Missouri Truck Accident Blog

Safety Belt Survey Reveals More Truckers Buckling Up

The U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently released the results of its annual Safety Belt Usage by CMV Drivers Survey. Based on data collected in 2009, the survey revealed that 74 percent of commercial motor vehicle drivers are now wearing their safety belts regularly – a 9 percent rise from 2007. The survey examined the habits of 20,818 drivers of commercial trucks and buses who stopped at 217 different checkpoints throughout the United States.

The survey also found a number of interesting facts related to safety belt use. Truck drivers and other commercial drivers were 11 percent more likely to wear their safety belts and ensure passengers were wearing safety belts in states with primary safety belt laws. In these states, 78 percent of commercial drivers wore their safety belts, compared with only 67 percent of drivers in states without primary safety belt laws.

Also, 78 percent of drivers employed by regional or national trucking companies wore their safety belts, but only 64 percent of self-employed truck drivers did. Drivers in the western U.S. were most likely to wear their safety belts: 79 percent of them were buckled up, while in the Northeast only 64 percent of drivers went buckled.

Wearing a safety belt is one of the simplest things a driver of any vehicle can do in order to improve safety and reduce the chances of serious injury in a crash. Unfortunately, while seat belts can and do save lives, they cannot prevent all injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured in a collision with a large truck, please get in touch with a Missouri truck crash attorney at Page Law. Our experienced lawyers will examine the details of your case and help you hold negligent parties accountable. Call Page Law today at (314) 322-8515 for a free and confidential consultation.

Difference between Missouri Truck Accident Claims and Lawsuits

Claims and lawsuits relating to truck accidents in Missouri can be complex. Many people who are injured or have lost a loved one in a tractor trailer crash may be wondering what the difference is between a truck accident claim and a Missouri truck accident lawsuit.

While a claim is typically filed with the insurance company, a truck accident lawsuit is filed against the truck driver and the trucking company, or anyone else who may be involved. To understand important differences between a claim and a lawsuit and why contacting an attorney to file a lawsuit on your behalf may be beneficial, please view the following video:

Truck Driver Receives Minor Injuries in Missouri Accident Involving Utility Pole

A tractor-trailer driver recently hit a pole south of Centralia in an accident, reports a recent article in the Columbia Tribune. The truck ran off the road, hit the utility pole, and ended up in the center of Route Z near Old Highway 124. The Missouri trucking crash occurred at about six o’clock in the morning. Other than the utility pole, the accident caused no property damage.

The utility pole with which the semi truck collided was knocked down, but power company employees were able to repair the downed utility pole quickly, and no one in the area reported an electrical outage. The truck was carrying a load of electrical transformers, but these were still secured to the truck when emergency personnel arrived. The driver was taken to a local hospital, where he was treated for the injuries he sustained in the accident and then released. His injuries were minor.

Fire department officials who investigated the Missouri single truck accident and assisted the driver did not say what factors may have played a part in the crash. It is unknown whether the driver was speeding, for example.

Country roads pose an especially high risk to truck drivers and the motorists who share these roads with tractor-trailers. The often narrow, winding roads can deceive a driver into believing the truck is not going too fast until it is too late to slow down. Hazards like wildlife and water can also play a part in Missouri tractor-trailer accidents.

If you have been injured in a truck accident, please contact the experienced Missouri truck accident attorneys at Page Law. Our skilled lawyers will examine the details of your case and help you win the compensation you need from the parties responsible for your injuries and associated damages. Call Page Law today at (314) 322-8515 to schedule a free and confidential consultation.

FMCSA Proposes Exemption from Hours of Service Rules for Fertilizer Transport

The U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has proposed a temporary exemption from Hours of Service rules for truckers carrying anhydrous ammonia, as long as the trucker is carrying the ammonia to a farm retailer or an end user located within 100 miles of the ammonia’s distribution point. The proposed exemption would extend an exemption granted on May 21, 2010.

Hours of Service rules are intended to prevent truck drivers from becoming overly fatigued by driving for too long. Fatigued or sleepy truck drivers are the cause of many truck accidents in Missouri and throughout the U.S. each year, some of them fatal. Normally, FMCSA strictly enforces Hours of Service rules in order to ensure the safety of both truck drivers and the motorists with whom large trucks share the road.

The proposed exemption, however, takes into account that during the growing season, farmers often need large quantities of fertilizer or other chemicals at precisely the right times in order to produce the best possible crop. If no driver is available to deliver anhydrous ammonia to farmers on time, the farmer’s crops could suffer. FMCSA’s proposed exemption attempts to balance the needs of farmers for fertilizer against the needs of truck drivers for proper rest.

The public may comment on the proposed exemption until August 13, 2010. Comments may be mailed to Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, Room W-12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 20590-0001. They may also be faxed to 1-202-493-2251.

If you or someone you love has suffered injury in a Missouri truck accident due to truck driver fatigue, please don’t hesitate to contact the experienced St. Louis trucker fatigue accident attorneys at Page Law. Our skilled lawyers will help you understand your legal rights and help you obtain compensation for pain and suffering, medical bills, loss of wages, and other damages. Call (314) 322-8515 today to schedule a free consultation.

Third Victim of Kansas City Dump Truck Van Accident Dies

The driver of a dump truck that collided with a delivery van passed away in the hospital a week after the Kansas City vehicle accident occurred, according to recent coverage by local ABC affiliate KMBC. His death is the third to arise from the truck accident in Missouri.

The dump truck and the delivery van crashed at the intersection of Truman Road and Woodland Avenue in Kansas City in the beginning of July. The driver and passenger in the van were pronounced dead at the scene. Medical personnel believe the two men died instantly. Both the driver and the passenger of the dump truck were hospitalized immediately after the accident, having both suffered critical injuries. These injuries overcame the driver a week later, resulting in his death. The passenger remains hospitalized in serious condition.

Based on eyewitness accounts of the Missouri tractor trailer accident, police currently believe that the driver of the dump truck was speeding and ran a red light at the intersection. A witness who had tried to help the dump truck’s passenger immediately after the crash described it as happening “in a matter of seconds.”

Although we frequently think of St. Louis truck accidents occurring on crowded freeways, they can also occur on city streets. Trucks traveling in the city still need additional room to stop and to maneuver, and the city’s close quarters can make driving even more difficult. Truck drivers who do not pay proper attention to their surroundings while driving in the city may cause accidents – some of which, unfortunately, prove fatal.

If you’ve lost a loved one due to a truck driver’s carelessness while driving, please don’t hesitate to contact the experienced Missouri truck accident wrongful death attorneys at Page Law today. Our legal team will review the details of your case and protect your rights as we fight to hold negligent parties accountable for their actions. Call Page Law today at (314) 322-8515 for a free and confidential consultation.

See Unsafe Truck Driving? Report It to FMCSA

Motorists who witness tractor-trailers being driven in an unsafe fashion can report their concerns to the government. The U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), an agency of the Department of Transportation (DOT), operates a safety hotline specifically to address safety concerns from motorists, truck drivers, and other individuals relating to the trucking industry. The hotline can be reached at 1-888-DOT-SAFT.

The hotline accepts calls from both motorists and truck drivers who wish to report unsafe conditions. Common calls include truck drivers who are being required to drive more than the Hours of Service rules allow; persons who notice that trucks are mechanically unsafe to drive or truckers appear intoxicated, fatigued, or ill; and motorists who wish to report dangerous driving by large trucks.

When making a call, remember to include your name, address, and telephone number, the specific dates of the alleged violation, and the details of the alleged violation. Persons calling the hotline may report up to three possible violations per phone call.

Upon receiving a complaint, the Department of Transportation records the complaint and investigates it if the DOT determines the complaint meets certain standards. You may be contacted by an agency official for additional information. Within 90 days, the DOT should inform you as to how your complaint was handled.

Reporting unsafe driving helps prevent semi truck accidents from happening by ensuring that dangerous conditions are addressed before they can cause an accident. If you’ve been in a collision involving a large truck, the experienced Missouri big rig injury accident attorneys at Page Law can help. Our skilled legal team will examine the details of your case and help you fight to protect your rights and win the compensation you deserve. Call Page Law today at (314) 322-8515 for a free consultation.

Missouri Truck Driver Holds Record for Accident-Free Miles

Hannibal, Missouri resident Hank Thomas was honored recently by the Missouri Trucking Association for breaking a state record: he has driven his tractor-trailer four million miles without a single accident. He was also honored by the Missouri state Senate in April 2010 and the state House of Representatives in May 2010 for his accomplishment, according to a recent article in the Hannibal Courier-Post.

Mr. Thomas’s advice for truckers wishing to challenge his record is simple. Pay attention to the road, the other cars, and your own driving. Get plenty of rest. Don’t talk on a cell phone while driving. Don’t tailgate the vehicle in front of you or speed.

Mr. Thomas began driving trucks at the age of 15, when he drove on his parents’ farm. He began driving tractor-trailers in 1966 and has driven trucks for McNay Truckline of Quincy, Illinois for 29 years. He has also driven trucks for Gully, Recycled Paper Co., and Brown Trucking, also of Hannibal, Missouri. McNay Truckline has been his employer for the longest period of time. The company listens to his concerns as a driver and keeps his equipment in excellent condition, which contributes to Mr. Thomas’s ability to drive safely.

A host of good driving skills, a good team of mechanics, and an employer that cares about the safe driving of its employees have all contributed to Mr. Thomas’s accomplishment. Unfortunately, many truck accidents in Missouri and throughout the U.S. continue to occur each year when truck drivers break one of Mr. Thomas’s recommended driving rules – and possibly break state or federal law as well.

If you have been injured in a collision with a tractor-trailer and you believe the truck driver’s negligence is to blame, please don’t hesitate to call Page Law. Our experienced Missouri truck driver negligence lawyers will examine the details of your case and protect your legal rights. Call Page Law today at (314) 322-8515 to schedule a free case evaluation.

Volvo Recalls 60,000 Tractor-Trailers

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently announced a voluntary recall by Volvo of over 60,000 tractor-trailers due to steering problems. WSLS reports that the recall affects Volvo VNL and VNM trucks with model years 2001 through 2006.

The manufacturer issued the recall due to a defect in the trucks’ TRW-sealed drag link. If the drag link defects are not addressed, they may result in separation of the ball socket at the drag link, resulting in a complete loss of steering control by the driver and presenting a high risk that the truck will crash. So far, 23 crashes and two deaths related to the defect have been reported to NHTSA.

Owners of the Volvo trucks affected by the recall are advised by NHTSA to take their trucks to the dealership. Volvo mechanics will inspect the drag link and ball socket and replace parts if necessary. Owners can also call Volvo at 1-800-528-6586 for more information.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is the federal office responsible for overseeing road safety, including tractor-trailer safety issues. Truck manufacturers, owners, and drivers may be held accountable by NHTSA if they fail to meet mandated safety requirements. Manufacturers, truck repair workers, owners, and drivers may also be held liable by other motorists who are injured due to a defective or improperly repaired truck part.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a St. Louis tractor-trailer accident and you know or suspect a defective part is to blame, please don’t hesitate to contact the experienced St. Louis truck crash attorneys at Page Law. Our lawyers will help you understand your rights after an accident and help you hold responsible parties accountable for the damage caused by any defective truck part. Call Page Law today at (314) 322-8515 for a free consultation.

Bicyclist Injured in St. Charles County Accident with Truck

A local teenager was severely injured after he collided with a trash truck while riding his bicycle, according to a recent article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The Missouri truck accident occurred in a neighborhood in St. Charles County, where the trash truck was making its rounds.

The eighteen-year-old was riding his bike on Riverview Lane just west of Highway 94 when he apparently rode into the path of an Allied Waste Services truck, say local police. The accident happened at about 12:30 in the afternoon. The teen’s bicycle became stuck underneath the trash truck, which dragged the bicycle and the teenager at least fifty feet before managing to stop.

The teenager was taken to St. John’s Mercy Medical Center, where hospital staff describe him as being in satisfactory condition given his severe injuries. Police are continuing to investigate the Missouri trash truck accident.

Large truck accidents in Missouri usually occur between a large truck and a passenger vehicle, such as a car or pickup truck. Although accidents between a large truck and a pedestrian or bicyclist are unusual, these accidents can be even more devastating when they do occur. The unprotected and relatively small frame of a pedestrian’s or bicyclist’s body is no match for tractor-trailers and other large trucks, which can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Severe injury and even death are practically inevitable.

If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident with a large truck, you have certain legal rights. A skilled Missouri truck accident lawyer at Page Law can help you understand your rights. We will stand up for your rights in court while helping you obtain the compensation you deserve. Please call Page Law today at (314) 322-8515 for a free case evaluation.

Callaway County Tractor Trailer Crash Injures Two

Two Columbia residents were injured recently when their car spun out of control and crashed into a tractor-trailer, according to The Columbia Daily Tribune. The twenty year-old driver and his eighteen year-old passenger were traveling toward Lake Mykee at about 2:45 in the morning. The driver attempted to exit Highway 54 in Callaway County at a dangerous rate of speed. While attempting to navigate a curve at 60 miles per hour, the driver lost control of the car and crashed into a truck sitting at the intersection.

Both the driver and the passenger were treated for moderate injuries at Boone Hospital Center and later released. Both were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the accident. The truck driver, who was also wearing his seatbelt, did not seek medical attention after the accident.

Although no driver who shares the road with tractor-trailers can guarantee his or her own safety, there are a number of steps drivers can take to reduce the risk of an accident, or to reduce the risk of severe injury if a trucking crash in St. Louis occurs. Always travel at or slightly below the speed limit, even when passing a truck, and leave plenty of room between the back of your car and the front of the truck before you change lanes. Also, simply wearing a seatbelt can help protect you from severe injury or death.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Missouri truck crash, you may have the right to seek compensation from a negligent driver. The experienced St. Louis truck injury accident attorneys at Page Law can help you understand your legal rights and will fight to win you the compensation you need to live your life again. Call Page Law today at (314) 322-8515 for a free and confidential consultation.