Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Car-train accidents and pedestrian-train accidents are rare in Missouri, but when they do happen, the results can be devastating. To help Missourians stay safe around railroad crossings, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT) has provided information about railroad safety for those who must drive or walk near train tracks.

First, be patient. Never try to beat a train through an intersection. Depending on their weight and speed, trains can take a mile or more to come to a complete stop. They will not be able to stop in time to prevent a crash if you’re crossing the tracks. Likewise, do not go around trains that are stopped in intersections; these stops are usually unplanned and frequently involve an equipment malfunction or other emergency.

Railroad crossings are often equipped with lights, bells, and/or crossbars that come down to block traffic in order to let a train through. According to MODOT, this equipment rarely malfunctions. If you suspect a malfunction, call the railroad from the number posted on the small silver building located near crossings. Do not try to cross the tracks at a malfunctioning signal; if you are wrong, and the signal is working properly, a serious crash could result.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a railroad crash, an experienced Missouri train accident attorney can help you piece together what happened and seek compensation from anyone whose negligence may have caused the accident. For a free and confidential consultation, call Page Law today at (314) 322-8515.

In 2009 alone, 605 workers were killed and over 210,000 were injured in slip and fall accidents in the workplace. Construction sites are the number one workplace for serious slip and fall accidents, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Construction sites pose a number of hazards that can cause a slip and fall accident. These hazards include:

• Slippery or cluttered walking surfaces;
• Holes in floors and walls;
• Unstable or badly-positioned ladders and scaffolding; and
• Defective or improperly-used fall prevention devices.

To help cut down on the major risks that can cause accidents, occupational health and safety offices at the state and federal level have implemented a vast number of regulations for construction sites. When these are ignored or violated, however, serious slip and fall injuries can result.

Missouri construction slip and fall accidents also result in high costs, especially for the person injured. The CDC estimates that $70 billion in medical bills, lost wages, and other costs result from construction site slip and fall injuries each year. Workers’ compensation insurance may cover some of these costs for injured workers, but this coverage is not available for those who are injured on construction sites when they are not actively working there.

If you or someone you love has been injured on a construction site, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation, insurance, or other compensation. At Page Law, our experienced St. Louis slip and fall injury lawyers are dedicated to helping injured people seek the compensation they need to recover from their injuries. For a free and confidential consultation, call us today at (314) 322-8515.

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel holidays of the year, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Not only do people travel more on the days surrounding Thanksgiving, but they travel further and on more days than many other holidays. Since many Thanksgiving partygoers drive to their holiday events, it makes sense to prepare for a road trip, especially if you plan to go some distance or travel in unfamiliar areas.

In order to prevent a distracted driving crash, prepare your maps, directions, or GPS unit before you hit the road, so you don’t have to take your attention from the road to straighten them out. If you’re traveling with passengers, have one of them read you the map or directions en route. Get plenty of rest, so that fatigue doesn’t impair your driving, and never get behind the wheel if you’ve been drinking.

Clean your car off thoroughly if it’s covered with ice, snow, leaves, or other items that might impair your vision. Not only can obstructions make it hard to see, they can also fly off the car and disrupt other drivers. Pack an emergency kit in your vehicle, so that if you run into inclement weather or have an accident, you will have warm clothes and first aid supplies, as well as a way to contact help.

Accidents can cause serious injuries. If you or someone you love is injured in a crash, the experienced Missouri auto accident injury attorneys at Page Law can help you protect your legal rights and seek compensation. To learn more, call us today at (314) 322-8515 for a free and confidential consultation.

As is the case in many other U.S. states, there is a universal motorcycle helmet law in Missouri. A study performed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently examined states with universal, partial, and no helmet laws, both in terms of saving human lives in motorcycle accidents and saving money related to medical and other accident costs. According to the CDC, Missouri ranks in the top ten among U.S. states in saving both lives and money with its motorcycle helmet laws.

For 2008, Missouri ranked seventh among U.S. states in number of lives saved through motorcycle helmet use and the CDC estimates that 49 lives were saved per 100,000 registered motorcycles in 2008. Missouri ranked sixth in the nation for financial savings due to helmet use laws, at $78 million per 100,000 registered motorcycles.

Both of these measures are significantly better than the national average. Nationwide, U.S. states with universal helmet laws saved 40 lives and $66 million per 100,000 registered motorcycles on average. States with partial or no helmet requirements fared even worse. Based on these numbers, the CDC recommends that every U.S. state consider universal motorcycle helmet laws similar to those used in Missouri and other states.

Motorcycle accidents can cause serious injuries. If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle crash, the skilled St. Louis motorcycle accident lawyers at Page Law are here to help. Call us today at (314) 322-8515 for a free and confidential consultation.

As winter falls, many Missouri motorcyclists pack up their bikes until warmer, drier weather makes the roads fit for riding again. Storing your motorcycle properly can help prevent accidents by keeping the frame, engine, and tires in top condition. Here are a few tips for sound motorcycle storage:

• Clean the bike thoroughly before storing it. Dirt, grease, and other substances left on the bike can cause rust or other damage. Dry the bike well after washing it.
• Check the bike's manual before adding fuel stabilizer or cleaning the spark plugs. Both procedures can help prepare your bike for storage, but the specifics for each bike vary.
• Change the oil and remove the old oil filter and top off the fuel tank to remove as much air from the tank as possible.
• Remove the battery. For safety, remove the negative terminals first, then the positive terminals. Clean any corrosion off the battery connections, then store the battery off the floor in a cool, dry place.
• Use rubber and rust preservative to protect the appropriate parts of the bike.
• Store the motorcycle on its stand and keep the weight of the bike off the tires. Motorcycles stored on their tires may develop permanent flat spots.

At Page Law, our experienced Missouri motorcycle crash attorneys can help you protect your legal rights and options after a crash. We have the legal resources and the courtroom experience to help you hold any negligent parties accountable for their accident-causing actions. To discuss your situation with us, call (314) 322-8515 today for a free and confidential case evaluation.

When the Social Security Administration (SSA) denies an initial claim for disability or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, the person who is denied is allowed to appeal the decision. There are four different levels of appeal, according to the SSA: reconsideration, hearing, Appeals Council, and federal court. An experienced SSDI attorney may help you through the process at all four stages.

During reconsideration, the initial claim is reviewed by someone who did not participate in handling your claim the first time. The person reviews any new medical records or other evidence as well as everything you submitted with your original application.

If you are turned down after reconsideration, you may ask for a hearing with the SSA. Hearings take place in front of an administrative law judge. You may be represented by an attorney during your hearing and may present evidence to the judge as to why your claim should be granted.

If the administrative law judge upholds the SSDI denial, the next step is to take the case to the Appeals Council, also part of the SSA. The Appeals Council may decide not to hear the case, if it believes the administrative law judge made the right call. If this happens, or if the Appeals Council hears your case but turns you down anyway, you may appeal to a federal district court. You do not have to take any of these steps alone: an attorney can help you through the entire process.

An experienced St. Louis injury attorney is dedicated to helping people receive the support of disability payments they need. If you're facing disability and need help navigating the Social Security process, call Page Law today at (314) 322-8515 for a free and confidential consultation.

For many Missouri motorcyclists, winter means packing up the bike and counting the days till spring – but it doesn't have to be that way. Winter motorcycle riding can be both safe and enjoyable if you take into account the special hazards created by winter weather. If you're thinking about hitting the road on your bike this winter, consider the following safety tips:

Dress for the weather. When you're on a motorcycle, the outdoor temperature plus wind chill can cause your body to lose heat fast. In addition to your usual safety gear, wearing several extra layers can help. Wool is a better choice than cotton, because it retains warmth even when wet. Some suppliers also make clothing that can be heated using battery packs. The added weight may be worth the extra warmth.

Choose the right bike. Many motorcyclists recommend avoiding two-wheeled motorcycles in winter and instead stick to a bike with a sidecar. If you choose a two-wheeled motorcycle, choose a heavier model that is less likely to be pushed around or slide in ice and snow.

Check your tires. Snow tires with heavier treads are available for most motorcycles. It's also possible to find tires with studs or spikes embedded in them, which can improve your traction, or you can embed them in standard snow tires. Check the road laws in the states where you plan to ride, however, as some states do not allow tire studs or spikes.

Weatherproof the bike. Coating the bike in an anti-corrosive compound or a light oil, like WD-40, can prevent salt on the roads from eating away at the bike's frame and components.

At Page Law, our experienced St. Louis motorcycle accident injury lawyers are dedicated to providing the best possible representation to those who have suffered injury in a motorcycle accident. To learn how you can protect your legal rights after a crash, call us today at (314) 322-8515 for a free and confidential consultation.

From the ages of one to nine years, children are at a greater risk for accidental burn injuries than adults. This is particularly true of toddlers and preschool-age children, whose skin is much more delicate than an older child or adult, and who are fascinated by “adult” tools like matches and lighters but unable to understand the dangers posed by fire or by hot objects like stovetops. In order to help families protect children from burn injuries, Safe Kids USA offers the following tips:

Install smoke alarms and test them regularly. Smoke alarms offer an early warning about the presence of smoke, heat, or both.

Create a family escape plan. Since children cannot always figure out how to escape a fire under pressure, teach kids at least two different ways to get out of their bedrooms, and designate a point away from the house as a “meet-up point” so family members can find each other if a fire occurs.

Lock up matches and lighters and teach children that they are not toys. Children like to imitate adults and will try using a lighter or matches if they have seen adults do so, unless they understand that these tools are off-limits.

Do not allow children to use a microwave until they are old enough to reach the microwave safely and understand that steam from microwaved foods and drinks can cause burns.

If you or someone you love has been burned or injured by a defective product, the experienced Missouri personal injury attorneys at Page Law can help. To learn more about your legal rights and options after an accident, call us today at (314) 322-8515 for a free and confidential consultation.

Missouri auto accidents are responsible for thousands of neck injuries every year. Neck injuries are one of the most common injuries sustained in an automobile accident. When seated in an automobile, the neck and head have little support when subjected to the forces of an accident. While a seatbelt provides limited protection, the head and neck are able to whip forward, backward, and side-to-side, making the head and neck extremely susceptible to injury.

There are countless neck injuries that may occur during a motor vehicle accident. These injuries may include:

1. Whiplash;
2. Herniated cervical discs;
3. Protruding cervical discs;
4. Bulging cervical discs;
5. Tendon or ligament tears;
6. Nerve damage;
7. Neck breaks and fractures;
8. Cervical dislocation; and
9. Spinal cord injuries.

The neck, comprising the top of the spinal column, contains vast networks of nerves, ligaments, and tendons. These networks are responsible for the operation of many parts of the human body. A disruption of any portion of these networks can have devastating effects on the entire body. Injuries to the neck can cause paralysis and even death. Neck injuries should be treated immediately to ensure the best chance of recovery.

Neck injuries sustained in accidents vary greatly. Due to the multiple types of neck injuries, treatment varies as well. Conservative treatment may include:

1. Medication;
2. Physical therapy;
3. Pain injections;
4. Exercise routines;
5. Chiropractic treatment; and
6. Various other non-invasive treatments.

More serious neck injures such as disc protrusions, cervical dislocations, and fractures, may require surgery to repair the condition. These surgeries may include:

1. Discectomy;
2. Cervical fusion; and
3. Other surgical repair.

Injuries to the neck can cause devastating problems. It is important to remember that following a neck injury, you should not move until a medical professional is able to examine the affected area. Movement of the neck following an accident can turn minor injuries into severe life-altering problems if not handled properly.

If you have suffered a neck injury from an accident, you should contact a Missouri auto accident neck injury lawyer with Page Law. Neck injuries can leave life-long complications for an injured victim and require extremely expensive procedures and long courses of physical therapy. If your neck is injured as the result of an accident caused by another, you are entitled to an accident settlement that reimburses you for all of your harms and losses. Contact our offices today at (314) 322-8515 for a free consultation.