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While you might associate truck accidents with large interstate highways, serious collisions can happen anywhere commercial vehicles travel. On a November night outside Humboldt in Allen County, a woman died in a head-on collision with a semi-truck on Highway 169. In fact, it was the second fatal accident within the county that day. 

Melany June Felt of Blue Mound died at the scene when her pickup truck heading south hit the northbound truck driven by a 53-year-old man from Parsons. Reports say that the truck driver tried to avoid the crash by steering onto the right shoulder, but he was unable to do so. He was not seriously injured.

On smaller roads, particularly two-lane routes, there might be less room for vehicle operators to maneuver when they’re in danger of a head-on crash. Safe passing requires great care on these routes. A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, whereas a passenger vehicle typically weighs around 3,000 to 4,000 pounds, making it more difficult for the truck driver to brake or make a sudden, evasive move in a tight space. Of course, the smaller vehicle usually absorbs most of the impact in a collision. 

Roads that seem quiet often present hidden dangers. The person behind the steering wheel of a car or truck might try to take advantage of the lack of traffic to exceed the speed limit. Unfortunately, this does not leave them with the time they need to react when an oncoming vehicle veers into their lane. Vehicle operators might also be more inclined to check their cell phones or get distracted in other ways when there is not much traffic around them. 

Following a truck accident, you may be entitled to payment through a personal injury or wrongful death claim. An experienced personal injury attorney can review the circumstances and explain what type of financial recovery might be available. Patrick C. Smith, Attorney at Law in Pittsburg represents Kansas and Missouri clients in lawsuits arising from all types of truck accidents, including head-on collisions. To make an appointment for a free consultation, please call 620-308-6692 or contact me online.