On August 29, 2009, the Missouri Highway Patrol reported the collision of two Freightliner Dump Trucks on Highway 24, four miles East of Moberly, Missouri in Randolph County. The accident apparently occurred as the Eastbound driver attempted to avoid a collision with a vehicle that had pulled into its path. The Eastbound driver lost control of his vehicle, crossed the center line and struck the Westbound Freightliner dump truck. Authorities closed the highway for a period of time while rescue workers and medical personnel tended to the injured drivers and cleared the wreckage.
Commercial vehicles, large trucks and construction equipment often co-exist on highways that are occupied primarily by small passenger vehicles. Not only do commercial truck drivers need to be aware of the special circumstances presented by the large vehicles they are driving, but other drivers on the road also need to use caution in their presence. Driving errors that may be insignificant and without consequence where small vehicles are concerned can result in catastrophe when a large truck is involved.
Some accidents occur because of a driver of a passenger vehicle's ignorance of a truck's performance capabilities, including limits associated with acceleration, braking, and visibility. Some examples of unsafe driving that often cause accidents are changing lanes abruptly in front of a truck; merging improperly into traffic causing a truck to maneuver or brake suddenly; or driving in the areas behind and beside a commercial truck where the truck driver has limited visibility.
While there are many skilled and patient commercial truck drivers, there are dangers inherent in the operation of large commercial vehicles. It is imperative that the drivers of large vehicles have adequate training regarding driving techniques, safety, and defensive driving. Driver fatigue and improper or inadequate vehicle maintenance are also common causes of trucking accidents.
If you or a loved one are injured in a truck related accident, it is important that you get experienced legal representation as soon as possible. The attorneys at Tatlow, Gump, Faiella & Wheelan, LLC have successfully handled many trucking related injury cases and have the knowledge and experience to properly evaluate and pursue your claim against the negligent driver or company that caused your injuries.
