Posted On: November 29, 2011

Missouri Family Wins $7M for Truck Accident Wrongful Death

A federal jury in Arkansas returned a $7 million verdict in a Missouri truck accident lawsuit on November 10, 2011. The Missouri trucking wrongful death lawsuit concerned a double semi-trailer accident that occurred Arkansas.

The Missouri semi-trailer accident occurred as accident victim and plaintiff Roger Reagan of Farmington, Missouri drove a semi-trailer on eastbound U.S. 62 in Arkansas. Morgan Quisenberry, the negligent truck driver and defendant, drove across the centerline of the highway in a large semi-trailer. Quisenberry caused multiple Missouri tractor trailer accidents, striking two other vehicles before crashing into Reagan’s tractor trailer.

Reagan was able to get out of the vehicle, but he was still trapped under the truck. Reagan was surrounded by fire, injured. Rescuers pulled him the wreck but he died on route to an area hospital. Reagan is survived by his widow and two children.

The jury returned a verdict of $7 million after a five-day federal trial. The jury found that Dunaway Timber Company, Inc., the trucking company that employed Quisenberry, was responsible for 75% of the fault of the accident. Quisenberry was responsible for 25% of the fault.

This accident highlights the devastation that occurs when trucking companies fail to take public safety seriously. Dunaway Timber hired Quisenberry despite two previous license revocations. The trucking company did not train Quisenberry after hiring him. The fatal Missouri truck accident occurred within the first few weeks of Quisenberry’s employment.

Quisenberry failed to obey the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA’s) hours of service regulations. The FMCSA enacts and enforces strict regulations that govern how many consecutive hours a truck driver can operate a tractor trailer. Hours of service regulations are designed to prevent truck accidents and Missouri truck accident fatalities. Interstate trucking companies must obey the FMCSA’s hours of service regulations. According to an attorney involved in the case, Quisenberry had been driving hours beyond the federal daily maximum when the accident occurred.

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Posted On: November 27, 2011

FMCSA Announces Final Rule Banning Trucker Cell Phone Use

The United States Department of Transportation announced a new final rule banning cell phone use by interstate truckers earlier this week. The Department of Transportation enacted the rule as a part of its concerted effort to decrease Missouri distracted driving truck accidents. The rule prohibiting cell phone during the operation of a large truck or bus was proposed in 2010. Now the rule is law. Two segments of the federal Department of Transportation - the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration – are promulgating the rule. This new rule will work in conjunction with the final rule banning texting while driving to decrease Missouri truck accidents caused by distracted driving.

The new rule prohibits interstate truck drivers and bus drivers from using hand-held cellular devices during the operation of their vehicles. The new rule creates penalties for truck drivers who use a cellular phone during vehicle operation. Federal civil penalties of up to $2,750 will be imposed on truck drivers who violate the rule. Multiple violations will disqualify a truck driver from operating a commercial motor vehicle across state lanes. Trucking companies that allow their drivers to use hand-held cell phones face stiff penalties as well. Those trucking companies may face penalties up to $11,000. The FMCSA estimates that the new rule will affect approximately 4 million commercial drivers.

The FMCSA specifically banned hand-held cell phones because their use involves a number of risky, distracting behaviors. Research indicates that holding a conversation while driving saps a driver’s attention from the road. Hand-held devices are riskier than hands-free cell phones, because they require distracting activities such as searching for the phone, reaching for the phone, and dialing. According to the FMCSA’s news release, “[d]ialing a hand-held cell phone makes it six times more likely that commercial drivers will be involved in a crash or other safety-critical event.”

Missouri distracted driver truck accidents are a major threat to public safety. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 5,000 people died in distracted driver accidents in 2009. More than half a million people were injured in distracted driving accidents that same year. Distracted driving accidents account for 16% of traffic fatalities nationwide.

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Posted On: November 24, 2011

Arkansas Man Injured in St. Charles County Missouri U-Turn Truck Accident

A truck driver caused a St. Charles County Missouri truck accident during an attempted U-turn on eastbound Missouri Route 370 at Elm Point Industrial Drive. The Saint Charles Missouri truck accident occurred after sunset on November 23, 2011 at 6:27pm.

Commercial motor vehicle driver Daniel W. Fuller attempted to make a U-turn in a 2012 Kenworth. The front of the Kenworth crashed into the rear of a 2003 Buick Century driven by Milburn Z. Gambill of Corning, Arkansas. St. Charles County ambulance transported Gambill to St. Joseph Hospital East for medical treatment.

U-turns are dangerous maneuvers, especially for commercial motor vehicles. U-turns require vehicles to cross lanes intended for traffic in opposite directions. U-turns tend to take longer to complete than typical left or right turns, but some drivers fail to take the longer timeframe into account. Drivers may feel rushed to complete a U-turn and drive too fast for the maneuver. The maneuver is even riskier for commercial motor vehicles. Commercial motor vehicles like tractor trailers and delivery trucks have a larger turning radius than passenger vehicles. Attempting a U-turn in a commercial motor vehicle is irresponsible.

Attempting a U-turn in a commercial motor vehicle is more than irresponsible, it is likely illegal. Missouri statute 304.341 governs turns at traffic intersections in Missouri. The statute bans U-turns at any intersection with a traffic light. Specifically, the statute says “It shall be unlawful for the driver of any vehicle to turn such vehicle so as to proceed in the opposite direction at any intersection controlled by a traffic signal.” U-turns are also banned at all other sections of Missouri’s roadways, “unless the movement can be made in safety and without interfering with other traffic.” U-turns are banned wherever vehicles cannot be easily seen, including curvy roads and hill crests.

Missouri statue 304.341 shows a clear intent of Missouri’s legislature to prohibit the majority U-turns. Under Missouri law, U-turns are generally prohibited and only allowed under rare circumstances. If a truck driver attempts a U-turn and causes a Missouri truck accident, the U-turn attempt is evidence that the truck driver breached a duty owed to the accident victim. Truck drivers have a duty to obey traffic regulations and a generally duty to operate their commercial motor vehicles prudently. When a truck driver violates a traffic regulation and the violation causes injury, the truck driver owes compensation to the accident victims.

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Posted On: November 22, 2011

Nixa Man Injured in Lawrence County Missouri Semi Truck Accident

Jacob R. Whitehill of Nixa, Missouri suffered moderate injuries in a Lawrence County Missouri semi truck accident. The Missouri truck accident occurred on November 21, 2011 at 4:20pm.

Whitehill’s 2000 Dodge collided with a 2007 Peterbilt Conventional semi truck on eastbound I-44, 3 miles west of Halltown. The semi truck was driven by Kentucky truck driver Joshua A. Kelly. The truck driver was not injured. Whitehill was taken by ambulance to St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Missouri.

Truck accident victims who win a Missouri semi-truck accident lawsuit receive a damage award, or “damages.” The damage award is the amount of money designated to compensate the accident victim for injury or loss. There are four types of damages: compensatory damages, future damages, incidental damages, and punitive damages.

Compensatory damages aim to make the accident victim “whole” again. In other words, compensatory damages aim to put the accident victim in the same position as before the accident occurred. General compensatory damages compensate the accident victim for the loss sustained as a direct result for the accident. For example, general compensatory damages cover the medical expenses caused by physical injuries related to the Missouri semi truck accident. Funds to fix the vehicle damage caused by the accident are considered general compensatory damages as well. Special compensatory damages compensate the accident victim for the circumstances after the accident victim occurred. If the accident victim needed to rent a car after the accident, the accident victim may receive a damage award to cover the cost.

Future damages cover the loss that will occur in the future as a result of the truck accident. For example, the accident victim may be unable to continue a career after the truck accident. Future damages would cover the truck accident victim’s lost future wages.

The jury may award punitive damages to punish the truck driver or trucking company. Punitive damages are assessed if the truck driver acted in the malicious or willful manner that caused the accident. A jury may award punitive damages in a case in which the trucking company knew that truck driver was often intoxicated while driving, but did nothing to stop the truck driver from operating a large commercial motor vehicle like a semi-truck.

Incidental damages cover the expenses or losses that are incidental to the truck accident. The cost of photocopies or delivery expenses may be award to the truck accident victim.

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Posted On: November 20, 2011

Nebraska Trucker Causes Missouri Wrong Way Truck Accident

Two people were injured in a Missouri truck accident on November 18, 2011 at 7:35pm. The Buchanan County Missouri trucking accident occurred on southbound I-29 at Missouri Route DD in Faucett, Missouri.

Jerome D. Lunsford of Steinauer, Nebraska drove a 2009 Kenworth northbound up the southbound ramp to I-29. Realizing his mistake, Lunsford turn the Kenworth around to attempt to drive southbound. The Kenworth blocked the southbound lanes of the roadway as Lunsford attempted to turn around. A 2004 Chrysler crashed into the side of the truck.

The Chrysler was driven by James A. McCord of St. Joseph, Missouri. McCord was driving in the correct direction when the Missouri wrong way truck accident occurred. McCord suffered moderate injuries in the accident. Cynthia S. McCord, an occupant in the Chrysler, suffered serious injuries. Both truck accident victims were taken to the Heartland Regional Medical Center. Northland Regional E.M.S. District transported the truck accident victims to the hospital.

Determining fault in a Missouri truck accident is not always complex. Occasionally, the negligence of the truck driver or the trucking company is obvious. However, Missouri truck accident lawsuits in which the truck driver is completely at fault are not always easy for the truck accident victim. Truck accident victims benefit from the services of an experience truck accident attorney who can guide them through the settlement negotiation process. If that process fails, the Missouri truck accident attorney can build a strong case in court.

Defendants have a strong financial incentive to offer the smallest amount possible in settlement negotiations. Trucking companies and their insurers may attempt to offer a low settlement before the truck accident victim obtains the services of an attorney. The defendant offers the early settlement in hopes that the truck accident victim is not aware of the legal rights afforded to accident victims in court. The defendant hopes that the truck accident victim will believe a small settlement is actually a good offer.

A recent case highlights the difference between the amount that a defendant may offer and the amount an accident victim may win in court. In a recent case litigated by our law firm, the accident victim won her traffic accident lawsuit. The jury returned a verdict of $217,500 for the plaintiff. During earlier settlement negotiations, the defendant offered a mere $30,000. Without adequate representation from an experienced plaintiff attorney, the accident victim may have accepted the defendant’s offer. The accident victim may not have known that the defendant’s offer was only 13% of what could be won in court.

Posted On: November 17, 2011

Elderly Woman Killed in Lawrence County Missouri Truck Accident

Nancy S. Moss, a 76 year old woman from Springfield, Missouri, died in a fatal Lawrence County Missouri truck accident on November 16, 2011 at 11:25am.

The fatal Missouri truck accident occurred on Missouri highway 14 at route ZZ in Marionville, Missouri. A 2007 International truck driven by Arnold W. Messex of Willow Springs, Missouri collided with Moss’s 2009 Chevrolet Aveo. The Chevrolet was totaled in the accident. The crash was forceful enough to cause Ms. Moss’s death, even though she wore a seat belt during the Missouri semi-truck accident.

Truck accident victims experience a high amount of stress during and after a Missouri truck accident. In the past, some truck accident victims suffer physical symptoms as a result of the stress. Truck accident victims may experience high levels of anxiety and disrupted sleep patterns. Some truck accident victims report their hair falling out as a result of the accident. The stress caused by the truck accident may make the victim wary of filing a Missouri truck accident lawsuit because lawsuits are known for being high-stress situations.

Missouri truck accident mediation may be a good route for truck accident victims who want to avoid the time and expense associated with a trial. Mediation is a dispute resolution process in which two sides to a disagreement attempt to resolve their issues with the help of a mediator. A mediator is a third party who helps both sides communicate and come to a settlement.

In a typical traffic accident mediation, the attorneys for both sides give opening statements detailing their clients’ perspective. After the opening statements, the mediator may caucus with each party. A mediator caucus gives the mediator an opportunity to speak confidentially with one side outside of the other side’s presence. The mediator may hold a caucus with each party, then go back and forth between the parties until the parties reach a mutually agreeable settlement.

Mediation may be a good choice for truck accident victims. The defendant trucking company has a strong interest in avoiding litigation. The discovery process in a trial may reveal facts that reflect poorly on their operations. A trucking company may be willing to negotiate a good settlement in mediation to avoid a jury trial. However, truck accident victims should not go into a mediation unprepared. Truck accident victims should make sure to consult a Missouri plaintiff lawyer before the mediation process begins.

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Posted On: November 16, 2011

Trucking Company Shut Down after Discovery of Safety Violations

Earlier today, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced that it shut down an interstate trucking company after it found serious safety violations. The FMCSA ordered Gunthers Transport, LLC, an interstate trucking company based in Maryland, to immediately stop all trucking and transportation operations. Gunthers Transport is now out of service because it is an “imminent hazard to public safety.”

The FMCSA conducts both announced and surprise inspections to ensure that trucking companies maintain safe vehicles and operation procedures. If a trucking company routinely fails inspection after inspection, the FMCSA will order the trucking company to cease all operations. The FMCSA will conduct vehicle, driver, and hazardous materials inspections to monitor the safety of trucking companies.

The FMCSA shuts down a trucking company if its inspections reveal patterns that increase the likelihood of fatal or injurious Missouri truck accidents. The FMCSA ordered Gunthers to cease operations after it found repeated hours-of-service violations. More specifically, drivers for Gunthers falsified hours-of-service records submitted to the federal government with the trucking company’s knowledge. Their truck drivers repeatedly drove longer than 11 consecutive hours, in violation of federal law. When truck drivers operate large commercial motor vehicles for more than 11 hours, they dramatically increase the risk for Missouri trucking accidents caused by drowsy driving. Drowsy driving may lead to dangerously long reaction times, slower reflexes. Drowsy drivers may even fall asleep at the wheel. Hours-of-service regulations are vital for protecting the safety of the nation’s public roadways. Violations should be taken seriously by trucking companies and truck drivers.

The FMCSA’s inspections revealed multiple vehicle maintenance violations for Gunthers as well. Truck drivers for Gunthers did not perform safety inspections before operating their trucks. Pre-trip inspections are critical in preventing Missouri truck accidents. Simple driver inspections may reveal easily identifiable problems that cause serious accidents if left unattended. A trucking company that systematically neglects to enforce inspection requirements is a trucking company that does not value the safety of the public.

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Posted On: November 14, 2011

The Role of Expert Testimony in Missouri Truck Accident Lawsuits

Missouri trucking accidents may be a traumatic experience for truck accident victims. Truck accident victims may have to deal with extensive property damage if a large truck collided with their vehicle. Truck accident victims are more likely to suffer from serious physical injuries as a result of their accident when compared to car accident victims. Truck accident victims may suffer from psychological injuries caused by the truck accident as well. Many truck accident victims report symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, including “flashback” memories and disrupted sleep patterns.

During the tumultuous time after a Missouri truck accident, the trucking company or its insurers and attorneys may attempt to contact the truck accident victims. Truck accident victims may face confusing questions and tricky settlement offers. The trucking insurer may even try to encourage the truck accident victim to accept fault for the accident. Truck accident victims without experienced Missouri truck accident attorneys may have a difficult time understanding what to do after a Missouri truck accident.

After receiving medical treatment for injuries, contacting a skilled Missouri truck accident attorney is the most important step for obtaining just compensation from negligent trucking companies. Experienced truck accident attorneys will understand how to negotiate a settlement with the trucking company. If settlement negotiations fail, an experienced truck accident attorney will understand how to build a strong case in court.

Experienced plaintiff’s attorneys understand how to use expert witness testimony to bolster a case. Testimony from expert witnesses play a key role in winning Missouri truck accident lawsuits. An expert witness is a person with specialized knowledge in a particular area related to a lawsuit. If the expert witness is qualified, the jury may consider the witnesses professional findings while deliberating the merits of the lawsuit.

Certain types of expert witnesses testify in truck accident lawsuits. Medical doctors may provide expert testimony about the extent of the truck accident victim’s injuries. Accident reconstruction professionals may provide expert testimony about how the accident caused the truck accident injuries. Vocational expert witness may provide testimony about the truck accident victims’ career path and whether the accident affected it. Expert witnesses are an important feature of Missouri truck accident lawsuits. Expert witnesses are able to provide more concrete information to help the jury determine the damages in a truck accident lawsuit.

Posted On: November 10, 2011

St. Louis Missouri Trucking Accident Injures Illinois Man

Jeffrey Ware, a 58 year old man from New Baden, Illinois, was injured in a Saint Louis County Missouri truck accident on November 3, 2011 at 2:30pm. The accident occurred on Interstate Highway 370, east of Earth City Expressway. A truck driver from Farmington, Missouri hydroplaned and crashed into Ware’s 2012 Chevrolet Express Van. The impact of the St. Louis County Missouri truck accident forced Ware’s vehicle off the left side of the roadway. Ware’s vehicle crashed into the median of the interstate. Ware was taken by the Robertson Fire Protection District to De Paul Hospital for medical treatment. Ware’s van was totaled.

When a Missouri truck accident results in injury, the trucking company’s insurer will process a claim for the truck accident victim. Since the trucking company or its employee truck driver caused the injury, they are responsible for compensating the truck accident for the loss sustained. Trucking companies are required to carry insurance, so the truck accident victim can be compensated regardless of the trucking company’s financial state. This system helps truck accident victims recover for their loss. However, the system forces an interaction between a suffering truck accident victim and an insurance company with a financial interest in paying as little as possible.

Truck accident victims may have a difficult time protecting their interests while interacting with a trucking company insurer. Trucking company insurers are highly experienced in negotiating settlements with truck accident victims, whereas the typical truck accident victim has never had that experience.

The imbalance of knowledge and experience between the trucking company insurer and the truck accident victim puts the accident victim in a vulnerable position. Truck accident victims may have a difficult time understanding how to value their case. For instance, truck accident victims may know that they should be compensated for the medical expenses they incurred because of the accident, but may be unaware that courts award damages for lost future wages as well. If the trucking company insurer offered the truck accident victim compensation for all past expenses, the truck accident victim may be inclined to accept unaware that the offer is low.

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Posted On: November 8, 2011

Serious Injury in New Madrid County Missouri Trucking Accident

A man from Portageville and a man from Dexter were seriously injured in a Missouri side impact truck accident early this morning. The New Madrid County Missouri truck accident occurred on St. Judge Road, 1 mile east of Marston.

The accident began at 6:00am on November 8, 2011. Gregory L. Nolen of Portageville was crossing St. Jude Road when his 2005 Ford collided with a large truck that was on St. Jude. The large truck was a 2006 Peterbilt driven by Michael A. Cox of Dexter. At the end of the accident, both vehicles were in a ditch off the right side of the roadway.

Both drivers were injured in the Missouri truck accident. Nolen suffered serious injuries. Nolen was airlifted to Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Truck driver Cox sustained moderate injuries. Cox was taken to the same hospital via ambulance.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is a part of the United States Department of Transportation. The FMCSA promulgates and enforces regulations on the trucking industry. The FMCSA’s regulations are primarily focused on safety. FMCSA regulations govern aspects of the trucking industry like vehicle maintenance, driver licensing, and hours of service to protect the public from serious Missouri truck accidents.

According to FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro, at least 90% of trucking companies make safety a key part of their values and operations. The overwhelming majority of the 500,000 companies regulated by the FMCSA make an earnest effort to avoid accidents. However, the remaining 10% of trucking companies may be less concerned with the public safety. These high risk motor carriers operate negligently, and should be held accountable for the injuries they cause.

Large trucks were involved in more than 3,000 fatal traffic accidents in 2009, according the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Even more large trucks were involved in injury traffic crashes. Despite the generally high level of compliance with FMCSA regulations, truck driver still cause serious accidents.

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Posted On: November 6, 2011

Truck Driver Fails to Yield and Causes Fatal Missouri Truck Accident

A teenager from Maitland, Missouri died in a fatal Missouri truck accident on November 4, 2011 at 10:25am. The deadly Missouri truck accident injured another young person, who was hospitalized after the collision.

Teenager Michael R. Shoop, 19, was driving eastbound on Route M in a 2003 Oldsmobile. An out-of-state truck driver failed to properly yield to Shoop’s vehicle. The truck driver slammed a 2006 Freightliner into the driver’s side of Shoop’s Oldsmobile. The Oldsmobile was totaled in the Missouri truck accident.

Shoop was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident by Nodaway County Coroner Dr. Vince Shelby. Shoop’s next of kin has been notified. Joseph C. Shoop, an occupant, suffered moderate injuries in the Missouri truck accident. He was transported to St. Francis Hospital by Nodaway County EMS.

The surviving victims of a fatal Missouri truck accident face terrible circumstances. The truck accident victims must grieve the loss of someone who was likely a family member or a close friend. If the truck accident victims were occupants when the accident occurred, they may suffer from an irrational sense of guilt about not being able to prevent an accident that was caused by a truck driver outside of their control. If the truck accident victims were driving when the accident occurred, they must grieve and deal with the complications of having a destroyed vehicle.

The emotional consequences of a fatal Missouri truck accident may be severe. Ideally, surviving truck accidents would have time to process and heal after such a dramatic life event. Unfortunately, trucking companies and insurance companies may still pressure a truck accident victim to accept a low settlement. Defendant companies may offer lowball settlements to surviving truck accident victims in hopes that the accident victims would quickly accept to avoid having to discuss the accident.

Surviving truck accident victims should protect their interests by engaging the services of an experienced Missouri truck accident attorney. The attorney will understand how to interact with insurance companies, who often are solely concerned with their financial bottom line. Allowing an attorney to interface and negotiate with the insurance company may be able to provide the truck accident victim with much needed privacy.

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Posted On: November 3, 2011

Rush Hill Truck Driver Causes Audrain County Missouri Truck Accident

Truck driver Ray I. Mollett of Rush Hill, Missouri caused an Audrain County Missouri truck accident on October 29, 2011 at 4:26pm. The Audrain County Missouri trucking accident occurred on MO-22 at Route Y, as Mollett attempted to make a left turn in a 2000 Freightliner large truck. The Freightliner travelled into the path of a 2003 Chevrolet driven by Daniel B. Browning of Mexico, Missouri.

Occupant Kimberly A. Browning of Mexico, Missouri was injured in the Audrain County Missouri truck accident. She suffered moderate injuries. An ambulance took her to the University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri. No one else was injured in the accident.

Commercial drivers play a special and important role in interstate commerce. Products are developed and manufactured in a variety of locations. Truck drivers are necessary to make these products available around the country. Commercial drivers have a number of significant responsibilities as well. Commercial motor vehicles tend to be larger and heavier than typical passenger vehicles. Driving commercial motor vehicles may be more difficult than driving passenger vehicles. As a result, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates the licensing of commercial motor vehicle operators.

The FMCSA’s Commercial Driver’s License Program was created in 1986 to preserve the public safety. Prior to 1986, truck drivers did not need a special license to operate a motor vehicle in many states. Anyone who had a normal driver’s license could operate a commercial motor vehicle, including tractor trailers or buses. The states that required special licensing did not necessarily test the truck driver in a representative vehicle. The federal government enacted the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 in part to address this problem.

The Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act created minimum standards for commercial motor vehicle licenses. Under the act, truck drivers must have a special driver’s license to operate large trucks and tractor trailers. Truck drivers must undergo skills testing to legally operate a large commercial motor vehicle. Truck drivers must also undergo testing of their knowledge of trucking regulations and applicable laws.

The FMCSA’s Commercial Driver’s License Program ensures that licensed truck drivers are aware of the risks and responsibilities associated with operating a large commercial motor vehicle. If licensed truck drivers cause Missouri truck accidents while operating commercial motor vehicles, their behavior may be negligent or reckless.

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Posted On: November 1, 2011

Rogersville Woman Injured in I-44 Missouri Lane Change Truck Accident

Cynthia A. Nixon of Rogersville, Missouri was moderately injured in a Phelps County Missouri truck accident. A truck driver attempted to change lanes and caused the Missouri truck accident. Nixon was transported to Phelps County Regional Medical Center for treatment after the Missouri trucking accident.

Oklahoma truck driver Thomas A. Hudgens attempted to change lanes in a 2007 International truck on eastbound I-44. The large truck crashed into Nixon’s 2008 Infiniti M35X. The collision injured Nixon, but did not injure the truck driver. Nixon’s Infiniti was totaled in the accident.

A lane change is a dangerous maneuver for American drivers. According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 750 vehicles are involved in fatal traffic accidents while changing lanes or merging. For comparison, changing lanes causes more than six times the number of fatal accidents caused by making a u-turn.

Lane changes are even more dangerous for truck drivers. Large commercial trucks have more blind spots than typical passenger vehicles. For example, a typical passenger car may have two blind spots – one on either side of the vehicle. Tractor trailers have a blind spot on each side, a blind spot behind the rear of the vehicle, and a blind spot in front of the vehicle.

Large commercial trucks also have significantly larger blind spots. An entire vehicle may fit into the blind spot of a tractor trailer. If a truck driver fails to prudently monitor the roadway while driving and attempts a lane change, the truck driver may cause a Missouri lane change truck accident.

Truck drivers undergo extensive training before being licensed to operate large commercial motor vehicles. Most truck drivers understand their role in maintaining the safety of Missouri’s roadways. However, some truck drivers fail to exercise due care and cause Missouri truck accidents. Negligent truck drivers need to be held accountable for the injuries they cause to preserve the public safety.

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