Missouri Truck Accident Blog

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 Law 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 Law 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 Law 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 Law 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 Law. 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 Law 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 Law 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 Law 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 Law 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 Law 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/