Ballwin Car Accident Lawyer

In 2017, almost 1000 fatalities occurred from traffic crashes in Missouri, and the St. Louis area is always one of the top contributors.

Here are some statistics on crashes in Missouri from 2015 to 2017 from the Missouri State Highway Patrol:

• In 2015 there were 870 persons killed in traffic crashes in the State of Missouri, 104 (13.6% ) more than in 2014. There was an increase of about 7.5% in total crashes statewide compared to 2014.
• Of all traffic crashes reported statewide, 74.6% were property damage only.
• Alcohol, drugs, and speeding are the two biggest causes of fatal crashes. Of all fatal crashes, 34.2% involved speed, and 26.0% involved alcohol/drugs.
• Of all persons killed in Missouri traffic crashes in 2015, 341 (39.2%) were in the 15-35 age group. The age group most overrepresented in Missouri's fatal traffic crashes is the 15-24 group (173 killed, 19.9% of the total).
• In known cases, 17.3% of all traffic crashes occurred during inclement weather (rain, snow, sleet/hail, freezing temperatures, fog, or mist).
• 71.4% of all crashes occurred during the daylight hours and 76.1% occurred on dry pavement.
• Of all fatal Missouri traffic crashes, 60.9% involved only one vehicle.

Don't be fooled by Ballwin's small size and suburban layout—drivers are still prone to ending up in an accident. Earlier this year, a man from Ballwin crashed into a pond on the edge of town which ended in his death. The man drove into a stop sign, through a concrete structure, and into the body of water. By the time a passerby saw the submerged vehicle and called for help, it was too late. For reference, here are some crash statistics from 2011 on the City of Ballwin:

• 16 crashes involved drinking.
• 117 crashes were by young drivers.
• 161 crashes were by older drivers.
• 67 crashes involved a fixed object (median, light pole, etc.)
• Of the crashes that took place in 2011, 1 fatality and 88 injuries resulted.

A car accident situation is stressful, especially if you've never experienced it before.

Here is what you should do if you get in an accident (according to Esurance):

• If you can, move your vehicle to a safe area. Staying in the way of the road can make you and ongoing drivers less safe. Then, turn your hazard lights on.
• Turn the vehicle off and exit. Damaged vehicles can be unpredictable, so it's best to get out once the vehicle is stopped and you know you can exit safely.
• Make sure anyone else involved in the crash is okay. It's usually best to call 911 even if injuries are minor. For fatal crashes, you may end up filing a wrongful death lawsuit.
• Gather information. Try to obtain names, license plate numbers, insurance information, vehicle information, contact info of those involved in the accident, and the location of the accident.
• Photograph the scene. You want the resultant legal process to reflect the accident accurately and without any guessing, so taking photos will help.
• Talk to your insurer. Your insurer will largely decide how you'll be compensated for the damages incurred from the accident. If you're in the Ballwin area, you may need to contact a Ballwin car accident lawyer.

Whether you've never been in an accident or simply want to be better prepared when driving in Ballwin, there are plenty of precautions you should take.

Here are some tips for staying safe on the road and avoiding disaster:

• Keep a first aid kit and jumper cables in your car.
• Make sure you always have proof of insurance, registration, and at least one form of identification in your vehicle. Other information about your healthcare provider, emergency contact, etc. can also be helpful.
• Check your phone battery before driving. It's best to have enough charge to last your entire drive.
• Avoid having lightweight items loose around your car. Lightweight items can easily fly up and create a safety hazard.
• Be familiar with the steps mentioned earlier about dealing with a car accident. TorHoerman Law is a good point of contact if you're seeking a Ballwin car accident lawyer.
• Bonus Tip: Keep a breathalyzer in your car to be sure the driver is always under the legal limit (.08 or higher is considered excessive in Missouri).

Some laws are easier to break than others, especially if you're unaware that the law even exists.

Below are some general laws about driving in Missouri that you should know:

• Missouri uses the "point" system. You receive points when if you break a traffic law. Accumulation of enough points can result in the suspension of your driver's license.
• Passing another vehicle on the shoulder is always illegal.
• Vehicles registered in St. Louis must undergo emissions and safety inspections. The exception is new vehicles that are excused for the first two model years. A new 2018 model car does not need inspections until 2020, for example.
• You must disclose the number of miles on the odometer when selling a vehicle. Tampering with or lying about the odometer's reading is a fraud.
• All Missouri vehicles must have liability insurance.

The statute of limitations is a crucial part of navigating car accident compensation.

This is the length of time that you have to file a lawsuit after an accident. In an accident that causes an injury, the victim has five years from the date of the accident to file suit. If the accident results in death, a family member or other party of the deceased has three years to file suit from the date of the victim's death.

Comparative negligence is another part of the legal process that may affect your decision to go to court. If you go to court after an accident, it's possible that neither you nor the defendant is fully to blame for the accident. In Missouri, the court will decide what percentage of the accident was your fault, and they deduct this percentage from the damages you can recover. If they decide the crash was 10% your fault, your recoverable damages would go from $10,000 to $9,000 (liability).

If you've endured a car accident in Ballwin, consulting a personal injury lawyer may be your next step. TorHoerman Law houses an experienced team of lawyers who are ready to help.

Give us a call at 314-325-1369 for a free consultation, and we could be your Ballwin car accident lawyer.