Truck accidents in Missouri are often catastrophic. With their sheer size and weight, semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, and commercial freight haulers can cause devastating injuries, fatalities, and millions in damages. So who’s liable in a Missouri truck accident?
When a truck crash happens, victims are left with mounting medical bills, lost wages, and long-term trauma. But one of the most important—and most complicated—questions in any Missouri truck accident case is: Who is liable?
At Sansone & Lauber, our St. Louis truck accident lawyers aggressively investigate and pursue justice in complex commercial vehicle collisions.
In this guide, we break down Missouri truck accident liability, the parties who may be responsible, and what you need to do to protect your rights and secure maximum compensation.
Why Truck Accident Liability Is So Complex in Missouri
Unlike a typical car accident, where one or both drivers are usually at fault, truck accidents often involve multiple layers of liability. These cases can include:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- A third-party logistics company
- The cargo loader
- The truck manufacturer or maintenance provider
- Other passenger vehicles
- Government agencies responsible for road conditions
Because Missouri follows a pure comparative fault system, liability may be divided among multiple parties based on their percentage of fault.
That’s why identifying every liable party is crucial to maximizing compensation. These cases are not simple—they require legal experience, immediate investigation, and a relentless approach to holding every negligent party accountable.
We often find that negligent hiring, lack of training, overworked drivers, and maintenance failures are deeply rooted in company practices. When a truck accident happens, it’s often a symptom of larger operational negligence.
Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Missouri
Determining liability starts with understanding what caused the crash. Common causes include:
- Driver fatigue or hours-of-service violations
- Distracted or impaired driving
- Speeding or reckless driving
- Overloaded or improperly loaded cargo
- Mechanical failure or poor maintenance
- Poor weather or road conditions
- Inadequate driver training
- Brake failure or tire blowouts
- Following too closely
- Failure to yield or obey traffic signals
Trucking is a high-risk industry. When safety rules are ignored to meet tight delivery schedules or cut costs, people get hurt. Our attorneys at Sansone & Lauber work with accident reconstruction experts, engineers, and medical professionals to uncover the full truth—and we don’t stop until we find it.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Missouri Truck Crash?
1. The Truck Driver
The driver is often the first focus in a truck accident investigation. If the driver was fatigued, distracted, under the influence, or driving aggressively, they can be held liable. But more often than not, their employer is equally or even more responsible for the driver’s actions. Driver fatigue due to pressure from dispatchers or unrealistic schedules is a major factor in Missouri truck crashes.
2. The Trucking Company
Trucking companies may be liable for failing to screen their drivers, ignoring red flags in driving records, pressuring drivers to break federal hours-of-service regulations, and failing to inspect or maintain their fleet. When these companies choose profits over people, they must be held accountable.
We routinely uncover logbook fraud, safety violations, and internal policies that directly contribute to the crash. Many companies violate FMCSA regulations, including routine equipment inspections and mandatory rest breaks.
3. A Third-Party Logistics or Broker Company
These companies coordinate freight transport, often subcontracting drivers and carriers. If they hire unsafe drivers or companies without adequate safety records or insurance, they can be sued for negligent selection or oversight.
4. Cargo Loaders and Shippers
Unbalanced loads can destabilize a truck, especially at highway speeds. If a separate freight company was responsible for securing or loading cargo, they may be liable. We investigate contracts, bills of lading, and load manifests to find out who handled the cargo and whether they followed proper procedures.
5. Truck or Parts Manufacturers
A manufacturer may be liable if a product defect—like faulty brakes, tire blowouts, or defective coupling systems—caused or worsened the crash. These claims require a different level of engineering analysis and are typically brought under Missouri’s product liability laws.
6. Maintenance and Repair Companies
Outsourced maintenance and repair shops are often negligent in routine inspections, part replacements, and repairs. If we find the truck was recently serviced and failed due to a missed defect, we pursue liability aggressively.
7. Other Drivers and Government Entities
Sometimes a passenger vehicle cuts off a truck or brakes suddenly, causing the truck to swerve and crash. In rare cases, poor road design or lack of warning signage by government agencies can also be contributing factors. We work with civil engineers to examine intersections, signage, road surface, and maintenance schedules.
How Is Liability Proven in a Missouri Truck Accident?
At Sansone & Lauber, we build powerful cases using key evidence such as:
- Black box (ECM) data from the truck
- GPS logs and route tracking data
- Dash cam footage and nearby surveillance
- Driver logbooks and dispatch records
- Cell phone records to prove distracted driving
- Maintenance logs and inspection reports
- Driver employment history and training files
- Toxicology reports
- Expert accident reconstruction analysis
- Roadway condition reports and weather data
We also subpoena internal emails, safety audits, and FMCSA compliance records to expose systemic negligence. In many cases, we discover safety shortcuts that put profits ahead of public safety.
Damages You Can Recover in a Truck Accident Lawsuit
Truck accident victims often suffer severe and life-altering injuries. At Sansone & Lauber, we fight for full financial compensation, which may include:
- Emergency care and hospitalization
- Surgeries, rehabilitation, and physical therapy
- Future medical costs and long-term care
- Lost income and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and PTSD
- Property damage (vehicle replacement or repair)
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death damages for surviving family members
In some cases, punitive damages may also be awarded if the trucking company’s behavior was especially reckless or egregious.
Missouri’s Comparative Fault Rule
Missouri applies a pure comparative fault system. Even if you’re partially responsible for the crash, you can still recover damages.
Example: If a jury awards $1,000,000 and finds you 25% at fault, you can still recover $750,000.
Insurance companies often try to exaggerate your share of fault. Our attorneys push back with hard evidence to minimize your liability and fight for every dollar you deserve.
Statute of Limitations for Missouri Truck Accident Claims
You have:
- Five years to file a personal injury lawsuit
- Three years to file a wrongful death claim
But don’t wait. The most valuable evidence—truck black box data, dash cam footage, witness statements—can disappear within days. Contact Sansone & Lauber as soon as possible so we can preserve this evidence and build your case from day one.
Why Choose Sansone & Lauber for Your Missouri Truck Accident Case?
We bring:
- Over 20 years of trial-tested experience
- Millions recovered for truck accident victims across Missouri
- Advanced investigative tools and expert witness networks
- Relentless litigation against trucking companies and insurers
- A reputation for results and integrity
When we take on your case, we do it with the full force of our firm—experienced litigators, investigators, medical experts, and strategic negotiators. We’re not afraid to take on the biggest companies in the country—and we have the results to prove it.
Recent Truck Accident Case Results
- $1.2 million recovered for a St. Louis man struck by a distracted truck driver
- $975,000 settlement for a family rear-ended by a drowsy 18-wheeler driver
- $2.4 million wrongful death verdict after a commercial hauler veered off I-70
- $850,000 settlement for a delivery truck crash caused by an overloaded trailer
We don’t just settle cases—we build them for trial from day one, which puts pressure on insurance companies to offer top-dollar resolutions.
What to Do After a Truck Accident in Missouri
- Call 911 and get medical help – Even minor injuries can worsen over time.
- Do not admit fault or apologize – Anything you say can be used against you later.
- Take photos and videos – Capture skid marks, debris, weather, and injuries.
- Collect contact info – Get names of witnesses, drivers, and responding officers.
- Request the police report – It’s a key piece of documentation.
- Avoid talking to the trucking company or insurers – Let your attorney handle them.
- Call Sansone & Lauber immediately – The sooner we start, the stronger your case.
Speak to a Top-Rated Missouri Truck Accident Lawyer Today
Truck accident cases require more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need a team with the resources, experience, and drive to take on massive trucking companies, dissect federal regulations, and present a winning case in court.
📞 Call Sansone & Lauber now at (314) 863-0500 for a 100% free case evaluation.
We’re here to fight for you—because you deserve more than just compensation. You deserve justice.
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