Car and Trucks Accidents in Southwest Missouri
The News-Leader is reporting a fatality in a four car motor vehicle car accident on I-44 near Stotts City. From the report, it appears that a pickup truck pulling a trailer crossed into the left lane, struck a vehicle and crossed the median killing the oncoming driver. In this case median barrier cables apparently did not work.
I do not know the facts of this particular case and make no comment about the fault of the drivers in this tragedy. However as an attorney who travels I-44, Highway 65, Highway 60 and Highway 13 going to various courthouses around Southwest Missouri, frequently I see trucks (both pickup and semi trucks) whose drivers are not fully concentrating on the task at hand, driving and controlling their trailer. Too may times I have seen drivers that have poorly tied down loads or have their trailer overloaded or are driving too fast for the conditions. Frankly some of these drivers act like they are not pulling a trailer at all, but rather like they are driving a sports car. I cringe when I see these truck drivers talking on a cell phone. I hope that was not the case in this unfortunate instance.
Just last week I was on I-44 behind a gentleman pulling a junk laden pickup truck and trailer. It was a very windy March day and this gentleman was literally driving down the interstate using a lane and a half. He had a lit cigarette,was eating and obviously not concerned about how he was driving or the effect he was having on his fellow travelers.
So many of the motor vehicle accidents, car crash and semi truck accidents that occur could be avoided if the drivers were only giving their full or even primary attention to the most important task at hand, controlling their vehicle.
