Missouri Truck Accident Lawyer

Personal Injury Lawyers / Nation’s Top Rated Truck Accident Lawyers – Munley Law® / Missouri Truck Accident Lawyer

A truck accident can forever alter your life in one moment. You and your family may face numerous challenges on the road to recovery. The good news is that a Missouri truck accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation to offset the losses you have sustained. 

For more than 65 years, Munley Law has been fighting to secure justice for our clients. We don’t back down from a fight. We are committed to protecting you and your rights. When you hire the Nation’s top rated truck accident lawyer, you can trust that you will be getting the service and representation you deserve. 

How Does Munley Law Stand Up to the Trucking Industry On Your Behalf?

Munley Law is a team of skilled, experienced, and compassionate attorneys who fight for the results you deserve. We provide support and advocacy for your truck accident case. We handle the logistics and streamline the legal process so you can remain focused on your recovery.

Our firm understands truck accident cases from our six plus decades representing victims. We also know how the trucking industry will try to avoid taking responsibility for the harm it caused you. We step in and put them on notice: They will have to deal with our team of board-certified attorneys while we hold them accountable.

We conduct investigations, research, and evidence gathering so we have a deep understanding of the accident. With this information, we build a strong case that’s tailored to the specific needs of your situation. We also aggressively negotiate with opposing parties to secure the maximum compensation for what you have suffered. 

What Are Contingency Fees and Why Do We Offer Them?

When you and your family are struggling with financial expenses caused by a truck accident, legal help may seem out of reach. Hope is not lost, though. Munley Law operates on a contingency fee basis, so you never have to pay money out of pocket. We only collect fees if we win your case. We then deduct them from your settlement or verdict. We strive to better serve and help you by making legal services available when you need them the most.

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What Common Factors Contribute to Truck Accidents in Missouri?

From prairies to mountains, Missouri has a varied terrain. Each one of Missouri’s major cities, such as Kansas City, St. Louis, Jefferson City, Joplin, and Branson, presents unique challenges to drivers. However, there are some factors that contribute to accidents regardless of the area. Below is a closer look at some of the most common causes of truck accidents.

Human Error

Human error is one of the most common causes of truck and vehicle accidents. Distractions, fatigue, speeding, not using turn signals, and failing to check blind spots frequently contribute to collisions due to negligence.

Substance Impairments

During the last four years of data, there have been 941 fatalities due to substance-impaired driving. These events were primarily caused by male drivers and individuals between the ages of 20 and 39. Drivers may be impaired by alcohol, drugs, medications, or fatigue. They not only put themselves at risk, but also risk hurting other drivers because of their condition. Impaired driving can profoundly impact a driver’s judgment, reaction time, and driving ability.

Road and Weather Conditions

Road and weather conditions can be significant factors in car accidents and can cause mechanical issues or loss of control. Poor road conditions, such as potholes, bad infrastructure, and signage, can cause truck damage or mislead drivers. Weather conditions such as rain or snow can make surfaces slick, preventing drivers from being able to safely maneuver their vehicles. 

Blind Spots

Because of their considerable size, large trucks have bigger blind spots than the average vehicle. As such, it is important to maintain a safe distance from large trucks. Vehicles traveling or attempting to pass a truck could be hit if a truck driver changes lanes or turns and does not see the vehicle next to it. If you cannot see a truck driver or their mirrors, then they cannot see you. Similarly, be sure you can see the entire front of a truck in your rearview mirror before moving in front of it. 

Mechanical Issues

Mechanical issues can arise due to poor maintenance and inspections, negligent repairs, or defective parts. Any one of these issues can pose significant risks to truck drivers and motorists. These conditions may contribute to tire blowouts, brake problems, or loss of control. Vehicles in the path of a malfunctioning truck can suffer severe injuries or fatalities in these situations.

Overload

Large trucks have a higher center of gravity and can tip over more easily than cars. This means that the amount of weight carried and how well it is balanced can make a big difference in a truck’s ability to safely move and remain upright. When trucks are overloaded, they’re not able to stop or maneuver well. If cargo is off-balance or improperly secured, then it can shift and affect a driver’s ability to drive. 

Poor Training

Trucking companies are responsible for training drivers. Learning to drive these large commercial vehicles takes time and requires specific skills. When companies put drivers on the road before they are ready, they run the risk of drivers causing accidents. A driver’s lack of experience ill-prepares them for the numerous situations they may run into and risks more collisions.

What Injuries Are Caused by Truck Accidents?

Motorists are less insulated from impact than a truck is, given the size differential. As a result, motorists often sustain greater injury in a truck accident. Some of the most common types of injuries victims may sustain include: 

• Whiplash
• Lacerations 
• Sprains, strains, and bruising
• Broken bones
• Nerve damage
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Neck injuries
• Chest and rib injuries
• Spinal damage
• Internal bleeding and damage
• Paralysis, disability, or disfigurement
• Loss of limb
• Chronic pain
• Burn injuries
• Wrongful death

Because of the potential for severe or life-threatening injuries, it is critical to receive proper medical care after your truck accident in Missouri. These types of injuries can have profound implications for your life, so the sooner you receive treatment, the more likely you can reduce the long-term effects. Medical professionals should conduct the proper tests to gain a comprehensive understanding of your condition and properly diagnose you. 

What Parties Are Responsible for Causing Truck Accidents?

There are several parties that can be held liable for truck accidents, which can make these cases more complicated. While drivers are most commonly at fault for causing truck accidents, they’re not the only potential defendants in a truck case. Other members of the trucking industry can also play a part. 

For example, trucking companies can be at fault if they fail to follow regulations or proper safety and training protocols. The same goes for truck owners and parent companies. Truck manufacturers can be held liable if they issue defective trucks or truck parts. Similarly, truck mechanics can contribute to accidents if they fail to properly inspect, diagnose, or repair a truck. Finally, cargo loaders can be at fault if they do not load cargo properly.

Because the true cause of a truck accident may be found further back in time, it’s recommended to hire a lawyer who can carefully comb through the various factors and actions of each of these parties to discover who is at fault. Call Munley Law for a free consultation today.

How Is Negligence Established as a Fact In Missouri Truck Accident Cases?

In order to hold the right party accountable, an experienced lawyer must investigate the accident and gather sufficient evidence to identify and show who was at fault. Once your lawyer has acquired this information, they will go about establishing fault by fulfilling the standard of negligence requirement, which includes four parts: 

• Duty of care: All members of the trucking industry have a duty to use caution and execute safe operations. Trucking personnel are also held to high standards due to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) trucking regulations.
• Breach of duty: When trucking personnel are careless or engage in behavior that directly opposes their duty to safety, they’re in breach of their obligations. 
• Causation: The offending party’s actions triggered the accident, and your injuries as a result. Causation creates an indisputable link between the two when establishing negligence in a case. 
• Damages: Once they are deemed to be at fault, the offending party is required to compensate you for the injuries you sustained as a result of their actions. The amount will either be negotiated by both parties’ legal counsel or issued by a judge. 

Each element builds on the other so that fault is thoroughly and systematically shown. At the end of the process, an offender’s negligence becomes factual, and the case can move toward a resolution. This legal process should be handled by an experienced and skilled lawyer with experience in handling these types of cases.

Can You Recover Losses Even if You Are Partially At Fault?

Being partially at fault in an accident can be very scary. Like many, you may assume this means that you are unable to receive compensation in your case to cover your losses. However, because of Missouri’s pure comparative negligence law, you can still pursue damages to cover your medical bills and other expenses. Most states use modified comparative negligence that caps recovery at 50% or 51%, so Missouri allows you a greater chance to recover your losses. 

According to state law, you can recover compensation even if you’re 99% at fault for the accident. The catch is that your settlement or verdict will be reduced to counterbalance your role in the accident. For example, if you’re eligible for a $200,000 settlement but were found to be 30% at fault, you will receive $140,000 in compensation. Because of partial fault, you could be at risk of having to cover $60,000 of your expenses out of pocket. 

How Do Damages Help You and Your Family Rebuild Your Life?

The aftereffects of a truck accident are devastating. As you try to deal with numerous expenses and losses simultaneously, the financial load can accumulate. A trucking accident lawyer will handle your case and negotiate a fair settlement that will sufficiently cover your losses. While the losses you can recover will vary by case, some common ones include: 

• Current and ongoing medical expenses 
• Lost income and benefits or earning capacity
• Damage to vehicle and personal belongings 
• End-of-life, funeral, and burial expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional and mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment and quality of life
• Loss of companionship and consortium

Consult an expert at Munley Law to find out how much you may recover in your case. We will assess your situation and guide you through the inventory process to make sure all losses are accounted for. We will also factor in variables such as partial fault and the extent and severity of your injuries and other losses. 

Recover Compensation Within Five Years of Your Accident

To recover compensation for your losses, you must pursue your claim before the statute of limitations expires. Missouri law dictates that you have 5 years from the time you were injured to recover your losses before you are barred from taking action. Your lawyer can counsel you on your options depending on how much of the allotted time you have left. Truck accidents are time-consuming to resolve, and the quality of evidence has a limited shelf life, so it is important to act quickly. 

Munley Law Provides Fierce Representation from Start to Finish

Munley Law is available 24/7 to answer your questions and help you pursue legal action after a truck accident. We know how frightening and hopeless this time can feel, and we strive to put your mind at ease and provide the support and fierce representation you need. Our team provides the highest level of service from start to finish, so you have an advocate on your side. To learn more, contact our firm today to schedule a free case evaluation with our team.