St. Louis, Missouri Truck Accident lawyer

If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a truck accident in the St. Louis area, the truck accident lawyers at Hipskind & McAninch, LLC can help you get the compensation you deserve. Our lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning there is no upfront cost to you — if you don’t get paid, we don’t get paid.

The damages from a truck accident can be so expensive that they set you back financially for months, even years. In addition to financial woes and exorbitant fees, you may have bodily injuries that take away your joy in life. Every time a truck driver is negligent, this puts drivers around them at risk of being in a terrible accident. Truck accident claims often involve massive compensation compared to typical motor vehicle accidents. There is also a higher occurrence of fatalities in truck accident cases.

Fatal truck accidents, unfortunately, happen all the time. Trucking accidents could have a devastating effect on your life by causing catastrophic injuries. Your St. Louis truck accident lawyer can work to assist you in recovering full compensation for your damages.

Last year, over 3,100 semi-truck accidents occurred on Missouri roadways, and nearly 117,000 people were injured in semi-truck collisions, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

There were more than 5,000 U.S. semi-truck accident fatalities throughout that same period, and 97 of those fatalities occurred in Missouri. The experienced truck accident lawyers at Hipskind & McAninch, LLC help to protect our clients from the insurance companies so that they can return to the quality of life they enjoyed before the accident. To speak with a Louis truck accident attorney, call Hipskind & McAninch today for a free consultation. 

What are the Most Common Types of Truck Accidents in St. Louis, Missouri?

St. Louis is the largest metropolitan area in the state, served by several major highways that connect the city to other parts of Missouri. Home to the Inner Belt Expressway (Interstate 170), St. Louis is a major hub for transportation and transit routes for semi-trucks. Unfortunately, high volumes of commercial truck traffic translates into more and often more serious accidents in the St. Louis area. 

There are several different types of truck accidents but some of the most common accidents include:

• Head-On Collision: These types of truck accidents can be very dangerous and often result in severe injuries or death. These collisions happen when a truck driver crosses the double yellow line and enters your lane of traffic. Impaired driving due to alcohol, drugs, or falling asleep are common causes of head-on collisions. Head-on collisions can also happen at intersections or when drivers don’t follow the right-of-way rules at red lights or stop signs.
• Sideswipes: In these accidents, a car and a truck collide while they are both moving in the same direction on a road with two lanes. Trucks have large blind spots on the sides and back of the vehicle which means sometimes they may not see you driving next to them and try to switch lanes. These truck accidents can also happen when trucks accidentally drift out of their lanes, whether this is due to tire blowouts, road obstacles, strong winds, or intoxication. 
• Jackknife accidents: These truck accidents happen when large trucks with a trailer attached to the back make improper turns or braking maneuvers. When truck drivers brake too quickly or too hard, especially in bad weather conditions, the front part of the truck slows down faster than the trailer. The force from these maneuvers makes the trailer swing out wide, creating a shape like a folding jackknife. If an 18-wheeler brakes improperly at a high speed, it can cause a serious accident involving multiple vehicles and result in severe injuries.
• Rollover crashes: Sometimes when a truck driver loses control of their vehicle, the truck can roll over onto its side and potentially result in fatalities. Due to a higher center of gravity, 18-wheeler trucks are prone to roll over if the cargo is loaded improperly or shifts during transit. In some cases, rollover accidents occur because truck drivers are speeding, driving without adequate sleep, or driving under the influence. However, there are also instances where a truck rollover accident can happen even when truck operators are driving safely and responsibly (due to poor tire maintenance or manufacturing defects).
• Rear-end collisions: This accident occurs when a truck crashes into the back of your vehicle. Common injuries include whiplash, fractured vertebrae, and back muscle strains. Sometimes, truck drivers are speeding and unable to brake in time to avoid a collision due to their weight. Like other accidents, driver fatigue, impaired driving, and tailgating can contribute to these accidents. Truck drivers who behave recklessly and drive in a hurry often do not maintain proper following distances and can cause these accidents.
• T-bone accidents: These crashes are also called side-impact or broadside crashes and happen very often at intersections. They occur when large trucks collide with the side of your vehicle, forming a “T” shape. These accidents can be extremely severe for car passengers closest to the point of impact. Disobeying traffic norms, improper turns, and speeding can lead to these accidents.
• Wide turns: Trucks have a tendency to make right turns by first swinging their vehicles to the left, which can lead to your car being struck and pushed into other traffic. Although experienced truck drivers know how to gradually maneuver into the closest available lane, some neglect this safety advice and can cause wide-turn accidents.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Missouri

Some of the more common causes of truck accidents include:

• Negligence or error by drivers: ​​such as drunk driving, recklessness, failing to check before changing lanes, not adjusting speeds on hilly or winding roads, and other similar actions
• Driver fatigue: According to federal law, there are limits on the duration of time a driver can spend driving to prevent drowsy driving. However, some drivers may disregard these limits and even falsify their logbooks to meet deadlines. In certain instances, negligent trucking companies may exert pressure on drivers to exceed the legally permitted driving time. These conditions can lead to drivers becoming drowsy and even falling asleep behind the wheel.
• Speeding: In addition to driver fatigue, truck drivers often encounter unrealistic delivery deadlines and other demands by their employers. This can lead to more accidents caused by speeding.
• Distracted driving: Smartphones are often the culprit in these cases and can lead to delayed braking or swerving, which may lead to accidents.
• Lack of proper maintenance: ​​It is essential for large trucks and tractor-trailers to undergo regular maintenance to ensure they are safe on roadways. Neglecting maintenance can lead to mechanical failures that increase the risk of serious truck accidents.
• Uneven cargo distribution: When a semi-trailer is not loaded correctly, the cargo inside may shift and the driver is more likely to lose control of the vehicle.
• Truck design defects: Similar to any other vehicle, defects in the design or manufacturing of semi-truck components can lead to severe accidents. This often means brake failures and tire blowouts.
• Poor road conditions: Uneven pavement, inadequate signage, or construction debris can cause truck drivers to lose control of their vehicles and cause accidents. Reduced visibility on the road due to heavy rain or fog can also factor into this.

Regardless of the cause of a truck accident, the consequences can be severe. Due to the sheer size and weight of trucks, most smaller vehicles and their passengers face high risks in trucking accidents. Commercial truck accident injuries may be deadly or life-altering, so your recovery could require lots of rehabilitation, and that means more medical bills. These medical care expenses combined with lost wages can make recovery expensive.

If you’ve been in a truck accident, your health recovery will depend upon your getting medical attention immediately, especially if you may have suffered any of the following:

• Bone fractures
• Burn injuries
• Head trauma
• Internal bleeding
• Pain and suffering
• Spinal injuries

Who Is At Fault In St. Louis Trucking Accidents?

Determining who’s responsible for your injuries can be one of the most difficult parts of the claim process. Missouri is an at-fault state, which means the person at fault in your accident is usually liable for your injuries.

However, semi-truck crashes are a bit more complicated because truck drivers, parts manufacturers, truck owners, commercial shipping companies, truck leasing companies, and more could share fault in your accident. Your attorneys at Hipskind & McAninch, LLC can help prove who was at fault for your injuries, no matter the situation.

​​Common commercial truck accidents typically involve one of the following:

• Box trucks
• Concrete trucks
• Corporate cars, trucks, and SUVs
• Delivery vehicles
• Dump trucks
• Flatbed trucks
• Garbage trucks
• Heavy equipment vehicles

Commercial vehicle accidents have more obstacles that may prevent you from pursuing financial recovery. Corporate insurance companies and attorneys can make this process even more difficult. Our skilled St. Louis truck accident lawyers can advocate on your behalf so that you can focus on your recovery and getting the medical treatment that you require.

Trucking Accidents and Missouri Negligence Laws

A truck driver’s negligence causes many traffic accidents. Truck drivers must uphold a duty of care by driving carefully to keep other drivers safe. They violate this duty of care when they don’t follow the standards of driving and transportation. 

Missouri negligence laws play a crucial role in determining liability and compensation in truck accident cases. If a truck driver fails to drive safely and crashes into you, they may be held liable for negligence and required to pay damages. This compensation is intended to help you return back to your normal life as much as possible, without crippling medical debt and costly vehicle repairs.

For instance, if you were in a truck accident in St. Louis which resulted in:

• Damaged property
• Lost pay
• Reduced future earning capacity
• Minor injuries
• Disability and disfigurement
• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering

The person responsible can be found liable for negligence and they will have to pay you for your losses. Depending on the circumstances of your case, the amount of compensation you receive can vary.

How do I prove that the truck driver was negligent in my case?

There are many reasons a truck driver can be held liable for the accident you were involved in. With the help of your lawyer, you can build a case that proves the truck driver was negligent in your crash. To prove negligence, you will need to show that: 

1. The truck driver owed you a duty to drive safely,
2. The driver breached that duty and injured you in the process, and 
3. The resulting accident is what caused your injuries. 

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) governs the trucking industry and enforces various federal laws and regulations that truck drivers and trucking companies are required to abide by. Some of these regulations include:

• Limiting the amount of hours truck drivers are on the road, to avoid drowsy driving
• Administering routine drug and alcohol testing, to avoid drivers under the influence
• Passing minimum driving and safety qualifications, to avoid inexperienced drivers
• Regulating the transportation of hazardous materials 
• Requiring regular safety inspections and maintenance on trucks. 

These federal laws are important and can help to prove negligence in your case if you can prove that (1) the truck driver failed to follow these guidelines, and (2) that their failure to do so caused your injuries. 

What kind of evidence is useful in truck accident cases?

To build a strong case for why you deserve compensation after your truck accident injuries, you and your attorney can work together to collect information like:

• The police report on the accident
• Eye witness testimonies
• Video footage from traffic or surveillance cameras
• Details regarding the truck’s ownership and maintenance
• Alcohol and drug test results on the driver
• Data on weather and road conditions at the time of the accident

Your truck accident attorney will also use the photographs you took of the crash scene and analyze them to figure out how the crash occurred. Lawyers may even use accident reconstruction technology to help them. If the truck driver was drowsy, they might obtain their driving logs to see if they broke any FMCSA laws requiring regular breaks. They may even use a subpoena to find out if the truck driver was texting or emailing while driving. An experienced attorney will also collect data from the truck’s electronic module to access information about the driver’s speed and braking attempts at the time of the accident.

In some cases, the accident may not have been the truck driver’s fault—there are situations where the manufacturer’s negligence can lead to the unfortunate circumstances that caused the crash. However, this can be difficult to prove since the average person does not know what the ideal conditions are for trucks. This is where your lawyer comes in. Your attorney can discover the precise cause of the accident by obtaining the inspection report that details the state of the vehicle’s maintenance. Collecting this evidence will build a strong case for your accident claim and help you receive the maximum compensation.

What Kind of Damages Can I Recover After a Truck Accident in Missouri?

If you have been injured in a truck accident in St. Louis, you may be entitled to recover several types of damages. Typically, there are two types of damages you may be eligible for depending on the circumstances of the accident and the severity of your injuries. These damages are known as economic damages and non-economic damages.

Economic damages refer to compensation for financial losses, including:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Reduced earning capacity
• Property damage
• Towing costs and rental car costs

Non-economic damages refer to compensation for pain and suffering, for circumstances like:

• Disability and disfigurement
• Loss of consortium
• Mental anguish 
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life

These damages are designed to help you return to your normal life as much as possible. In some cases, victims of truck accidents may be eligible for punitive damages which are designed to deter the at-fault party from future misconduct. Punitive damages are usually only recovered when the truck driver’s behavior shows complete disregard for human life and is deemed grossly negligent. 

Sometimes determining the extent of the damages you are entitled to can be difficult to calculate, which is why it is important to contact an experienced truck accident attorney after your accident. Your lawyer can work with you to estimate the value of your claim and fight for your legal right to recover as much compensation as possible. Attorneys with the right connections can consult with economists and other experts to determine what your case may be worth.

If your family member died in a St. Louis truck accident, your family can pursue compensation through a wrongful death claim. Such claims provide financial compensation to surviving family members for the losses they have suffered.

How Much Is My Truck Accident Case Worth?

In a truck accident case, the amount of damages you recover can vary depending on the unique circumstances of your crash. Your attorney will carefully consider all aspects of your accident and estimate the potential value of your claim by considering questions such as:

1. What injuries did you sustain due to the accident?
2. How severe were your injuries?
3. Have you been permanently disfigured or disabled?
4. To what extent has your life been affected by your injuries?
5. Were you forced to take time off of work?
6. Are you able to work in the future? In the same capacity?
7. What type of medical treatment was required and how much did it cost?
8. What was your financial situation before and after the accident?
9. How much coverage does the truck driver’s insurance offer?
10. Are you partially responsible for causing the accident?

As a general rule, the more serious the injury was as a result of the accident, the more your case is worth. Cases in which the victim fully recovers and recovers quickly are typically worth less. 

We generally advise against accepting the initial settlement offer made by the truck driver’s insurance company. More often than not, these are low-ball offers that neglect your pain and suffering in order to save the insurance company money. 

Our attorneys will sit down with you to calculate how much your claim is worth based on the circumstances of your accident, the financial losses you have suffered, and other relevant information. We can help you fight for a settlement that compensates you for both the tangible and intangible consequences the truck accident has had on your life. This is why our St. Louis personal injury law firm has 5-star reviews.

What if I am Partially At-Fault for the Truck Accident?

It is very common for victims of truck crashes to share responsibility for the accident. In these cases, it is still possible to recover compensation. Missouri is a pure comparative fault state, meaning that your compensation will be adjusted in proportion to your degree of fault in the accident. 

For example, if the judge deems that you are 20% responsible for the trucking accident, your compensation will be reduced by that percentage so you will only collect 80% of the damages. Even if you are 99% at-fault for the accident, you can still recover some form of compensation.

Before you admit fault in a trucking accident, contact our St. Louis truck accident attorneys at Hipskind & McAninch. Our team will investigate your case and perform a detailed analysis that may be able to refute any allegations of fault against you. Read our St. Louis personal injury lawyer bios to learn more.

St. Louis Truck Accident Attorneys

Semi-trucks weigh several times more than the average car. Additional cargo multiplies that weight and should be secured. The cargo in a tractor-trailer could be very heavy, toxic, flammable, or hazardous.

A St. Louis personal injury lawyer can offer assistance if you’re involved in an 18 wheeler crash by investigating your accident and holding negligent trucking companies and their drivers responsible for the injuries they’ve caused. Your lawyers at Hipskind & McAninch, LLC offer a free consultation to discuss how you could get the compensation and begin putting your life back together.

St. Louis Truck Accident FAQ

Trucking accidents can be bewildering. We understand how difficult it can be to find the answers you need. Sit down with Hipskind & McAninch, LLC for a free consultation to discuss recovering your medical bills, property damages, as well as your pain and suffering from those large commercial fleeting companies. Or keep reading for some of our most frequently asked questions:

Talk to a St. Louis, Missouri truck accident attorney today to learn more about how we can help you pursue the maximum amount of compensation available to you. Reach out to a St. Louis truck accident lawyer right away.