Truck accidents can leave victims and their families with more questions than answers. Nothing can prepare you for life after an accident, but the right team can make it easier to navigate. At Craig, Kelley & Faultless, we put our clients’ needs first. For us, that includes making sure victims understand their cases even when they’re complex.
We asked our Missouri truck accident attorney Christopher Barry a few of our most frequently asked questions about truck wrecks. The goal was for victims to hear not only the answers to their questions, but also the best ways to prepare to take legal action afterwards.
What Makes Truck Accidents Different from Normal Auto Accidents?
Truck accidents create legal cases that are typically much more complex than passenger vehicle accidents. The complexity of these cases can be attributed to the increased number of factors and parties involved. For example, investigators of both parties will examine the semi-truck itself, the cargo, and the trucking company.
Beyond the various factors involved, truck wreck cases require intentional care. The outcomes of truck accidents often exceed a manageable amount of chaos. Families are left making unfathomably difficult medical decisions while figuring out how to support drastic lifestyle changes. Attorneys and their teams who take on these cases should be able to guide clients through immediate, short-term, and long-term needs.
What Do Truck Wreck Cases Involve?
Understanding the complexity of truck accidents can help you prepare for the unexpected. Investigations of serious truck accidents start with reconstructing the wreck. This is done through the collection of extensive on-scene evidence. The following evidence is often examined in these investigations:
- Photographs
- Videos
- Physical evidence
- Skid Marks
- Roadway conditions
- Eyewitness accounts
Investigators conduct an in-depth inspection of the semi-truck, trucking company, and the driver. Examples of evidence investigators look for include:
- Drivers’ qualification file
- Driving history
- Hours-of-service log
- Drug and alcohol testing
- Training records
- Maintenance history
Collecting extensive evidence allows attorneys and their teams to accurately reconstruct the crash. This helps them understand why the accident happened and what could have been done to prevent it.
What Should Truck Crash Victims Know?
We know truck accidents can be difficult to make sense of. Our goal is to provide victims and their families with practical information to help them navigate the difficult aftermath of a serious crash. Below are four key takeaways every truck accident victim should know:
- Trucking companies begin investigating immediately.
Truck accidents can create significant liability for trucking companies. This has prompted trucking companies to use rapid response teams that arrive at the scene of the accident as soon as possible. Barry said he’s seen times when they’ve shown up at the scene before police.
- Seek legal representation as soon as possible.
With how quickly trucking companies attempt to mitigate their fault in these wrecks, you need someone who can advocate on your behalf. Victims and their families cannot trust that trucking and insurance companies will act with their best interest in mind.
Getting legal representation as soon as possible means that you have someone with the knowledge, resources, and experience to advocate with your best interests in mind.
- Choosing the right firm can make or break your case.
Hiring the right attorney can help victims ensure the accident is investigated quickly and independently. Not every attorney has the skill, experience, and dedication needed to handle these cases with the care they deserve.
“Ultimately, our job is to make sure our client’s case is investigated thoroughly and fairly while making sure the rights and interests of our client are protected throughout the case,” Barry said.
Attorneys level the playing field when you’re up against trucking and insurance companies. There’s nothing in life that prepares anyone for challenges of a serious truck wreck, but a good lawyer can guide you through the process and help you get the recovery you deserve.
- Preserving evidence is crucial.
While trucking companies are quick to start their investigation, they are just as quick to attempt to control the narrative of the accident.
“We have seen cases where trucking company agents have spoken with news media at the scene in [an] attempt to spin media coverage of the accident,” Barry said.
Extracting and preserving evidence is critical to ensuring a fair investigation, regardless of how the company tries to spin it.
Injured After a Truck Wreck? Craig, Kelley & Faultless Is Ready to Help
Craig, Kelley & Faultless is a personal injury law firm handling semi and other truck accident cases in St. Louis, Missouri, and throughout the nation. The firm has lawyers licensed in Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee. These experienced lawyers have dedicated their careers to helping victims and their loved ones involved in commercial vehicle wrecks through every aspect of their case. The firm also has a rapid response team that works with investigators, reconstructionist and mechanics who immediately collect evidence as soon as the firm is hired.
Our Missouri attorney Christopher M. Barry was included in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, reflecting his professional reputation and results. He is a member of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys (ATAA), the premier truck personal injury lawyer’s group. Chris believes that the civil justice system, particularly the right to a jury trial, plays a critical role in holding negligent parties accountable. He represents injured individuals exclusively and is committed to helping clients navigate difficult circumstances with clear guidance, responsiveness, and strong advocacy. He is also licensed in Illinois and Indiana.
The Craig, Kelley & Faultless St. Louis office is located at 5585 Pershing Ave Suite 110, St. Louis, MO 63112, available by appointment only. Reach out for a free case consultation at (314) 367-2661or visit https://www.ckflaw.com/st-louis/.
David W. Craig and Scott A. Faultless sit on the Board of Regents of the ATAA, which requires Board Certification in Truck Accident Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. David is the managing partner and one of the founding partners of Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC. He is the author of Semitruck Wreck, A Guide for Victims and Their Families and It’s Never Been Easier to Hire the Wrong Attorney, both written to help people navigate what comes next after a tragic wreck. He also hosts the podcast After the Crash, where you can gain valuable information about the dangers involving semis and large trucks that do not follow safety protocol regarding speed, weather conditions, maintenance upkeep, etc. David is licensed to practice law in Indiana and has been admitted to handle trucking cases pro hac vice in many states, including Missouri.
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