Missouri Truck Accident Blog

Man Killed in Missouri Truck Accident

Missouri Highway Patrol officials are investigating a fatal truck accident in Texas County where a 45-year-old Houston man was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer, according to a recent news report. The man was standing on Highway 63 just north of Houston, Missouri, when troopers say the tractor-trailer hit the man. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The truck driver was tested for alcohol as required by Missouri law.

Truck drivers, like other motorists, have a responsibility to be cautious and diligent drivers, following the rules of the road to prevent accidents and injuries. However, when a truck driver is negligent or drives recklessly by not following the regulations of the road, the safety of other commuters is put in jeopardy. The most common causes of fatal Missouri truck accidents include alcohol abuse, truck driver fatigue, distracted drivers (use of cell phones or other communication devices while driving) and poor truck maintenance that may lead to a mechanical malfunction.

In many of these cases, trucking companies can also be held responsible for the accidents. If a trucking company fails to properly inspect its truck or hires drivers with a poor driving record or a history of substance abuse, then the trucking company could be held accountable for damages and injuries caused to innocent victims.

When negligence either by the truck driver or the trucking company causes an injury accident, then the injured victim can seek compensation in a court of law. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Missouri truck accident, please contact an experienced truck accident attorney at Page Cagle, who may be able to help you receive the compensation you rightfully deserve to cover medical costs, property damage and even lost earnings. Call Page Cagle today at 866-620-5757 for a free consultation.

Source:http://ozarksfirst.com/content/fulltext/?cid=195642

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 Cagle, 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

Big Rig Blunder Takes Life of IL Motorist

According to St. Louis’ local Fox affiliate KTVI channel 2, Interstate 55 played host to a deadly five vehicle crash that took the life of one female motorist from Illinois and injured several others. The accident resulted when the driver of an out-of-state semi-truck and trailer failed to properly bring the truck to a complete stop, crashing into a Volkswagen that was being driven by the now deceased woman. Both the truck and the Volkswagen caught on fire after the crash, which also involved three other vehicles.

According to police investigation, traffic may have been significantly slowing down, or already have come to a complete stop when the semi-truck struck the 36-year-old deceased woman’s car. The crash caused a chain reaction that resulted in a total of five people being seriously injured. While charges have not been filed against the driver of the semi-truck and trailer, further investigation will undoubtedly reveal whether or not this incident was truly an accident or if reckless driving practice played a determining role in the injury and death resulting from the crash.

Scrutiny over the driving practice of large truck operators raises the question as to whether or not the truck driver was fully in control of the semi-truck at the time of the accident. That is, many truck drivers, in foolish attempts to stay awake and alert long hours to accommodate longer stretches of driving their rigs, resort to the use of caffeine supplements and even illicit materials that can seriously alter their ability to operate the extremely large and dangerous vehicles. Driving under the influence of any substance is a blatant disregard for not only one’s own safety but the safety of all other motorists on the road.

In the event that truck driver inattention and reckless behavior result in a crash, then the driver of the truck can be held liable for damages associated with the accident. In some cases, the owner of the truck or the trucking company may also be held liable for damages, particularly if the large truck involved in the collision was not regularly inspected to ensure proper functioning of all parts. In all instances where large trucks or big rigs are involved in an auto accident, it is important to have a skilled Missouri truck accident attorney on your side to see to it that your rights are not trampled upon in a court of law.

If you or a loved one has recently been injured in a truck accident, don’t hesitate to contact the experienced St. Louis tractor trailer accident lawyers at Page Cagle. Our skilled truck accident lawyers will examine the details of your crash, and will help determine whether or not negligence of any kind played an unfortunate role in causing your accident. If negligence did a play a role, we will seek compensatory damages on your behalf that can help assist with the costs associated with your accident, such as medical bills, physical therapy fees, or vehicle repair/replacement. Call us today at 866-620-5757 for a free consultation.

Source article: http://www.fox2now.com/news/ktvi-fatal-axe-i55-park-082509,0,7234066.story