Were you seriously injured in a car accident involving a large commercial truck in Richmond Heights, MO? An experienced Richmond Heights truck accident lawyer can help you pursue the fair compensation you deserve. Our team at Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers is prepared to help you fight for full compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and your pain and suffering.
Our lawyers have over 30 years of experience in personal injury law. We’ve used our legal knowledge and skills to help injured clients recover over $70 million in settlements and verdicts.
Don’t let the insurance companies undervalue your truck accident claim. Contact our law offices in Richmond Heights, Missouri at (314) 207-4399 to schedule a free consultation with a lawyer who can help.
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How Can Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers Help If I Was Injured in a Truck Accident in Richmond Heights?
At Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers, we believe that careless people should be held responsible for their actions. We also know how difficult it can be to deal with insurance companies. Negligent drivers rarely want to admit they’re responsible for causing injuries.
Our Richmond Heights personal injury lawyers can provide the legal representation you need to get justice. Our AV-rated lawyers have been recognized by Super Lawyers and earned a perfect-10 rating from Avvo and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
You can count on our firm to:
- Conduct a detailed investigation into the crash
- Gather and evaluate all available evidence
- Determine who is ultimately liable for paying your damages
- Calculate the fair value of your personal injury claim
- Work with top-rated experts in various fields
- Negotiate fiercely with the insurance company for a full settlement
While insurance companies seem sympathetic, they’re not on your side. Your experienced Richmond Heights personal injury attorney is responsible for looking out for your best interests. Contact us today to learn more about how a lawyer can help.
How Common Are Accidents Involving Large Trucks?
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), 4,842 large trucks were involved in fatal accidents across the United States in 2020. 107,000 injury-producing truck accidents were reported that year.
In 2022, the Missouri Department of Transportation reported 16,212 motor vehicles involving large commercial vehicles. 2,975 of those crashes caused at least one injury. Sadly, another 137 of those accidents caused at least one fatality.
While the trucking industry is an important part of Missouri’s economy, semi-trucks can make the roads more dangerous for everyone when drivers aren’t careful. The vast majority of all fatalities in truck accidents are occupants of smaller passenger vehicles.
How Much Is My Richmond Heights Truck Accident Case Worth?
Many unique variables will play a role in assessing the value of your personal injury case.
Some of the most important variables that can influence your case value include:
- Whether you suffer a serious injury or disability
- The length of your recovery time
- The cost of your medical care and rehabilitation
- How the injury impacts your future, considering lost future earnings, lifestyle changes, etc.
- Your pain and suffering
- Whether you share any fault for the accident
- The nature of the at-fault driver’s actions
It’s important to get a sense of your case value before signing any insurance documents or making a recorded statement. When you’re ready to take the next step, call our law firm in Richmond Heights. We can offer more details about your case value in a free case review.
What Types of Compensation Are Available Under Missouri Personal Injury Laws?
Under Missouri law, accident victims can seek compensation for their economic and non-economic losses. These compensatory damages should make you whole again, at least financially speaking.
Examples of the types of damages you may recover if your case is successful include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages, income, and work-related benefits
- Reduced earning potential
- Nursing care
- Rehabilitation
- Property damage to your vehicle and other belongings
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Depression
- PTSD
- Fear
- Reduced quality of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of consortium
Consulting an experienced lawyer is the best way to determine the types of damages that may be available in your case. Call our accident attorneys in Richmond Heights today to learn more about your legal options after a crash.
Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for Causing a Truck Accident in Missouri?
You could wind up with a reduced settlement if you share responsibility for a commercial truck accident.
Missouri follows a pure comparative negligence law. Liability is divided between all parties who share some responsibility for a trucking accident. Each party is assigned a percentage of fault–and is responsible for that percentage of the total damages.
So, if you’re found to be 30% liable for the crash, you can recover 70% of your damages from the other responsible parties.
Shared fault can have a significant impact on your case. Our lawyers in Richmond Heights can work to ensure that the insurance companies treat you fairly. Call for a free case review to learn more about this complex area of law.
We Help Victims Who Have Suffered All Types of Truck Accident Injuries in Richmond Heights
At Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers, we often represent clients in cases involving:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Whiplash injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Amputations
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Back injuries
- Organ damage
- Chest injuries
- Burns
- Catastrophic injuries
Truck accidents often result in fatalities. Our wrongful death attorneys can help you fight to recover fair compensation if you lost a family member in a fatal truck crash.
What Are the Leading Causes of Accidents Involving Semi-Trucks and Big Rigs in Richmond Heights, Missouri?
Driver error is the leading cause of truck accidents in the U.S. Trucks are larger and more difficult to maneuver than smaller vehicles. They also have longer stopping times–so it can be more difficult to avoid an accident, especially if high speeds are involved.
Some of the most common causes of truck accidents in Richmond Heights include:
- Distracted driving
- Fatigued truck drivers
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Operating the vehicle under the influence of drugs
- Drunk driving
- Tailgating and speeding
- Aggressive driving
- Dangerous turns
- Failure to check blind spots
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Failure to maintain the truck in safe working condition
- Hazardous road conditions
- Inexperienced truck drivers
Many different factors can play a role in an auto accident. If you were injured in a truck accident, the insurance company is probably already investigating to determine the cause. Our lawyers are prepared to get started today. Call our law firm to schedule your free consultation.
What Do I Have to Prove to Recover Compensation After a Truck Accident in Missouri?
Negligence plays a role in nearly every motor vehicle accident in Missouri. To prove negligence, your lawyer must show that the at-fault driver failed to exercise a reasonable level of care to prevent accidents.
Our lawyers will do this by gathering evidence to establish the following elements:
- The at-fault party owed you a legal duty of care
- They breached the duty of care
- The breach of duty caused the accident
- You suffered damages due to the accident
Of course, it’s also possible that other legal theories can impact your case. For example, strict liability laws apply when accidents happen because of defective parts or safety equipment.
Regardless of the legal issues, you’ll have to prove that someone else was responsible for the crash.
Our lawyers will use various types of evidence to prove your case, including:
- The truck’s black box recording device, which provides information about conditions at the time of the crash
- The truck driver’s hours-of-service records
- The trucking company’s maintenance and inspection logs
- Statements from eyewitnesses
- Video surveillance footage
- Opinions prepared by accident reconstruction specialists
- Data from the accident scene
- Police and accident reports
- Results of drug and alcohol testing
- Cell phone records if distracted driving is suspected
It’s important to seek medical attention quickly after an accident. Your health and well-being are your number one priority. We also recommend calling our experienced lawyers for legal advice as soon as you can. That way, we can visit the accident scene quickly to gather valuable evidence that can prove your case.
How Long Will I Have to Seek Compensation After a Truck Accident in Missouri?
The Missouri statute of limitations gives you a five-year period to file a personal injury lawsuit. The five-year clock starts running on the date of the accident. After five years pass, you’re barred from taking legal action to recover compensation.
Call a Richmond Heights Truck Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation Today
You shouldn’t have to waste your time fighting with insurance adjusters after a serious truck accident. With an experienced Richmond Heights truck accident attorney by your side, you’ll have a much better chance of recovering fair compensation without the hassle. Contact Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers today to learn more about how a lawyer can help with your case.
