St. Louis Missouri Truck Accident Lawyer

Collision Involving Large Trucks

If you or a love one have been injured in an accident with a big rig, it is crucial to get immediate legal counsel from an experienced truck accident attorney. At Page Law we have recovered millions of dollars for truck accident victims and their families. We are aggressive in our pursuit to secure the best possible outcome for our clients. For a free consultation, call us today at 1-800-CAR-CRASH (800-227-2727).

The St. Louis truck accident attorneys at Page Law work on all types of traffic collision cases, and are well-versed in all areas of traffic law. We will handle all aspects of your case from start to finish, and will get you the compensation you deserve.

With their tremendous size and sheer power, large trucks are one of the more troublesome aspects that drivers of smaller passenger cars have to overcome on a daily basis. With goods being transported all across the country via truck, there is a tremendous amount of truck traffic that passes over Missouri’s roads and highways. Large trucks are particularly useful in their ability to haul large amounts of goods from one place to another. However, as any truck accident victim knows, an increase in usefulness in this case also means an increase in potential hazard posed to other drivers on the road.

Truck Accident Case Results

• $6.5 Million for truck accident victim
  Plaintiff suffered injuries after tractor trailer hit the back of his motorcycle.
• $1.325 Million for fatal truck crash
  Individual died in a fatal tractor trailer crash on Highway 55 in Ste. Genevieve County.
• $1.2 Million in truck accident case
  Plaintiff suffered a neck injury.
• $1 Million in tractor trailer accident case
  Initial offer was under $100,000.
• $900,000 for trucking accident victim
  Plaintiff suffered injuries when her vehicle was rear-ended by a tractor trailer on Highway 70.
• $450,000 in icy tractor trailer collision case
  Plaintiff suffered back and hip injuries.

Damages in a Missouri Large Truck Accident Case

If you or a family member has been in an accident involving a large truck, you may be able to pursue compensation for some or all of the following damages:

• Property damage and loss
• Current medical bills
• Bills for future related medical procedures
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of limb
• Cost of physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Costs of household and vehicle modification
• Permanent injury or disability
• Lost wages from missed work
• Loss of career or earning capacity
• Mental aguish and emotional duress

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Missouri

While most trucking companies adhere to FMCSA regulations, some do not in an effort to increase profit margins. Illegal practices of some truck drivers and trucking companies include:

• Overloading trailers
• Speeding
• Working longer hours than allowed
• Not taking long enough rest breaks
• Not keeping up with vehicle maintenance
• Driving while fatigued
• Driving in hazardous weather

Other common causes of large truck accidents include driver error, driving while impaired, failure to follow safety protocols, and blind spots.

Defective Equipment and Design

All kinds of vehicles can suffer from design flaws and defective equipment. Unfortunately, in the case of truck accidents, these flaws can be fatal and cause injury or even death. Unfortunately, certain kinds of trucks, such as long tractor-trailers, are prone to rolling over, jackknifing, and loss of driver control. Components such as brakes can fail, and features such as lack of side and rear bumpers can cause increased damage to the vehicle hit by a truck.

External Conditions

Since trucks and tractor trailers are so gigantic, they are at special risk in dangerous external conditions. Snowstorms, ice on the road, narrow bridges or underpasses, and reduced visibility due to rain or fog can all cause truck accidents. However, an experienced and well-trained truck driver should be able to navigate these conditions, and often, driver error leads to poor judgment and bad decision-making in inclement conditions.

Driver Error

The most common cause of truck accidents is driver error. This can range from gross negligence to simple accidents. Lack of training or experience can lead to poor decision-making that causes sudden lane shifts, wide turns and dangerous interactions with bridges and roads. Alcohol or drug abuse can impair a trucker’s ability to drive and significantly impact reaction time. In fact, nearly 35 percent of all fatally injured truck drivers test positive for some kind of alcohol or drug use.

Finally, fatigue and schedule pressure can take a real toll on truck drivers, causing accidents and fatalities. Though the number of hours a trucker is allowed to drive are limited by federal law, driver fatigue is still a very real problem for truck drivers who are given high-pressure delivery schedules and face long hours behind the wheel.

Contact an Experienced St. Louis Truck Accident Attorney

Due to industry risks, trucking companies are required to carry insurance policies with coverage greater than passenger vehicles. It’s not uncommon for trucking companies to have coverage in the multiple million dollar range. The insurance companies employ reconstruction teams and lawyers immediately after a crash. You need to do the same by talking with an experienced legal team as soon as possible if you have been involved in an accident and been injured.

The St. Louis truck accident attorneys at Page Law have been representing truck accidents victims for more than a decade. Call us today for a free consultation at 1-800-CAR-CRASH (800-227-2727) or email john@pagelaw.com.

Additional Information

• Truck Accident Blogs
• The Importance of Information in Tractor Trailer Accident Litigation
• Don’t Become a Statistic After a Tractor Trailer Accident
• How Sleep Apnea can Cause Truck Accidents
• What to Do After an 18 Wheeler Accident