Truck Accident Lawyers St. Louis - Truck Accident Attorney

Truck Accident Lawyers St. Louis - Truck Accident Attorney

semi truck accidents

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

Distracted Driving Causes Semi Truck Accident

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In Washington, an enormous semi truck that was carrying thousands of pounds of bread, blocked all of Interstate 405’s southbound lanes, after it overturned during the morning commute on June 4.

The crash happened around 7 a.m. There were no serious injuries, though several people sustained minor injuries and were clearly shaken up after the unexpected accident. It took hours to clear the wrecked rig from the freeway.
According to one State Trooper, it would seem that the driver of the semi truck, a 29-year-old Olympia man, caused the accident. Police have not determined yet exactly what the driver was doing just before the accident, but it appears that he became distracted and crashed into three passenger vehicles, before the tractor trailer rig rolled over and landed on its side. All four freeway lanes were blocked. It took some heavy equipment to get all the wreckage cleared.

The semi driver was cited for second-degree negligent driving and fined $550.

The driver of the the car directly behind the semi told police that it appeared as if the semi truck driver didn’t brake in time as traffic was slowing in the lane ahead. He saw the huge rig veer first toward the shoulder and then careen back all the way across the entire four lanes of traffic, rolling over and onto its side.

He described the event. “He came right across the freeway, right in front of me. It was like something out of an action movie – I was expecting Arnold Schwarzenegger or somebody surfing on the back of the truck or something like that.” He was relieved that nobody was injured after witnessing the wreck, but said that it was “dumb” that the truck driver was distracted while driving.

A woman involved in the crash was driving through the area when the semi rig slammed into the back end of her SUV, crushing it. She said that to her it looked like the semi truck driver did his best to avoid hitting nearby vehicles. “I’m very thankful. I think the truck driver did a great job in going off to the side of the road. If he would have hit me head-on, I probably would not be here,” she said.

Another driver whose car was car clipped either by the semi or by some debris, reiterated the previous sentiment, that it was very fortunate that no one was seriously hurt.

“Maybe a higher power was looking out for us, and we were lucky today,” he says. “We’re all fortunate to be here. Damage to cars is fixable. Damage to people is not easily, and nobody’s damaged – and that’s a good thing.”

Missouri Truck Accident Attorneys

If you have been injured in a Missouri accident caused by the negligent actions of a semi driver, contact a Missouri truck accident attorney. A truck accident attorney will investigate the accident, obtain evidence like log book information, protect your legal rights, and get you the compensation you deserve.

Fortunately this particular accident did not result in serious injury or death for those involved, but there is always potential for these accidents to be devastating and deadly. It is important to waste no time finding an attorney who can help.

Call the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann at (314) 361-4300

 

photo credit: ReneS

Truck Accidents Involving HAZMAT Carriers

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Accidents involving large commercial trucks are serious incidents, especially when the accident involves a smaller passenger vehicle. However, when the truck is carrying a hazardous material, the accident can create an even more complicated circumstance.

In some cases people may survive the actual truck accident but may have injuries due to fires caused by the cargo or from chemical spills.

In this situation, the shipper of the goods, as well as the truck driver, may be liable. [Read more…]

Involved In A Truck Accident?

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No one expects an accident, but if one occurs, it is very important to know how to handle the situation and protect your case right from the start. Protecting yourself by avoiding driving in the blind spots of large vehicles, and closely following the rules of the road like never cutting in front of a semi-truck, paying close attention to a truck’s turn signals, and keeping your distance is sometimes is not enough.

Here are some helpful things to know in the event you are involved in a truck accident [Read More…]

Man Killed By a Tractor Trailer While Pushing His Stalled Car

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On Wednesday, October 10, 2012 a man was on the Chain of Rocks Bridge, pushing his stalled car. An approaching tractor trailer, who apparently did not see the man, hit him and then swerved into the concrete median and caught on fire.

Chain of Rocks Bridge

St. Louis police said that the man was pushing his car with the drivers side door open so that he could steer the vehicle. The car was apparently unlit, making it nearly invisible in the darkness of the early morning hours.

Large Truck Accidents are particularly horrible since the trucks are bigger and heavier than most vehicles on the road. When the human body is struck by such a force, the results are fatal.

Avoid an Accident

It is so important to move as far to the right side of the road as possible to avoid oncoming traffic. If there is not a shoulder to move over onto, get out of the flow of traffic as much as you can and then get away from the vehicle and walk facing traffic so you are able to see the oncoming cars and so they can see you. Remember to turn your hazard lights on so that your vehicle is visible to other cars, especially when it is dark.

These factors will help prevent this type of accident from occurring. However, there are truck accidents that happen that are difficult to prevent because the blame is on the driver of the truck.

Truck Accident Attorneys

Our St. Louis truck accident lawyer, James M. Hoffmann, is here to help if you or one of your family members has been affected by a truck accident in Missouri. Call the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann at (314) 361-4300 to discuss your case. You can also fill out our online contact form for a free and private consultation.

 

photo credit: Herkie