2009 October Archive

After a vehicle rear-ended a big rig on Missouri Highway 59 in Newton County, a Joplin man was killed and his son suffered injuries. According to a news report in the Joplin Globe, the 56-year-old man in the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. His son, 30, was also taken to an area hospital with injuries. The older man was a passenger in a pickup truck driven by his son, which apparently ran into the rear of a southbound tractor trailer that had stopped and was waiting for another vehicle to make a left turn.

Truck accidents can cause extremely serious and devastating injuries including brain and spinal cord injuries, which can leave a person disabled for life. Truck accidents can also be fatal. The serious injuries and fatalities caused by truck accidents usually affect the occupants of the passenger vehicles – not the big rigs. This is because of the size and weight of the large trucks, which overpower and overwhelm other vehicles on our roadways. Big rigs often weigh over 80,000 pounds and when something that big and heavy hits a passenger car, the occupants of the car are the ones most seriously injured.

When a truck accident occurs as a result of the truck driver’s negligence, injured victims can seek compensation from the driver and in most cases, the trucking company, as well. Most companies carry liability insurance, which helps compensate victims of serious personal injury. Still, if you are a victim, you need a Missouri truck accident lawyer on your side fighting for your rights and protecting your best interest. If you have lost a loved one in a truck accident, please contact a skilled St. Louis wrongful death truck accident attorney at Page Law for a free consultation and case evaluation.

Source:http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/local_story_283010257.html

St. Louis Missouri truck accident attorneys are extremely concerned about big rigs that are illegally parked on Missouri’s roadways. Illegally parked commercial trucks can lead to catastrophic accidents, especially when drivers fail to see these trucks and crash into them. These accidents can cause very serious injuries or even death because they may happen at a high rate of speed.

The Daily Statesman reported an incident at the US 60 and Highway 25 where a 51-year-old woman was injured when she struck a parked Freightliner truck in the rear. According to Missouri State Highway Patrol officials, the Freightliner was parked on the shoulder of the highway, but was extended partially onto the roadway. The woman was taken by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment of moderate injuries. The truck was unoccupied at the time.

In any truck accident case, if an accident occurs because the big rig was illegally parked on a roadway, then both the truck driver and his employer – the trucking company – may be held liable for injuries and damages caused to the victim. In some cases, especially if the accident results in major injury or death – criminal charges may also be filed against the driver and the trucking company. In any truck accident, if the big rig was parked legally, then the trucking firm may not face any liability.

If you have been injured in a Missouri truck accident, it is crucial to contact a reputable truck accident lawyer experienced in handling big rig accident cases. Our skilled St. Louis truck accident lawyers at Page Law will quickly help determine who is at fault by conducting an immediate investigation and by working with our accident reconstruction experts. Please call us today for a free consultation and evaluation of your Missouri truck accident case.

Source:http://www.dailystatesman.com/story/1577166.html

For those of us that get behind the wheel on a daily basis, either to take our children to school or drive ourselves to work, we understand the seriousness of our responsibility to drive safely in order to ensure our own safety, as well as the safety of our passengers and all other motorists on the road. And for those of us who have never received a commercial driver’s license to operate a tractor trailer, we can only imagine the magnitude of a truck driver’s responsibility to drive safely while also ensuring that the load being transported is properly contained. With all of these factors in mind, a report from missourinet.com reminds us that it is even more important to exercise safe driving practices in inclement weather.

According to the article, recent heavy rains have contributed towards numerous traffic accidents across the State of Missouri, causing authorities to conduct water rescues because of the flooding. So what can motorists and truck drivers do to help prevent accidents? To begin with, Missouri’s Department of Transportation has encouraged all drivers to plan their routes ahead of time by checking www.modot.org for any road closures. Authorities also recommend that drivers of all vehicles pay particular attention to dangerous road conditions in Missouri during and after heavy rains.

All truck drivers should know about the recent words of caution from the MoDOT. Commercial truck drivers have many responsibilities, one of which includes driving at slower speeds during conditions of rain or snow. Also, there is no better time for truck drivers to make sure that their windshields are operating properly as well.

At the Missouri personal injury law firm of Page Law, it is our hope that truck drivers and other motorists are paying close attention to how road conditions are influenced by inclement weather. Even if you travel along the same highway every day, weather can greatly alter all the parts of the road that you are familiar with. There are already too many other dangers on the road, don’t let weather conditions be another risk. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in Missouri, contact Page Law today for a free consultation. We may be able to help you receive compensation for your injuries and property damage if a truck driver’s negligence contributed to causing your accident. Call 866-620-5757 today.

Source:http://www.missourinet.com/2009/10/08/modot-urges-safety-in-wet-conditions/

Missouri tractor-trailer accidents can cause serious injuries such as brain and spinal cord injuries. Very often large truck accidents also result in death. Most of the time, it is the occupants of the passenger vehicle who get catastrophically injured or killed. According to the Department of Transportation’s truck accident statistics for 2007, there were 4,363 truck accidents reported in the state of Missouri involving injuries and fatalities. During the same period, 139,321 truck accidents were reported in the United States that involved injuries and deaths.

A recent news article in the Joplin Globe reports a two-vehicle accident on the Interstate 44 near Joplin involving a car and a tractor trailer. A 56-year-old man reportedly drove his westbound vehicle into the back of a westbound tractor trailer. The accident occurred as the truck driver slowed down to pull into a weigh station, Missouri Highway Patrol officials said.

In any truck accident case, it is extremely important to analyze all aspects of the incident and make sure that the person whose negligence caused the accident and injuries is held accountable. In a commercial truck accident case, if the driver’s negligence caused the accident, the injured victim may seek compensation to cover expenses such as medical costs, loss of earnings, cost of hospitalization and other related damages. The trucking company, which employs the negligent driver, can also be held liable especially if the accident involves Missouri trucking law violations.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Missouri truck accident, please contact an experienced truck accident lawyer at Page Law. Our skilled attorneys may be able help you obtain fair compensation for your injuries, damages and loss. We always offer a free, comprehensive and confidential consultation to injured victims and their families. Our knowledgeable attorneys have won millions in compensation for seriously injured truck accident victims as well as for families that have lost loved ones in truck accidents. Call Page Law today at 866-620-5757.

Source:http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/local_story_280233925.html

Truck accident lawyers in Missouri are relieved that no one was seriously injured in a Jefferson City truck accident when a big rig hauling a load of ice lost control and rolled over. According to a news report, the accident occurred at the intersection of Missouri Boulevard and the Whitten expressway. The delivery truck driver was reportedly injured. Police believe that the brakes on the truck may have failed and that the truck rolled over as the driver attempted to turn right from the eastbound 50 to Missouri Boulevard. The 28-year-old driver was taken to the hospital by private car and another passenger in the truck did not seek medical attention immediately.

Lack of proper maintenance is usually a common reason why truck accidents occur. A situation can really get dangerous on the highway when a large truck loses its brakes. It is the trucking company’s responsibility to make sure that its vehicles are running in good condition. If an accident occurs because of lack of proper truck maintenance, the trucking company may be held liable in the event of an accident and resulting injuries. In such cases, victims may claim compensation to cover medical expenses, lost earnings and other related damages.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or involved in a Missouri truck accident, please call an experienced Missouri truck accident attorney at Page Law to find out more about your legal rights and options. Our skilled personal injury lawyers have experience handling a variety of traffic accident cases, especially large truck accidents. We have a successful track record in obtaining fair compensation for victims of truck accidents. Please call John Page, at Page Law today for a free consultation and evaluation of your truck accident claim.

Source:http://www.connectmidmissouri.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=358196

A story from suburbanchicagonews.com reported that on September 30, 2009, after a tractor trailer flipped on its side, spilling its load of gravel, the 37-year-old driver suffered a leg injury. Apparently the tractor trailer ended up on its right side after the driver turned the vehicle to the left while dumping gravel at a construction site on Patterson Road in Joliet. According to the story, the tractor trailer accident took place at 11 a.m. and the La Moille driver was transported to Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center to receive medical treatment. Although it is unfortunate that any kind of injury resulted from this accident, luckily, no other workers were injured from the heavy truck flipping.

Truck drivers who are in charge of carrying, dumping, and transporting heavy materials, such as gravel, at a construction site must be constantly aware of nearby surroundings, surroundings that may include construction workers on-foot or in vehicles, explosive or hazardous materials, and any items being lifted or hauled. Some factors that could have influenced this particular accident may be attributed to the driver lacking proper training to dump and transport a gravel load, too much gravel loaded in the tractor trailer, or a truck defect related to the vehicle’s steering, wheels, or other vital parts.

When accidents and subsequent injuries occur as a result of an employer or contractor failing to uphold required safety standards, or if a truck owner fails to maintain the vehicle’s parts, injured victims may be able to seek compensation from negligent parties. Not only are leg injuries, head injuries, and other serious injuries physically painful, but they can also be very expensive when multiple surgeries, physical therapy, and lengthy hospital stays are required.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a tractor trailer accident and believe that another person’s negligence is to blame, you may be able to hold those responsible liable for your suffering and the financial costs associated with your injuries. At Page Law, experienced St. Louis tractor trailer accident attorney John Page has assisted many injured victims in receiving the compensation they deserve. To learn more about how the skilled personal injury lawyers at Page Law can help, call 866-620-5757 for a free consultation.

Source:http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/news/police/1802176,4_1_JO02_BLOTTER_S1-091002.article

According to a usatoday.com article, federal regulators were informed three years ago by safety investigators that a ban on cell phone use for drivers of buses and trucks would help reduce dangerous risks associated with texting and talking on a cell phone while driving. The report stated on September 24, 2009 that a two-day summit would be conducted on distracted driving, addressing plans to announce new actions that will be made against cell phone use by truck and bus drivers.

However, considering the vast amount of auto accidents involving commercial vehicles due to driver cell phone use, this response seems to have come too late. As of September, 2009, only 17 states and the District of Columbia ban cell phone use while driving a school bus. While the American Trucking Associations takes a neutral standpoint on the ban of truck drivers using cell phones while driving, they did tell reports that they “think cell phones and other electronic equipment should have some policies and regulations on them to prevent their misuse”.

It also is interesting that the wireless industry supports prohibiting texting while driving, yet is neutral when it comes to hindering cell phone use by drivers. Do they really think their profits will plummet if a ban is issued? Considering that a recent study by psychologists at the University of Utah has demonstrated that drivers who talk on handheld or hands-free cell phones operate their vehicles similar to that of a drunk driver, it may be time to issue a ban against cell phone use for all drivers, commercial drivers included, in all U.S. states.

Accidents involving tractor trailers and other commercial vehicles, whether they are caused by cell phone use or another form of negligent driving practice, can cause catastrophic injuries that include spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and many other serious calamities. No one ever expects that they will be a victim to extreme pain and suffering due to such injuries, which makes the aftermath of most truck accidents very difficult to endure.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a commercial tractor trailer accident, the skilled St. Louis tractor trailer accident lawyers at Page Law may be able to help you obtain compensation if a negligent truck driver was responsible for causing the accident. Call Page Law today at 866-620-5757 for a free consultation of your truck accident injury case.

Source:http://www.usatoday.com/tech/wireless/2009-09-24-cellphone-ban-bus_N.htm; http://www.unews.utah.edu/p/?r=062206-1

A Missouri truck driver has pleaded not guilty to 10 counts of negligent homicide in Oklahoma where he reportedly caused a seven-vehicle accident that killed 10 people. The 76-year-old driver turned himself in to authorities and entered an innocent plea in Ottawa District Court, according to a news report in the Joplin Globe. The fatal accident occurred on June 26, 2009 when the truck driver who was driving a tractor trailer rig for a grocery company failed to stop or slow down for congested traffic on the Interstate 44. According to traffic investigators, the large truck struck the back of a Land Rover, causing the catastrophic chain-reaction crash.

Negligence on the part of a truck driver is a very common occurrence in many catastrophic truck accidents. In this case, investigators say the truck driver did not stop for slowing traffic and ended up rear-ending one of the vehicles, leading to the fatal crash.

Rear-end truck accidents occur when the truck is not able to brake in time. In Missouri truck accidents, we see this commonly when the truck driver is fatigued or when the truck’s brakes fail due to overloading or poor vehicle maintenance. An experienced Missouri truck accident lawyer will be able to determine whether the truck driver was driving in a tired or fatigued condition. There are federal laws that require truckers to maintain logs that show how long he or she has been behind the wheel. A skilled truck accident attorney can piece together the truck driver’s driving history for the hours, days, weeks and months leading up to the accident.

If you believe you have been seriously injured as a result of a negligent truck driver or trucking company, please contact experienced truck accident lawyer, John Page, at Page Law for a free consultation. We will fight for your rights and make sure you receive the justice and compensation you rightfully deserve. Call 866-620-5757 today.

Source:http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/local_story_266230723.html

A recent report from madisonpress.com serves as a reminder of how important it is for truckers and motorists to be aware of the change in traffic-flow. It may seem like an obvious factor to be cautious of when traversing along highways; however, far too many truck accidents take place due to the inability of a tractor trailer or automobile to stop in time when traffic becomes congested.

According to the report, the fatal accident took place on I-79 in Madison County on September 25, 2009, when a passenger vehicle struck a commercial tractor trailer from behind. Apparently, the 18-year-old driver of the passenger car died at the scene from severe injuries. The 50-year-old truck driver of St. Louis did not sustain any injuries from the collision. Based on the article, preliminary investigation at the scene indicated that both drivers were wearing their seat belts and both vehicles were traveling eastbound on I-70 in the center lane.

Although this crash is still under investigation, if it is determined that the commercial truck driver was in any way responsible for causing the accident, he may be held liable for the wrongful death of the passenger driver. Considering that some tractor trailer drivers succumb to stimulants as a means of keeping awake during long drives, investigators may examine whether or not illegal substances played a factor in causing this accident. Even though such drug use is illegal, some truck drivers use extremely poor judgment in putting profit before safety, thus placing innocent motorists at risk of suffering catastrophic injuries and even death.

Tractor trailer accidents can be devastating. When a family loses a loved one in a truck accident where negligence on the part of the truck driver or trucking company played a role in causing the wrongful death, surviving family members may seek compensation for their loss as well as expenses relating to the death. Although no amount of financial compensation can ever replace the loss of a beloved family member, such recompense may relieve the burden and stress of any existing medical expenses, loss of future wages, and other economic damages.

At the St. Louis personal injury law firm of Page Law, our skilled Missouri truck accident wrongful death attorneys have helped many families receive compensation for costs associated with the death of their loved one. For a free consultation of your wrongful death truck accident case, call Page Law today at 866-620-5757.

Source:http://www.madisonpress.com/local.asp?ID=1799&Story=3