Missouri Truck Accident Blog

Safety Belt Survey Reveals More Truckers Buckling Up

The U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently released the results of its annual Safety Belt Usage by CMV Drivers Survey. Based on data collected in 2009, the survey revealed that 74 percent of commercial motor vehicle drivers are now wearing their safety belts regularly – a 9 percent rise from 2007. The survey examined the habits of 20,818 drivers of commercial trucks and buses who stopped at 217 different checkpoints throughout the United States.

The survey also found a number of interesting facts related to safety belt use. Truck drivers and other commercial drivers were 11 percent more likely to wear their safety belts and ensure passengers were wearing safety belts in states with primary safety belt laws. In these states, 78 percent of commercial drivers wore their safety belts, compared with only 67 percent of drivers in states without primary safety belt laws.

Also, 78 percent of drivers employed by regional or national trucking companies wore their safety belts, but only 64 percent of self-employed truck drivers did. Drivers in the western U.S. were most likely to wear their safety belts: 79 percent of them were buckled up, while in the Northeast only 64 percent of drivers went buckled.

Wearing a safety belt is one of the simplest things a driver of any vehicle can do in order to improve safety and reduce the chances of serious injury in a crash. Unfortunately, while seat belts can and do save lives, they cannot prevent all injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured in a collision with a large truck, please get in touch with a Missouri truck crash attorney at Page Law. Our experienced lawyers will examine the details of your case and help you hold negligent parties accountable. Call Page Law today at (314) 322-8515 for a free and confidential consultation.

MO Big Rig Collision Attorney: Truck Driver Seatbelt Use is On the Rise

More commercial bus and truck drivers are beginning to wear seatbelts, a recent study conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) shows. According to a news report, 74 percent of commercial truck and bus drivers buckled up in 2009. Compared to that, only 65 percent used seatbelts in the year 2007.

This is obviously good news. Whether it is truck drivers or drivers of passenger vehicles, seatbelts save lives. This is a fact that has been proven by several studies conducted in this country. It is encouraging to know that more and more drivers, including truck drivers, are recognizing the importance of wearing seatbelts while driving. In Missouri alone, 70 percent of all fatal crashes involve drivers not wearing seatbelts. Also, 97 percent of all crashes where seatbelts are used do not result in deaths.

It is not only important for truck drivers to worry about their own safety, but also the safety of others on the roadway. Truckers should follow safe driving practices as well. The traveling public may still be in danger of enduring injury due to truck driver fatigue in Missouri , truckers who drive drunk or distracted, and truck drivers who do not maintain their vehicles properly. The sheer size and weight of commercial trucks can make them a serious hazard to smaller vehicles.

If you are involved in a truck collision, you would be well-advised to contact a St. Louis truck accident injury lawyer immediately to ensure your rights are protected. Truck accidents can result in catastrophic injuries that could leave a person disabled for life. It is important to get prompt medical attention as well as legal representation to make sure that your rights and best interests are protected. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, please contact an experienced St. Louis truck accident attorney at Page Law by calling (314) 322-8515. We always offer a free consultation and comprehensive evaluation of your claim.

Source:http://www.thetrucker.com/News/Stories/2010/3/19/Morecommercialtruckandbusdriversusedsafetybeltsin2009.aspx

How Important is Early Investigation in a Truck Accident Case?

Truck accidents can result in serious injuries such as brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones and other physical trauma. If you have been involved in a Missouri truck accident and if you have been injured, the first thing you need to do is receive medical attention. Once you receive medical attention, it is critical that you get an experienced Missouri big rig collision lawyer on your side so he or she can begin collecting important evidence before it disappears or becomes unavailable.

In order to determine liability in any truck accident case, evidence is important. It is vital to preserve all evidence at the scene. And to do that, you need the help of a qualified truck accident law firm that has the resources and immediate access to an accident reconstruction expert.

While investigating a truck accident, one of the first steps attorneys should take is to send a notice to the trucking company with a list of items that need to be preserved, such as the vehicle and driver logs which show how long the driver has been on the road. Another important item to obtain is the electronic control module, which contains critical information such as idle time and speed. Without this notice, trucking companies can and will get rid of the evidence.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in St. Louis, please contact an experienced and knowledgeable MO injury lawyer at Page Law as soon as possible. Our lawyers have years of experience investigating large truck accident cases. We have the resources to retain the most talented truck accident experts to get working on our cases right away. In these cases, beginning investigations in a timely manner is crucial. Call Page Law today at 866-620-5757 to discuss your truck accident case with an experienced lawyer and to obtain a free case evaluation.

How to Drive Safely Around Large Trucks

A number of Missouri truck accidents occur each year because of negligent truck drivers. However, many accidents also occur because drivers of passenger vehicles are not careful around these large commercial trucks. Here are five safe and defensive driving tips you can use when you share the roadway with large trucks:

1. Avoid staying in blind spots – Large vehicles have blind spots on both sides. Remember, if you can’t see the driver’s face in his side-view mirror, he cannot see you either.
2. Do not tailgate – Trucks and buses have large “no-zones” directly behind them. Tailgating a large truck can be dangerous because the truck driver cannot see you behind them and you cannot see what’s going on in front. If the tractor-trailer in front of you brakes suddenly, you basically have no place to go.
3. Avoid unsafe passes – Always look for the whole front of the truck or bus in your rear-view mirror before pulling in front. Remember that truck drivers need twice the time and space to stop as smaller vehicles.
4. Yield right-of-way – Obey common rules of the road such as yielding when merging onto busy highways.
5. Be vigilant – Never cross behind a truck that is backing up. Remember that truck drivers do not have a rear-view mirror and may not see you cutting in behind them.

If you believe that you have been seriously injured as a result of a truck driver’s negligence, get in touch with an experienced Missouri truck injury lawyer at Page Law to schedule your free and comprehensive consultation. If it is determined that the accident was the truck driver’s fault, you could seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, physical therapy and other damages.

Federal Texting Ban Takes Effect for Truck Drivers

The federal government has issued a ban on texting while driving, especially targeted at commercial truck drivers and bus drivers. According to a news report in USA Today, the new restrictions will take effect immediately and apply to interstate truckers and operators of vehicles carrying at least eight passengers. Those who violate this new rule could face penalties of up to $2,750. So far, 19 states and the District of Columbia prohibit texting while driving for all drivers.

Distracted driving is one of the biggest traffic safety issues we have on our roadways today. It is unsafe for all drivers – whether they are driving a compact car or an 18-wheeler – to text or use a hand-held cell phone while driving. Recent studies show that those who text while driving, take their eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds. A vehicle traveling at highway speed can traverse the length of two football fields within that time.

However, when drivers of large trucks and commercial buses text, they are putting many more lives in danger than just their own. When the driver of a large big rig takes his eyes off the road, it can result in catastrophic accidents that have the potential to cause major injuries or deaths. Federal officials have themselves admitted that this is a tough law to enforce. But, it is a good first step, especially considering the devastation that distracted truckers have brought on the traveling public.

If you have been the victim of a serious truck accident – whether it is due to a distracted, reckless or negligent driver – please contact a skilled Missouri big rig accident lawyer who will analyze your case thoroughly and make sure you secure fair compensation for your injuries and losses. Call Page Law today for a free consultation and comprehensive evaluation of your claim. We can help.

Source:http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2010-01-26-texting-driving-commercial-ban_N.htm

Missouri Truckers and Texting Don’t Mix

The State of Missouri enforced a texting ban for drivers in August. According to a recent news report, this texting ban may affect truckers as well. Truckers are being especially careful because they cross several state lines and the laws change as they do so. Apparently, most truck drivers have CB radios to get information about road conditions and closures. But some say that the information from the radios doesn’t come quick enough. So the newer and younger drivers are turning to their cell phones for information.
Distracted drivers cause a number of deadly accidents in Missouri. Truck drivers are no exception. In fact, when a truck driver is texting, checking e-mail on a handheld device or talking on the phone, he or she can create a lot more opportunities for truck accidents because a big rig is a much bigger, heavier vehicle. A driver certainly needs to have two hands on the wheel to maneuver a tractor trailer safely.

If a truck driver is texting or talking on the cell phone and causes an accident, then he or she, as well as his or her employer – the trucking company – may be held liable for the accident and resulting injuries or fatalities. The victims in such cases could seek compensation to cover their injuries, damages and loss. Not paying attention to the road while driving amounts to truck driver negligence in Missouri.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a Missouri truck accident, please contact an experienced Missouri truck accident attorney at Page Law for a free consultation and evaluation of your truck accident claim. We will fight for your rights and make sure the negligent party responsible for causing the injuries or wrongful death is held accountable. Call Page Law today at 866-620-5757.

Source:http://www.todaysthv.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=91855

MoDOT’s Warning of Wet Road Conditions Extends to Truck Drivers

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/

Man Injured in Missouri Truck Accident

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

Majority of Truck Accident Deaths Don’t Belong to Truckers

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the majority of deaths occurring in traffic accidents that involve large trucks are suffered by motorists of passenger cars, motorcycles, or other smaller vehicles. Unfortunately, no vehicle stands much of a chance against a big rig.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), “4,008 people died in truck accidents in 2008, with only 15% of those deaths being attributed to large truck occupants. The remaining 85% of deaths afflicted motorists in smaller passenger cars, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.” Furthermore, “97% of vehicle occupants killed in two-vehicle crashes involving a passenger vehicle and a large truck in 2008 were occupants of the passenger vehicles.” Needless to say, even the most experienced driver cannot compete with the immense power of semi-tractor trailers and other large trucks.

Drivers of large trucks have an obligation to exhibit safe driving practices at all times. Negligent behavior is responsible for the vast majority of traffic accidents involving large trucks. Sadly, this negligence is entirely preventable.

If you have been injured in a traffic accident with a large truck, or if a loved one was killed in a truck accident, you’ll need a skilled truck accident attorney on your side to examine the details surrounding the accident in order to help determine whether or not a trucker’s negligence played a determining factor in causing the injury or wrongful death. At Page Law, our Missouri truck accident wrongful death lawyers have the experience necessary to successfully litigate your wrongful death truck accident case. Call our skilled St. Louis tractor trailer accident lawyers today at 866-620-5757 for a free consultation.

Source article: http://www.iihs.org/research/fatality_facts_2008/largetrucks.html

Cargo Loads Point of Concern in MO Revised Statutes

According to Missouri Revised Statutes, “every person operating a motor vehicle on the roads and highways of this state shall drive the vehicle in a careful and prudent manner and at a rate of speed so as not to endanger the property of another or the life or limb of any person and shall exercise the highest degree of care.” While such driving practice is required of all motorists on Missouri roads and highways, it is especially critical for operators of semi-trailer trucks to follow this important statute. However, for a variety of reasons, truck drivers don’t always exhibit the best driving practice, and the results can often leave other motorists injured.

In addition to unsafe driving practice, other factors can lead to motorist injury at the hands of negligent truck drivers. The condition of a big rig, specifically whether or not it is reasonably safe to drive, can play a factor in accident causation. Faulty breaks, inoperable lights, and even worn trailer hitches have all been known to cause accidents.

Another important factor in accident causation pertains to hauled cargo. Missouri Revised Statute 307.010.1 states that “all motor vehicles, and every trailer and semitrailer operating upon the public highways of this state and carrying goods or material or farm products which may reasonably be expected to become dislodged and fall from the vehicle, trailer or semitrailer as a result of wind pressure or air pressure and/or by the movement of the vehicle, trailer or semitrailer shall have a protective cover or be sufficiently secured so that no portion of such goods or material can become dislodged and fall from the vehicle, trailer or semitrailer while being transported or carried.” Just like with all vehicles, large trucks need to properly contain their cargo, which correlates directly with the safety of not only the truck driver, but all other motorists on the road.

If you have been injured in a big rig accident and you believe that improper upkeep or other reckless behavior played a determining role in your injury, you’ll need skilled legal counsel on your side to ensure that negligent behavior is appropriately accounted for. The experienced Missouri truck accident lawyers at Page Law have the skills and resources to successfully litigate your truck accident case. Call us today at 866-620-5757 for a free consultation.

Source article:http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/C300-399/3040000012.HTM