A collision with a commercial truck is a different experience from most car accidents. The sheer size and weight of an 18-wheeler, semi-truck, or large delivery vehicle mean that the injuries are often catastrophic, the legal questions can be far more complicated, and the opposition is far better resourced. Trucking companies carry large commercial insurance policies, and those insurers deploy experienced defense teams quickly after a serious crash. At Bruntrager & Billings, P.C., we match that firepower.
Our St. Louis truck accident attorneys have decades of experience navigating the federal and state regulations that govern commercial trucking, and we know how to build the kind of case that holds carriers, drivers, and their insurers fully accountable. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a truck accident anywhere in the St. Louis area, we are ready to fight for you. All you have to do is contact our office for a free consultation today.
Why Truck Accident Cases Are More Complex Than Car Accidents
When dealing with a car crash, there are typically two parties and one insurance company. A truck accident case can potentially involve the truck driver, the trucking company, a separate cargo loading contractor, a truck manufacturer, a maintenance company, and multiple layers of insurance coverage. Sorting out who is liable, and to what degree, requires a thorough investigation and a working knowledge of both Missouri personal injury law and federal trucking regulations.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) imposes strict requirements on commercial carriers operating in interstate commerce, including rules governing hours of service, driver qualification, vehicle maintenance, weight limits, and cargo securement. Violations of these regulations are not just administrative infractions, but they can be powerful evidence of negligence in a personal injury claim. Our truck accident lawyers know where to look and how to use what we find.
Why The St. Louis Region Sees So Many Truck Crashes
St. Louis sits at one of the most significant freight crossroads in the country. Interstates 44, 55, 64, and 70 intersect in and around the city, making the region a critical hub for commercial freight moving in every direction across the country. The volume of 18-wheelers, semi-trucks, tanker trucks, flatbeds, and commercial delivery vehicles on St. Louis roads at any given time is substantial.
High-risk areas for truck accidents include:
- The heavily traveled stretch of I-70 between downtown and Lambert-St. Louis International Airport
- The I-255/I-270 bypass corridors used by freight traffic skirting the city
- The industrial access roads near the riverfront and in north St. Louis County
Highway 367 in Hazelwood and the commercial corridors near the interchange at I-44 and Highway 141 in west county also see significant commercial truck traffic, particularly involving delivery vehicles servicing distribution centers in the area.
When a serious truck accident occurs in the city, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department typically responds and prepares the initial crash report. County crashes fall to the St. Louis County Police Department or a local municipal agency. In fatal truck accidents, the Missouri State Highway Patrol may also be involved. Our team knows how to obtain the correct reports from each agency and how to supplement that initial investigation with our own.
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Common Causes of Truck Accidents in St. Louis
Truck accidents are rarely simple. While driver error is a factor in many cases, the underlying cause often runs deeper. Our St. Louis trucking accident attorneys regularly investigate crashes stemming from:
- Driver Fatigue: Federal hours-of-service rules exist because fatigued driving is demonstrably dangerous. Despite these regulations, some drivers and carriers push past legal limits. We can subpoena driver logs, electronic logging device (ELD) data, and fuel and toll records to establish whether fatigue played a role.
- Speeding and Aggressive Driving: Large trucks require significantly more distance to stop than passenger vehicles. Speeding in a fully loaded 18-wheeler substantially increases the severity of any collision.
- Impaired Driving: Alcohol and controlled substances are factors in a significant number of commercial truck crashes. Post-accident drug and alcohol testing is required under federal law, and we move quickly to secure those results.
- Distracted Driving: Cell phone use, dispatch communications, and in-cab technology all compete for a truck driver’s attention. We pursue phone records and in-cab data when distraction may be a contributing factor.
- Negligent Maintenance: Commercial trucks require regular inspection and maintenance under both federal and state law. Brake failures, tire blowouts, and lighting defects are among the most common maintenance-related causes of serious crashes. When a trucking company’s maintenance records reveal a pattern of neglect, that evidence can be powerful in establishing liability.
- Improper Cargo Loading: Overloaded or improperly secured cargo can cause a truck to roll over or lose control, endangering everyone on the road. Liability in these cases may extend to the shipper or cargo loading contractor, not just the driver or carrier.
Who Can Be Held Responsible?
One of the most important aspects of a truck accident case is identifying every party whose negligence contributed to the crash. Depending on the circumstances, liability may extend to:
- The truck driver, for violations of traffic law or federal safety regulations.
- The trucking company, for negligent hiring, inadequate training, or pressuring drivers to violate hours-of-service rules.
- A third-party maintenance contractor, if a mechanical failure caused or contributed to the crash.
- The cargo shipper or loading company, if improperly secured freight was a factor.
- The truck manufacturer or a component manufacturer, if a defective part, such as a faulty brake system, was involved.
Identifying and pursuing all potentially liable parties is critical to securing full compensation. Our St. Louis truck accident lawyers conduct a comprehensive investigation before the trucking company and its insurer have a chance to control the narrative.
Injuries in Truck Accident Cases
Because of the enormous weight disparity between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles, the injuries sustained in truck accidents are frequently severe and life-altering. Our firm handles cases involving:
- Spinal cord injuries causing partial or complete paralysis.
- Severe burns in crashes involving tanker trucks or vehicles that catch fire.
- Traumatic brain injuries and skull fractures resulting from high-impact collisions.
- Multiple fractures and crush injuries requiring surgery and extended rehabilitation.
- Wrongful death, when a family member has been killed in a truck accident.
If your injuries required treatment at a Level I trauma center such as Barnes-Jewish Hospital or SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital, the medical documentation from that care is a critical part of building your damages case. We work closely with treating physicians, rehabilitation specialists, and life care planners to ensure that the full cost of your injuries, both present and future, is accounted for in your claim.
How We Handle Truck Accident Cases
Time matters in truck accident cases. Trucking companies and their insurers often dispatch accident investigators to the scene within hours of a serious crash. We move quickly to preserve evidence, issue litigation holds to prevent the destruction of driver logs and electronic data, and secure any available surveillance or dashcam footage before it is overwritten.
Thorough Investigation
Our team gathers police reports from the relevant agency, reviews FMCSA safety records for the carrier, analyzes the truck’s black box and ELD data, and works with accident reconstruction experts when the facts of the crash are in dispute. We also investigate the trucking company’s hiring and training practices and maintenance history for the specific vehicle involved.
Skilled Negotiation
Commercial trucking insurers are experienced at minimizing payouts, and they have seen every tactic for doing so. Our truck accident attorneys are equally experienced on the other side of that table. We negotiate aggressively for full compensation covering medical expenses, lost wages, future earning capacity, pain and suffering, and, in appropriate cases, punitive damages.
Trial-Ready Litigation
Bruntrager & Billings is a trial firm with a long history of litigating serious injury cases in the Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis, the St. Louis County Circuit Court, and more. When an insurer refuses to offer fair compensation, we are fully prepared to take the case to a jury.
Contact our Auto Accident Attorneys in St. Louis
If you or a loved one has been injured in a big rig crash, reach out to our experienced law firm that specializes in truck accidents. We offer free initial consultations, during which we can discuss your case and provide an unbiased view of the possible legal options available to you.
During your consultation, we will:
- Listen to your story and understand the details of your truck accident.
- Evaluate the strengths and potential challenges of your case.
- Provide you with clear and practical advice on how to proceed with your claim for compensation.
Never attempt to handle complex truck accident cases on your own. Allow our expert team at Bruntrager & Billings to fight tirelessly for justice and ensure your rights are protected while securing the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to set up a free appointment to review your situation and begin pursuing justice after your truck accident injury.
Don’t let a truck accident define your future.
Our experienced attorneys are here to help you every step of the way.
FAQs
How can a St. Louis truck accident attorney help me with my claim?
A skilled St. Louis truck accident attorney can provide invaluable assistance in several ways. They can conduct a thorough investigation into the accident to gather evidence and determine liability. They can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf to seek fair compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, they are prepared to litigate your case in court and advocate for your rights effectively.
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Missouri?
Missouri’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is five years under Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 516.120. However, evidence in truck accident cases can disappear quickly. Federal regulations only require carriers to retain certain records for a limited period, so contacting a truck accident attorney as soon as possible is important.
What types of compensation can I recover in a truck accident claim?
Depending on the circumstances, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, future medical and rehabilitation costs, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and property damage. In cases involving particularly reckless conduct, such as a carrier that knowingly allowed an impaired driver on the road, punitive damages may also be available.
What if the insurance company blames me for the crash?
It is common for trucking insurers to point the finger at the other driver as a way to reduce or eliminate what they have to pay. Missouri follows a pure comparative fault system, which means that even if an insurer successfully argues you were partially at fault, you can still recover compensation. Your damages are simply reduced by your percentage of fault. We counter blame-shifting arguments and make sure that any fault attributed to you reflects what the evidence actually supports.
Will I have to go to court for my truck accident case?
Many truck accident claims are resolved through negotiations between attorneys and insurance companies, resulting in a settlement without the need for a trial. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, your St. Louis truck accident attorneys will be prepared to take your case to court. They will advocate vigorously on your behalf, presenting evidence and arguments to a judge and jury to seek the compensation you deserve.