Springfield Missouri Car Accident Lawyer Blog

The average drunk driver get behind the wheel an average of 80 times before their first arrest, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). It appears that an Iowa woman's luck recently ran out: she was arrested for driving drunk after her teen daughter - and her passenger - called the police. And then, just over four weeks later, she was arrested again.

On the evening of March 15 at about 8:10 p.m., a 911 dispatcher in Oxford, Iowa took a call from a frightened young woman. The teen was calling from a vehicle to report her mother for drunk driving.

On the recording of the call, the mother, 47 year-old Lori Ann Becicka, can be heard in the background, asking her daughter who she's calling. "Umm, I was talking to 911 because Dad said to call them," the girl responds. She repeatedly tells her mother to stop. The dispatcher tries to keep her calm: "You can leave the line open, hon, if you don't want to talk on the phone. If you want to act like you're hanging up, you can just leave it open and I can follow you," the dispatcher says.

Listen to the 911 recording.

Eventually, a sheriff's deputy located the vehicle. Becicka pulled into a trucking company's parking lot and immediately got out of the car, according to the official criminal complaint. The deputy noted that her eyes were watery and bloodshot, her speech was slurred, her balance was poor, and she smelled strongly of alcohol. She failed a field sobriety test, and her blood alcohol content (BAC) was 0.235%, nearly 3 times the legal limit.

View the March 15 criminal complaint.

At the scene, Becicka's daughter told the deputy that her mother had also been consuming alcohol while driving, and several open containers were found in the vehicle. Becicka was arrested for drunk driving and endangering the welfare of child.

Then, on April 25, Becicka was arrested again. Once again, she immediately got out of the car. Once again, the officer noted bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and the strong smell of alcohol. Once again, empty beer cans were found inside Becicka's vehicle. And once again, she was arrested for drunk driving.

Continue reading "Iowa Mom Arrested for Drunk Driving After Teen Daughter Calls 911 From Car" »

Yesterday, a teenager from Purdy, Missouri pleaded guilty to first-degree involuntary manslaughter, and she is now facing up to 7 years in prison. The charges stem from a terrible car crash that happened 2 years ago on Missouri 76: Sierra Wood, now 19, was traveling near Cassville when she ran off the road and rolled her vehicle. Her passenger and friend, 17 year-old Jessica Pettengill, was killed. Afterward, she admitted she had been drinking. Wood was expected to stand trial beginning Wednesday morning, but instead, she decided to enter a guilty plea. She will be sentenced in June.

Meanwhile, the Missouri Highway Patrol recently announced that it will participate in additional enforcement initiatives aimed at catching drunk drivers throughout the month of April. Captain Juan Villanueva, Troop D's commanding officer, announced plans for a sobriety checkpoint in Stone County in addition to saturation efforts in Stone, Dallas and Lawrence Counties.

Our lawyers have discussed the differing opinions about the usefulness of law enforcement initiatives like these, but here in Greene County, they've proven to be reasonably effective. Over St. Patrick's Day weekend, the Springfield Police Department also conducted a sobriety checkpoint at Campbell Avenue and Meadowmere Street here in Springfield: by the end of the night, they had cited 10 drivers for driving under the influence. The Greene County Sheriff's Department cited 2 additional suspected drunk drivers on the same evening.

We all know that we shouldn't drink and drive because drunk drivers kill innocent people, including residents of Springfield and the surrounding areas. In 2010, 218 people were killed by drunk drivers in Missouri, meaning a fatal drinking related crash killed a Missourian every 2.2 hours. In that same year, an additional 3.823 people suffered injuries in accidents involving impaired drivers. All of these injuries and deaths could have been prevented.

Continue reading "Purdy Teen Pleads Guilty to 1st Degree Involuntary Manslaughter, Faces 7 Years in Prison for Fatal DWI Accident " »

In 2010, there were 208 fatal crashes on Missouri roadways that were caused by drunk drivers. An additional 2,642 drunk driving accidents left 3,823 Missourians injured during the same year. Recently, we reported that several law enforcement agencies participated in a statewide effort to curb drunk driving over St. Patrick's weekend. And this weekend, the Springfield News-Leader discussed the effects of Christian County's "no refusal" law, which is designed to help officers identify impaired drivers.

A "no refusal" law is designed to compel drunk drivers to submit to sobriety tests. If a suspected drunk driver refuses to take a breathalyzer in Christian County, police can seek a warrant for a blood test (to be administered immediately). The process works like this: when a driver refuses, an officer then contacts the on-call Christian County prosecutor. If the prosecutor believes there is enough evidence (probable cause), he or she will then contact a judge. The judge reviews the information and issues the warrant, and an emergency medical technician is dispatched to the Christian County jail to take a blood sample.

It's been a year since the law took effect, and, according to the News-Leader, "prosecutors have succeeded in obtaining breathalyzer tests or blood samples from 25 of the 31 drivers suspected of DWI who refused to be tested" in Christian County.

Assistant Prosecutor Ben Miller said the policy has equipped law enforcement with a very important tool. "Over the past few years we, and prosecutors around the state, have begun to see a trend in DWI cases: people (whether they be judges or jurors) want to see that 'magic' number in regards to a person's BAC," Miller said in an email to the News-Leader. "This is an extension of what most prosecutors call the 'CSI effect'...where people are so trained by what they see on TV, from what they hear from friends, and what they expect from a society that is big on technology that they absolutely expect physical scientific evidence because they can even consider guilt in a case."

Continue reading ""No Refusal" DWI Law Showing Signs of Success in Christian County, Missouri" »

Last week, we reported that multiple Missouri law enforcement agencies would participate in statewide DWI prevention efforts over St. Pat's weekend. Today, our Greene County car accident lawyers learned that the Springfield Police Department's contribution to this initiative was a success.

About 20-25 officers from the SPD conducted a DWI checkpoint last Friday night at the intersection of South Campbell Avenue and West Meadowmere Street. As a result, they made several arrests:

• 10 drivers were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
• 4 drivers were arrested for possession of drugs.
• 1 driver was arrested for an outstanding warrant.
• 8 drivers were cited for driving with a suspended license.

At the same time, the Greene County Sheriff's Department conducted its own checkpoint at South Campbell Avenue and Farm Road 192: deputies arrested 2 drivers for DWI, and 11 drivers for assorted violations, including drugs and driving without a valid license.

Sheriff Jim Arnott called the effort a success, and praised his team for their initiative. "These projects could not happen without so many employees volunteering to work overtime hours to help keep the Greene County roadways safe for all of us," Arnott said.

How does a checkpoint work?
In a recent news release, the SPD described the basic method that officers use to conduct sobriety checkpoints:

• Approaching traffic is divided into 2 lanes and directed to stop at a specific point.
• A police officer will speak to each driver and ask for a valid driver's license.
• The officer will also ask each driver if he or she has been drinking.
• Provided the driver is properly licensed and sober, he or she will be waved through the checkpoint, and should not be detained for any longer than 3 minutes.

Continue reading "Weekend Checkpoints in Springfield, Missouri Result in DWI Arrests" »

Our Springfield, Missouri car accident attorneys believe that the vast majority of crashes are preventable: they don't have to happen. To help avoid car accidents, we've put together this list of 15 common causes: sometimes we all need a gentle reminder to help us drive more safely.

1. Distracted Driving. We never cease to be amazed at the number of accidents that happen simply because drivers aren't paying attention to the road. These accidents are among the easiest to prevent: jus put away your cell phone, your make up kit, and your lunch. Don't fiddle with the radio, or turn around to talk to backseat passengers. When you drive, just drive.

2. Speeding. When an accident involves a speeding driver, the impact of the collision is increased - and it follows that resulting damages and injuries will be considerably more severe.

3. Drunk Driving. It's old news that drinking and driving is dangerous, and yet Missourians are charged with DWI every day. So, we'll say it again: never drink and drive. Never. (No drugs either.)

4. Reckless Driving. Don't speed, tailgate, or change lanes too quickly. There are a number of driver excuses for this behavior ("I was running late"; or "She was going 25 in a 45"; or "There was only a small gap and I had to change lanes"): none of them are worth having an accident over.

5. Rain, Snow & Ice. If roads are hazardous, slow down. You will need extra time to stop, and to turn safely, and to change lane, and, frankly, to perform nearly all driving maneuvers. If you can't see - or if you don't feel safe - find a good place to pull over.

6. Running Red Lights & Stop Signs. If the light is yellow and you haven't reached the "point of no return," stop. (Even if you have the green light, it never hurts to keep your eyes open.)

7. Teenage Drivers. Teens are inexperienced, easily distracted, and, often, careless. Share this list with your teenage drivers.

8. Night Driving. Slow down at night. Don't overdrive your headlights.

9. Design Defects. Be sure you keep track of safety recall information for your family's vehicles. You can use www.recalls.gov as a resource.

10. Unsafe Lane Changes. Take your time and wait until you have sufficient space. Plan ahead, but if you miss a turn or exit, continue forth and turn around in a safe place.

Continue reading "15 Reasons Why Car Accidents Happen In Springfield, Missouri " »

The car accident attorneys at Aaron Sachs & Associates are proud to sponsor Project Roadblock, an anti-drunk driving campaign designed to spread community awareness during the holiday season. Celebrations are popular this time of year, and many Missouri drivers will be hitting the road to visit family and friends all over the country. Unfortunately, more celebrations plus more drivers on the road can equal disaster, particularly when alcohol is involved--and that's why it's important to be especially vigilant during the holidays. Now in its 8th year, Project Roadblock is working to keep these facts on people's minds during one of the deadliest times of year for auto-fatalities.

"Project Roadblock: Local TV Puts the Brakes on Drunk Driving" is a public service announcement initiative exclusively for local broadcast stations. Its founders are proud that the initiative "continues to demonstrate the power of local broadcast television to influence, persuade or affect social behavior, and broadcasters' commitment to the safety of their communities." In the past, the campaign has been powerfully successful: in 2010, a post campaign Nielsen analysis showed that people who reported seeing a Project Roadblock spot during the week of Christmas and New Year's were more likely to intervene if they saw an impaired friend or relative attempt to drive.

Here in Springfield, we're happy to partner with local broadcast stations KOLR and KOZL in this campaign. This year, Project Roadblock will use the slogan "Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving."

Continue reading "Project Roadblock Raising Awareness About Drunk Driving Dangers for Springfield, Missouri Motorists" »

Drunken driving accidents continue to plague our roadways in Ozark, Missouri and across the state. The period between Thanksgiving and Christmas, through to New Year's Day, historically brings an increase in the number of drunk driving accidents. Injury and fatal car accidents tend to spike around holidays and particularly the coming holiday season. From serious injuries to fatal accidents, driving while intoxicated can permanently mar the holidays for everyone involved.

Stay Sober or Get Pulled Over
The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety has launched a new safety campaign. A new logo and a new slogan are being publicized to get the word out in time for this holiday season. "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" is the latest message as the Coalition works to reduce the number of car accidents, injuries and deaths on our Missouri roads.

This latest campaign was launched Tuesday November 29, 2011 as Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) trooper's and families of drunk driving victims came together to help the Coalition unveil the new campaign. The unveiling was held at the state capital as part of a memorial service for those killed by drunk drivers.

The logo itself sends a powerful message. It is simple but effective: a stylized police officer silhouette combined with a badge holding the slogan in front. It shows the seriousness of this new message and of the campaign. The message will be spread on the radio, in print media, as well as video and digital showings.

Continue reading "Drive Sober in Ozark, Missouri to Avoid Traffic Accidents This Holiday Season" »

If you were driving in the area of the Chestnut Expressway and Nettleton Avenue in Springfield, Missouri Friday night October 28, 2011 you probably noticed a sobriety checkpoint or were caught in the traffic delay. The Springfield Police Department (SPD) conducted the checkpoint as a way to increase enforcement of drunk driving. Drunk driving continues to be a significant cause of car accidents and as such remains a priority for enforcement. There was a second checkpoint conducted by SPD and Greene County Sheriff at the Kansas Expressway and Walnut Lawn on October 22, 2010.

This Halloween weekend was targeted by Springfield Police Department because holiday weekends tend to have an increase in drunk driving and in car accidents. SPD's primary objective was to catch drunk drivers before they caused a car accident and placed other people in danger. The sobriety checkpoints are funded through grant money from the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). The operation funnels cars into two lanes or less. At the checkpoint, vehicles are stopped and approached by an officer. Anyone with a valid driver's license and no evidence of drinking are sent on their way. The plan was designed to keep non-offenders for no longer than three minutes.

Results of Springfield PD Checkpoints
The checkpoints were conducted from approximately 10 p.m. until 2:30 a.m. each night.

During the October 22 checkpoint:

• 1,151 vehicles were stopped


• 14 DWI (driving while impaired) arrests were made


• 11 traffic related arrests


• 7 drug related offenses


• 1 warrant arrest


• 30 uniformed officers from both agencies participated

Springfield Police cadets and current academy recruits as well as MoDOT crews helped with the operation. MoDOT crews assisted with traffic flow.

Continue reading "Drunk Driving Still a Problem and Springfield Missouri Police Crack Down" »

Halloween is a very popular holiday for young and old alike, especially here in Springfield, Missouri. But like all fun things, Halloween can also be a little risky. From pedestrian accidents to drunk driving car accidents, it is a good idea to take extra precautions while you celebrate this year. With that in mind, Springfield Missouri car accident lawyers have put together a list local safe celebration ideas and a list of safety tips.

Safe Halloween Celebration Ideas in Springfield, Missouri

For everybody:

• Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze -Rutledge-Wilson Farm Community Park, Thursday, October 06, 2011 - Sunday, October 30, 2011, Fri 5:00 p.m. -9:00 p.m.; Sat & Sun 12:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m.


• Spooktacular at Dickerson Park Zoo, Friday, October 21, 2011 - Monday, October 31, 2011, 6:30-9 p.m.


• Halloween Hustle 5K/10K to benefit the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Courtyard by Marriott, 8 a.m. Saturday, October 29, 2011.


• "THEY HAVE RISEN" spooky art show at Squidfoo Art Gallery Friday, October 7 at 6:00pm - October 31 at 10:00 p.m.


• Ghost Tour at Pythian Castle, Saturday, October 29, 2011, 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.


• Hotel of Terror haunted house and scary movies, 7 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. or later thru November 4.

Just for Kids:

• Halloween Stories and Parades at local libraries; The Library Center and Brentwood Branch Library.


• Undead Prom at the Midtown Carnegie Branch Library, October 31, 2011, 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m

.
Adults Only:

• First Annual Halloween Party featuring Quixotic at the Gillioz Theater, October 31, 2011, starts at 7 p.m.


• Lindberg's Big Halloween Bash, October 29, starts at 8 p.m.

Halloween Safety Tips

• First and foremost remember to choose a designated driver or arrange for a transportation service.


• Remind kids about the importance of watching for cars and how to cross the street.


• Make sure everybody has a flashlight or glow sticks.


• Remind your kids never to get into a car with a stranger or go into a stranger's house.


• Make sure costumes are fire proof and provide adequate breathing and peripheral vision.


• Make sure any costume props are dull edged and flexible.


• Remember tricks should not include vandalism, respect others and their property and pets.


• Coordinate the route and a time limit for trick or treating.


• Use cell phones or cell phone aps for tracking your trick-or-treaters.


• Carry a whistle or other warning device.


• Everyone should have a good meal before leaving for any festivities.


• Have your kids bring home the candy to be checked before they eat any.

Keep the distractions to a minimum while driving and keep an extra sharp eye out for all of the little spools and ghouls. Remember everybody gets excited and caught up in the fun of the holiday and may forget to look before they cross the road or pull out into traffic. By keeping a few simple safety tips in mind and remembering to look out for each other while driving and while walking, this Halloween will be as fun and enjoyable as ever.

The Springfield, Missouri car accident lawyers wish you a safe, car accident free, and fun Halloween.

Stone County car accident lawyers want you to know about the dangers of speeding and the lack of driver attention as contributing factors to car accidents. The Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) responded to another fatal car accident on Sunday afternoon September 18, 2011. This is the 73rd fatal car accident for Troop D, or southwest Missouri, for MSHP this year. This one was a single car accident which occurred northeast of Galena, Mo. on Horsecreek Road around 2:30 in the afternoon.

A 1987 Ford F350 ran off of the roadway, overturned, and struck a tree. The male driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The specific factors of this accident have not been made public and it is hard to know exactly what happened to create this type of car accident. An investigation reveals the specific facts. But we do know that single car accidents are often preventable and may involve driver error.

Main Causes of Single Car Accidents in Missouri
A single car accident, especially one involving rollover, often indicates excessive speed. However, every case is different. Sometimes, other factors can be involved that increase the likelihood of rollover and impact the severity of the car accident. A single car accident almost always occurs because the driver's attention lapsed somehow, sometimes for only a few seconds.

Common Driver Errors

• Driving too fast for the road, not prepared for curves or other hazards


• Driving too fast for road conditions, unable to slow or break because of wet roads or other hazards


• Driving too fast at night, unable to see or react to road changes or approaching hazards


• Driving while intoxicated, slow reaction times and poor decision making abilities


• Driving while drowsy, slow reactions or falling asleep while driving


• Distracted driving such as texting, cell phone use, map reading, or other activity requiring the driver's attention


• Over-correcting when the vehicle drifts or while steering to avoid a hazard

Two of the most common causes of fatal single car accidents are falling asleep at the wheel or driving while drunk. Distracted driving is a huge contributor to all car accidents. And in almost all cases excessive speed was involved and always contributes to the severity of the car accident.

Continue reading "Fatal Accident in Stone County Missouri a Reminder to Slow Down and Pay Attention" »

In Springfield, Missouri and the rest of the surrounding state, you are likely to see a lot more law enforcement personnel this Labor Day. That is because Labor Day weekend usually results in a surge in the number of traffic accidents on our Missouri roadways. The Springfield Missouri car accident lawyers applaud Operation C.A.R.E. and the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) and all the local law enforcement agencies as they take to the streets this weekend to promote driver safety and traffic accident awareness.

What is Missouri State Highway Patrol's Operation C.A.R.E.?
Operation C.A.R.E. is actually a national campaign and it is designed to keep motorists safe. C.A.R.E. stands for Combined Accident Reduction Act and focuses on enforcing speed limits, seat belt laws, and alcohol related driving laws. From Friday through Monday night MSHP and other law enforcement agencies will increase the number of officers on the road, conduct spot sobriety check points and target aggressive driving.

Last year's Labor Day weekend saw more than 1,000 traffic accidents on Missouri roadways, which included 10 fatalities and 515 people injured. The hope is that Operation C.A.R.E. will help deter drinking and driving and encourage people to drive safely and wear their seat belts. These three factors continue to be major contributors to both traffic accidents and the injuries and deaths that result from those traffic accidents.

Operation C.A.R.E. was launched in 1977 and was formed as a multi-jurisdictional program of patrol, enforcement, and planning. All of this is designed to reach the goal of accident reduction. And the goal of accident reduction is part of efforts to reduce the pain and suffering that is a result of traffic accidents on our Springfield and surrounding Missouri area roads.

Continue reading "Missouri State Highway Patrol Starts Operation C.A.R.E. in Springfield, Missouri and throughout the state for Labor Day Weekend" »

An involuntary manslaughter charge from a drunk driving accident that happened four years ago could land a Springfield man behind bars for as many as 15 years, according to The News-Leader. The jury recently handed him a guilty verdict, he only awaits the scheduled sentencing now.

The 23-year-old driver was convicted by a jury late last month, according to the Greene County Prosecutor's Office. The jury reported to have deliberated the case for approximately three hours before concluding that the young driver was guilty of the Springfield car accident.

Our Springfield Missouri car accident attorneys understand that drunk driving oftentimes result in serious consequences -- including death. Not only is the act of driving while intoxicated illegal, it's also extremely dangerous. Drunk driving places the lives of all motorists in peril. Residents are asked to practice logical decision making before a night on the town to help prevent getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol.

The young driver had been placed on probation for leaving the scene of that accident and had also had a subsequent conviction for driving under the influence.

The accident happened back in November of 2007. The driver measured a blood alcohol content of 0.146 at the time of the accident near the intersection of Weller Avenue and Dale Street.

The driver that was hit by the drunk driver reported suffered a "cardiac event" before rolling into the intersection. The intoxicated driver, who was speeding at the time of the accident, collided with the other vehicle.

The other motorist died as a result of his injuries from the intersection accident.

The young, intoxicated driver faces a minimum of five years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. His maximum penalty is 15 years behind bars. The man remains in Greene County jail until his sentencing that is scheduled for August.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were nearly 11,000 people killed in car accidents that involved a driver impaired by alcohol in 2009. These accidents made up more than 30 percent of all traffic accidents in the United State during that year.

In these fatal accidents, drivers ages 21 to 24 represented the age group with the highest percentage of drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. Nearly 2,000 drivers from this age group were involved in motor-vehicle accidents while driving legally drunk during 2009.

Missouri saw nearly 300 motor-vehicle accident fatalities caused by intoxicated drivers in 2009.

Missouri Drunk Driving Fines and Penalties (for nonfatal, first offenses):

-Fines: up to $500.

-Jail: up to 6 months.

-License Suspension: 30 Days Full Suspension.

-License Reinstatement Fee: $45 .

-Missouri SR22 Insurance Requirement (Proof of Insurance).

-Ignition Interlock Device Possible

Continue reading "Young Driver Faces 15 Years in Prison for Drunk Driving Car Accident in Springfield, Missouri" »

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report that estimated motor vehicle accident-related death costs in the United States. The accidents resulted in roughly $41 billion dollars in medical and work loss costs in 2005. The data from that year is the most current available data for the study. The CDC also found that nearly half of the $41 billion was a result of the accidents in 10 states.

"Deaths from motor vehicle crashes are preventable," said CDC Director Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. "Seat belts, graduated driver's license programs, child safety seats, and helmet use save lives and reduce health care costs."

Our Marshfield car accident attorneys know that following too closely and failure to yield are just a few of the common causes of car crashes in Springfield and the surrounding area. would like to continue to urge all drivers to practice safe driving habits as a car accident can cause a ripple effect in consequences. A traffic accident can cause a vehicle occupant to suffer from serious injury, death, lost time at work, expensive medical bills, drawn-out insurance claims or life altering damages. If you've experienced a car accident in Missouri, you are urged to contact an experienced attorney to help you protect and fight for your rights.

According to the CDC, Missouri racked up more than $1 billion in medical and work loss costs.

The CDC releases this new fact sheet to highlight the costs of these accident deaths to coincide with the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety campaign. The United Nation's kicked off the campaign to raise awareness of the widespread effects of car accidents in an attempt to enhanced focus on reducing and stabilizing the number of car accidents across the world by 2020.

Through these statistics, the CDC found that children and teens under the age of 19 contributed roughly $856 million to the total, making them the main contributor to the total number of costs related to car-accident deaths.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 200 teens were killed in motor vehicle-related accidents in 2009 in Missouri alone.

"It's tragic to hear that anyone dies on our nation's roads. But it's especially so when the person who loses his or her life is a child or teenager," said Linda Degutis, Dr. P.H., M.S.N., director, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. "Child passenger safety laws and comprehensive graduated driver licensing laws are proven to protect young lives. We encourage states to strengthen and enforce these laws to help keep more of our young people safe."

The complete list compiled by the CDC for the 10 states with the highest medical and work loss costs is as follows:

-California ($4.16 billion)

-Texas ($3.50 billion)

-Florida ($3.16 billion)

-Georgia ($1.55 billion)

-Pennsylvania ($1.52 billion)

-North Carolina ($1.50 billion)]

-New York ($1.33 billion)

-Illinois ($1.32 billion)

-Ohio ($1.23 billion)

-Tennessee ($1.15 billion)

Continue reading " Car Accidents in Springfield, Missouri and Elsewhere Cost the U.S. More than $41 Billion in a Year" »

A Springfield, Missouri gunman, who police believe fired multiple rounds at a man near West Central and Missouri Streets, is still on the loose. Springfield police continue their search for the man who they believe fired shot at another motorist. He reportedly raced his car through the intersection, left his vehicle and ran towards a tree where he and the victim got into an altercation.

After the accident, the victim of the alleged shots fired tried to speed away in his truck and crashed into a tree at 806 W. Central, according to News-Leader. Officers were called to the Springfield car accident shortly after 12:30 p.m.

While the facts and circumstances of this case are still being investigated, road rage and aggressive driving continue to endanger the safety of all motorists on the road. Our personal injury attorneys understand that drivers get irritated behind the wheel from time to time. It is important to control your emotions as anger and impatience only leads to aggressive driving, which can result in serious injury or criminal charges.

The victim reportedly had cuts on his hand, but it did not appear to be a wound from a bullet. Officials believe that he received the injury in the car wreck. Officers have yet to determine motives in the incident.

Road rage is typically defined as a criminal act while aggressive driving encompasses driving behaviors of which we are all guilty from time -- such as speeding or following too closely.

The NHTSA says you might be an aggressive driver if you:

-Openly express your frustration behind the wheel.

-Neglect to pay full attention when driving. Aggressive drivers commonly eat, drink or talk on the phone behind the wheel.

-Tailgate often. Tailgating is a major cause of accidents that can result in death or serious injury.

-Make frequent lane changes. If you swerve in and out of traffic to advance ahead, you can pose serious threats to other motorist's safety.

-Run red lights. You should not enter an intersection if the light is yellow. Flashing red lights at intersections should be treated as a stop sign.

-Speed. You should not exceed the posted speed limit because you're oftentimes irritated by driving conditions.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) offers you these tips for how to effectively deal with an aggressive driver:

-Remain calm in traffic. Remember to be courteous and patient with other drivers.

-Correct your unsafe driving habits that could possible antagonize, provoke or endanger other motorists.

-Keep stress levels on the road low by allowing plenty of time to get to your destination and even consider changing your schedule or route to avoid congestion. Try listening to calming music or books on tape while driving.

-If your community offers a witness "tip line," be sure to report any incidents of dangerous driving you may witness.

-If an aggressive driver tries to pick a fight or antagonize you, don't make eye contact and don't respond.

The NHTSA discovered that 50 percent of those who participated in a phone survey admitted they had driven recklessly, had sped or engaged in other aggressive driving behaviors.

Aggressive drivers can express their anger in a number of ways. They can give rude gestures, verbal abuse, cut off other cars, deliberately prevent others from moving their vehicles, lay on the horn, flash lights or physically assault another motorist.

Continue reading "Shots Fired at Springfield Missouri Motorists after Traffic Altercation" »

As May comes to a close, lets remember, National Youth Traffic Safety Month urges teens to join together to focus on car accidents in Springfield and elsewhere in the county as these accidents rank as the number one cause of death for young drivers.

National Youth Traffic Safety Month is used to encourage teen drivers to develop and organize safe driving education projects in their community, support local law enforcement agencies and their efforts and to sway lawmakers to enact regulations to help protect teen drivers.

Our Branson personal injury lawyers urge local teens to get involved with the month-long campaign and help to raise awareness about the potentially fatal driving habits of inexperienced drivers. More than 50 teens were killed in motor-vehicle related crashes in 2009 alone, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The NHTSA reports that roughly 3,000 teens across the country were killed in motor-vehicle accidents in 2009. Another 350,000 teens suffered injuries that required medical attention that same year. It has been noted that nine of the ten most dangerous days for youth on U.S. roadways were between May and August. Many believe that the end of the school year contributed to these unfortunate statistics. With the school year winding down and prom, graduation and summer break right around the corner, more and more teens are expected to hit our roadways, increasing accident risks.

Motor vehicle accidents are the number one cause of death and injury among teens in the United States. Safety advocates view this as a preventable crisis that needs our nation's immediate attention.

This year's National Youth Traffic Safety Month offers a number of opportunities and initiatives to help get our youth involved in this month's campaign. National Organization for Youth Safety (NOSY) will be hosting the Act Out Loud Contest, the Above the Influence Drugged Driving Poster Contest, Drive2Life PSA Contest and several other awards programs and scholarships. The various contests and programs will provide winners with prizes of more than $200,000 and will present awards to winning youth organizations.

The NOYS Coalition is also partnering with the United Nation's Decade of Action for Road Safety in an attempt to help spread awareness about traffic accident problems worldwide.

The campaign works towards a goal of reducing and stabilizing road accident fatalities around the world by 2020.

According to the NHTSA, nearly 2,500 drivers ages 15 to 20 were killed in traffic accidents in the United States in 2009. An additional 228,000 teens suffered injuries in the same year.

Parents are urged to join the fight against teen driving accidents by speaking with your teen driver about the dangers of unsafe driving habits. To help you set some ground rules and reach an understanding with your teen, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers you a teen-parent driving contract to discuss and commit to.

A complete list of teen safe driving events can be found on the NOYS website.

Continue reading "Teens Join National Organization to Fight Teen Car Accidents in Springfield, Missouri" »