Friday, January 24, 2014

Being involved in a sudden car crash is a frightening experience. At one moment you are riding along and then, in a blink of an eye, your life may be changed forever. In the minutes after an accident, victims are most likely to feel confused and … [Read more...]

Wet Roads and the Potential for Serious Car Accidents

The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C.

Seasonal weather calls for Missouri drivers to modify their driving to accommodate current road conditions. The Missouri State Highway Patrol has reported that a Perry teenager was injured in a single vehicle accident on Thursday, October 3, at 2:58 … [Read more...]

Three Recent Missouri Car Accidents: One Man Dead, One Woman Injured

The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C.

If you have been involved in a car accident you may be entitled to compensation for injuries, medical expenses, and other damages relating to the accident. Last Wednesday night in Riverside, Missouri, Southbound I-635 needed to be temporarily … [Read more...]

Rollover Accidents: Why They Happen and How to Prevent Them

The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C.

Accidents that result in vehicles rolling over are often devastating. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has reported that more than 280,000 rollover accidents claim over 10,000 lives each year. There are certain types of vehicles … [Read more...]

The Black Box Battle and How it May Affect Saint Louis Car Accident Claims

The Black Box Battle and How it May Affect Car Accident Claims

The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C.

Do black boxes provide a means for accident victims to receive justice or do they pose a threat to privacy?

Black boxes have been used on airplanes for decades. They are in place to record specific data from a flight in the event of an accident. Slowly over the last decade, car manufacturers have been installing them into passenger cars and it is estimated that 96% of all new vehicles are equipped with them. This is a handy device to help prove liability in the event of an accident. Oftentimes there are no witnesses to a car accident and proving fault is difficult. With a black box, the speed of the car at time of impact is recorded as well as other invaluable information.

Concerns Over Privacy

There is a lot of controversy around the use of a cars black box and who the information stored in it belongs to. Especially after the revelation that the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is pushing to make them a mandatory addition to all new cars manufactured after September, 2014. Many people are worried about privacy concerns and who will have access to the data.

Public awareness of the devices was raised in 2011, when then lieutenant governor of Massachusetts Tim Murray crashed his government issued vehicle. In the initial accident report, he is cited as saying he was belted in the car and not speeding at the time of the crash. The black box told a different story. Not only was Mr. Murray not wearing his seatbelt, he was traveling in excess of 100 mph.

Insurance companies and law enforcement officials advocate use of the box and see it as a tool to help in accident investigations. Some insurance companies are even beginning to offer discounts to customers who give them access to theirs. Critics of the device worry about companies and the government having access to too much information about them.

Many personal injury lawyers view them as a way to help get justice for their clients.

Discovering the Truth

In a head on collision in Jackson County, the driver of the car who swerved out of his lane claimed to be only traveling at 40 mph at the time of impact. The plaintiff, a young college student, had multiple fractures in both of her legs and underwent multiple surgeries. She now has permanent disability that forced her to change her career path. In order to dispute the defendants’ claim of driving within the speed limit, the plaintiffs lawyers obtained the data from his vehicles black box. It revealed that just seconds before the impact, he was traveling 81 mph. After that was brought to light, the defendants’ insurance carrier chose to settle the claim for $900,000.

St. Louis Car Accident Lawyers

The NHTSA has included in its proposal that car manufacturers provide a tool that would make copying the data collected by a black box easier and available to the public. Representatives of the agency feel that the information collected will be beneficial towards helping future crashes. While some states have already enacted legislation restricting access to the black box, Missouri has not. If liability is questioned in your accident, and you are certain that the other driver is lying about some of the details, bring your claim to a car accident attorney at The Hoffmann Law Firm.

To schedule a free consultation call (314) 361-4242

photo credit: CodeHooligans

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Brake Systems and How They Affect Truck Accident Lawsuits in Saint Louis, Missouri

Brake Systems and How They Affect Truck Accident Lawsuits

The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C.

Keeping a truck properly maintained is a federally mandated requirement.

Brakes in particular need to be inspected regularly and repaired. Faulty brakes are the cause of many truck accidents, and because of the weight of commercial vehicles combined with the high speeds they often travel at, these accidents cause injury that is much more severe than those seen in a passenger car collision.

Understanding a Truck’s Brake System

It can take a fully loaded semi over 300 feet to come to a complete stop. If the trucks brake system is faulty in any way, that amount can increase dramatically. In accidents that involve a truck where brake failure is the suspected cause, you should always consult with a Missouri truck accident attorney first before any conversations with insurance adjustors. Truck accident claims are not the same as a car accident claim. There are many different variables to consider. For instance, laws state that the driver and the trucking company are responsible for the maintenance of the vehicle. So ultimately who is liable for your accident? An attorney can help you make that decision.

Truck Accident Lawsuits

A Kansas City family was hit by a cement truck as the mother drove their van into an intersection. Not only was the driver of the truck speeding, but his brakes were not working properly causing him to not be able to stop in time. In an instance such as this theMissouri truck accident lawyer not only investigated the driver and the condition of his truck, but also the hauling company that had employed him. They found that the company had not looked into the driver’s record or inspected his truck before hiring him. With this information they were able to settle the claim for $444,000 before it went to court.

Thanks to the Federal laws governing commercial vehicles and their drivers, a Missouri truck accident attorney should be able to assess almost immediately whether or not faulty brakes played a role in your collision. Drivers are required to keep a log of all service inspections and repairs to the vehicle and the company that employs them is duty bound to see to it that the law is followed. The log kept by the driver can be presented as evidence that the trucks brake system was not in proper working condition. Absence of a log or record of regular inspection is equally damaging evidence against the defense.

Contact an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer

For the massive weight and size of the vehicles they drive, truck drivers have a responsibility to ensure that they do everything in their power to keep other motorists safe from them. Maintaining a well working brake system is a key component of that. Don’t accept a quick hospital bill reimbursement from an insurance adjustor if you were hit by a semi. Contact an experienced Missouri truck accident attorney instead, and let them review your case first. Chances are you are entitled to much more compensation than they will initially offer you.

If you have been involved in a serious truck accident in Missouri or Illinois, call The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. at (314) 361-4242. You can also contact us online by filling out our contact form.

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Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Obtaining a Police Report in Every Car Accident - Preserve the Truth! If Not, Look Beyond...

http://www.hoffmannpersonalinjury.com/looking-beyond-the-police-report-to-uncover-the-truth/

Looking Beyond the Police Report to Uncover the Truth

The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C.

Accident scenes can be difficult to judge, even for those directly involved. The accident report prepared may be subject to mistakes, making you responsible for an accident that was not your fault.

This is especially true for collisions that occur in an intersection as the identity of the negligent party is questioned. Police officers called to the scene can only observe the aftermath and have no clear way of determining how the accident took place. They could have made their report based on prior experience that does not apply to the circumstances of your accident. If you were injured in a truck accident and feel strongly that the police wrongfully placed you as the negligent party, do not abandon your case. Instead, discuss it with a Missouri truck accident attorney.

Obtaining as Much Information as Possible

Although commissioned to protect and serve the public, a police officer is not exempt from making an error from time to time. Especially when attempting to reconstruct an event that he was not present for. In the case of a car crash, his preconceived notion of how it occurred may prevent him from seeking any eyewitness testimony. This is why it is important for an accident victim to try and gain as much information themselves before being taken to the hospital. Do not put your health in jeopardy, but if possible, try to at least get contact information from anyone who may have witnessed the collision.

A Missouri truck accident attorney will do their own investigation of the accident. They could extract more eyewitness testimony and even use traffic cameras or other close by recording devices to help gather more evidence. An expert at reconstructing accident scenes could be hired to help strengthen your claim.

Independent Eyewitnesses

In a Missouri case where the police report put the plaintiff at 100% fault, the attorney was able to show how that report was completely inaccurate using his own investigative skills. The accident took place at a busy intersection and left the driver of the passenger vehicle paralyzed from the neck down. Initially, it was thought that the driver had run a red light, but an independent eyewitness who was not part of the initial police report testified that the truck had sped up in an attempt to beat a yellow light. As soon as this evidence was presented to the trucking companies insurance carrier, they agreed to settle the case for four million dollars.

Receiving Compensation You Are Entitled To

It is important to pursue claims against trucking companies aggressively as they are usually million dollar companies with the means to fight your claim. Their insurance companies have been known to employ such tactics as stalling in order to avoid having to make a large pay-out to an injured motorist. If you are approached by one of their adjusters, direct them to speak only with your Missouri truck accident attorney.

Police officers are human too and subject to make mistakes. You are under no obligation to take their version of events as true if you feel strongly that some evidence was overlooked. In order to overcome an erroneous report and receive the compensation you are entitled to, contact The Hoffman Law Firm, L.L.C. at (314) 361-4242 immediately. Cases against the trucking industry are complex, and you are going to need someone with experience to guide you through it.

Motocycle Accidents - The Unavoidable Exposure Involved

http://www.hoffmannpersonalinjury.com/unavoidable-exposure-in-a-motorcycle-accident/

Unavoidable Exposure in a Motorcycle Accident

The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C.

Driving a motorcycle is much riskier than a typical motor vehicle. Injury from a motorcycle accident is most likely to be serious.

The large bone in a person’s thigh, or femur, is the strongest bone in the entire body. It takes a great deal of force to break it. In fact, the most common way in which the femur is broken or fractured is by a car or motorcycle accident. Motorcyclists are especially prone to this type of break as their legs are completely exposed when involved in a high-energy collision. Treatment usually involves complex surgery, with the use of surgical pins to help keep the bone in place as it heals. Not only is this a costly procedure, but it is extremely painful with a long recovery time. If you broke your femur bone in a motorcycle accident, you most likely are now facing a large medical bill as well as time away from work. Ask aMissouri motorcycle attorney for advice on how to be compensated for that.

Vulnerable to Broken Bones

The femur extends all the way down from the hip joint to the knee joint. When you envision a motorcyclist on his bike, you can see how that particular area of the body is at grave risk of injury. Not only would it absorb the brunt of the impact if the motorcycle were struck on its side, it is also the area of the body where the bike would lay if it were forced over onto its side. There have been some attempts at installing side cages on a motorcycle to protect this important bone, but they have all proved to be ineffective.

Surgery Required

A simple cast to repair the break is only effective in young children. Surgery is the only effective way to heal the bone, and because of its size will require the aid of surgical rods, plates, or pins. These devices can cause secondary problems such as infections or bone weakness. Other complications are irritation of the muscles by the hardware and injury to nearby nerves or blood vessels. Blood clots, which are life threatening, are also a possible side effect of femoral bone surgery.

The Risks of Surgery

Such was the case with a Missouri motorcyclist after surgery on his femur. The bone in his leg was broken after he was struck by another car while driving his motorcycle. Once released from the hospital, blood clots developed that traveled up to his heart and lungs, requiring additional medical treatment. In order to pay his massive medical bills, the driver agreed to a $425,000 settlement with the insurance company.

Driving a motorcycle is much riskier than a typical motor vehicle. Driving safely and avoiding taking your bike out in inclement weather are the only real ways a motorcyclist can protect themselves from a catastrophic accident. Injury sustained is likely to be grave. There are many avenues that a Missouri motorcycle accident attorney can pursue to help recover damages from the accident. If you have recently been hurt in your own motorcycle accident, it is recommended that you call upon one as soon as possible.

Call The Hoffman Law Firm, L.L.C. at (314) 361-4242.

Drunk Driving - Highest Cause of Car Accident Fatalities and Severe Injury

http://www.hoffmannpersonalinjury.com/category/car-accident/drunk-driving/

Wrongful Death Lawsuits Filed in Alcohol-Related Car Accidents

The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C.

Car accidents involving drunk drivers are quite common in Missouri.

Every year, many people get injured and killed in car accidents caused due to drunk driving. Recently, there was a case in which the family of a victim has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against a drunk driver, her mother, and a bar. The fatal accident had occurred in 2011 when a 31-year-old female lost her life. After two years, the relatives have now filed a lawsuit to claim damages from all responsible parties.

The accident occurred when the 31-year-old was riding in a car that lost control, rolled over, and crashed. When the accident occurred, the car was being driven by another 31-year-old female. She was allegedly driving 100 miles an hour when she lost control of the vehicle. the woman suffered serious torso and head injuries in the accident. She was rushed to the hospital by ambulance, but she succumbed to the injuries. The driver and another passenger had also suffered serious injuries in the car accident.

The driver’s tests revealed that the alcohol content in her body was 0.233%, which is three times the permissible legal limit. She was charged with vehicular homicide under influence. In 2012, she was sentenced to 25 years in prison with 15 years suspended.

Missouri Dram Shop Law

In a fresh lawsuit filed by the family of the deceased, they have sought claims from three parties responsible directly or indirectly for her wrongful death. The damages have been claimed from the driver of the vehicle for being directly responsible for the death; her mother for handing her over the vehicle and allowing her to drive knowing that she would drink and drive, and put the life of others at risk; and Club VFW for serving alcohol to the driver when she was already inebriated.

This wrongful death lawsuit sheds light on an important aspect of cases involving drunk drivers. Can clubs, taverns, or other places serving liquor be implicated in cases where someone is injured by the actions of an intoxicated person?

Generally, anyone selling alcoholic beverages cannot be held directly accountable for the behavior of an intoxicated person. However, under certain circumstances victims of car accidents involving drivers under influence can file a lawsuit against the seller of alcoholic beverages. It is possible in cases where the victim or the family of victim is able to prove that the seller served alcohol even though he knew that the person is already visibly inebriated.

St. Louis Car Accident Lawyers

Anyone who becomes a victim of a car accident involving a drunk driver can and should seek damages from those responsible for the accident. A St. Louis car accident lawyer at The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. can help you file a lawsuit against the erring driver and others who are directly or indirectly responsible for the accident. If you or a loved one have been involved in such an accident, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

Call The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. at (314) 361-4242.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Saint Louis Car Crash - Failing to Maintain Vehicle Control - Driving Off the Road is Often Fatal

http://www.hoffmannpersonalinjury.com/tag/st-louis-car-crash/

Missouri State Swimmer Dies in Single-Vehicle Accident

The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C.

Jordynn Brown, a former Missouri state swimmer, and a member of the class of 2013, died in a car crash on Wednesday, September 18.

The single vehicle accident happened along Missouri highway 86.

Brown was driving her 2004 Ford Focus on highway 86, but she lost control of her vehicle as she was taking a turn too quickly and she hit a tree. A passerby called 911 at around 6 a.m. and about 15 minutes later the sheriff’s deputy arrived. Brown died at the scene of the accident. According to the police report, she was not wearing a seat belt when she went off the road.

Brown had graduated recently and then took a job teaching special education and cheerleading at Blue Eye Middle School in Missouri’s Blue Eye School District. Presumably, Brown was on her way to school when she got into the accident.

Brown was a swimmer for Missouri State during her freshman and sophomore years from 2009-2010 and 2010-2011. The swim team won the Missouri Valley Conference Championship that year. During her freshman year, Brown was in the top 20 in the conference in the 50 free, 100 free, and 100 fly.

Current Missouri State senior Hannah Molden said

Jordynn was the kind of girl you could always rely on to put a smile on your face. When you were having a bad day, just had a terrible race, or were really dreading a set, she would know exactly what to say in order to make you laugh and completely turn your mood around. She was the light in the darkness. The lovable, light-hearted women who changed all of our lives for the better.”

In La Plata, Missouri, there were two car crashes that happened within 5 minutes of each other on Friday afternoon in the same location.

The accidents happened in La Plata at the intersection of Highways 63 and Highway 156.

Amy Gladbach, 30, of La Plata, was involved in the first accident. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, around 3:30 p.m. Gladbach’s SUV failed to yield to the white Ford Focus which was driven by a St. Louis man. Instead of yielding, Gladbach drove into the side of the Ford Focus, pushing it into a ditch.

The St. Louis man driving the Ford Focus sustained moderate injuries in the accident.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Gladbach drove away instead of remaining at the scene of the accident. Officers were able to find her.

Five minutes after the first accident a second accident took place in the same spot. The second accident was a minor rear-end crash that happened because drivers were rubber-necking to try to see what had happened in the first accident. An SUV driven by a St. Louis woman hit the back end of a vehicle driven by Viveon Harper, 52, of Macon. Harper sustained minor injuries in the accident.

St. Louis Car Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Missouri, contact The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. to discuss your legal options. We can evaluate your case for free and help you to determine what the best course of action will be.

Call us today at (314) 361-4242 to schedule a free consultation.