Missouri Truck Accident Blog

Hazardous Materials Crashes: Rare, But Deadly

Every day, about 800,000 trucks on U.S. highways are carrying hazardous materials. Although these trucks account for only about 5 percent of all truck accidents, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the risks of a crash involving hazardous materials are much greater, and such crashes are often deadly.

One of the most common hazardous materials transported in trucks is flammable liquids, particularly gasoline. In the previous decade, gasoline-transporting trucks alone accounted for half of fatal hazardous-materials truck crashes. These trucks, which usually incorporate a cargo tank to contain the flammable liquids, are more susceptible to both rollovers and fires when hit by another vehicle, particularly when compared to trucks that are not carrying hazardous materials.

Spills are a special risk of hazardous materials being transported by large trucks. The FMCSA notes that between 1991 and 2000, trucks carrying hazardous materials were ten percent more likely to spill their cargoes in an accident than trucks carrying non-hazardous materials. Of course, spills of certain hazardous materials can result in far greater damage to the surrounding area than spills of most non-hazardous materials.

Although the overall threat to motorists sharing the road with trucks carrying hazardous materials is small, the injuries and other damages that may occur in a hazardous-materials crash is high. It is therefore particularly important for drivers transporting hazardous materials to be held to the highest standards of safety and responsibility.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident where hazardous materials were involved, please don’t hesitate to contact the experienced Missouri truck accident attorneys at Page Law. Our skilled legal team will examine the details of your case and help you seek the compensation you need to meet medical bills, lost wages, and similar expenses. Call Page Law today at 314-322-8515 for a free and confidential consultation.

Cell Phone Distracts Truck Driver in Fatal Crash

Taking and receiving cell phone calls may have distracted the truck driver responsible for a crash that killed eleven passengers in a church van in March, according to a news report released recently by local ABC news affiliate KMBC. The tractor-trailer crossed a median and struck a passenger van, killing the eleven passengers inside. The passengers were on their way to a wedding.

Cell phone use was cited as a “human factor” involved in the fatal trucking accident, according to the recently-released police report. However, police have still not determined whether the driver was actually using the cell phone at the moment the accident occurred.

Also according to the police report, the truck driver was traveling faster than the posted speed limit of 70 miles per hour when he crossed the median. According to witnesses, the driver attempted to brake for about 100 feet before striking the van, but the truck was still traveling faster than 80 miles per hour when the truck crash occurred. Neither weather nor alcohol appears to have been a factor in the accident.

Both the Kentucky State Police and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration are continuing to investigate the accident. Although cell phone use by truck drivers is still permitted, the Department of Transportation has promised to consider issuing rules about cell phone use.

Distracted drivers are a factor in a large number of truck accidents in the U.S. each year. Drivers may be distracted by their cell phones, GPS locators, or other objects in the cab. Avoiding distractions is crucial to safe driving, especially for operators of large tractor-trailers.

If you have been injured by a distracted truck driver, you have certain legal rights that deserve to be protected. The experienced Missouri tractor trailer accident injury attorneys at Page Law can help you understand your options and protect your rights. Contact the attorneys at Page Law today by calling 314-322-8515 to schedule a free and confidential consultation.

Hours-of-Service Regulations: How Long May Truck Drivers Drive?

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Division is responsible for enforcing federal laws and regulations regarding the health and safety of tractor-trailer drivers. Among the rules the agency enforces are the hours of service (HOS) regulations. These regulations dictate how many hours a tractor-trailer driver must drive until he or she is required to stop and rest.

A truck driver in Missouri must follow federal and Missouri hours of service regulations if he or she drives a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). A CMV is any vehicle that weighs at least 10,001 pounds; is “designed or used” to transport nine or more passengers for compensation, or sixteen or more passengers not for compensation; or is transporting hazardous materials that require hazardous-materials placards on the sides of the vehicle, regardless of its size.

Currently, CMV drivers carrying property may not drive for more than 11 hours, and must have at least 10 hours off duty before they make an 11-hour drive. The driver may split up the 11 hours into smaller units with breaks in between, but the driver may not drive after the 14th consecutive hour on duty, even if he took 10 or more hours off before that particular shift began. Driving shifts also have limits. In 7 days on duty, a driver may not drive more than 60 hours; in 8 days, not more than 70 hours. A 34-hour break “re-sets” the 7- and 8-day limits.

Drivers who trade off driving to give each other a chance to rest in the vehicle’s sleeper berth must take at least 8 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth between driving shifts, as well as an additional 2 consecutive hours in the remaining 16 hours in the day.

Despite the rules, many truckers in Missouri drive longer than allowed, or do not get adequate rest in between driving shifts. Truck driver fatigue is often a factor in St. Louis tractor-trailer accidents. If you think a truck driver’s fatigue and/or negligence may have injured you or a loved one, please don’t hesitate to contact an experienced St. Louis semi truck injury accident lawyer at Page Law. Our skilled and compassionate attorneys will examine your case and help you understand your legal rights and options. Call Page Law at 314-322-8515 to schedule a free and confidential consultation.

How to Avoid a Missouri Tractor-Trailer Accident

Due to their large size and challenging maneuverability, large trucks are not as able as cars to avoid an oncoming trucking accident in Missouri. Therefore, it is best for car drivers to use caution and pay attention to large trucks when driving past them on the road. Although not every accident is avoidable, many can be prevented by driving defensively.

1. Keep your distance from large trucks. A truck’s size and weight can make it difficult for the driver to brake or change lanes quickly. To reduce the risk of collision, consistently maintain a good amount of space between you and the truck while exercising safe driving practices. If you are making a lane change in front of a truck, make sure you can see the entire front end of the truck in your rearview mirror before you move into the lane in front of the truck. If you are passing a truck, do so quickly, and entirely concentrate on the road.
2. Stay as visible as possible. Large trucks have large blind spots. Whenever possible, drive in front of or well behind a truck, not beside it. If you cannot see a truck’s driver or the truck’s mirror, you should assume the truck driver cannot see you. Also, pay attention to a truck’s turn signals. A truck driver preparing to turn or change lanes may not see you before making a move. If you see a truck’s turn signals, slow down and keep out of the truck’s way.
3. Take extra care on ramps, in traffic, and in tight areas. A truck’s low maneuverability makes it especially difficult for trucks that must drive in narrow lanes, navigate narrow or tightly turned entrance or exit ramps, or that are driving in heavy traffic. Pay attention to the road conditions as well as the presence of trucks, as you may need to speed up or slow down to accommodate a truck making a tight turn or passing through a narrow ramp. Also, pay special attention to trucks when merging onto a highway, as trucks in heavy traffic may not be able to slow down to let you in.

No matter how careful you are on the road, accidents may happen. If you are injured in a Missouri large truck accident due to a negligent driver’s actions, please don’t hesitate to contact the experienced St. Louis big rig accident lawyers at Page Law. Our attorneys will examine the details of your case and fight to hold negligent parties accountable. Call Page Law today at (314) 322-8515 for a free and confidential consultation.

Trucker Responsible for Deadly Highway Crash Goes Free on Plea

According to a recent article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, an Alabama trucker who killed three people on I-64/40 west of St. Louis in 2008 has been released after pleading guilty to three counts of involuntary manslaughter.

The judge accepted the trucker’s guilty plea and sentenced the trucker to one year in jail. However, the judge also granted the trucker credit for the 371 days he’d already served in jail. In court, the trucker apologized to the families of the victims. He has no plans to return to truck driving as a career.

According to police, the 2008 accident occurred when the trucker, who was distracted while reaching for his cell phone, plowed into multiple vehicles on the highway. The crash killed three motorists and injured fourteen.

At least one of the severely injured motorists in the crash was awarded monetary damages in a civil suit for his injuries. In addition to criminal penalties, civil claims may be brought against negligent truck drivers whose behavior causes injuries or death. In a civil case, an injured person and/or the person’s family may seek monetary compensation to help pay medical bills and other expenses associated with the accident.

If you or a loved one has suffered through a tractor-trailer crash, please contact the Missouri trucking crash lawsuit attorneys at Page Law. Our experienced attorneys will listen to the details of your case and fight to get you and your loved one the compensation you need to move forward after the accident. Contact Page Law today by calling (314) 322-8515 for a free and confidential evaluation of your Missouri truck accident case.