Recovered Over $300 Million for Our 7,000+ Clients
The size and weight of commercial trucks mean that when they cause accidents, victims often suffer catastrophic or fatal injuries. Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and crushed limbs commonly result from these severe accidents, and when someone else caused the devastating crash that harmed them, victims deserve compensation for those injuries.
If you were hurt in a truck accident in St. Joseph, Missouri, that wasn’t your fault, contact Holland Injury Law to speak with an experienced truck accident lawyer about your case. Our firm has recovered over $300 Million for our 7,000+ clients, and we’re ready to help you seek the compensation you need and deserve. Call (314) 888-7888 today.
Truck accidents are extremely dangerous for pedestrians and those in passenger vehicles a truck collides with.
Head-On Collisions – When a large truck crosses the center line and collides with another vehicle head-on, it often results in fatal injuries. These accidents typically occur because of fatigued or distracted driving.
Rear-End Collisions – Because of their weight, large trucks require more distance to stop than smaller vehicles. This can lead to serious rear-end collisions if truck drivers misjudge the distance they need to stop. Even a low-speed rear-end collision can cause severe back injuries and whiplash.
Rollover Accidents – These accidents occur when a truck tips over, usually because of high winds or excessive speeds while turning. Improperly secured cargo can also contribute to rollover accidents.
Underride Accidents – These crashes occur when a vehicle crashes into the side of the truck and gets wedged beneath it. These accidents lead to catastrophic, often fatal, head injuries.
Jackknife Accidents – Braking at high speeds or driving in slippery conditions can cause a truck’s trailer to swing out alongside the cab. When this happens, the truck can collide with vehicles spanning multiple lanes, such as those on I-29.
After a truck accident, you may assume the truck driver is the only party liable for your injuries. However, that’s not always the case. There could be multiple parties liable, and the truck driver may not even be one of them, depending on the circumstances of the accident.
Truck Drivers – Negligent truck drivers, such as those who drive distracted, fatigued, or impaired, are the most frequently liable parties in truck accidents since they’re directly in control of the vehicle.
Trucking Companies – In some cases, trucking companies can be liable. If they encouraged their drivers to speed to save time and money or engaged in unsafe hiring practices, they could be held accountable.
Maintenance Providers – If poor truck maintenance contributed to the accident, the maintenance provider could be liable. For example, if the truck’s brakes were severely worn but the maintenance provider didn’t replace them, they could be responsible for your injuries.
Truck Manufacturers – Manufacturers can also be liable if defective parts contributed to the crash. An example might be a connection point between the cab and the trailer that doesn’t secure properly.
Cargo Loaders – Improperly secured cargo can cause rollover accidents and allow items to fall off the back of flatbed trucks. In these cases, the cargo loaders could be liable for resulting injuries.
Government Entities – If poor road conditions, such as large potholes or missing traffic signs, contributed to the accident, the government entity responsible for maintaining the road could be liable.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has regulations limiting the hours truck drivers can be on the road in a given period. These regulations are in place because the FMCSA recognizes the heightened risks associated with fatigued driving.
To prove liability after a truck accident, you need evidence of the at-fault party’s negligence. This evidence could include:
Traffic Camera Footage – Traffic cameras sometimes capture accidents, particularly those that occur at intersections.
Eyewitness Statements – Individuals who saw the collision occur can provide neutral, third-party testimony that corroborates your version of events.
Expert Testimony– Sometimes, lawyers hire experts, such as medical professionals or crash reconstruction specialists, to testify on various aspects of a case.
Trucker Logbook Entries – Truckers must keep updated logbooks in their trucks that detail how long they were driving and the breaks they took. Your lawyer may be able to use this information to prove they exceeded the hours of service regulations.
Truck Maintenance Records – These records detail the maintenance the truck underwent and may show that the maintenance provider failed to provide adequate service.
Victims of truck accidents in St. Joseph can seek compensation for various losses, such as:
Medical Expenses – Compensation for past and future surgeries, medical treatments, physical therapy, and prescriptions.
Lost Income – Compensation for lost wages and benefits caused by your injury’s impact on your ability to work while you recover.
Permanent Disability – Compensation for any permanent disability suffered as a result of your injuries, including the loss of limb function or spinal cord injuries.
Pain and Suffering – Compensation for the physical pain and emotional suffering you experience because of your injuries.
Funeral and Burial Costs – Compensation for your loved one’s funeral and burial if they died as a result of their injuries. You can seek this compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit.
If you suffered an injury in a truck accident in St. Joseph, Buchanan County, contact Holland Injury Law at (314) 888-7888 for a free consultation with an experienced truck accident lawyer. We’ll review your case, explain your options for seeking compensation, and walk you through the process of filing lawsuits against the parties responsible for your injuries.
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