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Trucking Accidents

• One Injured in Semi-Truck Accident on I-435 in Northland Kansas City

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Get the facts about Missouri trucking accidents.

1. There are over 15 million commercial trucks operating in the United States. Around 2 million are tractor-trailers.

2. There are about 500,000 trucking accidents each year. Approximately 5,000 result in fatalities.

3. Trucking accidents cause approximately 133,000 injuries a year.

4. In Kansas, there were 2,059 semi truck crashes in 2008. Forty-two of these Kansas 18-wheeler crashes resulted in fatalities.

5. In Missouri, there were 4,341 tractor-trailer crashes in 2008. Sixty-four of these Missouri trucking accidents resulted in at least one roadway fatality.

6. In the United States, there are over 2.5 million truck drivers that work for over 500,000 trucking companies.

7. The legal weight limit for an 18-wheeler is 80,000 pounds or 14 tons. However, some trucks operate with oversize or overweight permits. The average car weighs only 5,000 pounds.

8. A semi truck has 10 brakes. How long it takes to come to a complete stop depends on the weight of the load, where the load is placed, road conditions, and weather conditions, but on average, it takes a truck 40% more time to come to a stop than it would take a car.

9. Common causes of 18-wheeler accidents include:

• • Failure to accommodate for blind spots
• • Brake failure
• • Debris or other objects in the road
• • Driver fatigue or sleeping at the wheel
• • Excessive speed
• • Failure to follow rules of the road
• • Tire failure or separation
• • Driving while under the influence of medication, illegal drugs or alcohol
• • Improper loading or unsecured cargo

10. Trucking accidents are not like car accidents. They require an attorney with knowledge of the rules and laws that govern the rucking industry. Victims of Kansas City truck accidents must be able to prove the following in order to be compensated for their injuries:

• • The truck driver was negligent
• • The truck driver’s negligence caused injury or death to the accident victim

These are facts, but if you have been injured in a crash with an 18-wheeler then the facts aren’t so important. What is important is getting you the help you need so you can recover from your injuries and get back to living your life. The Kansas City personal injury lawyers at Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys can help. Contact our office at 1-888-348-2616 to schedule a free initial consultation with one of our trucking accident attorneys.

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Latest News

• Posted on 1/19/2012Driver Injured when Semi-Truck Over Turns in North Kansas City
• Posted on 11/14/2011Missouri Family Awarded $7 million After Fatal Trucking Accident

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FAQs

Trucking Accidents

• How long do I have to file a Kansas City truck accident lawsuit in Kansas and when should I contact a Kansas City truck accident lawyer?
  

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