Walking While Intoxicated Is A Major Cause Of Pedestrian Deaths

Walking home after a few drinks may seem like a safer alternative to getting behind the wheel, however a new study released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that walking while intoxicated is a major cause of pedestrian deaths.

In 2011 alone, 35 percent of pedestrians killed had a BAC level above the legal limit for driving, which is .08 or higher. The largest age range of pedestrians killed is the 25-34 year old range, accounting for 50 percent of the alcohol related pedestrian fatalities. Overall, pedestrian deaths are up 3 percent from 2010.

In response to the increase in pedestrian deaths, the NHTSA has created the "Everyone Is A Pedestrian" campaign.

The following are safety tips for pedestrians from the NHTSA:

• Be predictable. Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals. 
• Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available. 
• If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible. 
• Keep alert at all times; don't be distracted by electronic devices that take your eyes (and ears) off the road. 
• Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections whenever possible. This is where drivers expect pedestrians. 
Look for cars in all directions - including those turning left or right. 
• If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic. Wait for a gap in traffic that allows you enough time to cross safely, and continue to watch for traffic as you cross.
• Never assume a driver sees you. Make eye contact with drivers as they approach you to make sure you are seen.
• Be visible at all times. Wear bright clothing during the day, and wear reflective materials or use a flashlight at night.
• Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways, or backing up in parking lots.
• Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking; they impair your abilities and judgment too.

The following are safety tips for drivers from the NHTSA:

• Look out for pedestrians everywhere, at all times. Safety is a shared responsibility. 
• Use extra caution when driving in hard- to-see conditions, such as nighttime or in bad weather. 
• Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk. 
• Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and stop well back from the crosswalk to give other vehicles an opportunity to see the crossing pedestrians so they can stop too. 
• Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. There may be people crossing that you can't see.
• Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
• Follow the speed limit, especially around people on the street.
• Follow slower speed limits in school zones and in neighborhoods where there are children present.
• Be extra cautious when backing up - pedestrians can move into your path.

Contact the St. Louis Personal Injury Attorneys of The Glassman Law Firm at 314-446-6000 if you or a loved one has been injured or killed as a result of a pedestrian accident.

Brain And Spinal Cord Injuries In Missouri

Catastrophic injuries to the brain and spinal cord present the most severe challenges that an injury victim and his family will ever face. When these tragedies strike, the most critical need is to immediately secure the best possible medical care. Over the next few weeks, after the injury has been fully evaluated and the patient stabilized, it is vital to seek the legal representation of an experienced trial attorney who can:

• coordinate all available insurance benefits;
• investigate all private and governmental disability benefits;
• assist in the provision of all necessary medical care;
• commence an early investigation of the incident that caused the injury; and
• begin the comprehensive process of assessing and proving all of the ways in which the victim’s life has been permanently altered, and the legal damages to be sought.

Traumatic Brain Injury

If a person could choose one organ of his body he would never wish to be injured, it would certainly have to be his brain. His abilities, enjoyment of life, relationships and personality - - - the things that comprise his life - - - are all impacted by a brain injury. Those who are disabled by severe brain injuries suffer shortened life spans and work expectancies, the proof of which generally requires the expert testimony of vocational economists and life care planners.

Aside from severely disabling brain injuries, over one million people suffer mild to moderate brain injuries annually as a result of bicycle and pedestrian accidents, falls, on-the-job injuries, and sporting accidents. A National Institute of Health brain injury working group estimates that the largest group of people suffering mild to moderate brain injuries are in the 15 to 24-year-old age group. Many of these injuries involve subtle damage to the brain which is not necessarily revealed by standard neurodiagnostic imaging such as CT and MRI scanning. To fully demonstrate and prove legal damages in these cases, trial lawyers often retain the expert services of biomechanical engineers, neurophyschologists, and neurologists, as well as vocational economists.

The staff at The Glassman Law Firm is committed to spending time with these injury victims and their families in order to determine the substantial changes in the victim’s “before” and “after” injury condition so that appropriate damages may be recovered.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Every year 8,000-10,000 Americans suffer non-fatal spinal cord injuries that impact their medical, psychological, and economic well-being. As in the case of brain injuries, many spinal cord injuries occur as a result of motor vehicle accidents, recreational, and on-the-job incidents, most commonly striking males below the age of 35.

These injuries require comprehensive medical and therapeutic management of the immediate condition, and often a lifetime of rehabilitation and learning to cope with permanent disabilities. Proof of these losses require a trial attorney to retain the services of expert therapists, physicians, rehabilitation specialists and life care planners.

The professionals at The Glassman Law Firm are committed to guiding these unfortunate victims and their families through the legal process to assure they receive maximum benefits in order to facilitate the most favorable long-term outcomes.

If your loved one has suffered a brain or spinal cord injury contact The Glassman Law Firm to arrange a confidential and comprehensive discussion of the complex issues that need to be addressed.

Please see our Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Resources / Links.

MDOT launches Pedestrian Safety Campaign- 2011 Statistics Show Pedestrian Accidents on the Rise in Missouri

Photo credit anankkml

According to a recent article, pedestrian accidents are rising in Missouri, worrying officials. The article states, “After just nine months in 2011, the number of pedestrian traffic deaths is nearly equal to those experienced in 2010,” reports the Missouri Department of Transportation. “In fact, during the first quarter of 2011, 21 pedestrian deaths were recorded, compared to nine during the same period in 2010.”

As a St. Louis pedestrian accident attorney I find these statistics disturbing. Why is this happening? The experts don’t know, and it appears there are no patterns to point to the increase. “Slightly more pedestrians died last year on city streets (31) than on interstates or rural stretches of highway (28). And the 941 injuries in Missouri towns were more than triple those on the long-haul routes,” the article states. 

Motorists are required to do everything they can to avoid hitting pedestrians. That means slowing down or stopping as they approach crosswalks or intersections where pedestrians may be present. However, pedestrians have a responsibility to use good judgment and do their part to prevent an accident. "It's a two-way street," said Brent Hugh, Executive Director of the Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation. "Drivers need to watch and drive with care around pedestrians, and pedestrians need to look for cars. Even when the pedestrian has the right of way, that right won't stop an oncoming vehicle."

The article states a few tips on how to stay safe as a pedestrian, “When walking by a road, walk against the traffic; when crossing one, always be aware that your electronic devices may be making you vulnerable. Try to make eye contact with the drivers, but never assume you have been seen when you step out into traffic.” 

In fact, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MDOT) has launched a new pedestrian safety campaign on their website with the slogan “Be Safe, Be Seen, Arrive Alive.”

As a pedestrian accident attorney, if you have questions or concerns about a pedestrian accident or pedestrian injury, please reach out to me at www.glassmanlegal.com.

Be safe and take good care ~ Attorney Stephen Glassman, Glassman Legal

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