If you or a loved one has been injured in a collision with a large commercial vehicle, you know that these are not just standard car accidents. The sheer size and weight of a semi-truck or 18-wheeler can cause devastating damage. When you are facing mounting medical bills, lost time at work, and physical pain, you need a legal team that understands the complexities of trucking laws.

At The Super Lawyer, we are dedicated to fighting for victims of negligence on St. Louis roads. We understand the tactics trucking companies use to minimize payouts, and we are here to help you secure the maximum compensation you deserve. You do not have to face the insurance giants alone.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in St. Louis

Truck accidents often happen because someone failed to follow the rules. Unlike passenger cars, Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs) must follow strict federal regulations. When these rules are ignored, innocent people get hurt.

Driver Fatigue and Hours-of-Service Violations

Truck drivers are under immense pressure to deliver goods quickly. However, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets strict Hours-of-Service (HOS) regulations to prevent exhausted drivers from getting behind the wheel. Despite this, truck driver fatigue remains a leading cause of crashes. We investigate whether drivers exceeded their legal driving limits or falsified their logs.

Improper Cargo Loading

Cargo securement is a critical safety requirement. If a trailer is overloaded or the freight is not balanced correctly, the truck can become unstable. This can lead to jackknifing or rollovers, especially on busy highways like Interstate 70 and Interstate 44. We look into who loaded the truck to see if negligence played a part in your accident.

Serious Injuries from Semi-Truck Crashes

Because a fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, the impact of a crash is often catastrophic for smaller vehicles. Victims often face long roads to recovery.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

The force of a truck collision can cause severe head trauma. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can result in long-term cognitive issues, requiring lifetime medical care and therapy.

Spinal Cord Damage

Spinal injuries are common in high-impact crashes involving large trucks. These injuries can lead to partial or complete paralysis, permanently altering a victim’s life and ability to work.

Who Is Liable in a Missouri Truck Accident?

Determining who is at fault in a truck crash is more complicated than a typical fender bender. In a car accident, you usually just sue the other driver. In a truck accident, multiple parties may be responsible.

Trucking Companies

The trucking company is often responsible for the actions of its drivers. They may also be liable if they failed to maintain the vehicle, hired unqualified drivers, or ignored data from Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) that track driving hours.

Cargo Loaders and Manufacturers

Sometimes the driver did everything right, but the equipment failed. If a brake part was defective, the manufacturer might be liable. If a third-party company loaded the truck improperly, causing the cargo to shift, they could be held accountable.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

Our goal is to make you whole again financially. We pursue damages that cover both your financial losses and your personal suffering.

Economic Damages

These are the calculable costs of your accident. They include current and future medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and lost wages if you cannot work. We also look at property damage to your vehicle.

Non-Economic Damages

These damages cover the human cost of the accident. This includes pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases of extreme recklessness, we may also pursue punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer.

Steps After a St. Louis Truck Wreck

Taking the right steps immediately after a crash can protect your health and your legal claim.

• Call 911: Ensure the police and paramedics are on the way. A report from the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) or local police is vital evidence.
• Seek Medical Attention: Even if you feel okay, adrenaline can hide injuries. Go to the hospital immediately.
• Document the Scene: If safe, take photos of the vehicles, the road conditions, and any skid marks.
• Do Not Admit Fault: Be honest with police, but do not apologize or speculate on who caused the crash.
• Contact a Lawyer: Call a specialized attorney before speaking to the trucking company’s insurance adjusters.

Missouri Truck Accident Laws and Deadlines

It is important to act quickly. In Missouri, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is generally five years from the date of the accident. However, evidence like truck “black box” data can disappear much sooner than that.

Missouri also follows a comparative fault rule. This means that even if you were partially to blame for the accident, you might still be able to recover compensation, though your payout would be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Why Choose a Specialized St. Louis Truck Attorney

Trucking companies have aggressive legal teams and insurance adjusters whose only job is to pay you as little as possible. They start building their defense minutes after a crash happens. You need a lawyer who knows how to level the playing field.

We work on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not pay us any legal fees unless we win your case. We handle the investigation, the paperwork, and the negotiations so you can focus on healing.