Missouri Truck Accident Blog
Category – Truck Driver Negligence
Department of Transportation Proposes Ban on Truck Driver Texting
The Journal of Commerce reported recently that the Department of Transportation has proposed a rule to make its temporary two-month ban on truck driver texting a permanent measure. The rule is intended to cut down on the number of accidents related to cell phone text-messaging while driving. According to the Department of Transportation, drivers are twenty times more likely to get into an accident while texting.
The new rule bans texting by drivers of commercial motor vehicles. It does not address texting by drivers of regular cars or trucks. The rule provides for a fine or disqualification from driving if a driver is found texting.
The proposed rule does not prohibit talking on a cell phone while driving a large truck, nor does it prevent drivers from using other electronic devices, such as GPS systems, while driving. The Department of Transportation has announced that it will propose separate rules to cover these activities.
The rule was first proposed by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood at the 2009 Distracted Driving Summit. In January 2010, LaHood issued a two-month interim ban on texting while operating a large truck. The proposed permanent rule was offered for public comment on March 30, 2010.
Distracted driving results in a large number of motor vehicle accidents every year; some of them catastrophic and others fatal. The risks are higher when a large truck is involved in such a crash, as the size and maneuverability of these trucks make it more likely they will be unable to avoid a collision and will cause greater damage to other motorists and their vehicles.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed by a distracted truck driver, please don’t hesitate to contact the skilled St. Louis truck driver negligence attorneys at Page Law. We will help protect your legal rights after an accident and fight to hold negligent parties accountable for their actions. Call Page Law today at 314-322-8515 to schedule your free case evaluation.
Cell Phone Distracts Truck Driver in Fatal Crash
Taking and receiving cell phone calls may have distracted the truck driver responsible for a crash that killed eleven passengers in a church van in March, according to a news report released recently by local ABC news affiliate KMBC. The tractor-trailer crossed a median and struck a passenger van, killing the eleven passengers inside. The passengers were on their way to a wedding.
Cell phone use was cited as a “human factor” involved in the fatal trucking accident, according to the recently-released police report. However, police have still not determined whether the driver was actually using the cell phone at the moment the accident occurred.
Also according to the police report, the truck driver was traveling faster than the posted speed limit of 70 miles per hour when he crossed the median. According to witnesses, the driver attempted to brake for about 100 feet before striking the van, but the truck was still traveling faster than 80 miles per hour when the truck crash occurred. Neither weather nor alcohol appears to have been a factor in the accident.
Both the Kentucky State Police and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration are continuing to investigate the accident. Although cell phone use by truck drivers is still permitted, the Department of Transportation has promised to consider issuing rules about cell phone use.
Distracted drivers are a factor in a large number of truck accidents in the U.S. each year. Drivers may be distracted by their cell phones, GPS locators, or other objects in the cab. Avoiding distractions is crucial to safe driving, especially for operators of large tractor-trailers.
If you have been injured by a distracted truck driver, you have certain legal rights that deserve to be protected. The experienced Missouri tractor trailer accident injury attorneys at Page Law can help you understand your options and protect your rights. Contact the attorneys at Page Law today by calling 314-322-8515 to schedule a free and confidential consultation.
Trucker Responsible for Deadly Highway Crash Goes Free on Plea
According to a recent article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, an Alabama trucker who killed three people on I-64/40 west of St. Louis in 2008 has been released after pleading guilty to three counts of involuntary manslaughter.
The judge accepted the trucker’s guilty plea and sentenced the trucker to one year in jail. However, the judge also granted the trucker credit for the 371 days he’d already served in jail. In court, the trucker apologized to the families of the victims. He has no plans to return to truck driving as a career.
According to police, the 2008 accident occurred when the trucker, who was distracted while reaching for his cell phone, plowed into multiple vehicles on the highway. The crash killed three motorists and injured fourteen.
At least one of the severely injured motorists in the crash was awarded monetary damages in a civil suit for his injuries. In addition to criminal penalties, civil claims may be brought against negligent truck drivers whose behavior causes injuries or death. In a civil case, an injured person and/or the person’s family may seek monetary compensation to help pay medical bills and other expenses associated with the accident.
If you or a loved one has suffered through a tractor-trailer crash, please contact the Missouri trucking crash lawsuit attorneys at Page Law. Our experienced attorneys will listen to the details of your case and fight to get you and your loved one the compensation you need to move forward after the accident. Contact Page Law today by calling (314) 322-8515 for a free and confidential evaluation of your Missouri truck accident case.
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.
Missouri Child Killed in Tractor Trailer Collision
A 3-year-old Missouri girl was killed in a tractor-trailer accident after two big-rigs collided on Interstate 64 in Kentucky. According to a wkyt.com article, the collision occurred as traffic was slowing for another crash on the highway which was caused by a suspected drunk driver. The girl was pronounced dead and two others were injured. However, the extent of their injuries is not yet known. The child was apparently in one of the big-rigs driven by her 49-year-old grandmother.
Very often, as St. Louis big rig crash lawyers, we see similar tragic collisions occur when truck drivers are not paying attention to traffic conditions. When you are behind the wheel of a large truck, sudden movements are not possible. In fact, we have seen in many cases how big-rig sudden movement has led to jackknifing. Such actions endanger not only the truck drivers, but also other people who are using the roadways.
If negligence or wrongdoing is involved in causing a fatal trucking accident, family members of deceased victims can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation to cover funeral expenses, loss of love and companionship, and other related damages. When a tractor-trailer accident occurs, it is important that you move quickly to contact an experienced Missouri truck accident lawyer. Trucking companies and their insurance carriers send investigators to gather as much information as possible as quickly as they can, usually within hours.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, please contact the Missouri wrongful death truck accident lawyers at Page Law by calling (314) 322-8515. You need an experienced truck accident attorney to aggressively represent you and protect your legal rights. We will provide you with a free consultation. Let us evaluate your case and help you decide what course of action is best for you and your family.
Driver Fatigue is a Major Factor in Missouri Truck Accidents
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.
Judge Issues Warrant for Truck Driver Accused of Negligent Homicide
A judge in Oklahoma has issued a warrant for a truck driver who was charged with negligent homicide in connection with the deaths of four family members, all from Joplin, Missouri. The fatal truck accident occurred on March 9, 2008, when the truck driver rear-ended the family’s car. He told police officials that he might have fallen asleep at the wheel. He was scheduled to go to trial, but did not show up in court.
St. Louis tractor trailer accident lawyers are concerned about the continued presence of fatigued truck drivers on our roadways. Federal law allows 10 hours of driving within a 15-hour on-duty period after eight hours of off-duty time. The law also prohibits drivers from driving after their 15th hour on-duty in a workday or after 60 hours on-duty in seven consecutive days or 70 hours on-duty in eight consecutive days. The increased pressure to deliver loads within a certain amount of time causes truck drivers to continue driving when they are tired or overworked. In a recent survey, 20 percent of long-haul truck drivers admitted to falling asleep at the wheel.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a truck accident caused by a fatigued driver, please contact an experienced Missouri truck accident lawyer at Page Law for a free and comprehensive consultation. Our skilled legal team will jump on your case right away and begin taking the same action as the truck company and their insurance company. There are time limits in the state of Missouri to file personal injury claims. Please contact our office today by calling 866-620-5757 so we can evaluate your truck accident claim.
Missouri Tanker Spill Leaves Three Hospitalized
Three people were hospitalized after a tanker truck carrying hydrochloric acid flipped, spilling some of its load and sending a cloud of hazardous gas up in the air. According to a CBS news report, the truck was carrying about 45,000 pounds of the acid on Interstate 35 when it ruptured. About 250 gallons of hydrochloric acid spilled from the tanker. The acid cloud threatened the nearby Isle of Capri casino. However, no one was evacuated. One person in the casino was transported to an area hospital with respiratory issues. The truck driver and two police officers were also taken to the hospital for treatment of injuries as well as skin and throat irritation.
Trucks often transport hazardous materials and when the big rig crashes, the chemicals inside can spill, thus exposing hundreds or thousands of people to serious harm. In this particular case, it is not clear what caused the tanker to rupture and the acid to spill. However, if the materials were not stored properly or if proper safety measures were not taken, the trucking company and the truck driver may be held liable for the accident and injuries caused.
If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a truck accident, you would be well-advised to retain the services of an experienced St. Louis MO truck crash injury lawyer at Page Law. Our knowledgeable personal injury attorneys will make sure that important evidence or records relevant to your claim are not destroyed. We will fight for your legal rights every step of the way and make sure that you get the justice and compensation you rightfully deserve. We are always on your side. Call Page Law at 1-866-620-5757 for a free consultation and evaluation of your Missouri truck accident case.
Source:http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/11/30/national/main5837884.shtml
Medical Condition May Have Caused Missouri Truck Driver to Crash
Officials say that a Missouri truck driver, who recently jackknifed his semi on U.S. Highway 75 in Oklahoma and died, may have suffered a medical condition at the time of the crash. According to a news report, the 61-year-old man was driving north on the highway when his truck left the roadway, struck a culvert, and turned on its side. The driver was not wearing his seatbelt.
Although this truck driver may not have had a pre-existing medical condition, Missouri trucking accident lawyers have represented several injured victims whose accidents were caused by sick truck drivers who should not have been driving in the first place. According to a recent report by the Associated Press, hundreds of thousands of tractor trailer and bus drivers in the United States carry licenses to drive these vehicles in spite of qualifying for full federal disability. Far too many truck drivers also suffer from serious health conditions such as seizures, heart attacks, or black-outs that occur suddenly while driving.
Allowing medically unfit truckers to operate these large commercial vehicles has resulted in devastating truck accidents. According to a U.S. Department of Transportation report, 5,300 people died in accidents involving large commercial trucks or buses in 2006, and about 126,000 were injured. Thousands of these accidents each year can be avoided if trucking firms and the regulatory authorities make it tougher for truckers with serious medical conditions to be on the road.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a negligent truck driver, please contact Page Law to get more information about your legal rights and options. Our Missouri semi-truck accident lawyers can immediately alert our truck accident team and begin taking the same action as the trucking company and their insurance company. Failure to file your claim promptly may forever bar your claim. The statute of limitations varies from state to state and could limit the amount of time that a personal injury victim has to file a lawsuit. Please do not let this happen to you. Call Page Law today at 1-866-620-5757 for a free consultation and case evaluation.
Missouri Authorities Slap Trucker with Citations for Reckless Driving
Many Missouri semi truck accidents take place because truck drivers make unsafe movements and maneuvers. A large-sized truck weighing close to 80,000 pounds, when out of control, can cause significant damage. That’s exactly why truck drivers should take additional care to be watchful on the highway and follow all traffic rules.
A recent news report on KWQC illustrates that truck drivers don’t always pay attention to what’s going around them on the roadway. Investigators in Scott County, Missouri, are looking into a bizarre accident on the Interstate 80 that sent a semi tractor trailer onto a road below the highway. Officials say the semi tractor-trailer was going west on Interstate 80 when it passed a minivan.
As the big rig tried to move back into the right lane, the driver realized he did not have enough clearance. It was too late. The truck hit the van. The van veered into a ditch and the semi went flying off the highway and down onto a road under the overpass. Miraculously, neither the truck driver nor the van driver was hurt. However, officials say that the semi driver is facing several citations for driving recklessly.
It is extremely fortunate that no one got hurt in this Missouri truck accident. However, that’s not always the case. Recent data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) shows just how deadly truck accidents can be. Although trucks make up less than 4 percent of all passenger vehicles on U.S. roads, they are involved in 12 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities. More than 4,000 people die every year in truck accidents and more than 80,000 are seriously injured, according to the federal safety agency that monitors trucking companies.
If you have been seriously injured in a Missouri truck accident, please contact an experienced St. Louis personal injury lawyer at Page Law today. Trucking companies will usually get their insurance carrier and attorneys on a case right away. As a victim, you need a skilled truck accident attorney on your side, fighting for your rights and protecting your best interests as soon as possible. Contact John Page at Page Law today by calling (866) 620-5757 for a free and comprehensive consultation.
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