Hundreds of People Have Been Hit While Pulled Over in Missouri. Here’s What You Should Know

Being on or near the roads as a pedestrian is dangerous. You’re vulnerable, hard to see and small compared to motor vehicles. While crosswalks are used to protect those crossing the streets, some situations don’t offer protection.

Have you ever had to pull over on the shoulder of an interstate because of a flat tire or engine troubles? If you have, you’re familiar with the vulnerability I mentioned. Cars, semi-trucks and tractor-trailers pass you at 70 miles per hour or more. Often, the shoulders are barely more than 10 or 12 feet wide. This danger is even worse when it is dark outside and the area is not well lit.

According to NHTSA data, pedestrian deaths have increased for the past decade, especially in urban areas. Missouri is home to Kansas City and St. Louis, two of the country’s top 100 largest cities. It is crucial that both drivers and pedestrians understand the risks on Missouri’s roads.

In the past five years, 591 people died in crashes in Missouri involving pedestrians. That is shocking. What makes the roads in and around St. Louis and Kansas City so deadly?

Pedestrians hit by semis in Missouri

While the average passenger vehicle weighs about 4,000 pounds, a loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 40,000 tons — 80,000 pounds. The force behind a tractor-trailer or flatbed truck increases with its speed, meaning these vehicles are never more dangerous than they are when they are driving at high speeds. When a truck hits a pedestrian, they have no chance.

Of the nearly 600 people killed in pedestrian wrecks in Missouri from 2018 to 2022, 71 involved large trucks. Eighteen of those 71 occurred in St. Louis or Kansas City. What are the causes of these accidents?

Drowsy and distracted driving are major issues among commercial motor vehicle drivers.

Driving while tired is just as dangerous as driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, studies have shown. Many large-truck drivers push themselves to cover as much ground as possible, which leads some of them to forgo breaks. They drive for hours on end without rest or sleep, but it is not worth it.

Sleep apnea is common and underdiagnosed among truckers, as well. When they do not receive a diagnosis or treatment, drivers with sleep apnea can doze off behind the wheel and strike cars and pedestrians.

Driving distracted is another major cause of pedestrian wrecks. Taking your eyes off the road for just a second can result in a tragic accident. Distracted driving occurs in countless ways. Some truck drivers talk on the phone, text or even watch TV on their cell phones while operating their semi or tractor-trailer.

Failure to pay attention and keep a proper lookout is another factor. Unfortunately, some truck drivers don’t keep a proper lookout and fail to take defensive driving maneuvers when they see a vehicle on the side of the road or when they see a pedestrian.

What if I have to pull over on the side of the road?

Many of us, while driving, switch lanes to avoid vehicles pulled over on the side of the road. This is the safest thing to do, especially when there is someone outside of the car. Sometimes, roads get busy and we don’t have room to get over. If you’re speeding, you might not see the car on the shoulder until it’s too late.

Hundreds of people die each year in tire-related accidents. In 2021 on a Florida highway, four people changing a tire at night were struck and killed by a passing vehicle. Because it is so dangerous, some sources recommend never changing a tire on the side of the road. In bad cases, though, we don’t have a choice but to pull over.

I have represented many pedestrians who have suffered catastrophic injuries or were killed by careless truck drivers. Some of my clients were changing tires, jumping stalled vehicles or working on disabled vehicles. All of these accidents could have been avoided if the truck driver had been paying attention, driving defensively or keeping a proper lookout.

Someone I love was hit and killed while changing a tire on the road. What do I do?

Roadside collisions are horrible tragedies. There are several factors — visibility, distraction, speed, impairment — that contribute to innocent people’s deaths.

If you have been struck and injured, or if you know someone who was injured or killed, on the side of the road by a car or truck, it is important that you seek help from a qualified personal injury attorney.

At Craig, Kelley & Faultless, we have experience helping people whose lives have been tragically altered by someone’s reckless driving. We represent clients in Indianapolis, St. Louis and across the Midwest. Contact us today for a free consultation at 800-746-0226 or with our online form.

David W. Craig sits on the Board of Regents of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys (which requires the board certification in truck accident law). He is the managing partner and one of the founding partners of Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC. He is recognized as a Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyer and Top 100 Trial Lawyer in Indiana by the National Trial Lawyers, as well as a Top 50 Indiana lawyer by Super Lawyers. David is the author of Semitruck Wreck, A Guide for Victims and Their Families, written to help people navigate a terrible situation by answering questions that come after a tragic wreck. He also hosts the podcast After the Crash, where you can gain valuable information about the dangers involving semis and large trucks that do not follow Indiana law safety protocol regarding speed, weather conditions, maintenance upkeep, etc.