Missouri Truck Accident Blog
Category – Big Rig Collision
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.
Missouri Child Killed in Tractor Trailer Collision
A 3-year-old Missouri girl was killed in a tractor-trailer accident after two big-rigs collided on Interstate 64 in Kentucky. According to a wkyt.com article, the collision occurred as traffic was slowing for another crash on the highway which was caused by a suspected drunk driver. The girl was pronounced dead and two others were injured. However, the extent of their injuries is not yet known. The child was apparently in one of the big-rigs driven by her 49-year-old grandmother.
Very often, as St. Louis big rig crash lawyers, we see similar tragic collisions occur when truck drivers are not paying attention to traffic conditions. When you are behind the wheel of a large truck, sudden movements are not possible. In fact, we have seen in many cases how big-rig sudden movement has led to jackknifing. Such actions endanger not only the truck drivers, but also other people who are using the roadways.
If negligence or wrongdoing is involved in causing a fatal trucking accident, family members of deceased victims can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation to cover funeral expenses, loss of love and companionship, and other related damages. When a tractor-trailer accident occurs, it is important that you move quickly to contact an experienced Missouri truck accident lawyer. Trucking companies and their insurance carriers send investigators to gather as much information as possible as quickly as they can, usually within hours.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, please contact the Missouri wrongful death truck accident lawyers at Page Law by calling (314) 322-8515. You need an experienced truck accident attorney to aggressively represent you and protect your legal rights. We will provide you with a free consultation. Let us evaluate your case and help you decide what course of action is best for you and your family.
Driver Injured in Missouri Truck Accident
The driver of a semi-truck was injured after he lost control of his big rig and crashed outside Neosho Airport on Cockrell Road. The Neosho Daily News reports that the semi-truck veered off the roadway and overturned. Emergency personnel who responded had to extricate the driver who was trapped inside the vehicle. The trailer’s load of corn spilled across a nearby field. Officials say there were heavy winds at the time. They are still looking into what caused this accident.
In 2008, 117 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes in the state of Missouri. These truck accidents resulted in 124 deaths. Of the 4,291 non-fatal truck crashes, 1,486 involved injuries. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, there are more than 3.5 million truck drivers in the United States. Because of their large size and weight (about 80,000 pounds or more), big rigs are harder to control and more likely to cause serious injuries and damages to occupants of smaller vehicles.
When a truck crashes, the debris that is spilled on to the roadway can also cause serious auto accidents. Often times, we see that Missouri truck accidents are caused by overloaded trucks. It is the responsibility of the drivers and the trucking firms to make sure that the vehicles are not overloaded and are maintained in good working condition so they do not pose a danger to others on the roadway.
If you or a loved one has sustained serious traumatic injuries in a truck accident, please contact an experienced Missouri big rig accident lawyer in St. Louis at Page Law to find out more about your legal rights and options. Our skilled truck crash injury lawyers will make sure your rights are protected; immediately initiating the same action as the truck company and their insurance company. Call us today at (866) 620-5757 for a free and comprehensive consultation.
Source:http://www.neoshodailynews.com/news/x2102348307/Single-truck-accident-traps-driver
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