Last June a Missouri man sustained moderate injuries when he was involved in an accident with a semi-truck on Missouri Route 79 near Hancock St. in Foley, Missouri. The accident happened on June 19, 2012 around 10:30 am.
The 74-year old man, of Troy, Missouri, was traveling southbound in his 2004 Honda Goldwing on Route 79 at the same time another man of St. Louis, Missouri, age 27, was driving the same direction in a 2004 Freightliner Conventional. The freightliner was directly behind the older man, and when the Honda stopped at an intersection to yield to oncoming traffic, the driver of the Semi was unable to come to a complete stop and collided with the rear end of the Honda. The collision of the large freightliner with the Honda sent the Honda off the road and it's driver was ejected from the vehicle in the crash.
The freightliner was only damaged in minor ways but the Honda sustained more much m
ore damage.
The older man driving the Honda also sustained injuries in the crash, which were assessed by medical responders and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. He was then taken to Mercy Hospital in Creve Coeur, Missouri via helicopter.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration relates that being ejected from a vehicle when a collision occurs is “one of the most injurious events that can happen to a person in a crash.” Unfortunately, studies show that almost 70% of vehicle passengers involved in crashes who were ejected from the vehicle were killed as the result of the injuries they sustained. Similar studies also show that the majority of people - around 90% - who are ejected from a vehicle in a crash were not wearing a seat belt. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration cautions that wearing a seat belt is one of the best ways to minimize chances of being ejected from your vehicle in an accident and reduce the risk of serious injury or fatality. Whether a person is completely ejected from the vehicle or only partially ejected, they can sustain serious injuries, or even be killed. In an accident that involves a semi-truck it is unfortunately not uncommon for there to be fatalities in the crash.
Seat belts can only minimize risk of ejection or injury, but cannot completely eliminate the risk of ejection. Wearing a seat belt is required by Missouri statute and all drivers and vehicle occupants should be compliant with this regulation when on the road. Accidents involving large semi-trucks are especially likely to result in catastrophic injuries. Wearing a seat belt is one of the ways drivers can protect themselves when sharing the road with these huge vehicles.
Drivers or vehicle occupants who are not wearing seat belts could be held partially responsible if the decision to not wear a seat belt contributed to the degree of injuries sustained in the accident.
Missouri Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer
If you have been injured in an accident with a semi-truck, contact a Missouri semi-truck accident attorney as soon as possible. The aftermath of these accidents can be complex. Having an experienced semi-truck accident attorney on your side will help maximize your chances of getting the settlement you deserve so that you can focus on recovery.
