St Louis Car Accident Injury Lawyers
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Car Accidents
Over 307 million people reside in the United States. In Missouri, there are about 5.9 million residents, with over 350,000 of those people living in St. Louis, which is the second largest city in the state. In the large metropolis, there are about 5,616 people per square mile, and such population density results in traffic congestion, accidents, and other city planning issues. The Greater St. Louis area has a population of over 2.8 million, making it the largest urban area in Missouri and the fifteenth largest in the U.S.
With so many people living on approximately 66 square miles of land, traffic accidents are bound to occur, and unfortunately, they do.
In 2009, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 33,808 people died in motor vehicle accidents in the U.S. An additional 2.2 million people were injured in these crashes. In Missouri, 878 people lost their lives in a motor vehicle accident in 2009, making it the eleventh most deadly state in the country in regards to car crashes.
Causes of Car Accidents
There are many events and circumstances that can cause a St. Louis car accident. One of the major causes of crashes in the U.S. is distracted driving, which is when a driver pays attention to something other than operating their motor vehicle, such as their cell phone or mp3 player.
Another cause of car collisions is excessive speeding by a driver. The more someone speeds, the shorter their reaction time will be to prevent an auto accident. Drunk driving is also a serious problem in the United States and in St. Louis, and accounts for approximately 40 percent of all traffic accidents in the country.
A motorist driving recklessly can also cause a car crash, whether by tailgating another vehicle too closely or changing lanes too fast. Driving while fatigued, which often occurs in St. Louis truck accidents, can result in a motorist falling asleep at the wheel and losing control of their vehicle, causing a crash.
There are other factors besides driver behavior that can cause a St. Louis auto accident. Poor driving conditions, such as inclement weather like heavy rain, ice, snow, or fog, or badly kept roads with potholes or leftover debris from a previous accident can result in a car crash. Manufacturing defects, such as a faulty auto part on a motor vehicle, can also cause a vehicle to be pre-disposed to a crash.
Car Accident Injuries
Injuries sustained in St. Louis car collisions can vary. The most common injuries suffered by victims of a car crash include:
- head and face injuries;
- lacerations and bruises;
- fractures;
- dental injuries;
- brain injuries (concussions);
- neck injuries (whiplash)
- sprains;
- disc injuries;
- shoulder and arm injuries;
- dislocations;
- back and spine injuries;
- various leg, knee, and foot injuries;
- hip injuries; and
- psychological "injuries" which may include post-traumatic stress disorder.
Depending on the severity of the accident, more serious injuries can occur, resulting in broken bones, paralysis, or even death.
If you have been injured in a St. Louis car crash because of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled for compensation. Damages could include coverage for hospital bills, ongoing medical expenses if further treatment is needed, loss of present and future wages, pain and suffering, vehicle damage, and more.
An experienced St. Louis car accident attorney can help you understand your legal rights and options following a car crash in Missouri. At Page Law, we offer free consultations for anyone who has questions about their St. Louis car accident case. Call us today at 314-322-8515.
St. Louis Personal Injury Resource Center
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