The first collision occurred just after Noon on I-55 at Butler Hill Road in St. Louis County. According to reports in the news, a tractor trailer containing some type of oxidizer, a hazardous material, caught fire in a northbound lane. The fire was put out but later reignited. The smoke and fire was reported across news channels and social media. Viewing the wreckage and knowing someone died in the fiery trucks was haunting. Even though car crashes are seemingly part of our daily St. Louis commute, the events on I-55 will remain in our minds for quite some time while investigators work.
Second Incident
About 1:30 p.m, on I-55 at 141 Highway, also in the northbound lane, traffic from the first wreck caused a back up and a tractor trailer rear-ended another tractor trailer. An explosion cuased by the collision sent smoke into the air. Reportedly, the driver of the first truck was able to escape but the driver of the other truck died at the scene. Reportedly, the truck exploded on impact and other vehicle passengers and drivers felt helpless as they watched the tragedy.
Rock Community Fire Protection District Spokesperson Ron Harder said, “One of our engine companies was right here in the area as the call was being dispatched, they saw the heavy fire and smoke and were able to get on the scene immediately and start putting water on it, however, the severe heat was really against us from the beginning, and when you’re on the highway, water is of a minimum”. As well, several firefighters were overcome by heat as temperatures soared into the high 90′s yesterday. Traffic was back up most of the afternoon and into the evening as accident reconstruction experts and investigators went to work.
Truck Accidents Differ From Car Accidents
Investigators have to try to determine what set off these chain of events. The first truck fire is enough to shut down an interstate, but the issue of liability becomes more complex when a second crash occurs if it is found the first crash was a “cause”. The investigators of the second crash certainly will have to look at the causes of that crash independently such as determining if stopping time was available, if the driver was driving to fast for conditions, if a driver was inattentive, rule out brake failure and a number of other factors.
Commercial trucks and commercial truck drivers must follow rules of the road just as drivers of passenger cars and trucks, however, commercial trucks and drivers also must follow the rules and regulations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The FMCSA implements specific rules and regulations regarding truck maintenance and repair to specific time limits that truck drivers may drive between rests. Most individuals are not familiar with trucking regulations, but when a truck is involved in an accident, investigations are required because truck accidents are usually serious due to their size. Accidents involving serious injury and/or fatalities require investigation for a couple of reasons. One, the accident is investigated in order to determine causes and liability or “fault” in a crash. Second, the accidents are investigated for safety reasons–data from the accident contributes to the large body of information so scientist and analyst can look for ways to prevent like injuries and death.
If you Are in a Truck Accident
If you are reading this article, then chances are good you are gathering information because you or someone close to you has been in an accident and you are searching for information and trying to figure out how to navigate through medical bills, recovery and the thought of future costs. You do not have to do that alone after a truck accident . An accident seems straightforward–someone was hurt and the person responsible should accept responsibility and make it right. Unfortunately, it does not always work that way. What one thinks “making it right” involves if it is the accident is their fault and what one thinks “makes it right” when they are the injured party are sometimes two different perspectives. At The Cagle Law Firm, we represent seriously injured victims of accidents because we understand the traumatic event even a minor car accident can be and how overwhelming a serious accident of any kind really is.
Our attorneys are available seven days a week to answer your questions and help you determine if you in fact, even need a personal injury attorney. Call 1(800) 685-3302 toll free or (314) 276-1681 locally. Your case is safe with us.