Four Children and two adults were taken to a local hospital after a two vehicles recently collided at the intersection of Minerva and Belt Avenues in North St. Louis. The car crash reportedly occurred when a motorist, who had been pulled over for a traffic stop, tried to speed away from the traffic officer and, when doing so, hit another vehicle and then a bicyclist.
While the investigation into this wreck is still ongoing, initial police reports indicate that the driver who attempted to speed away from the traffic stop has been taken into custody.
Majority of Car Accidents Caused by Driver Misbehaviors
Two-thirds of drivers are distracted in the seconds leading right up to a car accident, according to research done at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute. Smartphones or cell phones topped the list as the most common cause of car accidents. Here’s a listing of the most common forms of distracted driving:
- Talking or texting on cell phone or smartphone
- Reading or writing
- Reaching for something in the vehicle
- Using a GPS navigations system
- Using other dashboard touchscreen controls
Officials have determined that distracted activities more than double the risk of a car accident.
“We tend to underestimate the hazards of driving because we do it so often and it’s a critical part of daily life, but we shouldn’t take our safety for granted,” said Dr. Sandhya Nagubadi, an internal medicine physician on staff at Advocate South Suburban Hospital in Hazel Crest, Ill.2
Distraction-Free Driving Requires Planning
The following is a list of some helpful suggestions on staying safe and preparing before you plan a car trip:
- Get your route mapped out and onscreen before heading down the road.
- Select your music playlist before leaving your parking spot.
- Don’t primp or put on any makeup or personal items while you are driving.
- Don’t eat food while driving.
- Wake up earlier for appointments, so you are not rushed.
- Don’t drive while you are tired, drowsy or after taking medicine that can negatively affected your alertness.
- Offer friends and family a ride along, because National Safety Council research found that adult passengers could help by assisting in navigation.
Not only could distracted driving cause you to get a traffic ticket when you are discovered to be distracted while driving, but you could face a lawsuit for liability of negligent driving.
Contact a St Louis Car Accident Lawyer at Brown & Brown Attorneys at Law
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a car crash or any type of traffic collision, contact an experienced St Louis car accident lawyer at Brown & Brown Attorneys at Law by calling 573-333-3333 for our Missouri office or at 618-888-8888 for our Illinois office. You can also email us using the form at the right-hand side of the screen.
When you contact us, you can get straightforward answers and advice regarding your rights and your best recovery options. If you choose to move forward with us, you will not have to pay any fees until or unless there is a recovery for your claim.
