Successful merging requires good judgment. Unfortunately, due to negligence, merging accidents are common on many interstate highways.
It’s no wonder that interstates see a lot of accidents at the points where they merge with other roads. During rush hours, wrecks are increasingly common. Also, if there is an accident while merging onto the interstate, it’s far more likely to be serious than an accident that happens on a local road.
You are a great lawyer! Thank you.
Asked a trauma surgeon who operates on car accident victims who are the best injury lawyers that have taken his deposition. He said “by far” it was Mr Hoffmann. Interviewed several attorneys and this was a correct assessment. In a league of his own!
My aunt was in a major automobile accident. Our family interviewed several lawyers. This one stood out about them all. It was a great choice!
Few lawyers in St. Louis can handle the biggest injury cases! This is one of them!
Response from the owner: Our law firm has made great efforts in terms of training to handle life changing injury cases. Whether in depth knowledge of the medical, loss of income and earning capacity, or lifetime medical care plans, our clients feel confident and know their case is in good hands. Thank you for the compliment.
Cannot say enough about this lawyer. Call if in an accident. This attorney handles the biggest car accidents in St Louis.
Response from the owner: Thanks Ash! Our biggest source of cases is our clients. Our second biggest referral source is defense lawyers telling their relatives to call us. Few lawyers can handle the largest cases. Our law firm welcomes and has trained for this. We don’t do mass production settlement like the lawyers on TV. Our clients can never go back to work. Their cases need massive focus and effort and often long fought litigation.
So glad I called attorney Hoffmann. This time I got it right! So glad I hired the Hoffmann Law Firm - professional, reliable and available.
Response from the owner: Thanks Taylor. Our lawyers answer the phone day, night, weekends and even during lunch. Being professional means training to beat the best defense lawyers. Client rely on us to get results and we do.
Great lawyer. Cares about his clients, knows his stuff and goes the extra mile. I recommend this lawyer for car wreck injury claim. Every other lawyer on TV would not even help with my property claim. This attorney did.
Response from the owner: Thank you for the kind words. Every case starts with a great client. You are correct the car accident lawyers on TV are mass production settlement mills. When injury clients fire them, we get their files and the cases are not worked up at all. Appreciate your confidence in us!
Major car accident injury in St Louis area for a family member. Four different lawyers we know said the same thing - call Chris Hoffmann. On another level.
Response from the owner: This is such a great compliment. Most of our cases come from prior client or lawyers that also do car accidents cases but the particular case is too large or too difficult. Being a lawyer and an accountant, we specialize in cases with total lost of income, earning capacity and/or often the inability to continue a family business. Evaluations such as these are second nature for our lawyers. Thanks.
Best in St Louis for auto accident cases. Nobody else is even close.
Response from the owner: So kind of you to leave this review. Whether our lawyers are going after big insurance or their lawyers, skill and experience are essential and win the day for our auto accident clients. Thanks!
This attorney is very smart, very experienced, returns phone calls and knows the answers when asked. One call and I knew this was a great law firm for auto accidents.
Response from the owner: Our law firm appreciates this. This is a comment we get from so many people who call…”none of the lawyers we called told me all the things that you did.” Whether we take a car accident case or not, helping people is a good thing.
5 Star Lawyer for sure! Best you will find in Saint Louis.
Response from the owner: Thanks for the 5 Star Rating. Reviews like this are great. Injury victims quickly figure out the TV advertisers are not good. We work hard at being the best we can be and it reflects in our representation of car accident victims.
Watch this lawyer in action. Was way better than all the others. Get this lawyer for an automobile accident for sure.
Response from the owner: Thanks for the recommendation. Besides doing cases, our attorneys train for this. Hard work, case knowledge and technique is key to success in car accident litigation.
Very pleased with The Hoffmann Law Firm. Lawyers are attentive, friendly and go the distance to force the settlement you want. The TV lawyers recommend low offers. This law firm gets the maximum.
Response from the owner: We get calls from car accident victims that had to fire the TV lawyers that they hired. They give the same two reasons: 1) they never spoke to a lawyer at the Big TV law firms, only a paralegal, and 2) the paralegal recommended they accept a low offer. At our law firm, you only talk to the lawyer and if an offer is low we tell you to sue. Thanks!
You will love this car accident lawyer.
Response from the owner: You are the best! Thanks for the review. Our attorneys work hard but it all starts with a great client.
Several lawyers said to call this lawyer because he is the best. You will appreciate this law firm. Helped with the injury and property claims. Attentive and knowledgeable. Great reputation in St Louis.
Response from the owner: Thanks Lexi. Our #1 source of cases is other lawyers referring us cases that are too big for them to handle.
Would use this accident law firm. Best in Saint Louis. Highly rated and it shows. After one phone call, you just know this attorney is better. 5 Stars!!
Response from the owner: Thanks for recommending our lawyers in St Louis. There is a major difference in lawyers as you well know.
Great law firm thanks Leah for the referral
Response from the owner: Appreciate you recommending our law firm. Car accident litigation is all we do and specializing allows us to focus.
Car accident lawyers on tv are not good . Get this attorney ! He is a pro !!
Response from the owner: Thanks Nathan. TV lawyers market for car accidents, use paralegals instead of lawyers and give their employees settlement quotas hence forcing cheap settlements. At our law firm, you get a lawyer who keeps pushing forward for more.
A+ attorney. Smart. Helpful. Great for automobile accident cases. Located in saint louis, missouri. Use him!
Response from the owner: Thanks. Car accident cases are difficult without the right attorney and great clients. Much appreciated.
Quality lawyer. Best law firm for a car accident. Advice was way better than other lawyers I called in St. Louis. Helped with property and injury.
Response from the owner: Thanks. The TV lawyer advertisers are just car accident settlement mills. As soon as people call a real attorney, they always tell us how much better and more helpful we were. Appreciate this.
Get this lawyer if you have an automobile accident. Simply the best!
Response from the owner: Thanks Lizzy. Recommendations from other is the best way to find a car accident attorney.
This lawyer is big time. Smooth. The other lawyers on the other side were not nearly as good as this attorney. I recommend friends in St Louis to him for accident injuries and they all say the same thing…”that lawyer is great.”
Response from the owner: Very nice of you to say. Our lawyers work hard on auto accident cases.
Family used this car accident attorney after a crash. Located in St Louis. This lawyer answers the phone and will walk you through the process. Knows his stuff!
Response from the owner: Taking calls, going over the car accident injury and property process is important. Clients that call always say we are the only lawyers that explained everything. Much appreciated.
Tried the lawyers on TV. They were not good. Hired this car accident lawyer instead because he had great reviews. The reviews are correct. This attorney is as good as they get. He does big injury cases that need to be litigated.
Response from the owner: Car accident lawyers on TV do not litigate cases. It is mass production. They have quotas. Local attorneys are best on auto accidents.
Very very good at injury claims for car wrecks. Use this St Louis attorney. Two thumbs up!
Response from the owner: Thanks for the review! All we do is accidents. When you specialize, your knowledge base and practice skills grow. Thanks!
Used this attorney for an auto accident. Highly recommend this lawyer in St. Louis. Communicates well.
Response from the owner: Communicating with clients is essential. Taking the client though the car accident claims process is important otherwise major mistakes can occur. It is an effort that we make. Thanks!
Best for car accidents in St Louis. Use this attorney.
Response from the owner: Thanks. Great clients make for great cases!
This lawyer is great for car accident injury claims. Did an uninsured motorist case. Very good attorney.
Response from the owner: Car accidents can be insured or uninsured. The claims are much different. Thanks for the review.
Great lawyer if you are in an auto accident. I recommend this attorneys office.
Response from the owner: Thanks J. Glad we got your auto accident case completed and that for telling others about our lawyers.
Very good car accident attorney. Did my and my relatives claims and paperwork. Highly recommend.
Response from the owner: Thanks for recommending our law firm on car accident cases.
Fantastic law firm, I would recommend! Received free consultation related to an auto accident when my parked car was damaged by a baseball. Very supportive advice, these guys are good!
Response from the owner: Thank you!
Recommend this attorney for auto accidents.
Response from the owner: Thanks for recommending our attorneys for an automobile accident.
Best St Louis lawyer for car accidents.
Response from the owner: Thanks Tana. Appreciate this!
Great Lawyer!!
Response from the owner: Thank you
I was in a car accident in St.Louis and hired Chris as my lawyer. He was amazing!!! He helped me every step of the way and was able to get me a great settlement!!!Highly, highly, highly recommend him!
Response from the owner: Each step is important in a car accident. Thanks for recommending us for car accidents injury claims.
If you have an auto accident and need an attorney in St Louis, I recommend Mr Hoffmann.
Response from the owner: Appreciate this James and you did great as well. Car accident claims always start with a good client.
Great car accident lawyer. Did a very good job on my injury case. Thanks!
Response from the owner: Thanks. Appreciate the compliment. All we do is car accident litigation.
Very accomplished accident attorney in Saint Louis. 5 stars for sure!
Response from the owner: Thanks
A car accident lawyer I would recommend to anyone.
Response from the owner: Thanks. That is great of you to say about our lawyers.
Great car accident attorney!!
Response from the owner: Thanks
When I had my accident he was very professional, honest and caring to me and my family it wasn't about the money it was about the care, he made sure me and my kids were took care of and I really appreciate it this is a gexcellant law firm also his secretary is the best,so I would like to say thank you chris for everything melinda .
Response from the owner: Thank you
Great car accident lawyer in St. Louis. This is a very good car accident lawyer in St. Lious. Takes phone calls. Listens. Experienced in injury litigation.
Response from the owner: Thanks Maddie. Our law firm brings experience to the table on car accident cases.
Great people, helped me through a situation over the phone. His words and advice eventually helped me in my case.
Response from the owner: Glad to hear!
Although Mr. Hoffman did not represent me in my case he was willing to take the time to get me in touch with someone who specializes in the type of incident I needed legal representation with. Attorney's such as Mr. Hoffman are difficult to find. He took personal time to keep in touch with me and give me sound legal advice and guidance. I highly recommend speaking with Mr. Hoffman if you require his services. I truly believe he is the type of person who cares and will make sure the job gets done RIGHT. Do not hesitate to contact him
Response from the owner: Anytime!
In an auto accident in St. Louis, the other car pulled out and hit us. The collision was very bad. We were all injured and used this attorney. He is very experienced in handling injury claims and got a great settlement after filing a lawsuit for us. 5 Stars!
Response from the owner: Thanks Ms. Santoni. Side impact car accidents are some of the worst our lawyers see. We have to file lawsuits on nearly every case because insurance companies deny almost every claim, but I am glad we got yours resolved. I appreciate you recommending our lawyers and giving us a 5 Star rating.
My daughter and I were in an car accident. We for both injured badly. After I finally got out of the hospital, I started looking for lawyers in Saint Louis and found this attorney who does accident and injury claims. It said their attorney would answer 24 hours a day. I called their law firm at 10 p.m. and a injury lawyer answered. He was polite, knowledgeable, and advised me of what needed to be done for myself and my daughter regarding the car accident. I hired them to do or auto accident case. They kept me well informed during the car accident case in Saint Louis County Court. I was well prepared for depositions. He help with everything. I got a good settlement as did my daughter for our injuries. Although the car accident was scary, it was bearable having a good helpful attorney on our side. I highly recommend this Saint Louis car accident law firm. Their attorneys and lawyers are great. Highly recommended
Response from the owner: Happy to help.
Why is merging so dangerous?
Merging onto an interstate highway is a complex maneuver that requires precise timing, careful judgment, and smooth acceleration. The danger lies in seamlessly integrating with high-speed traffic while navigating potential blind spots and varying traffic densities. Here are the main factors that make merging hazardous:
The Challenges of Merging
- Speed Adjustment: Matching your speed to highway traffic is crucial. Too slow, and you risk being rear-ended; too fast, and you might collide with vehicles ahead.
- Gap Assessment: Finding a safe space to merge requires quick thinking and accurate distance judgment.
- Timing: Entering the highway at the right moment is critical to avoid disrupting traffic flow or causing accidents.
Common Causes of Merging Accidents
- Failure to Yield Right-of-Way: Neglecting to prioritize oncoming traffic can force other drivers to brake suddenly or swerve, potentially causing multi-vehicle collisions.
- Aggressive Lane Changes: Immediately crossing multiple lanes after merging is extremely risky. It puts you in the path of faster-moving vehicles and can catch other drivers off guard.
- Merging Too Slowly: Excessive caution can be dangerous. Entering the highway at a speed significantly lower than the traffic flow increases the risk of rear-end collisions.
- Stopping in the Merge Lane: This is perhaps the most dangerous mistake. Stopping while waiting for a gap in traffic:
- Makes it nearly impossible to accelerate to highway speeds safely
- Greatly increases the risk of being rear-ended by other merging vehicles
- Can cause a chain reaction of sudden stops in the merge lane
Remember, successful merging requires confidence, awareness, and smooth execution. Always use your mirrors, signal your intentions, and be prepared to adjust your speed as needed. If you miss your opportunity to merge safely, continuing on the merge lane (if possible) is better to try again rather than forcing a dangerous entry onto the highway.
Why are rear-end collisions so common on interstate highways?
Rear-end collisions are particularly prevalent on interstate highways due to several factors:
- High speeds: Interstate traffic moves at much higher speeds than local roads. This leaves less time for drivers to react to sudden changes in traffic flow.
- Tailgating: Many drivers follow too closely, not allowing enough stopping distance. When traffic suddenly slows, this often results in rear-end collisions.
- Distracted driving: With long stretches of seemingly monotonous road, drivers may become distracted by phones, GPS devices, or other in-car activities.
- Sudden traffic changes: Merging traffic, construction zones, or accidents can cause rapid slowdowns that catch inattentive drivers off guard.
- Fatigue: Long-distance driving on interstates can lead to driver fatigue, slowing reaction times and increasing the risk of rear-end collisions.
- Weather conditions: Rain, snow, or fog can reduce visibility and make roads slippery, increasing stopping distances and the likelihood of rear-end accidents.
- Improper merging: As mentioned earlier in this page, drivers merging too slowly or stopping in merge lanes can cause rear-end collisions with vehicles already on the interstate.
The Unique Dangers of 18-Wheeler Vehicles
18-wheeler trucks, also known as semi-trucks or tractor-trailers, play a crucial role in our economy but pose significant risks on the road. Their massive size and weight make accidents involving these vehicles particularly severe. Understanding the unique challenges associated with 18-wheelers can help you stay safe when sharing the road with them.
Why 18-Wheelers Pose Increased Accident Risks
- Extensive Blind Spots:
- 18-wheelers have large areas around them where the driver cannot see other vehicles.
- These “No-Zones” include directly behind the trailer, along both sides (especially on the right), and immediately in front of the cab.
- Safety Tip: If you can’t see the truck driver in their side mirror, assume they can’t see you. Avoid lingering in these blind spots.
- Longer Stopping Distances:
- Due to their size and weight, 18-wheelers require significantly more distance to come to a complete stop compared to passenger vehicles.
- This distance increases further in wet or icy conditions.
- Safety Tip: Maintain a safe following distance when behind a truck, and avoid cutting in front of them suddenly.
- Wide Turns:
- 18-wheelers need extra space to make turns, often swinging wide or using multiple lanes.
- This can catch other drivers off guard, especially at intersections.
- Safety Tip: Never try to squeeze by a turning truck; give them plenty of space to maneuver.
- Cargo-Related Risks:
- Overloaded trucks: Exceed weight limits, affecting braking and handling.
- Improperly secured cargo: Can shift during transit or fall onto the roadway.
- Both scenarios can lead to loss of control or create hazardous road conditions.
- Safety Tip: If you notice a truck with an unstable load, keep your distance and consider reporting it to authorities.
Staying Safe Around 18-Wheelers
To minimize risks when driving near 18-wheelers:
- Give them ample space, especially in challenging driving conditions.
- Be predictable and avoid sudden lane changes or braking around trucks.
- Use extra caution when merging onto highways or passing trucks.
- Be patient and never engage in aggressive driving behaviors with truck drivers.
Remember, professional truck drivers are generally skilled at handling their vehicles but rely on other motorists to drive responsibly around them. By understanding and respecting the limitations of 18-wheelers, we can all contribute to safer roads.
Seek the Help of St. Louis car accident attorney
Call our experienced St. Louis car accident attorneys if you have been involved in a merging accident on a Missouri interstate. We can evaluate your claim free of charge and help you determine the best course moving forward. Call The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. at (314) 361-4242.
Free Consultation with a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer
Don’t talk to an insurance claims adjuster before speaking with The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. We can help you avoid making statements that may affect the outcome of your case. The consultation is free; you don’t pay unless we get you money!
