Drunk Driving Tow Truck Accident Leads To Charges in Kansas City, MO
Ryan Bradley | April 10, 2011 | Legislative News \ Truck Accident
54 year old Kansas City tow truck driver Floyd R. Helton caused a tow truck accident while intoxicated. According to reports, Helton ran a stop sign at Ninth and Wyandotte streets late Saturday afternoon. Helton crashed into an SUV after running the stop sign. The Kansas City tow truck accident resulted in hip and pelvis pain for the SUV driver. Law enforcement authorities found beer and an empty beer bottle in the tow truck after the Kansas City Missouri tow truck accident.
Prosecutors are charging Helton with second-degree assault and driving with a revoked driver’s license. Reports do not indicate whether Helton will be charged with driving while intoxicated.
Missouri statute §304.154 regulates tow truck company operation in Missouri. Missouri law imposes six minimum standards for towing companies. Trucking companies must 1) have a business address: 2) have secured storage for motor vehicles: 3) be available 24/7: 4) maintain accident insurance: 5) provide worker’s compensation insurance: and 6) maintain registrations for towing trucks.
Missouri counties may create stricter standards for towing truck companies. For example, St. Louis County heightens the regulations for towing truck companies. St. Louis County requires that detailed tow truck licenses include information helpful to accident victims who may want to sue the tow truck company. Corporate tow truck owners must list their state of incorporation and the address of their principal place of business. Accident victims may need that information to sue the defendant towing company in the proper jurisdiction.
State representatives have attempted to raise the statewide minimum standards for towing companies. House Bill 629 (HB629) was introduced to the Missouri House of Representatives. If passed, HB629 would require higher minimum coverage for insurance and stricter licensing. However, the proposed legislation was opposed by tow truck lobbyists. In fact, the Missouri Tow Truck Association specifically opposed the higher standards and used membership dues to pay the lobbying fees. HB629 was not signed into law.
If you’ve been injured in any type of accident, don’t hesitate to call one of our accident lawyers in Kansas City today for a free case evaluation.
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