Dangerous Road Conditions

A slippery stretch of Interstate 70 near St. Louis has been improved after several truck drivers contacted the Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT) about the near-accidents they had on that curve.

The area, which was recently re-paved, includes the stretch near mile marker 180 just outside St. Louis. While it was no problem for truckers to navigate during dry weather, when it rained, the stretch of I-70 became dangerously slippery. At least one truck nearly jackknifed going around the curve, and others reported hydroplaning and similar risks when they passed through the area in the rain, especially if they were using cruise control at the time.

After a couple slippery close calls, one truck driver called MODOT’s emergency cell phone number, *55, to report the hazardous roadway. Not long after, crews were dispatched to improve the road surface so that trucks would not jackknife or slide in rainy or snowy weather. Truckers say the changes have made a difference in safety on the curve. MODOT also sent out workers to address another slick spot approximately four miles away, also on I-70. Both patches were ground down to add traction, so that vehicle tires can grab the pavement instead of sliding across it.

When truck accidents happen, the resulting damage can be devastating. If you or someone you love has been injured in a truck accident, an experienced St. Louis truck accident attorney at Page Law is ready to help. For a free and confidential consultation, call us at (314) 322-8515 today.

A truck carrying bags of onions caused a serious traffic jam during rush hour on Thursday, June 23, 2011, according to stlouis.cbslocal.com. Several bags of onions fell off the truck as it was driving on Interstate 55 and were struck by motorists behind the truck. The onion juice made the roadway slippery and the interstate had to be closed for half an hour so that a street sweeper could clear the onion debris from the roadway. The highway’s closure backed up traffic for several miles.

Location of the Missouri accident:

Fortunately, no one was injured in this accident. However, unsecured cargo can be a serious problem. Whether it is somebody in a pick-up truck or a tractor trailer carrying a bunch of logs, it is important to make sure that cargo is firmly secured. At highway speeds, cargo that becomes dislodged can be extremely hazardous to other drivers.

There are several things that you can do to make sure that your cargo is secure. First, you can buy a tarp to cover the load that you are carrying. Secure the tarp with bungee cords or other types of straps and it is much less likely that something will become dislodged. When tying down cargo, make sure to secure it in such a way as to prevent it from moving in any direction. Also, if you are carrying something that sticks out past the bed of your truck make sure to indicate it to other drivers with a brightly colored rag at the end of the piece of cargo. You need to be particularly mindful of securing such objects because they are among the most likely to become dislodged during travel.

Not all accidents are preventable. You can do your part by making sure to secure any loads that you are carrying. If you are injured in an accident caused by a tractor trailer’s unsecured cargo, call the Missouri tractor trailer accident lawyers at Page Law. At Page Law, we are experienced in dealing with insurance companies after big rig accidents. We won’t let them intimidate you and will fight to get the settlement that you deserve. Call us for a consultation at 314-322-8515.

Source: http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2011/06/23/onion-spill-enough-to-bring-motorists-to-tears/

An icy winter blast led to several truck accidents in the St. Louis area earlier this month, according to STLToday.com.

Heavy precipitation fell on St. Louis during the night of December 15, which caused the roads to turn icy. Tragically, one person died in a car crash in St. Charles County when he was thrown from a 2004 Ford pickup truck. Police say it is likely weather played a role in the Missouri car accident.

In St. Louis, on Interstate 44 a tractor-trailer and another vehicle collided, closing three westbound lanes. Another tractor-trailer accident occurred on Interstate 44 in Franklin County after a tractor-trailer crashed around 4 a.m. That St. Louis tractor-trailer accident closed the interstate for hours. Fortunately, no one was injured.

In Jefferson County, a truck slid across an icy parking lot, hitting a gas line and starting a fire at an Elks Lodge in Crystal City. No one was injured in the fire but the lodge was severely damaged. Lastly, in Arnold, a fire protection truck responding to a car crash was involved in a minor truck accident when it slid down a hilly roadway. No firefighters were hurt.

As you can see, when the roads become icy, even the most experienced truck drivers can have problems controlling their vehicles. If you absolutely must drive on icy roads, be sure to decrease your speed, leave more distance than usual between cars, and brake gently. Turn on your lights and keep them clean, as well as your windshield. Be especially careful on bridges and overpasses, which usually freeze before other kinds of roads.

Have you been injured in a Missouri truck crash that you believe was caused by a negligent truck driver? If so, contact the experienced St. Louis truck accident attorneys at Page Law, LLC. We have extensive experience in working with accident victims to recover the compensation they deserve. Contact us today at 1-314-488-2433 to schedule a free consultation.

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/