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Four Ways To Avoid Car Accidents and Injuries This Thanksgiving

With millions of Americans traveling on the roads for Thanksgiving, the St. Louis car accident lawyers at Cofman Townsley would like to offer you these tips to help steer clear of car accidents and injuries:

  1. Maintain your vehicle. Every year, millions of cars, trucks, and SUVs are recalled due to defective parts. Check to see if your vehicle is under recall and if so, get it repaired before leaving town! Remember, you are entitled to free recall repairs under federal law. Even if your vehicle is not recalled, you should still make sure your brakes and lights function properly and your tires have plenty of tread.
  2. Buckle up. Missouri is one of the few states in the nation that doesn’t require adult backseat passengers to wear a seat belt. Regardless of the law, we urge you to buckle up wherever you sit in a vehicle. Seatbelts save more lives than all other vehicle technology combined, including airbags.
  3. Drive sober. The number of accidents involving intoxicated motorists tends to spike around holidays. We’re encouraging anyone who consumes alcohol to refrain from getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. Instead, use a designated driver or rideshare to get home safely.
  4. Eliminate distractions. From smartphones and infotainment screens to chatty passengers and roadside attractions, there are many distractions that can cause a driver to take their eyes and attention off the road. The increased accident risk associated with distracted driving is why motorists must stay focused at all times behind the wheel.

Steps to Take If You Are Injured in a Car Accident This Thanksgiving

Unfortunately, even the safest drivers can be injured in crashes when they share the road with negligent drivers. If you’re involved in a crash with a drunk, distracted, or reckless driver, here’s what you need to do:

  1. If possible, pull over to a safe space. Moving your vehicle out of the road and away from the path of other vehicles reduces your chance of being hurt in a secondary collision.
  2. Call 911. This step dispatches emergency responders to treat injuries and creates a police accident report, which can act as evidence if you file an injury claim. It’s also required under Missouri law for any crashes that result in injuries or more than $500 of damage.
  3. Document the accident scene. Take photos of all vehicles involved, any injuries sustained, and any factors that may have played a part in the crash, such as obscured street signs or debris in the road. Get contact information from any witnesses and note any visible traffic or security cameras that may have captured the crash, as their footage may serve as evidence for your claim.
  4. Exchange information with the other driver(s). Get info from the other driver or drivers involved in the crash, including their phone number, address, driver’s license number, and vehicle information, including its make, model, year, color, and license plate number. 
  5. Get medical attention. If you didn’t get medical attention at the scene from an EMT or paramedic, it’s important to get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. This helps identify any hidden injuries you may have and connects them to the crash. Many injuries may not show symptoms right away, since the adrenaline from the crash can mask the pain.
  6. Contact a lawyer. The insurance company is not your friend. Even if you’ve been diligently paying your premiums for years, their top priority is to pay you as little as possible when you actually need them. An experienced St. Louis personal injury lawyer can help ensure you get the full compensation you’re owed.

After a Crash, Cofman Townsley Has Your Back

The St. Louis injury lawyers at Cofman Townsley hope these tips help you to have safe and happy travels this Thanksgiving.

If you need legal help after a crash in Missouri, contact us for a free consultation. Traffic accidents don’t take holidays off, which is why we’re available 24/7. Call now to reach a member of our team.

Originally published November 24, 2015. Updated November 11, 2024.