Missouri Truck Accident Blog

See Unsafe Truck Driving? Report It to FMCSA

Motorists who witness tractor-trailers being driven in an unsafe fashion can report their concerns to the government. The U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), an agency of the Department of Transportation (DOT), operates a safety hotline specifically to address safety concerns from motorists, truck drivers, and other individuals relating to the trucking industry. The hotline can be reached at 1-888-DOT-SAFT.

The hotline accepts calls from both motorists and truck drivers who wish to report unsafe conditions. Common calls include truck drivers who are being required to drive more than the Hours of Service rules allow; persons who notice that trucks are mechanically unsafe to drive or truckers appear intoxicated, fatigued, or ill; and motorists who wish to report dangerous driving by large trucks.

When making a call, remember to include your name, address, and telephone number, the specific dates of the alleged violation, and the details of the alleged violation. Persons calling the hotline may report up to three possible violations per phone call.

Upon receiving a complaint, the Department of Transportation records the complaint and investigates it if the DOT determines the complaint meets certain standards. You may be contacted by an agency official for additional information. Within 90 days, the DOT should inform you as to how your complaint was handled.

Reporting unsafe driving helps prevent semi truck accidents from happening by ensuring that dangerous conditions are addressed before they can cause an accident. If you’ve been in a collision involving a large truck, the experienced Missouri big rig injury accident attorneys at Page Law can help. Our skilled legal team will examine the details of your case and help you fight to protect your rights and win the compensation you deserve. Call Page Law today at (314) 322-8515 for a free consultation.

Missouri Truck Driver Holds Record for Accident-Free Miles

Hannibal, Missouri resident Hank Thomas was honored recently by the Missouri Trucking Association for breaking a state record: he has driven his tractor-trailer four million miles without a single accident. He was also honored by the Missouri state Senate in April 2010 and the state House of Representatives in May 2010 for his accomplishment, according to a recent article in the Hannibal Courier-Post.

Mr. Thomas’s advice for truckers wishing to challenge his record is simple. Pay attention to the road, the other cars, and your own driving. Get plenty of rest. Don’t talk on a cell phone while driving. Don’t tailgate the vehicle in front of you or speed.

Mr. Thomas began driving trucks at the age of 15, when he drove on his parents’ farm. He began driving tractor-trailers in 1966 and has driven trucks for McNay Truckline of Quincy, Illinois for 29 years. He has also driven trucks for Gully, Recycled Paper Co., and Brown Trucking, also of Hannibal, Missouri. McNay Truckline has been his employer for the longest period of time. The company listens to his concerns as a driver and keeps his equipment in excellent condition, which contributes to Mr. Thomas’s ability to drive safely.

A host of good driving skills, a good team of mechanics, and an employer that cares about the safe driving of its employees have all contributed to Mr. Thomas’s accomplishment. Unfortunately, many truck accidents in Missouri and throughout the U.S. continue to occur each year when truck drivers break one of Mr. Thomas’s recommended driving rules – and possibly break state or federal law as well.

If you have been injured in a collision with a tractor-trailer and you believe the truck driver’s negligence is to blame, please don’t hesitate to call Page Law. Our experienced Missouri truck driver negligence lawyers will examine the details of your case and protect your legal rights. Call Page Law today at (314) 322-8515 to schedule a free case evaluation.

Bicyclist Injured in St. Charles County Accident with Truck

A local teenager was severely injured after he collided with a trash truck while riding his bicycle, according to a recent article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The Missouri truck accident occurred in a neighborhood in St. Charles County, where the trash truck was making its rounds.

The eighteen-year-old was riding his bike on Riverview Lane just west of Highway 94 when he apparently rode into the path of an Allied Waste Services truck, say local police. The accident happened at about 12:30 in the afternoon. The teen’s bicycle became stuck underneath the trash truck, which dragged the bicycle and the teenager at least fifty feet before managing to stop.

The teenager was taken to St. John’s Mercy Medical Center, where hospital staff describe him as being in satisfactory condition given his severe injuries. Police are continuing to investigate the Missouri trash truck accident.

Large truck accidents in Missouri usually occur between a large truck and a passenger vehicle, such as a car or pickup truck. Although accidents between a large truck and a pedestrian or bicyclist are unusual, these accidents can be even more devastating when they do occur. The unprotected and relatively small frame of a pedestrian’s or bicyclist’s body is no match for tractor-trailers and other large trucks, which can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Severe injury and even death are practically inevitable.

If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident with a large truck, you have certain legal rights. A skilled Missouri truck accident lawyer at Page Law can help you understand your rights. We will stand up for your rights in court while helping you obtain the compensation you deserve. Please call Page Law today at (314) 322-8515 for a free case evaluation.

Department of Transportation Analyzes Truck Behavior

The Missouri Department of Transportation’s report, “Investigating Large Truck-Passenger Vehicle Interactions,” reveals a number of interesting facts about how large trucks and passenger vehicles share the road. The Department of Transportation also makes a number of recommendations about ways to increase safety when passenger vehicles share the road with large trucks.

The report notes that, on average, large trucks on Missouri freeways drive only two miles per hour slower than surrounding passenger vehicles. On sections of freeway with more than two lanes, trucks commonly used the middle lane or lanes, avoiding both the “fast” lane on the far left and the “slow” lane on the far right. Finally, although trucks do not account for a large share of accidents on rural roads, study of freeway accidents involving large trucks showed that large trucks were involved in more freeway accidents than their numbers suggested they should be.

To reduce the number of truck accidents on Missouri’s freeways, the report’s authors suggest a number of solutions. First, implementing a truck speed limit that is five to ten miles per hour lower than the speed limit for passenger cars would slow trucks down and reduce collisions. The authors also recommend putting in dedicated truck lanes to reduce the number of trucks using the center lanes.

Passenger cars sharing Missouri’s freeways with large trucks are at risk of injury due to careless or negligent truck driving. If you or someone you love has been injured due to a truck driver’s negligence, the experienced Missouri truck driver negligence attorneys at Page Law are able to help. Our attorneys will review your case and help you seek compensation for injuries, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other adverse consequences of your accident. Please don’t hesitate to contact Page Law today at (314) 322-8515 to schedule a free case evaluation.

Tractor-Trailer Spill Causes I-35 Backups

A recent tractor-trailer mishap on Interstate 35 near downtown Kansas City tied up traffic for hours, in what local ABC affiliate KMBC called “a traffic nightmare.”

The truck managed to stop traffic in all but one lane of northbound I-35 when its trailer bowed, spilling its load across the freeway and bringing the truck to a halt. Northbound traffic, already congested and moving slowly due to construction on the freeway, was slowed to a crawl as the single open lane attempted to sneak past the stopped truck.

The Missouri Department of Transportation immediately began warning drivers to avoid northbound I-35, especially during rush hour, as their crews predicted that cleaning up the truck’s spill would take hours. The Department of Transportation also noted that the truck had stopped in an awkward section of the freeway, where there was “no good way to get him out,” according to Department of Transportation spokesperson Laura Wagner.

No one was injured in the I-35 truck spill. Unfortunately, not all motorists who share the road with large trucks are so lucky. When a driver loses control of a truck or its load, devastating injuries and even death can result. Drivers may lose control for a number of reasons. The driver may be fatigued, distracted, or even impaired by drugs or alcohol. The truck’s brakes may fail because the truck has not been properly maintained or is overloaded. When a truck’s load is not secured properly or is too heavy, it may fall from the vehicle, causing damage and injury to nearby vehicles and their passengers.

When a truck accident in St. Louis is caused by the driver’s negligence, injured victims may be able to seek compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, pain and suffering, long-term care and other damages. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, please contact the experienced Missouri trucking collision attorneys at Page Law to discuss your rights and options. Call Page Law today at (314) 322-8515 for a free case evaluation.

How to Avoid a Missouri Tractor-Trailer Accident

Due to their large size and challenging maneuverability, large trucks are not as able as cars to avoid an oncoming trucking accident in Missouri. Therefore, it is best for car drivers to use caution and pay attention to large trucks when driving past them on the road. Although not every accident is avoidable, many can be prevented by driving defensively.

1. Keep your distance from large trucks. A truck’s size and weight can make it difficult for the driver to brake or change lanes quickly. To reduce the risk of collision, consistently maintain a good amount of space between you and the truck while exercising safe driving practices. If you are making a lane change in front of a truck, make sure you can see the entire front end of the truck in your rearview mirror before you move into the lane in front of the truck. If you are passing a truck, do so quickly, and entirely concentrate on the road.
2. Stay as visible as possible. Large trucks have large blind spots. Whenever possible, drive in front of or well behind a truck, not beside it. If you cannot see a truck’s driver or the truck’s mirror, you should assume the truck driver cannot see you. Also, pay attention to a truck’s turn signals. A truck driver preparing to turn or change lanes may not see you before making a move. If you see a truck’s turn signals, slow down and keep out of the truck’s way.
3. Take extra care on ramps, in traffic, and in tight areas. A truck’s low maneuverability makes it especially difficult for trucks that must drive in narrow lanes, navigate narrow or tightly turned entrance or exit ramps, or that are driving in heavy traffic. Pay attention to the road conditions as well as the presence of trucks, as you may need to speed up or slow down to accommodate a truck making a tight turn or passing through a narrow ramp. Also, pay special attention to trucks when merging onto a highway, as trucks in heavy traffic may not be able to slow down to let you in.

No matter how careful you are on the road, accidents may happen. If you are injured in a Missouri large truck accident due to a negligent driver’s actions, please don’t hesitate to contact the experienced St. Louis big rig accident lawyers at Page Law. Our attorneys will examine the details of your case and fight to hold negligent parties accountable. Call Page Law today at (314) 322-8515 for a free and confidential consultation.

Federal Government Approves $4 Billion Plan for Dedicated Truck Lanes

The St. Louis Business Journal recently reported that the Federal Highway Administration had approved Missouri’s four-billion-dollar plan to build dedicated truck lanes along I-70. The Missouri Department of Transportation’s plan calls for building extra highway lanes specifically for trucks. The lanes will run for about thirty miles along I-70 in Saline and Cooper counties. When completed, the lanes will be the longest section of dedicated truck lanes in the county.

The state of Missouri also applied for $200 million in federal stimulus money, in addition to its own $4 billion budget for the project, to help build the truck lanes.

The plan calls for two inside lanes in each direction to be dedicated solely to large tractor-trailer traffic. A concrete barrier will separate the eastbound truck lanes from the westbound truck lanes, and grass medians will separate the truck lanes from the car lanes. Trucks entering or exiting I-70 will use either specially built truck lanes or will pass through the car lanes before entering the dedicated truck lanes. The dedicated truck lanes are intended to increase safety on I-70 by separating large tractor-trailers from passenger cars, which should decrease the number of car-truck accidents.

While all vehicle traffic poses some risk, motorists who share the road with large trucks run the extra risk of collision with these large, heavy vehicles. Motorists who are injured in St. Louis tractor-trailer collisions caused by a truck driver’s negligence may be entitled to damages and other monetary compensation for their injuries. If you have been injured in a large truck accident, contact the experienced Missouri truck accident attorneys at Page Law today. Our attorneys will protect your rights while fighting to hold negligent parties responsible for their actions. Contact Page Law today by calling (314) 322-8515 for a free and confidential evaluation.

Driver of Overturned Tractor-Trailer Charged With Reckless Driving

A tractor-trailer overturned on Interstate 95 recently, causing serious traffic delays, according to a wtvr.com report. The truck, which was carrying a load of fruit, overturned into the ditch beside the interstate, blocking one lane of traffic for several hours and forcing drivers to take alternative routes.

The tractor-trailer crash occurred just before 8:00 a.m. Police responded shortly thereafter and began managing traffic as well as extracting the driver from the vehicle. The 33-year-old driver was treated for minor head and neck injuries at a local hospital medical center. No one else was injured in the accident, nor did the truck collide with any other vehicles.

The driver has been charged with reckless driving for causing the accident. Police are still investigating the details behind the collision.

The motorists sharing the road with this truck driver were lucky to avoid injury. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 5,300 people died in accidents involving large commercial trucks or buses in 2006 and about 126,000 were injured. While many truckers obey all driving rules, those who do not play a significant factor in life-altering crashes.

If you or someone you love has been injured by a truck driver’s recklessness or negligence, contact the experienced Missouri semi-truck accident attorneys at Page Law. Our skilled lawyers will inform you of your legal rights and options and help you recover the compensation you need to handle medical bills, lost wages from work, and more. Call Page Law today at 314-322-8515 for a free and confidential consultation.

Tractor-Trailer Accident in Missouri Causes Loss of Life

A 54-year-old man was fatally injured in a Missouri truck accident on Highway 60 after his pickup truck collided head-on with a tractor-trailer. According to a news report in the Joplin Globe, the man was going east on Highway 60 when a westbound tractor-trailer crossed the centerline in an attempt to avoid striking a stopped vehicle on the highway. The driver of the pickup truck died at the scene of the accident, Missouri State Highway Patrol officials said.

Maneuvering a large, 80,000-pound vehicle in traffic can be quite a challenge. That is why truck drivers need to be trained with regard to how they handle their vehicles, how to maintain them and how to keep them properly loaded. When truck drivers lack training or when they drive recklessly without following basic safety rules and standards, the consequences can be catastrophic and tragic, as it was with this fatal truck accident.

If a fatal accident is determined to have been caused by a negligent truck driver, then both the driver and his employer can be held liable for the individual’s wrongful death. A St. Louis wrongful death claim in any auto accident is filed by the immediate family members of the deceased victim. Wrongful death claims seek compensation for medical or funeral expenses, loss of earnings, loss of companionship and other related damages.

If you have lost a loved one in a Missouri tractor-trailer accident, please contact the skilled St. Louis truck accident wrongful death attorneys at Page Cagle. We have extensive experience and a successful track record representing truck accident victims and their families. We will make sure that your legal rights are protected. Call our tractor trailer Missouri crash lawyers today at 866-620-5757 to find out how we can help.

Source:http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/local_story_014010503.html

Driver to Face Trial in Fatal Missouri Truck Accident

A driver, who caused a fatal Missouri truck accident that left three people dead and 15 injured, will face trial on manslaughter charges this summer. According to a news report in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the accident occurred June 21 when the truck driver plowed into several stopped vehicles on the highway while reaching for a cell phone. The driver told police that he reached across the dash to get his cell phone, flipped it open and looked back at traffic when the collision occurred. The truck driver is now facing three counts of second-degree involuntary manslaughter, which allege that the deaths resulted from criminal negligence. If convicted, the truck driver faces up to four years in prison.

All available research and statistics about cell phones, texting and driving show that it can be extremely dangerous to text or use a hand-held cell phone while driving. The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute recently reported that large truck drivers increase their crash risk by 23 times when they text and drive. Merely reaching for a communication device or dialing a cell phone increased the chance of a car accident or a large truck accident by six times. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety says that more than 1 million auto accidents each year are caused in North America as a result of distracted driving or driver inattention.

Truck drivers not only face criminal charges, but also civil liability in cases where their negligence causes serious personal injuries and fatalities. In such cases, the trucking firm can also be held responsible for the injuries, damages and losses caused. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Missouri truck accident, please contact an experienced St. Louis tractor trailer crash lawyer at Page Cagle to schedule your free consultation today. We will fight hard to protect your legal rights and make sure you receive the justice and compensation you rightfully deserve.

Source:http://interact.stltoday.com/blogzone/st-louis-crime-beat/st-louis-county/2010/01/trucker-faces-summer-trial-in-fatal-crash/