Helping People Injured in Commercial Truck Accidents in and around St. Louis Recover for their Losses
If you have been involved in a truck accident, a St. Louis truck accident lawyer can be a great asset. Many clients have a number of questions and concerns after getting into a wreck with a large commercial truck or big-rig and are also unsure with how to deal with insurance companies, the police, and any other parties that may have been involved with the incident. Fortunately, the team of skilled truck accident lawyers at Kilo Flynn is here to help.
Why Do Truck Accidents Occur?
The reasons for truck accidents can vary greatly. Perhaps the most common cause of truck accidents is driver error. Many truck drivers are forced to work long hours, meet strict deadlines, and this can take a toll on their stress levels and general alertness. Sometimes in order to stay awake, truck drivers take drugs or overindulge in caffeine products.
Still other times, the driver may not be to blame. Another reason for truck accidents stems from equipment failure. Commercial trucks are driven daily, usually over long distances, and require consistent maintenance. Failure to properly inspect or repair equipment on the truck can cause equipment to fail.
Damages in a Truck Accident.
Accidents involving truck accidents are not the same as an ordinary auto accident. The weight and size of trucks and big-rigs can result in much more serious injuries and damage to property, and they can often be fatal. Cars are often totaled and in serious cases, victims can be left with hundreds of thousands of dollars medical expenses and months or years of lost income.
Truck Drivers and Trucking Companies.
Truck drivers and trucking companies have certain standards that need to be met. For instance, truck drivers are required to have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and should undergo proper training in order to be a qualified truck driver.
Trucking companies often times have state and federal regulations that they must adhere to and failure to do so could result in them being liable for the incident. For example, companies should maintain records documenting things like vehicle maintenance and the vehicle’s loading and unloading history. An experienced trucking attorney will be familiar with these laws and conduct a thorough investigation to determine if a trucking company was in full compliance with the law.
Determining Liability.
As you may have guessed, both the driver and the trucking company (if there is one) can be liable for the damages resulting from a truck accident. The trucking company, as an employer, will generally be liable for any negligent acts of its employee who was driving. However, determining fault is not an easy task. It requires a great deal of time to conduct a thorough investigation and a lawyer experienced in trucking law should be retained to ensure that you recover fully for your losses.
Call Kilo Flynn Today to Schedule a Free Consultation with a St. Louis truck accident lawyer
If you have been involved in an accident with a large commercial truck or a tractor-trailer, please call Kilo Flynn today at 314-647-8910 to discuss your claim. Our attorneys have years of experience in winning cases for victims of truck accidents and have represented clients in counties throughout Missouri and Illinois, including the City of St. Louis, and the surrounding Missouri counties of St. Louis, St. Charles, Lincoln, Jefferson, Franklin and Crawford; and the Illinois counties of Madison, St. Clair and Monroe, to name a few. We are available to meet at times or locations suitable to our clients, including, when necessary, nights or weekends. Call us today for a free consultation: 314-647-8910.