On January 15, 2024, a woman died after being rear-ended by a tractor trailer near Vandeventer and Interstate 44 in St. Louis, Missouri. Local St. Louis news sources report that the truck driver told police he was looking down to get a drink, and when he looked up, the victims car was there. The victim has been reported to be Colleen Lischwe. The terrible truck accident demonstrates the dangers of distracted driving.
As Missouri lawyers who handle wrongful death trucking cases, we’ve handled trucking cases involving distracted driving. There are many types of distractions for semi-truck drivers, and they include:
Distractions from Technology Inside the Truck, such as:
- Mobile phones which involves talking, texting, browsing, or using apps on handheld or non-hands-free devices.
- Vehicle Technology which includes use of GPS, electronic logging devices, telematic systems, dashboard displays and other dispatching devices.
- Entertainment Sources such as radio, CBs, streaming audio, or even drivers watching videos while driving.
Physical Distractions and Actions such as:
- Eating and drinking inside the vehicle.
- Reaching for items such as phones, cigarettes, entertainment devices and clothing.
Environmental Distractions such as:
- Weather Conditions such as sleet, snow, rain, or fog.
- Traffic Congestion including heavy traffic or aggressive drivers.
- Road Conditions like potholes, construction zones, or unfamiliar roads.
The unfortunate collision in St. Louis, which caused the death of another driver is all too common on the roads and interstates in the St. Louis region. Truck companies and their drivers can avoid distracted driving collisions by being vigilant on the roadway, paying attention, staying focused, and not driving while ill or fatigued. Please contact us if you need help with a truck accident lawsuit.