Tractor Trailer Accident Lawyer in St. Louis, MO

Were you hurt in a tractor-trailer accident? A semi-truck accident can leave you with life-altering injuries that require expensive medical care and prevent you from earning a living. You should not have to bear the financial consequences of injuries caused by a careless truck driver or trucking company. 

A St. Louis tractor-trailer accident lawyer from Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC can help. Our firm has a track record of pursuing outstanding results for victims of truck accidents in St. Louis and throughout Missouri. Our lawyers have received the Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent® rating and membership in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum® and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum®, which recognize attorneys who have recovered multiple seven-figure-plus awards for clients.

Contact our firm today at (314) 367-2661 or fill out our online form for a free initial case review with a St. Louis semi-truck accident lawyer about your legal options after a devastating tractor-trailer accident.  

What to Do If You Were Involved in an Accident with a Tractor Trailer in St. Louis

If you were in an accident with a tractor-trailer in St. Louis, you should take the following steps to protect yourself and your legal rights: 

  • Report the crash to law enforcement.
  • Seek prompt medical attention to get checked for injuries you suffered in the accident.
  • Follow your healthcare providers’ treatment plans and instructions.
  • Keep all bills, invoices, and receipts of expenses you incur due to the accident.
  • Gather copies of your pay stubs if you miss work or have reduced earnings.
  • Start a journal to document your recollection of the accident and record the pain, physical difficulties, and impact on the quality of life you experience while you heal.
  • Avoid discussing the accident or your injuries on social media or posting photos and videos of yourself until your case is resolved.
  • Contact our St. Louis tractor-trailer accident attorneys as soon as possible to start preparing your legal case against those at fault for your injuries and losses. 

Why Choose Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC For Your Tractor Trailer Accident?

If a truck accident has left you with severe injuries, you need substantial financial resources to help you put your life back on track. Our law firm can help you seek maximum compensation from trucking companies and insurers. For years, injured people in St. Louis have turned to the tractor-trailer accident attorneys of Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC to help them pursue financial relief and justice. 

You should choose our firm for your truck accident case because of the following: 

  • Our knowledge – Our attorneys have dedicated themselves to representing victims of semi-truck accidents and have developed a deep understanding of the laws that apply to catastrophic injury claims. Two of our partners, David Craig and Scott Faultless, have received board certification from the National Board of Trial Advocacy in Personal Injury Law involving commercial truck accidents – a distinction afforded to less than 100 attorneys nationwide. Board certification reflects Craig’s and Faultless’s extensive knowledge in this area of law.
  • Our experience – Our firm has represented thousands of victims of accidents, having successfully recovered compensation for our clients at the negotiating table and in court. We have significant litigation experience and won’t hesitate to take a case to trial when trucking and insurance companies refuse to agree to a fair settlement. We prepare every case for trial, which empowers us to negotiate from a position of strength since trucking companies and insurers know we have what it takes to fight for your rights in court if necessary.
  • Our resources – Our legal team includes accident reconstruction experts, auto mechanics, trial consultants, and other professionals with specific knowledge that can help us prepare effective case strategies. We have the resources to pursue every case we accept thoroughly. Insurers know we will fight for our clients’ interests as long as necessary. And because we handle cases on a contingency fee basis, we advance the costs of our client’s cases and only recoup our expenses if we win compensation.
  • Our dedication to excellent client service – Unlike other law firms that treat clients like case numbers, we know that our clients have many law firms to choose from, and we express our gratitude when they choose us to represent them. We treat every person who walks through our doors with compassion, honesty, and professionalism. We meet with clients at home or in the hospital if convenient for them and promptly return all phone calls and emails when clients have a question about their cases. 

What Are Recoverable Damages or Compensation in a Tractor-Trailer Accident in Missouri?

In a tractor-trailer accident case, you may have the right to recover compensation for financial and personal losses you have incurred or will incur due to your injuries and property damage, including for: 

  • Medical treatment and rehabilitation expenses, including out-of-pocket expenses such as prescriptions, medical equipment, and mobility equipment
  • Long-term care and support for permanent disabilities you have suffered, including home health services and assistance around the home
  • Loss of income if you need to take time off work or take a lower-paying, part-time, or light-duty job while you recover from your injuries
  • Loss of future earning capacity and employment benefits if you develop a permanent disability and can no longer work 
  • Pain and suffering, including loss of enjoyment and quality of life due to physical disabilities or permanent, visible scarring and disfigurement that interferes with your daily life
  • Vehicle repair costs and related expenses, such as car rental fees
  • Reimbursement of your car’s value if totaled in the accident 

Statutes of Limitation for a Tractor-Trailer Accident Lawsuit in Missouri

Under Missouri’s statute of limitations for tractor-trailer accident claims, you must file a lawsuit in your case within five years of the truck accident. Filing your lawsuit after the deadline means the trial court can dismiss your case regardless of the merits of your claim. For this reason, you should talk to a St. Louis tractor-trailer accident lawyer from Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC as soon as possible to ensure you file your case on time.  

Determining Liability for a Tractor-Trailer Accident

A tractor-trailer accident case often involves many kinds of evidence to determine which parties are responsible for your injuries and other losses. Examples of evidence used in tractor-trailer accident claims include: 

  • The truck’s event data recorder (black box) logs
  • The truck driver’s hours-of-service records
  • The cargo manifest
  • The trucking company’s dispatch logs
  • Results of any post-accident alcohol or drug test results
  • Post-accident inspections of the truck
  • The truck’s maintenance records and the truck driver’s pre-trip inspection reports

Other evidence used to determine liability for a tractor-trailer accident includes: 

  • Accident scene photos and videos
  • Police accident reports and arrest or citation records
  • Surveillance and traffic camera footage or dashcam footage
  • Eyewitness testimony
  • The truck driver’s cell phone logs
  • Accident reconstruction expert reports 

How Our Attorneys Can Help After a Tractor-Trailer Accident in St. Louis

When you turn to the attorneys of Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC for help after a semi-truck accident, you can expect our firm to handle all the details of your legal case against liable parties, including: 

  • Thoroughly investigating the crash to secure evidence to build your case
  • Working with accident reconstruction experts and auto mechanics to determine the cause of the crash and identify the parties you might hold liable
  • Documenting your injuries and expenses, including future anticipated losses, to calculate a fair amount of compensation you deserve to recover in your case
  • Preparing and filing your insurance claims and demand letters to begin pursuing the compensation you need
  • Communicating with trucking company representatives and insurance adjusters to aggressively pursue a maximum settlement in your case
  • Taking your case to court and trial, if necessary, to demand a full financial recovery and justice for you 

Most Common Causes of Tractor-Trailer Accidents in Missouri

Some of the most frequent causes of truck accidents in Missouri include: 

  • Speeding
  • Tailgating 
  • Reckless driving
  • Running red lights and stop signs
  • Unsafe or illegal lane changes and turns
  • Changing lanes or turning without signaling or checking mirrors
  • Failing to yield the right-of-way
  • Making wide right turns
  • Backing up without looking behind
  • Failing to balance or secure the cargo load
  • Drowsy driving
  • Distracted driving
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Inadequate truck maintenance
  • Truck part defects 

Most Common Injuries from Tractor-Trailer Accidents in Missouri 

Due to the size of tractor-trailers, accidents involving these vehicles can result in catastrophic injuries for crash victims. Common injuries from tractor-trailer accidents include: 

  • Lacerations, abrasions, and degloving injuries
  • Burns
  • Dislocated joints
  • Ligament sprains and tears
  • Muscle or tendon strains and tears
  • Broken bones
  • Whiplash
  • Nerve damage
  • Neck and back injuries, including herniated discs
  • Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
  • Internal organ injuries and internal bleeding
  • Head and facial injuries
  • Hearing and vision loss
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Traumatic amputation 

Schedule a Free Case Review with Our Experienced St. Louis Tractor-Trailer Accident Attorneys

If you suffered injuries in a tractor-trailer accident in St. Louis, you need legal representation to stand up to the trucking companies and demand accountability and justice for the harm you’ve endured. 

Contact Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC today at (314) 367-2661 or fill out our online form for a free no-obligation consultation to learn more about your legal rights.