Despite having some of the best drivers, traffic accidents are on the rise in St. Louis County.
In the 2021 St. Louis crash report, it’s stated that more than 14,000 people were injured in traffic crashes, whereas nearly 178 people were dead. Sadly, impaired driving, speeding, and distracted driving, to name a few, contribute to road accidents.Â
Among road accidents, truck accidents have become more widespread because it’s the regional trucking hub in St. Louis. Truck accidents, in the literal sense, are fatal and cause catastrophic injuries. That’s because they are heavyweight vehicles that carry heavy loads.
Drivers are supposed to steer these vehicles carefully and cautiously. Any carelessness or recklessness can result in a collision. As a result, those involved in it are injured severely, with some of them succumbing to their injuries.
People injured in truck accidents due to the negligence of the truck driver have legal recourse. That means victims of truck accidents can sue the driver and the trucking company for fair compensation.
Have you been severely injured in a truck accident in St. Louis? Then you may qualify for compensation. Give this guide a read to learn more about filing a truck accident lawsuit in St. Louis.
Table of Contents
St. Louis Truck Accident: Common Types of Truck Accidents
The types of truck accidents that occur in St. Louis, a busy metro city, are as follows:
1. Construction Zone
When traveling through construction zones, drivers are required to drive with caution. Often, the contrary happens as drivers drive recklessly, leading to collisions with other trucks or small vehicles.
2. Blind Spots
Truck accidents in blind spots are common in St. Louis because truck drivers fail to see other vehicles in front of them. Ultimately, they do not apply brakes on time, colliding with the other vehicle.
3. Jackknife
Jackknife crashes are devastating and occur mostly in semi-trailer trucks because the trailer isn’t secured to the truck. In such types of crashes, the trailer swings out uncontrollably, folding in on itself at an angle of 90°. This kind of crash injures not only motorists but also the truck driver.Â
4. Under-Ride
In under-ride accidents, vehicles slide beneath the trailer or the truck completely or partially. As is understood, occupants of vehicles sustain severe injuries in under-ride accidents.
5. Rollover
Fatal trucking crashes usually occur because of truck rollovers. While erratic drivings contribute to rollovers, improper loading and maintenance issues also lead to accidents.
6. Wide Turns
Because of their large sizes, trucks require plenty of space to maneuver around a tight turn. For this reason, truck drivers veer into the left lane before a right-hand turn and vice versa.
In doing so, they often miscalculate or misjudge how far another vehicle is from their truck and end up hitting them.
Truck Crash Injuries
Irrespective of the intensity or severity of the accident, truck collisions cause significant damage to small vehicles and their occupants. Injuries sustained in truck accidents are rarely minor. At times, truck accidents are so severe that those involved in the crash succumb to their injuries.
That said, common injuries sustained in truck accidents are:
1. Head Injuries
Head injuries in truck crashes can be as mild as a concussion or as severe as traumatic brain injury. Usually, head injuries are common among victims who are hurled out of the vehicle after colliding with trucks.
Traumatic brain injuries in truck accidents often stem from a strong jolt in the head, resulting in life-long complications.
2. Broken Bones
When small vehicles collide with large trucks, occupants are likely to suffer fractures or broken bones. Not only bones but the nerves surrounding are also likely to be damaged in truck accidents.
3. Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are often severe and may not always be apparent right after the accident. For this reason, as a truck accident victim, you should always seek medical assistance after encountering a truck accident, irrespective of how you feel after the incident.
More often than not, spinal cord injuries occur in the lower back or the neck. Such injuries may include crushed vertebrae, herniated discs, or fractured spine. Sad to say, most spinal cord injuries can lead to paralysis.
4. Burns
When large trucks collide with small vehicles, the collision can rupture gasoline tanks or fuel lines. The result is a fire outbreak, because of which occupants of the vehicle may sustain burns.
Truck accident victims sustaining burns require extensive medical care because they are difficult to treat and may result in nerve damage, limb loss, or scarring.
Truck Accident Case Worth in St. Louis
It’s relatively impossible to determine the kind of settlement you shall receive after being involved in a truck accident. Only an experienced St. Louis truck accident lawyer can help you determine the overall amount of your damages.
However, here’s a quick rundown of the factors that will help you figure out the value of your truck accident settlement:
- Medical bills, including the costs of your future treatment
- Loss of use of limbs or disability
- Damages to vehicles
- Loss of wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Few law firms like TorHoerman Law help truck accident victims determine the damages they are entitled to recover from the at-fault party. The lawyers at TorHoerman Law provide free case evaluation, wherein they carefully review the victim’s case, evidence, and medical records. Thereafter, they provide an estimate of the amount they shall be able to recover upon filing a lawsuit.
Its team of St. Louis truck accident lawyers has been awarded more than $4 billion in negotiated settlements and verdicts.
Is a Truck Accident Claim Different From Other Traffic Accidents?
Yes, truck accident claims differ from other traffic accidents because of the following reasons:
- Multiple parties, such as the trucking company, owner of the truck, and truck driver, are involved in the crash.Â
- Multiple accused means multiple insurance companies.Â
- The force of a truck during an accident is 20 times more than a standard car.Â
St. Louis Missouri Statute of Limitations Regarding Truck Accident Lawsuits
Truck accident lawsuits are basically personal injury lawsuits. And the statute of limitations in St. Louis, Missouri, is five years from the date of occurrence. That means victims are required to file a lawsuit against the truck driver and the trucking company within five years.
Otherwise, you’ll become ineligible for the compensation claim and won’t be able to hold the other party liable for the damages you’ve sustained in the unfortunate incident.
Get in Touch With a Truck Accident Lawyer to File a Lawsuit
Those who survive truck accidents are fortunate because such accidents are often fatal. The possibility of succumbing to injuries is much greater in truck accidents than in other road accidents.
Truck accidents are scarring, both physically and mentally, especially if you become incapacitated. Further complicating the problem are mounting medical bills.
As a resident of Missouri, you are entitled to file a compensation claim by suing the negligent party. However, make sure to hire a lawyer before filing a lawsuit, as truck accident cases are complicated due to the numerous parties involved.
