Missouri Truck Accident Blog

Medical Condition May Have Caused Missouri Truck Driver to Crash

Officials say that a Missouri truck driver, who recently jackknifed his semi on U.S. Highway 75 in Oklahoma and died, may have suffered a medical condition at the time of the crash. According to a news report, the 61-year-old man was driving north on the highway when his truck left the roadway, struck a culvert, and turned on its side. The driver was not wearing his seatbelt.

Although this truck driver may not have had a pre-existing medical condition, Missouri trucking accident lawyers have represented several injured victims whose accidents were caused by sick truck drivers who should not have been driving in the first place. According to a recent report by the Associated Press, hundreds of thousands of tractor trailer and bus drivers in the United States carry licenses to drive these vehicles in spite of qualifying for full federal disability. Far too many truck drivers also suffer from serious health conditions such as seizures, heart attacks, or black-outs that occur suddenly while driving.

Allowing medically unfit truckers to operate these large commercial vehicles has resulted in devastating truck accidents. According to a U.S. Department of Transportation report, 5,300 people died in accidents involving large commercial trucks or buses in 2006, and about 126,000 were injured. Thousands of these accidents each year can be avoided if trucking firms and the regulatory authorities make it tougher for truckers with serious medical conditions to be on the road.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a negligent truck driver, please contact Page Cagle to get more information about your legal rights and options. Our Missouri semi-truck accident lawyers can immediately alert our truck accident team and begin taking the same action as the trucking company and their insurance company. Failure to file your claim promptly may forever bar your claim. The statute of limitations varies from state to state and could limit the amount of time that a personal injury victim has to file a lawsuit. Please do not let this happen to you. Call Page Cagle today at 1-866-620-5757 for a free consultation and case evaluation.

Source:http://newsok.com/medical-condition-may-have-contributed-to-truckers-death-in-okmulgee-co./article/3423457

Tractor-Trailer Accident in Missouri Leaves Man Injured

A 31-year-old man was injured in a Missouri truck accident on U.S. Highway 160, the Joplin Globe reports. The man was driving east on the highway when his car collided with an eastbound tractor-trailer. The man apparently attempted to make a U-turn at Route O when the collision occurred, the news report said.
In Missouri, we do see some cases where error on the part of passenger vehicles causes serious truck accidents. However, we also often see that truck driver error causes significant injuries to occupants of passenger vehicles. The size and weight of these trucks play a significant part in the injuries that are caused.

There are many ways for drivers of passenger vehicles to effectively avoid getting into a truck accident. First, be mindful of large truck blind spots and move away from them safely and quickly. Remember, if you cannot see the truck’s side mirrors, the driver cannot see you. Always pass large trucks on the left. Especially in winter weather conditions, make sure to leave plenty of space between you and a large truck. If you witness a truck driver who is driving aggressively, recklessly or speeding, inform local law enforcement authorities at once. You may help prevent a serious accident from occurring.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in Missouri, please contact the experienced St. Louis tractor trailer accident attorneys at Page Cagle for a free and comprehensive consultation. We have the knowledge and resources to conduct a thorough investigation and obtain the evidence that will help strengthen your claim and help you secure the compensation you rightfully deserve. Call Page Cagle today at 1-866-620-5757.

Source:http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/local_story_351005901.html

Overloading Trucks is a Serious Problem

Overloading trucks or failing to distribute a load properly in tractor-trailers can cause serious truck accidents and subsequent injuries or fatalities. There are strict federal rules and regulations that apply to commercial trucking companies for limiting the total weight trucks are allowed to carry. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which regulates commercial trucking companies, limits the total weight for commercial vehicles to 20,000 pounds per axle, up to a limit of 80,000 pounds total.

It is the responsibility of the driver and the trucking company to ensure that the weight limit is not exceeded and that the weight is evenly distributed throughout the vehicle. Load-shifting often results in tractor-trailer rigs jackknifing. Overloading a big rig can also lead to other problems. An overloaded truck increases the risk of mechanical malfunction such as brake failure and tire blowouts. Still, some trucking firms and drivers will overload their trucks in order to increase their delivery capacity and maximize their profits. Overloaded big rigs nationwide have caused rear-end accidents mostly because of brake failure and have resulted in tragic fatalities.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Missouri truck accident, you may want to consider obtaining legal counsel and representation. The reputed St. Louis big rig accident lawyers at Page Cagle will remain at your side and make sure that your legal rights are protected. We understand how important it is for you to receive just compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost earnings. It is critical that you contact a knowledgeable attorney soon after your accident. Call Page Cagle at 1-866-620-5757 today for a free consultation and evaluation of your St. Louis truck accident claim.

Fatal Missouri Truck Accident

A truck driver was killed in a tractor-trailer accident on Missouri Highway 116 after he hit a jackknifed big rig. According to a report in the St. Joseph News-Press, a 45-year-old driver lost control of his 2000 International tractor-trailer on the snow-covered road. His truck then crossed the centerline, struck a rail on a bridge, and jackknifed in the road. The tractor-trailer was then hit by another big rig which was being driven by a 35-year-old man. The 35-year old big rig driver was pronounced dead at the scene as a result of the collision. The driver of the truck that crashed initially was not injured.

A number of truck accidents in Missouri this month are being caused by truck drivers who are not exercising caution while driving on snow-covered roads. Officials say excessive speed often results in tractor-trailers jackknifing and posing significant risk of injury or death to others on the road. That’s exactly what seems to have happened in this particular fatal truck accident. Such tragedies are easily prevented by truck drivers who operate their large trucks carefully and slow down in bad weather conditions.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Missouri big rig accident caused by a negligent or reckless truck driver, please contact a reputed St. Louis accident truck injury lawyer at Page Cagle for a free, comprehensive and completely confidential consultation. We will get our legal team working on your case right away and help you secure fair compensation to cover your losses. Call Page Cagle today at 1-866-620-5757.

Source:http://www.stjoenews.net/news/2009/dec/09/snowfall-slick-roads-cause-two-fatal-accidents/

Worker Injured in Hit-and-Run Truck Accident in Kansas City

A Department of Transportation worker was injured in a Missouri truck accident after a tractor-trailer struck him on Interstate 35 and kept going. According to the Kansas City Star, the accident occurred as the worker was directing traffic near Southwest Boulevard in Kansas City. The worker was reportedly wearing an orange vest when he was hit. Thankfully, officials said, the worker did not suffer major injuries.

In any truck accident case, where the truck driver is at fault, the injured victims may seek compensation from the truck driver’s employer, the trucking company. In such cases, victims may seek compensation to cover medical expenses, cost of surgery, hospitalization, and even costs of long-term care and rehabilitation. Medical expenses can be significant in cases that involve catastrophic injuries. Truck accidents, often times, can happen as a result of speeding, impairment, or reckless driving on the part of the truck driver.

If you have been seriously injured in a Missouri truck accident, please contact an experienced St. Louis big rig accident lawyer at Page Cagle. Trucking companies will usually get their insurance carrier and attorneys right away on a case. As a victim, you need a skilled personal injury attorney with experience handling truck accident cases on your side, fighting for your rights, and protecting your best interests. Call Page Cagle at 1-866-620-5757 for a free and comprehensive consultation.

Spinal Cord Injuries Caused by Missouri Truck Accidents

Truck accidents are capable of inflicting serious injuries upon those involved. Truck collisions may cause damage to a person’s vertebrae in the neck and cause irreversible damage to the spinal cord. Such damage may result in paralysis, quadriplegia or paraplegia. These are lifelong disabilities or catastrophic injuries that can change not only the lives of victims, but also the lives of their families. Paralysis of the lower trunk and lower extremities is known as paraplegia, while paralysis of most of the body, including the arms and legs, is known as quadriplegia.

Many truck accident injuries do not completely cut off the spinal cord. Such injuries most likely cause compression or fracture of the vertebrae. When this happens, a person may experience an interference with signals to and from the brain or the rest of the body. However, with good emergency care, aggressive treatment and rehabilitation, a good amount of truck accident injuries lead to a complete recovery. Still, treating spinal cord injuries can be extremely costly and painful for the victim.

If you have been injured as a result of a truck driver’s negligence, please remember that truck companies will send out their insurance adjusters, investigators and attorneys right away to get working on the case and begin their investigation. They will try to suppress or destroy evidence on the scene that may be important to your case.

You need an experienced Missouri truck accident spinal cord injury lawyer from Page Cagle on your side, fighting for your rights, and protecting your best interests. Our truck accident team will begin our investigation and make sure you have a strong case to obtain compensation to cover all medical costs, loss of earnings, and other damages. Call Page Cagle today at 1-866-620-5757 to schedule your free and comprehensive consultation.

Truck Drivers Need to Slow Down in Winter Weather

After a series of truck accidents in Northwest Missouri, authorities are telling truck drivers to go back to the basics of driving. When the weather is bad, slow down. Missouri saw the first big snowfall of the season in early December. According to an article in the St. Joseph News Press, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported several tractor-trailer accidents that closed a stretch of Interstate 29 near Rock Port. Officials say that it is not a common occurrence to see so many truck accidents at once. However, these accidents are not surprising if you take into account the vast amount of truck drivers who forget to slow down when the weather gets rough.

Officials have said that a majority of these tractor trailer accidents in Missouri were caused by truck drivers’ failure to use their discretion with regard to speed. On heavy snow days, trucks are asked to stay off the road. Even so, there are still some trucking companies and truck drivers that allow the pressure of getting work done on time to overshadow the importance of safety. Some of these drivers put their job ahead of their own safety and the safety of others on the roadway.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Missouri truck accident, you need skilled legal advice and representation. The reputed personal injury lawyers at Page Cagle will remain at your side and make sure that your rights are protected. Our experienced Missouri tractor trailer accident lawyers may be able to help you receive compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost earnings. It is critical that you contact a knowledgeable attorney as soon as you can after your accident. Call Page Cagle today at 1-866-620-5757 for a free consultation and evaluation of your St. Louis truck accident claim.

Source:http://www.stjoenews.net/news/2009/dec/13/semi-drivers-asked-use-more-caution/

Missouri Truck Accident Spills Hydrochloric Acid on Paseo Bridge

According to an article from the Kansas City Star, a tractor-trailer hit a barrier and overturned, spilling about 400 gallons of hazardous hydrochloric acid (HCl) on northbound Interstate 35 at Front Street in Kansas City, Missouri. Northbound lanes of the Paseo Bridge are still closed while the southbound lanes reopened late afternoon on Monday, November 30.

The truck driver was taken to the nearest hospital. Two police officers and a construction worker were also hospitalized after inhaling fumes. Several others in the area also went in on their own accord because of eye and respiratory irritation. Numerous hazardous material crews, along with state and federal officials and contractors, were at the scene for cleanup and decontamination.

Police believe that the truck driver was going too fast for passing a narrow and curving roadway near a construction zone. Investigations of the crash are on hold until the remaining chemicals are removed.
Hydrochloric acid is a highly corrosive inorganic compound that is often used for industrial processes. In high concentrations, HCl forms a cloud or vapor plume that has a toxic effect on lungs, trachea, skin, eyes and intestines. About 20 million metric tons of HCl are produced each year.

In other words, truck accidents and toxic spills like this one affect not only the victims in the crash, but the surrounding area and people. Tractor-trailers, semi trucks and 18-wheelers encompass 15% of fatalities in Missouri. If you or someone you love has been injured in a truck accident, you need an experienced Missouri semi truck accident attorney at Page Cagle to hear your case and recover the compensation you deserve. Contact us at (866) 620-5757 for a free truck accident consultation and learn your rights.

Source:http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking_news/story/1601350.html

Drug Use among Truck Drivers Prevalent, Study Finds

A recent investigative report by the Associated Press showed that tractor-trailer and bus drivers who tested positive for illegal drugs continue to get hired and return to work without the required treatment or testing. According to a study performed by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), 19 out of 37 commercial drivers who had a positive drug test in the last two years were hired elsewhere less than a month later. Their previous test result was not revealed and employers, apparently, never asked them about it or even tested them before hiring them.

How did these tractor-trailer and bus drivers who tested positive for cocaine or amphetamine use get around a pre-employment drug test? The study says that they either did it by “quickly going clean” or using products such as synthetic urine to clear the test. Federal drug regulations for truck drivers require prospective employers to request drug testing records, with the driver’s consent, from previous employers. But it seems as though trucking companies are hardly investigating new employees. They are apparently just too eager to put them to work.

The findings of this study are deeply disturbing. Alcohol and drug use is one of the causes of devastating truck accidents. It’s frightening to imagine a truck driver under the influence of cocaine or methamphetamine handling an 80,000-pound tractor-trailer.

If you have been injured by a drunk or negligent truck driver, you can file a claim against the trucking company to seek compensation for your injuries, damages and loss. Trucking companies will try to protect their employees and shift the blame on innocent victims. The skilled and experienced Missouri truck accident lawyers at Page Cagle will fight for your rights and make sure you get fairly compensated for your tremendous loss. Call Page Cagle today at (866) 620-5757 for a free consultation.

Tired Truckers Rule the Road

The Obama administration is reconsidering a poor decision made by the Bush administration to extend truck drivers’ hours of service. This previous decision has placed the driving public at the mercy of fatigued truckers who are a genuine threat to public safety. According to a news report, the Bush administration, urged by the trucking industry, issued a federal rule allowing truck drivers to put in up to 11 hours a day and cut down the rest time they must get between work weeks as well. Before this rule was passed, truckers were allowed to work only 10 hours behind the wheel each day. Going over opposition by federal courts and the government’s own Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the White House passed the rule anyway in October 2008.

This situation existed until the Obama administration worked out a deal recently with several safety advocacy groups to reconsider the Bush administration’s 11th hour rule. But here’s the worrisome part. Until the government is done reconsidering this rule, public safety is still in jeopardy because of tired truckers.

Missouri truck accident lawyers know that truck driver fatigue is a significant factor in many tractor trailer versus car, motorcycle, or other auto accidents. When a truck driver falls asleep at the wheel while operating an 80,000-pound vehicle, there is no question about the damage and devastation such a situation has the potential to cause. In a recent survey, 20 percent of long-haul truck drivers admitted to falling asleep at the wheel. That statistic in itself should tell us how often these dangerous situations are created on our roadways.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a tired, sleepy or fatigued truck driver, please contact Page Cagle to get more information about your legal rights and options. Our personal injury law firm can immediately alert our truck accident team and begin taking the same action as the truck company and their insurance company. Failure to file your claim promptly may forever bar your claim. The statutes of limitations vary from state to state and could limit the amount of time that a personal injury victim has to file a lawsuit. Please do not let this happen to you. Call skilled attorney John Page today at (866) 620-5757 for a free consultation and case evaluation.

Source:http://www.inthesetimes.com/working/entry/5188/driving_their_lives_away/