Pricey potholes — how to fight back (in case of auto accident or car repairs, too)

(Hint: Offroading doesn’t count)

Warmer days, cooler nights — it’s “pothole growing season” in Missouri!

As the road surfaces freeze and thaw due to moisture, cracks in the road start growing into potholes.  Those pesky potholes cause more trouble than you might think!  The AAA auto club estimates a mind-blowing 3 billion dollars yearly is spent in the U.S. on car repairs due to potholes.

When you think of auto repairs due to potholes,  your first thought might be tire damage. True enough! In fact, reputable tire and auto centers offer “road hazard warranties” with purchase of their tires. Considering the price of tires, this may be a worthwhile investment. Most of these warranties only cover you for one year. Like me, you probably hope to get more than a year out of your tires!

However, your car repairs could escalate into even more expensive damage. Consider that the 2016 AAA survey found more than 30 million Americans forked out between $250 to $1,000 dollars for pothole damage to their vehicles.

Why? That jarring drive over potholes easily messes up your car’s suspension system: shocks, struts, and even ball joints.  And what about the front-end alignment you paid for with your new tires?

Even more costly than an expensive auto repair is an expensive a pothole-induced auto accident.

Say you swerve suddenly to miss a pothole, and you hit a car in your blind spot! Or perhaps you brake quickly to avoid tearing up your catalytic convertor in your car’s undercarriage.  Suddenly you risk becoming the victim of a rear-end auto accident!  Both drivers lose time and money to the lowly pothole yet again.

Even worse, that hidden tire damage due to an unexpected pothole could also cause an accident further down the road.  Weakened tires blow out when you least expect it!

An interesting side note — self-driving car engineers are still trying to figure out how to safely maneuver the pothole! It’s an engineering nightmare, apparently.  Pothole.info tells the story on its site, dedicated to pothole information and safety issues.

Here’s how to fight potholes in your area …

The AAA considers pothole prevention and repair to be a vital part of road safety for their club members. The state of Missouri agrees. Every spring they encourage Missouri citizens to report those pesky potholes! Keeping up with more than 34,000 miles of road maintenance is the job of the  Missouri Department of Transportation. (MoDOT)

The Pothole Patrol  is a division of Missouri DOT dedicated to making it easy for YOU to report pothole locations. You can reach them by email or mobile device.  Be sure to bookmark the link provided.

Many Americans end up paying out of pocket for their estimated $300- $1,000 a year due to car repairs caused by potholes.

Will your auto insurance cover these claims? What about your local municipality? The local Fox2Now news reports that you may file a claim with MoDOT, but there is no guarantee that you will get a payment.

This is where things get really dicey! If you’re not armed with the proper knowledge, you may end up paying more than you should for a car accident caused by a pothole. You need the experienced advice of an expert personal injury and traffic accident lawyer today!

Attorney Nathan A. Steimel is a long-time resident of the St. Louis area.  Local traffic law is one of his specialties. Especially if you’ve been injured in a car accident due to poor road maintenance — call 636-244-3737 for a free initial consultation. 

This website is designed for general information only. The information presented on this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice or the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.

 

 

 

Come clean in 2018 — get your legal record expunged

Celebrate an expunged criminal record in 2018

Do you have a few wild oats that always come back to haunt you when you fill out a new job application or apply to rent an apartment? Maybe a DWI or perhaps a MIP (minor in possession) charge? Due to  recent changes in Missouri law, you may now qualify to have your criminal charges expunged from your record.

Perhaps, like me, you’ve never heard of the term “expunge” before.  A quick peek at dictionary.com gives us a brief definition. “to strike or blot out: erase; obliterate”. 

What if this happened to your criminal record? Wouldn’t it feel good to start 2018 with a clean slate?

Imagine not having to tell a potential employer of your one and only DWI ! That may just make life a whole lot easier for you.

You could answer “no” to committing a felony or misdemeanors in many situations as long as you are a one-time offender. Your court and criminal records would be sealed. No snoops allowed.

( Applying for a job in law enforcement or banking, for example? You will still have to disclose your record to your potential employer.)

The good news is that the state of Missouri has recently greatly expanded the list of felonies and misdemeanors they will expunge.

The Columbia Tribune reports that about 1,900 different felonies or misdemeanors will now be eligible to be expunged.

http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/20171130/law-making-it-easier-to-expunge-criminal-records-in-missouri-takes-effect-jan-1

While not everyone with a misdemeanor on their record will qualify to have their criminal record expunged, many more folks than were allowed before can apply and start the process in 2018.

Only one felony in a lifetime or two misdemeanors or ordinance violations can be expunged. 

You may need to be patient, especially for alcohol-related offenses.

If you have a DWI on your record, you will have to keep your record squeaky clean for ten years before getting it expunged in court.

To get a misdemeanor expunged, the wait is three years from the date of completion of your sentence, parole, or probation.  This is FAR better than the former ten year wait to get a misdemeanor off of your record.

Other felonies will normally require a seven year wait for your clean slate.

What are some types of felonies or misdemeanors NOT eligible to be expunged?

  • Violent crimes
  • Repeat offenders (more than one DWI, for example)
  • Class A felonies
  • Sex offenses
  • Traffic misdemeanors while driving a commercial vehicle

For someone who made a foolish mistake and learned from it,  having your criminal record expunged is a wonderful second chance for a better life.

But you do have to take action. You have to fill out paperwork.  You have to show up in court. Most importantly, you do need to avoid any repeat offenses.

You don’t want to mess up this second chance.

You need the legal advice and step-by-step help of an experienced Missouri criminal defense attorney!

The Law Offices of Nathan A. Steimel, LLC will give you a free evaluation of your case.  http://steimel-law.com/criminal-defense.html

You don’t have to face your day in court alone.  Call 636-244-3737 today to get a great start to 2018!

 

This website is designed for general information only. The information presented on this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice or the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.

 

Medicated driving and sleep deprivation –a holiday recipe for a car crash or traffic ticket

Drinking and medicated driving
Over-the-counter meds and drinks — don’t mix!

Recently a woman caused a head-on collision  by turning and driving the wrong way on a major roadway through the center of town at 9:30 pm.

The news reported that drugs and alcohol were definite factors in this crazy accident.  What else could have caused such a preventable car crash?

The comment section went crazy over this driver’s irresponsibility.  Public anger and backlash are understandable, especially if you think of your loved one’s life  being endangered.

One person’s compassionate response stood out above the rest…. Hey, it’s cold and flu season. This lady could have just taken some Nyquil and without thinking had a drink at a holiday party. It could be a case of medicated driving. We don’t know the details…

Can a simple dose of Nyquil (or other similar cold and flu medications) actually contribute to  irrational thinking and a serious car accident?

Well, yes!  Especially if combined with illness, an alcoholic drink,  lack of sleep, and an over-the-counter cold and flu med can be powerful enough to really fog up your mind.

According to everydayhealth.com, “This medication may cause blurred vision and may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.” https://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/nyquil-cold-and-flu-alcohol-free

Sometimes we forget the facts about the effects of just this one med on the human body. It’s not the medication’s fault.

Add in other risk factors, most especially alcohol and sleep-deprivation.  Most of us are highly aware of the risk of taking pain medications with an alcoholic drink.  If we’re smart, we also warn our teens about this risk as they grow older.

However, when you’re not feeling well, but the party’s going to go on without you, you may not give that over-the-counter cough and cold medication a second thought.

Without thinking, you may accidentally dose yourself with the night-time version instead of the non-drowsy formula.

We’re human.  Accidents happen. So does accidental medicated driving.

John Hopkins, Harvard, and WebMD also all cite sleep-deprivation as a serious risk factor in car accidents. 

https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/10-results-sleep-loss#1

http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/matters/consequences

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/healthy-sleep/health-risks/the-effects-of-sleep-deprivation

Safe to say — the experts agree on this topic.  The sad truth is, you or a loved one  may not even realize that you fall into this category of sleep deprivation.

“Sleep deprivation can also affect your judgment so that you don’t notice its effects.” (see Hopkins link above).

It’s a road risk factor that plagues all ages. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drowsy driving accounted for 803 traffic fatalities in 2016.  There were no specific statistic for deaths caused by over-the-counter medicated driving.

We all tend to underestimate our level of tired.

However, younger drivers are more inclined to think of themselves as invincible. If you are under the age of 25, you are at the greatest risk for drowsy driving accidents, according to WebMD.

With lots of holiday travels for the New Year ahead  of us this week, and cold and flu season in full swing, please think twice before you medicate and drive. One at-fault car accident can change your life forever!

Already facing a ticket or charges due to medicated or drowsy driving? You need the aggressive, compassionate help of an experienced traffic lawyer in the greater St. Louis area. The Law Offices of Nathan A. Steimel, LLC  will provide a free initial consultation. http://steimel-law.com/dwi.html

Your traffic attorney can help you reduce points on your license and record to make your 2018 easier and brighter!  Call The Law Offices of Nathan A. Steimel, LLC to get help today. 636-244-3737

 

 

3 ways to stay safer during this busy holiday season

Moving traffic safety violations?

No one likes coming in last. But according to the 2017 report from the National Safety Council, Missouri ranked last in the nation for preventable accidents and deaths.  Safety issues should be a top 2018 goal for Missouri residents.

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/missouri-ranks-last-in-new-national-safety-council-report-on/article_547cd9d5-8216-586b-9cd2-bc619567262a.html

A deadly late October 2017 rollover car crash in Saint Charles County illustrates this point. Neither the driver nor his passenger were wearing their seat belts. Both were ejected from the car and died as a result. Tragically, both young men were in their early twenties with their whole lives ahead of them.

We’d like to hold our children’s hands forever and keep them safe into adulthood.

But that’s not our job!

Often, the most powerful way we can influence them is by example. Fiercely-independent minded Missourians, here are some ways you can help improve the road safety statistics during this busy holiday season.

1.  We’ve said it before. Buckle up!
More than 50%  of traffic fatalities occur because of failure to wear a seat belt, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/seatbelts/facts.html

There’s no reason we cannot set the example in this area, whether you are a parent or not. Insist that your passengers wear seat belts.

Recently I pulled over when I realized a young passenger of mine was still struggling to put on his seat belt.  We stopped until the problem was resolved. End of story. No one rides in my vehicle without buckling up.

2. Put down the phone, especially in work zones.

These zones can sneak up on you quickly. It’s so easy to blink and miss a sign for upcoming road construction, especially if you’re chatting on the phone.

In many states it is illegal to use a hand-held phone while driving.

Just last week, we witnessed a driver illegally cut over a lane in front of a police officer because he was distractedly talking on his cell.  Bad move!  We saw him get busted. Kinda cheered. Just saying.

Cell phones and driving — it’s a trend that’s here to stay. Hands-free chatting is cheap, easy, and much safer. Just do it already!

3. Use your manners when you drive.

Let’s take a quick quiz! How mannerly are you on the road?

Do you always, sometimes, or never do the following?

a. Use your blinker when turning.

b. Yield when merging into traffic.

c. Keep at least a car-length between you and the car in front of you while driving.

d. Allow for a car-length distance when changing lanes in front of a slower vehicle.

If you answered ALWAYS to this short list, your momma would be proud of you!  You’re probably a model Missouri driver. Keep up the good work.

If you fall into the “sometimes” or “never” category, chances are you may have a few moving violation tickets under your belt. The state of Missouri is unhappy with you — they have a reputation to improve.

Are you at risk for losing your license?  Even failure to use your signal properly can mean two points on your license in Missouri.  Those small moving violations, like credit card debt, add up quickly!

The Law Offices of Nathan A. Steimel, LLC offers experienced, aggressive legal help for folks with moving traffic violations — even if you had a bad day and forgot your traffic manners.

Call 636-244-3737 for a free case evaluation today from an experienced Missouri traffic attorney.  

http://steimel-law.com/traffic-matters.html

This website is designed for general information only. The information presented on this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice or the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.

 

 

Why you SHOULD go to court for a moving violation in Missouri

Would you say drunk drivers or speeding drivers cause more car crash fatalities each year? You might be surprised!

According to data collected by the Missouri State Highway Patrol over a ten year period,  speeding was the lead offender, consistently causing more traffic fatalities than driving under the influence.  Surprised? http://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/MSHPWeb/SAC/crash_data_speed_960grid.html

On the other hand,  the kind of speeding that causes fatalities also can be known as careless and imprudent driving.  In Missouri, if you are caught going 25 mph over the speed limit,  you must show up in court. You may be charged with a Class B misdemeanor and possibly end up in jail.

Missouri wants to put a stop to traffic fatalities due to speeding.  The penalties for having a consistent lead foot are not pretty.  It’s not just about paying for the speeding ticket, either.  If you’re a new resident of Missouri, you need to know that you get three points on your license per speeding violation. If you were super speedy, the news gets worse — more points.

Is your car insurance company on your “gift”  list this holiday season? Your car insurance company will be happy to lighten your wallet if you accrue points for speeding, too.   More points, more money every month for them.  Those points don’t reduce down to zero for three long years  IF you are very good and don’t get any more points on your license during that time. (Watch out for those little towns and the 25 mph speed limits that sneak up on you.)

Speaking of accumulating points for moving traffic violations — you don’t want to mess with Missouri.

Why? Your right to drive — your very means of being a productive citizen — can be taken away from you for a year if you accrue 12 points in 12 months time.  Either you move to the city, take a city job, and always ride public transportation for a year, or you carpool with a compassionate friend, if you’re so lucky.

Rack up too many speeding tickets in an 18 month period and accrue 8 points on your license?  You’re in for 30 days of finding a personal chauffeur because your personal driver’s license will be suspended.

What’s on your to-do list this holiday season? Surely it’s not spending time in traffic court. So many things to do, people to see, and places to go. Even if you are the most careful of speedy drivers, a speeding ticket for breaking the absolute speed limit (posted) by more than 5 miles per hour opens the door for a possible Class C misdemeanor, depending on different factors such as construction zones.

Construction zones are one of the worst areas to speed. You could get fined up to $73 for going less than five miles above the speed limit!  Need more stress? It’s guaranteed  if you gift your loved one with your speeding ticket, no matter the size.       http://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/MSHPW

Have some moving violations already? Going to traffic court to plead for a reduction in fines and points is your best bet.  Wouldn’t it make sense to bring an experienced, knowledgeable traffic lawyer with you?

When you call The Law Offices of Nathan A. Steimel, LLC at 636-244-3737, you will get both a traffic attorney who is expert in Missouri traffic laws and a free initial consultation.  So, slow down and make that call today!

http://steimel-law.com/traffic-matters.html

This website is designed for general information only. The information presented on this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice or the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.