A Missouri woman who almost died in a major interstate wreck thinks there should be more rules on truck drivers, according to NewsOK.com.
The fatal truck accident occurred on Interstate 44 in Oklahoma in June of 2009. The accident occurred when a tractor-trailer crashed into several vehicles that had either slowed down or stopped because of an accident that occurred earlier. The crash was blamed on truck driver fatigue, his work hours, and sleep apnea. The accident killed 10 people.
The Missouri grandmother and her two grandchildren were trapped in her vehicle when the tractor-trailer rolled over her Kia Spectra. She filed a lawsuit following the crash. The woman is now asking that limits be placed on the number of hours commercial truck drivers can work. She feels that drivers shouldn’t be behind the wheel more than eight hours in a day. The truck driver in the wrongful death tractor trailer crash had been driving 10 hours at the time the wreck occurred.
Sadly, accidents caused by fatigued and overworked truck drivers are not uncommon. Most accidents between a tractor-trailer and a passenger vehicle end up badly for passengers in the smaller vehicle. If you have been injured in a crash caused by a fatigued truck driver, you may be entitled to compensation from the trucking company. Your compensation could include money for medical expenses, damage to your vehicle, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Contact the Missouri tractor trailer accident attorneys at Page Law at 314-322-8515.
Families of victims involved in a huge accident in 2009 caused by a Missouri truck driver reached a settlement of $62.7 million dollars, according to TheTrucker.com.
In 2009, a Missouri truck driver slammed his tractor-trailer into a line of motor vehicles stopped on an Oklahoma interstate at about 70 miles per hour. After the wreck, three cars were pinned under his truck. The driver was 76-years-old and was found to be severely sleep-deprived at the time of the big rig accident. He had been driving 10 hours at the time of the accident, and did not attempt to brake or swerve as he hit the cars.
The accident caused 10 deaths and several injuries. Eight of the victims sued both the truck driver and the company he was driving for and recently settled the case for $62.7 million. Two other accident victims had reached an earlier settlement. The truck driver served 30 days in jail and is currently on probation. The accident has caused the trucking company to re-examine its driver training and safety procedures.
This fatal truck accident illustrates both the dangers of tired truckers, and the importance of trucking companies implementing safety procedures that address trucker fatigue. If you have been injured in a Missouri tractor-trailer accident, contact the Missouri trucking attorneys at Page Law. We have extensive experience in Missouri big rig accident cases. Call us today at 314-488-2433.
Falling asleep at the wheel is a common cause of major Missouri truck accidents. Smartmotorist.com reports that in 2007, fatigued drivers caused 18 percent of fatal accidents. In an attempt to prevent driver fatigue, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA) has created regulations for commercial drivers. Commercial motor vehicle drivers may only drive for 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours of being off duty. These safety regulations ensure that truck drivers have had sufficient rest and relaxation before they get back on the road. Fatigued truck drivers in Missouri are a significant threat on the roadways and cause numerous serious injury and fatal collisions on our nation’s roadways each year.
The government has also been taking steps to mandate companies to educate their drivers about these safety regulations. Recently the government requested Whole Foods to conduct similar education programs for their truck drivers. In October 2005, a Whole Foods tractor-trailer rolled over on the Highway 94 in Wisconsin causing a collision with a motor coach that killed five and injured 35 others. Federal officials determined that the Whole Foods truck driver fell asleep at the wheel. The investigation also determined that the driver had not taken sufficient rest during the time period leading to the accident.
As truck accident lawyers in Missouri, we have come across many situations where truck drivers deliberately falsify logs so they can be on the road for more time. At Page Law, our attorneys are trained to detect discrepancies in the logs and determine whether negligence or wrongdoing on the part of the truck driver or the trucking company was involved in causing the crash. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck collision due to driver negligence or fatigue, you need an experienced and knowledgeable Missouri negligent truck driver accident lawyer to ensure your rights are protected. Please call Page Law at (314) 322-8515 to schedule your free consultation and case evaluation.
Source:http://www.automotive-fleet.com/Channel/Safety-Accident-Management/News/Story/2009/03/Government-Advises-Whole-Foods-to-Implement-Driver-Fatigue-Education-Program.aspx?interstitial=1
