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Post Date: January 24th, 2011
 When winter strikes, motorists have to take extra care to avoid getting into an accident. As a St. Louis, Missouri car accident attorney, I know that winter weather causes numerous accidents each year in Missouri. In recent days, the St. Louis area has been flooded with hundreds of car accidents, which has caused many injuries. Winter weather usually creeps up on us in the Midwest and for some reason many drivers forget the basics of driving in Missouri’s bad weather.
In order to prevent more accidents on the roads in Missouri, I want to give motorists a few tips for safer driving in winter weather. The best way to avoid getting into an accident is to not get on the road unless you have no choice. If you do have to be out on the road, remember that it can take a lot longer to stop when ice and snow are on the roads. In Missouri, black top roads hide ice conditions, which is commonly called “black ice.” Just because you cannot see the ice does not mean it doesn’t exist. In order to avoid rear-ending another vehicle, give yourself enough room between you and the vehicle ahead. When driving on clear roads, a good rule of thumb is to stay one car length for every 10 mph you are traveling. When winter weather hits, that rule of thumb should be doubled for your safety. Another way to protect yourself on winter roads is to practice defensive driving. Anticipating the young or inexperienced driver will help you avoid a collision when they pull out in front of you. Anticipating the moves of the car ahead of you will also protect you. Some inexperienced drivers will wait too long to brake and they end up slamming on their brakes. As you have heard many times before, texting or using your cell phone can be dangerous. If it is dangerous on clear roads, then it is even more dangerous to attempt to text, talk, or surf the web while driving on icy roads. If you follow these Missouri winter driving tips, you’ll be able to better protect yourself from a car accident. Sometimes no matter how hard you try, short of never leaving the house, an inexperienced or negligent driver will cause an accident and injury. If you find yourself the victim of a car accident, call an experienced Missouri car wreck injury attorney to help deal with the insurance company. If you have been injured during the winter months, please call 888.956.2487 to speak to an experienced motor vehicle accident attorney right way. ****************************************** Joshua P. Myers is the owner and President of Myers Injury Law, LLC and a founding partner of Schultz & Myers, LLC. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, his personal injury law firm routinely handles motor vehicle accidents that result in personal injury or death throughout the Midwest. If you have been hurt or have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another driver, please contact a motor vehicle accident attorney to learn your rights. It is always free to discuss your case and there are never any attorney’s fees until we recover on your behalf. Posted in Car Accident Advice, MO Car Accidents | No Comments »
Post Date: January 11th, 2011
 When a person is injured in a Missouri motor vehicle accident, their life turns upside down as they receive treatment for their injuries and begin to recover. As a Missouri car accident attorney, I know how difficult a civil lawsuit can be for accident victims, but the challenge is usually worth it in the end. A lot of potential clients ask me how difficult it is to receive compensation for an injury, if they have unrelated medical conditions or unrelated medical treatment. The answer is not always so simple.
Plaintiff lawyers do what they can to keep certain evidence from being heard by a jury such as unrelated medical issues. Unrelated medical treatment can be damaging to a motor vehicle accident victim, but it is not always relevant to the accident in question. I see many defense attorneys try to bring up a Missouri motor vehicle accident victim’s unrelated injuries to convince a jury to award a lower compensation amount. In the Missouri civil case, Senter v. Ferguson, the court allowed the defense attorney to question the Plaintiff about her unrelated injuries that she sustained many years before the motor vehicle accident. The defense argued that the unrelated medical condition was relevant to the case because the Plaintiff said she was in “good health” before the accident occurred. The appellate court of Missouri reversed the motor vehicle accident injury case partially because the Plaintiff’s prior condition was unrelated to her condition after the accident. The Missouri appellate court said, “While we are dubious that this evidence, stretching as it did over a period of seventeen years and covering the ages of 43 to 60, served its purpose of impeachment, we could not sanction its admission even if it did serve the purpose. Irrelevant and immaterial evidence does not become admissible simply to impeach a witness.” This means that even though the medical condition did affect the Plaintiff for a period of time in her life, but the condition did not contribute to the injuries sustained in the Missouri motor vehicle accident. When a driver makes a negligent decision and causes a Missouri motor vehicle accident, the outcome can be life altering for those who are injured. The accident victim has more than enough to worry about without worrying if their civil case will be hurt because of past medical conditions. Motor vehicle accident victims need an experienced attorney on their side to fight for their rights in the courtroom. Our experienced Missouri car wreck attorneys are standing by at 888.956.2487 to help motor vehicle accident victims through a difficult time and stand up for them in court. ******************************************* Joshua P. Myers is the owner and President of Myers Injury Law, LLC and a founding partner of Schultz & Myers, LLC. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, his personal injury law firm routinely handles motor vehicle accidents that result in personal injury or death throughout the Midwest. If you have been hurt or have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another driver, please contact a motor vehicle accident attorney to learn your rights. It is always free to discuss your case and there are never any attorney’s fees until we recover on your behalf. Posted in Car Accident Advice, Car Accident News, Missouri Car Accident Law | No Comments »
Post Date: January 9th, 2011
As motorists we’ve heard many times how important it is to wear a seatbelt while on the road. As a Missouri car accident attorney, I advise drivers to wear the seatbelt every day because now a seatbelt can help or hurt them in a motor vehicle accident civil lawsuit. Missouri motor vehicle attorneys must be careful that certain evidence against the injured person not be held against them such as alcohol or drug use, but now a victim’s failure to wear a seatbelt could limit the amount of money they can receive for compensation. Failure to wear a seat belt is admissible evidence in Missouri civil court cases that involve injury from a car wreck. According to the Missouri Revised Statute § 307.178, “The failure to wear a safety belt may be admitted to mitigate damages, but only when: - there is expert evidence proving that a failure to wear a safety belt contributed to the injuries claimed by plaintiff; and
- may reduce the amount of the plaintiff’s recover by no more than 1%.”
Although 1% may not seem like a large amount, when the victim is looking at several millions of dollars in compensation it adds up to a lot of money. There are several Missouri cases, such as Newman v Ford, which addressed many issues of a Missouri rear end collision where the driver failed to wear a seatbelt. Seatbelts are for our protection on the road and should be worn even if you are just going to the corner store. A seatbelt can protect you from serious injury in the event of a Missouri car accident, and it can help you receive better compensation for your injuries. While on the road, you should always play it safe. Wearing a seatbelt is not an option anymore with the Missouri “click it, or ticket” law, so it is best to protect yourself every time you are in the car. Even when you drive carefully, there are other people on the road that you can’t control and Missouri motor vehicle accidents happen. If a careless driver injures you, call 888.956.2487 to speak to an experienced Missouri motor vehicle accident attorney to discuss your claim and your rights as a victim. *************************** Joshua P. Myers is the owner and President of Myers Injury Law, LLC and a founding partner of Schultz & Myers, LLC. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, his personal injury law firm routinely handles motor vehicle accidents that result in personal injury or death throughout the Midwest. If you have been hurt or have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another driver, please contact a motor vehicle accident attorney to learn your rights. It is always free to discuss your case and there are never any attorney’s fees until we recover on your behalf. For more information regarding a Missouri Car Accident, get a free copy of the book, The 7 Biggest Mistakes That Will Destroy Your Car Accident Case by clicking on the picture of the book.  Tags: accident, attorney, auto, automobile, Car Accident, car crash, car wreck, collision, crash, injured, injury, josh, joshua, lawyer, missouri, myers, personal, seat belt, wreck
Posted in Car Accident Advice, Seatbelts | No Comments »
Post Date: November 22nd, 2010
When you are injured in an auto accident, you have a lot to handle. Treatment and recovery can be stressful enough combined with lost wages and being unable to work. As a Missouri car accident attorney, I urge you to not wait too long to file a personal injury claim after the car accident. Many people believe they have plenty of time after an accident, but there are two factors that car accident victims need to be aware of when it comes to time. The first time constraint will be the law. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Missouri is five years. This means you have five years from the date of injury to bring a case against the person or company liable for the injuries. Don’t put off your personal injury claim for too long because after the statute of limitations is up, there is no way to receive compensation for your injuries. The second time constraint and most inconvenient will be the insurance company. Soon after the accident, the insurance company will try to get you to give them a statement of the accident. I always suggest that my clients NOT give a statement to the insurance company because it could prevent you from receiving the full compensation you deserve. The insurance adjuster will also try to get you to accept a small settlement offer in order to clear it up quickly. If you take this settlement that is all that you will receive regardless if it doesn’t cover treatment needed in the future. If you have been injured in a car accident, please contact a Missouri car accident attorney right away. The insurance adjuster may try to talk you out of an attorney, but he or she does not have your best interest in mind. When it comes to a motor vehicle accident that results in personal injury, insurance companies will do what they can to reduce the amount of money they have to pay out to the injured. Call 888.956.2487 to speak to an experienced Missouri car accident attorney and discuss your rights. Joshua P. Myers is the owner and President of Myers Injury Law, LLC and a founding partner of Schultz & Myers, LLC. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, his Missouri personal injury law firm routinely handles motor vehicle accidents that result in personal injury or death throughout the Midwest. If you have been hurt or have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another driver, please contact a car accident attorney to learn your rights. It is always free to discuss your case and there are never any attorney’s fees until we recover on your behalf. Tags: attorney, auto accident, Car Accident, injured, insurance, law firm, lawyer, missouri, personal injury, recorded statement, st. louis, statute of limitations
Posted in Car Accident Advice, Car Accident Settlements | No Comments »
Post Date: November 21st, 2010
 The holidays are here which means time for family gatherings, parties, and gifts. Traffic during the holidays is the highest of the year because people have planned more activities out of the home. The congestion of the traffic combined with hazardous weather, drunk drivers, and people in a constant hurry makes driving more dangerous. As a St. Louis Car Accident Attorney in Missouri, I want to make sure everyone has a safe holiday so here are some pre-holiday tips to help you stay safe on the road.
- In order to reduce the risk of an auto accident; try to plan your trips when there is less traffic on the road. Traveling during peak holiday times can be dangerous, so try to travel holiday instead of the day before.
- Plan your trip ahead of time to avoid a traffic jam. If you leave early and plan your route according to traffic and road conditions you will be less likely to feel rushed. Not allowing enough time to get to a destination causes people to drive recklessly and put everyone else on the road in danger.
- Always have a safe way home. Drinking and driving kills thousands of people every year and a lot occur during the holiday season. You may not be able to stop other people from drinking and driving, but you can reduce your own risk of an accident because you are able to stay alert and keep a watchful eye on other drivers.
- Be alert. The probability of a car accident during the holidays is high. In order to reduce the risk of an accident you need to be alert. Being alert means avoiding anything that could distract you from concentrating on the road such as talking on the phone or texting while driving.
- Play it safe. You may do everything in your power to avoid being in a motor vehicle accident, but sometimes it just happens. Play it safe and always wear your seat belt just in case you are in an accident.
When you are on the road, you should always play it safe. During the holidays it is especially important to take these tips into consideration to avoid a serious car accident. You have no control over others on the road, but you can do what is necessary to avoid being the cause of an accident. If over the holiday season you are injured in a Missouri car accident due to the negligence of another driver, please call 888.956.2487 to speak to one of our experienced Missouri Car Accident Attorneys. Joshua P. Myers is the owner and President of Myers Injury Law, LLC and a founding partner of Schultz & Myers, LLC. Based in St. Louis, his Missouri Personal Injury Law Firm routinely handles motor vehicle accidents that result in personal injury or death throughout the Midwest. If you have been hurt or have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another driver, please contact a motor vehicle accident attorney to learn your rights. It is always free to discuss your case and there are never any attorney’s fees until we recover on your behalf. Tags: attorney, attorneys, auto accident, Car Accident, car wreck, lawyer, lawyers, missouri, mo, st. louis
Posted in Car Accident Advice | No Comments »
Post Date: November 17th, 2010
 Some people will go through life without ever needing to hire a personal injury attorney, but at some point in time most people will need an experienced Missouri auto accident attorney to fight against the insurance company. Finding an attorney can be nerve racking when you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, but it is in your best interest to recover your medical expenses and receive compensation for the injuries you suffered.
As a personal injury attorney that handles motor vehicle accidents on a daily basis, my best advice is to find an attorney that is passionate about the client’s needs and has a track record of recovering on the client’s behalf. Hiring an attorney that understands what you are going through is important because you have enough to worry about. Attorneys have received a bad name for only taking on high paying cases or overloading themselves with so much work that clients don’t receive the attention they deserve. This reputation is unfortunate when I think about it because it gives the attorneys in Missouri that really care a bad name. Although finding a motor vehicle accident attorney that you can trust is necessary to put your mind at ease, you must also not take your attorney for granted. The right attorney will fight hard against the insurance companies because your quality of life is important. Some people complain about the amount of money an attorney receives when a motor vehicle accident settlement is reached, but they do not realize the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes. A motor vehicle accident claim requires an attorney to do extensive research on the accident and the injuries you are suffering. A lot of time goes into meeting with specialist and trying to negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. The most important thing you can do once you have hired an experienced attorney that has your best interest in mind is to always be honest with him or her. A car accident attorney cannot accurately fight for your personal injury claim if he or she does not have all the facts. The last thing you want to happen is for your claim to be dismissed because the attorney doesn’t know the whole story. The outcome of your case will go much better if you’re honest and appreciate your attorney. Many people try to negotiate with the insurance company without the assistance of a motor vehicle accident attorney, but it rarely works in your favor. The insurance company does not care what your injuries are or how much you suffered due to the negligence of another driver. They only care about how much money they have to pay out, and they will fight to give you the lowest amount possible regardless whether or not it covers your medical expenses. Our experienced motor vehicle accident attorneys care about you and want to see you compensated for your losses. Call 888.956.2487 to speak to an attorney free of charge. They are standing by to help you through this time and will work hard to make sure you receive the compensation you deserve. Joshua P. Myers is the owner and President of Myers Injury Law, LLC and a founding partner of Schultz & Myers, LLC. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, his St. Louis personal injury law firm routinely handles motor vehicle accidents that result in personal injury or death throughout the Midwest. If you have been hurt or have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another driver, please contact a motor vehicle accident attorney to learn your rights. It is always free to discuss your case and there are never any attorney’s fees until we recover on your behalf. Tags: attorney, auto accident, Car Accident, hire, lawyer, motor vehicle, personal injury
Posted in Car Accident Advice | No Comments »
Post Date: November 16th, 2010
When we first started driving, most of us had a wise person tell us that we must always be aware of other drivers on the road. We all do our best to watch the road because it is important to our safety. Unfortunately as a Missouri car accident attorney, I see all too often that we can’t always protect ourselves from a negligent driver. A story of a Washington County car accident that required five people to be hospitalized caught my attention because it is similar to an accident that happened early this month in Jefferson County, Missouri. The two-vehicle accident happened at the intersection of Strange Road and Highway 185 in Washington County, Missouri. Tiffany Puckett was driving her 2003 Ford Focus southbound while Desiree Link was driving northbound also in a 2003 Ford Focus. Link attempted to make a left hand turn, but pulled directly into Puckett’s path. Tiffany Puckett did not have time to respond to Desiree Link’s maneuver and slammed into her passenger side. 16-year-old driver Desiree Link, her three teenage passengers, and Tiffany Puckett were all injured in the accident. Dasia Brewer age 14, Dana McKee age 16, and Thomas Simmons age 18 were taken to the hospital to treat minor injuries. Link and Puckett were not as lucky. They both suffered serious injuries and were given emergency treatment at a local hospital. At the time of the accident, the teenagers in Links Ford Focus were not wearing their seat belt. Not only do I think that Desiree Link was negligent for not yielding to Puckett’s car before turning in front of her, but given her age, there may also be a valid claim for negligent entrustment against the owners of the car. A negligent entrustment claim occurs when the owner allows another driver to operate the vehicle when the owner knows that the driver is unqualified to drive due to inexperience. Often, reason one would pursue a negligent entrustment claim against the owner of the car in addition to a negligence claim against the driver, in this case Puckett, is to find additional insurance coverage. Often times, drivers do not carry enough insurance to fully compensate those injured by their reckless driving. The role of a good Missouri personal injury lawyer is to investigate every avenue of insurance coverage in order to maximize your car accident settlement. When a negligent driver causes a motor vehicle accident, the outcome can be life altering for those who are injured. The victims of a motor vehicle accident no only have to deal with a damaged vehicle; they also have to deal with their injuries, loss of wages, and recovery. If you have been in a motor vehicle accident that caused injuries, please contact an experienced attorney immediately. With everything that you have to go through after an accident, you need someone to fight against the insurance company. Our experienced motor vehicle accident attorneys help people deal with the aftermath of a car accident because you shouldn’t have to face it by yourself. If you would like to discuss your case with one of our Washington County Car Accident Attorneys feel free to call us at 888.956.2487. Joshua P. Myers is the owner and President of Myers Injury Law, LLC and a founding partner of Schultz & Myers, LLC. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, his personal injury law firm routinely handles motor vehicle accidents that result in personal injury or death throughout the Midwest. If you have been hurt or have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another driver, please contact a motor vehicle accident attorney to learn your rights. It is always free to discuss your case and there are never any attorney’s fees until we recover on your behalf. Tags: Car Accident, dana mckee, dasia brewer, desiree link, thomas simmons, tiffany puckett, washington county
Posted in car accident, Car Accident Advice, Car Accident News, car wreck, MO Car Accidents, Washington County Car Accidents | No Comments »
Post Date: November 3rd, 2010
We want to believe that our car insurance company is working for us, but that is not always the case. Missouri car accident lawyers and personal injury lawyers across the nation are paying special attention to insurance companies that are denying personal injury claims from a motor vehicle accident. Recently Fox Business News issued a special alert to personal injury victims that America’s major insurance companies are systematically refusing personal injury claims for motor vehicle accidents that involve first responders. State Farm Insurance, among other insurance companies, admits denying personal injury claims where the victim is charged for emergency response personnel arriving at the scene. State Farm will cover the costs of having a victim extracted from a vehicle with the Jaws of Life. What does this mean for people injured in a Missouri car accident? It means that now more than ever personal injury victims need an experienced motor vehicle accident attorney on their side. In light of this change, the first thing a person should do when involved in an accident is to contact an experienced personal injury attorney in your area. There is no need to attempt to negotiate a settlement on your own since the insurance companies are denying any personal injury claims that involve first responders. With an attorney on your side, you don’t have to worry about the insurance claims adjuster giving you a lowball offer or completely denying your personal injury claim. So what are Missouri drivers entitled to when they are injured in a motor vehicle accident? If you are injured and require medical attention, you should be compensated for your medical expenses. Aside from the medical expenses, you are also entitled to be compensated for lost wages, emotional distress, and any pain and suffering that was caused by a car accident. Don’t let the insurance companies take advantage of you when you are involved in a motor vehicle accident that causes personal injury. Regardless whether the insurance company only considers your injuries to be minor, you are entitled to your losses. As a motor vehicle accident attorney, I encourage you to consult an attorney experienced in personal injury to fight for your claim. Call 888.856.2487 to speak to an attorney about your claim and protect yourself against the insurance companies. Joshua P. Myers is the owner and President of Myers Injury Law, LLC and a founding partner of Schultz & Myers, LLC. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, his personal injury law firm routinely handles personal injury claims for motor vehicle accidents that result in personal injury or death in the Midwest. If you have been hurt or have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another driver, please contact a motor vehicle accident attorney to learn your rights. It is always free to discuss your case and there are never any attorney’s fees until we recover on your behalf. Tags: attorney, attorneys, Car Accident, claims, insurance, lawyer, lawyers, personal injury, state farm
Posted in Car Accident Advice, Car Accident News | No Comments »
Post Date: October 17th, 2010
 Having a late model car with all the recommended safety features may not be enough to save you from serious injury if you are unfortunate enough to be struck head-on. As a Missouri Car Accident Lawyer, I have acted for many people who have suffered the serious consequences of being involved in a head-on crash through no fault of their own.
Take, for example, the case of the multiple-car crash in Eureka MO., and the Muxlow family who were out in their late model Camry when they were hit head-on with such force that the Impala that struck them, driven by a 20-year-old man, became airborne and hit a stationary SUV in the vicinity. Every member of the family in the Camry, a late model car, suffered either serious or moderate injuries. The driver of the Impala, who may not have been wearing a seatbelt seeing as he was catapulted out of his vehicle, was killed. As luck would have it, the occupant of the SUV was not seriously hurt, but it does not take a lot of imagination to figure out that she will be suffering shock for a long time to come and could even have difficulties taking to the roads again. How does an accident like this happen and what can be done to prevent it or minimize damage and injuries? Reports suggest that the young man driving the Impala crossed the center line for reasons unknown. Perhaps this young man was distracted at the wheel; recent studies show that men are more easily distracted than women by all sorts of things. Could a cellphone have been involved? At 20 years of age, this unfortunate young man represents a prime example of the statistics that reveal that young men, being risk-takers, are most likely to cause accidents. Not wearing a seatbelt is certainly to put you at risk. While this is a tragedy for the young man’s family, it is also devastating for the Muxlow family, all of whom were injured in some way. Some of these injuries are serious. Just imagine what the future holds if the main income earner is unable to provide for the family as before. Does it seem right to you that a family have their life torn apart like this without restitution? It certainly does not seem right to me. People suffer this type of traumatic out of the blue on our roads and highways need the support and advice that can be gained by contacting a Missouri Car Accident Attorney. Joshua P. Myers is the President and owner of Myers Injury Law, LLC and founding partner of Schultz & Myers, LLC. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, the Firm specializes in severe car accidents throughout all of Missouri. If you have been injured in a car accident, it is always free to discuss your case directly with Josh Myers by calling 888-956-2487. Tags: accident, car, centerline, crossed, Eureka, fatal car accident, killed, missouri, mo, muxlow
Posted in Car Accident Advice, Fatal Car Accident | No Comments »
Post Date: October 14th, 2010
 As a St. Louis car accident attorney, I meet with many clients who have been injured due to the negligence of another driver. Many victims of an automobile accident have severe injuries that require very expensive treatments. Most clients come to me believing that the negligent driver’s insurance will cover all of their expenses, but unfortunately that is not always true.
The insurance company of the negligent driver only has to pay the policy limit for the injuries sustained in an automobile accident, which means if you have $100,000 dollars in medical expenses and the other driver’s policy limit is $25,000, the most you can recover from them is the $25,000.00. Because most drivers try to save money by only paying for the lowest policy limit, it is beneficial to carry underinsured motorist insurance to protect yourself in case of an accident. Underinsured motorist coverage helps to cover the remaining medical expenses that the other driver’s insurance does not. It allows you to recover for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages for your personal injury such as pain and suffering. With underinsured motorist coverage on your insurance policy, you are better protected from having to pay for your injuries out of your own pocket. Underinsured motorist insurance does have limits. The more coverage you want, the higher your premium will be. As scary as a higher premium sounds, underinsured motorist insurance is fairly inexpensive. If you do not have underinsured motorist insurance in your policy, I suggest that you add it to protect yourself. I recommend that everyone should carry a minimum of $100,000 in underinsured motorist coverage, so they are not left with a high bill in the event of an accident. Joshua P. Myers is the owner and President of Myers Injury Law, LLC. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, he is an expert Missouri car accident attorney that routinely handles personal injuries that result of someone else’s negligence. If you have suffered an injury from an automobile accident, please contact us attorney to learn your rights. Our car accident attorneys are standing by to help you through this time of crisis. It is always free to discuss your case with us and we never charge attorney’s fees until we recover on your behalf. If you would like to discuss a case, please feel free to call at 314-720-2706 or toll-free at 888-956-2487. Tags: accident, attorney, attorneys, car, coverage, injury, insurance, lawyer, lawyers, missouri, motorist, underinsured
Posted in Car Accident Advice, Missouri Underinsured Motorist Coverage | No Comments »
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