Wrong-way driving accidents are a serious problem on our roadways, accounting for approximately 500 fatalities every year. Wrong-way collisions (defined as a driver who operates their vehicle in the opposite direction of travel on a freeway or highway and collides with a vehicle traveling in the right direction) are a safety problem all drivers should be aware of.
We share the road with large trucks every day but it is not uncommon for drivers of smaller vehicles to get a little anxious when they see a big rig in their rearview mirror or driving alongside them. If you get a little tense sharing the road with large trucks, here are some safety tips that may help you destress and avoid an accident.
In 2022, 14% of motorists, or about one in seven drivers were uninsured, according to a 2023 study by the Insurance Research Council (IRC) (in Missouri, it was 16%). While all states require drivers to carry a minimum amount of car liability insurance on a vehicle, not everyone does so you want to make sure you have enough uninsured coverage.
In Missouri, drivers are required to carry a car liability insurance to protect and compensate others injured in a car accident where you are legally at fault, and uninsured insurance (UM) to protect you from drivers who do not have car insurance.
Distracted driving is a dangerous driving behavior. Between 2012 and 2020, more than 29,000 people have died in crashes related to driver distraction. In 2020 alone, 3,142 people died and 324,652 were injured. While we hear catch phrases centered around texting and driving (‘Arrive alive, don’t text and drive.’), distracted driving involves many activities that fall in three types, visual, manual and cognitive.
Routine maintenance and repairs on large commercial trucks need to be done to ensure the safety of the trucker and other motorists on the road. Defective equipment, such as faulty brakes, worn tires, steering issues and more, can lead to an accident. When a truck experiences equipment failures, due to its size and weight, it can result in serious, life-threatening injuries.
Truck drivers are subject to frequent inspections of their trucks to ensure they are fit for the road; if determined to be unsafe, they are required to undergo repairs before returning to the road.
Truck drivers work long hours, face strenuous deadlines and often have rigorous schedules. Drivers can suffer from a lack of adequate sleep, extended work hours, mental or physical exertion, all which can impair their driving performance. Is it any wonder that one of the causes for truck accidents is driver fatigue?
Truck drivers work long daily and weekly hours on a continual basis. Hours of Service, or HOS, regulations are to protect truck drivers and other motorists by preventing drivers from operating a vehicle unsafely due to overexertion and fatigue. These regulations generally place limits on how long a driver can operate a vehicle and be on duty.
Hours of Service, or HOS, refers to the maximum amount of time drivers are permitted to be on duty including drive time, and specifies number and length of rest periods to help ensure drivers stay awake and alert.
Gathering the right evidence after a devastating truck accident is critical if you or your passengers are injured. Know that some of the essential evidence that may be needed is different from an accident involving passenger vehicles.
Have you been the victim of a drunk driving accident? It seems logical that the one who should be compensating you for those skyrocketing medical bills lost wages and pain and suffering would be the inebriated driver.
Weather can be very unpredictable, especially in Missouri. One day, it might be sunny, warm, and dry. The next, it might be rainy, foggy, and cold. Our summers are hot and humid, while our winters can be bitterly cold. Large commercial truck drivers must be aware of the weather conditions they are driving in, keeping public safety in mind.
