St. Louis Truck Accident Lawyer

Common Damages in a Blind Spot Trucking Accident

Blind spot trucking accidents can result in significant damage, including:

• Side-impact damage to vehicles
• Broken mirrors on both trucks and cars
• Structural damage to bridges, guardrails, or medians

In addition to vehicle and property damage, victims of these accidents often suffer catastrophic injuries. For instance, if a truck unexpectedly slams into the side of a nearby vehicle, the force could result in a traumatic brain injury. The violent impact may also cause the victim’s head and spine to jerk suddenly, leading to neck and spinal injuries. These types of injuries can be particularly costly due to the ongoing medical treatment required, which may extend for weeks, months, or even years.

Preventing Jackknife Tractor Trailer Accidents in St. Louis County

Many jackknife accidents can be avoided by driving cautiously and adjusting speed to match road conditions. For example, when there is moisture or ice on the road, truck drivers should take extra care and reduce their speed to avoid losing control.

If a jackknife accident occurs and it was not foreseeable or preventable, the injured party may not be able to recover damages. However, it is rare for such accidents to be entirely unavoidable. In most cases, a failure to take the necessary precautions leads to these dangerous incidents.

Preventing Jackknifing Through Mechanical Checks

Regular mechanical checks can significantly reduce the risk of jackknifing. One of the leading causes of these accidents is defective tires and wheels, which can be easily remedied by monitoring them during stops and transit. By making these checks routine every time the truck stops, the likelihood of accidents caused by equipment failure decreases.

How to Reduce a Truck’s Weight

To ensure compliance with federal regulations, trucking companies should carefully monitor the weight of their vehicles. In addition to adhering to these rules, truckers can utilize weigh stations during their journey to keep track of their load weight. Proper weigh-ins at the pickup location and maintaining accurate logs are crucial. This way, if the truck is found to be overweight at a station, the records can show that the incorrect weight was provided at the pickup point.

Characteristics of an Overweight or Overloaded Truck

According to St. Louis County truck regulations, a truck is considered overweight if its gross vehicle weight exceeds 80,000 pounds. However, there are additional weight limitations to consider:

• Interstate system: No more than 20,000 pounds per axle.
• Missouri highways: No more than 22,000 pounds per axle.
• Commercial zones (per Section 304.190): No more than 22,400 pounds per axle.

It’s also important to note that the manufacturer’s weight rating for the steering axle and tires must not be exceeded.

The Dangers of Operating an Overloaded Truck

Operating a truck over the allowable weight poses several dangers. Most obviously, it becomes a hazard to other vehicles on the road. Additionally, overweight trucks contribute to the destruction of roadways and bridges, leading to long-term damage and costly repairs.

Missouri Statute Section 304.200 does provide permits for vehicles carrying non-divisible loads that exceed legal dimensions or weights. However, these permits come with restrictions, including prohibiting movement on holidays such as:

• New Year’s Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving
• Christmas

The Reality of Overweight Trucks

Although the percentage of trucks operating over the safe weight limit is relatively low, the numbers are still staggering. Each year, over 208 million trucks are weighed, and despite strict regulations, tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of semi-trucks are found to be overweight. The sheer volume of these trucks presents a serious concern, even if the actual percentage is small.