Trucking Accidents Lawyer in St. Louis, Missouri

Like any St. Louis and Missouri car accident, each crash is unique and has its own set of circumstances. Often trucking accidents have a variety of contributing factors. They can frequently lead to multi-vehicle accidents in which more than one driver may be at fault. Burger Law's trucking accidents lawyer team in St. Louis and Missouri will fully investigate every aspect of your case to determine every liable party and hold them accountable. Below is some more information on what causes truck crashes and who may be liable.

Driver Error in St. Louis and Missouri Trucking Accidents

In its landmark large truck crash causation study, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration found that "driver reasons" accounted for the main cause in 87 percent of trucking accidents nationwide. Some instances of driver error in trucking accidents are:

• Distracted driving, such as:
  • Texting and driving
  • Looking at directions
  • Eating or drinking
  • Smoking or chewing tobacco
  • Being preoccupied or daydreaming
  • Looking at something on the side of the road
• Speeding or driving too fast for weather conditions
• Drunk driving or drug impaired driving
• Not accounting for road conditions
• Overcompensating for road conditions
• Making illegal maneuvers

Distracted driving is a leading contributor to St. Louis and Missouri trucking accidents as 71 percent of truck crashes happened when the driver was doing something besides driving the truck. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration banned texting and driving for drivers of commercial vehicles, but unfortunately, as with drivers of St. Louis and Missouri passenger cars, sometimes truck drivers break the rules. When they do and they injure you as a result, the St. Louis-based Missouri trucking accidents lawyers of Burger Law will stand by your side and insist that you are fully compensated for all of your damages.

Other Causes of St. Louis and Missouri Trucking Accidents

Burger Law's St. Louis, Missouri trucking accidents lawyer has seen a lot of truck crashes. We have found that they are rarely cut and dry, and there are often several contributing factors in a trucking accident in St. Louis. Thirteen percent of truck accidents were caused by issues with the truck, weather conditions or St. Louis and Missouri roadway problems. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration lists over 1,000 "associated factors" related to trucking accidents, meaning conditions that were present at the time of the crash. Your Burger Law trucking accidents lawyer in St. Louis has seen every type of truck crash and knows how to determine liability. Here are some other common causes of trucking accidents:

• Improper Loading. The shipping company is responsible for loading the truck's cargo with equal weight distribution and not overloading it. Improperly loading the truck can lead to rollover accidents. If your truck crash was caused by negligent loading practices, Burger Law's Missouri trucking accidents lawyer in St. Louis will help you make a claim against the at-fault shipping company.
• Poor maintenance. A large truck crash study by the Federal Motor Carrier Administration, negligent maintenance is a contributing factor in 40 percent of trucking accidents. Examples can include failed brakes, electrical problems, burst tires and more. Brake problems were an associated factor in 27 percent of trucks in trucking accidents, contrasted with just 2 percent in cars. Missouri, St. Louis and Federal Law requires pre-trip and yearly inspections carried out by the driver and trucking company or third party, respectively.
• Driver Fatigue. Thirteen percent of trucking accidents involved driver fatigue as an associated factor. The same study found that pressure from management was a leading reason for drivers to try and drive more hours than they were able. Nine percent of truck crashes had work-related pressure as an associated factor.
• Another driver. In accidents between trucks and passenger cars, trucks were the cause of a trucking accident only 44 percent of the time. The other crashes were caused by a passenger car. If you are in a multi-car accident, you may be able to file a claim against the driver of a St. Louis or Missouri passenger car as you normally would after a car accident.

Trucking accidents in St. Louis, Missouri are complicated, and in the immediate aftermath of a truck crash injury you are likely feeling vulnerable and confused. You are probably wondering how the accident could have happened to you and who you can hold accountable for your injuries. The St. Louis-based trucking accidents lawyer of Burger Law has seen every type of truck crash and knows exactly how to determine who is liable in a truck accident and prove negligence in your case. Missouri has strict trucking regulations for both drivers and companies. When they break those rules and injure you, put your case in the trustworthy hands of Burger Law.

What to Do After an Accident | St. Louis, Missouri Trucking Accidents Lawyer

Our St. Louis-based trucking accidents lawyer recommends taking several steps immediately after being injured in a crash to ensure your safety and the best possible outcome in your case:

• Make sure you are safe. If possible, get out of the St. Louis or Missouri road to get out of the way of oncoming traffic. Also, move your car out of traffic if possible. If you are seriously injured only move if you are in immediate danger.
• Call the police. St. Louis or other Missouri police will take control of the scene, direct oncoming traffic and send as many ambulances as necessary. They will also write and file a report. While you should answer their questions honestly, do not admit fault.
• Document the scene. If you are physically able, take pictures of the scene, including all damaged vehicles, the surrounding St. Louis or Missouri street and any property damage. Also write down any details you can think of, as your memory will be most fresh directly after the accident. This evidence will be incredibly helpful to your St. Louis trucking accidents lawyer down the road.
• Get Medical Attention. Your first priority should be your health and safety. Even if you may feel fine or think your injuries are not severe, it is impossible to know the full extent of your injuries without seeing a doctor. The best thing to do is get to a St. Louis or other Missouri hospital as soon as possible. Do not make any statements regarding your injuries, as the insurance company may later try to hold it against you if at first you say they were not serious.
• Call Burger Law. Our Missouri trucking accidents lawyer based in St. Louis has the passion, dedication, knowledge and skill to be your advocate throughout your trial and to secure a successful resolution in your case. While insurance companies occasionally offer fair settlements upfront, never settle your case without speaking to a lawyer first. Calling us is free, and depending on your case we may be able to significantly increase the value of your claim and win you maximum compensation.

To guarantee that insurance companies and large St. Louis or Missouri corporations treat you fairly, and to secure a full financial recovery for your case, call Burger Law today at (314) 500-HURT or fill out our online form.

Can a St. Louis, Missouri Trucking Accidents Lawyer Get Me Compensation if I Was Partially at Fault?

It is common in any auto vehicle accident for multiple parties to share blame. Missouri is a "pure comparative negligence" state, meaning that you can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident.

In a pure comparative negligence state, you can still be compensated even if you were 99 percent responsible for the accident. The compensation you receive will be lower the more liable you are for the accident. If you were found 30 percent liable, then you would only receive 70 percent of your damages. Insurance companies often try to shift blame for an accident onto a plaintiff in an effort to lower your payout. The St. Louis and Missouri trucking accidents lawyer at Burger Law has the experience and expert negotiation skills to fight back against insurance companies who are unfairly trying to blame you for your truck crash injuries.

Burger Law's Missouri personal injury trucking accidents law firm based in St. Louis has a team of gifted litigators and trial lawyers with more than 70 years of combined experience practicing law and protecting the vulnerable and injured. We will fight to get you maximum compensation in any injury claim in Missouri, including the case types listed here. Click for more information.