Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

A man was killed by a motorcycle accident on Interstate 55 in Arnold, Missouri late into the night on June 8, 2011, according to ksdk.com. The crash happened when the driver of the motorcycle tried to exit from I-55.

Approximate location of the accident:

According to police, he was going to fast when he tried to exit and lost control of his motorcycle. The motorcycle then slid on its side before ejecting the rider. The rider was taken to a nearby hospital but died shortly after arriving. There was no word on whether the rider was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.

Accidents like this one often occur because motorcyclists are driving too fast for conditions. According to a report released by the state of Missouri in 2009, over 40% of the fatal motorcycle accidents in the state occur when drivers are speeding. Speeding can be especially dangerous on exit ramps because they often slant and are more likely to have loose gravel that could cause the bike to lose traction.

Driving safely can go a long way to preventing most accidents. However, sometimes you are involved in a serious accident due to someone else’s negligence. When this happens, you need someone to fight for you to get you the money that you need to care for your injuries. You need someone to stand between you and the insurance companies. Page Law’s Missouri motorcycle crash lawyers will be there for you. Call them today at 314-322-8515 to get them started defending you!

Source: http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/262378/3/Motorcylcist-killed-in-Arnold-crash-

Fireworks are one of the Fourth of July’s most beautiful and exciting traditions. However, when fireworks are not used safely, serious injuries can result. In order to help protect those who use fireworks this year, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) offers information on fireworks injuries and how to avoid them.

Thousands of U.S. residents go to the emergency room each Independence Day after a fireworks-related injury, according to the CPSC. While deaths are rare, they do happen. More often, however, users of fireworks survive the accident but suffer serious, life-altering injuries, including burn scars or the loss of fingers or other body parts. The costs of such accidents can be staggering, and the damage can be permanent.

In order to reduce the risk of injury to yourself or those you love this Independence Day, the CPSC recommends that you purchase fireworks that meet CPSC safety requirements and that come with instructions for use. Always follow the instructions that come with fireworks, and only light one at a time. Using fireworks intended for professional displays only or that are homemade can cause serious injury. Clean up your fireworks area thoroughly before you leave, so that no one can be injured by fireworks that were accidentally left behind.

Fireworks are designed to catch fire and explode, so accidents can happen even with the best care. If you or someone you love has been injured in a fireworks accident, please don’t hesitate to call the experienced Missouri accident attorneys at Page Law. Call us anytime at 314-322-8515 for a free consultation.

A 71-year-old man was injured on June 8, 2011 after a one-car crash in Marion County, Missouri, according to a report on hannibal.net. The man was driving down Missouri 6 when he lost control of his pickup truck and veered off the road. According to the report, the man’s car went down a steep hill and hit several trees before coming to rest. Police say that the man’s injuries were minor and he was taken to a nearby hospital as a precautionary measure. He was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the Missouri injury car accident.

This accident points out how important it is to wear a seatbelt. This was a serious accident. The man went off the road, down a hill into several trees. It is likely that his seatbelt was the difference between sustaining serious injuries or death and the minor injuries he suffered.

Wearing a seatbelt during a crash significantly improves the prognosis for the people involved in the accident. Recognizing this benefit, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently created a national program called ‘Click it or Ticket.’ This campaign works by increasing enforcement of seat belt laws by local law enforcement officials. The campaign has proven quite successful and has, according to a recent study, increased national seat belt usage to its highest level ever: 85% of motor vehicle users.

The moral of this story is to wear your seat belt. Wear it all the time. If at some point you have the misfortune of being involved in a serious traffic accident, it may save you from death or serious injury. In the aftermath of such an accident, call the St. Louis auto accident attorney experts at Page Law at 314-322-8515. We will fight to bring your life back to normal after a bad car crash, and you don’t have to pay any attorney fees unless we win, so you have nothing to lose.

Source: http://www.hannibal.net/newsnow/x41282472/Illinois-man-hurt-in-Marion-County-crash
http://www.nhtsa.gov/CIOT

Two people were injured in a crash on I-35 near Eagleville, Missouri on Sunday, June 19, according to a report on newspressnow.com. The accident happened when another vehicle attempted to make a U-turn on the interstate. In an attempt to avoid hitting the turning vehicle, the driver swerved and lost control of the vehicle, veering off the road into a ditch.

Location of the accident:

The car contained two people, who were both taken to a nearby hospital but their injuries were not deemed to be serious by medical personnel. Police note that one of them was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash but the other was not.

An accident like this is a classic case of negligent driving. Unfortunately for them, the authorities did not find the car that made the U-turn. On many interstate highways, U-turns like the one that caused this accident are illegal. One reason for this is because it is often hard to judge the speed of other vehicles on the interstate. It can also be dangerous to accelerate from a stop in front of other vehicles travelling on the interstate because they are travelling at such high speeds.

Regardless of the illegality of U-turns on I-35, the driver in this accident would likely have a claim against the U-turning driver because it was their poorly timed U-turn that led to the accident.

After a serious accident like this one, it is important to talk to an attorney that is experienced with car crashes. Though not every accident requires a lawsuit, it is important to assess your legal options to make sure that you are prepared to face future complications and medical costs caused by the crash injuries. Call the St. Louis car accident attorneys of Page Law at 314-322-8515. We will consult with you for free to determine if you should pursue your lawsuit. No obligation.

Source: http://www.newspressnow.com/localnews/28294618/detail.html

A woman was injured when her car flipped on Interstate 55 on Wednesday, June 8, 2011, according to semissourian.com. The woman apparently lost control of her vehicle and slammed into the highway’s guardrail. The collision with the guardrail caused her car to overturn. The woman was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash and was thrown from the car. Police say that the woman was dispatched to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Approximate Site of the Accident:

Vehicle overturns can be incredibly dangerous. The biggest danger from these types of accidents occurs when a person in the vehicle is ejected from the vehicle. Almost all of the occurrences of people being thrown from a vehicle happen when the person is not wearing a seat belt. In fact, according to the state of Missouri, of the 479 motorists thrown from their vehicles in 2009, only 14 (3.1%) of them had their seat belts on at the time of the crash.

Hopefully, most of us will never have to be in an accident where our car flips. However, if you or one of your loved ones is ever injured or killed in a vehicle overturn crash, it will be important for you to explore your legal options with auto accident lawyers who have your best interests in mind. Call the St. Louis car crash injury lawyers of Page Law at 314-322-8515. We will consult with you for free and will fight for your rights against the insurance companies to get you the money you need to move on with your life after a serious car accident.

Source: http://www.semissourian.com/story/1735106.html?response=no

A 30-year-old man from Springfield, Missouri was injured in a one-car crash on Missouri Highway 5 on Sunday night, June 19, 2011, according to a report on news-leader.com. The driver fell asleep at the wheel and veered off the road. In the process, the man’s vehicle slammed into a mailbox and went into a ditch before his flipping and crashing into a tree.

The driver was taken to a nearby hospital with serious injuries. Another passenger sustained minor injuries in the crash.

Fatigued driving is a serious problem in the United States. Crashes like this occur often and can be a serious danger to the lives of both the driver and other motorists. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) notes that the most prominent causes of fatigued driving crashes are sleep loss, driving at times of the day linked to more fatigue, use of medications that cause drowsiness, sleep disorders and the consumption of alcohol.

The NHTSA notes that it is important to get enough sleep before driving and that drivers should not have any alcohol when sleepy and should avoid driving when you would otherwise be sleeping. If you are driving and you get sleepy, caffeine can provide a short-term alertness but it is probably better to couple the coffee with a short nap.

If you or one of your loved ones has been in a crash with a driver who fell asleep at the wheel, you have legal options. Call Page Law at 314-322-8515 to talk to Missouri car crash lawyers who can get you the settlement you deserve.

Sources: http://www.news-leader.com/article/20110620/NEWS01/110620003/?odyssey=nav|head
http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/drowsy_driving1/drowsy.html

A twenty-year-old man was seriously injured in a crash on June 18, 2011, according to news-leader.com. The accident occurred on Ozark County CC Saturday night when the man lost control of his vehicle. According to the report, the vehicle crossed the median line of the road before the driver swerved off of the road in an attempt to regain control of his vehicle. After leaving the roadway, the car ran into a tree and flipped.

Approximate site of the accident:

The driver was taken to a hospital with serious injuries. The report noted that he was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash. It is unclear the cause of the accident at this point.

However, after looking at the crash statistics released by the state of Missouri from 2009, it is likely that Thomas was speeding at the time of the crash. In 2009, more than half of the fatal crashes involving young drivers occurred when the young driver was speeding.

It is also likely that fatigue played a role in the crash. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated in a recent report that young men were especially likely to drive while fatigued. This crash occurred at night on a lonesome stretch of road inside a national park.

Accidents like this one occur too often. Many times, these accidents involve more than just the driver of the car. When you or someone that you love has been killed or injured in an accident caused by the negligence of another driver, it is important that you talk to a car crash attorney and get their advice on whether you should bring a lawsuit against the other driver.

The car accident lawyers in MO at Page Law have a wealth of experience getting settlements for our clients after serious automobile crashes. We will consult with you for free and, if we take your case, you will have no obligation to pay unless we win your case. Call us today at 314-322-8515.

Sources: http://www.news-leader.com/article/20110620/NEWS01/106200335/Motorist-injured-after-hitting-tree?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE%7Cs
http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/drowsy_driving1/drowsy.html

Employers often violate regulations requiring them to pay employees for the work they have done. These types of violations are called wage and hour violations. These occur when an employee does work for the employer and is not paid sufficiently for the work done. These violations often occur when an employee is working overtime
but the employer refuses to pay them the extra money that the law requires.

In Missouri the minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, though there are some jobs in which employers can pay less. One example of such an exemption is servers at restaurants, who can be paid less since they will likely receive tips from the patrons they serve.

In Missouri, employers are required to pay overtime to an employee if the employee is contracted to work by the hour and works more than 40 hours in a week. As an employee, you cannot waive the right to be paid overtime and any employer that asks you to do so is breaking the law.

If you think that your boss has not paid you as much as you are owed, it is important to talk to an employment lawyer to determine whether your employer is violating the law. Most of the time, an employer will ignore you if you try to argue with them so it may be necessary to file a wage complaint. You need to consult an experienced attorney to help you with this complaint.

The attorneys at Page Law will help you get the compensation you deserve from your employer. We will consult with you for free to determine if you have a claim and will fight to protect your rights. Call them today at 314-322-8515.

In 2009, Missouri passed a “strict liability” dog bite law. A “strict liability” law is one that holds someone liable even if that person was as careful as possible. In the case of Missouri’s dog bite law, strict liability means that a dog owner can be held legally responsible if his dog bites someone, even if the dog had never bitten before or the owner took precautions to ensure that the dog could not bite anyone.

Specifically, Missouri’s dog bite law makes an owner responsible if the dog bites anyone on public property or who is legally on private property, like a business customer or a party guest. The dog owner will face liability “regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner's or possessor's knowledge of such viciousness.” In other words, it doesn’t matter if the dog’s owner knew the dog might bite or had bitten in the past. “I had no idea my dog would do that,” is not a valid excuse for a person to suffer painful and expensive dog bite injuries.

Dog bites send hundreds of thousands of Americans to the emergency room each year, many of them children. If you or someone you love has been injured by a biting dog, please don’t hesitate to contact the experienced Missouri dog bite injury lawyers at Page Law, LLC. We will examine your case carefully and fight for the compensation you and your family deserve. To learn more, call Page Law, LLC today at 314-322-8515 for a free and confidential case evaluation.

A pedestrian and motorcyclist both sustained serious injuries in an accident on I-270E late into the night of June 7, 2011, according to a report on ksdk.com. The crash happened when the pedestrian was standing outside of her pick-up truck on the side of the highway. While the motorcyclist slowed while passing the pedestrian, another pick-up truck rammed into him from behind, throwing him from his motorcycle. The other pick-up truck then hit the pedestrian.

Approximate site of the accident:

Police say that both victims were taken to nearby hospitals where they remain in serious condition. The driver of the other pick-up truck was not injured in the crash.

It can be extremely dangerous for pedestrians on a highway. In 2009, statistics from the state of Missouri indicated that more pedestrian fatalities occurred when pedestrians were on a highway or interstate than when pedestrians were involved in accidents on city streets. The number of fatalities is high especially considering that those sorts of crashes account for less than 15% of the total pedestrian-involved traffic crashes.

It is clear that the difference between the statistics comes from the difference in speed at which vehicles are traveling on normal roads versus the speed that they are traveling on highways or the interstate. The danger to pedestrians on the interstate has motivated numerous states to create laws requiring drivers to pull into the left lane on the interstate or slow down when there is a parked car on the shoulder. These laws are specifically aimed at protecting law enforcement officers because they are often parked on the side of highways assisting motorists or writing tickets.

Call 314-322-8515 to talk to the St. Louis pedestrian car accident lawyers at Page Law for a free consultation.

Source: http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/262205/3/Two-hurt-seriously-in-collision-with-truck-in-north-county

A man died as a result of his injuries in Poplar Bluff Hospital after a car accident on June 6, 2011 in Butler County, Missouri, according to kfvs12.com. The one-car accident happened early in the morning when the victim lost control of his vehicle and veered off of Missouri Route T. Once the car went off the road it flipped several times.

Approximate Site of the Missouri Rollover Accident:

He was transported from the scene of the crash to Poplar Bluff Hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arriving. Police say that he was not wearing a safety belt when the crash occurred.

It is not certain if we will ever know what actually caused the driver to lose control of his car. However, given his location, one possible cause was the involvement of deer. According to a report by the Missouri Highway Patrol, deer caused 3,419 crashes in the state of Missouri in 2007. Deer accidents are among their most prevalent during the hour of 6 a.m.

Deer are active during this part of the day because it has generally not gotten hot yet and they can eat moisture-rich grass in the safety of darkness. Unfortunately, the feeding patterns of deer can be a danger to drivers because often a driver cannot see the deer until it darts into the road.

If you have been injured in a car accident and you’re tired of fighting with insurance companies to get the money that you need to move on with your life, call the St. Louis car crash lawyers at 314-322-8515.

Sources: http://www.kfvs12.com/story/14851332/wappapello-man-killed-in-butler-county-crash and http://www.mshp.dps.mo.gov/MSHPWeb/SAC/pdf/2007DeerReport.pdf

A woman was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident on Missouri 86, according to a report on news-leader.com. The accident happened when she was attempting to round a curve in the road. The victim was unable to make the turn, lost control of her motorcycle and ran off the road. She was taken to a nearby hospital in serious condition.

Location of the Accident:

Curves can be particularly dangerous for motorcyclists. If a sharp curve is taken too quickly, it is easy to lose control of a motorcycle because of the motorcycle’s two-wheeled design. In 2009, motorcycle accidents on curved roads in Missouri accounted for nearly 50% of all motorcycle crash fatalities even though less than 30% of motorcycle crashes occurred on curved roads.

If you or someone that you know has been injured or killed in a crash involving a motorcycle, call the St. Louis motorcycle crash attorneys at Page Law for a free consultation at 314-322-8515.

A resident of St. Mary, Missouri died on Sunday, June 5, 2011, according to semissourian.com. The 85-year-old driver along with his 87-year-old wife, were involved in a serious accident on US 61 just north of Uniontown, Missouri. According to police, the accident occurred when the left front tire of the car blew. The driver lost control of the car, which went off the road to the right and hit a tree.

Approximate Location of the Crash:

The driver's wife died at the scene of the Missouri car accident, while the driver was taken to a hospital in St. Louis and survived for three days before succumbing to his injuries.

According to tirerack.com, tire blowouts are often caused when tires are underinflated or when a car is overloaded. The increased contact of the tire with the road causes the tire to overheat, which can sever the rubber from the rest of the tire lining. This process can occur quite violently and, as seen by the tragic accident above, is capable of making a driver lose control if they do not have their hands correctly positioned.

Tirerack.com recommends, if you experience a blowout, to accelerate for a moment to keep your car’s momentum going and then slowly steer away from the direction of the blown tire to stay in your lane. This allows you to remain in control as you slow down. They also note that it is important for drivers to maintain good hand position on the steering wheel so as to be prepared for any tire blowouts.

If you’ve experienced a tire blowout, it may not be your fault. Call the car crash lawyers in St. Louis at Page Law today at 314-322-8515 for free to see if you can pursue a claim.

Source: http://www.semissourian.com/story/1733969.html?response=no
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=13

Toy maker Woodstock Percussion, Inc., which makes a “Gripper Shaker” musical instrument toy, has issued a recall, along with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Health Canada. The toy has been recalled because its handle can fall off, leaving sharp edges that may cut or scratch a child. In addition, once the handle is gone, the toy’s rubber plug is exposed. Both the plug and the small metal balls that the plug keeps in place can also pose a choking hazard to small children.

The Gripper Shaker toys are about 5.5 inches long and are colored either blue or green. They consist of a plastic oval-shaped top and a round handle. The toy makes a castanet-like noise when the handle is held and the toy is shaken. The toys were sold via mail-order catalogue, online, and in stores from August 2010 and March 2011 for approximately $5.00 apiece.

Woodstock Percussion issued the recall after hearing from one parent that the handles of two of the toys had come off. So far, the company has not heard of any injuries. The toys can be returned for a $7.00 refund by visiting www.woodstockpercussion.com, calling the company at (866) 543-2848, or sending an email to safety@chimes.net.

Making sure your child’s toys are safe to play with is a primary concern for any parent. When a toy injures a child, the results can be devastating. If you or someone you love has been injured by a consumer product, the experienced Missouri product liability attorneys at Page Law may be able to help. For a free and confidential consultation, call Page Law today at 314-322-8515.

A woman was injured in a crash with a tractor-trailer in Jefferson City on June 6, 2011, according to connectmidmissouri.com. She had just crossed the Missouri River Bridge on Highway 54/63 when she was slowed by a tractor in her lane. At that point, a big rig changed lanes without noticing the tractor. By the time the big rig driver realized why the woman was driving slowly in that lane, he was not able to stop his big rig and plowed into the back of her SUV. The Missouri truck collision forced her vehicle into the back of the tractor causing serious damage to both the SUV and the piece of farm equipment.

Location of the crash:

The woman was taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation but her injuries did not appear to be serious. Neither the driver of the big rig nor the driver of the tractor sustained injury.

It is likely that the Missouri River Bridge played a significant role in the accident. Often, bridges can become quite crowded as vehicles cross. This traffic can be made worse when there is something slow like a tractor in one lane. If the other motorists saw the tractor and attempted to avoid it by shifting lanes, then it is possible that the big rig driver though that he could get clear of the traffic by moving into the other lane.

However, the big rig driver's negligence may make him responsible for any resulting injuries. After an accident like this it is critical to get legal help if you have been injured. Don't try to take on insurance companies by yourself, call our tractor trailer truck crash attorneys in St. Louis at 314-322-8515 today.

Source: http://www.connectmidmissouri.com/news/story.aspx?id=626718

A man was injured in an accident on Interstate 70 near Route Z on May 29, 2011, according to a report on wentzville.patch.com. The accident happened when a car driver did not yield as it should have and pulled over on the victim's motorcycle.

Location of the Accident:

The motorcyclist was taken to a nearby hospital but was not seriously injured in the Missouri motorcycle crash. The car driver was injured in the accident but was cleared by medical personnel at a nearby hospital.

Accidents like this are fairly common with motorcycles. Because of the relative difference in size between motorcycles and most other vehicles, motorcycles are often not seen by other motorists. Drivers are looking for other cars when they are checking to see if another vehicle is coming and they sometimes just miss the motorcycles presence.

The driver of the car in this crash, though, will likely be liable for negligence because he was not driving with enough care to realize that the motorcycle was in the lane he pulled into. Fortunately, in this accident, the motorcyclist was not injured seriously. However, even moderate injuries like his may lead to other health problems later in life. These possible health problems are why it is important to get a settlement for an accident that allows you to be prepared regardless of what occurs in the future.

Call Page Law’s St. Louis motorcycle crash attorneys today at 314-322-8515.

Source: http://wentzville.patch.com/articles/wentzville-man-injured-in-crash-2

A truck will be required to appear in court following a June 1, 2011 accident on Interstate 63, according to a report on columbiamissourian.com. The woman, who drives a big rig, apparently lost concentration and did not notice that traffic was slowing in front of her. She was not able to react in time to avoid colliding
with three vehicles from behind.

Location of the Accident:

The truck driver was injured in the Missouri truck crash along with six others. All of them were taken to nearby hospitals. Fortunately, only one of the victims remains hospitalized and hospital staff notes that she is not seriously injured.

It is important for tractor-trailer drivers to remain alert while they are on the job. To this end, the US Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has created significant rules to determine when and how long a truck driver can work. Part of these regulations, requires that truckers keep an electronic log of all of the hours that they work.

In this case, authorities stated that the truck driver was not in violation of the provisions set forth by the FMCSA. However, abiding by these regulations does not always mean that a trucker is driving safely. As the above accident indicates, it only takes a couple of seconds of inattention for a tractor-trailer to significantly alter the lives of many people.

If you’ve been in a crash with a tractor-trailer, call the negligent truck driver lawyers in St. Louis at Page Law at 314-322-8515 today.

Source: http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2011/06/02/tractor-trailer-driver-issued-summons-careless-and-imprudent-driving/

Summer is a great time to hit the road on a family vacation. Unfortunately, as St. Louis car accident lawyers know, vehicle crashes can mean serious injuries, especially for children. Choosing the right car seat for each child’s age, height, and weight can help keep kids safe, so the family can focus on having fun - not recovering from injuries.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, infants should ride in a rear-facing child seat from when they’re born until their first birthday or later. These seats should always be placed in a rear seat or one without an airbag, since an airbag can hit the seat and cause injury during an accident.

Children should ride in a rear-facing car seat as long as you can find one that accommodates the child’s height and weight. Once the child is too big for a rear-facing seat, he or she should move to a forward-facing seat with a harness, but still ride in the rear seat. Most children reach this milestone between ages one and three.

A child who grows out of his or her car seat should move to a booster seat and stay in the rear of the car until he or she is at least seven years old. A booster seat lifts the child up so that the car’s seat belts fit properly.

Finally, a child eight years or older should stay in a booster seat until they are grown enough to fit in a seat belt without the booster seat. Until at least age twelve, kids are safest in the back seat.

Choosing the proper car seat for your child can help prevent injury, but unfortunately, no parent can stop other drivers from causing crashes by being negligent or reckless. If you or someone you love has been injured in a St. Louis car accident, please don’t hesitate to contact an experienced Missouri injury lawyer. For a free consultation, call us at 314-322-8515.

Several Missouri residents and tourists were injured in car accidents on Missouri’s state highways over the recent holiday weekend, according to an article in the Southeast Missourian.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) responded to several of these accidents, including one on the Saturday before Memorial Day at the intersection of Route W and Route Y. Four people were injured when a sixteen-year-old driver failed to yield to oncoming traffic at the intersection, causing a crash. All four were taken to local hospitals for treatment. Luckily, none of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening.

Another serious car accident in Missouri occurred on Route CC in Bollinger County early on Sunday, when a car carrying two people ran off the road just after midnight, sending both the driver and her passenger to the hospital. The driver, a seventeen-year-old woman from Leopold, Missouri, had lost control of the car on a curve. The car ran off the road and overturned, striking a utility pole in the process. Later that day, a family from Chaffee all suffered injuries when another driver turned into their path, causing a crash. The three family members, and the driver of the vehicle that hit them, all suffered minor injuries.

The summer holidays are a popular time to visit family or friends or to take a vacation. With so many people on the roads, however, the number of accidents increases. If you’ve been injured in an auto accident, please don’t hesitate to contact the experienced Missouri car accident lawyers at Page Law. We will fight to protect your rights and seek compensation from anyone who was responsible for your injuries. For a free consultation, call Page Law today at 314-322-8515.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released a consumer warning on June 2 advising motorists to examine their tires for adequate inflation in addition to signs of tread wear and damage before taking to the road in hot weather. With National Tire Safety Week on the horizon for June 5-11, the consumer advisory aims to help promote tire safety awareness for motorists as the summer travel season kicks off and weather becomes increasingly warmer.

According to data provided by the NHTSA, almost 3,400 individuals were killed, and approximately 116,000 suffered injury, in tire-related accidents over the five-year period from 2005 to 2009.

Missouri personal injury attorneys have seen firsthand how devastating auto accidents are for injury victims and family members of wrongful death victims. That is why lawyers throughout the United States should be aware of the NHTSA’s tire safety campaign. Here are some tire safety tips and additional information for motorists:

• Always check your tire pressure before taking long trips


• Inspect your tires periodically


• Older tires are more likely to experience heat stress, especially if they aren’t accurately inflated, so consider buying new tires if yours are aged


• Your tire manufacturer or the vehicle owner’s manual will have recommendations about how often to change tires


• Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.3 percent for every 1 PSI (pound per square inch) in pressure of all four tires

While many of us don’t think twice about our tires before we enter our vehicles to drive, this advisory emphasizes the importance of doing so, especially during hot weather and for long car rides. Be safe, everyone!

Two passengers died as a result of a fiery crash on Goodfellow Boulevard on Tuesday, May 31, 2011, according to stltoday.com. The report stated that the car in which the two victims were riding attempted to run a red light to avoid being stopped by police. The vehicle sped through the red light over a hill, apparently becoming airborne for a considerable distance before careening into a tree and catching fire.

Map:

According to police, one of the fatal victims, who was pregnant, was trapped in the car after it caught fire and rescue crews were unable to pull her from the wreckage in time to save her life. The other passenger was taken to a nearby hospital but did not survive. The driver was also taken to a nearby hospital and is said to have sustained serious injuries.

Authorities currently do not know why the driver attempted to flee when police tried to pull the car over. Regardless of why it happened, Missouri car accidents of this kind have the tendency to endanger other motorists. Given the description of events available in the report, apart from potential criminal sanctions, the driver could also be liable for negligence or even recklessness.

Fortunately, the driver’s actions did not involve any other motorists. Often, though, accidents like this do injure other motorists. In the aftermath of serious accidents like this, it is important to enforce your legal rights and get the result you deserve. If you are in this position, call Page Law at 314-322-8515 to talk to our St. Louis car crash attorneys for free.

An eight-year-old girl of Poplar Bluff, Missouri was tragically killed on Wednesday, June 1, 2011, according to kfvs12.com. She was a passenger in a car driven by her father. The accident occurred when a tractor-trailer attempted to cross the highway. The tractor-trailer did not make it across the highway in time and slammed into the victim’s vehicle, which was forced off the highway and flipped.

Map:

According to police, all of the people involved in the accident were wearing their seatbelts. Unfortunately, the young girl was killed in the Missouri truck crash. Three other passengers in the car were also injured, two seriously. The driver of the truck was not injured in the crash.

In 2009, tractor-trailer’s accounted for at least 5,271 accidents in the state of Missouri. Of those accidents, more than 50 involved fatalities. The size of the trucks combined with the fatigue and, sometimes, negligence, of the drivers can be extremely dangerous to other motorists. Because of the significant size disparity between tractor-trailers and other vehicles, even what would otherwise be minor accidents are transformed into life-threatening events.

In the aftermath of an accident with a tractor-trailer, you will need someone with experience in dealing with trucking and insurance companies. Page Law, a Missouri tractor-trailer accident law firm, has the experience fighting trucking and insurance companies that you need on your side after a serious accident. Contact us today at 314-322-8515.

Source: http://www.kfvs12.com/story/14824755/poplar-bluff-girl-killed-in-crash-on-us-67

A mother and her three children are in serious condition after their SUV flipped and was hit by a utility truck, according to thetelegraph.com. According to the report, the mother swerved to avoid a piece of metal in the roadway. During this maneuver, the mother lost control of the car, which entered the median and flipped, ending up on the other side of Illinois 255. At this point, a utility truck was unable to stop and ran into the overturned SUV.

Approximate location of the accident:

According to police, a 4-year-old girl was thrown from the vehicle during the crash. A 2-year-old boy and a 5-month-old-boy were also injured in the accident but were both restrained in child safety seats at the time of the accident. The mother was also injured in the crash. They were all taken to nearby hospitals in serious condition.

It is unclear where the piece of metal in the roadway came from, but it is clear that the accident was not entirely the fault of the mother. It is possible that the metal was dropped by another vehicle earlier that day. If that is the case, then it is possible that another driver’s negligence contributed to this tragic accident. It is important to ask questions like this in the aftermath of such an accident because these questions can help determine whether the victims of an accident can bring a lawsuit to hold the negligent responsible for the part they played in the accident.

The St. Louis car crash attorneys at Page Law are here for you to answer these questions after a car crash. Call us today for a free consultation with no obligation at (314)322-8515 or 1-800-CAR-CRASH. We will fight for your rights and help get you back the peace of mind the accident took from you.

Source: http://www.thetelegraph.com/news/old-54653-year-illinois.html

A man was killed in a tragic six-vehicle chain reaction accident on Highway 63 in Prairie County, Arkansas on May 31, 2011, according to stuttgartdailyleader.com. The accident allegedly occurred when a trailer hitched onto an SUV driving the opposite direction speared in front of a cement truck. The cement truck then struck a big rig, which blocked the highway, before colliding with a second big rig driven by the fatal victim. A third tractor-trailer was involved in the crash when it crashed into the first big rig that was blocking the highway. A car driven by another man of Pine Bluff, Arkansas was also involved in the crash.

Approximate location of the accident:

Police say that the victim was thrown from his truck during the accident and died at the scene. The only other injury in the accident was the driver of the cement truck, who was taken to a nearby hospital. His current condition is unknown.

The entire chain reaction yesterday was allegedly caused by an SUV pulling a trailer. The accident highlights the importance of securing trailers properly and driving cautiously when pulling a trailer. When a vehicle is pulling a trailer, the entire aerodynamic profile of the vehicle changes. The vehicle becomes heavier but the trailer, which is often tenuously linked by a trailer-hitch, can get off balance and swivel when faced with winds at high speeds.

It is important for drivers hauling trailers to make sure that they go slow enough to keep their trailer from getting off balance. As the accident yesterday makes clear, when a vehicle pulling a trailer is driven too fast, the trailer can become a danger to other drivers.

Have you or someone that you know been killed or injured in an accident involving a tractor-trailer? Call the truck accident lawyers in St. Louis at Page Law at (314)322-8515 or 1-800-CAR-CRASH. We will fight to get you the compensation you are entitled to. We will consult with you about your claim for free with no obligation.

Source: http://www.stuttgartdailyleader.com/topstories/x1293700604/Fatal-wreck-on-Highway-63-Tuesday

Peculiar, Missouri native was killed on Monday, May 30, 2011, according to ksdk.com. The fatal victim was driving north on Highway 71 when his car ran off the road into the median and flipped. His car rolled all the way to the outside shoulder of the southbound lanes of the highway. Police say that he did not have his seat belt on at the time of the accident. A passenger in the same car was also injured in the crash but the report notes that the passenger’s injuries were not serious. The passenger was wearing their seat belt at the time of the accident.

Approximate location of the accident:

The decision to wear a seat belt can often be a decision that determines how badly someone will be injured in a traffic crash. According to a safety guide produced by Oklahoma State University, when a car is driving at 30 miles per hour, an accident replicates the force of a fall from a three-story building. This means that, even if a driver or passenger successfully braces themselves for a crash, it is likely that the impact will break the bones they’re using to stop themselves. A seat belt absorbs the much of the impact and keeps passengers from being thrown around or out of the car when an accident occurs.

It is important for a seat belt to be worn properly, across the chest and across the hips. When worn like this, pressure from the impact of a crash is distributed more evenly across muscles and bones that are more durable. Moreover, wearing a seat belt like this makes airbags more effective by keeping the person in a position where the airbag can actually help. While wearing a seat belt will not ward off all possible injuries during a car accident, seat belt use can, as in the accident above, mean the difference between life and death.

Have you or one of your loved one’s been killed or injured in an automobile accident? Contact the personal injury lawyers at Page Law to help you get the compensation you deserve. The Missouri auto accident attorneys at Page Law fight hard for your rights. Call us today at (314) 322-8515 or 1-800-CAR-CRASH for a free consultation with no obligation.

Source: http://ehs.okstate.edu/kopykit/seatbelt.htm

In 2006 and 2007, Missouri ranked seventh in the nation in accidents at railroad-highway crossings, according to the Federal Railroad Administration, or FRA.

Between 2006 and 2007, the most recent years for which the FRA has data, the number of railroad crossing accidents in Missouri decreased by 17, from 60 accidents in 2006 to just 43 accidents in 2007. However, Missouri’s accidents still outnumber nearly every other U.S. state. Only Michigan, Louisiana, Illinois, Alabama, Florida, and Texas had more railroad crossing accidents in 2007 than Missouri faced. Of all these states, Texas was the clear leader, suffering 338 accidents in 2006 and 294 in 2007.

Although Missouri had many accidents in both of these past years, the number of fatal car-train accidents at railroad crossings was quite low compared to other states. Missouri saw seven people lose their lives in 2006 and again in 2007 - a stark difference from leader Texas, which lost 44 people in 2006 and 34 in 2007.

The FRA separates information on accidents that occur at railroad crossings from accidents that affect railroad personnel and accidents that affect trespassers on a railroad grade. Missouri saw 12 trespassers lose their lives on railroad property in 2006, but this number dipped to 7 in 2007. Trespassers are at a greater danger than those at railroad crossings because the train does not signal its approach to a trespasser and the engineer typically does not expect people except at designated crossings.

Railroad accidents can be devastating. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a railroad accident, please don’t hesitate to call the experienced Missouri personal injury attorneys at Page Law. For a free and confidential consultation, call use today at 314-322-8515.