Michael Leizerman’s Blog

It takes a little fire in the belly to fight with truck companies and insurance companies day in and day out. I get personally offended when, for example, an insurance company offers a pittance when one of their insured’s vehicles crosses a centerline and kills somebody’s mother. But being passionate alone is not enough. The best way to beat the truck companies is old-fashioned hard work. Please feel free to contact me at michael@leizerman.com or call me at 1-800-628-4500.

ABC 6 On Your Side reports that a semi slammed into a Ford Focus on U.S. 23 in Pickaway County, Ohio, killing a passenger in the Ford and injuring its driver. The Ford was entering a Wal-Mart parking lot when the truck crash happened. The Ohio Department of Transportation is working with Pickaway County Sheriffs officials to investigate the truck accident.

Tracy Press reports that a semi-truck slammed into a minivan on Grant Line Road in Tracy, California, injuring three people including a child who was trapped inside the van following the truck crash. The accident occurred at an intersection whose traffic signal lights were out due to a power failure. Tracy Police pointed out that when a traffic light fails the intersection becomes a four-way stop. They are continuing their investigation of the truck accident at this time.

TheINDYChannel.com reports that a tractor-trailer rear-ended a passenger vehicle on State Road 37 near Bloomington, Indiana, killing the car’s 31-year-old driver. The passenger vehicle was slowing to pull into a gas station when the big rig crashed into it from behind. A passenger in the car was transported to a local hospital with a bone fracture, lacerations, and severe cuts. Police investigators are continuing to review the truck accident.

St. Tammany News reports that an 18-wheeler crossed the median on Interstate 59 north of Pearl River, Louisiana, entered the opposite flow of traffic, and crashed into a Dodge Ram pickup, killing four people in that pickup. A spokesman for the Louisiana State Police stated that it is believed the right front tire on the semi blew out or came loose, causing the big rig’s driver to lose control and cross the median. The impact of the truck crash mangled the pickup truck beyond recognition.

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State trucking laws vary, and the need for qualified truck accident attorneys to understand all facets of a particular litigation is imperative. I have handled numerous truck accidents throughout the United States, many of them similar to those noted below. Please feel free to contact me michael@leizerman.com or call me at 1-800-628-4500.

Mansfield NewsJournal.com reports that a semitrailer failed to stop for traffic flagged to a stop on Ohio 13 north of Richland County, Ohio, and slammed into at least nine vehicles before coming to rest in a field where it burst into flames. Several people, including children, from several of the vehicles were injured, some very seriously. Ohio Highway Patrol officers reported that no citations were issued, but that the truck accident investigation is ongoing.

Vcstar.com reports that a tractor-trailer rig pulled in front of a van on the Pacific Coast Highway north of Ventura, California, causing the van to crash into the truck and injuring two teens in the van. The California Highway Patrol reports that the semi-truck was stopped on the shoulder and failed to yield when it pulled back onto the PCH. The driver of the van was trapped and was freed by firefighters. He was treated at a nearby hospital for arm and leg fractures and cuts and bruises to his head.

Jconline.com reports that a semi-trailer tipped over on U.S. 24 near West Lafayette, Indiana, crushing a minivan and injuring its driver. The truck crash was caused by excessive speed as the driver of the big rig took a curve at high speeds, causing his semi-trailer to overturn. Indiana State Police cited the big rig’s driver for driving too fast for conditions.

Omaha.com reports that a semitrailer truck crashed into a turning vehicle on Highway 15 north of Schuyler, Nebraska, killing a passenger in the vehicle and critically injuring the vehicle’s driver. The truck accident is under investigation by the Colfax County Sheriff’s Office and the Nebraska State Patrol.

The Denver Post.com reports that the driver of a big rig caused an accident on I-70 in Mesa County, Colorado when he placed reflective emergency triangles on the roadway, causing a car to overturn in its attempt to avoid them, and resulting in the death of a passenger in that vehicle. The Colorado State Patrol states that the big rig’s driver placed the emergency triangles in a traffic lane of the interstate rather than on the shoulder where his broken-down semi was parked. The triangles were around a curve. The passenger vehicle rounded the curve, swerved to avoid the triangles, overturned, and crashed into a second vehicle. The passenger in the first vehicle was thrown from that vehicle and died after being airlifted to a nearby hospital. The driver of the vehicle was also injured, but there is no word on her condition. The Colorado State Patrol reports that the driver of the big rig will face negligent homicide charges following this truck accident.

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It takes a little fire in the belly to fight with truck companies and insurance companies day in and day out. I get personally offended when, for example, an insurance company offers a pittance when one of their insured’s vehicles crosses a centerline and kills somebody’s mother. But being passionate alone is not enough. The best way to beat the truck companies is old-fashioned hard work. Please feel free to contact me at michael@leizerman.com or call me at 1-800-628-4500.

LSJ.com reports that a semitrailer crashed into a passenger vehicle on Homer Street and Sellers Avenue in Lansing Township, Michigan, crushing the driver’s side of the vehicle and leaving its two passengers injured. Emergency crews extracted the passengers and they were taken to a local hospital for treatment. The extent of their injuries is not currently known. This truck crash is still under investigation.

Tricityherald.com reports that a semi-truck caused a three-vehicle crash on Highway 395 in Kennewick, Washington when it slammed into the back of a pickup truck that had stopped in a construction zone. There were minor injuries in the truck accident and Washington State Patrol officers stated that the driver of the semi-truck could be cited for following too close and that the accident was caused by driver inattention.

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Milk may do a body good, but surprisingly it can be a contributing factor in truck accidents. When a commercial tanker truck carries a liquid such as milk, it can make the vehicle difficult to control for a number of reasons. The tanks on tanker trucks are elevated well above the roadway, making such trucks top heavy and leaving their centers of gravity much higher than those of vehicles with lower profiles. This makes tanker trucks more vulnerable to rollover accidents. Liquid in tanks (often thousands of gallons of it) can surge forward and back during acceleration or braking and side-to-side when the vehicle is cornering leaving the driver struggling to control the vehicle.

To help control the surging of liquid loads, tanks are equipped with baffles. Baffles are dividers inside the tanks with openings in their tops and bottoms that allow the liquid cargo in the tank to move, but without the surging that takes place in a wide-open or smooth bore tank. However, there are major problems with baffles: they control only the forward and back surging of liquid loads and do nothing to control the side-to-side surge that can accompany cornering in tanker trucks.

In addition, baffles are not allowed in tankers carrying food grade loads. Because they are too difficult to clean, baffles could lead to contamination of foods such as milk and are therefore illegal on trucks carrying such loads, leaving drivers of milk trucks and other liquid food grade loads at constant risk of dangerous surges.

In one recent example of a milk truck accident, on June 7, a semi-trailer carrying a load of milk flipped onto its side and skidded into the ditch while traveling on U.S. 68 in Greene County, Ohio. The Ohio State Highway Patrol is continuing its investigation into this truck accident and it is not known if surges played a part, but experience tells me it is likely. Luckily this accident occurred at an early morning hour on a nearly empty highway and no other vehicles were involved. The driver of the big rig received only minor injuries.

Unfortunately, as I’ve seen in the cases involving milk trucks that I’ve handled, such a lucky outcome is not always the case.

Drivers of trucks transporting milk and other food grade liquids need to be especially cautious when operating their vehicles. They must understand fully the safest way to negotiate turns; the challenges involved in starting and stopping a vehicle with a smooth bore tank; and the precautions necessary when driving such a vehicle into an intersection where a surge could carry the truck into the intersection despite the driver’s best efforts to stop.

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Consider this: A truck accident in, for example, Ohio may be complicated if the victim is from Florida, the truck driver is from Kansas, the truck is owned by a California company, the trailer owned by a Missouri company and the driver was hauling a load from California to New York. I have handled numerous complicated truck accidents throughout the United States and I am knowledgeable in the specifics of trucking law. Please feel free to contact me at michael@leizerman.com or call me at 1-800-628-4500.

MineralWellsIndex.com reports that a tractor-trailer veered into the median then crashed on U.S. Highway 281 in Santo, Texas, causing a second truck to crash into it and injuring the drivers of both vehicles. Officials with the Texas Department of Public Safety report that the driver of the big rig may have fallen asleep behind the wheel before crashing his vehicle. No citations have yet been issued in the truck crash, but the TDPS is continuing its investigation.

The Messenger reports that a tractor-trailer struck a pickup truck on Pennyrile Parkway near Madisonville, Kentucky, killing the driver of the tractor-trailer and injuring two passengers in the pickup truck. Kentucky State Police investigators state that the pickup truck was stopped along the shoulder of the roadway while the driver consulted a map at the time of the truck crash. Investigators did not know why the tractor-trailer was driving on the shoulder of the road. The condition of the two passengers from the pickup truck is unknown at this time.

The Banner Graphic reports that a semi truck crashed into a passenger vehicle on Veteran’s Memorial Highway in Greencastle, Indiana, injuring the 19-year-old driver of that vehicle and sending her to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries. The Greencastle Police Department responded to the scene and supervised cleanup of spills from the crash. The truck crash is still being investigated.

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It takes a little fire in the belly to fight with truck companies and insurance companies day in and day out. I get personally offended when, for example, an insurance company offers a pittance when one of their insured’s vehicles crosses a centerline and kills somebody’s mother. But being passionate alone is not enough. The best way to beat the truck companies is old-fashioned hard work. Please feel free to contact me at michael@leizerman.com or call me at 1-800-628-4500.

The Western Star reports that a semi-truck swerved in front of a passenger vehicle on Interstate 71 at the 36 mile marker near the Jeremiah Morrow Bridge in Lebanon, Ohio, causing the passenger vehicle to swerve, roll over and crash on the median and resulting in the hospitalization of the vehicle’s 23-year-old female driver. Troopers with the Ohio State Highway Patrol cited the driver of the semi-truck for an unsafe lane change.

NorthWest Herald.com reports that a semi-trailer crossed the center line on Route 14 near Harvard, Illinois, causing a motorist travelling in the opposite direction to have to swerve at which point that vehicle collided head-on with a second semi-trailer. The driver of the passenger vehicle was killed instantly in the crash. The driver of the first semi-trailer left the scene. Investigators with the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Crash Investigations Unit are seeking that driver for questioning.

CBN.com reports that a semi-truck crashed up and over the front of a van carrying a church group on Highway 92 near Williamsburg, Kentucky, sending a pastor, his wife and several young people to area hospitals. Kentucky State Police are continuing their investigation of the truck accident that left the church van totaled and sent seven people to the hospital.

KPTV.com reports that a semitrailer and a passenger vehicle collided on I-5 near Seaside, Oregon leaving the driver of the passenger vehicle with extensive injuries. Washington State Patrol troopers responding to the scene initially reported that the passenger vehicle rear-ended the semitrailer, but the driver of the passenger vehicle disputes that claim. The driver states that the semitrailer cut him off and that his vehicle was sucked up under the semitrailer and dragged 400-600 yards down the interstate. Paramedics arrived on the scene and rushed the man to the hospital. Due to the conflicting accounts of the truck crash, Washington State Patrol investigators are continuing to investigate.

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It takes a little fire in the belly to fight with truck companies and insurance companies day in and day out. I get personally offended when, for example, an insurance company offers a pittance when one of their insured’s vehicles crosses a centerline and kills somebody’s mother. But being passionate alone is not enough. The best way to beat the truck companies is old-fashioned hard work. Please feel free to contact me at michael@leizerman.com or call me at 1-800-628-4500.

DallasNews.com reports that a tractor-trailer rear-ended a passenger vehicle on the LBJ Freeway in Balch Springs, Texas, killing the 57-year-old female driver of that vehicle. The Dallas resident was pulling her Ford Thunderbird back onto the freeway after she had stopped on the shoulder and changed a flat. While police do not expect to charge the driver of the tractor-trailer, the truck accident is still under investigation.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal.com reports that a tractor-trailer rear-ended a SUV on I-95 at the State Road 44 interchange near New Smyrna Beach, Florida, causing the SUV to flip onto its roof, and killing the 60-year-old driver. A passenger in the SUV was taken to a local hospital in serious condition. Investigators report that skid marks from hard braking were visible on the roadway leading up to the area of the truck crash and that charges against the driver of the tractor-trailer are pending.

StarTribune.com reports that a pair of semi-trailer trucks and two passenger vehicles collided on I-35 near Lakeville, Minnesota, killing one driver instantly and causing the death of a second after that victim had been airlifted to a local hospital. Rescue crews responding to the truck crash struggled through swarms of bees to get to victims. The bees were being carted by one of the semi-trailer trucks involved in the wreck and were released upon impact. Fire crews were using pressurized water to control the approximately 17 million bees carried on the truck. Though early investigative work has been hindered by the difficulty of working while under attack from the bees, investigators believe that one of the semi-trailer trucks crushed into the two passenger vehicles from behind while they were stopped for road construction and pushed them into the tractor-trailer truck carrying the bees. Minnesota State Patrolmen stated that the trailing tractor-trailer truck was probably travelling at a “pretty high” speed. The driver of that tractor-trailer truck has had several driving violations, including one involving drunken driving, according to state court records.

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State trucking laws vary, and the need for qualified truck accident attorneys to understand all facets of a particular litigation is imperative. I have handled numerous truck accidents throughout the United States, many of them similar to those noted below. Please feel free to contact me michael@leizerman.com or call me at 1-800-628-4500.

The Chicago Tribune reports that a tractor-trailer rear-ended a school bus at a railroad crossing on Illinois Route 3 near East Alton, Illinois, injuring six students aboard the bus. The injured, many of them special-needs students, were taken to a nearby hospital for examination and treatment following the big rig wreck.

Deseret News reports that a semitrailer truck tipped over onto a car on I-15 near the I-80 interchange in South Salt Lake, Utah, injuring passengers in the car. A second car was pinned between two semitrailers following the initial truck crash. Officials with the Utah Department of Transportation are investigating the cause of the crash.

Deseret News reports that a FedEx semitrailer crossed the median on I-80 near Lambs Canyon, Utah, and slammed into a passenger vehicle, killing the vehicle’s driver instantly. A passenger in the vehicle received minor injuries. Officials with the Utah Highway Patrol are investigating the crash.

The Journal Times.com reports that a semitrailer overturned on I-94 near Raymond, Wisconsin, causing it to slam into a retainer wall and push a section of that wall into oncoming traffic. A box truck then struck the section of wall and a passing car as well. Racine County Sheriff’s Department officials report that two people injured in the truck crash were taken to an area hospital for treatment.

Quad-City Times reports that a semi-tractor trailer turned in front of an approaching vehicle on I-80 near Davenport, Iowa, causing the vehicle to crash into and become wedged under the Volvo semi. A 24-year-old passenger in the vehicle died of her injuries. She was traveling with her fiancé, a 30-year-old man who was treated for injuries and released from the hospital. The driver of the semi has been charged with making an unsafe turn at a cross-over-section, clearly marked “No U-turn.” The couple were to be married July 17 in Davenport.

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It takes a little fire in the belly to fight with truck companies and insurance companies day in and day out. I get personally offended when, for example, an insurance company offers a pittance when one of their insured’s vehicles crosses a centerline and kills somebody’s mother. But being passionate alone is not enough. The best way to beat the truck companies is old-fashioned hard work. Please feel free to contact me at michael@leizerman.com or call me at 1-800-628-4500.

Freep.com reports that a semi-truck stopped at a rail crossing in southwest Detroit, Michigan and was struck by a Norfolk Southern train, injuring the train’s conductor and assistant as well as the driver of the semi. With 48 crashes and 12 deaths last year, Michigan ranks 13th in the nation for the number of train crossing wrecks despite the efforts of Norfolk Southern’s “Operation Lifesaver,” a program that raises public awareness of rail crossing hazards. Detroit police investigators are working to determine the cause of this truck/train accident.

Dailyme.com reports that a semi-tractor trailer traveling south on I-75 near Gibraltar Road in Brownstown Township, Michigan, struck and killed a 56-year-old Flat Rock, Michigan resident who was standing beside his car on the right shoulder of the interstate. Police investigators have ruled out alcohol as a factor in the truck accident.

Star-Telegram.com reports that an 18-wheeler hauling produce lost control on Interstate 30 in Arlington, Texas, struck a concrete barrier, then jackknifed causing its trailer to tip over onto an SUV, killing one occupant of the SUV. The victim, a 17-year-old local resident died while receiving treatment at Arlington Memorial Hospital. The driver of the SUV, a 16-year-old who is now in police custody charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle for allegedly stealing the SUV and failure to stop and render aid for attempting to flee the accident scene, received non-life-threatening injuries in the crash. Texas Department of Transportation officials are continuing to investigate the cause of this truck accident and state that at this point, “it is unclear what caused [it.]”

The Columbian reports that a semi-truck failed to stop at a construction zone on Interstate 5 at milepost 88 near Centralia, Washington and struck two passenger vehicles, injuring three people in those cars. Among the injured was the driver of a four-door Cadillac that was totaled in the crash. The state patrol states that the truck accident occurred just before 4 a.m. and they are investigating whether speed played a role in the crash.

Chicago Tribune.com reports that a semi trailer carrying a backhoe became disabled and stopped at a rail crossing in Mebane, North Carolina where it was struck by an Amtrak passenger train going 70 mph, injuring a least a dozen people. Witnesses reported hearing a “big boom” and then seeing debris fly through the air. The train, which connects Raleigh and Charlotte, was carrying 36 passengers at the time of the truck crash. Two passengers were seriously injured and were taken to Duke University Hospital. Those passengers with minor injuries were taken to Alamance Regional where they were treated for cuts and bruises. Gates and lights at the rail crossing were in perfect working order according to a Department of Transportation spokeswoman. Mebane police are investigating.

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State trucking laws vary, and the need for qualified truck accident attorneys to understand all facets of a particular litigation is imperative. I have handled numerous truck accidents throughout the United States, many of them similar to those noted below. Please feel free to contact me michael@leizerman.com or call me at 1-800-628-4500.

WFTV.com reports that a semi truck traveling northbound on I-95 near mile mark 210 in Titus, Florida blew a tire causing it to cross the median into oncoming traffic where it struck a pickup truck head on and triggered a multi-vehicle crash that injured six people including a small child. Six ambulances responded to the truck crash and at least one victim was airlifted to a hospital in Orlando. Police investigators are continuing to piece together details of this crash.

The Abilene Reflector-Chronicle reports that a 1995 International semi truck pulling a trailer struck a passenger vehicle broadside at the intersection of 1000 Avenue and Trail Road about 4 miles south of Woodbine, Kansas. Both drivers were taken to area hospitals in serious condition according to the Kansas Highway Patrol.

West Hawaii Today reports that a semi-truck carrying a load of gravel slammed into the rear of a passenger van carrying five Japanese tourists on Queen Kaahumanu Highway in Kona, Hawaii, injuring two of the tourists. The semi-truck burst into flames and was burned beyond recognition according to firefighters. The two injured tourists as well as the driver of the semi-truck were taken to Kona Community Hospital for treatment. Officials with the Kealakehe Police Station report that alcohol is not believed to have been a factor in the truck crash.

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