Trucking Company Negligence Lawyer in St. Louis, MO
Truck accidents can be catastrophic in St. Louis, and the consequences can last a lifetime. Truck crash victims often face severe injuries, emotional trauma, and financial stress due to mounting medical bills and time off work.
If negligent practices caused the accident that injured you, you may be entitled to significant compensation from the trucking company. You need the help of a skilled truck accident attorney to assertively pursue everything you deserve.
The personal injury attorneys at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC fight for the rights of individuals injured in commercial truck accidents in St. Louis. Let us work to hold the negligent trucking company accountable while you focus on recovery.
Contact us today to discuss your case in a free consultation with a St. Louis truck accident attorney.
How Do I Know If a Trucking Company Was Negligent?
Holding trucking companies accountable for negligent practices begins with identifying the safety issue that caused the crash. Here are some examples of key factors our truck accident attorneys may consider when analyzing the crash that injured you:
- Maintenance issues – We will examine whether brakes, tires, and other critical systems were properly maintained during recent inspections. If there is evidence they were not, it may indicate negligence.
- Driver qualifications – Trucking companies are required to carefully vet new hires and provide them with adequate training. If they fail to meet these obligations and it causes an accident, they may be responsible.
- Electronic logging device (ELD) violations – Truck drivers must accurately record hours on duty and rest periods. Falsified ELD records could point toward negligence.
- Load stability and weight compliance – Overloading, improperly securing cargo, or failing to balance weight can make trucks difficult to control, leading to serious collisions.
Can I Sue a Trucking Company for an Accident in St. Louis?
Yes. Under Missouri law, you can file a semi-truck accident lawsuit against the trucking company in various scenarios. Some of the most common include:
- Vicarious liability – If the truck driver was an employee – not an independent contractor – and was on the job at the time of the crash, their employer may bear vicarious liability.
- Negligent trucking practices – If the company itself was negligent (it neglected safety protocols, resulting in a crash), then it may be directly liable for the damage and injuries the accident caused.
- Multi-party cases – Even if the truck driver, another driver, or a parts manufacturer bears partial responsibility, the trucking company may also be liable for its role in the collision.
How Does a Lawyer Prove Trucking Company Negligence?
Proving that trucking company safety violations and other negligent trucking practices caused your injuries requires solid evidence. Our attorneys can gather evidence to prove negligence by:
Collecting Records and Reports
We can examine police reports, truck inspection records, company safety reports, and other documents to determine what caused the crash, who might be responsible, and how safety violations may have contributed.
Analyzing Driver Logs
Driver logbooks and electronic logging devices (ELDs) may offer critical insight into whether fatigue played a role in the accident. If it did, we can then look into whether the trucking company pressured the driver into violating hours-of-service rules.
Checking Truck Maintenance and Inspection Records
Trucking companies must regularly maintain and repair their vehicles to ensure their safety. We can inspect the truck to determine if the brakes are worn, the tires are bald, or if any other defects are present, and to uncover any necessary inspections and maintenance steps that were skipped.
Obtaining Surveillance Footage and Black Box Data
We can seek out any potential video recordings of the accident scene and obtain black box data from the truck, both of which could offer powerful evidence of how the accident occurred and who might be responsible.
Working with Experts
Accident reconstruction specialists can help establish liability by analyzing the data and painting a clear picture of the accident timeline. Medical professionals and financial experts can offer powerful testimony about the full extent and impact of the accident and your injuries.
What Compensation Can I Get After a Crash Due to a Trucking Company’s Negligence?
Our trucking company liability lawyers can seek maximum compensation on your behalf for losses such as:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
You should not be left to foot the bill when a negligent trucking company causes you harm. That is why we can work with financial experts to determine the true value of your claim, and then fight for maximum compensation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim Against a Trucking Company in Missouri?
Under Missouri law, you typically have five years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. In wrongful death claims, you typically have three years from the date of the deceased’s passing.
However, it is important to act swiftly when pursuing a truck accident claim, as trucking companies can potentially destroy evidence of negligence, and insurance companies frequently employ stalling tactics to push claimants past the filing date. Contact our Missouri trucking regulations attorneys as soon as possible to protect your right to pursue compensation.
What Are the Most Common Types of Trucking Company Negligence?
Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC takes on truck accident cases of all kinds. Some of the most common forms of trucking company negligence in these cases include:
- Driver fatigue and hours-of-service violations
- Defective or poorly maintained equipment
- Improper loading or weight violations
- Speeding or reckless driving
- Inadequate training or supervision
- Negligent hiring
- Negligent retention
- Maintenance record falsification
- Vicarious liability
Why Should I Hire a St. Louis Trucking Company Negligence Lawyer?
Pursuing a truck accident claim independently can be complex and overwhelming, particularly when recovering from injuries. Working with an experienced attorney from our law firm could make all the difference. When you choose the team at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC to represent you, you will enjoy the following advantages:
- Decades of experience – We have been fighting for the rights of injured people since 1999, and we know what it takes to win a case like yours.
- Thorough investigation – We will investigate the accident, gather evidence, interview witnesses, consult experts, and put together a compelling case for holding the negligent trucking company accountable.
- Support from our entire team – You will not work with just one of our attorneys on your case. You will get our whole team. Each of us brings something unique to the table, and we are all fiercely dedicated to fighting for the compensation our clients deserve.
- Negotiation and litigation – We will advocate aggressively on your behalf, whether it is at the negotiating table or in the courtroom, if necessary.
If you have suffered injuries in a commercial truck crash and you believe the trucking company’s negligence played a role, Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC can help hold them accountable.
You do not need to face this alone. We are ready to fight for you. We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients. Let us put our experience and resources to work for you now.
Contact us today for your free consultation with an experienced truck accident lawyer.