Truck Accident Lawyers St. Louis - Truck Accident Attorney

Truck Accident Lawyers St. Louis - Truck Accident Attorney

Truck Accident Lawyers Advice

Motorist Awarded in Tractor Trailer Accident That Resulted in a TBI

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Accidents that involve tractor trailers can be incredibly serious.

While the driver of the semi truck may walk away with minor injuries, drivers and passengers in smaller vehicles can sustain catastrophic injuries. And unfortunately, it is not uncommon for these accidents to result in death.

This is one of the many reasons why it is so important for trucking companies and their drivers to understand the gravity of the job that they do, and take all of the necessary actions to prevent accidents and keep other drivers safe. When drivers and their employers fail to do so they can be held liable for the injuries or wrongful death that occurs as a result of the accident.

One example of such an incident was a case in California in 2008. A jury awarded one motorist $12.2 million after he sustained a traumatic brain injury in an accident with a YRC tractor trailer on Interstate 15 in San Diego County. The man was driving a Chevrolet Metro that was struck by two wheels which came off the rear axle of the tractor trailer he was driving near. As the wheels hit his vehicle, the man, who was wearing a seat belt, struck his head hard against the roof of his car.

The accident caused injuries to the man’s neck, spine, back, and brain. He needed surgery on his neck, and will most likely suffer from chronic pain for the rest of his life. Before the accident he worked as an airplane mechanic, but lost his job because he was unable to perform necessary functions. Additionally, his brain, memory, ability to concentrate, or focus his attention, as well as his personality were all affected by the accident.

His resulting medical bills were in excess of $235,000 at the time of the trial, and were expected to eventually exceed $1.2 million.

The trucking company admitted their liability in causing the accident, but claimed that the man’s injuries were exaggerated and were actually caused by a condition unrelated to the accident, and this was the real reason for his neck surgery. Experts testified that the man did truly suffer from a brain injury and physicians who treated him verified that the injury significantly impacted his life. Still, throughout the trial the trucking company maintained that his traumatic brain injury was not real.

The jury, however, disagreed with the trucking company, finding that there was sufficient evidence to prove them wrong. They returned with a verdict for the plaintiff of $12.2 million. The jury recognized that the man’s ability to earn a living would be jeopardized because he could no longer do the work he was trained to do. For this reduction in wage earning capacity, medical care, pain and suffering, the jury awarded him the $12.2 million.

Missouri Truck Accidents

If you are injured in an accident with a large commercial vehicle, contact an experienced Missouri truck accident attorney at the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann. We will work to protect your rights and get you the compensation you deserve.

Contact us today regarding a free and private consultation.

 

 

photo credit: SoulRider.222

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

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Accidents involving commercial trucks happen every day.

This multi-billion dollar industry is good at transporting cargo from one place to another quickly and efficiently, but unfortunately in the process sometimes the hurry to get somewhere can cause an accident. These accidents can then result in catastrophic injuries and loss for those involved. Trucks are able to cause far greater devastation than other accidents, so there are likely to be more injuries and more vehicles affected when a crash involves a huge vehicle like a semi truck or tractor triler. The damages that these vehicles can do is immense because they are 20 times the size of regular vehicles and weigh significantly more.

A few common causes of truck accidents are equipment failure, driver error, improper loading, and weather conditions.

Driver Error, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, is the most likely of the top common causes of truck accidents. In fact, driver error is ten times more likely to cause a truck accident crash than any of the other contributing factors. Driver error can include substance abuse, driver fatigue, distraction, or general inattention. Truck drivers need to be extra diligent because a minor error in another vehicle will be much more difficult to correct or recover from than it would be in a smaller vehicle.

Truck Equipment Failure is second to driver error in causing crashes. Failures in trucking equipment can include errors in tire design, mechanical problems, failure to provide reverse-detection warning devices, and design errors, among many others.

Because equipment failure can be so dangerous, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires trucking companies and every truck driver to perform inspections prior to each trip. They also require that trucks be maintained and inspected at regular intervals throughout the year. If trucking companies were compliant with these regulations, mechanical failures would be far less common. Common issues like blown out tires would become obsolete. But because trucking companies choose to disregard the guidelines, many more truck accidents occur than would have to.

Weather conditions can have a huge effect on how trucks operate and are driven. Braking is made more difficult in adverse weather conditions like rain or snow. And poor visibility can be even more dangerous for big vehicles than for smaller vehicles, as huge vehicles are much more difficult to steer.

Truck drivers have a schedule to keep, and oftentimes do not factor weather conditions into drive time and end up having to rush, which can be incredibly dangerous.

Improper loading
Loading is extremely important. Improper loading causes imbalance which can lead to truck malfunction or even rollover. Another frightening, but all too common problem, is when an unsecured load becomes loose and fall off the back of the truck into the road.

Improper care in selecting a truck driver or company
In some cases trucking companies do not properly select drivers with enough care. This may be a case of not checking credentials, not drug testing regularly, etc. When hiring a trucking company or truck driver, it is very important that you look for credentials and reputation.

St. Louis Truck Accident Attorney

If you have been injured in a trucking accident, contact experienced St. Louis truck accident attorney James M. Hoffmann as soon as possible. At the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann we will investigate the crash, determine fault, and pursue damages for the losses and injuries you experienced in the accident.

To schedule a free consultation call us today at (314) 361-4300.

 

photo credit: TarahDawdy

Safety Precautions Around 18-Wheelers & Semi Trucks

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Be extra cautious and alert while driving near semi trucks.

When driving close to a huge 18-wheeler, semi truck, or tractor trailer on the highway, many of us get an uneasy feeling. This happens for a good reason. These vehicles are incredibly dangerous and we should absolutely be extra cautious when we are driving anywhere near them. If a tire blows, if a driver nods off or becomes distracted, if the load in the back of the truck becomes unbalanced, the chances of catastrophe are great.

There is very little we can do to control these things besides operate our own vehicles with extra caution and avoid tangling with these huge beasts. Always be extra attentive and drive your vehicle responsibly when around such massive trucks. Never act out of impatience or make rash decisions, as semi truck drivers are very often unable to get their vehicles to react as quickly as needed. You need to make sure that your own actions do not contribute to causing an accident.

The best way to protect yourself and your family and avoid an accident with a semi truck is to observe the following suggestions:

Stay a safe distance away

Once you realize that semi trucks can carry up to 80,000 pounds, cautiously staying a safe distance away from them should not be too difficult. Any vehicle of that size and weight can do an incredible amount of damage. Braking quickly is not the forte of these vehicles, so try not to drive near these vehicles for very long. If you need to pass, do it as quickly as possible while remaining safe. Always leave a lot of space ahead of the semi truck.

Remain in the semi’s field of vision

Obviously the blind spots of these vehicles will be significantly larger than for standard vehicles. As a rule of thumb you should remember that you should be able to see the semi truck driver in his or her mirrors. If you cannot see them, they cannot see you.

You should pay extra attention to a semi truck’s turn signals so that you can provide enough room for the truck to safely change lanes or turn.

Take road and weather conditions into consideration

Weather conditions that affect roads and driving like rain, snow, sleet, fog, smoke, etc., greatly increase the risk of an accident because you are less able to control your vehicle, truck drivers will be less able to control their own vehicles, and there is decreased visibility. Always drive slowly and carefully and be sure to leave plenty of room between your car and other vehicles on the road.

Another tip is to get into the left lane when a truck is entering the highway from an entrance ramp.

Be prepared

Prepare for the unexpected. This is just a reiteration of “be extra cautious and alert,” because becoming complacent or distracted is one of the worst things drivers can do.  Always allow extra time and space and expect the unexpected. Tire blowouts or loose debris are not uncommon when it comes to 18 wheelers or other large semis, so be aware, it may save your life.

St. Louis Truck Accident Attorney

If you have been involved in an accident with a semi truck, contact a St. Louis truck accident attorney right away. While there are things you can do to stay safer, there are many regulations that truck drivers must follow. They have a major responsibility to take actions that protect other drivers as well. If a truck driver is negligent and causes an accident you may be able to obtain compensation for your injuries and other losses related to the accident. A Missouri semi truck accident attorney can assess the situation and protect your legal rights.

To speak with a truck accident lawyer, call the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann at (314) 361-4300.

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Contact us regarding a free consultation.

Truck Making Illegal U-Turn Kills Woman & Two Children

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If you have been involved in a Missouri truck accident, contact the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann.

On a New Jersey highway on Friday, August 2, a tractor trailer allegedly made an illegal U-turn and crashed into an SUV. The collision resulted in the death of a mother and her two sons. According to Mercer County prosecutors, the crash took place on Route 1 in Lawrence. The tractor trailer and the SUV were both traveling south on Brunswick Pike.

The family who was killed in the crash was from Levittown, Pennsylvania. Jamella Tisdale, 25, her infant son Jaden, and 9-year-old son Jaevon Durante were all killed in the crash. But Tisdale’s husband, Shaqwan, and Tisdale’s 8-year-old daughter, who were both involved in the crash as well, are currently hospitalized and in stable condition.

The truck driver, 45-year-old Richard Williams of Brooklyn, New York, was held on $100,000 bail following the accident. It appears that Williams was in the middle of making an illegal U-turn when the family’s Chevrolet Tahoe struck the truck. In the impact the SUV went underneath the tractor trailer and the woman and her sons were crushed.

Shaqwan Tisdale, 25, was driving the Tahoe. According to his website he is a musician, life coach, and an author. He and his family were headed to a concert to celebrate his album release at Lighthouse Outreach Ministry on Bellvue Avenue in Trenton when the accident happened.

The driver of the tractor trailer has now been charged with three counts of death by auto.

When emergency responders arrived at the scene of the accident they found the tractor trailer in the middle of the Brunswick Pike and Darrah Lane intersection at 6:30 p.m. The SUV was wedged three-fourths of the way beneath the bed of the trailer. Before they could safely remove the passengers from the trapped SUV, they had to first quickly stabilize the bed of the tractor trailer, related Trenton Battalion Chief Robert Tharp. This process took several hours to complete and firefighters used all of the equipment and tools available them to free the victims. Tharp said, “we had everything — hydraulic equipment, air bags.”

The accident is still under investigation, but at this point it does not appear that drugs or alcohol played a part in the crash, and it does not appear that either driver was speeding, says First Assistant Prosecutor Angelo Onofri.  “It appears like the truck driver was lost in the area,” Onofri said.

St. Louis Truck Accident Attorney

Semi truck accidents can be extremely complicated. There are both federal and state laws that govern the operation of these large vehicles because they can pose a significant danger to other drivers, their passengers, pedestrians, and anyone else in their path. If your family has been the victim of a truck accident in Missouri, contact a Missouri semi truck accident attorney at the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann. You may be entitled to compensation for damages, but acting quickly is important so that your attorney has the opportunity to preserve evidence that will protect your legal rights.

To schedule a free consultation call us at (314) 361-4300
or fill out our Online Case Evaluation Form.

 

 

photo credit: aaron_anderer

Semi Truck Accident In Missouri Shuts Down Interstate 44

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The Missouri State Highway Patrol closed Eastbound Interstate 44 near I-270 Tuesday, July 23, following an accident that involved a semi truck and several cars.

An accident that had taken place in the westbound lanes had directed the attention of drivers heading eastbound away from the road. Traffic had slowed due to the accident as drivers tried to catch a glimpse of what happened. But the driver of a semi tractor trailer was unable to slow down and ended up hitting a car. The semi truck driver lost control of the attached trailer, struck two other vehicles, and then smashed into a ditch.

On May 16 eastbound Interstate 270 needed to be closed completely following an accident that involved three semi trucks. The accident happened on the Chain of Rocks Bridge in Madison County on Thursday, May 16.

Around 7:00 a.m traffic was moving slowly on Interstate 270 near the Riverview exit. One of the semi trucks came to a stop, and another semi truck that was following behind it, then slammed into the back of the first vehicle. The second truck was loaded with asphalt and the truck cab detached from the back end of the vehicle in the impact.

The chain reaction crash ended up involving a third semi that was traveling in another lane as it was hit by the trailers of the other two semis.

Two people were injured in the crash, but sustained only minor injuries and were treated at the local hospital.

The Interstate was closed for several hours but was reopened around 10:00 a.m. Traffic was backed up for miles. This was the second day in a row that the Interstate was shut down near the Chain of Rocks Bridge.

Luckily, no one was seriously injured in either of these crashes. The potential for catastrophic injuries or death in semi truck accidents is huge. Drivers and occupants of passenger vehicles are most at risk of injury or death if involved in an accident with these much larger vehicles.

Even before they are loaded full of thousands of pounds of cargo these vehicles are massive and already dangerous. Because there is such potential for injury and harm to others, it is crucial that trucking companies and their drivers follow the state and federal regulations that are in place to keep drivers safe.

St. Louis Truck Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one have been injured in a semi truck accident you may be entitled to compensation for property damage, pain and suffering, lost wages, present and future medical expenses, and other damages relating to your injury and the financial losses resulting from the accident. An experienced Missouri truck accident attorney will investigate the accident, determine liability and procure evidence to support allegations of negligence against the driver and trucking company. It is important to act quickly in order to make sure your attorney has a chance to preserve evidence and maximize your ability to recover compensation.

To speak with an experienced St. Louis truck accident lawyer contact the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann by calling (314) 361-4300 or by filling out our online contact form.

Semi Truck Carrying 5,400 Gallons Of Fuel Overturns

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When the trucks contain thousands of pounds of material, they can become even more dangerous.

tanker truck accident ST. Louis

On Wednesday, July 24, just south of Eldon, Missouri, a semi truck that was transporting fuel overturned on U.S. Highway 54. The Missouri State Highway Patrol got a call around 2:00 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, relating that a tanker truck had blown a tire on Highway 54, overturned, and crashed over the side of an embankment. The accident happened approximately one mile west of U.S. Highway 54 exit 52/54.

The truck contained 5,400 gallons of fuel and after it overturned, was leaking fuel. Another truck was sent to retrieve what fuel was left about an hour and a half after the accident.

The Highway Patrol reported that the semi truck driver was moderately injured in the accident and was taken to Capital Region Hospital in Jefferson City.

The Eldon Fire Department as well as a Miller County Ambulance, Cole County HazMat team, and emergency responders from Mid-County, Rocky Mount, Lake Ozark, Osage Beach and Jefferson City fire protection districts, were dispatched to the scene of the accident. One westbound traffic lane on Highway 54 was closed well into the evening, as crews worked to clear the accident, direct traffic, and assist with the spill.

While the truck driver came away from the accident relatively unscathed, it is the drivers and passengers of smaller vehicles that usually sustain devastating injuries in accidents involving semi trucks. The disparity in size and weight gives little chance to other drivers of walking away without being seriously injured or killed. When the trucks contain thousands of pounds of material, they can become even more dangerous.

St. Louis Truck Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one have been in an accident involving a commercial truck, contact the St. Louis Truck Accident Lawyer at the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann. The physical and financial consequences of such an accident can be devastating. We are experienced Truck Accident Lawyers who know how to win against trucking companies. Call us today at (314) 361-4300 for a free and private consultation.

 

photo credit: Rohan Phillips