Missouri Injury Law Blog

The Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation is sponsoring the upcoming Bicycle and Pedestrian Day at the Capitol on Monday, April 2nd in Jefferson City. If you are interested in attending this event you can pre-register at: http://MoBikeFed.org/CapitolDay Additionally, you can be a "Capitol Day Sponsor" as every dollar helps the Mo Bike Federation deliver their message safer bicycling and walking. Donate Here: http://MoBikeFed.org/SponsorCapitolDay

As previously discussed in this Injury Law Blog, our firm routinely handles bicycle injury cases, we value bicycle safety and support the Missouri Bike Federation as they are pivotal in passing new bicycle safety rules through our State and local governments. One such law that is crucial to most Missouri bike injury cases that I use is the failure to maintain a safe distance when overtaking a bicycle. See Bicycle Injury Lawyer Article.

MORE ABOUT 2012 CAPITOL DAY IN JEFFERSON CITY

MoDOT Director Kevin Keith will kick of Capitol Day by speaking about MoDOT's plans for bicycling and walking at the Awards Ceremony, 10:30am in the 1st Floor Capitol Rotunda.

Rep. Cauthorn introduced a bill this week that would require bicyclists to wear a reflective vest whenever riding on a state road or highway. We need to talk to our legislators about what real measures they can take to improve cyclist safety--and stop this bill in its tracks. The bill will only discourage more people from bicycling and do nothing real to improve safety--but we need you to take this message personally to your own legislators so that we can make real progress in improving safety and stop discouraging measures like this.

Several important bills this year that have the potential to impact bicycling and walking for the better:

1. Anti-distracted driving bill
2. Bill creating greater penalties for drivers who injure or kill
3. Bike rack/license plate bill Bill to name a bridge path after legendary bicycle advocate (and former MoBikeFed President) Bob Watts.

Pedestrian Deaths in Missouri on the Rise: How to be Safe and Avoid an Accident

Missouri Bike Accidents and Injury - Common Causes and Proving Driver was Drunk

Continue reading "Missouri Bicycle Safety: Bike and Pedestrian Day at Capitol on April 2, 2012" »

Injury law firm, Sansone / Lauber, is a long time supporter of the Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation; they are the major player in Missouri to help make laws for the safety of cyclists and pedestrians. To see the importance of this cause read St Louis Bike lawyer artilce about bike safety in Missouri: Missouri Bicycle Injuries and Safety.

One of many important laws passed as a result of Mo Bike Fed's efforts was the 2005 law requiring motorists to maintain a safe distance when overtaking a bicycle. See Safe Distance to be Maintained when Overtaking Bicycle. This is a very effective law and I have personally used it in several St Louis bike injury lawsuits. One is currently ongoing as a result of a Wentzville, Missouri drunk driver struck my client who was bicycling on the side of the road. The police charged the drunk driver with DWI and under the failure to maintain safe distance statute and he plead guilty to both charges and was convicted of failure to maintain a safe distance when overtaking a bicycle. For a more detailed and extensive list of bike laws see the MO Bike Federation's list of Missouri Bicycle Laws.

A new effort by the Missouri Bike Federation is to raise money by encouraging cyclists to get Bike Plates. This is not mandatory and they are not pushing for legislation requiring bike plates. The fee of $55 goes partially to the state ($15.00) for making the plates, but the remainder of $30.00 goes to the Bike Federation so they can keep doing the good work they are doing. To register for Missouri Bike plates click here.

Not only is the donation a benefit to the Bike Federation, the plates help promote awareness that bicyclists have the same rights to the road as motor vehicles, the plates can help identify you in the unfortunate instance you are involved in an accident and are unconscious or unable to identify yourself. This will help in getting you the proper medical treatment and allowing authorities to notify your family or friends.

Related Articles:

The "I did not see the cyclist" Defense and dealing with it at Trial

Missouri Bicycle Injury Law - Rights and Duties

Continue reading "Missouri Bicycle Plates - Way to Raise Money for Bike Safety in Missouri " »

Helmets First gives away bicycle helmets to St Louis area children. They are holding their first fundraising ride on Labor Day. www.HelmetHustle.com

Helmets First!
6133 Delmar Blvd
St Louis, MO, 63112
(877) 506-1570
(618) 281-8393 FAX
www.helmetsfirst.com

This is a worthy cause to help encourage and promote bike helmet use by children. The most common injury related to bike accidents is head and brain injury. Unfortunalty, head injuries occur even with the use of helmets, however, the use of a helmet greatly reduces the severity of most head injuries. Instead of being a life debilitating injury, use of helmets often limits the head injury to symptoms of headaches and other minor symptoms which usually go away after a few weeks.