Helping Truck Accident Victims Get the Compensation They Need
Truck accidents are different from typical passenger vehicle crashes, and not just because of the extremely serious injuries they can cause. Unlike a typical car accident case where one driver is held at fault for the crash, truck accident claims can involve a number of liable parties. These can include the truck driver, the owner of the truck, the company that maintains the truck, and even the company that loaded the truck's cargo.
If you suffered serious injuries or lost a loved one in a St. Louis truck accident, you need an experienced truck accident lawyer on your side who understands the industry and how these types of cases work. At The Bruning Law Firm, our experienced truck accident attorneys have a deep knowledge of trucking industry regulations and will pursue compensation from every liable party.
Over the years, our skilled St. Louis truck accident lawyers have recovered millions of dollars for clients in settlement negotiations and courtroom verdicts, earning us spots among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers and in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. We have also earned our clients' trust by showing them the respect and compassion they deserve.
Schedule a free case consultation today to learn how our St. Louis trucking accident lawyers will fight for the maximum compensation you and your family need.
Why Choose the Bruning Law Firm as Your St. Louis Truck Accident Lawyers
For over 35 years, the Bruning Law Firm has represented accident victims, helping them pursue justice and compensation after sustaining injuries in an accident. We do this by putting ourselves into our clients' shoes to make sure we understand what you and your family are going through, so we can provide you with the strong representation you require.
Since our founding, we have stood up for everyday people who struggle to get the financial recovery they need to cover the full cost of their injuries. Fortunately, through our dedication, drive, and experience, we have successfully handled many truck accident cases, and we have recovered million-dollar awards for our clients through settlement negotiations and jury verdicts, including:
- A $1.4 million jury verdict for a truck accident case that involved an accident in which the victim suffered a spinal fusion.
- $750,000 settlement for an interstate truck rear-end accident that caused the death of an occupant.
Drivers in St. Louis know that an endless stream of traffic exists exiting and entering I-64 from Grand Boulevard. However, the exit ramp to head north on Grand poses a particular danger, especially because of its sharp curve. As a result, if a truck driver fails to pay attention to the road in front of them or drives too fast on this ramp, it can mean bad news for everyone around them.
Due to their massive size and weight, tractor-trailers and other large commercial vehicles can create utter devastation when they collide with smaller passenger vehicles, often resulting in serious or fatal injuries to a car's occupants. However, victims of this tragic ordeal should not have to deal with these horrific repercussions on their own. Rather, truck accident victims deserve justice and compensation for the losses and injuries that they sustain. If you suffered injuries in a St. Louis truck collision, contact the Bruning Law Firm today. We stand ready to fight to protect your rights and go after maximum compensation on your behalf.
Over the years, we have helped hundreds of truck accident victims throughout Missouri and Illinois fight insurance companies, large corporations, and negligent drivers – and we know what it takes to win. Contact us today to schedule your free case consultation.
What Are Some of the Main Causes of St. Louis Truck Accidents?
Semi truck accidents can arise from a number of scenarios, but many would not occur were it not for the negligence or wrongdoing of the truck driver or their employer. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents we see here at The Burning Law Firm include:
- Fatigued Driving: Most truck drivers have to drive long distances for many hours at night with little rest. Even with federal rules requiring that truck drivers take mandatory breaks, some truck companies demand that their goods arrive within a short time. Subsequently, drivers find themselves under a lot of pressure to fulfill deadlines, skimping on sleep to make sure they reach their destinations as quickly as possible. Consequently, these overworked drivers lack sleep, which causes them to lose coordination and concentration and sometimes fall asleep behind the wheel.
- Minimal Driver Training: Although truck drivers must put in a certain threshold of training hours to meet minimum requirements to drive huge commercial vehicles on the roads, not all drivers follow these guidelines. Instead, poorly trained truck drivers with little experience behind the wheel wind up taking the road.
- Truck Maintenance Issues: Trucking companies and owners must ensure that their trucks are in good working condition before they hit the road. However, many companies do not get these proper checkups because of the costs involved and the time it takes their trucks out of service. This often leads to truck maintenance issues that can cause serious truck accidents.
- Intoxicated Driving: Unfortunately, many truck drivers admit to driving while intoxicated. These substances not only reduce brain function but also can impair reasoning, muscle coordination, and thinking, all of which prove essential to operating a vehicle safely. More importantly, not only can illegal drugs and alcohol lead to crashes on the road, but some prescription drugs that drivers may take can also affect judgment and coordination, which can lead to serious and even fatal truck accidents.
- Distracted Driving: As truck drivers clock in long hours over thousands of miles, drivers may get bored on the road. This can lead to distracted driving, which often results in devastating accidents and numerous fatalities. Some of the more common examples of distracted driving include eating while driving, texting and driving, and talking on the phone while driving.
- Speeding: Truck drivers always strive to get to their destinations as quickly as possible. However, sometimes factors, such as bad traffic, can cause delays, especially at locations such as Delmar Boulevard in University City, which is known for traffic that results from the abundance of motorists and pedestrians in the area. Due to the pressure that truck drivers face to meet deadlines, drivers try to make up for this lost time by speeding and overtaking other vehicles. However, when truck drivers speed, they may struggle to stop in time to avoid hazards, which can lead to horrifying crashes.
Trucking Company Negligence
Trucking companies have a long list of obligations. They include screening and testing drivers, tracking the hours drivers work every day and week to ensure drivers do not work too much, keeping equipment in good working order, and ensuring that loads are properly contained and secured for the trip. On any given truck, these tasks might each be performed by a different company – making it even more complicated to determine who is liable for the harm caused.
Negligently Maintained Roadways
Not all U.S. roads are appropriate for trucks. Off the state and federal highways, truck routes must be carefully marked so that drivers do not become lost or stuck. The weight limits on bridges and the height of overpasses must be clearly labeled, and drivers must be aware of the height and weight of their own trucks in order to prevent an accident. Other hazards ─such as potholes, blind curves, inadequate signs at intersections, or construction site barriers set too narrowly ─ can also cause a truck crash.
What Are Some of the Different Types of St. Louis Truck Accidents?
Understanding the different types of truck crashes and how they occur will prove valuable if you decide to go through the legal process and hold the liable party accountable for the damages and losses you've endured. Some common types of commercial truck accidents include:
Jackknife Crashes
If a truck driver slams on the brakes, the truck axle may lock and cause the trailer to skid and swing out away from the tractor unit. When this happens, the driver may lose control of the vehicle, and a serious truck crash can occur.
Rear-End Crashes
Generally, when a truck cannot stop in time, they rear-end someone. When these massive vehicles plow into the back of smaller cars, it can result in severe injuries.
Truck Rollovers
Rollovers often occur when trucks take a corner too fast, when they drive at high speeds, when they hit a curb, or when drivers attempt to correct a drifting trailer.
Wide Turn Crashes
When truck drivers try to make a sharp turn, they may swing the truck to the opposite side, which can pose a danger to any vehicle in the way. Also, trucks may collide with a vehicle on their right as they swing out to make a sharp turn.
Underride Collisions
These accidents often occur when a truck suddenly stops, and a tailgating vehicle rear-ends the truck and gets lodged under the trailer. In many instances, this accident can result in fatalities and severe car damage. Underride collisions can also occur if a truck merges into another lane without the driver first checking for other vehicles.
Head-On Crashes
If a truck driver crosses over into oncoming traffic, they can cause a head-on collision that can prove fatal to the occupants of a smaller passenger vehicle. Common reasons truck drivers may enter into oncoming lanes include distracted driving, fatigued driving, or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Blind-Spot Accidents
Trucks have large blind spots, and the truck driver may not see a motorist in one of these blind spots in time when merging.
Lost Load Accidents
If truck drivers transport unsecured or unbalanced cargo, it can pose an immediate danger to nearby vehicles. Cargo can fall into the roadway, which can lead to car accidents as vehicles try to avoid the debris, or the cargo can fall onto a car and crush the occupants inside.
T-Bone Accidents
These side-impact crashes often occur when a truck runs a red light and ends up striking the side of another vehicle.
Following a trucking accident, injured individuals may struggle to understand what happened, what caused the crash, and who caused the incident. However, when you work with an experienced St. Louis trucking accident lawyer, such as those at the Bruning Law Firm, your attorney can thoroughly investigate the collision, figure out what caused the accident, and help you pursue compensation for the full cost of your injuries.
How Much Is My Truck Accident Case Worth?
Unfortunately, no lawyer can tell you exactly how much money you can get for your truck accident case. Too many unique factors exist that can impact the value of your case, such as:
- The medical treatments you need now and will in the future
- The extent of your pain and suffering
- The ability to work following the crash
- The ability to make a full recovery
- The defendant's culpability
- The amount of insurance coverage
In truth, discussing your case with an experienced truck accident lawyer, such as those at the Bruning Law Firm, will help you determine what factors may impact your truck accident case and ensure that you pursue maximum compensation given the specific circumstances of your case.
Who Can I Hold Liable for My St. Louis Trucking Accident?
Following a truck accident, numerous parties may face responsibility for the damages caused by a truck crash, including the:
- Truck company
- Truck driver
- Cargo owners
- Manufacturers and maintenance contractors
- Other motorists
Depending on the circumstances of the case, you may qualify to bring a lawsuit against multiple parties. However, to determine this culpability, you should work with a skilled trucking accident lawyer who can investigate your crash and determine liability for the trucking collision.
Will My St. Louis Trucking Accident Case Go to Trial or Will It Settle?
Most trucking accident cases settle before trial, but there are circumstances where you may need your attorney to take your case to trial and sue for the money you need. A lot will depend on the nature and extent of your injuries, the strength of your case, and the ability of your lawyer to convince the trucking company and the insurers that they do not want to risk heading to trial. However, if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, or if they act in bad faith regarding your claim, your attorney may advise you to take your case to court.
For these reasons, you should work with a truck accident law firm that has the resources necessary to take on these trucking accidents and experience that you can trust.
Is There a Deadline to File My St. Louis Trucking Accident Claim?
The statute of limitations dictates the maximum amount of time that an injured individual has to file a personal injury lawsuit following an accident. If you do not file your claim within that allotted time, you may miss out completely on pursuing compensation for your injuries.
In St. Louis, accident victims have five years from the date of the accident to file a claim. Certain exceptions to this rule exist that can shorten or lengthen the amount of time you have to file your case. For these reasons, you shouldn't wait to pursue legal action. Instead, you should reach out to a knowledgeable trucking accident lawyer, such as those at the Bruning Law Firm, as soon as possible and let these attorneys figure out exactly how much time you have to file your case. An experienced St. Louis truck accident attorney can help you determine when to file your case, who to name as defendants, and how much compensation you should pursue.
Following My St. Louis Trucking Accident, Why Do I Need to Contact the Bruning Law Firm?
If you have sustained injuries in a trucking accident, you already have enough on your plate. You don't want to handle complex legal claims on your own. Fortunately, when you work with a truck accident lawyer at the Bruning Law Firm, you can rest assured knowing that your legal claim is in good hands. Once retained, our attorneys can:
- Go over your truck accident claim and advise you of the legal options you can pursue.
- Answer all of your questions and concerns.
- Investigate the truck accident and secure the evidence needed to prove fault and damages.
- Handle all the negotiations with the insurance companies and pursue a fair settlement on your behalf.
- Review settlement offers and determine if they reflect the true value of your case.
- Bring in experts, such as accident reconstructionists, to substantiate your claims.
- Take your case to trial, if needed, and fight relentlessly for a successful resolution to your case.
- Collect compensation on your behalf.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in a St. Louis trucking accident, do not wait any longer to seek legal help. Instead, contact the Bruning Law Firm today for a free case review, and let our lawyers show you how we can fight for maximum compensation on your behalf. During your free consultation, you can discuss the details of your case, ask questions about your legal options, and determine your eligibility to pursue compensation for the full cost of your injuries.
St. Louis Truck Accident Cases & Injuries
Each truck accident case we handle is unique, and each client has suffered different injuries and requires a personalized estimate for the compensation they need. In most truck accident injury claims, we will pursue:
Payment for medical bills after a MO truck accident
This includes costs such as emergency services, hospital stays, surgery, doctor's visits, medical devices and medications, X-rays, CT scans, therapy and rehabilitation appointments, and the mileage you accrue while driving to and from these appointments.
Lost wages following a truck wreck
If you must take time off work to recover, we will fight for compensation for the wages or other pay you would have received if you had been able to work. If you are so severely injured that you cannot work again (or must take a lighter-duty job), you may also be able to pursue compensation for the wages you would have earned in the future.
Property damage from a truck accident
This includes the costs to repair or replace your vehicle and any other property lost or damaged in the truck accident.
Pain and suffering from injuries after a truck accident in St Louis
Truck accident injuries can cause considerable pain, and the events of the crash and the time that follows cause both physical and mental anguish. Compensation for “pain and suffering” is meant to address these hardships.
Punitive damages following a MO truck accident
In severe cases of misconduct, we may pursue these damages, which are meant to punish the at-fault party.
Our experienced St. Louis truck accident lawyers will take a detailed inventory of the ways your injuries have impacted your life. Understanding this impact is extremely important to determine the full and fair compensation amount that we will fight for in your truck accident claim.
Let a Truck Accident Lawyer in St. Louis Take the Burden Off You
No matter what caused your Missouri truck accident or how badly you were injured, you need help filing your claim for compensation so that you can focus on getting well. The skilled St. Louis truck accident attorneys at The Bruning Law Firm have the experience and the knowledge to fight for maximum compensation for you and your family. Contact us today for a free consultation concerning your case.
About The Bruning Law Firm
The Bruning Law Firm 555 Washington Ave Ste 600A, St. Louis, MO 63101 (314) 735-8100Client Testimonial
"Aj and Beth were great to work with! After having injuries from my car accident, I contacted them right away. They informed me the whole way and they always kept in touch. I was pleasantly surprised that my settlement took less than half of the time predicted! I felt very confident with them the whole way through my healing process and settlement!" - Alex M.
