Missing two to three hours of sleep in a 24-hour period more than quadruples a driver’s risk of a crash. When that person is a truck driver, the risk of death and catastrophic injuries to others on the road increase substantially. Over three-fourths of the people killed and injured in truck accidents each year are pedestrians, bicyclists, and occupants of passenger vehicles.
The St. Louis truck accident attorneys at Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers understand how dangerous tired truck drivers can be on the road. Our legal team also understands what truck crashes mean for innocent victims: medical bills, pain, suffering, permanent disabilities, and lost income.
We have decades of experience in personal injury law and have recovered tens of millions for accident victims. Call (314) 400-0000 or contact our law firm in St. Louis, MO, to schedule a free consultation with a St. Louis personal injury lawyer. Get the legal advice you need to protect yourself.
Table of Contents
How Our St. Louis Truck Accident Lawyers Help Victims of Commercial Truck Accidents
If you are involved in an accident with a semi-truck, 18-wheeler, or other large truck, prepare for a major fight for the compensation you deserve. Trucking companies and their insurance providers will challenge you personal injury claim to avoid paying large settlement amounts and verdicts.
The St. Louis truck accident lawyers of Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers have the resources, experience, and skills to fight these large businesses. We stand up for accident victims and their families to protect their right to fair and just compensation after a truck crash.
When you hire our legal team in St. Louis, Missouri, you can expect us to:
- Take steps to gather and secure the evidence needed to prove fault and liability for the truck accident
- Hire experts to assist our St. Louis personal injury lawyers with the truck accident investigation
- File all insurance claims, monitor deadlines, and file lawsuits
- Aggressively negotiate for the highest possible amount for your damages
- Argue your case in court when the other parties refuse to act in good faith to resolve your injury claim
Truck accident cases are complicated. Please contact our office to schedule a free evaluation with one of our experienced truck accident attorneys in St. Louis, Missouri.
How Common Are Drowsy Driving Truck Accidents?
There were 538,000 large truck accidents during 2019, including 5,005 fatal truck crashes nationwide. Commercial motor vehicles were involved in 15,764 crashes in Missouri in 2019, including 124 fatal accidents. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, driver fatigue or falling asleep contributed to 121 truck crashes.
Drowsy driving deaths in 2019 totaled 697, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Unfortunately, drowsy and fatigued driving accidents are underreported. Without the driver admitting to being tired, it is unlikely that drowsiness will be noted as a factor in the accident.
Are There Laws to Prevent Tired Truckers from Driving in St. Louis?
The trucking industry is federally regulated. There are laws in place to limit the number of hours a truck driver may drive without breaks or off-duty periods.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), commercial truck drivers cannot drive more than 60 to 70 hours in a seven to eight-day stretch. Truck drivers must also take a 30-minute break after eight hours of driving. Moreover, a driver may drive for no more than 11 hours after ten consecutive hours off duty.
These restrictions and other laws are designed to reduce the chances that a driver might fall asleep at the wheel. But, unfortunately, many truck drivers and trucking companies do not follow the law and cause wrongful deaths and serious injuries.
Common Injuries and Damages Caused by Tired Truck Drivers
Truck accidents often cause life-threatening and disabling injuries. Injuries that are common in truck accident cases include:
- Multiple fractures and broken bones
- Crushing injuries and amputations
- Traumatic brain injuries and head injuries
- Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Severe burns and disfigurement
- Chest and internal organ damage
- Internal bleeding
Truck accident injuries can result in many damages, including financial losses, medical bills, lost income, emotional trauma, and pain and suffering. A victim may require multiple surgeries and months or years of therapy to recover from injuries. Sadly, many truck accident victims sustain disabilities that permanently change their lives.
Who is Responsible for the Damages Caused by Tired Truck Drivers in St. Louis?
The drowsy truck driver who causes the accident may be liable for damages after an accident. The trucking company may also be a party to a lawsuit. Proving that the truck driver caused the accident because they were fatigued could be impossible without an eyewitness.
However, you can prove that a tired truck driver caused an accident by looking at the other factors contributing to the cause of the crash. For example, did the truck driver suddenly swerve into another lane of traffic or rear-end another vehicle. Did the truck run off the edge of the road before the truck driver over-corrected?
Our legal team conducts an extensive investigation into the cause of your accident. We look at the crash from every possible angle to determine all factors that contributed to the crash. By doing so, we identify each responsible party, which increases your chance of recovering maximum compensation for damages.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our St. Louis Truck Accident Lawyers
You deserve to be compensated fully for damages caused by a truck accident. You’ll need help if you plan to take on big trucking companies and their insurers. We can be your advocates.
Call us now to schedule your free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer in St. Louis, MO.
