Truck accidents are among the worst on the road due to the size and weight of these vehicles. While they come in all shapes and designs, they can easily destroy any passenger vehicle and the lives of all occupants inside. After the impact, victims are more likely to suffer severe, life-altering injuries. Recovering compensation for medical bills and other financial losses is a greater challenge, as there are always multiple entities involved, making the need for a local truck wreck lawyer important.
At Hipskind & McAninch, LLC, we understand how to address the unique complexities in truck accident cases in Belleville, IL and St. Louis, MO, and why you’re searching for a truck accident lawyer near me. This guide reveals what makes these accidents more complicated, how they are caused, and how a commercial truck accident attorney can help you pursue maximum compensation for your claim.
This article addresses the unique complexities of truck accident cases and explains why victims need specialized legal representation. Readers will understand how to handle these catastrophic cases and the additional challenges involved in pursuing claims against trucking companies and their insurers.
Why Truck Accidents Are Different
The massive weight and size of trucks, from 18-wheelers to tractor-trailers, are huge factors in what makes truck accidents different. Even at a low speed, the severity of injuries suffered by victims is profound.
In a car accident involving passenger vehicles, there is usually one liable party. However, in truck crashes, there are potentially multiple liable parties who all played a role in negligence. Another layer of complexity is added by the regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which has rules to keep the roads safer. When a truck accident happens, deep investigations need to be conducted to determine if any of these regulations were violated by the truck driver, the trucking company, or other related parties.
Complex insurance structures with higher policy limits also make things more of a challenge for injured victims in these situations. Trying to seek compensation for your claim by yourself is too much work due to all of these factors, which is why you’ll want to find an 18-wheeler accident attorney to help you through this process.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents have several common causes that are rooted in negligent behavior:
Driver Fatigue and Hours of Service Violations
Truck drivers are on the road for long hours, and it can be a monotonous job. The FMCSA regulates hours of service, mandating rest periods and the amount of hours they can be on the road. Drivers may be under pressure to get a shipment to its destination faster, and ignore the rules, or their employers may push them to do it.
Improper Loading and Cargo Securement
Cargo loaders must properly load semi-trucks and secure cargo on tractor-trailers. When they fail to follow protocols, loads can shift or cargo can come loose, causing a serious truck wreck.
Inadequate Maintenance and Equipment Failure
Trucking companies must make sure the trucks in their fleet are ready for the road. They need to be inspected and maintained regularly. When they fail to conduct these inspections, they could be liable. Additionally, when parts fail or maintenance teams do not perform repairs to the right standards, they could face blame.
Distracted or Impaired Driving
Truckers have commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) which hold them to a higher standard. If they are intoxicated or distracted, the consequences of this negligence could be deadly.
Aggressive Driving and Speeding
Trying to make a delivery on time and getting frustrated with traffic, some truckers may drive aggressively or speed, which puts everyone in danger.
Poor Weather Decision-Making
Weather can be unpredictable at times, though it’s no excuse not to adjust driving behavior. When truckers do not slow down or make the necessary adjustments for safe driving in foul weather, it often results in a catastrophic crash.
Types of Truck Accident Cases
In addition to our practice areas for personal injury in Belleville and personal injury in St. Louis, we represent victims in car accidents, motorcycle accidents, and truck accident cases like these:
- 18-wheeler and semi-truck collisions
- Delivery truck accidents
- Tanker truck crashes
- Garbage and dump truck accidents
- Bus accidents
- Construction vehicle incidents
Searching for a semi-truck crash lawyer close to me? Let us help you fight trucking companies and insurers to get you the full and fair settlement you deserve for your injuries.
Identifying All Liable Parties
- Truck Driver: Truck driver negligence is one of the most common reasons these horrific accidents occur.
- Trucking Company: Trucking company liability is often behind the negligence, such as failing to properly vet drivers or failing to maintain the fleet.
- Vehicle and Parts Manufacturers: Defective parts can cause a massive system failure that leads to loss of control for the truck driver.
- Cargo Loading Companies: Cargo loaders must follow procedures for safely loading materials.
- Maintenance Providers: Performing shoddy work or failing to inspect as required may mean those providing maintenance are liable.
- Truck Owners and Lessors: These parties may face vicarious liability for improper hiring and violating safety regulations and many other FMCSA rules.
Hipskind & McAninch, LLC’s Truck Accident Approach
When you need a big-rig accident lawyer in my area, Hipskind & McAninch, LLC takes a strong approach to help injured victims hold big trucking entities responsible for the harm they caused. From our initial free consultation, we will begin immediate investigations and evidence preservation, which must be done quickly to prevent this data from being erased.
Our attorneys obtain the electronic logging device (ELD) data to see if it shows violations of the FMCSA’s rules. We also review driver qualification files, analyze maintenance records, work with accident reconstruction experts, and retain medical experts for injury documentation. Our truck accident lawyers get ready for trial from the start and do not back down to get the settlement you deserve.
Federal Regulations That Impact Your Case
Hours of service requirements are often at the crux of these accidents, when truckers do not take mandated rest breaks or exceed their service hours.
Some trucking companies may fail to abide by drug and alcohol testing protocols or CDL standards. Others may shirk vehicle inspections and maintenance requirements, or exceed weight limits and cargo regulations. Truck accident victims often sustain catastrophic, life-altering injuries in these incidents, and our attorneys will determine whether violations of these federal rules occurred in your case.
Compensation in Truck Accident Cases
Let a tractor-trailer accident attorney help you recover full and fair compensation on your behalf. Many victims often need:
- Catastrophic injury damages for spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and amputations
- Lifetime medical care and rehabilitation
- Lost earning capacity due to the impacts of injuries sustained
- Wrongful death damages for families grieving the loss of their loved one
- Punitive damages for egregious violations to punish liable parties
Why Specialized Representation Matters
While a personal injury attorney can help, a truck accident attorney specializes in these types of cases. Trucking companies have litigation teams and big insurance policies, and you shouldn’t have to face them alone.
With specialized truck accident representation, you’ll have someone with the experience it takes to fight major trucking companies. It requires deep knowledge of trucking industry practices, along with federal and state laws to prove liability and negligence, and to hold all responsible parties accountable for the harm they’ve caused.
You won’t have the resources to bring in accident reconstructionists and other experts who can prove how the truck crash occurred and challenge corporate legal teams. Insurance policies for trucking are also far more complex than regular auto insurance policies, and only a truck accident lawyer will be familiar with all of these components to build a strong case.
Why Choose Hipskind & McAninch, LLC?
Whether you have suffered extreme injuries or you’ve lost a loved one in a truck accident, you don’t deserve to be stuck with the financial impacts. In one moment, your life has been completely altered due to someone else’s neglect to do the right thing.
The truck driver, trucking company, and other involved parties may all be liable and justice should be served. Let Hipskind & McAninch, LLC help you like we have done for so many others. Our strong track record with complex truck accident cases shows that we are not intimidated by large corporate defendants and will do whatever it takes to fight for you.
Our attorneys are deeply committed to thorough case preparation, allowing you to have the time you need to work with your doctors to achieve the highest expected level of recovery. As truck accident cases are among the most complex in personal injury law, we encourage you to contact us immediately to schedule a free initial consultation to discover the legal options available and recover compensation.