up to the parent and other adults who may be transporting children to know how to properly install them and to make sure that children are buckled in every time.

Parents are urged to check out the fun, new series and to enjoy it with you child. Teach your kid safe traveling habits at a young age so that they're better protected near our busy roadways.

Continue reading "NHTSA Recruits Chuggington to Help Prevent Child Injury in St. Louis" »

The St. Louis County Police Department could make history, as it could be the first department in the U.S. to allow voters to determine when officers can pursue vehicles. Current policy only allows officers to pursue a vehicle that is the suspect of a crime in which deadly force was involved. Under this policy, only about a dozen police chases are administered each year.

Unfortunately, many of these high-speed police chases end with serious car accidents in St. Louis and elsewhere throughout Missouri. Since officers can best analyze a situation to determine when a chase should begin, voter's opinions will only be taken into consideration when constructing the new policy, according to St. Louis Today.

Our Missouri car accident attorneys understand that Tim Fitch, the St. Louis County Police Chief, is looking to get approval from police commissioners by the start of next year. He is hoping they approve a new policy that allows his officers to pursue those involved in first-degree burglary cases and drunken driving suspects.

"People are tired of being victims and say, 'What do you mean you let them go?'" Fitch said.

Some remain opposed to the change, saying that a significant amount of research needs to be completed before this change takes effect as it could pose serious liability risks to innocent motorists and residents in the area.

Ironically, members of the public voiced their concerns about when officers recently neglected to pursue a number of car break-ins and the suspects in the copper-theft ring that took place in Pasadena Hills. After concerns from local residents, Fitch recruited the help of Mark DeBarr and Timothy Maher from the University of Missouri-St. Louis to conduct a survey to hear what the residents had to say about the policy. About half of the participants said that they would like officers to pursue those who are suspects of all property crimes. Fitch disagrees with these findings, but sympathizes with the frustration of residents.

One finding of the study pointed out that about 80 percent of residents were in support of chasing drunk drivers, but only as fast as the speed limit allows.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 400 people are killed in the U.S. every year as a result of police chases.

Fitch says that a great majority of the public supports all types of police chases no matter what speeds are required. He also says that the department's top concern is to keep everyone safe on our roadways. He doesn't want the chases to create any more of a dangerous situation.

Current rules allow an officer to pull behind a driver that they expect to be impaired, flash the vehicle's warning light and set off the siren. If the vehicle doesn't pull over, officers are alerted to terminate the pursuit.

Speed will not necessarily be a factor in the cases or will be limited to a first-degree burglary. Officers would like to pursue those who they feel are guilty of a crime that is bold enough to be considered dangerous.

Continue reading "Police Department Reevaluates Police Chases and Causes of High-Speed Car Accidents in St. Louis" »

A pickup truck overturned on Highway A just west of White Road, when an 18-year-old driver fell asleep at the wheel, according to authorities. The Missouri car accident happened after the drive dozed off, drove off the right side of the road, over-corrected, traveled off the left side of the road, hit an embankment and then flipped. The 7:15 p.m. accident left the man injured in the St. Joseph West Hospital, according to Hannibal Courier-Post.

Our St. Louis car accident attorney would like to warn motorists about the dangers of drowsy driving. The problem is not that motorists don't realize they are drowsy behind the wheel -- the problem is that they ignore or attempt to push through the symptoms. Research shows you can fall asleep and not even realize it. The truth is, it's a dangerous way to drive and motorists should take all the preventative measures to avoid driving while drowsy.

We recently recognized Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, which is part of a national campaign that aims to raise public awareness about this dangerous driving condition and to find ways to educate motorists about the dangers of falling asleep at the wheel. The campaign is coordinated by the National Sleep Foundation.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reports that roughly one in six fatal accidents involves a drowsy driver. One in eight of these accidents results in hospitalization and another one in fourteen results in a vehicle being towed.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that drowsy drivers contribute to approximately 1,550 traffic accident fatalities every year. The government also estimates that drowsy drivers contribute to another 71,000 injuries in more than 100,000 accidents.

Those who are ages 16- to 24-years-old are about twice as likely to be involved in a drowsy driving accident than a driver in any other age group.

A recently study conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that:

-Drivers of motor vehicles that had one or more passengers were half as likely to be involved in a drowsy-driving accident.

-Approximately 55 percent of drowsy driving accidents that happened over the last year occurred on high-speed divided highways.

-Most drivers who have fallen asleep at the wheel during the last year reported that they were driving for less than 60 minutes before they fell asleep.

-About a fourth of all drivers that reported to have had fallen asleep behind the wheel at least once in the last year reported that it happened sometime between 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

-Men are more likely to fall asleep at the wheel than women.

-Drivers under the age of 25 are most likely to report having fallen asleep at the wheel.

Here are some signs that you may be engaging in drowsy driving:

-Having a hard time focusing.

-Noticing that you have heavy eyelids or that you're blinking a lot.

-Difficulty keeping your head up.

-Erratic driving.

-Frequent swerving.

-Missing exits.

-Ignoring traffic signals.

-Frequent yawning.

-Experiencing a feeling of aggression, irritability or restlessness.

Being sleepy or drowsy while driving can impair your vision, alter your judgment and slow your reactions. A number of studies have concluded that staying awake for approximately 20 hours gives you the same abilities as a person who is legally drunk.

Continue reading "Sleepy Driver Crashes in Missouri Car Accident on Highway A" »

Missouri State Patrol recently conducted a number of school bus inspections to help prevent child injury in St. Louis and elsewhere throughout the state this school year. The results conclude that nearly 90 percent of the school buses in St. Louis have passed the rigorous inspection. Cpl. Jeff Wilson says that he and his force have looked over roughly 12,000 buses. The ones that didn't pass the test were taken off the road immediately, according to CBS St. Louis.

"We give [school districts] a little time to make those corrections on those buses," said Wilson. "Even though they got put out of service at the time those inspections were done, we re-inspected those buses and got them up to standards."

Our St. Louis personal injury attorneys understand that equipping our schools with safe buses is only half the battle. The other half is in the hands of motorists. We ask that all drivers be extra cautious on our roadways during this time of year to help prevent accidents with children who may be waiting for the bus to pick them up or those who have been dropped off and are heading home.

Wilson says that they will be conducting spot checks throughout the course of the year as well to make sure that these safe conditions are maintained.

The mechanics that lead these inspections have all been certifies through State Patrol. Each safety inspection is done within the two months of the first day of school.

The National Safety Council reports that approximately 25 million students ride the big, yellow bus to and from school every year. In 2005 alone, there were 134 people killed because of traffic accidents that involved a school bus. Another 11,000 people were injured in these accidents.

The St. Louis County Police would like to focus on the safety of our students as well. There are some safety tips that parents are urged to discuss with their children to help ensure that their trips to and from school are safe.

Tips for walking to school or walking to the bus stop:

-Be aware of the routes that your child takes to school or the bus.

-Require them to walk with a group. Never let them walk alone.

-Tell your child to keep away from and never talk to strangers.

-Go over these rules periodically with your child.

-Instruct them to walk on a sidewalk.

-If there are no sidewalks available on their trip, make sure they know to walk in a single-file line on the far-right side of the road.

-Children are to only cross the street at an intersection.

-Make sure that your child knows to follow the directions of the school crossing guard.

-Never walk within 10 feet of the bus unless you're entering or exiting it.

Continue reading "Missouri State Patrol Examines 12,000 School Buses to Help Prevent Child Injury in St. Louis" »

A St. Louis County car accident on Interstate 64 recently landed two people in the hospital, according to KMOV 4. The late-night accident happened when a wrong-way driver, headed west in the eastbound lanes of I-64, collided with another vehicle. A semi-truck was also forced off the road during the incident.

The wrong-way driver, a Chesterfield woman, has been cited for driving while under the influence. The Missouri Highway Patrol says that the woman has also been cited on suspicion of second-degree assault. They also report that the two injured drivers were taken to St. John's Mercy Medical Center in Creve Coeur. Formal charges against the wrong-way driver are currently pending, according to Fox 2.

St. Louis car accident attorneys understand that we can expect to see a bunch of car accidents during the month of August as it has repeatedly been cited as the deadliest month on our roadways, according to MSN Money.

According to statistics dating back to 1994 from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more people are killed in car accidents in the month of August than during any other month out of the year.

These findings are through statistics that calculate death rates per 100 million miles traveled. August ranks as the deadliest with a death rate of 1.09 per million miles traveled. September comes in at a close second with a death rate of 1.08 followed by July with a death rate of 1.08. March is your safest month on our roadways with a death rate of 0.94.

In 2009, there were approximately 93 deaths on U.S. roadways every day because of traffic accidents. This means that someone died every 16 minutes.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety at least seven of the 25 deadliest days of the year on our roadways happened in the month of August from 2005 through 2009.

"A large proportion of crashes happen in late afternoon and early evening in general, but especially in August," says Russ Rader of the IIHS.

Some days are are deadly than others. According to research, there are more traffic-accident fatalities on Saturdays than during any other day of the week. Saturdays averaged about 123 deaths. Sundays followed close behind with an average of 107 fatalities. Fridays ranked in at third place with 102 deaths.

The rest of the daily death rates were as follows:

-Mondays had an average of 79 deaths.

-Wednesdays averaged 78 deaths.

-Thursdays had an average of 84 deaths.

Those between the ages 25- and 49-years old are most likely to die in a motor-vehicle accident as they made up about 23 percent of all recorded traffic fatalities during this time of the year.

We ask that you enjoy the rest of your summer, but to please do so safely. Be cautious on our roadways and be on the lookout for road hazards that could result in a fatal accident.

Continue reading "Motorists Most Likely to Die in a Car Accident in St. Louis in August" »

Macy's Inc. recently agreed to pay a civil penalty of $750,000 after the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) accused the company of failing to report they been selling children's sweatshirts, sweaters and jackets with drawstrings at the neck between 2006 and 2010. The CPSC reports that Macy's knowingly kept the items up for sale after the warning had been issued.

Children's upper outerwear that comes with drawstrings poses a strangulation hazard to children that can result in death serious injury to children in Missouri and elsewhere. Items that have these drawstrings include sweatshirts, sweaters and jackets.

Our St. Louis personal injury attorneys understand that federal law requires manufacturers, distributors and retailers to report back to CPSC within 24 hours after receiving information reasonably supporting the conclusion that a product contains a defect. Most times these defects can create a substantial product hazard, can create an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death or if they fail to comply with any consumer product safety rule or any other rule, regulation, standard or ban.

These sweatshirts, sweaters and jackets that were the subject of the penalty agreement were sold by Macy's and Macy's-owned stores, including Bloomingdale's, and Robinsons-May between 2006 and 2010.

It's not all bad news, though. Last week marked the first week that consumers would start seeing a whole new generation of safer cribs for sale at local and national retail stores. Back in December of 2010, the CPSC voted to approve new mandatory crib standards, establishing the strictest crib safety standards in the world.

Starting last week, all importers, distributors, manufacturers and retailers are required to offer only child cribs that meet the CPSC's new full-size and non-full-size crib standards.

Some of the new mandatory rules for cribs include:

• Stopping the manufacture and sale of dangerous, traditional drop-side cribs.


• Strengthening mattress supports and crib slats.


• Requiring crib hardware to be more durable.


• Making safety testing more rigorous.

"A safe crib is the safest place for a baby to sleep. It is for this reason that I am so pleased that parents, grandparents and caregivers now can shop with confidence and purchase cribs that meet the most stringent crib standards in the world," said CPSC Chairwomen Inez Tenenbaum. "From the start, our goal has been to prevent deaths and injuries to babies in cribs, and now the day has come where only stronger and safer cribs are available for consumers to purchase."

Since 2007, the CPSC has recalled more than 11 million dangerous cribs. Drop-side cribs with detaching side rails were reportedly associated with more than 30 infant suffocation and strangulation deaths since 2000. A number of deaths have also occurred because of faulty or defective crib hardware. These new standards were put into effect in an attempt to prevent these tragedies and keep children safer in their cribs.

Starting in December of 2012, all child care facilities will be required to use only cribs that comply with the new crib standards. This includes family child care homes and infant Head Start centers and places of public accommodation, including hotels and motels, and rental companies.

Continue reading "CPSC Cracks Down on Faulty Products to Prevent Child Injury in Missouri and Elsewhere" »

Car accidents continue to be the number of cause of death for teenagers. Their inexperience behind the wheel makes them extremely vulnerable for a car accident in St. Louis. As parents, we want to do everything in our power to keep our children safe, especially when they get their driver's license.

In 2009 alone, there were nearly 2,500 drivers aged 15- to 20-years-old that were killed on our roadways. Another 196,000 suffered injuries from traffic accidents during the same year. There were more than 5,000 drivers of this age group involved in fatal police-reported traffic accidents throughout that entire year.

Our Missouri personal injury attorneys understand that parents may have tons of questions regarding how to go about getting their teen driver on the road safely. Don't worry because we're here to help. Picking out your teen's first vehicle can be a simple process, if you know what you're looking for. Remember, be realistic!

"I see these young, inexperienced drivers in Mustangs, BMWs, and large SUVs. These automobiles are big, powerful and difficult to control for even experienced drivers. In the hands of a new driver, they can be deadly weapons," says LeeAnn Shattuck, co-owner and chief car chick with Women's Automotive Solutions.

Do I buy new or used?

Financially speaking you're better off purchasing a used car and safety-wise you're fine with a used car as well. With a certified pre-owned vehicle, you will still get the benefits of a new-car like warranty. You can even get some excellent financing rates.

"A first time driver doesn't need a new car, but of course they want one," says Lori Mackey, president of Prosperity4Kids. "The depreciation, probability of fender benders and the price tag [means new] is not the most logical way to go."

New cars will have all the latest safety bells and whistles, but late-model used cars will still come equipped with airbags, anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control. With a used car, your teen will less likely be overwhelmed by the car's power and performance.

"Buying a new car is insurance against breakdowns and repairs, regardless of the age or experience of the driver," says Bob Gritzinger, executive editor of AutoWeek.com.

Which type of cars do I consider?

This is when you need to take in some questions of distance: Will your child be driving back and forth from college? Will the car mostly be used locally? How often will they need to drive it?

At this point, you are urged to go over safety and crash-test information. You can access a plethora of this information on websites like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. You're also urged to check out J.D. Power and Associates for information regarding a vehicle's quality and reliability ratings from a ratings service such as J.D. Power and Associates.

"Choose a car with a responsive chassis -- one with good handling, quick steering and great brakes -- that takes advantage of a teen driver's naturally quick reaction skills," advises Gritzinger.

You never want to get them too small of a vehicle either. Smaller cars are more problematic as they're less likely to protect passengers as well in a front-end crash than a large vehicle would.

"Your teen is safest in a mid-sized sedan with a four cylinder engine, airbags and a good crash test rating," warns Shattuck.

You need to remember that there is no rush to go out and buy the first car you see. Take your time, do your research and find a car that will best fit your budget. Have fun and enjoy this moment with your teen.

"Having a car is not a birthright," says Gail Cunningham, spokesperson for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, who raised four children. "Today's teens seem to think that they should have a car waiting for them in the driveway when they return home from the Motor Vehicle Department with their driver's license. If that's right for your family, fine. But don't be held hostage to peer pressure, and by that I mean from other families who are buying their teen a car."

Continue reading "Pick a Car to Keep Your Newly Licensed Teen Safe during a St. Louis Car Accident" »

The Lake of the Ozarks Water Safety Council has recently launched its "Designate A Captain" program to combat drunk boating over the upcoming Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Your risk of being injured on the water or being involved in a boating accident in Missouri greatly increases over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, according to Lake News Online.

"Sobriety checkpoints will be conducted to increase the boating public's awareness of the potential hazards of operating a boat while intoxicated, maximize enforcement efforts in deterring impaired boating, remove intoxicated boaters from Missouri waterways, and reduce fatalities and injuries through vigorous enforcement of Missouri boating laws," said Major Thomas E. Roam, director of the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Water Patrol Division.

Our St. Louis Personal Injury Attorneys understand that many residents and visitors will be hitting our local waters to celebrate the long weekend. We also understand that alcohol will be involved in many of these celebrations. We encourage all boaters to both celebrate and boat safely during the three-day weekend to avoid a serious or fatal accident.

The enforcement program is an annual effort that is coordinated with the Water Safety Council, Ameren Missouri and the Missouri Highway Patrol Water Division. These agencies use this time to promote safe boating on not only the lake but also on Missouri's waterways.

"Think Before You Sink: Wear A Life Jacket" is the theme of this year's program. The Designate A Captain program encourages all boaters to choose a boater that is not under the influence of alcohol to captain a boat.

According to Missouri law, boaters are prohibited from boating while intoxicated (BWI). This means that they cannot operate a vessel while intoxicated due to alcohol or any combination of alcohol, controlled substances or drugs. Since August 28, 2008, Missouri's blood alcohol concentration for BWI was lowered from .10 to .08. This is the same blood alcohol concentration limit for drivers.

This is how the Designate A Captain program works:

-Stop at one of the 50 participating businesses to pick up a boating key chain.

-Give this key chain to your designated boat captain, after they agree not to consume alcohol.

-Your designated captain can bring their key chain to any of the participating businesses and receive a free non-alcoholic drink.

In 2010, the use of alcohol was involved in nearly 350 boating accidents in the United States. It contributed to nearly 200 boaters deaths and nearly 300 boating injuries, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

"It's a common sense approach to say that you don't want to be under the influence of alcohol when you're operating a boat or a car. You know, you have people on the road, you have people on the waterways, your ability to safely maneuver and handle your vessel can or cannot compromise the safety of other people," said Lieutenant Collin Bronson with the U.S. Coast Guard.

Residents may also be hanging out pool side, maybe even enjoying a barbecue during this long holiday weekend. There are a number of dangers lurking in these areas as well. Only by taking the proper safety precautions can you reduce the risks of an injury or a death on your pool deck.

Pool safety tips from the National Drowning Prevention Alliance:

-Always use the buddy system when swimming. Never swim alone.

-Always supervise children near or in a pool.

-Learn CPR and other rescue breathing techniques.

-Remove toys from in and around the pool when not in use.

-Keep your phone near the pool so that you never have to leave the pool to answer the phone and so that you can quickly call for help if needed.

-Keep a life-saving ring, shepherd's hook and CPR instructions near the pool.

-Never use flotation devices as a substitute for supervision.

-If a child is missing, always check the pool first.

-Don't use floating chlorine dispensers that look like toys.

-Do not consider children to be "drownproof" because they've had swimming lessons.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 3,500 people died from unintentional drownings in the United States in 2007. This means that about 10 people died everyday because of these accidents. Drowning is the second leading cause of death for children under the age of 15. More than 55 percent of all drowning victims that were treated in emergency rooms required either hospitalization or a transfer to higher levels of care.

Injuries from these types of accidents can be severe. A nonfatal drowning can cause brain damage that may result in long-term disabilities. These types of disabilities can include memory problems, learning disabilities and permanent loss of basic functioning.

Continue reading "St. Louis Injury Lawyers Wish You a Safe and Happy Fourth of July!" »