Missouri Truck Accident Lawyer Blog

How commercial vehicles, such as trucks, semi-trucks, tractor trailers, and so on, are regulated and monitored in Kansas City Missouri might be more than you ever wanted to know, but it really is an important factor to highway and Missouri roadway safety. Commercial trucks account for over 12 percent of registered vehicles. However, unlike most registered vehicles, big rigs and trucks are on the road the majority of the time and commercial truck accidents happen every day. That is where MoDOT (Missouri Department of Transportation) comes in.

MoDOT has a department completely dedicated to commercial vehicle operations. MoDOT's Motor Carrier Services is responsible for interfacing with all commercial motor carriers who operate in the state. A commercial motor carrier is any business or person who provides transportation of property or people using a commercial vehicle. This includes passenger bus services, freight haulers, and delivery services.

Why Does MoDOT Motor Carrier Services Matter?
When it comes to commercial trucking and operating a commercial vehicle business there are a lot of rules, regulations, and licensing requirements, both on the state and the federal level. Many of these regulations are designed to improve safety and reduce truck accidents. MoDOT's Motor Carrier Services takes care of licensing, registration, inspections, permits, and collecting fees and related taxes.

As related to reducing truck accidents and promoting motor carrier safety, MoDOT Motor Carrier Services provides seminars and trainings designed to improve safety and reduce commercial vehicle accidents. They provide generalized training on safety regulations and also specialized seminars on topics such as hazardous materials and agricultural truck safety.

Continue reading "MoDOT Motor Carrier Services is Proactive for Reducing Commercial Truck Accidents in Kansas City and Throughout Missouri" »

Recently we did a blog post answering some of your more common questions about truck or tractor trailer accidents. So here are some more questions answered to help you sort out the complexities of accidents involving a commercial vehicle or trucking company in or around Kansas City, Blue Springs or Springfield, Missouri.

Is it safe to assume a professional truck driver is a good driver and drives to avoid accidents?
No. Like all professions there are a range of qualifications, experience, and professionalism. Some truck drivers are great, safe, and conscientious drivers who have never even come close to having an accident. And then there are those who are careless and even drive recklessly and who have several accidents on their record. Also, of course, there is a range of drivers in between. All tractor trailer/semi-truck/18 wheeler/cargo tanker/and so on drivers are required to have a special driver's license called a CDL (commercial driver's license). However there are truck driver's out there who do not have a valid license. In addition a good driver will have continuing education on safe driving and on safe driving for various vehicles. A driver's record and the trucking company's record on safety history, training, and hours of service tracking and enforcement, as well as pre-trip inspections and maintenance records are good indications for quality drivers. And this is one of the first places a lawyer and their team will investigate to support a personal injury claim.

What does Hours of Service mean and how does it factor into a truck accident?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a branch of the Department of Transportation, sets regulations and policies for motor carrier companies, truck drivers, and the trucking industry. One of the major regulations is called Hours of Service (HOS). Hours of service rules apply to how long a driver can be behind the wheel in a continuous stretch, over a 24-hour period, and over the course of a week. It is designed to prevent one of the largest contributing factors in truck accidents, driver fatigue. Drivers are required to log their driving time and keep the log available to inspectors such as Missouri State Highway Patrol. One of the problems in the past has been abusing the hours of service rule. Either a driver feels pressure from the company to meet deadlines or as a private contractor they can be trying to make as many runs as possible to make financial demands. Either way this is an important regulation and can be important in a personal injury suit.

Continue reading "More Frequently Asked Questions about Tractor Trailer Accidents in and around Kansas City, Missouri" »

Truck accidents in Kansas City, Lee Summit and throughout Missouri involving commercial trucks or tractor trailers can be complicated in part because there are several entities involved. The driver of the truck is operating as an employee or contractor and therefore issues of who is responsible are not as straight forward as in a car accident.

Here the Missouri truck accident lawyers provide a list of frequently asked questions regarding truck or tractor trailer accidents.

Why do I need a lawyer if the accident was not my fault?
Depending on the situation, a tractor trailer or truck involved accident also involves the motor carrier company who owns the truck, the owner of the freight or trailer, the insurance companies for each of these and for the driver. In some cases the driver can work for yet another company or agency. Add in all of these insurance companies and their lawyers and even if the accident was not your fault, all of these entities are working to reduce their loss and the amount of money they may need to pay out for claims and damages. Because of this you need a lawyer as soon as possible after the accident. A lawyer working for you will be able to protect your interests and help you prove your case.

Who should I talk to after the accident?
Talk to the police officers involved in investigating the accident. Seek medical attention if you are injured. But limit any conversation to the facts of the accident and your injuries. Do not assume or place blame. Simply describe what happened as best you can. Then contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. They will advise you on the best course of action. Do not sign any insurance paperwork or talk to any insurance representatives until you talk to a lawyer. It is important to sort out the facts first. In some cases an accident victim will sign away their rights or get less money for medical costs because they signed insurance claims too soon or were not aware of what they signed.