By Zane T. Cagle | April 25, 2016 | Car Accidents, Featured, Personal Injury, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death
Saturday morning, on US 36 and Sharp Road at Stewartsville, two sisters of Bethany, Missouri were killed in collision with a tractor-trailer.
Tractor-trailer crashes are typically some of the most dangerous due to the large weight deferential between semi-trucks and passenger cars.
The sisters were traveling westbound on U.S. 36 when a tractor-trailer, driven by a 25 year-old Stockton, California man rear-ended their Chevrolet Impala driven by the 86 year old sister. The Impala came to rest in the median and the tractor-trailer pulled over tot he right shoulder.
Both victims were wearing seatbelts according to the Missouri Highway Patrol report and both were pronounced dead at the scene.
While the amount of property damage does not always coincide with the degree of injury, in this particular crash the property damage was severe for both vehicles. The Chevy Impala was totaled and the tractor trailer was reported with “extensive” damage. Often, in similar crashes, the passenger vehicle may be the only vehicle that sustains serious damage.
The driver of the tractor trailer was reported as not injured. After looking at the photographs of the passenger vehicle, it is obvious it was a traumatic crash as it is difficult to even tell what kind of vehicle it was.
At this time, it is unclear why the semi-truck rear-ended the passenger vehicle.
While investigators continue to investigate this fatal crash and the complete analysis is not completed, there are several common causes of rear-end collisions:
Because over-the-road transportation companies can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, they are held to a higher standard of safety including driver performance and maintenance of the vehicles. Commercial drivers have to be professional trained and must follow FMCSA regulations for hours of service so that they are not driving fatigued. When tractor-trailers crashes occur, passenger vehicles generally suffer the brunt of the collision.
Because of the high number of serious injuries and fatalities involved in truck crashes, they have to be closely monitored for safety. Of course, at this time we do not know if the crash occurred due to the truck driver’s error or if there was possible mechanical failure. Finding out these factors is extremely crucial for future safety and also for the families of the victims.
Truck accidents are very different than regular motor vehicle accidents involving only passenger vehicles. When serious injuries are involved or when a wrongful death is the result, contacting an expert truck accident attorney is crucial. In the days following a wrongful death, it is very difficult for the families to think about insurance and legal questions. We understand that nightmare after the wrongful death of a loved one and we understand that families need an expert attorney to handle insurance and legal issues so that they can focus on grieving and coping with all of the changes that loss of a loved one means.
Consultations and information is always free and confidential at our firm.
The Cagle Law Firm serves accident and injury clients throughout St. Louis and the greater St. Louis metro area, including St. Louis Counties of Chesterfield, Wildwood, Eureka, Ladue, Olivette, Clayton, Kirkwood, Fenton, Affton, and Jefferson Counties of Arnold, High Ridge, Antonia, House Springs, and the eastern Missouri and southern Illinois communities. If you or your family needs legal assistance with your personal injury case, call The Cagle Law Firm at (314) 276-1681 or use our online contact form to request a free case review or get more information.
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