April 9, 2012

Wayne was killed in the accident. Dennis Patterson was transported to Mercy Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. According to the story, neither Patterson nor Wayne was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

My thoughts and prayers are with the friends and family of both Christopher Wayne and Dennis Patterson. I hope there is some way Patterson can experience a full recovery from his injuries.

Anytime a person is ejected from a vehicle during an accident my mind automatically begins to wonder if the auto manufacturer built the vehicle using poorly considered safety design. There are numerous things that could have failed. The seatbelt could have failed, the door might have unlatched, or the airbag or side curtain airbag could have failed. The big automobile manufactures build vehicles without concern for your safety. It might have only taken a few more dollars invested into the design of Mr. Wayne’s truck and he would still be with us today. Just a few more dollars….

If you have been involved in a Jefferson County car accident, you might not even need a lawyer. What you do need after any accident is helpful and accurate information. Order a FREE copy of my book: “The Missouri Accident Book” to make sure you are armed with the information necessary to make all the right moves after your Missouri car accident.

April 16, 2012 -

As a result of the accident, James Ward was seriously injured and was taken to Mercy Medical Center by helicopter for treatment. According to reports of the accident, both Ward and Seabaugh were wearing the appropriate safety devices.

I hope for a speedy recovery for James Ward, injuries from a motorcycle can be tough to recover from. It was very smart for them to wear helmets, because if they hadn’t been, the outcome of this accident could’ve been even worse.

As a motorcycle rider myself, accidents like this are frightening and far too easy to imagine. There are so many things that can go wrong when riding a motorcycle. Unfortunately it’s much easier for a rider to be seriously injured or killed when riding a motorcycle because of how exposed you are.

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a Missouri motorcycle accident you might not need a lawyer. That said, things can get complicated very quickly after a Missouri accident. Order my free book, “The Missouri Accident Book,” to help you navigate through these difficult times. It’s a comprehensive guide that offers invaluable advice on just about anything you could ask regarding Missouri auto accidents. Order your free copy today.

• In 2010, 1,033 people were injured in Missouri work zones, compared to 676 in 2009
• In 2010, 15 people were killed in work zones, which is an increase from 2009 when 13 people were killed.
• Since 2000, 214 MoDOT employees have been injured and 15 have been killed on the job.

So, how do you avoid becoming part of one of the above statistics? Other than the obvious to pay attention, here are a few tips to keep you safe from a work zone related accident.

• Look for bad accidents and congested work zones before you get on the road so you know what to expect.
• If you know you’re going to drive through a work zone, take the weather into consideration when driving. Slippery roads can cause serious danger for workers in the construction zone.
• Keep your distance from large tractor-trailers. They have a harder time slowing down and maneuvering narrow lanes that normally occur in work zones.
• Watch out for any signs that may signify a work zone ahead. Other than the large orange construction zone signs; brake lights, reduced speed signs, and a large number of cars are telltale signs of a construction zone.
• Listen for any signs of danger such as falling rock, concrete, workers, and construction equipment. Make sure your music is off or isn’t too loud so you are aware of your surroundings.
• Reduce in-car distractions. Keep away from the cell phone, don’t try to fiddle with the vehicle’s electronics, and don’t take your eyes on the road and off of things and people in your car.
• Watch for uneven and broken pavement.

No matter if you were a worker or driver injured in a construction zone, an experienced lawyer can help. You may not need an attorney, but you want to make sure you are well informed to properly evaluate your situation before you speak to an attorney, insurance adjuster, or sign any forms. You can also download a FREE copy of my accident guide, “The Missouri Accident Book: Dealing with the Aftermath.”

The main cause of pedestrian accidents in Missouri are drivers that are either inattentive, drunk, or speeding. The fault however does not always fall upon the driver. A neglectful pedestrian can just as easily be the cause of a Missouri pedestrian accident. But regardless of if a bad driver or neglectful pedestrian is to blame for a Missouri pedestrian accident, here are some tips on how to avoid them.

• Don’t Jaywalk: A driver won’t be looking for someone to cross the street if they have the right of way at that moment. For example, crossing when the signal clearly says not to, or crossing in the middle of a street are both good ways to get hit by a car or truck. Be a responsible pedestrian.
• Look Before You Cross: It’s funny how often we give advice that your mother gave you when you were a child. But, alas, it’s true, and sadly not enough people take that advice. To help avoid a Missouri pedestrian accident you should LOOK BOTH WAYS! And when you’re crossing keep your eyes open. If a driver is drunk or distracted they might not see you. In that case you need to be ready to get out of the way.
• Stay Out of the Street: Obviously there will be times when you need to cross the street. Otherwise stay on the sidewalk as much as possible. Walking on the side of the street or on a highway shoulder can be dangerous. Just recently we reported on a Missouri pedestrian accident in Perry County Missouri in which a man was struck and seriously injured by a car while walking down US 51.
• Keep Your Kids With You: Another recent Missouri pedestrian accident resulted in the death of a young boy. He was crossing a rural highway alone and was struck by a pickup truck. Kids should ALWAYS be accompanied by an adult when crossing a street or walking in a parking lot.

If you’ve been involved in a pedestrian accident in Missouri you might not need a lawyer. But due to the fact that many pedestrian accidents are the fault of the driver, as well as the serious injuries that usually come with these accidents, the likelihood is increased. Regardless, before you contact any lawyer you need to read a copy of my FREE book, “The Missouri Accident Book.” In it you’ll find all the Missouri accident information you will need to make the right decisions after your Missouri pedestrian accident.

Whiplash

Oddly whiplash is widely used in relation to neck injuries but is not an actual medical term or diagnosis. Basically the use of the word whiplash came about because the injury would occur after your head whips backward extending your neck beyond its normal range of motion and then jolting it forward. This violent motion can damage ligaments, muscles, discs, and nerves in the neck and cause debilitating pain and restriction of movement.

Common symptoms of whiplash can include headaches, neck pain, swelling in the neck, muscle spasms in the neck, and difficulty moving the neck. Most often, whiplash injuries are diagnosed following an examination and either a CT scan or MRI and commonly treated with medications, wearing a neck brace or collar, rest, and sometimes physical therapy.

It is possible to reduce the likelihood of suffering from a neck injury if you wear your seat beat, sit without learning forward, and properly adjust the headrest on your seat for your height. The NHTSA has required headrests (a/k/a head restraints) on the front seats of cars since 1969 as an essential safety feature to limit the movement of your head in a rear-end crash. To ensure you are properly using the head restraint, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recommends that the head restraint be positioned as high as the head’s center of gravity and you should adjust your seat recline angle so that your head is not any further than 4 inches away from the front of the head restraint.

If you are the victim of a car accident due to the negligence of another driver and suffer from a neck injury, you should consult a personal injury attorney to evaluate your case to help you recover your medical expenses and lost wages.

This article is a guest blog from the Parrish Law Firm

April 27, 2012 – According to KMOV.com, St. Louis police are looking for two men who were in a car involved in a hit and run accident that killed a young woman outside a St. Louis nightclub. Police said the victim is 23-years-old and her identity is yet to be released. The woman was said to be crossing South Broadway just outside the Broadway Oyster Bar when she was struck and killed.

Workers at a nearby nightclub said the woman was with two other people who were crossing the street. The car that hit the woman left the scene. Police are now looking for a gray or silver Pontiac Grand Am or Pontiac Grand Prix. It was reported to have Missouri license plates and may have damage to the front passenger side, a broken headlight and damage to the undercarriage.

As a Missouri personal injury lawyer, when I read about someone refusing to take responsibility for their actions it disgusts me. This is one of the reasons I decided to start participating in the Hit-and-Run Reward Program. An anonymous tip line that helps put hit-and-run drivers behind bars. Through the Hit-and-Run Reward Program responsible citizens can anonymously provide information to WeTip (call 800-644-8678), which will then be relayed to local law enforcement. If that information leads to the arrest and felony conviction of a hit-and-run driver the tipster stands to receive a reward of up to $1,000.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a pedestrian accident you might not need a lawyer. But before you have to talk to any lawyers or insurance adjusters you need to read my book to ensure that you are 100% prepared for any and all post-accident scenarios. “The Missouri Accident Book” is a comprehensive guide of legal advice about Missouri car accidents that can help anyone make sure they make the best decisions possible after their Missouri car accident. Click here to order your free copy today.

Source: KMOV.com contributed to this report.