Missouri Truck Accident Lawyer Blog

New technology has always played a role in reducing the number of injuries from car and truck accidents. Whether it's vehicles designed with crumple zones, trucks with underride bars, or improvements within passenger cabins to protect riders, new technology has been responsible for saving countless lives. The latest technological wave looking to help the trucking industry deal with incidents before they happen is a collection of new maintenance tracking programs.

While driver error is the number one cause of tractor trailer accidents, maintenance failures, especially related to braking systems, are also a major contributor to accidents and fatalities. Because of this, federal trucking regulators have passed down many guidelines for vehicle maintenance and inspections.

Tracking what maintenance needs to be done and scheduling those repairs is becoming much easier as new technology comes online. Drivers used to use paper driver vehicle inspection reports (DVIRs) to document the work that needs to be done. Companies are increasingly using electronic DVIRs and storing the information digitally as a way of making the process more efficient. Many systems are now capable of instantly having a computer schedule maintenance work and order parts as soon as the DVIR is logged.

These new technologies are not yet mandatory for companies, though it will certainly make complying with safety regulations easier if a trucking company adopts a high tech system. Hopefully all companies will find ways of using these new technologies to make their fleets safer.

One of the big changes to expect from Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010 is the way roadside inspections on commercial vehicles will be handled and how they affect the driver. Officials hope these new changes, which include expanding inspections and holding drivers accountable, will reduce the number of tractor trailer accident injuries we see every year in this country.

The new regulations will include 275 points of inspection for a commercial truck. Over 200 of these items can be checked in a simple roadside inspection. Roadside inspectors will be conduction over 3 million inspections each year.

Drivers will have more at stake in these inspections after CSA 2010 takes full effect. A driver is to be responsible for making sure his vehicle is in safe working order before taking it on the road. If a roadside inspection turns up a violation, it will count against the driver's safety rating as well as his motor carrier company's rating. With more networks of driver information being made available and easily accessed by potential employers, drivers will want to make sure their rating is high and will be more personally invested in maintenance checks.

Hopefully these new ways of tracking drivers and trucking companies to hold them accountable for their performance will result in a safer conditions and fewer serious truck crashes.

As the FMCSA prepares the Comprehensive Safety Analysis, the American Trucking Associations have weighed in with their ideas for limiting the number of tractor trailer accidents. Their focus seems to be on combating driver fatigue.

Specifically, ATA representatives have made five suggestions:

1 - Promote sleep disorder awareness, training and screening. In particular, they want to see drivers with sleep apnea get educated on their condition.

2 - Promote fatigue risk management programs.

3 - Evaluating the use of fatigue detection devices.

4 - Provide additional parking along prominent shipping corridors so that drivers can have additional places to rest.

5 - Educate drivers on how to find the additional parking and rest stops.

Since fatigue is such a big factor in many truck accidents in Missouri and around the country, ATA officials hope these measures will go a long way to lowering the number of crashes.

Every year for the past 22 years, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance has performed a flurry of a random inspections over a three-day span called Roadcheck. With the cooperation of federal agencies here in the U.S., Canadian and Mexican transportation officials, and thousands of inspectors, a massive number of evaluations were made all across North America. The results have come in for Roadcheck 2010 and while the stats aren't surprising, they show we still have a lot of work to do if we want to prevent truck accident injuries and fatalities.

The overall compliance rates for commercial vehicles was at 80 percent while drivers passed over 95 percent of the time. Focusing specifically on passenger-carrying vehicles, the compliance rate raises to 91 percent for the vehicle and 96 percent for the driver. Commercial shipping and hazardous materials transporters had vehicle compliance rates in the 76 to 83 percent range. Most of these compliance rates are very close to, if not the same as, the 2009 rates with only the passenger-carrying vehicle compliance rate showing an increase of more than a fraction of a percent.

Simply put, an 80 percent compliance rate should be considered unacceptable for the commercial trucking industry. That means that one out of every five trucks has a violation that could contribute to a deadly tractor trailer accident. How many big rigs do you pass on your daily highway commute? A dozen? More? Knowing that, statistically speaking, every fifth truck has a potentially dangerous vehicle violation should make the severity of this problem very clear.

If you were curious, the most common vehicle defects were brake related. About half of all the out-of-service violations were because of brake issues.

The way we track the safety records of trucking companies will be undergoing some changes in the near future and Missouri is at the forefront of the transition. Our state is helping to test the new Comprehensive Safety Analysis, or CSA, which will replace the current programs in use by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to evaluate companies and prevent Missouri tractor trailer crashes.

The evaluation process for trucking companies will be very different once the new rules take effect. Currently, a compliance review of a company examines four areas: Driver, Vehicle, Safety Management and Accidents. CSA 2010 expands the number of areas rated to seven and makes them more specifically defined. Companies will now be rated for Unsafe Driving, Fatigued Driving, Driver Fitness, Vehicle Maintenance, Improper Load Securement, Crash History and Alcohol/Drug Abuse Record. This new method should do a better job of pinpointing the exact problem areas that need to be addressed.

Another change is that drivers themselves will be directly measured and given scores independent of their company. For every violation, a weighted score will be given to both the driver and the company based on their level of responsibility and severity of the violation. These scores will stay with drivers as they move from company to company and will hopefully keep the most dangerous drivers off the road before someone is killed or injured in a truck accident they cause.

If a company or driver is given a marginal or unfit rating, they face interventions or suspensions from the FMCSA. The types of interventions will be tailored to the severity of the violation.

Hopefully these new rules will lead to more accountability in the industry. As a St. Louis personal injury lawyer, I have seen countless cases where a company or driver's negligence has lead to a tragic accident. The small percentage of companies who cause the vast majority of crashes need to be held responsible for their actions.

The amount of freight traffic has increased in the past six months as the economy is starting to rebound and more companies are shipping goods across the country, according to an NPR report.

The report cites statistics from the American Trucking Association saying April 2010 saw 10 percent more freight traffic than April 2009. This is the result of steady growth that began at the end of last year and now the commercial trucking industry is near the levels it was before the recession.

Trucking companies have actually had to turn down shipments because they don't have the drivers to move them, according to NPR. Many companies laid off large numbers of drivers during the height of the recession and are now scrambling to replace them as the industry rebounds.

Hopefully the companies looking for new drivers follow all federal regulations regarding the hiring and screening of drivers. Statistics show that driver error is a leading cause of tractor trailer accidents in Missouri and around the country and hiring high-quality drivers without a history of violations or crashes is a way to keep these tragic accidents from happening.

This is even more important as the highways will be a little more crowded now that freight traffic is on the rise. The vast majority of drivers and companies are responsible, but it only takes a few negligent mistakes to cause a serious truck crash.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has launched a new program to help trucking companies screen their potential hires and weed out drivers with records of negligent driving.

The program, called simply the Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP), should greatly benefit companies who are looking to hire only the safest drivers in order to limit tractor trailer crashes. For a small fee, the company will be able to see a record of a driver's inspection history and any crashes he or she has been involved in.

The information is available to the drivers themselves as well. For a $10 fee, a driver can see the same information that is available to the trucking companies.

At the moment, use of the PSP is completely voluntary. Hopefully, though, most companies will take advantage of this new program as they hire new drivers. Statistics show that the vast majority of truck drivers have good driving records. Most tractor trailer accidents are caused by a small number of drivers and, unfortunately, in many cases these drivers are not taken off the road. They are given jobs at different companies and cause more wrecks. This new system should be a big step in keeping these repeatedly negligent drivers off the road.

Zona Elkins, 64, and Harold Rittenhouse, 69, were both seriously injured in a Missouri tractor trailer accident when the pickup they were riding in was struck by a large truck.

The crash took place in St. Clair County at the intersection of Missouri highways 13 and 82. At the moment, not much is known about the cause of the crash. The initial report on file with the Missouri State Highway Patrol only says that the tractor trailer, driven by Jude Rhoads, 58, was heading eastbound while the pickup, driven by Rittenhouse, was heading northbound. They both reached the intersection at the same time and Rhoads failed to yield to the smaller pickup.

Elkins and Rittenhouse were taken to local hospitals for treatment. Rittenhouse's injuries were so severe he required an emergency airlift. Rhoads was not injured, according to the investigating officer's report.

A full investigation into this Missouri truck accident will be conducted and officials will determine whether any federal trucking regulations were violated. The name of the trucking company has not yet been released.

The Hours of Service regulations are, as the name suggests, rules that govern the number of hours that a truck driver can work in a given day or week. Limiting the number of hours that a driver is behind the wheel is the best way to fight fatigue, which is a major cause of serious tractor trailer accidents.

After numerous studies on the effects of these regulations, the results say the rules are very successful at limiting truck accidents. The Hours of Service laws we know today began to take effect in the mid 2000's. Since that time, the number of fatalities from truck accidents has taken a significant drop.

Every year since the rules took effect there has been a drop in accidents. In total, there has been more than a 20% drop in truck accident injuries and fatalities.

The effects are not surprising if you know the effect of fatigue on a driver. Mental impairment begins after someone has been awake for 16 hours. By the time a person is awake for 17 hours, they are as impaired as someone with a blood alcohol content of .05. Once you approach 19 to 20 hours awake, your response time is as limited as someone who is over the legal limit for alcohol. It's no wonder that rules designed to limit fatigued driving have had such a positive effect.

Even the American Trucking Association has embraced the new data on fatigued driving. They are now pushing for more training for drivers to make them aware of the effects of fatigue.

To read more about the specifics of the Hours of Service regulations, check out the Bradley Law Firm website.

Photo by KMOV-TV

Initial indications are saying inattention is to blame in a fatal Missouri tractor trailer crash near Herculaneum on northbound Interstate 55. The devastating wreck occurred Wednesday afternoon and left two people dead, five more injured, and multiple cars completely mangled.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the tractor trailer was being driven by Jay Valentine, 32, of Huntsville, Texas. Valentine was heading northbound in a 2005 International Tractor Trailer approaching the McNutt Street exit when the semi-trailer accident took place. A line of cars had stopped, possibly due to construction in that area, but Valentine did not see them until it was too late. He swerved his truck into the left lane, but still collided with with multiple cars including a Ford Focus, which was drug almost 100 yards by the truck.

After the initial collision, the force of the impact created a chain reaction which eventually involved seven other vehicles besides the big rig.

Charles Martin, 52, was driving the Focus and was pronounced dead at the scene. Alana McKnight, 28, a driver of one of the other vehicles, also lost her life in the incident.

Among the most seriously injured were Cathy Hawn, 53, and Terry Hawn, 58, who were both taken to local hospitals for emergency treatment. Also injured were Alice Falk, 79; Mary Davis, 65; and Mark London, 51.

Our thoughts are with the families of the victims. Hopefully the injured parties will be able to eventually make a full recovery.

The tractor trailer had the logo for Western Express, Inc., a commercial trucking company based out of Nashville, Tenn. Western Express is a large company which employs over 2,400 drivers and operates trucks all over the country.

Looking at the safety record of the company, this is not the first fatal crash involving a Western Express truck. In fact, over the last two years there have been six fatal truck crashes and over 119 crashes resulting in serious injury.

In the Herculaneum accident, many local media outlets are reporting that Valentine had taken his eyes off the road just before the crash. Investigators have not revealed what he may have been distracted by, if anything. A full crash reconstruction will be performed which will produce a more detailed account of the events leading up to the incident.

If a driver is found to be criminally negligent, charges may be filed. Just recently, a driver pleaded guilty for involuntary manslaughter charges stemming from another tragic tractor trailer crash on Highway 40 in 2008.

The civil courts also can play a role in these cases as well. Injuries from a massive accident such as this can be devastating and take years to recover from, if a full recovery is even possible. This means there will be medical bills, loss of productivity and increased stress on the family. To make sure that their rights as accident victims are protected, it is a good idea for people injured by a tractor trailer to contact a St. Louis truck accident lawyer to discuss their case.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has proposed making permanent the interim ban on texting while driving for tractor trailer drivers. The new rule would punish drivers or companies that don't observe the texting ban with civil penalties and possible loss of license.

In January, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced an immediate ban on text messaging by commercial truck drivers while behind the wheel. The measure was only an interim rule, however, and more permanent legislation was not proposed until last month.

The importance of limiting distracted driving is emphasized when you look at the statistics provided by FMCSA research. Distracted driving is a major cause of tractor trailer accidents with texting being some of the more negligently distracting behaviors you can engage in. You are more than 20 times more likely to cause a serious accident if you are attempting to send or receive a text message. On average, a driver sending a text will take their eyes off the road for 4.6 out of every 6 seconds. This means that a driver traveling at 55 mph will take their eyes off the road long enough to travel the length of a football field every 6 seconds.

This measure is just one of many around the county to limit traffic injuries and fatalities caused by distracted driving. Here in Missouri, minors have been barred from texting and driving. Last year, President Obama signed an order saying all federal employees were restricted from texting while operated government vehicles or on government business.

Danny Glaspie, 45, was killed in a fatal Missouri tractor trailer accident when he was hit by a truck while riding a bicycle in Kirksville.

According to local media reports and emergency officials, the accident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday morning on North Baltimore St. Glaspie was riding his bike in the northbound lane when a 2005 Freightliner truck, driven by Richard White, 44, approached from behind. The truck driver was unable to avoid hitting the bicyclist.

Glaspie was taken to Northeast Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
Our thoughts are with the victim’s family.

The accident is still under investigation with many details yet to emerge. It is not yet known what type of reflective equipment Glaspie was or was not wearing. Investigators will also examine the truck logs and physical evidence to determine the speed of the truck and if the driver was operating the vehicle according to regulations.

Tractor trailer accidents often result in serious injury and have a higher chance of causing a fatality due to the incredible force of these large vehicles. This is especially true when big rigs collide with smaller passenger cars, motorcycles or bikes that offer passengers little to no protection.

Because of these risks, we must make sure to hold trucking companies accountable when they violate regulations. Most companies and drivers drive safely, but those that don’t can give the entire industry a bad name and cause serious tragedy in the process. If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident with a commercial truck, contact a Missouri truck accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Driving a tractor trailer is a challenging job. Keeping an 18-wheel vehicle that weighs up to 80,000 pounds under control in the presence of smaller, more vulnerable cars is a job that only the most qualified drivers should attempt. Many of the truck drivers on the road do a fantastic job and keep their vehicle in good condition, as well as keeping their head clear and focused. Unfortunately, this is not always the case as a number of drivers or trucking companies will operate vehicles that aren't safe or drive in an unsafe manner. To help limit these behaviors and the serious tractor trailer crashes they cause, federal motor carrier regulations have been put in place.

Here are some of the most common violations:

-Driving fatigued due to working extended hours. The Hours of Service rules are designed to limit the number of consecutive hours that a truck driver can be behind the wheel. Many drivers are paid by the mile so they have an incentive to keep driving long into the night without stopping for rest. Studies have shown that people who are awake and active for 17 straight hours are as impaired as someone with a blood alcohol level of .05.

-Distracted driving. Many tractor trailer accidents are caused by drivers who simply aren't paying attention to the road. Recently, the Secretary of Transportation banned truck drivers from texting behind the wheel. Unfortunately, there is still an abundance of things to distract a driver and cause a serious accident.

-Inaccurate log books. In order to make sure the hours of service rules aren't broken, every driver must keep a detailed log of all his driving. Drivers who try to cut corners and break regulation will often make fraudulent entries in their log books to disguise any questionable practices. Fortunately, other evidence can be found and compared to the logs to check their accuracy. Weigh station and fuel receipts can be obtained and used by an experienced truck accident lawyer to make a timeline of actual events to compare to the logs.

-Negligent practices by a trucking company. Sometimes a problem is much larger than a single driver who makes a lapse in judgment. Mismanagement by a trucking company can lead to any number of dangerous situations. Accident investigations in the past have uncovered companies that don't train their drivers properly and hire drivers with a history of accidents and alcohol use. Companies may also try to save money by skipping on vehicle inspections and letting unsafe vehicles out on the road.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of potential violations. It is merely a few of the more common problems that can lead to a serious injury accident. If you have been involved in an accident with a commercial truck, contact a Missouri trucking accident attorney as soon as possible to make sure your rights are protected and companies are held accountable for any negligent practices.

Darrell Fryer, 61, was killed and another person was seriously injured Tuesday morning in a Missouri tractor trailer crash on I-44.

Fryer was heading westbound in a 1992 Oldsmobile Cutlass at the time of the accident, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. He was driving in the left lane when he came upon a MoDOT dump truck filling a pothole on the highway just before Antire Road. The dump truck was in the same lane as Fryer and as he tried to maneuver around it, his car began to skid out of control. The Cutlass clipped the back of the MoDOT truck and then spun into the center lane where it was hit by a tractor trailer.

Fryer was pronounced dead by ambulance personnel. A passenger with Fryer, Robert Collins, 46, sustained serious injuries. The tractor trailer driver and the MoDOT workers all avoided injury.

This is a tragic accident and our thoughts go out to the victim's family. Hopefully Collins can make a speedy recovery.

While the initial crash report on file with the Highway Patrol describes the basics of the crash, there are still many details to uncover surrounding this deadly Missouri truck accident. A crash reconstruction will be used to determine the speed Fryer was driving at the time of the crash. Also, if MoDOT was blocking lanes of the highway with their equipment, an investigation into whether they followed procedure to warn other motorists is warranted. If there were caution lights and construction barrels at the work site, why didn't Fryer see them until it was too late?

There are often many complicated questions after a serious injury accident. If you or someone you love has been injured and you are looking for legal advice, contact a St. Louis personal injury lawyer for a free consultation.

Some startling video involving a British tractor trailer crash has surfaced and is making its way around the internet. The video is from a cell phone camera and shows a tractor trailer that has just hit a smaller passenger car and is dragging it down the road. The more unsettling fact is that the truck driver seems to be completely unaware he has hit anything and continues without stopping.

The video can be seen here.

The video lasts only a few seconds and doesn't show how long the car was dragged or what happened at the end of the accident. You can clearly see the truck's logo for a company called Arclid Transport.

According to a BBC News report, the accident actually occurred in January and was investigated as a simple collision at the time. Neither the driver of the car or the tractor trailer was seriously injured. No action was taken against the driver of the truck.

Since the footage of this commercial truck accident has surfaced, though, authorities are reopening the investigation.

Tractor trailers are large vehicles that, when fully loaded, can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Despite this, one would hope that an experienced truck driver would be able to tell if he has hit another car. The video is brief and doesn't show how long the car was being dragged, but from what we do see it is clear that the driver makes no attempt to stop for at least the 20 seconds shown in the video.

Thankfully, nobody was seriously injured in the truck crash, but everyday in the United States there are accidents where people aren't so lucky. If the accident is the fault of a negligent driver or trucking company, the incident should be investigated to hold them accountable and help prevent similar occurrences in the future. Contact a truck accident lawyer if you or someone you love has been involved in an accident with a tractor trailer.

Three people were injured and several cars were completely destroyed after a Missouri tractor trailer accident on Highway 71 on Tuesday afternoon.

According to local media reports, traffic had become backed up on the highway just north of Missouri 58. A southbound tractor trailer, driven by Jose Valentin, lost control and slammed into the back of the line of cars. The tractor trailer ran over a car and pushed other vehicles into each other. The small car that was run over was actually dragged under the big rig into the median.

Amazingly, nobody was killed in this serious Missouri truck crash. Mindy Osborn was airlifted to a local hospital for treatment. Two others, Adam Moennig and Melissa McClay, were also injured and taken by ambulance to local hospitals. Valentin was uninjured.

It is unclear what caused Valentin to strike the line of cars. The traffic might have stopped suddenly in front of him, making it hard to stop a truck that could have been loaded up to 80,000 pounds. He might also have been distracted and unaware of the traffic ahead of him.Typically, negligence is assumed in rear-end collision accidents, though there may be extenuating circumstances in this case.

An investigation into the accident continues.

After a commercial truck crash, the truck driver submits to an alcohol and drug test and his driving logs are investigated to ensure that no motor carrier violations exist.

An explosive Missouri tractor trailer crash sent one man to the hospital and closed a portion of Highway 60 early Friday morning.

According to local media reports, a tractor trailer ran off the road near Poplar Bluff and then hit a guardrail. Shortly after the impact, the rig burst into flames causing officials to close both lanes of the highway until the fire could be extinguished and the roadway cleared.

One person, presumably the truck driver, was taken by ambulance from the scene, but no word has been released on the person's identity or condition after this serious tractor trailer injury accident.

Fortunately, no other vehicles were involved in the incident. The highway was cleared by sunrise on Friday morning.

Aside from the enormous size of tractor trailers causing damage in an accident, the large fuel tanks of big rigs can also become a hazard. If ignited, the explosion can be devastating. This is especially true if the trucker is hauling gasoline or other flammable materials. Drivers are required to get special endorsements on their license for HAZMAT and tanker loads to ensure that he or she is prepared for the special challenges these hauls present.

It is not known what the truck was hauling in the Poplar Bluff accident.

Two fatal tractor trailer accidents in the past week have become tragic reminders that drivers must use caution when driving near tractor trailers.

The first accident occurred on Monday when Missouri Southern State University student Tyler Tuthill, 22, was killed while driving in Oklahoma. He was behind a tractor trailer as it was approaching a construction zone. The truck slowed down, but Tuthill didn't and crashed into the back of the trailer.

We have previously commented on the number of accidents involving both tractor trailers and construction zones.

The second accident happened in Springfield, Missouri and took the life of an 42-year-old Amish farmer, Edward Kropf. Kropf was riding in a pickup truck with his brother when the pickup ran a red light. The pickup pulled directly in front of a tractor-trailer, which crashed into the side of the pickup, killing Kropf.

Tractor trailer crashes are usually more severe due to the extreme forces involved due to their size. Drivers have to be especially cautious when they know a big rig is present. In fact, most tractor trailer crashes are caused by other vehicles hitting or pulling into the path of a tractor trailer.

There are other times when the accident is caused by a negligent truck driver or trucking company who violates a Federal motor carrier regulation. In these cases, it is important to contact an experienced truck accident lawyer as soon as possible so that no evidence is lost.

A tractor-trailer accident in Florida involving three big rigs killed one of the drivers Friday night. One of the other drivers in this fatal truck accident was from right here in Missouri.

According to local media reports, the accident happened on I-95 as a group of vehicles had stopped due to traffic. Among the vehicles that were stopped were two tractor trailers, one driven by Missourian Donald Shrum, 28, and another driven by Alejandro Marquez, 46. A third tractor trailer, driven by James Fairbairn, 63, was approach the line of cars and trucks and failed to stop. Fairbairn's truck slammed into the back of Marquez's, which in turn was pushed into Shrum's.

Fairbairn was rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The other drivers did not suffer serious injury.

Clean up crews worked for hours to remove the wreckage and clean up hundreds of gallons of spilled diesel fuel.

Like the other chain reaction fatal tractor-trailer wreck we've commented on this month, the forces involved in this accident must have been overwhelming to move and severely damage two trucks weighing up to 80,000 pounds each. These dangerous forces are why commercial trucking is subject to stricter regulation and why all drivers must be careful when operating or driving near a tractor trailer.

If you have been involved in a tractor trailer accident, consult a tractor trailer accident attorney who is knowledgeable about trucking laws will be able to teach you about your rights as an accident victim.

Three tractor-trailers were involved in a Missouri truck accident on I-29 near St. Joseph.

According to local media reports, there were multiple collisions in this incident. The first tractor-trailer struck a car in front of it in the snowy weather causing other vehicles behind to make evasive maneuvers to avoid further collisions. Mac Grant, the driver of the second tractor-trailer, tried to stop to avoid the first accident, but in doing so a third big rig crashed into his truck. The impact of the second crash sent both trucks into the median.

Fortunately, despite the weather and multiple collisions, nobody was seriously injured in this Missouri tractor-trailer accident.

Missouri is approaching the end of winter, but the temperature is still cold enough to make patches of ice on the roadway. Use extra caution when driving in winter weather and make sure that you leave plenty of space between you and other cars and trucks on the road.

Even if you follow every safety tip in the book, other drivers may involve you in an accident with their negligent driving. If this should happen to you or a member of your family, consult a Missouri personal injury attorney as soon as possible to learn your rights as an accident victim and make sure you receive fair compensation.

Karl Krueger, 62, was killed and another man was injured Tuesday in a chain reaction crash that involved five tractor trailers near Missouri Valley, Iowa.

This fatal tractor trailer accident occurred before noon as four of the trucks were stopped on highway I-29. Krueger was driving the fifth truck and, for some reason, failed to notice the line of traffic ahead of him. His truck crashed into the back of the fourth tractor trailer and a chain reaction spread the force of impact to the other trucks.

Krueger was rushed to an area hospital, but was pronounced dead after arriving. The driver of second big rig in the line of four, Charles Sundt, 62, was also taken to the hospital by emergency responders.

Early reports on this serious semi-truck crash have not determined why Krueger was unable to stop his truck before hitting the line of traffic. It has also not been reported what caused the backup of traffic on the highway in the first place.

The crash is still under investigation.

While we don't know what exactly caused this accident, we do know that Krueger must not have had much of a chance to slow down before the impact if his tractor trailer was able to move a line of four others. Each semi-truck with a trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds (or more, if motor carrier regulations are violated) so the physical forces involved in this crash must have been incredible. This is especially so if Sundt, the driver of the second truck, was hospitalized even though he had two other big rigs between his truck and Krueger's.

The amount of damage that can be caused by a tractor trailer in an accident is catastrophic. That is why we must ensure that all regulations are followed and negligent companies and drivers are held accountable for their actions. If you have been involved in a tractor trailer accident and would like to discuss your case with a legal professional, contact a tractor trailer accident attorney as soon as possible.

Vernon Stokes, 69, was seriously injured Friday morning after his pickup was hit by a tractor trailer on Highway 60.

According to the initial crash report on file with Missouri State Highway Patrol, the tractor trailer was a 2001 Freightliner being driven by John Hammond, 49. Stokes and Hammond simultaneously approached an intersection on Highway 60. Stokes failed to yield to oncoming traffic when making his turn and pulled in the path of the big rig. Hammond's tractor trailer slammed into the driver's side of Stokes' pickup.

Stokes was seriously injured and rushed to Cox South Hospital. Hammond was uninjured, riding in the larger truck.

This Missouri tractor trailer accident should serve as another warning to be vigilant on the roadways for large trucks. In an accident, they can cause devastating injuries. Hopefully Stokes can make a full recovery.

Driver error, like in most accidents, seems to be the main contributing factor here. Driver's should give tractor trailers extra clearance on the highways due to their large size and limited mobility. Sometimes, the driver making the error is the tractor trailer driver. Since the vehicles they drive can cause so much damage, truck drivers have to receive special training and are subject to stricter regulation than the average driver. Whenever these regulations are violated, the chances for accidents increases. If you've been involved in an accident with a tractor trailer, it is advisable to have your case examined by a tractor trailer accident attorney who is knowledgeable about Federal Motor Carrier Regulations.

Traffic on Interstate 29 near Dearborn, Missouri had to deal with the highway being limited to one lane after a Tuesday morning tractor trailer crash spilled debris on the roadway.

According to local media reports, two tractor trailers were involved. One was carrying soda and the other was hauling milk. Details of how this Missouri truck accident occurred are sketchy at the moment, but the soda truck did lose its cargo onto the road while the milk truck went off the road and down a 40 foot embankment. At the moment, it is not known if other vehicles were involved or if it was just the two commercial trucks.

At least one person was injured, but names have not been released.

With the limited details available, it's hard to deduce what caused the accident. Weather might have played a factor as well as darkness since the accident was more than an hour before sunrise. Investigators will look into these and other possible factors as well as determine if any motor carrier regulations were violated.

If more details emerge, we will add them here.

A St. Louis area tractor trailer crash seriously injured the driver and closed down the eastbound lanes of I-64 on Monday.

The accident occurred when a 2001 Freightliner, driven by Ladon Trigg, 35, slid off the roadway out of control. According to a St. Louis Post Dispatch report, police say Trigg was driving too fast into the curve, which caused him to run off the road and strike the guardrail. The tractor trailer then overturned and one of the fuel tanks exploded sending up large columns of black smoke.

It took more than an hour for emergency responders to pull Trigg from the truck. He was seriously injured and taken to St. Louis University Hospital for treatment.

Clean-up of this St. Louis trucking accident took hours as diesel fuel and hydraulic material was spilled in the crash.

Charges may be pending for the driver, according to the Post Dispatch.

Thankfully no other vehicles were involved or this accident could have been much worse. Hopefully Trigg makes a full recovery. All signs point to Trigg having been operating his vehicle in a negligent manner by speeding through the curve. Investigators will also check to see if any other motor carrier regulations were violated.

While no smaller cars were involved in this crash, many times this is not the case. If you or someone you love has been involved in a crash with a tractor trailer, contact an experienced truck accident attorney as soon as possible to discuss your rights as an accident victim.

Gary Whitledge, 66, was seriously injured after a collision with a tractor trailer Sunday afternoon on Highway 61.

Whitledge was driving his 2002 Ford northbound just before the crash. He approached the intersection of Highway 61 and Missouri 177 at the same time as a 2000 Peterbilt tractor trailer, driven by Phillip Ray, 31. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Ray pulled the tractor trailer into the path of Whitledge, who was unable to avoid the crash.

Whitledge was seriously injured and taken to St. Francis Medical Center for emergency treatment. Ray was uninjured and was able to drive his big rig from the scene.

While the initial crash report states that Ray pulled in front of Whitledge, it does not describe the details leading up to this Missouri tractor trailer injury accident. If the intersection was controlled, who had the right of way? How fast were the vehicles going? Did Ray make a negligent maneuver in pulling out in front of Whitledge? All these questions will need to be answered by further investigation.

Investigations into tractor trailer crashes can last a long time, depending on the severity of the crash. The driving logs of the truck driver are usually investigated to see if any motor carrier violations occurred. An accident reconstruction is also sometimes performed to try and determine liability. During this period, insurance companies will often try and contact those involved for statements. It is advisable to crash victims to consult a Missouri personal injury attorney to learn your rights before talking to insurance representatives. Many times they will be looking for ways to lower their damage payment or even eliminate it entirely.

In a move designed to prevent deadly tractor trailer crashes, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has banned commercial truck and bus drivers from texting behind the wheel.

The rule goes into effect immediately and drivers caught texting can face penalties of up to $2,750. It is unclear how the new rule will be enforced.

This ban fits with the trend as the nation tries to control distracted driving and prevent the car and truck accident injuries that it causes. 19 states already have some sort of texting ban for drivers, according to a CNN report.

The dangers of texting and driving are clear. Two recent train accidents, one in California and one in Massachusetts, have been blamed on engineers missing signals due to texting. In the St. Louis area, there have been a couple high profile cases of tractor trailer drivers being distracted by their cell phones.

According to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration statistics cited in a CNN report, drivers have their eyes off the road for 4.6 out of every 6 seconds while texting. Texting drivers are 20 times more likely to cause an accident and eighty percent of all accidents are related to driver inattention.

Three people were injured Sunday when a tractor trailer collided with a car on Highway 36 in Macon County, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The initial crash report filed for this Missouri tractor trailer injury crash says the accident took place two miles east of the city of Macon as a 1994 Buick, driven by Joseph P. Joseph, 52, headed westbound on the highway. A 2006 International tractor trailer, driven by Adam Neisen, 28, was also traveling westbound behind the Buick. Joseph then attempted to make a left turn at the same time that Neisen attempted to pass Joseph's vehicle. The big rig then crashed into the Buick, totaling the smaller passenger car.

Joseph and two passengers in his car, Binu Joseph, 46, and Loren Joseph, 14, were all injured and taken to Samaritan Memorial Hospital for emergency treatment. Neisen was not injured, according to the initial crash report.

All the passengers in the Buick were wearing a seat belt. No citations were described in the report on this commercial truck crash.

While the report gives some details on how the accident occurred, it does not lay out enough information to determine who was at fault for the crash. Further investigation will be needed to determine whether Joseph make a quick and negligent turn, or if the Neisen caused the accident by attempting to pass after Joseph had initiated the turn.

An investigation into this accident will also reveal whether any motor carrier regulations were violated by the tractor trailer driver or the company he works for. If you have been involved in an accident with a tractor trailer and you would like to learn your rights as an accident victim, contact a Missouri truck accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Photo by WDAF-TV

A 3-year-old boy was killed and at least 30 others were injured in a staggering pile up near Kansas City on Saturday morning. 19 vehicles were involved in all, including six tractor trailers.

This chain reaction tractor trailer crash occurred on I-35 and authorities say that low temperatures, slick roads and a thick fog made the area very treacherous. The crash happened around 7 a.m. so the sun had not quite risen yet either, further reducing visibility.

According to a WDAF-Kansas City report, this fatal tractor trailer and car wreck was first triggered when a tow truck, which had been stopped to help a disabled vehicle, was hit. A chain reaction occurred where several big rigs jack-knifed and other cars began rear ending one another.

The boy, whose name has not been released, was apparently riding without a seat belt or car seat and was involved in one of the worst collisions in this pile up. 15 others were taken to area hospitals, six with life-threatening injuries. At least 30 people sustained some type of injury, though officials quoted in the WDAF report say the accident could have been much worse given the conditions.

Our thoughts our with the family of the deceased and hopefully all of the injured make a full recovery.

An unusually large amount of fog has been present across the area for several days now and continues to cause problems. Patchy ice may still remain on roadways for days after a snowfall.

While there is no doubt the weather played a factor in this tragic accident, all drivers are responsible for their own vehicle despite the conditions. Driving in conditions you or your vehicle can't handle will increase your chances of being involved in a serious injury accident. Know your limitations and know the conditions of the road before getting on the highway.

One danger that may not be readily apparent to you as you drive on the highway this winter is the risk of large sheets of ice falling off of tractor trailers. Every year, there are numerous incidents where a driver suffers a serious personal injury or is involved in a car accident after losing control of the vehicle when a chunk of ice smashes through the windshield.

If you've driven on the highway long, you've probably had to deal with minor debris hitting your car from large trucks. The large tires of tractor trailers are good at kicking up small rocks and dump trucks have a tendency to lose small bits of what they're hauling as they hit bumps in the road. Usually this only causes minor scratches or cracks in passenger cars (not to mention the headache of patching these minor damages).

In the winter time, though, the tops of tractor trailers can accumulate large blocks of ice that are liable to break free at any moment. The large flat surface of a trailer roof catches lots of snow and water which can shift easily as the truck moves.

The Chicago Daily Herald has recently reported on a handful of accidents in which thousands of dollars in damage and moderate personal injuries have been caused by falling sheets of ice. New York is considering changing its laws about clearing ice from trucks after a woman there was killed when a piece of ice smashed through a windshield after falling off a tractor trailer.

Unfortunately, it is hard to track the number of these types of incidents each year. Sometimes they go unreported and even in severe cases, the truck that loses the ice is often never found. Perhaps if we had a better understanding of just how big a problem this is, we might see more aggressive regulation to reign in these types of accidents.

If you have been involved in an accident where ice or some type of falling debris has damaged your car and caused injury, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your case as soon as possible. Be sure to document any information you have about the incident and vehicles involved.

It should go without saying that drivers need to be extra cautious when traveling on ice or snow covered roadways, but every year around this time hundreds of accidents occur because someone was driving recklessly. Drivers should be aware of how the slick conditions affect their ability to brake and turn as well as the effect these conditions have on other vehicles like tractor trailers. We have already seen some terrible Missouri car and truck accidents this winter like a recent crash where a man rear-ended a tractor trailer and several wrecks where vehicles have slid off the roadway.

Tractor trailers, which are already had to stop because of their weight, can slide out of control and become an 80,000 pound wrecking ball in the hands of an inexperienced driver. Be aware of every truck on the road and don't make any risky maneuvers such as following too closely for the driver's mirrors to see you or racing to get ahead of a truck on an entrance ramp. These maneuvers already cause many Missouri tractor trailer injury accidents in good weather conditions and are only made worse with winter weather.

Here are some other tips to keep in mind when driving in the snow:

-Slow down. While you can still slide out of control at surprisingly slow speeds, going slower does give you more time to correct yourself should you find yourself skidding out of control.

-Be prepared before you get in the car and be prepared for anything when you are behind the wheel. Before you start driving, make sure your windows and mirrors are cleared so you can see while driving. In extreme conditions, you may also want to equip your car with snow tires or chains to help gain traction. Once you are on the road, be prepared for any vehicle to lose control and start sliding. Make sure you leave plenty of space between your car and other vehicles.

-Brake before turns. Slow your vehicle by braking before you have to make a turn, then accelerate through the turn. This gives you far more control and reduces your risk of spinning out than if you accelerate all the way up to the turn and then attempt to brake as you make the turn.

There are many other tip available online and I would recommend preparing yourself before you drive, especially if you are not used to winter driving. While winter conditions certainly play a role in crashes, they are not necessarily a legal defense should a crash occur. If you have been injured in a crash and would like to discuss your rights as an accident victim, please contact an experienced Missouri personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

The enormous size and weight of tractor trailers makes them very imposing vehicles to drive alongside on the highway. These same factors also make the truck driver's job more complicated as he has to account for the size of his truck in every maneuver he makes in order to avoid a tractor trailer wreck.

A tractor trailer's average length is between 70 and 80 feet long. As you can imagine, this makes every turn a challenge. Tractor trailers don't have nearly the same turning radius as a passenger car and drivers must calculate whether the road they are on is wide enough to make a safe turn. It takes an experienced driver to make these turns safely, but accidents do still happen. That is why you see labels on the back of trailers warning about wide turns. Many tractor trailer accidents have occurred as a result of a passenger car moving too close to a tractor trailer as it was trying to make a turn.

The weight of a tractor trailer also contributes to injury accidents as heavier trucks are harder to stop and cause more damage when an accident occurs. The legal limit for a truck's weight is 80,000 lbs. The average car only weighs about 5,000 lbs. To help control this extra weight, tractor trailers have been fitted with numerous powerful braking systems, but it still takes 40% longer to stop a tractor trailer as it does a passenger car traveling at the same speed.

If the driver doesn't know how to turn properly or is forced to brake hard, he may also force his tractor trailer into a jackknife. If the cab turns at a 45 degree angle in relation to the trailer then a jackknife is almost unavoidable as the weight of the trailer will push forward and lock the two halves in a folded position similar to an open pocket knife, hence the term jackknife.

With all these complicating factors, it takes an experienced driver and a trucking company devoted to safety to avoid potentially fatal 18 wheeler crashes. Unfortunately, not all companies follow federal guidelines and some operate their vehicles with dangerous negligence. These companies must be held accountable to make the roads safer for everyone. If you or a loved one has been involved in a tractor trailer accident, call a Missouri truck accident lawyer to learn your rights and have him look over your case.

A Missouri tractor trailer jackknifed and slid off southbound Interstate 29 into the median on Monday afternoon. The truck’s progress was stopped by the cable median before it could cross into oncoming traffic and become a more serious tractor trailer accident.

While there was some damage to the median and traffic was backed up for hours, no serious injuries were reported.

Fortunately this particular Missouri big rig accident was not serious, but that does not mean jackknife incidents aren’t capable of causing major damage. Anybody who regularly drives on highways with large amounts of tractor trailer traffic should be cautious and aware of the dangers at all times.

Jackknifes are caused when the load of a trailer pushes the cabin sideways and folds it backwards. Once in this position, the vehicle becomes impossible to control and it can slide unpredictably into other cars. Anytime a truck driver makes a turn or brakes, there is a potential for a jackknife.

A number of technological innovations have become standard to help limit the number of jackknife incidents. Anti-lock brakes help the driver maintain control when stopping suddenly and special rigging between the cabin and the trailer can help prevent the trailer from jackknifing. Computer assisted braking systems are also becoming common to further assist the driver.

Despite all the advances in technology, the best way to prevent truck accidents is to have skilled and responsible drivers. While most have a great driving record, there are a few negligent drivers and companies that violate regulations and put people in danger. If you have been involved in a tractor trailer accident, it is a good idea to have it investigated by an experienced Missouri tractor trailer crash lawyer.

Perhaps the two obstacles on the roadway most likely to elicit a groan from drivers are construction zones and tractor trailers. While both are necessary to maintain our roads and commerce, they can both lead to delays in an already hectic rush hour commute. Aside from just causing traffic backups, though, they are both involved in a large number of serious Missouri injury accidents, especially when you mix the large trucks with the confusion of a construction zone.

Residents of Kansas City have been given a couple recent examples of the dangers when tractor trailers and construction zones meet. A few weeks ago, a truck hauling dangerous hydrochloric acid crashed spilling the liquid all over the highway. The incident was followed a couple weeks later by another tractor trailer, this one hauling soybean meal, that crashed on the exact same stretch of highway.

Over on the east side of the state, we’ve seen our fair share of St. Louis tractor trailer accidents in or near construction zones. Last year, for a tragic example, multiple cars waiting in the backup from the Highway 40 construction detour were crushed by a tractor trailer whose driver had briefly taken his eyes off the road to grab his cell phone.

The confusion and stress that comes from navigating construction zones and detours makes for a dangerous situation that must be navigated carefully by all drivers. If everyone observes the posted speed limits and maintains awareness of workers and equipment, accidents can easily be reduced.

Unfortunately, inattentive drivers of both cars and tractor trailers often don’t see an upcoming construction zone or traffic backup and that’s when accidents occur. If you or a family member have been involved in one of these accidents, consult a Missouri personal injury lawyer to discuss your next steps and learn your rights as an accident victim.

The map to the right provides a good visual representation of the amount of tractor trailer traffic on Missouri’s highways every year and why we need to work very hard to prevent Missouri truck crashes.

The U.S. Department of Transportation provided the map and the data behind it showing the amount of shipping traffic across the country. As you can see, Missouri is a central hub with hundreds of millions of tons passing through the state’s highway, rail and waterway systems.

Looking at just the tractor trailer shipping traffic, you can see why there are so many large truck accidents in the state every year. The two major highways criss-crossing the state, I-70 and I-44, bear the load of more than 200 millions tons of freight by themselves. Perhaps this is one reason why those two highways were recently listed as the two most dangerous in Missouri.

Shipping goods by truck is an important part of our economy and can be handled in a safe way, as evidenced by the thousands of truck drivers who operate their vehicles without incident every day. The shear size of the trucks can quickly lead to tragedy, though, when operated by those few negligent drivers and trucking companies.

The best way to control these negligent practices is with careful federal regulation, constant supervision by state authorities and proper utilization of the civil justice system when an accident occurs. Anybody involved in a Missouri tractor trailer crash should contact a Missouri truck accident attorney as soon as possible to investigate the incident.

Truck driver Johnathon Willmon, 33, is dead after a Missouri tractor trailer crash near Plattsburg, Missouri.

Willmon was driving his 2002 International truck eastbound on Missouri 116 when the crash occurred, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. A second big rig, driven by Douglas Tomlin, 45, was heading westbound on Missouri 116 and began to slide out of control. Highway Patrol troopers said Tomlin began to slide due to snowy road conditions. Tomlin's truck crossed over into the eastbound lanes where it hit a rail on the Little Platte River bridge and jackknifed in the path of Willmon's truck. Willmon was unable to avoid crashing into the trailer attached to Tomlin's truck.

Willmon was pronounced dead at the scene. Tomlin suffered minor injures, but refused treatment at the crash site.

Often when you hear about a fatal tractor trailer crash, it is between a big rig and a smaller passenger car. This incident shows that the power of these large vehicles can cause tragedy or serious injury even for the truck drivers themselves.

Since there was a fatality, this accident will see much more investigation and an accident reconstruction from state authorities. The trip logs of both drivers will be investigated to see if any motor carrier regulations were violated.

Photo by KMBC-TV

A truck carrying thousands of pounds of Pepsi soda overturned on I-435 early Monday morning sending two people to the hospital and scattering soda bottles all over the highway.

According to authorities cited in local media reports, this Missouri truck injury crash was likely caused by slick road conditions. The Pepsi truck was unable to stop and slid into two other cars before slamming into the guardrail and flipping.

Both the driver of the truck and one of the other car's drivers were taken to the hospital for treatment.

The driver of the truck was trapped for nearly 40 minutes before being freed by rescue crews. The rest of the accident took hours to clean.

While slick road conditions can be a factor in Missouri car and truck crashes, the responsibility for safe driving still lies with drivers. If you cause an accident, even if it was because you car skid on an icy roadway, you will be liable for damages caused by the wreck.

Early indications are the Pepsi truck slid on the roadway in the Missouri crash, but these are just scattered early reports. More investigation is needed by local authorities, accident professionals, and perhaps a Missouri truck accident lawyer before liability can be determined.

Ricky Hotop, 48, was hospitalized with serious injuries after crashing his pickup into a tractor trailer in Perry County, Missouri.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, this Missouri tractor trailer crash occurred on County Road 606 near Route K. The tractor trailer was stopped in the westbound lane of the roadway at around 5:20 p.m. Hotop, who was also traveling westbound, apparently didn’t see the tractor trailer and crashed into the back of it, totaling his pickup.

Hotop was taken to Perry County Memorial Hospital for emergency treatment. The tractor trailer driver was uninjured.

In many cases of a rear end collision, a driver is usually distracted and not focused on the road ahead of him. Occasionally, there are circumstances where the driver in the rear is not totally at fault. If a car or tractor trailer is stopped over the crest of a hill, for instance, this creates a very dangerous situation where other drivers may not have the opportunity to stop their vehicles in time. Large tractor trailers should also put out road markers and keep lights on after dusk in order to warn other drivers and prevent serious tractor trailer accidents.

The initial crash report and local media have not released information as to what might have caused this particular crash in Perry County. Further investigation is needed to determine whether Hotop was simply being inattentive, whether the tractor trailer was placed in a dangerous position, or both.

Examining the statistics showing just how many people die or suffer injury in truck accidents in Missouri and around the country each year can lead one to a pretty bleak outlook on the situation. Several thousand people die every year and tens of thousands more sustain injuries that may affect them the rest of their lives.

There are steps that both the trucking companies and the average driver can take to reduce the number of fatal tractor trailer accidents in Missouri.

Time and time again, it is shown that the number one cause of accidents is driver error. Taking the time to re-educate yourself on proper driving techniques can help you break some bad habits. When driving near trucks, for instance, a passenger car should not get too close behind or in front of a truck which could jackknife easily if forced into an evasive maneuver. You should also not attempt to “race” a big rig at an exit ramp just to make sure you are ahead of it on the highway.

Some trucking companies are being very proactive and taking a high-tech approach to limiting accidents by installing driver assistance programs, like the VORAD system. These technologies can alert the driver if a dangerous situation is present and, in some cases, take control of truck’s brake system to avert a crash.

Not all companies go the extra mile, unfortunately, and some have been found to be consistently negligent in how they operate their vehicles. Because of this, the industry will continue to need to examine their regulations and hold companies that violate them accountable.

If you have been involved in a tractor trailer accident and would like an expert to examine the case to determine if regulations were violated, contact a St. Louis area truck accident lawyer.

A tractor trailer hauling more than 4,000 pounds of hydrochloric acid crashed on I-35 in Kansas City on Monday, sending the corrosive liquid spraying out onto the roadway.

The Missouri tractor trailer crash and chemical spill happened just before the morning rush and hospitalized 11 people, according to the Kansas City Star.

According to police cited in local media reports, the truck was traveling through a narrow construction zone and likely moving too fast for the road conditions. A full investigation is ongoing to confirm these suspicions.

The hydrochloric acid being carried was 50 percent concentrated, which is a very powerful mixture according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Concentrations at 10 percent or even lower are to be handled with care. Higher concentrations increase the corrosive ability of the chemical.

If the acid comes into contact with human tissue, it will cause burning and severe damage, especially to the eyes, throat, and other soft tissue. If inhaled, the acid can irritate the throat and lungs, possibly creating ulcers. It has also been shown to cause pulmonary edema, which is a dangerous buildup of fluid in the lungs.

Because of these risks, after the tractor trailer crash, people in the area were advised to remain indoors. The Isle of Capri Casino, which is located near the crash site, shut down its ventilation system to prevent any dangerous fumes from entering the building.

Most of the people that sought treatment at the hospital had been exposed to the chemical and complained of irritation of the eyes or throat. At this time, there are no reports of serious injury or permanent damage due to exposure to the acid.

Road crews also repaired damage to the roadway where the acid had eaten away at the asphalt.

In a report published by NPR using NHTSA data, rural roads are shown to have the highest number of fatal car and truck crashes despite the fact that less people live in rural areas.

In 2008, 56 percent of fatal crashes happened on rural roads despite only 23 percent of the country's population living in rural areas. The report goes on to say that the numbers vary by state and in some areas over 90 percent of highway fatalities are on rural roads.

Urban areas have more people and their residents also drive more, but despite all these factors that should contribute to urban accidents, urban drivers are half as likely to die in a car or truck crash here in Missouri or around the country.

Some reasons for this discrepancy are obvious, while others may not immediately come to mind. Drivers are usually traveling faster on rural roads. Rural roads are also narrower and may lack some modern safety improvements that have been installed on major interstates that run through cities. Tractor trailer crashes are more more deadly as large trucks are forced to share these smaller roads with passenger cars. Rural drivers are also more likely to drive without wearing a seat belt and are more likely to be involved in a drunk driving crash.

Still, despite all these factors, driver error is the cause of most accidents. There's just less room for error on these more dangerous roads. Car and truck drivers that drive negligently must be held responsible if they cause an accident no matter where the crash occurs.

If you or someone in your family is involved in a crash caused by another driver, contact a Missouri car and truck accident lawyer to discuss your rights as an accident victim. You should also consult an attorney if you feel the accident was the result of a dangerous road condition that should have been addressed by transportation officials.

A $1.3 million dollar ruling against the Missouri Department of Transportation was just handed down by a arbitration panel that decided the department could have done more to prevent a Missouri tractor trailer accident in 2005.

The accident in question was a December 6, 2005 crash that killed Jemma Dant, 28. Her car was stopped on I-44 when a semitrailer crashed into the back of her car and sent it into another truck. Her car was in a line of traffic which was backed up unusually far from the Vandeventer exit.

The arbitration panel said that MoDOT could have warned drivers about the backup, which extended past the Vandeventer exit lane and into the right lane of westbound I-44.

A St. Louis Post Dispatch report on the case said since the accident, the exit ramp was restriped and electronic warning signs were added that can update drivers about traffic conditions. Neither of these precautions were in place at the time of the accident.

Dant's family had already been paid damages by the trucking company involved in the crash.

This accident was tragic, but the changes that have taken place since the accident may help prevent a similar Missouri truck accident in the future. By hiring a St. Louis area personal injury attorney after an accident, you can possibly recover damages to help you financially through a difficult time and also draw attention to dangerous conditions that can be remedied to prevent future tragedy.

The regulations governing the trucking industry are under constant debate in the industry. In an effort to reduce tractor trailer crash deaths and injuries here in Missouri and across the country, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration makes these regulations, which are often fought by the trucking industry.

A few of these regulations in particular could see some changes in the coming months and years. The first is the weight limit for trucks on federal highways. Currently, the maximum allowable weight for a truck is 80,000 pounds, but advocates for the trucking industry want to push that number as high as 97,000 pounds. They argue that by increasing the weight limit, they can lower the number of trucks on the road which will lower the number of potential accidents and help the industry financially through the recession.

Opponents of the weight restriction increase argue that trucks are already incredibly dangerous at 80,000 pounds. Increasing the weight will only increase the damage done when something inevitably goes wrong. We have already discussed on the blog a St. Louis area tractor trailer crash on Highway 40 that saw a big rig plow through 10 cars. How many more cars, and how many more lives, could it have destroyed if it weighed an additional 17,000 pounds?

Another area of regulation that is up for debate is the Hours of Service regulations. These are put in place to limit the number of hours a driver can work, thus limiting the number of fatigued truckers with dangerously slow reaction times due to lack of sleep. Some argue the current laws are too lax and the number of consecutive hours a driver can work should be reduced further. Again, the trucking companies see this as delaying shipments and increasing costs, so they are largely against it.

The Comprehensive Safety Analysis initiative is a program from the FMCSA to reduce crashes and it also may lead to changes in the industry. One possible result of the initiative is stricter guidelines for hiring and retaining safe drivers. Some industry representatives support the initiative, but others worry about the financial repercussions of limiting the pool of drivers.

Any rule changes made by the FMCSA would ostensibly be made with the interest of safety at heart. Most of the objections from the industry have to do with financial concerns and they believe they can police themselves. From the point of view of a Missouri truck accident lawyer, I’m not sure what the perfect weight of a truck should be or the safest amount of hours a driver can work effectively. That’s for the FMCSA to decide. It is clear, though, that with 4,000 people dying every year in truck accidents, even with the current rules in place, the industry can’t police itself.

Data compiled by a Missouri attorney lobbying for more tractor trailer regulations shows that interstate 70 is by far Missouri’s deadliest highway, followed by I-44, U.S.-63 and I-55, according to a KSDK report.

Last year there were 41 fatalities on I-70 alone, according to the report. I-44, which has a longer stretch through the state, came in second with 25 fatal car and truck accidents.

The data is being used to call attention to the dangers on our roadways and the attorney who published it is hoping also to see some law changes as well. He, along with others, are trying to ban tractor trailer drivers from using portable electronic devices like cell phones and laptops while they are behind the wheel.

Missouri recently passed a law restricting drivers under 21 from texting and driving. Besides that, there are no laws restricting big rig and commercial truck drivers from talking on a cell phone or using a laptop despite the fact that studies show drivers using these devices are up to 23 percent more likely to cause an accident. Many truckers routinely use these devices to report back to their company and keep in touch with family while on the road.

While I respect the fact that drivers need to keep in contact with their employers and their family, it is not worth putting others at risk. The numbers clearly show that distracted drivers cause more accidents. If a negligent driver or company causes an accident they need to be held accountable. The best way to do this is to contact a Missouri truck accident attorney to help investigate your case if you or someone you love is involved in a crash.

The dangers of combining alcohol or drugs and driving are obvious and well documented. Still, we see thousands of fatal car and truck accidents each year as a result of drunk or drugged driving. Every state has laws to curb drunk driving and this applies to commercial truck and tractor trailer drivers as well. In fact, commercial truck drivers are subject to much stricter regulation than the average driver.

Every driver is required to submit to numerous drug and alcohol tests in order to remain employed. There are pre-employment drug screens as well as random tests administered throughout the driver's tenure. If a driver is involved in an accident, he will also have to submit to drug and alcohol screens to determine if these substances contributed to the accident. Failure to comply with these mandatory tests will result in serious consequences for the driver.

Because of these regulations, drunk and drugged driving has been reduced in the trucking industry. While not as rampant as it once was, the problem has not been completely eliminated. Various studies have found that 15% of drivers had illegal drugs in their systems after a crash. Some others were found to have been abusing prescription stimulants to fight fatigue. Even with all the tests for alcohol, 1% of fatal tractor trailer accidents were the result of drunk driving. That still adds up to hundreds of lives lost every year due to terribly negligent behavior on the part of a driver.

Trucking companies can fall short in their duties to police their drivers as well. Tractor trailer accident lawyers can sometimes find cases where tests are not properly administered by trucking companies and unsafe drivers are allowed back on the road. In these cases, the company as well as the driver should be held responsible for the damage caused by an accident.

An experienced Missouri truck accident lawyer will be able to examine an accident and determine if drugs or alcohol played a role. He will also be able to dig into company testing records to determine if the driver had a history of problems that should have kept the driver off the road in the first place.

The single largest contributing factor to fatal Missouri tractor trailer accidents is driver error. While certain crashes may have be unforeseeable and unavoidable, other drivers have a history of poor driving habits that should have been an indicator of their chances of causing an accident in the future. In order to keep these unsafe drivers from behind the wheel of a tractor trailer, the FMCSA has established regulations for the hiring and retention of drivers.

There are a number of requirements that a driver must meet before he can be hired on by a commercial trucking company. He or she must pass a written test on federal tractor trailer regulations. A road test must also be completed to prove that the driver can handle a big rig. A drug test must also be passed.

The employer must also complete an extensive background check on the potential driver. The driver's record over the past three years must be examined no matter what state the driver was in over those years. Past employers dating back three years must also be contacted and questioned about the driver's competence and safety record. All of the background check information must be documented and kept in the driver's file.

Once hired, there are additional rules for the retention of any tractor trailer driver. Evey year a performance review must occur and any driving violations must be examined. A series of random drug test may be administered as well. An employee file containing all relevant records must be kept while the driver is employed and for three years after.

If any of these regulations are violated, the company may be held liable for negligent hiring practices. It is not uncommon for important documents to be forged and tests to be passed without merit. This can mean an unqualified and unsafe driver is allowed on the road to cause a serious accident. A skilled tractor trailer accident lawyer will be able to determine if any negligent hiring practices may have lead to an unsafe driver being retained by a trucking company.

As we've discussed previously on the blog, tractor trailers and other large trucks are subject to different regulations than the average passenger car. This is because of the extra dangers posed by commercial motor vehicles in the event of a tractor trailer crash. There are guidelines to define what exactly qualifies as a commercial motor vehicle.

There are several ways a vehicle can be classified as a commercial motor vehicle. It must be used to transport people or shipments for commercial reasons and must be of a certain size. If the vehicle is 10,001 pounds or more or if it can transport 15 or more people, it falls under this distinction. A vehicle can also be classified as a commercial motor vehicle if it is transporting hazardous materials.

Companies that use vehicles of this classification must register the vehicle and follow all federal motor carrier guidelines. Some states have altered the guidelines for the unique situations in their part of the country. When dealing with a truck accident here in the Show Me State, it is important to contact an experienced Missouri tractor trailer lawyer who has extensive knowledge about our specific laws.

While most vehicles that meet the above criteria are subject to the commercial motor vehicle regulations, some exceptions are made. School buses and ambulances do not fall under the same classification and neither do vehicles that are being used for non-commercial uses. This does not mean these vehicles are exempted from any regulation, however, they just don't have the same guidelines as tractor trailers being used in commercial shipping. Again, a truck accident attorney with enough experience will easily be able determine which regulations apply to your case.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's main objective is to make workplaces safe for employees and other citizens. On their website they have suggestions specifically for trucking companies and any organization that operates large trucks as part of their day-to-day business. These suggestions are designed to reduce the number of serious truck accident injuries and fatalities. They also recognize companies that are utilizing these suggestions effectively.

OSHA says that companies need a driver safety program and offers learning materials to companies to help them start one. Aside from simply listing safe driving strategies, they recommend creating a culture of safety where safe practices are rewarded. The attitudes of employees must be in the right place first before any safety tips will help. Once you have employees committed, then you can start to implement the tips on www.osha.gov. If you are an employer who uses large trucks in your business, I strongly recommend taking a look at their suggestions.

Among the companies they spotlight is Nationwide Insurance. They have a private motor fleet as part of their business and in 1998 they started a driver safety program with their employees. As a result, they saw their rate of preventable crashes drop by more than 50 percent. What makes that stat even more impressive is the national rate of accidents actually rose during that same period.

Other companies that had similar results were Charter Communications and GM.

Unfortunately, some companies don't implement these driver safety programs, putting profits ahead of safety while putting innocent people at risk in the process. These are the companies that made the national rate of tractor trailer and large truck accidents rise over the last decade.

These companies need to be held accountable for negligent practices. If you have been involved in a wreck with a large truck or commercial shipping vehicle, contact a Missouri truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Truck accident cases are incredibly time sensitive and if you delay, you may lose your chance to recover damages to help your recovery.

Two large trucks and a car were involved in a Missouri injury accident Wednesday evening on Highway 70 in St. Louis.

All three of the vehicles were heading eastbound near the Cypress exit when the accident happened. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the driver of the car, 17 year old Stefanie McCauley, lost control of the vehicle and began to spin out. A Volvo 8000, driven by Avramov Znivko, 47, hit McCauley's car as it spun. Moments later, a 1994 Peterbilt truck, driven by Raymond Stambaugh, 55, hit the Volvo truck.

Marilyn Moore, 49, was a passenger in the Peterbilt truck and was seriously injured. Stambaugh also sustained injuries and both were taken to DePaul hospital for treatment.

The investigating officer did not say what might have caused McCauley to spin out.

These chain reaction crashes with multiple impacts can be complicated with regards to sorting out liability. If any driver is found to have been negligent in relation to this Missouri truck crash, then a trucking accident lawyer may be called in to recover damages for the injured parties.

The Missouri Department of Transportation has officially banned employees from sending text messages while driving MoDOT vehicles or while on the clock in their own vehicles.

The new policy is designed to reduce the number of large truck accidents in Missouri. It comes on the heels of a recent statewide law that bans all drivers under 21 from texting and driving.

As we’ve discussed previously here on the blog, distractions for drivers are a major cause of serious truck and tractor trailer accidents. Texting drivers are 23 times more likely to cause an accident than a focused driver. This rule change by MoDOT is a step in the right direction.

The policy won’t be enough on its own, though, to significantly cut down on accidents here in Missouri. Private trucking companies and their drivers also need to be held accountable when they cause a serious accident because a text message or cell phone caused a distraction. If you have been involved in an accident of this type, contact a Missouri trucking accident lawyer to discuss your case.

After a serious accident, all you will probably want to do is make sure you and anyone you were with are healthy and get back to your normal life. You'll want to put the accident behind you as quickly as possible. Life, as we all learn, is not so easy and serious car and truck accidents could lead to lots of investigation and dealing with insurance company representatives. Fortunately, you can take some steps to make this period less stressful.

The first thing you should do is learn as much about your own insurance policy as possible. Even if you weren't just in an accident and happened upon this blog by chance, you should look over your policy to make sure you know when you will be covered and for how much. You will have different coverage for medical payments, property damage, bodily injury to the other party and collision. Be sure to read the fine print and call your agent if you have any questions. It's better to have the information before you have a car accident rather than after the fact.

If you were injured in a car or truck accident, take meticulous notes and keep multiple copies of any documentation. Make sure you get the contact and license info from the other driver and the truck number and trucking company info if it was a tractor trailer crash. If you were injured by someone else's poor driving, their insurance company will be looking to limit their payout to you and having all the pertinent evidence on hand is the first step to protecting yourself.

Representatives from the other insurance company may also try and contact you for a recorded statement. It is in your best interest to avoid talking to them until you have consulted a personal injury attorney. Even if you are absolutely sure that the accident wasn't your fault, anything you say can be used to limit the payment you receive which could leave you in a dire financial situation. A skilled personal injury attorney will be able to advise you on your rights and help you make your statement to the insurance company if you even have to make one at all.

Michael Braudrick, 48, was seriously injured Monday when the pickup he was driving was involved in a crash with a Mack truck on Missouri 86.

The accident occurred about one mile south of Wheaton, Missouri. The Mack truck, driven by Harold Roberson, 53, was making a left turn onto Missouri 86 from a country road. The large Mack truck pulled into the path of Braudrick's smaller pickup and he was unable to avoid a collision.

Braudrick was taken to St. John's Hospital for emergency treatment. Roberson was uninjured and the Mack truck was able to be driven from the scene.

Braudrick was wearing a seat belt.

Some more details need to emerge about this Missouri truck crash before liability can be determined. The speeds of the vehicles will need to be calculated as well as how, exactly, did Roberson make the turn onto Missouri 86. Investigators will determine if he should have yielded to the pickup or if Braudrick should have been able to avoid the crash. Should Roberson be found to have been negligent in this instance, Braudrick may be able to collect damages to cover his medical expenses.

People injured in a Missouri truck accident should think twice before handling these claims on their own or just accepting the answer from the insurance company. Many times, the best way to learn about your rights as a victim and get the repayment you deserve is to contact a Missouri truck accident attorney.

By now, you've probably heard about the two pilots for Delta Air Lines who have been dismissed after they overshot their destination by 150 miles due, supposedly, to them being distracted by their laptops. Fortunately, no serious incident occurred and the plane landed safely in Minneapolis-St. Paul. FAA regulations prohibit the use of laptops in the cockpit for this very reason and more deadly incidents are prevented because of these stricter rules.

This is not so on our roadways. Every year, thousands of people die in car accidents and tractor trailer crashes caused by distracted drivers who were talking on a cell phone or playing with some other electronic device. While some individual states and cities have taken the lead on reducing the distractions by banning cell phones while driving, in most areas there are no such laws and seeing someone multi-tasking when they should simply be driving is a regular occurrence.

The dangers are multiplied for tractor trailer drivers who have to maintain control of vehicles stretching dozens of feet long and weighing thousands of pounds. Yet still, even commercial truck drivers are regularly guilty of losing focus on the road because they are talking or texting and sometimes this has fatal consequences. One of the larger tractor trailer crashes in the St. Louis area occurred on Highway 40 last year when a truck driver, apparently distracted by his cell phone, plowed through ten other cars that were stopped for traffic. Three people were killed and more were seriously injured.

Despite tragic incidents like the Highway 40 crash, the FMCSA has not completely banned the use of cell phones or other electronic distractions by tractor trailer drivers while driving. In fact, many big rig drivers regularly use on-board computers to update their company of their progress and track their routes.

Studies have repeatedly shown that these types of distractions are dangerous. Drivers using those on-board computers are approximately ten times more likely to be involved in a crash. Texting drivers are 23 times as likely to crash. Even drivers who use hands-free phones have been proven to be as impaired as drunken drivers.

Drivers and their companies that continue these negligent policies of allowing distractions in the cabin must be held accountable when those same distractions result in serious accidents. If you or a family member has been involved in such a crash, contact an experienced Missouri tractor trailer accident attorney as soon as possible so that they can begin to investigate your case.

Tractor trailer drivers are responsible for safely driving an extremely large vehicle that could be hauling thousands of pounds of cargo. Because of their size, these large trucks can cause significant personal injury in an accident. These risk factors mean a truck driver has to remain extra alert and vigilant. Unfortunately, driver fatigue is a problem that leads to hundreds of Missouri tractor trailer crashes each year. Drivers, who are paid by the mile, were giving up sleep and driving on short rest in order to complete shipments faster.

To help control driver fatigue, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration set the Hours of Service guidelines for drivers. Some of these rules include:

- Truck drivers can only drive up to 11 consecutive hours and only after 10 consecutive hours off duty.

- Truck drivers can be on duty (working but not necessarily driving) for 14 consecutive hours and are not able to drive after the 14th hour.

- In a 7 day span, the maximum on duty time is 60 hours. Drivers may also choose to work 70 hours across 8 days.

- After a 7-8 day working period, the driver must take 34 consecutive hours off duty.

The FMCSA says these rules will prevent thousands of accidents nationwide and ultimately save lives. One in five truck drivers have admitted to driving under extreme fatigue or even nodding off at the wheel.

In order to make sure drivers adhere to the hours of service rules, they must keep an accurate log of their driving. After an accident, it is essential that this log is quickly investigated by a tractor trailer accident lawyer since many companies will destroy these logs after a certain of amount of time.

Wading through statistics at sites we’ve mentioned in previous posts and articles on other injury sites, we’ve discovered some more sobering statistics about tractor trailer crashes in Missouri.

Depending on what statistics you look at and your definition of a large truck, they make up around 3% to 7% of traffic on the nation’s highways. Not surprisingly, they also account for a disproportionate amount of traffic fatalities. Semi trucks and tractor trailers are involved in 15% of all traffic deaths in Missouri.

There are several reasons for this overly high rate of deaths in Missouri tractor trailer accidents. The most obvious is simple physics. Tractor trailers are large, imposing vehicles that do more damage to other, smaller passenger cars when an accident occurs. If you examine many of these accident cases, you will also see that truck drivers and trucking companies are often guilty of violating Federal regulations meant to prevent accidents.

While many truck drivers do the right thing and follow these regulations, those that don’t need to be held accountable. Victims of tractor trailer crashes should have their case reviewed by an experienced Missouri tractor trailer accident attorney. A skilled lawyer will be able to examine your case and find any violations of federal law that contributed to your accident. Many attorneys even offer free legal consultations to explain your rights with no obligation to hire.

In data released by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Missouri and Illinois are shown to have a higher number of tractor trailer crashes than the national average.

Illinois actually comes in third behind Texas and California for having the most tractor trailer and large truck accidents in the United States.

Missouri had 4,407 total crashes involving a tractor trailer in the last year. This includes fatal Missouri tractor trailer accidents and less serious wrecks. Illinois had 7,156 crashes in the same time span.

When looking at the data, state population clearly has an effect on the number of accidents and for obvious reasons. Sparsely populated states such as Wyoming have less people and fewer trucks so naturally they will have fewer accidents. Even when you adjust for population, however, Missouri and Illinois have accident rates higher than the national average. Both Missouri and Illinois have more tractor trailer crashes than other states of similar size and population.

Many of these crashes didn’t have to happen. They were the product of negligence and if some drivers had been a little more conscious or a trucking company did a better job of inspecting its fleet of vehicles, maybe some of these accidents could have been prevented. Most drivers are responsible, but the ones that aren’t need to be held accountable.

One of the ways to do that is by contacting a Missouri or Illinois truck accident lawyer after a crash. In addition to recovering damages to help you pay back medical bills and lost wages, a personal injury attorney can help send a clear message to the company and maybe prevent future accidents and injuries.

Julius Moore, 23, an officer with the St. Louis Police Department, died Thursday evening from injuries sustained when his patrol car crashed into a tractor trailer last week.

According to a St. Louis Post Dispatch report, Moore had never regained consciousness after the crash and his family made the difficult decision to take him off life support.

The crash occurred last Tuesday when Moore’s patrol car hit a tractor trailer at the South Broadway and Arsenal intersection. Moore was responding to a call and had lights and sirens on while racing to the scene of a burglary. Moore was traveling southbound along with the tractor trailer when the truck driver attempted to make a right turn. The tractor trailer hit Moore’s car and forced it off the road and into a traffic light.

The truck driver was not injured in this St. Louis tractor trailer crash, according to the Post Dispatch. He has been cooperative with authorities and sources cited in the report don’t expect him to face any charges, though the investigation into this incident isn’t complete. An accident reconstruction team is still working on a report and will examine the vehicles’ speeds, debris patterns and computer simulations to determine the specifics of the crash. A full report probably won’t be done for up to 12 weeks.

Police officials have said that it is too early to assign fault to either Moore or the truck driver. Once the reconstruction team's report is finished we will know more, but at the moment, we don’t know how fast the vehicles were going or when Moore turned on his sirens. Many other details need to be fleshed out before liability can be determined.

By all accounts, Moore was a dedicated officer and he died from injuries sustained while performing his heroic duties. This is no doubt a hard time for the Moore family and the St. Louis Police Department.

This case, like most Missouri tractor trailer injury accidents, is very complicated. If you have been the victim of a tractor trailer crash, you should contact a St. Louis personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to learn your rights as the injured party. Keep in mind that any information you divulge prior to talking to a lawyer may be used to limit the payment you receive to cover medical expenses.

One of the most powerful tools to have as a victim of a tractor trailer accident is information. Doing just a little research for yourself will lessen your chances of being taken advantage of by those in supposed positions of power. Having knowledge can level the playing field between the little guy and the big corporation with lots of professional backup.

Fortunately, many resources can be found online to help educate you about the commercial trucking industry, their laws, and who can help you if you or someone you love is injured in a Missouri tractor trailer crash.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s website is a great place to go for basic information on the commercial trucking industry in the United States. The FMCSA oversees the industry and has regulations that all trucking companies should follow to avoid accidents. Unfortunately, all too often these rules aren’t followed and the results are tragic.

Within FMCSA’s site, be sure to check out the Analysis and Information section for all the statistics on tractor trailer accidents.

Another section of the site that you should pay close attention to is the Rules and Regulations page. Here you’ll find a comprehensive listing of the rules that a truck driver must follow.

If you want to look up a particular company’s profile to see how many safety violations they have, you can check the SAFER database. Be aware that the basic information is free, but comprehensive company details do cost a fee.

Finally, if you believe that you were the victim of an accident that was caused by a truck driver’s negligence or an oversight on the part of his company, contact a Missouri truck accident lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your rights. Many offer free consultations to discuss your tractor trailer accident case and will be able to advise you on your next step.

Mechanical failures are the number two cause of tractor trailer injury accidents in the United States, according to data compiled by the National Highway Safety Administration. Driver error is still the most common contributing factor to crashes, but some studies show the rate of mechanical failures is on the rise here in Missouri.

Of the different types of mechanical failures that could cause a Missouri tractor trailer crash, the most common, by far, was brake failure. Brakes on a vehicle that could be hauling thousands of pounds of cargo should be the most scrutinized mechanical device on the road, but every year we see drivers and trucking companies skipping inspections to save on costs or time. As a result, we also see lots of accidents, injuries and fatalities that could have been prevented.

There are already regulations provided by the federal government designed to prompt drivers to have their trucks inspected. These regulations save lives and in areas where truckers are strictly held accountable to these rules, we see a sharp decline in accidents. During the 1990’s, Georgia stepped up its enforcement of tractor trailer inspection laws, specifically on logging trucks. As a result, the rate of accidents by mechanical failure was cut in half. The lesson is that industries held accountable for their actions will respond.

Aside from federal regulation, another way to hold negligent trucking companies accountable is through the civil justice system. In the wake of a tragic accident, your first thought might not be about hiring a Missouri truck accident attorney. While you and your family’s medical care come first, it is important to begin any legal investigation into your case as soon as possible. These matters are time sensitive and it is imperative that the truck inspection records, the driver’s log book, and other important info is gathered before it is lost forever.

Many parents are counting their blessings this morning after what could have been a serious and tragic accident.

A tractor trailer crashed into a school bus in Branson on Tuesday morning, according to a Branson Daily News report. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in this Missouri tractor trailer crash.

The accident occurred on Missouri 248 as the school bus was traveling westbound on its route to pick up students for the start of the school day. It had stopped to allow some children to board when a tractor trailer that was following behind was unable to stop. When the truck driver, who was not identified, realized he wouldn’t be able to slow down in time, he swerved to try and avoid a collision. Despite the evasive maneuver, the front of his big rig still hit the left rear of the bus.

According to Missouri Highway Patrol officials cited in the Branson Daily News report, the tractor trailer driver had suspected there might have been some mechanical problems prior to the crash. Specifically, there seemed to be some issues with the brake lines that prompted the driver to inspect them in a parking lot earlier in the day.

Local authorities are still investigating the accident and a full detailed report is not yet available.

While we should all be thankful that no serious injuries came of this Missouri school bus accident, these situations occur all too often to ignore. Working as a tractor trailer accident attorney I hear stories all the time of a truck driver, under pressure from his company to deliver a shipment on time, who ignores mechanical red flags that later turn into devastating crashes.

We will have to wait for the full report to determine whether the driver should have performed maintenance on his brakes before driving, but even if that is not the case in this accident, the fact is nearly 30% of tractor trailer crashes are caused by improperly maintained brakes.

If you have been involved in an accident with a tractor trailer that may have been improperly maintained or driving in violation of Federal Motor Carrier Regulations, you should find a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to learn your rights and see what steps you can take to hold the trucking company responsible for their negligence. Many attorneys offer free personal injury consultations that can help you become better educated on the law before making such an important decision.

Being involved in a serious car accident can be one of the most traumatic experiences of anyone’s life. In the moments after an accident people are often disoriented and dealing with stress, fear or shock. Most people, though, don’t plan how to handle a situation like that until it actually happens. While it is unpleasant to think about, taking a few minutes to mentally walk through the steps you should take after a serious tractor-trailer injury accident will allow you to better handle the situation should it ever arise.

Immediately after the accident you should take a second to assess the situation. Your safety and the safety of everyone involved is the most important consideration so gather your composure, check yourself for injuries, and if you are still in harm’s way, move to safer ground if you are able.

Call 911 to request emergency help and wait for it to arrive. Even if you are not seriously injured do not leave the scene of the accident. It is against the law to leave the scene of a Missouri car accident you were involved with.

Once paramedics arrive, give them as much information as possible. If you can, tell them how many people are injured and the extent of their injuries. If you are injured, make sure to tell the paramedic that you need medical attention and explain every detail so they know how best to treat you. Listen to their instructions and follow them carefully so that you get the proper treatment.

The police may ask you for a statement at the scene. It is important to be truthful in your statement, but do not admit fault. Even if you think you were at fault, there may have been other factors in play that caused the accident that you didn’t even know about. Give just the information you are sure about and if you don’t know something, or feel too stressed to give an accurate answer, tell the officer that you would like to give your statement after you’ve had time to calm down. Make it clear that you are not refusing to offer a statement, but that you can’t offer a valid statement due to your mental state.

As soon as you can, contact your insurance agency and then start gathering information. Get information about the other vehicles and drivers, but do not share your insurance policy limits. In tractor-trailer crashes it is important to get information about the truck, what carrier company it is operated under, and who was driving. All truck drivers are supposed to keep log books to make sure that they do not violate any Federal Motor Carrier Regulations, but that is something the authorities will inspect.

Keep records of all your medical treatments and visits to the doctor as a result of the crash. If you thought you felt fine immediately after the crash, but are feeling pain days later that may be related, go see a doctor as soon as possible. It is not unusual to have lingering internal damage that is not readily apparent at the time of the crash.

You may then want to hire a personal injury attorney to investigate your case to ensure you receive the recovery you are entitled to. It is important to at least consult an attorney on car or tractor-trailer crashes to learn your rights because insurance companies will be looking for ways to reduce their claims and larger commercial shipping companies will have lawyers on staff working to protect their own interests. If you act quickly and give the attorney all the information of your case, you will have a much better chance of receiving the payments you deserve to cover the medical bills and recover quickly from your crash.

Local authorities in Lakota, North Dakota are looking for the driver of a semi tractor trailer who was involved in an injury accident that hospitalized four people on Sunday.

North Dakota State Highway Patrol authorities said the semi truck failed to yield to other traffic on U.S. Highway 2 and sent two vans into a roadside ditch. The truck then continued down the highway without stopping.

Four occupants of the other vehicles were injured and taken to local hospitals, but their names have not yet been released.

Officials have described the truck as a white semi that was not pulling a trailer at the time of the crash. If you have any information on this truck or its driver, contact the North Dakota Highway Patrol Headquarters at 701-328-2455.

Leaving the scene of accident is a serious offense. If the truck driver is found to be responsible for the accident, he may face criminal charges as well as a potential personal injury lawsuit from the injured parties. Anytime you are involved in a car accident, even if you didn’t cause the wreck, stay at the scene until police arrive.

If the driver is never found, the injured parties may be able to make a claim against their own insurance policy’s ‘uninsured motorist’ coverage. These policies are created to protect people if they are injured in crashes with drivers who don’t have the legal minimum liability insurance, but it can also be used in hit-and-run cases. Injured drivers should contact a car accident or personal injury lawyer before talking to an insurance company representative, however, to make sure they understand all their rights.

Photo from KY3.com

Donald Creed, 76, a truck driver with a Kansas City based company, has pleaded not guilty to charges in connection with a fatal tractor trailer accident that killed 10 people in Oklahoma.

Creed is facing 10 counts of misdemeanor negligent homicide from a crash that occurred on June 26. On that day, he was driving a tractor trailer which plowed through a line of cars that had been stopped due to an earlier wreck. In all, six cars were hit and 10 people left dead.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol crash report found there were no mechanical problems with the truck and that Creed’s cruise control was set within the speed limit.

Local media reports say witnesses described the truck as traveling very fast and changing lanes without signaling. It appears Creed did not attempt to brake as there were no skid marks on the road and an arrest warrant cited witnesses claiming they never saw brake lights, according to a NewsOK.com report.

Troopers cited in the NewsOK report also said Creed had been driving for around 10 hours, which is approaching the Hours of Service Regulation limit of 11. Creed had been on his cell phone minutes before the crash.

No new information was available about any potential personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits. If the evidence proves that Creed was distracted by his phone or negligent in some other way causing the crash, the family of the deceased may be able to contact a tractor trailer accident lawyer and recover significant damages.

Local authorities are investigating a tractor trailer injury crash in Tuscumbia, Alabama that sent one man to the hospital Thursday afternoon.

According to local media reports, two tractor trailer trucks were each traveling west on U.S. highway 72 at approximately 3:10 p.m. One of the trucks rear-ended the other with enough force to send debris and oil over the roadway.

Officials did not identify the drivers, but one of them suffered serious injury and was taken to Decatur General Hospital for treatment.

The westbound lanes of the highway were shut down for hours as the debris and oil was cleaned away.

No indication was given as to what may have caused the accident or if any citation will be issued to either driver. The truck crash is still under investigation by the Tuscumbia Police Department.

If evidence is found that either driver was negligent and caused the accident, a tractor trailer accident lawyer may be called in to recover damages to pay for expenses arising from the crash. Since the drivers were commercial truck operators, they are held to higher standards than the average driver and must keep detailed logs of their driving to ensure they don’t violate any federal motor carrier regulations.

Photo from Lexington Dispatch

Police in Lexington, North Carolina have identified a woman who died when a tractor trailer crashed into her car as Mary Green Small, 54, of Louisville, Ky.

According to local media reports, Small was driving her 1990 Nissan along Interstate 85 on Monday morning when the fatal tractor trailer accident occurred. She had stopped her car in a travel lane when a tractor trailer, driven by William Offutt, 49, slammed into the rear of the car. The impact was so intense that the car immediately caught fire and exploded, according to witness reports.

Small was pronounced dead at the scene. Offutt did not suffer any significant injury.

It is not known at this time why Small was stopped or why Offutt failed to slow his truck before rear-ending her. The accident is still under investigation from local authorities.

In most cases where a car or truck rear-ends another vehicle, the rear end collision doctrine applies. This means that negligence is assumed on the part of the at fault driver as all drivers are responsible for what’s ahead of them on the roadway. There are exceptions to this rule and there may be extenuating circumstances to this case that could affect liability. While it is a tragic and trying time, the family of the deceased should contact a tractor trailer accident attorney as soon as possible to investigate the accident and collect any evidence that may prove useful should a personal injury suit arise from the crash.

Two truck drivers were seriously injured Saturday after a Missouri tractor trailer crash involving three trucks on Highway 54 in Camden County, Missouri.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the accident occurred at the intersection of Highway 54 and Carnahan Road where traffic had backed up due to construction. Brian Keith, 42, who was traveling westbound in a 1987 Freightliner Truck, was stopped in the traffic when another truck approached from behind. The second tractor trailer, a 1988 Freightliner driven by Brian Ray, 37, was unable to stop behind Keith’s truck and had to swerve to avoid an accident. Unfortunately, as Ray swerved to avoid the collision, he entered oncoming traffic where he collided head-on with a 2007 International Truck, driven by Larry Burk, 63.

Ray and Burk were seriously injured and taken to St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. Though Keith’s truck was also damaged, he managed to avoid any injury.

The initial crash report does not indicate why Ray was unable to stop for the construction. There may have been some mechanical problems with the truck itself, the load may have been too heavy or Ray could have simply been inattentive at the wheel. These possibilities are still under investigation.

If an investigation into the accident reveals negligence on the part of any driver, the injured parties may be able to contact a Missouri truck accident lawyer to help recover damages needed to pay for medical expenses, lost wages or any other financial hardships arising from the accident.

Roger Walters, 48, was killed Wednesday when the pickup truck he was riding in was slammed into by a larger box truck on Route 837 in Union Township, Pennsylvania.

According to a WPXI report, a box truck driven by an unidentified driver crashed into two pickup trucks, including Walters’, in the northbound lane of Route 837. Walters was thrown from his pickup and pronounced dead at the scene.

No word has been released on the status of the box truck driver or the other pickup driver.

Local authorities are sill investigating the crash to determine exactly what happened and why the driver of the box truck may have lost control.

Box trucks are the type of moving trucks rented out by companies like Uhaul among others. They are smaller than a tractor trailer, but since they are larger that most other passenger vehicles, they can cause serious damage or injury in a crash.

Authorities will likely look into any potential mechanical problems with the truck as well as the state of the driver. If they find that negligence on the part of the driver or the box truck company was to blame for the accident, Walters’ family may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim and recover damages that can be used to cover funeral costs and other expenses. Further investigation by a truck accident attorney will be needed to sort out the legal issues involved with any potential claims.

A new study released by the American Association for Justice has revealed that over 28,000 commercial motor carrier companies operating in the United States have violated at least one federal safety regulation. Potentially 200,000 trucks have been or currently are operating in violation of these safety laws.

The safety regulations put in place by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration are designed to reduce the number of deaths and serious personal injuries caused by tractor trailer crashes. These regulations include checks on driver competency, hours of service regulations, and regular mechanical inspections.

Some of the violations in the study include defective brakes and tires, excessive or dangerous shipping loads and drivers operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

As we’ve stated on this blog in the past, keeping a close watch on the motor carrier industry is important because of the risks involved. Large commercial shipping vehicles are simply more dangerous than smaller passenger cars. One statistic pointed out by the AAJ says that trucks account for only four percent of the traffic in the U.S., but are involved in 12 percent of traffic fatalities.

Another concern raised by the study is the level of insurance carried by these shipping companies. In the event of a catastrophic accident with a tractor trailer, the injured party might be in for years of expensive recovery and rehab. The minimum liability insurance required of trucking companies, which was set 29 years ago, may not be enough to compensate people for these medical expenses.

This last fact is why it’s so important to consult a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible if you or a loved one are involved in an accident with a tractor trailer. An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to examine your case, find any federal violations that may have contributed to the accident, and fight for you to receive a damage award that will offset your medical expenses.

David Underdale, 61, and Jeremy Imler, 33, were both seriously injured after the Freightliner dump trucks they were driving collided head-on.

The accident occurred Saturday on Highway 24 in Randolph County, Missouri when, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, a passenger car drove into the path of Underdale’s truck. In order to avoid a potentially fatal truck crash with a passenger car, Underdale swerved to the left. Unfortunately, he lost control of his truck and it veered into oncoming traffic where it collided with Imler’s dump truck.

The passenger car was not listed as damaged on the initial crash report and no other information appears to be known about this third vehicle.

Imler and Underdale survived the accident, but with life-threatening injuries. They were flown to University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri.

Without further investigation into the role of the third car, it is hard to determine who is truly at fault for this Missouri injury accident. The crash report seems to indicate that the third vehicle made a negligent maneuver which caused Underdale to crash, but that is just the opinion of the investigating officer and will need to be backed up by an accident reconstruction. A Missouri personal injury lawyer would be able to coordinate with local investigators to determine who is responsible for this incident and possibly recover damages for the injured parties.

Two accidents involving tractor trailers over the past few days have affected the lives of residents in Illinois.

The first and most tragic incident was the death of an Illinois woman who was riding on a motorcycle Saturday near Binghamton, N.Y. While the name of the 57-year-old woman has not been released, local media has reported that she was riding on the back of a motorcycle with a man named David Minter, 52, also a resident of Illinois. According to a WCAX.com report, Minter had to swerve to avoid a collision with a trash can that had been left in the road. As he did so, the bike slid out of control and into the path of a tractor trailer.

The woman was pronounced dead, though Minter managed to survive the tractor trailer crash without sustaining life-threatening injuries.

Debris left in the roadway can be a very dangerous hazard that causes many personal injuries and accidents each year. If the person responsible for losing the debris is ever found, they could be held liable for negligently leaving an obstacle in the roadway. Unfortunately, most of the debris found on the nation's highways does not have any distinguishing characteristics that allow investigators to trace the owner. If the trash can in this situation does have some identifying marks, a personal injury attorney may be able to further pursue damages from the person who left it in the road. Much more investigation into the specifics of this crash has to be done before that is a possibility.

The second accident involving a tractor trailer took place Thursday in St. Charles, Ill. at the intersection of East Main Street and Kautz Road. A St. Charles Republican report said that a tractor trailer, driven by Brent Collins Cooper, 51, failed to stop at the traffic light and crashed into a Ford pickup truck that was in the intersection. The driver of the pickup thankfully just suffered relatively minor injuries. The tractor trailer driver was also fortunate to not have any life threatening injuries, though he was treated for broken ribs at a local hospital.

Traffic was stopped for two hours while officials towed the vehicles and cleared the streets.

Cooper was issued a citation for failing to obey traffic laws and not wearing a seat belt.

A Texas man was killed Sunday when his motorcycle hit a semi-tractor near Arlington, Texas.

The man, whose name was not yet released, crashed into the semi on Interstate 20 in Texas. He was thrown from his bike and crossed the median where he was found and pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the truck, which was not hauling a trailer at the time of the fatal motorcycle accident, was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Often a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit involving a motorcycle crash will occur because the other vehicles on the road will not see the smaller motorcycle and cut it off or run it off the roadway. Still other times the motorcyclist may have been making a dangerous maneuver and caused the accident himself. Personal injury attorneys and trained professionals should be contacted to investigate these accidents to see if a negligent action caused the injury.

In the case of the Texas crash, investigators had shut down the highway to gather evidence and try to determine the cause of the crash. It is not known at this time who was at fault in this particular case.

Working as a St. Louis personal injury lawyer, you hear a lot of tragic stories from people that have been victims of an injury accident or lost a loved one to someone else’s negligence. Tractor trailer crashes in particular cause the most devastating injuries to the passengers of non-commercial vehicles. While legal representation from a tractor trailer accident attorney may be able to recover damages after a crash, it’s always best to avoid these accidents all together.

When driving near a large commercial truck you have to respect its size and lack of maneuverability. They are just not as quick as smaller passenger cars. When hauling tens of thousands of pounds, they can’t exactly stop on a dime either. Give them plenty of space on the highway and if at all possible, don’t ride directly in front, behind, or to the sides of the truck.

Always think a step ahead if you have to drive past a truck. What lanes are open if the truck driver doesn’t see you and tries to merge into your lane? If the truck starts to jackknife, should you slam on your brakes or is there space to maneuver around the side? Always be game planning different situations in your head. Most of the time you won’t need to use these evasive maneuvers, but there’s always a chance you might have to.

It’s also a good idea to show the truck driver respect. It is a challenge to keep these large vehicles under control and they have to have constant concentration to avoid a fatal tractor trailer accident. Don’t get angry if you are stuck behind a truck for a couple of minutes and try to blow past him the second an opening appears. This may put you in a dangerous situation.

Most truck drivers do an admirable job, but the ones that aren’t as focused can cause serious problems. The average passenger car driver is not at fault in 4 out of 5 tractor trailer accidents involving other cars, though they are often the one to sustain injury. Use these tips and others you might find from highway safety guides to try and protect yourself from personal injury.

A New Jersey man suffered serious injury Tuesday after he was hit by a tractor trailer while he was riding a motorcycle.

The accident occurred just before 8 a.m. as Joseph Granuzzo, 47, rode his motorcycle in Wharton, New Jersey. A tractor trailer, driven by David Zack, 30, crashed into the motorcycle as it drove on the North Street Extension.

Granuzzo was airlifted to a local hospital with serious leg injuries. Zack was uninjured in the tractor trailer accident.

Zack was issued a summons by the police for careless driving.

Since the truck driver was issued a summons by the investigating officer, it would appear likely that he is at fault for Granuzzo’s injuries. If a truck accident lawyer is called in to do further investigation, he may be able to recover damages for Granuzzo. Just the opinion of the investigating officer is not enough, however, and an experienced personal injury lawyer will collect more data such as the truck driver’s log books and any accident reconstruction reports.

A tractor trailer crashed into a line of cars in a construction work zone and killed three people on Interstate 35 near Gainesville, Texas.

The fatal tractor trailer accident occurred at an area where the highway is reduced to one lane due to construction on a bridge. A line of cars had stopped because of the construction, but the tractor trailer, driven by James Crayton, 59, did not even slow down before slamming into the back of the last car.

The first car hit, containing passengers Anthony and Kimberly Brandon, exploded upon impact. Both passengers were killed.

The big rig then plowed through two more cars and sandwiched one between it and another tractor trailer. Darryl Hoosier, 55, was driving this car and was killed instantly. The driver of the other tractor trailer was uninjured.

An investigation into the tractor trailer crash is ongoing. Crayton was taken in by authorities for a mandatory blood test and questioning, but no charges have yet been filed. No indication was made by the investigating officers as to what may have distracted Crayton or caused him to crash into the line of cars.

This fatal trucking accident sounds very similar to a crash that we commented on here in the St. Louis area last year. A tractor trailer driver was distracted by his cell phone and crashed into a line of cars that was backed up due to construction on Highway 40. Three people were killed and a total of 11 vehicles were involved in that accident. Charges against the driver were filed earlier this year.

Gary and Tracey Smith of New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania were killed Saturday when a tractor-trailer crossed the median and crashed into their car.

This fatal tractor trailer crash occurred on State Route 22 in Blair County, Pennsylvania at around 3:30 p.m. The tractor trailer was heading eastbound and, for an unknown reason, crossed the median into the westbound lanes.

Gary and Tracey Smith were pronounced dead at the scene. Their 8-year-old child, Sam, was seriously injured and taken to Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh. The truck driver, Gregory D. Nagy, did not suffer serious injury.

Pennsylvania state police are still investigating the cause of the crash and will perform a reconstruction to try and determine why the tractor trailer suddenly veered into oncoming traffic.

If it is determined that there was negligence on the part of the truck driver or the trucking company, the family of the deceased may be able to recover damages to pay for funeral expenses and other costs related to this tragedy.

A personal injury attorney should be contacted immediately so that all the evidence from the current investigation is preserved. A useful tool in determining whether any motor carrier violations were neglected is the driver’s log book. It will be able to show whether the driver was operating his tractor trailer on short rest or if he had it serviced by a certified mechanic before the crash. These logs are only required to be kept for a limited amount of time so a trucking accident lawyer needs to obtain them as soon as possible.

The Bradley Law Firm, based in St. Louis, handles tractor trailer accidents nationwide and has over 30 years of experience working on personal injury cases related to the trucking industry.

With some pushing for dedicated lanes on I-70 for big rigs and tractor trailers, I wanted to look at some statistics to see just how much more dangerous Missouri tractor trailer accidents are compared to passenger car crashes. Common sense would suggest that the large commercial shipping trucks with their tons of shipping freight would have a higher fatality rate. The numbers back this up and over the last few years, an accident involving a tractor trailer is two to three times more likely to produce a fatality than crashes involving only passenger cars.

Here are some of the raw numbers according to the Missouri Department of Transportation:

- Over the last couple years, Missouri has averaged over 8,400 accidents or crashes involving tractor trailers every year.

- In those accidents, an annual average of 154 fatalities was reported.

- In accidents where the tractor trailer was in the process of hauling a shipment, the fatality rate jumped to 2% meaning that in 1 out of every 50 Missouri crashes involving a loaded tractor trailer, somebody was killed.

- Missouri car accidents not involving a tractor trailer, while far more common, had a lower fatality rate. Of the 72,000+ car accidents every year, just 0.6% produced a fatality.

These statistics and the tragic stories behind them are what justify stricter regulation of the commercial shipping industry. While I’m not sure if having dedicated lanes on I-70 is part of the solution, it’s clear that tractor trailer crashes should be addressed differently than car accidents.

This concern goes further than highway design. Legal cases involving tractor trailers are handled differently than passenger car accidents. Punitive damages can be assessed to trucking companies that show a dangerous disregard for commercial trucking regulations. The laws for truck drivers are different than for the average driver, which is why an experienced Missouri tractor trailer accident lawyer should be contacted in the aftermath of a serious crash.

Some Missouri officials are debating a plan to limit catastrophic tractor trailer crashes and the serious personal injury that comes with them by adding extra truck-only lanes to Interstate 70, according to a report in the Kansas City Star.

The Star reports that officials have completed a study that suggests adding four lanes to I-70 that would be set aside for tractor trailers and other large shipping vehicles. These lanes would make up the center of the highway, with other traffic allowed to drive in the outer lanes.

The plan is still in the very early stages, but it appears likely that if the new lanes were to be added, Missouri highway planners would have them run nearly the entire length of I-70 between Kansas City and St. Louis, stopping somewhere just outside of the two metro areas.

Missouri’s plan is pretty unique, according to The Star’s report, as no other state has truck-only lanes on the scope that local officials have proposed.

Tractor trailer congestion has become a problem on Missouri roadways, especially I-70. Analysts are predicting that traffic could double on I-70 in the next 20 years. Missouri already sees over 8,000 tractor trailer crashes each year and as a Missouri tractor trailer accident lawyer who studies these cases, I know many result in serious personal injury or wrongful death. This number will only rise with the increase in traffic.