In June 2023, CBS News reported on Janae Edmonson, a teenage Tennessee volleyball player who filed a lawsuit against two drivers and the city of St. Louis following a devastating crash. The accident took place in February and made Edmonson lose both her legs. KMOV, a CBS affiliate, obtained a redacted copy of the lawsuit filed by Janae Edmonson.
According to the lawsuit, Daniel Riley, the driver responsible for the accident, was driving despite violating the terms of his bond related to a robbery charge. The collision generated public outrage towards Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner for allowing Riley to remain free.
At the time of the incident, Edmonson, a high school senior, was visiting St. Louis in February to participate in a volleyball tournament. While crossing an intersection with her parents, the car driven by Riley crashed into another vehicle driven by a woman. Tragically, Edmonson became trapped between the two cars, resulting in the loss of her legs. The lawsuit asserts that the accident could have been prevented if the driver was cautious.
The lawsuit seeks compensation of over $25,000 from various parties, including Riley and his mother Kimberly, the driver of the other vehicle, EAN Holdings LLC (operating as Enterprise Rent-A-Car), and the city. According to the lawsuit, Kimberly obtained a 2023 Audi from Enterprise Rent-A-Car and allowed Riley to use it, despite his prior history of reckless driving. Edmonson alleges that this decision contributed to the collision and seeks compensation for the resulting damages.
In this blog, we will focus on the necessary steps for taking legal action to recover damages after a car accident in St. Louis. We will also discuss the causes of accidents and ways to avoid them.
Filing a Legal Complaint for a Car Accident in St. Louis
No one can predict a car accident. In St. Louis the ratio of car accidents is high. The Missouri Department of Transportation shares that there were 31,050 motor vehicle crashes in 2019, which led to 100 fatalities and 10,209 injuries.
A car accident is never pleasant. It leads to enormous emotional and physical damage. Other than the vehicle involved, people also lose out on their capacity to work and aren’t able to generate an income for themselves. Hence, a car accident lawyer in St. Louis can get the compensation you rightfully deserve.
TorHoerman Law suggests car accident victims must have detailed documentation of all the costs they incurred. It comprises vehicle repair costs, medical bills, lost wages, and individual recovery costs. It serves as valuable data to help their lawyer develop a strong case, which will obtain the compensation they deserve and need.
St. Louis Car Accidents: Leading Causes & How to Avoid Them
Exercising mindful driving and being aware of the causes that lead to car accidents in St. Louis will go a long way to avoid them. The causes and ways to avoid them are:
Driver Fatigue
According to a recent CDC study, drivers often tend to fall asleep when they drive. Fatigued and drowsy driving places the drivers and others on the streets at risk. Driving while fatigued could potentially result in being charged with a criminal offense.
The way for drivers to avoid this is not to drive when they are fatigued or sleep deprived. Car accidents happen within a few split seconds. Hence, car drivers need to rest well and drive with an alert mind so that they can navigate the streets better.
Using a Mobile Phone While Driving
Everyone uses a smartphone as our daily lives depend on it. But when used unmindfully, it becomes a cause of fatal car accidents. Speaking on a mobile phone while driving leads to distractions, as the driver is not completely focusing on the road, traffic signals, and wayward driving by others. They can miss out on certain pedestrians and road signs which can cause an accident.
The way to avoid accidents because of using mobile phones is not to use them while driving. If you have to address calls, opt for a hands-free set that will enable you to talk without the phone being held. But in the case of texts and emails, you shouldn’t respond to them while driving and wait till you reach the destination.
Poor Weather Accidents
No one can control bad weather. Hence, you need to be aware of winds, rain, ice, and snow before you set out to drive.
To avoid car accidents owing to poor weather, you should be aware of it. If at all you need to go out, drive slowly, ideally less than 50 miles every hour, especially for torrential rains. In case the weather becomes hazardous suddenly, park your car for a while and wait for the weather to become calm before you start driving again.
Conclusion
No one knows when they will meet with a car accident in St. Louis. Even though no one willingly wants to encounter an accident, you can avoid it by following a few precautions. Sometimes the streets can be in questionable conditions and at other times, the driver tends to be negligent. However, when you are cautious, you can avert such accidents.
But once you face a car accident in the streets of St. Louis, you should report it to the police station near you and get medical assistance to nurse your physical wounds. Once it gets done, it is necessary to take legal action to get compensated for your loss and damages with the help of a lawyer.
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