Today we are going to talk about how to handle a Missouri truck accident. If you have any questions after reading this article, please contact us at (314) 628-9999
Due to the immense size and weight of trucks, any truck accident involving them often leaves passenger vehicle occupants with catastrophic or fatal injuries. After the accident, victims may face monumental costs in medical bills and lost wages.
This is why it’s important for those who have been injured in a truck accident to retain the guidance of an experienced St. Louis Truck Accident Lawyer. By doing this, victims have a good chance of recovering the maximum possible compensation to pay for these sudden expenses.
Learn how our St. Louis personal injury attorneys at Cantor Injury Law, LLC can help you through this process.
Common Causes Of Missouri Truck Accidents
While truck accidents have many different causes, a vast majority of them happen as a result of human error. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), approximately 87% of truck accidents occur due to truck drivers’ non-performance or erroneous decision-making.
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More specifically, the common causes of Missouri truck accidents include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Tired Or Unskilled Drivers: The FMCSA requires truck drivers to follow federal hours-of-service regulations that mandate that they may not drive for more than 11 hours without a break. Many truck drivers, however, decide to violate this regulation and, as such, drive on the road while tired or drowsy.
- Speeding: Trucks have poor maneuverability, which makes them difficult to control in sudden traffic changes. When truck drivers speed, it makes it less likely that they will be able to brake in time to avoid a collision.
- Driving Under The Influence: The legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for commercial drivers is 0.04%, lower than it is for traditional motorists (0.08%). This is because commercial drivers have a heightened responsibility when driving, as they often transport hazardous materials or busloads of passengers. Sadly, however, many truck drivers still decide to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, making them extremely dangerous to other motorists on the road.
- Vehicle Malfunction Or Defect: Trucking companies must inspect their fleet regularly to ensure their vehicles are in good condition. When trucking companies do not do this, it’s possible that a vehicle malfunction may lead to an accident.
- Weight Improperly Distributed: Trucks’ cargo must be loaded securely and evenly to prevent cargo shift. When this does not happen, a subsequent cargo shift may make the truck difficult to control and can lead to an accident.
Why Truck Accidents Are So Dangerous
The vast majority of victims injured in truck accidents are those in passenger vehicles. This is because a traditional car is no match for a fully-loaded truck that weighs tens of thousands of pounds.
Sadly, many truck accident victims can be left with the following devastating injuries:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Broken Bones
- Injuries Requiring Amputation
- Burns
The aforementioned injuries often require extensive medical treatment and, in some cases, do not allow the injured victim to return to work or live independently for quite some time.
Potential Liable Parties In A Missouri Truck Accident
Most trucks on the road are commercial vehicles, which means that a company owns or leases the vehicle for business purposes. As such, there are many parties involved in the trucks’ operation and maintenance. Therefore, many different entities may be held liable in a personal injury lawsuit for your accident and injuries.
These parties include, but are not limited to, the following:
The Trucking Company
Trucking companies are responsible for hiring qualified drivers and maintaining the performance of their vehicles. If the trucking company hires a truck driver who should not have been on the road—such as one with previous driving infractions—and that truck driver later causes an accident, then the trucking company may be held liable for damages.
Additionally, the trucking company may be held liable for damages if they encouraged their drivers to violate hours-of-service regulations, and a drowsy trucker caused an accident as a direct result.
The Truck Driver
If the truck driver drove irresponsibly—such as by drinking while driving or violating hours-of-service regulations—and their negligence caused an accident, then the truck driver may be held liable for damages.
The Cargo Loaders
A truck’s cargo must be loaded evenly and securely to prevent cargo shift and a subsequent accident. When cargo loaders do not perform their job properly, and a cargo shift leads to an accident, then they may be held liable for damages.
In the wake of a devastating truck accident, it may feel overwhelming to take on large trucking companies. This is why it’s in your best interest to contact a qualified personal injury attorney who can take care of the process for you.
Injured In A Missouri Truck Accident? We’re Here To Help
If you or someone you love has been injured in a Missouri truck accident, our St. Louis personal injury attorneys at Cantor Injury Law are here to help. Our team understands the physical and emotional trauma you have experienced, and we know the amount of compensation you need to avoid a financial hole. We can help you recover compensation for the following damages:
- Medical Bills
- Lost Wages
- Pain And Suffering
You should not have to pay for someone else’s negligence out of your own pocket. Our attorneys are well-versed in this area of law, and we recently helped a deserving family recover $5 million in the wake of a truck accident death lawsuit. We’re here to help you, too.
Contact Cantor Injury law today with questions about how to handle a Missouri truck accident.