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.
Source:http://www.koamtv.com/global/story.asp?s=7995367
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A 50-year-old woman was killed in a Jasper County, Missouri truck accident after she crashed with a semi-truck at the intersection of highways 43 and 96 north of Joplin. A KOAM-TV news report states that the woman was traveling west when she failed to yield to a northbound tractor-trailer. Missouri Highway Patrol officials say that this is the second fatal accident at this intersection within the last three months. On October, 26, 2009, in an identical crash, a Kansas woman going west on 96 also got into a crash while crossing Highway 43 and died.
Right-of-way issues play an important role in any auto accident investigation, including truck accidents, and especially if the accident occurs at an intersection. In this case, obviously, the accident occurred because one of the drivers failed to yield right-of-way at the intersection. Officials’ preliminary investigations suggest that it was the woman who failed to yield right-of-way to the oncoming truck. But if a complete investigation determines that the truck driver was at fault, then the truck driver and trucking company can also be held liable for the woman’s wrongful death.
If your loved one has been killed in a truck accident and you have questions about how or why it occurred, please contact the experienced Missouri truck accident wrongful death attorneys at Page Law for a free and comprehensive consultation. We have access to accident reconstruction experts who can collect evidence and help determine whether there was any negligence or wrongdoing in your case. Call Page Law today at 866-620-5757 to find out how we can help.
Source:http://www.koamtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=11865591
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A truck driver was killed in a tractor-trailer accident on Missouri Highway 116 after he hit a jackknifed big rig. According to a report in the St. Joseph News-Press, a 45-year-old driver lost control of his 2000 International tractor-trailer on the snow-covered road. His truck then crossed the centerline, struck a rail on a bridge, and jackknifed in the road. The tractor-trailer was then hit by another big rig which was being driven by a 35-year-old man. The 35-year old big rig driver was pronounced dead at the scene as a result of the collision. The driver of the truck that crashed initially was not injured.
A number of truck accidents in Missouri this month are being caused by truck drivers who are not exercising caution while driving on snow-covered roads. Officials say excessive speed often results in tractor-trailers jackknifing and posing significant risk of injury or death to others on the road. That’s exactly what seems to have happened in this particular fatal truck accident. Such tragedies are easily prevented by truck drivers who operate their large trucks carefully and slow down in bad weather conditions.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Missouri big rig accident caused by a negligent or reckless truck driver, please contact a reputed St. Louis accident truck injury lawyer at Page Law for a free, comprehensive and completely confidential consultation. We will get our legal team working on your case right away and help you secure fair compensation to cover your losses. Call Page Law today at 1-866-620-5757.
Source:http://www.stjoenews.net/news/2009/dec/09/snowfall-slick-roads-cause-two-fatal-accidents/
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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 Law, 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 Law today at 866-620-5757 for a free consultation.
Source:http://ozarksfirst.com/content/fulltext/?cid=195642
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After a vehicle rear-ended a big rig on Missouri Highway 59 in Newton County, a Joplin man was killed and his son suffered injuries. According to a news report in the Joplin Globe, the 56-year-old man in the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. His son, 30, was also taken to an area hospital with injuries. The older man was a passenger in a pickup truck driven by his son, which apparently ran into the rear of a southbound tractor trailer that had stopped and was waiting for another vehicle to make a left turn.
Truck accidents can cause extremely serious and devastating injuries including brain and spinal cord injuries, which can leave a person disabled for life. Truck accidents can also be fatal. The serious injuries and fatalities caused by truck accidents usually affect the occupants of the passenger vehicles – not the big rigs. This is because of the size and weight of the large trucks, which overpower and overwhelm other vehicles on our roadways. Big rigs often weigh over 80,000 pounds and when something that big and heavy hits a passenger car, the occupants of the car are the ones most seriously injured.
When a truck accident occurs as a result of the truck driver’s negligence, injured victims can seek compensation from the driver and in most cases, the trucking company, as well. Most companies carry liability insurance, which helps compensate victims of serious personal injury. Still, if you are a victim, you need a Missouri truck accident lawyer on your side fighting for your rights and protecting your best interest. If you have lost a loved one in a truck accident, please contact a skilled St. Louis wrongful death truck accident attorney at Page Law for a free consultation and case evaluation.
Source:http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/local_story_283010257.html
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A Missouri truck driver has pleaded not guilty to 10 counts of negligent homicide in Oklahoma where he reportedly caused a seven-vehicle accident that killed 10 people. The 76-year-old driver turned himself in to authorities and entered an innocent plea in Ottawa District Court, according to a news report in the Joplin Globe. The fatal accident occurred on June 26, 2009 when the truck driver who was driving a tractor trailer rig for a grocery company failed to stop or slow down for congested traffic on the Interstate 44. According to traffic investigators, the large truck struck the back of a Land Rover, causing the catastrophic chain-reaction crash.
Negligence on the part of a truck driver is a very common occurrence in many catastrophic truck accidents. In this case, investigators say the truck driver did not stop for slowing traffic and ended up rear-ending one of the vehicles, leading to the fatal crash.
Rear-end truck accidents occur when the truck is not able to brake in time. In Missouri truck accidents, we see this commonly when the truck driver is fatigued or when the truck’s brakes fail due to overloading or poor vehicle maintenance. An experienced Missouri truck accident lawyer will be able to determine whether the truck driver was driving in a tired or fatigued condition. There are federal laws that require truckers to maintain logs that show how long he or she has been behind the wheel. A skilled truck accident attorney can piece together the truck driver’s driving history for the hours, days, weeks and months leading up to the accident.
If you believe you have been seriously injured as a result of a negligent truck driver or trucking company, please contact experienced truck accident lawyer, John Page, at Page Law for a free consultation. We will fight for your rights and make sure you receive the justice and compensation you rightfully deserve. Call 866-620-5757 today.
Source:http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/local_story_266230723.html
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A recent report from madisonpress.com serves as a reminder of how important it is for truckers and motorists to be aware of the change in traffic-flow. It may seem like an obvious factor to be cautious of when traversing along highways; however, far too many truck accidents take place due to the inability of a tractor trailer or automobile to stop in time when traffic becomes congested.
According to the report, the fatal accident took place on I-79 in Madison County on September 25, 2009, when a passenger vehicle struck a commercial tractor trailer from behind. Apparently, the 18-year-old driver of the passenger car died at the scene from severe injuries. The 50-year-old truck driver of St. Louis did not sustain any injuries from the collision. Based on the article, preliminary investigation at the scene indicated that both drivers were wearing their seat belts and both vehicles were traveling eastbound on I-70 in the center lane.
Although this crash is still under investigation, if it is determined that the commercial truck driver was in any way responsible for causing the accident, he may be held liable for the wrongful death of the passenger driver. Considering that some tractor trailer drivers succumb to stimulants as a means of keeping awake during long drives, investigators may examine whether or not illegal substances played a factor in causing this accident. Even though such drug use is illegal, some truck drivers use extremely poor judgment in putting profit before safety, thus placing innocent motorists at risk of suffering catastrophic injuries and even death.
Tractor trailer accidents can be devastating. When a family loses a loved one in a truck accident where negligence on the part of the truck driver or trucking company played a role in causing the wrongful death, surviving family members may seek compensation for their loss as well as expenses relating to the death. Although no amount of financial compensation can ever replace the loss of a beloved family member, such recompense may relieve the burden and stress of any existing medical expenses, loss of future wages, and other economic damages.
At the St. Louis personal injury law firm of Page Law, our skilled Missouri truck accident wrongful death attorneys have helped many families receive compensation for costs associated with the death of their loved one. For a free consultation of your wrongful death truck accident case, call Page Law today at 866-620-5757.
Source:http://www.madisonpress.com/local.asp?ID=1799&Story=3
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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
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According to a recent article posted on stltoday.com, a 45-year-old motorist was killed in a vehicle turnover crash that also seriously injured his passenger. The driver of the truck involved in the accident was reportedly not wearing his seatbelt, nor was his 38-year-old passenger. The incident occurred in the early morning hours on Route 8.
Investigation into the cause of the accident did not specify any possible explanations as to why the man lost control of his vehicle, which traveled off the road and overturned several times down an embankment. While trucks are certainly more prone to turnover than smaller passenger vehicles are, dangerous vehicle design, in this particular case, does not seem to have contributed towards its fatal outcome. However, the question as to why the truck left the confines of the road is still in need of being answered.
A truck does not have a very good turn radius. While driving under ideal conditions and in adherence to all rules of the road will both undoubtedly aid a motorist in remaining injury free, the possibility of faulty vehicle design still needs to be taken into consideration in all instances where loss of vehicle control, under seemingly benign conditions mind you, takes place. Truck manufacturers are responsible for creating vehicles that are safe to drive under all circumstances, and truck part manufacturers have a duty to provide consumers with effective products, such as brake pads, that do not fail and instead perform in such a manner that the likelihood of personal injury befalling an unsuspecting motorist is greatly diminished. Though further investigation into this crash will certainly reveal its cause, it is important for motorists everywhere to realize that not all vehicle accidents are the fault of the involved drivers.
If you or a loved one has recently been injured in a truck accident, please do not hesitate to contact the St. Louis truck accident attorneys at Page Law. Our skilled lawyers will examine the details of your crash, and will help determined whether or not negligence of some kind played an unfortunate role in causing your accident. If negligence on the part of a vehicle or car part manufacturer did play any sort of role, we will help you hold negligent parties accountable for their actions, so that you can obtain compensatory damages. Call us today at 866-620-5757 for a free consultation.
Source article: http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/commutingtraffic/story/A346FB711D571B2B8625762E005A0E47?OpenDocument
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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 Law. 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
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