Key Takeaways
- Truck accident settlements are higher due to the severity of injuries caused by vehicles weighing up to 80,000 pounds.
- FMCSA requires trucking companies to carry much larger liability insurance policies than ordinary car owners.
- Multiple liable parties — including the driver, trucking company, cargo loaders, and maintenance providers — can increase settlement value.
- Catastrophic injuries from truck accidents lead to extensive medical bills, lost income, and long-term care costs.
Truck accident settlements in Missouri are higher than car accidents due to the severity of injuries, large insurance requirements held by the trucking company, and potential for multiple liable parties involved in causing these crashes. With much larger financial stakes involved and violations of federal regulations imposed by the FMCSA, truck accident victims get larger settlements.
A St. Louis auto accident attorney can help evaluate liability, damages, and settlement strategy before you accept an insurance offer.
Why Truck Accident Settlements Exceed Car Accident Settlements
Commercial trucks are massive in height, size, and weight. They can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded but even a semi-truck that has been unloaded still greatly outweighs any passenger car on the road. Even at a low speed, 18-wheelers and other large trucks can impact a vehicle with enough force to cause life-altering injuries.
In personal injury cases like truck accidents, the severity of injuries and their impacts weigh heavily on how high the settlement will be. Those who suffer permanent disabilities will see higher settlements than those who will eventually recover to their abilities prior to the accident. Read our guide to truck accident settlements in Missouri: what to expect for detailed ranges.
Multiple Liable Parties and Higher Insurance
Trucking companies are required by the FMCSA to carry much more in liability coverage than any ordinary car owner. The larger policies also mean that they can pay out larger settlement figures when they injure or kill people through their negligent operations.
Multiple liable parties add yet another layer of complexity, yet this can also make your truck accident settlement higher. If the trucker and trucking company violated FMCSA regulations, and the cargo loaders failed to secure the load causing it to come loose, this is a prime example of how all of these parties can be held accountable. Understanding how long to settle a truck accident case in Missouri helps you prepare for the timeline ahead.
Catastrophic Injuries Mean Higher Damages
When you have catastrophic injuries, they come with expensive medical bills. Surgeries, hospital stays, rehabilitation, modifications to your home to accommodate your new disabilities, long-term care costs, and lost income can add up. The Bruning Law Firm can help you examine all factors that determine your 18-wheeler accident case value. Learn more about what is the average truck accident settlement in Missouri to understand how your case may be valued. Our St. Louis 18-wheeler accident lawyer team fights to get you maximum compensation in Missouri.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can be held responsible in a St. Louis truck accident?
Many parties could be to blame for your truck accident, including the truck driver, the trucking company, the cargo loaders, the parts manufacturer, and the maintenance providers. Most of these accidents can be traced back to human error when driving, managing, servicing, and loading these types of vehicles.
Why are truck accident cases more complex?
In Missouri, truck accident cases are more complex due to state laws and federal regulations set by the FMCSA. They require specialized evidence such as black box data, electronic logging devices (ELDs), cargo records, and maintenance logs. Since they also tend to involve multiple parties and higher insurance coverages, it adds another layer to the complexity.
What is the average settlement for a truck accident in Missouri?
Since there are so many factors involved, every case is unique and average truck accident settlement amounts in Missouri can vary widely. The Bruning Law Firm can help you evaluate the factors of your case so you will know what to expect from a truck accident settlement in Missouri.
Contact The Bruning Law Firm
The Bruning Law Firm helps truck accident victims in and around St. Louis understand their rights and legal options. Let our St. Louis truck accident maximum recovery attorneys fight for you to get the most for your settlement. There is no fee unless we win, so call (314) 735-8100 for a free consultation today.