Bicycle Safety

Row of bicycles parked in a line under trees in the park

Helmets A cyclist’s first line of defense against injury is a helmet. However, helmet size varies across manufacturers, so you should take the time to ensure your helmet fits correctly. A list of sizes by manufacture can be found at https://helmets.org/, and fitting tips can be found at https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/8019_fitting-a-helmet.pdf. Decreasing Crash Risks The main types of crashes…

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Boater Safety

Boat compass on a steering wheel with lake in the background

Hitting the lake or river for some recreation may be at the top of your list this summer. Before launch, you need to be familiar with all requirements and safety standards. Let us take a look at the requirements by state. Missouri – In Missouri, to legally operate a motorboat or personal watercraft (PWC), an individual…

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4th of July Safety

Person holding a sparkler in their hands during a celebration

There is nothing more American than celebrating the nation’s Independence Day with your loved ones and friends. The 2021 holiday marks the resumption of pre-COVID-19 travel. Many will be on the roads and flying for the holiday. Although the celebrations can generate a lot of summertime fun, they are not without their risks. Here are…

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Facts About Brain Injuries

Illustration of a brain showing the impact of injury with red and blue highlights

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or a hit to the body, causing the head and brain to move back and forth quickly. Sudden movements, such as those experienced in car accidents, can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull,…

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How the Use of Cell Phones Has Changed Driving

A distracted driver holding a smartphone while operating a vehicle, illustrating the dangers of texting while driving.

Over the past few decades, cell phones have become an integral part of our lives, transforming how we communicate and navigate daily tasks. However, with this evolution, cell phone use has introduced significant safety concerns, especially when it comes to driving. What started as a tool for emergencies has now become one of the leading…

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Hang Up Or Pay Up

Truck driver using phone while driving, distracted.

As we discussed in our previous blog, Missouri semi-wrecks are on the rise. Due to their foreboding size and weight, semi-trucks and tractor-trailers can cause severe injuries and death. In May 2012, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) made it illegal for commercial drivers to operate hand-held mobile devices while operating a vehicle. Research…

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Missouri Truck Wrecks Are on The Rise

Large semi-truck driving on a highway at sunset

Despite significantly reduced travel due to COVID-19, the Missouri collision fatality count increased in 2020. There were 988 Missouri traffic fatalities recorded in 2020. State law enforcement attributes this increase to speeding and encourages slower driving speeds. The Missouri Highway Patrol has ramped up its monitoring of the state’s roadways. Motorists are cautioned, that the…

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ATV Injuries and Deaths in 2020

ATV racing on rugged terrain

The year 2020 has seen a surge of injuries and deaths related to the operation of ATVs, UTVs, and other recreational vehicles in Missouri and the Kansas City area. In early August, one teen girl was killed and her passenger was seriously injured after they lost control of the Polaris UTV they were operating on…

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An Attorney Reflects During Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

Motorcycle on the ground after colliding with a parked car

Riding a motorcycle is obviously more dangerous than traveling in an automobile. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcycles account for less than 5 percent of all registered vehicles yet every year motorcyclists account for approximately 15 percent of all traffic fatalities. On the basis of accident rates per vehicle mile traveled,…

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Insurance Coverage For Trucking Accidents is Too Low

Close-up of a semi truck driving on a highway

We are regularly contacted by people who have been involved in motor vehicle crashes with semi trucks in the Kansas City area. The commercial trucking industry is one we are very familiar with and we have handled these types of cases many times over the years. This is an area of the law in which…

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