Trucking Accidents Attorney in Columbia, Missouri

Columbia is the largest city in central Missouri, located midway between Kansas City and St. Louis along Interstate 70. As such, it is no stranger to commercial truck traffic. With frequent traffic congestion, shifting speed limits, and sometimes confusing roadways, it can be a hazardous area for drivers even in relatively ideal conditions. When truck congestion is at its worst, the risk of accidents is significant.

Many of these truck accidents result from negligence on the part of the truck driver, the trucking carrier, or another party involved with the truck’s maintenance, loading, or general operation. If you’ve been hurt in a truck crash that someone else caused, a Columbia, Missouri, trucking accident attorney can help you pursue compensation for your medical expenses and other related losses.

Because many truck companies are huge operations with considerable financial, legal, and insurance resources, you need an attorney who understands the trucking industry, knows how to handle these complex cases, and can hold the responsible parties accountable for your injuries. You need Holland Injury Law, LLC. We are prepared to fight for your rights, stand up to trucking companies and their insurers, and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Contact us today to arrange a free consultation and learn more about your legal rights and options following a truck accident.

What Makes Truck Accidents So Dangerous?

Commercial trucks present unique dangers to occupants of passenger vehicles. Even low-speed collisions between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles can result in devastating damage and severe injuries. This is primarily due to the size disparity between the vehicles. While a midsize sedan weighs about 3,500 pounds, an empty 18-wheeler weighs about 35,000. Fully loaded, it can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds.

Not surprisingly, a commercial truck can seriously damage a passenger vehicle in even a relatively low-speed accident. At highway speeds, the potential scope of devastation is much greater. Truck accidents can result in severe head and neck injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, facial injuries, and more, with catastrophic collisions often resulting in fatal injuries.

The high risk of serious injury in the event of a crash is why interstate trucking is heavily regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which requires commercial vehicle owners and operators to abide by rules regarding driver hours of service, training, drug testing, vehicle maintenance, cargo loading, documentation, and much more. Failure to follow these regulations can result in severe penalties for drivers, trucking companies, cargo loaders, and other parties.

The extreme danger posed by truck accidents, the complexity of FMCSA regulations, and the powerful defense teams employed by trucking companies are why you need a trucking accident lawyer near Columbia, Missouri, who has experience handling these types of cases. They’ll understand the nuances involved in gathering and reviewing evidence and will know what kinds of violations to look for as they prepare your case. A knowledgeable truck accident lawyer is better equipped to hold the responsible parties liable for your injuries and other losses.

Who Is Liable in a Truck Accident?

Liability is one of the areas in which truck accident cases can get highly complex. This is because many different parties may bear some of the fault in a truck accident. Most accidents between passenger vehicles come down to the fault on the part of one or more drivers.

Accidents involving commercial trucks may be the fault of many different parties, including:

Truck Driver– The driver may be at fault if they were impaired, distracted, falling asleep, or driving in a reckless or dangerous manner.
Trucking Company– The trucking company may be at fault if they failed to properly train the driver, failed to keep the truck in good repair, or otherwise failed to follow FMCSA regulations.
Mechanics– The mechanics responsible for maintaining and repairing the truck could be liable if they ignored or failed to adequately address issues with the vehicle.
Truck Manufacturer– Sometimes, a truck or truck part has manufacturing defects that make accidents all but unavoidable. In these cases, the manufacturer may be liable for accidents and injuries.
Cargo Loaders– A truck that’s overloaded or loaded without regard for balance and stability is harder to control and likelier to crash. In these situations, the cargo loaders may be at fault.

Determining which parties may be liable for your injuries is a complicated process that necessitates a thorough investigation of complex evidence. You’ll benefit from having a truck accident attorney with a background in handling complex cases. They’ll know how to recover the proof you need to hold the at-fault party accountable.

What Should I Do After a Truck Accident in Columbia, Missouri?

The actions you take after an accident with a commercial truck have significant implications for your legal claim.

Here are four key things you need to do:

Follow Your Doctor’s Treatment Plan– Attend all doctor appointments and follow their instructions to the letter. This helps your physical recovery and strengthens your legal claim.
Gather Evidence and Documentation– Hang on to all medical, insurance, and employment documentation related to your accident and pass it along to your attorney. This is critical evidence for establishing the effects of the accident.
Be Careful What You Say– Avoid talking about the accident or posting about it on social media. What you say can be used by insurance companies to discredit your claim.
Contact a Truck Accident Attorney– Reach out to an experienced truck accident lawyer as soon as possible following the accident. They’ll take care of the legal legwork and allow you to focus on your health.
With the help of a trucking accident attorney near Columbia, Missouri, you can concentrate on resting and recovering from your injuries instead of pursuing your own insurance claim.

Compensation Available in a Columbia, Missouri, Truck Accident Claim

The expenses and losses caused by a truck accident can be staggering.

However, if the truck driver or another party was at fault for the accident, they likely owe you compensation for what you’ve suffered, including your:

Past, ongoing, and anticipated future medical expenses
Lost income and loss of future earning potential
Physical and psychological pain and suffering
Property damage, including damage to your vehicle
Wrongful death

Some of these losses can be difficult to quantify. However, an experienced truck accident lawyer will be familiar with different approaches to calculating fair compensation in these complex cases and will pursue the maximum amount to offset your losses.

Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer at Holland Injury Law, LLC, Today

The aftermath of a truck accident can be physically painful, emotionally exhausting, and extremely stressful. A Columbia, Missouri, trucking accident lawyer at Holland Injury Law, LLC, can help you deal with the challenges arising from an accident and pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.

Over our nearly 30 years in practice, Holland Injury Law, LLC, has recovered over $300 Million in compensation for our clients. We understand the difficulties you’re facing and are committed to handling your case with compassion, dedication, and attentiveness. Contact us today to get started with a free consultation. We look forward to learning about your accident, hearing how it’s affected you, and discussing how we can help.

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