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A commercial truck is more than a vehicle; it is a mobile asset for a massive industry. When that asset is involved in a collision, a corporate defense process is automatically triggered.
Their lawyers and investigators are dispatched with a single objective: to protect the company’s bottom line. Their goal is simple, and so is ours: to protect you. A dedicated St. Louis, MO truck accident lawyer at Walner Law ensures you have an equally powerful advocate whose sole focus is your recovery and your rights.
Key takeaways
A collision with a commercial truck is not just a bigger car accident; it is a completely different legal battle. It demands a law firm with specific experience and the resources to confront powerful opponents. Walner Law is equipped to handle these complex cases and fight for the people of St. Louis.
Truck accident claims are governed by a complex web of state and federal laws, including regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Our legal team has a deep working knowledge of these rules. We can identify violations that serve as critical evidence of negligence, turning a company’s non-compliance into a powerful tool for your case.
Trucking companies have vast resources, and so do we. We work with a network of industry professionals, including accident reconstructionists and trucking safety experts. We use them to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the cause of your crash. We have what it takes to build a data-driven, compelling case.
We have a history of successfully representing clients against large trucking companies and their aggressive insurance carriers. While past results do not guarantee future outcomes, our experience shows our readiness to take on formidable opponents to fight for fair compensation for our clients.
We know the immense physical, emotional, and financial toll a truck accident takes. We provide compassionate, personalized legal counsel, ensuring you are informed and supported at every stage. You will have direct access to your attorney to get answers and updates.
Time is a critical factor in a truck accident claim. While you are focused on medical care, we take immediate action to protect your rights and preserve evidence before it can be lost or altered.
Our rapid response is designed to build the strongest possible foundation for your case.
The first step is sending a spoliation letter to the trucking company. This legal notice demands they preserve all evidence related to the crash. Failure to comply can result in serious penalties for them.
We move quickly to secure vital evidence for proving negligence. This proactive approach ensures key information is not misplaced or legally destroyed.
This evidence provides an objective look into the moments before the crash and the practices of the trucking company.
We engage a team of experts early in the process. Accident reconstructionists visit the scene to analyze skid marks, debris fields, and vehicle damage. Trucking safety consultants review the company’s records for patterns of non-compliance with FMCSA regulations.
While every crash is unique, many truck accidents on St. Louis highways like I-55 and I-44 stem from a handful of common, preventable failures. These acts of negligence put everyone on the road at risk.
The FMCSA has strict rules limiting how many hours a truck driver can be on the road. Yet, driver fatigue remains a leading cause of truck accidents. We investigate driver logs and other data to uncover violations.
Trucking companies are required to keep their vehicles in safe, working condition. Brake failure, tire blowouts, and steering malfunctions can all lead to disaster. Maintenance records can reveal a history of neglect that contributed to the crash.
A truck driver who is texting, using a dispatch device, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs is operating an 80,000-pound weapon. We work to uncover evidence of these reckless behaviors through cell phone records and toxicology reports.
Improperly loaded cargo can shift during transit, causing the driver to lose control. Overloaded trucks are also harder to stop and more prone to rollovers. We examine weight slips and loading documents to identify these dangerous violations.
Unlike a typical car wreck, a truck accident often has multiple parties who share responsibility. Identifying every liable entity is a crucial step in strengthening your claim and opening up all potential avenues for compensation.
A driver’s direct negligence is often a primary cause. This can include speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence, or making an illegal maneuver on highways like I-64.
The company that owns the truck or employs the driver can be liable for its negligence. This is known as vicarious liability. Their failures can create the dangerous conditions that lead to a crash.
A motor carrier’s negligence can be a significant factor in a crash. Their responsibility extends far beyond just the driver’s actions on the road.
Proving this type of corporate negligence requires a deep dive into company records and practices.
Other entities might also share the blame. A separate maintenance company could be liable for faulty repairs. The cargo shipper could be responsible for improperly loading the trailer, causing an imbalance. A parts manufacturer could be at fault for a defective tire or brake system.
Dealing with a commercial insurer after a truck wreck is vastly different from a standard auto claim. These companies handle high-stakes litigation daily. They have teams of adjusters and lawyers dedicated to minimizing what they pay, regardless of the severity of your injuries.
The insurance policy for a commercial truck can be worth millions of dollars. With so much on the line, the insurer will use every available resource to fight your claim. They may immediately dispatch their own investigators to the scene to gather evidence that favors their position.
Insurance companies employ specific strategies to reduce their liability. They might offer a quick, low settlement before the full extent of your injuries is known. They may also dispute the necessity of your medical treatments or argue that a pre-existing condition is the real cause of your pain. Having a lawyer protects you from these tactics.
The sheer force involved in a commercial truck collision often results in catastrophic injuries. A personal injury claim is the primary legal tool to secure the financial resources you need for recovery and long-term stability.
The full extent of the damages determines a claim’s value. This goes far beyond initial emergency room bills from a hospital like Mercy Hospital St. Louis. It includes ongoing medical treatments, rehabilitative therapies, lost wages, and diminished future earning capacity.
Our legal team meticulously documents every loss to build a comprehensive claim. We fight for compensation that covers:
The massive size and weight discrepancy between a commercial truck and a passenger vehicle means that crash survivors often face life-altering injuries. We have experience representing clients with severe conditions that require a lifetime of care.
Even a seemingly minor TBI can have lasting effects on cognitive function, memory, and personality. Severe TBIs can result in permanent disability, requiring constant medical supervision and support.
Damage to the spinal cord can cause partial or complete paralysis (paraplegia or quadriplegia). These injuries fundamentally change a person’s life and require millions of dollars in care over a lifetime.
Crush injuries in a truck accident can necessitate the amputation of a limb. Fires can cause severe burns, leading to disfigurement, chronic pain, and the need for multiple reconstructive surgeries.
Truck accident cases involve federal laws, more severe injuries, multiple at-fault parties, and much higher insurance policy limits. They also require a rapid investigation to preserve evidence that trucking companies are only required to keep for a short time.
For most personal injury claims, Missouri law provides a five-year statute of limitations. However, the evidence needed to build a strong case can disappear much faster, making it vital to contact an attorney as soon as possible.
You should not provide a recorded statement or sign any documents without speaking to an attorney first. These actions can be used to limit your rights. Politely decline their requests and refer them to your lawyer.
Yes. While trucks have large blind spots, commercial drivers receive extensive training on how to be aware of them and to take extra precautions. A “blind spot” defense does not automatically excuse a driver from liability for a collision they caused.
Potentially, yes. Trucking companies often try to avoid liability by classifying their drivers as independent contractors. However, if the company exercises significant control over the driver’s work, they may still be held legally responsible for the driver’s negligence.
After a traumatic truck accident, you should not have to battle a massive corporation and its insurance company alone. A St. Louis, MO truck accident lawyer from Walner Law can provide the skilled and aggressive advocacy you need to protect your future.
We are prepared to handle every aspect of your case so you can focus on healing.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case. Call us at (312) 410-8496 or fill out our online contact form to learn how we can help you.
