St Louis Truck Accident Lawyer
Truck accidents can be caused by several factors, including driver negligence, defective truck equipment, or poor road conditions. Driver negligence can include speeding, tailgating, distracted driving, or drunk driving.
If a truck driver is negligent and causes an accident, they can be held liable for the injuries and property damage. If a trucking company is negligent in hiring or training their drivers or maintaining their commercial trucks, they can also be financially responsible for semi-truck/car accidents.
Are you the victim of a commercial truck accident? The personal injury attorneys at Injury Lawyer Team, sponsored by Rosenfeld Law Offices, are legal advocates representing injured truck accident victims harmed by someone else’s negligence.
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Contact our truck accident attorneys to schedule a free consultation. All confidential or sensitive information you share with our personal injury lawyers remains private through an attorney-client relationship.
National Truck Accident Statistics
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were over 4,000 fatal truck crashes in 2016. These accidents resulted in over 7,000 deaths and countless injuries.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that almost three-quarters of all fatalities in large truck collisions are occupants of other vehicles. In addition, about one-sixth of all injury crashes involve a large truck.
Other national trucking industry accident statistics include:
- Over 500,000 large truck collisions in the U.S. in 2020, many including passenger vehicles
- Over 90,000 of these accidents resulted in injuries
- Nearly 4,000 of these accidents were fatal
Missouri Commercial Truck Accident Statistics
Data from the Missouri DOT (Department of Transportation) reveals that there were:
- 3,267 large truck collisions (which is a decrease from the 3,430 accidents reported in 2018)
- 2,723 injuries resulting from accidents involving trucks (decrease from 2,859 in 2018)
- 167 fatalities involving semi-trucks (an increase from 132 in 2018)
The Leading Causes Of Wisconsin Truck Accidents
Truck crashes can be devastating and often lead to serious injuries or death. While many factors can contribute to truck accidents in St. Louis, here are the leading causes:
- Driver error: Any trucker’s mistake while driving a fully loaded semi tractor-trailer traveling at the speed limit can result in catastrophic injuries and death. Common errors include:
- Distracted driving: Any distraction while operating a commercial vehicle can be deadly. Common distractions for truckers include talking on a cell phone, eating or drinking, adjusting the radio, and fatigue.
- Speeding is especially dangerous for large commercial vehicles because of their size and weight. A fully loaded tractor-trailer can take up to 40 percent longer to stop than a passenger car.
- Improper turns: A truck driver who makes an improper turn can easily cause an accident, especially if the driver fails to signal or check blind spots before changing lanes.
- Unsafe lane changes: Such as making an improper turn, dangerous lane changes are another leading cause of truck crashes. Truck drivers must take extra care when changing lanes and always check blind spots before doing so.
- Following too closely: Truckers must give themselves enough space to stop if the car in front of them stops suddenly. Following too closely is especially dangerous when a truck is carrying hazardous materials.
- Driving under the influence: Driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol is illegal and extremely dangerous. Truck drivers impaired by drugs or alcohol are hazardous to themselves and others on the road.
- Poor weather conditions: Bad weather can make it difficult for truckers to see the road and make it more difficult to stop. Truckers must take extra care when driving in bad weather and should only do so if they feel comfortable doing so.
- Equipment failure: While not as common as other causes, equipment failure can still lead to truck accidents in St. Louis, including tire blowouts, brake failures, and engine problems.
- Unsafe/shifting cargo: Any unsecured freight could fall off a truck and into the path of oncoming traffic. Loose cargo could lead to severe accidents and even death. Shifting loads could cause the trucker to lose control and lead to an accident.
There are many other potential causes of truck accidents in St. Louis, but these are the most common. If you or someone you know has been involved in a truck accident, you must speak with an experienced truck accident lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your legal options.
Common Truck Accident Injuries
Truck crashes often occur because semi-tractor-trailers (large commercial trucks) are much larger and heavier than passenger cars. When these vehicles collide, the force of the impact is magnified significantly. The impact can cause catastrophic injuries for everyone involved in the accident.
Commercial truck accidents can cause serious injuries for drivers and passengers in passenger cars. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), typical truck accident injuries include head and brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, internal organ damage, and death.
According to the CDC, common semi-truck crash injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Whiplash
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head injuries
- Facial injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Dental injuries
- Burns
- Eye injuries
- Ear injuries
- Nose injuries
- Amputation (dismemberment)
If you have been injured in a severe truck accident, it is essential to seek medical attention right away and then speak with an experienced truck accident lawyer.
Filing a Truck Accident Victims Lawsuit
Many people in an accident will file lawsuits against the truck driver and company. The lawsuit will allege that the trucker was negligent in their actions, which caused the accident. This negligence may include speeding, driving recklessly, or not paying attention to the road.
The truck company may also be named in the lawsuit, as they are responsible for ensuring that their drivers are safe and competent. If it is found that the truck company was negligent in hiring the driver, not properly training the trucker, or not maintaining the truck, they may also be held liable.
Truck accident victims must meet the legal requirements approving their case when filing a truck accident claim, including:
- The victim must show that the driver or truck company’s negligence resulted in causing the accident.
- The injured party must have medical documentation of their injuries to proceed with a claim.
- After establishing the grounds for a truck accident lawsuit, the victim can file a formal complaint with the court outlining the facts of the case and why they believe the other party is responsible for damages.
After filing a Missouri truck accident claim, the victim or their attorneys will begin building a case by gathering evidence that could include:
- Photographs of bodily injuries
- Pictures of property damage from the accident scene
- The truck driver’s driving history, licensing, and insurance coverage
- The truck company’s insurance policies
- Any video footage of the accident, if available
If you or a loved one have been involved in a serious truck accident, it is essential to seek legal counsel as soon as possible to ensure your rights are protected. The experienced St. Louis truck accident lawyers at the Injury Lawyer Team will review your case and help you determine the best course of action. Contact us today for a free no-obligation consultation.
Filing A Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Surviving family members who lost a loved one in a fatal truck accident can file a wrongful death claim against all parties involved. Potential defendants in fatal truck accident cases could include:
- Truck drivers
- Trucking companies and insurance company
- Other motorists
- Truck part manufacturer
- Truck maker
- Tire companies
- Truck maintenance companies
- Road maintenance crews
- Government agencies
To file a wrongful death lawsuit, specific family members must be alive when the claim against the defendant’s insurance company is filed. These include:
- Spouses
- Children
- Parents (in some states)
- Other close relatives (in some states)
The first step in filing a wrongful death lawsuit is to meet with our experienced St. Louis truck accident attorneys to discuss your case. The truck crash lawyer will review the facts of your case and help you determine if you have a claim.
If you have a claim, our St. Louis truck accident attorneys will represent you in court and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Compensation in fatal truck accidents can include:
- Medical expenses
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of income
- Loss of benefits
- Loss of companionship
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
If you have lost a loved one in a fatal truck accident, contact an experienced truck accident lawyer today to discuss your case. A St. Louis truck accident attorney will review the facts of your case and help you determine if you have a claim.
If you have a truck accident case, a St. Louis, MO personal injury lawyer will represent you in court and fight for the compensation you deserve.
What Your Truck Accident Case Might Be Worth
Our St. Louis truck accident lawyer will first look at the facts of the case to determine who was at fault. If other drivers were at fault, we would work to get you the highest possible settlement.
If our experienced truck accident lawyers believe that the trucking company was at fault, we will work to get you the highest possible settlement. Your truck accident attorney will also look at your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering to determine the value of your case.
Typically, the value of a personal injury lawsuit involving St. Louis truck accidents is limited by the amount of the insurance company policy limits.
Insufficient Trucking Company Insurance
The truck company might not have insurance, or their policy limits are insufficient to cover your damages. In those cases, our St. Louis truck accident lawyers may be able to help you recover from other sources, such as the truck driver’s assets or the trucking company’s assets.
No two truck accident cases are alike. Because of that, it is vital to have an experienced St. Louis truck accident lawyer on your side who can help you get the maximum compensation for your severe injuries. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.
Hiring St. Louis Truck Accident Lawyers To Resolve A Compensation Claim
Do you suspect truck driver negligence caused your severe injuries when the accident occurred? If so, our experienced truck accident lawyers can help hold the trucker, truck company, and their insurance company financially accountable for your truck accident claims.
We accept all truck accident claims in wrongful death lawsuits through a contingency fee agreement. This promise ensures you will pay nothing until we resolve your St. Louis truck accident case through a negotiated settlement or jury award.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation. All confidential or sensitive information you share with our legal team remains private through an attorney-client relationship.