Fatal Missouri auto accident sparks talk of national cell phone ban

A deadly multi-vehicle, auto accident this year in Missouri has prompted a federal agency to recommend banning the use of cell phones while driving, including hands-free cell phone devices. The National Transportation Safety Board noted a 19-year-old driver in Gray Summit, Missouri, triggered a four-vehicle pileup involving two school buses that left two people dead and 38 injured. The teenage driver sent or received 11 text messages in 11 minutes prior to the fatal auto accident.

Such behavior shows that drivers are not focused on the road when using a cell phone for any reason, according to NTSB chairman Deborah Herman. “It’s about not being engaged at the task at hand,” she said. “Lives are being lost in the blink of an eye.” Reports of the NTSB’s recommendation made national news.

Texting drivers in Missouri put everyone’s lives at risk. In an instant, you or someone you love can sustain a serious or fatal injury. Knowing what to do afterwards can be confusing. Questions often lead to more questions. You need an experienced texting auto accident attorney in Missouri on your side. You need Castle Law Office of Kansas City. Serving clients throughout Missouri and Kansas, a distracted driving attorney in Kansas City, MO at our law firm may be able to help you get the justice you rightfully deserve. We pride ourselves on our attention to detail and commitment to clients. Put your trust in an auto accident attorney in Kansas City who puts people first. Contact Castle Law Office of Kansas City.

Nationwide, 35 states ban texting while driving. In addition, nine states prohibit the use of hand-held phones. No states completely restrict drivers from using cell phones. That should change, Herman said. She compared using a cell phone while driving to drunk driving. “It’s going to be very unpopular with some people,” Herman said, referring to the idea of completely banning drivers from using cell phones. “We’re not here to win a popularity contest. We’re here to do the right thing.”

If you or someone you love has been injured in an auto accident in Kansas or Missouri, take action. Contact Castle Law Office of Kansas City. We’re on your side.

Texting auto accidents happen fast in Missouri and Kansas

21
Oct 2011
By: admin

A recent study revealed startling information about the effect of texting on a driver’s reaction time. Drivers react twice as slow while texting, according to a study conducted on an actual road using real drivers. Similar studies previously conducted using driving simulation machines seemed to indicate that drivers reacted slower while texting. This study conducted by the Texas Transportation Institute confirmed what many researchers have suspected for a long time: texting severely interferes with a driver’s ability to concentrate on the road.

What would you do if a texting driver hit your vehicle? You need a determined texting accident attorney in Missouri on your side. You need Castle Law Office of Kansas City. Serving clients throughout Missouri and Kansas, an experienced distracted driving attorney in Kansas City, MO at our law firm can give you the attention you rightfully deserve after your accident. Don’t leave your future to chance. Contact an auto accident lawyer in Kansas City with years of experience fighting for clients. Contact Castle Law Office of Kansas City.

Using a closed road, the scientific test involved drivers attempting to read or write a text message while driving on an open road and a section of roadway lined with construction barrels. Drivers participating in the study were then asked to respond to a periodic flashing light. The drivers who were not texting responded to the flashing light in one to two seconds. The test subjects texting while driving responded in three to four seconds. The texting drivers were also 11 times more likely to not respond at all to the flashing light.

Accidents happen fast. Every second counts during and after an accident. Don’t suffer in silence. Contact a Missouri lawyer who can handle your accident and will work tirelessly to deliver the results you rightfully deserve. Contact Castle Law Office of Kansas City – fighting for justice for you!

Pedestrians texting put themselves in danger in Missouri and Kansas

Texting is an easy way to stay in touch. Texting can also be extremely dangerous, even while simply crossing the street. A recent scientific study found that texting while crossing the street significantly increases the chances of a pedestrian texting accident. Specifically, pedestrians texting are four times more likely to be hit by a vehicle while crossing the street than non-texting pedestrians, according to research conducted by the Youth Safety Laboratory at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Injures involving texting happen all the time in Missouri and Kansas. Pedestrians get injured while texting. Motorists texting while driving cause serious auto accidents. If you’ve been injured in an accident due to someone else’s reckless behavior, take action. Contact a Missouri personal injury attorney who means business. Contact Castle Law Office of Kansas City. Renowned throughout Missouri and Kansas, the Kansas City, MO personal injury attorneys at our law firm have a well-earned reputation for their knowledge, experience and tireless work ethic. We know what it takes to win and we will fight vigorously to get you the compensation you rightfully deserve. Don’t leave your future to chance. Contact a Kansas City personal injury lawyer dedicated to getting results. Contact Castle Law Office of Kansas City.

Pedestrians put themselves at risk every time they walk on the street. More than 59,000 pedestrians are injured each year in accidents. In 2009, a total of 4,092 pedestrians were killed in auto accidents, according to the latest statistics compiled by the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration.

Texting while driving plays a large role in why distracted drivers cause pedestrian accidents. A Nationwide Insurance study showed that 20 percent of drivers on the road are texting while behind the wheel. This figure jumps to 66 percent for drivers 18 to 24 years old.

Serious accidents demand serious attention. Choose a law firm you can trust to put your interests first. Choose Castle Law Office of Kansas City. We’re on your side.

Grandchildren safer in vehicles driven by Missouri and Kansas grandparents

Which family member are children safest with riding in a vehicle? The answer – grandparents. That’s the finding of a recent scientific study reported recently in Time Magazine. Specifically, children are twice as safe when their grandparents are driving instead of their parents.

Accidents happen fast. Knowing what to do can be confusing. You need a Missouri personal injury attorney with experience handling such complicated cases. You need Castle Law Office of Kansas City. Representing clients throughout Missouri and Kansas, we have a renowned reputation as a first-class auto accident law firm. Our knowledgeable Kansas City, MO personal injury attorneys work tirelessly with one goal in mind: to get you the compensation you rightfully deserve. Don’t leave your future to chance. Contact a Kansas City personal injury lawyer dedicated to getting results. Contact Castle Law Office of Kansas City.

Understanding accidents statistics for older drivers can be confusing. The odds of getting in a fatal accident increase dramatically for drivers over 75 years old, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Even so, older drivers are some of the most responsible drivers. Drivers over 65 years old have much fewer drunk driving accidents compared to drivers 21 to 64 years old. An estimated 77 percent of drivers over 65 years old also wear their seatbelts compared to 63 percent of drivers 18 to 64 years old.

A serious auto accident can turn your life upside down. In a matter of seconds, your quality of life can be changed forever due to a reckless driver. Don’t let someone else’s irresponsible behavior ruin your life. Take back control. Contact Castle Law Office of Kansas City. Our lawyers have dedicated their careers to helping people injured by other drivers in an accident. We know what it takes to win. Put the power of a tough Kansas City lawyer behind your case. Contact Castle Law Office of Kansas City. We mean business!

Teenage drivers put Kansas and Missouri drivers at risk during summer

What would you do if you were seriously injured in a car accident caused by a teen driver in Missouri or Kansas this summer? Such accidents are far more common than many people may realize. More deadly auto accidents involving teen drivers happen between Memorial Day and Labor Day than any other time of the year, according to an auto accident study by AAA.

Serious injuries demand serious attention. This may be your only shot at justice. Don’t take chances. Consult a Missouri car accident attorney with experience handling such complicated cases. Choose Castle Law Office of Kansas City. Respected throughout Missouri and Kansas, we have a well-earned reputation as a first-class auto accident law firm. Our knowledgeable Kansas City, MO auto accident attorneys will pore over the facts in your case. We often find crucial details others miss that could be vital to winning your case. Contact a Kansas City car accident lawyer dedicated to getting results. Contact Castle Law Office of Kansas City.

Auto accidents caused by teenage drivers occur for a wide variety of reasons. Speeding is often a factor in crashes caused by teen drivers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Drunk driving also often plays a role, especially among male drivers 15 to 20 years old, according to the CDC.

Teen driving accidents kill thousands every year. In 2009, more than 3,000 teens between ages 15 to 19 were killed and 350,000 were injured nationwide in accidents. And summer’s even deadlier than the rest of the year. Between 2005 and 2009, more than 7,300 passengers and drivers ages 13 to 19 were killed in car crashes between Memorial Day and Labor Day, reports AAA.

Everyone loses when teenagers cause serious accidents in Kansas and Missouri. Their family and yours can instantly be changed forever. Dealing with the aftermath of such a traumatic event can be extremely difficult. We can help.  We have years of experience working with families to resolve such cases. Put the power of Castle Law Office of Kansas City to work for you. We’re on your side.

Fatal car accidents cost Missouri and Kansas billions of dollars, too many lives

Each year, motor vehicle crash-related deaths in the United States result in an estimated $41 billion in medical and work loss costs, according to state-by-state estimates released recently by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In Missouri, the figure is $1.07 billion per year. In Kansas, it’s $433 million annually.

Expenses add up fast after an accident. Keeping up with your bills can be a nightmare.  You need a determined Missouri car accident lawyer on your side. You need Castle Law Office of Kansas City. Every day, we provide first-class service to clients throughout Missouri and Kansas. Let our experienced Kansas City, MO auto accident attorneys give you the attention you rightfully deserve. Don’t leave your future to chance. Contact a Kansas City auto accident lawyer with years of experience fighting for clients. Contact Castle Law Office of Kansas City.

The CDC estimates fatal car crashes cost Missouri $1.06 billion each year in lost work and $10 million annually in medical costs. In Kansas, fatal auto accidents cost the state $428 million in lost work and $5 million in medical costs. The figures for lost work are especially high since they represent the amount of money crash victims would have earned during their lifetimes.

How would your family survive financially after an accident? How would you pay your bills? Confused? Scared? We can help! Contact Castle Law Office of Kansas City. Our dedicated lawyers have years of experience helping families get back on their feet after a traumatic accident. Let us deal with the insurance companies while you focus on your recovery.

Contact a law firm that cares. Contact Castle Law Office of Kansas City. We’re on your side.

Auto accidents with uninsured drivers linked to unemployment in MO and KS?

Attention Missouri and Kansas drivers! An estimated 14 percent of drivers have no auto insurance. That’s 1 in 7 drivers! And that figure could be even higher due to the nation’s high unemployment rate according to a surprising study.

What would you do if an uninsured motorist hit your vehicle? You need a determined car accident lawyer in Missouri on your side. You need Castle Law Office of Kansas City. Serving clients throughout Missouri and Kansas, our experienced auto accident attorneys in Kansas City, MO can give you the attention you rightfully deserve. Don’t leave your future to chance. Contact an auto accident lawyer in Kansas City with years of experience fighting for clients. Contact Castle Law Office of Kansas City.

High unemployment often means a greater risk of having a car accident with an uninsured motorist, according to a recent study. Specifically, researchers believe each time the unemployment rate goes up 1 percent, the number of uninsured drivers increases by an estimated 1 percent.

The unemployment rate remains high across the country and in Missouri. Nationwide, 9.5 percent of people remain out of work. In Missouri, that figure is 9.9 percent. Kansas’ unemployment rate is not as bad: 7.1 percent. But all of these figures are nearly twice as high as unemployment figures two years ago.

Car accidents involving uninsured motorists can be a nightmare. Insurance companies sometimes refuse to pay you the money you rightfully deserve. The uninsured motorist who caused the accident may even try to blame the accident on you!

Confused? Scared? Fight back! Contact Castle Law Office of Kansas City. Our experienced, dedicated lawyers have years of experience helping drivers injured by reckless uninsured motorists.

You deserve justice. Demand it! Contact Castle Law Office of Kansas City. We mean business!

Injured in a car accident in Kansas City, MO? Your tires to blame?

Attention Kansas City, MO drivers. Have you been in a car accident? Do you suspect your tires are partly to blame? Who’s at fault? The driver who caused the accident? The tire manufacturer? The repair shop that installed your tires? These serious questions demand serious attention.

Knowing what’s the right thing to do after an accident can be difficult. You need a Kansas City auto accident lawyer to help you sort through these complicated questions. You need Castle Law Office of Kansas City. Serving clients throughout Missouri and Kansas, Castle Law Office has a stellar reputation as an experienced Kansas City car accident attorney. Don’t leave your future to chance. Allow us put our years of experience and vast knowledge to work for you.

Contact a Kansas City car accident lawyer who gets results. Contact Castle Law Office of Kansas City. Accidents happen every day due to old or defective tires. Tread separation can occur. Tire blowouts happen. Such accidents can sometimes be serious, especially on busy highways like Interstate 35 and Interstate 70 near Kansas City.

Luckily, tire maintenance doesn’t have to be hard. Here’s some helpful hints.

Rotate your tires. Most tire manufacturers recommend rotating your tires every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. Rotating your tires helps your tires last longer.
• Properly inflate tires. Keeping tires inflated to the right level lengthens the life of your ties. Properly inflated tires also improve your gas mileage, saving you lots of money on gas.

Check your tire tread. Simply use a penny. Insert the coin, Lincoln head first, into your tire tread. If any part of Lincoln’s head is obscured by the tread, your tires should be ok. If not, you may need new tires.

• Check for tire recalls. Your tires may have a manufacturer’s defect. That’s why Firestone recalled millions of tires in 2001 on Ford Explorers. Check with the business where you bought your tires. Make sure they’re not subject to a manufacturer recall due to product liability concerns.

Accidents happen fast. Knowing what to do can be confusing. We can help. The lawyers at Castle Law Office have dedicated their careers to fighting for clients.We know how frustrating a car accident can be for people. Your whole life can be turned upside down in an instant. Let us help you put your life back on track. Contact Castle Law Office of Kansas City. We’re on your side.

Solution found for rear-end car crashes in Missouri? Get street smart. Stay safe.

Rear-end crashes happen fast. One moment, you’re slowing down for a stop sign or crosswalk. The next second, the vehicle behind you slams straight into your car.

Luckily, Missouri officials may have come up with a way to reduce rear-end crashes. Recently, cameras were installed at red lights, especially in Kansas City. The result? Rear-end crashes dropped 20 percent at 13 intersections in Kansas City where the red-light cameras were installed, according to a recent study.

Sadly, rear-end crashes remain common. Every 12 seconds, a rear-end crash happens somewhere in America. Each year, more than 2.5 million rear-end collisions take place nationwide, according to the National Safety Council.

Some of the most common causes of rear-end crashes include:
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Black ice wreaks havoc in Missouri and Kansas. How to stay safe.

Black ice. We’ve all probably dealt with this nasty road condition that results when melting snow re-freezes and instantly turns a wet road into an ice rink. That’s exactly what happened recently in Kansas City, Missouri. A car reportedly hit a patch of black ice and lost control, triggering a three-vehicle accident involving a school bus. Luckily, no one was seriously hurt.

Black ice accidents happen all over the world. Watch this video to see how a small patch of black ice can trigger one accident after another on this Asian highway. Notice how even the tow truck arriving at the scene of the accident cannot stop due to dangerous black ice.

Black ice can be deceptive. The road looks wet, but it’s really frozen solid. That’s often why drivers lose control of their car on black ice. They never even realize there’s ice on the road until it’s too late.

Experts estimate that black ice covered roads result in five times more accidents than clear roads. And if you’re trying to stop on black ice, good luck. It takes nine times as long to stop on black ice as it does on a clear road, according to road safety experts. That’s why it’s crucial you don’t slam on your breaks if you hit a patch of black ice. Don’t make any sudden steering changes either. Just ride it out.

Black ice accidents happen fast. What would you do if you were involved in one? What if you’re injured? What if your insurance company plays games and refuses to pay your claim? You need someone familiar with serious car accidents. You need someone who gets results. You need Castle Law Office of Kansas City.

Our lawyers have years of experience fighting for car accident victims in Missouri and Kansas. We understand how traumatic accidents can be for people. Let us deal with the red tape so you can focus on your recovery.

Don’t let insurance companies push you around after your accident. Take a stand. Contact Castle Law Office today.

Dedicated. Experienced. Driven. Castle Law Office. Fighting for justice for you!