Tag: Car accidents

ACCIDENTS

5 COMMON CAUSES OF MISSOURI TRUCK ACCIDENTS

A truck accident is just as it sounds, devastating and fatal. No one ever hopes to encounter a truck accident, but unfortunately, it happens every now and then on Missouri roads. Although the annual number of truck accidents in Missouri may seem low compared to the number of car accidents in the state, truck accidents are often more dangerous and fatal. According to the Missouri department of transportation reports, accidents involving commercial trucks and trailers account for 11-15% of traffic deaths every year. Let's look at some common causes of Missouri truck accidents to help you avoid them. 1. Driver fatigue Commercial truck driving can be a high-stress, high-pressure job. In most cases, truck drivers are required to deliver goods to certain destinations over a very short period. As such, they have to drive long distances with fewer breaks and rests to meet the delivery timelines. At times the distance to be driven requires the driver to spend several days on the road with a few hours of sleep. Consequently, they are fatigued, lose concentration, and have a slow reaction time to road emergencies. Others actually fall asleep unconsciously when driving, leading to accidents. According to a truck accident lawyer in Missouri, driver fatigue remains the most common cause of Missouri truck crashes. 2. Poor vehicle maintenance Commercial trucks are driven miles and miles for several days to deliver goods to different destinations. At times that involves driving on rough terrains to deliver goods in the rural areas. With the combination of harsh roads, weather extremities, constant driving, everyday wear, and tear and irregular maintenance, trucks tend to break down faster than regular vehicles. Also, truck failure on the road is usually hard to control than in standard vehicles, and motorists are at a higher risk of injury when a truck accident occurs. 3. Weather extremities Truck drivers are extremely affected by bad weather. As a matter of fact, truck drivers have difficulty maneuvering in bad weather conditions such as snow due to their heavy loads and slower stopping speeds. In most cases, a trucker or trailer is at risk of hydroplaning, flipping over, or jackknifing when it loses control due to bad weather, especially during winter. Always leave ample space when trailing a truck in bad weather. 4. Poor loading techniques Proper cargo loading is necessary for logistics. Warehouse workers should follow the appropriate cargo loading etiquette when loading cargo on trucks for transportation. But not all of them know the rules, and some ignore them. Poor loading techniques such as overhauling can cause a truck to malfunction while on the road. 5. Poor training There are strict requirements and even the number of training hours a driver should take to drive a commercial truck. However, some commercial truck drivers manage to hit the road without meeting those requirements. Such drivers put the other motorists at risk because they are not well trained and lack the experience to drive commercial trucks. The takeaway Always be extra careful when trailing a truck on the road. You should seek legal representation if you or a loved one is injured in a truck accident. Read Also: 7 Ways Truck Accidents Differ from the Regular Car Crashes 5 Different Types of Car Accident Claim 10 Causes Of Uber Accidents In The United States

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Injury

What if Multiple People are to be Blamed for your Injury?

Car accidents are by definition complicated, and when more than one person is to blame for one, they can get even more so. That is why it is so important to fully understand what just happened and where to place the blame. It is necessary to determine the group of people or an individual, whatever the case may be and figure out where responsibility is to be assigned for the crash and the resulting trauma. When We Talk About Fault, What Do We Mean? Legally, fault refers to the person accountable for affecting harm. This harm might have happened through careless actions that may be defined as negligence. Once the fault has been determined, the individual at fault is bound to pay-up compensation entirely for causing damage and other material or physical losses that result as a consequence of that injury. In case a lawsuit pertaining to a personal injury ends up at court, a civil jury can decide the result of the verdict in favor, which in turn could be a very substantial amount. Yet, in some cases, more than one person may be at fault. That means that both people involved in the accident may have contributed to it happening to a greater or lesser degree. This may result in both of them being considered at fault. To determine the amount of blame that falls on each individual in an injury case of a personal nature, all states follow some version legalities which involve one of two rules: Contributory negligence Comparative negligence Contributory Negligence: Negligence of a contributory nature considers that if you are in any way guilty of causing your own injury, you do not have the right to make anyone else accountable for it. In an ideal Contributory Negligence structure, if you are even 1% at fault, the law withholds you from collecting any compensation from a person who is potentially 99% at fault, even if you’re out hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages. If it is determined that you have been marginally negligent, you receive nothing. Although an extremely harsh rule, it is still commonly used in some states. Comparative Negligence: The first thing that must be figured out if one needs to understand the comparative negligence legality, is the extent of fault that falls on each person that was involved in the accident. In most instances, both individuals turn out to be negligent to a certain degree. The sitting judge or the as the case may be, would determine the percentage or quantum of fault assigned to each that contributed to the accident. It may be determined that one of them is 60% responsible while the other one is only 40% to blame. In these cases, each party can collect damages that are commensurate to the percentage of fault that would be assigned to the other party. Some states adhere to a strict comparative negligence rule, while others hold a structured point to determining the quantum of fault assigned to an injured plaintiff. What Legal Rule Does Florida Follow? Florida is a pure comparative negligence state. If you have been involved in a car accident and need someone to be by your side, there are several reputable personal injury lawyers, like the attorneys at Friedland& Associates, who are knowledgeable about the ins and outs of the Fort Lauderdale civil courts and car accident litigation. Call them today to receive a free consultation. Read Also: 5 Things To Look For In A Personal Injury Lawyer Do I Need A Lawyer For A Car Accident That Wasn’t My Fault?

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