Over 15,000 truck accidents occur in the state of Missouri every year. [1] Beyond the usual motor vehicle accident claims, truck accident cases demand unique knowledge to navigate.
A truck accident lawyer from our team can be your committed ally when dealing with the intricacies of substantial damage, several insurance kinds, having numerous firms involved, cross-state drivers, and differing legislation.
Read on to find out more about all the ways our truck accident lawyers can help you handle your particular case after the devastating effects of a truck accident.
Types of Cases That Our Springfield Truck Accident Lawyers Handle
Our skilled truck accident attorneys in Springfield can handle all sorts of truck accidents, including head-on collisions, side hits, and jackknife situations, as well as ones involving cargo trucks, semi-trucks, and 18-wheelers.
We also handle cases according to blame attribution. Whether it’s the manufacturer, the trucking company, other drivers, or the truck driver, our legal experience guarantees a thorough comprehension of the subtleties involved.
The Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents
While dangerous driving behaviors are often the underlying reason for commercial truck accidents, we have seen plenty of other causes of trucking accidents, including:
- Dangerous Driving – In spite of laws, drunk and drowsy driving continue to be major factors in truck accidents in Springfield, accounting for 21% of trucking accidents across the state of Missouri. [2]
- Traffic Law Violations – Violations of traffic regulations, which range from running red signals to failing to yield, have a substantial negative influence on road safety.
- Fatigued Driving – Extended periods of time spent driving might result in driver tiredness, which contributes significantly to local trucking accidents.
- Unsecured Cargo – Inadequate cargo security presents a significant danger to other drivers on the road.
- Ill-Maintained Equipment – One of the key causes of truck accidents is the neglect of vehicles and equipment maintenance.
- Faulty Parts – Truck parts with flaws can cause disastrous collisions.
- Untrained Drivers – A worrying element that contributes to serious truck accidents is the inadequate training of truck drivers.
Proving Fault in a Truck Accident Case
It’s crucial to prove liability in order to get the compensation you are entitled to. Our Springfield truck accident lawyers rely on a thorough strategy to construct a strong case, gathering accident reports, witness statements, surveillance footage, and more.
In accidents involving commercial trucks, the legal doctrine of comparative fault is a major factor in assessing liability. This sophisticated approach acknowledges that different parties may have contributed to the accident to varied degrees.
Who Is Held Liable in Truck Accident Cases
Determining liability in the complex web of truck accidents goes beyond the driver. There could be multiple parties involved, and an experienced truck accident lawyer can help you determine fault by analyzing a variety of parties that can be held liable for a trucking accident:
- Trucking Companies – A trucking company can be responsible for accidents brought on by a fatigued truck driver if it sets unreasonable schedules that cause driver fatigue.
- Manufacturing Company – The manufacturer can be held responsible for defective brakes and other parts.
- Parts Manufacturer – Serious accidents can result from a broken truck part, such as a tire. In such cases, the maker of the mechanical defect can be held accountable.
- Maintenance – Trucks that are not adequately maintained provide major hazards. The person in charge of maintenance may be held accountable if their negligence is found to have caused a trucking accident.
- Government Organizations – If it is proven that negligence or inappropriate operation of a government vehicle (such as fire trucks or garbage trucks) caused the trucking accident, the organization employing it can be held liable.
You Have Limited Time to File a Truck Accident Claim
You should act fast and quickly hire a truck accident attorney after an incident involving a commercial truck in Springfield, MO because the state sets a limit as to how long you have to file a lawsuit.
This time limit is called the statute of limitations, within which you can’t pursue some aspects of your truck accident claim.
- Claims for Personal Injury Claims – In Springfield, the period within which injured individuals can file a personal injury claim is five years from the date of the incident.
- Fatal Truck Accident Claims – The statute of limitations for bringing a wrongful death claim in the event of a truck accident death is within three years of the date of the victim’s passing.
- Claims for Corporate Liability – There may be a specific statute of limitations for claims made against trucking companies or another corporate entity involved in the accident.
- Claims for Product Liability – The statute of limitations for bringing a product liability claim may be different from that of other claims if the accident was caused by a defective truck part.
Act promptly and contact our Missouri truck accident lawyers today. We can define the best course of action specific to your situation to safeguard your entitlement to fair compensation.
Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit With Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers
Start your journey to receiving the compensation you deserve by contacting a knowledgeable truck accident attorney from our team for a free consultation. Introducing us to your case’s details can help us evaluate the specifics of your situation and offer preliminary thoughts on the viability of your claim.
After that, our law firm will immediately start gathering evidence to support your position, from medical records to video footage from the scene, and more. We will also consult with medical professionals and other experts to obtain the best results for your case.
Your truck accident attorney will also negotiate with insurance adjusters to reach a settlement granting you the compensation you deserve. If needed, we will also represent you during trial.
Damages That Our Springfield Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help You Recover
Accidents involving commercial trucks can result in a wide range of issues beyond just physical harm. Committed to helping you recover the compensation you deserve, our skilled trucking accident lawyers in Springfield can help you get financial compensation for the following:
- Present and upcoming medical expenses
- Physical pain
- Lost income and wages
- Disability and disfigurement
- Psychological or emotional trauma
- Vehicle replacement or repair
- Loss of life enjoyment
- Loss of companionship in fatal truck accident claims
What to Do After a Springfield, MO Truck Accident
Here are the steps you should following incidents involving large trucks:
- Gather Participants’ Details – Obtain the vehicle’s details, insurance information, and contact information from each person involved in the collision. Names, addresses, phone numbers, and insurance policy numbers are all included in this.
- Capture the Scene – Take pictures of the damaged vehicle, its license plates, the accident scene, and any obvious injuries. Having this documentation can help you make a compelling case.
- Gather Witnesses’ Details – Obtain the eyewitnesses’ contact details. Their words could be very helpful in supporting your version of events.
- Preserve Documentation – Save copies of your medical bills, auto repair estimates, and any other pertinent paperwork. Any tangible evidence, such as clothing or personal items that are damaged, should be preserved.
- Hire an Attorney – Reach out to a Springfield truck accident lawyer as soon as possible so they can advise you on your legal rights, evaluate the strength of your claim, and guide you through the difficult process that lies ahead.
- Notify Your Insurance Provider – Inform your insurance provider of the incident as soon as possible. Give only accurate information, and refrain from making recorded comments without consulting your attorney.
How Much Are Truck Accident Settlements
The settlement amount for commercial truck accidents is determined by a variety of factors that are specific to each case. At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we have a history of helping clients recover compensation with a fair settlement. Here are a few instances that highlight the variety of truck accident settlements we have recovered on behalf of victims and their family members.
- We were able to effectively mediate an $18,500,000 settlement in a matter involving a head-on collision with a semi-truck.
- We secured a settlement of $14,100,000 for the family of a motorcyclist who was killed in an accident with a truck that was turning left.
- We negotiated a settlement of $7,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a business vehicle.
How Long Does Settling a Truck Accident Case Take
The settlement process for truck accidents usually takes more than six months. This is influenced by a number of things, including the severity of the injuries suffered, liability disputes, insurance company delays, negotiations, and more; all of which highlight the importance of hiring a lawyer fast.
Are Springfield Truck Accident Attorneys Expensive
At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we work on a contingency fee basis. This means there are no up-front costs for clients using our legal services, eliminating the financial obstacle that frequently keeps people from getting the reliable legal counsel they need. We only collect payment after a successful claim, guaranteeing top-notch counsel from beginning to end for accident victims.
Contact a Springfield Truck Accident Attorney Today!
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers’ dedication to client success is supported by a track record of obtaining millions of dollars in settlements. The contingency fee arrangement further ensures risk-free representation by requiring payment only when we are successful in recovering compensation on your behalf.
Get in touch with our truck accident lawyers today at (888) 424-5757 for expert help navigating the legal system as we diligently strive to recover maximum compensation for your truck accident case.
Resources: [1] Kansas City Star, [2] Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety