MO Commercial Vehicle Accident Statistics

Violation of a law or regulation can be used to establish negligence on the part of a trucking company or truck driver after an accident.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol has released the statistics for commercial motor vehicle accidents in Missouri for 2011. The figures include trucks which have a gross vehicle weight of at least 10,001 pounds, buss and school buses which can carry 16 or more passengers, and vehicles that have hazardous material placards on them.

Out of all the traffic accidents in 2011, 9.2% involved a commercial vehicle. Of all the fatal accidents that took place, 15.2% involved at least one commercial vehicle.

The statistics show that one person was killed or injured every 2.4 hours due to commercial vehicle accidents. A larger percentage of accidents took place in urban areas compared to rural areas.

Accidents with large tractor trailers are the most dangerous types of accidents. These trucks weigh as much ass 80,000 pounds and when they collide with a smaller passenger vehicle, the results are often devastating. It is generally the motorist and not the trucker who sustains the most serious injuries.

The trucking industry is highly regulated. However, violation of a law or regulation can be used to establish negligence on the part of a trucking company or truck driver after an accident.  Truck drivers are not always solely to blame. Trucking companies may pressure drivers to violate hours-of-service rules to deliver their loads on time, skimp or delay truck maintenance or hire unqualified drivers.

Truck Accident Lawyers

The Zevan and Davidson Law Firm is a trial law firm with a track record of obtaining results in truck accident cases in both Missouri and Illinois. Our firm’s principle, David Zevan, is a member of the Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers Association and the American Association for Justice Interstate Trucking Litigation Group.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, contact us at (314) 588-7200 for a free and private consultation. Through the efforts of our dedicated team of professionals we have earned a reputation for taking on the most complicated cases and achieving success for our clients.