Were you injured in an accident with a commercial vehicle in Kansas City, MO? You may be entitled to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and your pain and suffering. An experienced Kansas City commercial vehicle accident lawyer at Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers can fight to protect your legal rights.
We’ve been a trusted advocate for accident victims and their families since 2002. We’ve recovered over $70 million in settlements and verdicts on their behalf.
We’re ready to put our expertise to work for you. Call (816) 408-3448 at law offices in Kansas City, Missouri, to schedule your free consultation today.
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How Bradley Law Can Help After a Commercial Vehicle Accident in Kansas City
You shouldn’t have to worry about a complex legal battle when you’re hurt. The fact is, commercial vehicle accident cases are more complicated than your average car accident case. Commercial drivers carry more insurance than most drivers. When larger dollar amounts are at stake, insurance companies get aggressive in defending themselves.
You deserve an experienced lawyer who can even the score.
At Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers, our personal injury lawyers in Kansas City have over 20 years of experience beating insurance companies at their own game. Our founding attorney has earned an AV-Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell and is ranked among the National Trial Lawyers “Top 100 Trial Lawyers.”
We’ve also recovered some of the largest verdicts in Missouri state history. You can count on our legal team to:
- Launch a detailed investigation into your accident
- Identify all forms of insurance coverage
- Demand fair compensation from all parties involved in the truck crash
- Negotiate with the insurance companies to get the maximum compensation you deserve
When it comes to complex insurance claims, our Kansas City personal injury attorneys know the ropes. Call our law firm today to learn more about your legal options. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you won’t have to worry about up-front costs.
How Common Are Commercial Vehicle Accidents in Kansas City?
Across the U.S., at least 5,005 large trucks were involved in fatal traffic accidents in 2019. Missouri isn’t immune from serious car crashes. According to Missouri State Highway Patrol statistics, more than 3,000 people are injured in commercial motor vehicle accidents every year.
At least 130 people were killed in commercial vehicle crashes across Missouri in 2019–and the number of deadly commercial vehicle accidents seems to be increasing each year.
There are many different types of commercial vehicles on the roads in Kansas City. Semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, and big rigs all qualify as commercial vehicles. However, any type of vehicle that’s primarily used for business purposes can qualify.
At Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers, we handle all types of commercial vehicle accident cases, including those involving:
- Amazon delivery vans
- UPS trucks
- FedEx trucks
- Tow trucks
- Moving vans and trucks
- Construction vehicles
- Utility trucks
- Garbage trucks
- Flatbed trucks
- Dump trucks
- Box trucks
- Shuttle buses
- Refrigerated trucks
- Private delivery vans
The larger the vehicle, the greater the potential for damage. If you’ve been hurt in an accident with a commercial truck, reach out to our lawyers today. We’d be happy to schedule a free case review to discuss your legal options.
What is My Kansas City Commercial Vehicle Accident Case Worth?
It’s always important to know how much your case is worth before accepting an insurance offer. That said, all trucking accident cases are different.
Some of your financial losses will be easy to calculate. You’ll have receipts to show the value of your past medical bills and vehicle damage. Other losses are more complicated.
When calculating the value of your non-economic damages and future costs, we’ll consider the following factors:
- The severity of your injuries
- Expert witness opinions, including your doctor’s prognosis
- The cost of your past medical treatment and expected future needs
- How your daily life has changed
- Your emotional suffering
Permanent and severe injuries tend to lead to higher settlements. You can count on our lawyers to carefully review your case and consider all relevant issues when calculating your insurance demand.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Commercial Vehicle Accident Victims?
Accident victims can recover economic damages and non-economic damages under Missouri personal injury laws.
Economic damages are your out-of-pocket costs. They may include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and income
- Reduced earning potential
- Rehabilitation
- Transportation costs
- Property damage
- And more
Non-economic damages are also called “pain and suffering” damages. Victims may be entitled to compensation for:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Diminished quality of life
- Disfigurement
- Scarring
- Anxiety and depression
- PTSD
- Loss of consortium
During your free initial consultation, we can help you understand the types of damages you may be entitled to receive.
Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for a Commercial Vehicle Accident in Missouri?
You can recover damages even if you’re partly responsible for an accident. Missouri is a pure comparative fault state. Your damages will simply be reduced in proportion to your share of fault.
That’s true even if you were mostly responsible. For example, if you are 60% responsible, you’re entitled to take home 40% of your compensation.
Is contributory fault an issue in your case? Our experienced attorneys can protect you. Call for your free case review today.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Commercial Vehicle Accident Injuries
Occupants of smaller passenger vehicles are vulnerable to serious injuries in a commercial vehicle accident.
Kansas City truck accident victims often suffer:
- Chest injuries
- Brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Back injuries
- Organ damage
- Burns
- Amputations
- Soft tissue
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
Our lawyers at Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers are here to help. Even if you can’t make it to the office, we’d be happy to visit your home or the hospital.
What Causes Most Commercial Vehicle Accidents in Kansas City, Missouri?
Commercial vehicle drivers are subject to special licensing rules. Missouri commercial driver’s license (CDL) requirements are supposed to train drivers to operate larger vehicles. Still, negligent driving often plays a role in accidents involving commercial vehicle accidents in Kansas City.
More specific factors that tend to cause accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Drug use
- Driver fatigue and violations of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Hours-of-Service rules
- Drunk driving
- Speeding to meet tight deadlines
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Tailgating
- Aggressive driving
- Dangerous turns
- Weaving between traffic
- Stopping in unsafe locations
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Lack of experience
- Unfamiliarity with the roads
Some accidents are caused by problems with the vehicle itself, including:
- Worn tires
- Brake failures
- Failure to properly secure cargo
- Failure to regularly inspect the vehicle
- Maintenance problems
- Defective vehicles or equipment
- Overloaded vehicles
Our Kansas City commercial vehicle accident attorneys at Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers can help you identify the cause of your crash.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Commercial Vehicle Accident in Missouri?
Most commercial vehicle crashes happen because someone was negligent. In plain English, they occur because someone failed to exercise reasonable caution. Even if driver error was clearly the cause, multiple parties may ultimately share liability.
Commercial vehicle accidents require careful investigation. Only then can you identify all at-fault parties and locate evidence to prove who was responsible.
For example, any one of the following parties may be liable for damages:
- The driver
- Trucking companies
- Mechanics and maintenance companies
- Manufacturers of defective safety equipment
- Cargo loading companies
- The vehicle’s owner
- The driver’s employer
- Third-party motorists, pedestrians, or bicyclists
- Government agencies
Most commercial accidents are covered by commercial insurance policies. The companies involved will quickly move to investigate. They’ll use the evidence they find to minimize their own liability.
To succeed with a personal injury case, you’ll need strong evidence to fight back. Our lawyers can handle the investigation and find that evidence, including:
- Any black box recording devices
- Police reports and toxicology results
- The driver’s hours-of-service log
- Maintenance records
- Inspection records
- Any history of past safety violations
- Details about the truck driver, including qualifications and licensing information
- Information about company hiring practices
- Video surveillance footage
- Eyewitness testimony
- Testimony from accident reconstruction specialists and other experts
Physical evidence from the accident scene can be critical to proving what happened. That evidence can be lost quickly–so it’s important to take legal action soon after your accident.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Commercial Vehicle Accident in Missouri?
The statute of limitations in Missouri is five years in most personal injury cases. Victims have five years to file a personal injury lawsuit. Otherwise, you’ll forfeit your right to seek damages in court.
You don’t have to wait to call for legal advice. In fact, it’s always better to get started right away. Contact Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers today to protect your right to fair compensation after a crash.
Contact a Kansas City Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Facing off against a large company can be intimidating. Fortunately, you don’t have to do it alone. Call an experienced Kansas City commercial vehicle accident lawyer at Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free case evaluation today.
Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office in Kansas City, MO
Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Kansas City Office
1509 NE Parvin Rd Ste A,
Kansas City, MO 64116
(816) 408-3448
Open 24/7
