Two Dead In Tragic Colorado Semi Truck Accident
A truck accident in Glenwood Springs, Colorado occurred when a semi-truck carrying a load of 38-foot steel pipes was traveling on an elevated section of the highway. The semi-truck was allegedly speeding and took a corner too fast, rolling over and causing the load of steel pipes to spill on the lanes below. The load of pipes hit another semi-truck, a pick-up truck and a sedan.
The driver of the second semi, who was hit with the pipes, and the passenger in the pick-up both died. Charges have not been decided for the driver of the initial semi; generally however, a car accident resulting from direct fault, such as speeding, is a good sign liability.
Government regulations fix speed limits to state the legal maximum speed to which is deemed reasonable and proper for a certain area, while taking into consideration other surrounding circumstances. Violations of the stated speed limit may determine liability for negligence.
Under the Corpus Juris Secundum (CJS), the basic rule of speed states that no person should drive a vehicle on the highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent, nor should any person drive at a greater speed than will permit the driver to exercise proper control, to decrease speed or to stop as may be necessary to avoid a Missouri truck collision.
Further, operators of motor vehicles must exercise reasonable and ordinary care for the protection and safety of themselves and others, and have due regard for the traffic conditions under which they are driving: the failure to observe such duties constitutes evidence of negligence.
The Department of Transportation (DOT), aims to provide guidance to State and local governments in setting speed limits, especially for highways, that maximize the efficient transportation of people and goods, yet still eliminate the risk of crashes due to dangerous speeds. This policy suggests all levels of government should use the most cost-effective strategies for decreasing vehicle crash risks from speeding. These strategies include:
(1) ensuring that posted speed limits are reasonable and appropriate for conditions;
(2) providing public information and education on the risks associated with speeding;
(3) understanding who speeds, where, when, and why;
(4) using a variety of techniques and technologies beyond enforcement for speed management; and
(5) targeting enforcement where speeding presents the most serious hazard and accompanying it with public information and education.
The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration reports that at least a third of all accidents are caused by speeding and loss of control due to excessive speed.
As an experienced Missouri truck accident lawyer, I am happy to discuss your case with you and answer any questions you may have. If requested, I will immediately alert our accident investigation team and begin taking the same action as the truck company and their insurance company.
The call and consultation are free. I can be reached 24 hours a day at 314.322.8515 or toll free at 1.800.500.INJURY (4658). Call me personally and I will answer all the questions and concerns you may have. There is no fee unless we recover for you.
If you don't want to call or you can't call, you can email me at john@pagecagle.com. I look forward to speaking with you and helping you through these trying times. You can also visit my website, www.TruckAccidentLawGroup.com for more information.
