Understanding Truck Accidents In St. Louis: What You Need To Know

Sansone & Lauber | | Personal Injury Blog

Truck accidents can be catastrophic, especially when they involve large commercial vehicles like semis, tractor-trailers, or delivery trucks.

In St. Louis, with its busy highways and significant commercial traffic, truck accidents happen more often than we’d like to think.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, understanding the complexities surrounding these cases is crucial for protecting your rights and securing compensation.

Why Truck Accidents Are More Complex

Truck accidents are more complicated than typical car accidents for several reasons:

  1. Size and Weight: Trucks are significantly larger and heavier than passenger vehicles, which means the damage they cause can be far more severe. The impact of a truck colliding with a car often leads to devastating injuries or fatalities.
  2. Federal Regulations: Truck drivers and trucking companies must follow strict federal regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These rules include limits on the number of hours drivers can be on the road, maintenance standards, and cargo loading procedures. Violations of these regulations can play a significant role in determining liability.
  3. Multiple Parties Involved: In a typical car accident, liability usually rests with one of the drivers. However, in truck accidents, multiple parties could be responsible, including the truck driver, the trucking company, the cargo loader, or even the manufacturer of the truck’s parts. This makes determining fault more complicated.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Several factors can lead to truck accidents in St. Louis:

  • Driver Fatigue: Truck drivers often work long hours, leading to exhaustion. Even though federal laws regulate driving hours, drivers sometimes push past their limits to meet deadlines.
  • Distracted Driving: Like any other driver, truck drivers can become distracted by cell phones, GPS, or other devices. Given the size and weight of the truck, even a few seconds of distraction can have disastrous consequences.
  • Improperly Loaded Cargo: When a truck’s cargo isn’t properly loaded or secured, it can shift during transit, causing the driver to lose control or leading to a rollover.
  • Mechanical Failures: Trucks require regular maintenance to ensure they’re safe to operate. Brake failures, tire blowouts, and engine malfunctions can lead to serious accidents.
  • Speeding or Reckless Driving: Given the tight deadlines many truck drivers face, they may drive aggressively or speed, increasing the likelihood of an accident.

Injuries Commonly Seen in Truck Accidents

Due to the size and weight disparity between trucks and cars, injuries sustained in truck accidents are often severe. Some of the most common injuries include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
  • Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
  • Broken bones and fractures
  • Internal injuries
  • Severe lacerations and burns

In the worst cases, truck accidents can lead to fatalities, leaving families devastated.

How a St. Louis Personal Injury Attorney Can Help

Truck accidents require a deep understanding of both state and federal laws, as well as the ability to navigate complex cases involving multiple parties. Here’s how a personal injury attorney can help:

  1. Investigating the Accident: A thorough investigation is crucial in truck accident cases. We’ll examine all aspects of the crash, including driver logs, maintenance records, and truck camera footage to determine what went wrong.
  2. Proving Liability: As mentioned, more than one party could be responsible for the accident. We’ll work to identify who is liable and build a strong case to hold them accountable.
  3. Maximizing Compensation: Truck accident victims often face extensive medical bills, long recovery periods, lost wages, and pain and suffering. We will fight to ensure you receive compensation that covers all of these costs and more.
  4. Dealing with Insurance Companies: Trucking companies and their insurers have deep pockets and aggressive legal teams. We’ll stand up to them, ensuring your rights are protected and that you’re not pressured into accepting a lowball settlement.

Contact a St. Louis Truck Accident Attorney Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in St. Louis, don’t wait to seek legal help.

At our firm, we’re committed to fighting for the rights of injury victims, and we have the experience and resources needed to take on even the toughest trucking companies.

Call us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can help you secure the compensation you deserve.