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Given its proximity to Interstate 44, Webster Groves sees plenty of commercial trucks and tractor-trailers pass through the area daily. Unfortunately, not all those trucks are operated as safely as they should be, which sometimes leads to traffic collisions with devastating results.
If you try to file a lawsuit by yourself against a trucker or trucking company after a wreck, you will likely have a hard time getting the compensation you need. On top of the legal difficulties, you may also have to deal with trucking insurance companies trying to settle your claim as cheaply as possible. Insurers think that they can take advantage of you not knowing your rights.
They won’t be able to do this if you have us on your side.
OnderLaw’s Webster Groves truck accident lawyers can help you get the most out of your lawsuit or settlement demand. Our experienced personal injury attorneys have been standing by our Webster Groves friends and neighbors for more than 20 years. We are your advocates, allies, and guiding hands in challenging times.
Commercial truck drivers have the same obligations under state law as anyone else operating a motor vehicle in Missouri. Truckers and the companies that employ them must follow various federal regulations regarding the length of driving shifts and the amount of cargo transported across state lines. Any violation of these laws, or any other reckless or careless act that directly leads to a collision, could be considered negligence on their part. This is the legal basis for most personal injury lawsuits.
Often, it isn’t the drivers themselves who are at fault. Impossible demands on the part of contractors like Amazon or FedEx often contribute to drivers’ errors, as well as lax safety standards and violations of the law on the part of the trucking companies that employ them. Sometimes, too, cities, states, or counties may not have repaired damaged roadways or signage, leading to accidents.
Any of these parties, as well as the insurance companies that cover such accidents and other entities or individuals, can be held accountable, depending upon the individual facts of a case.
Different types of evidence may be necessary to build your tractor-trailer collision claim. An individual driver might break a traffic law, fail to pay attention to their surroundings, or drive while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or fatigue.
As for their employers, negligence might look like a failure to maintain safe hiring practices, a lack of appropriate training for drivers, or violations of federal law to save time and money.
Some semi-truck wrecks might result from negligence by third parties—for instance, a mechanic not replacing a truck component correctly or another driver acting negligently and forcing a trucker into a collision.
Our proactive Webster Groves attorneys employ all the resources needed, including private investigators, accident reconstructionists, and other experts to figure out how your truck crash occurred and taking legal action against the at-fault parties.
Both short-term and long-term damages can be included in your settlement demand or lawsuit following an 18-wheeler accident, including:
The knowledgeable attorneys at OnderLaw understand that each truck wreck case is unique and can provide tailored support throughout the claims process. Working with a skilled Webster Groves lawyer can make a big difference in the aftermath of a trucking collision.
Truck accidents can be traumatic experiences, even if you are fortunate enough to avoid any serious physical harm. After a particularly severe wreck, you may face life-changing and debilitating losses, all because someone else acted carelessly.
After a severe injury, the legal team at OnderLaw will be here with you every step of the way. Call today to learn how our Webster Groves truck accident lawyers can support and guide you through the recovery process.
Much like collisions between commuter cars, auto accidents involving commercial trucks often stem from a truck driver committing a traffic violation or otherwise breaking the law—for instance, by texting behind the wheel or driving while fatigued. However, these kinds of accidents are sometimes caused by the negligence of third parties who were not directly involved in the collision, such as:
No matter who caused the crash, our truck accident lawyers will work to hold them financially accountable for every loss you suffer.
After being involved in a truck wreck or a traffic collision, you should call law enforcement to the scene and remain there until both police and all involved drivers have contact and insurance information from everyone else involved. It can also be important to preserve information about how the crash happened by:
This could all prove to be crucial evidence in an ensuing civil claim.
The two most important factors determining if someone involved in a Webster Groves truck accident may have valid grounds to file suit over it are:
1) Whether they can prove that a specific irresponsible act by another person caused the crash; and,
2) Whether they suffered an injury serious enough to need some kind of professional medical treatment.
If both these criteria are met, you will likely be able to establish legal negligence by the other person involved and pursue litigation against them with a trusted and qualified OnderLaw attorney’s help.
Retaining legal counsel as soon as possible after a truck accident in Webster Groves can be crucial to improving your chances of case success. This is because your dedicated lawyer will be able to help you negotiate more effectively with insurance companies and build a stronger civil claim in the event you need to pursue a third-party settlement or lawsuit.
Even if a truck wreck results in only minor injuries, it can still be helpful to contact a capable and compassionate attorney at OnderLaw quickly afterward to ensure no procedural roadblocks get in the way of your recovery.
The deadline to file an insurance claim over a truck accident can vary slightly depending on the policy a particular claimant has and what insurance company is providing that policy. Still, insurers generally expect injured parties to file their claims within a few days of getting hurt and will very often reject any claims filed more than 30 days after the wreck. As for third-party lawsuits, Missouri Revised Statutes § 516.120 sets a filing deadline of five years for most personal injury claimants, with the filing period starting from the date you sustained your injuries.
Fortunately, the legal principle of respondeat superior often allows individuals hurt in truck crashes to hold the truck company that employed the trucker involved in the wreck accountable for their employee’s negligence. In some situations, it may also be possible to file suit against a trucking company for a specific negligent or wrongful act leading to a truck accident—for example, forcing their drivers to violate federal laws regarding maximum driving time or maximum vehicle weight. Our proactive team of lawyers at OnderLaw can work to hold all parties responsible for your injuries legally and financially accountable.
