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TRUCK ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS

OVER $300 MILLION RECOVERED SINCE 1996

Truck Accident Lawyers

ASSISTING VICTIMS OF TRUCK ACCIDENTS WITH RECOVERING MONETARY COMPENSATION FOR THEIR INJURIES

If you or your loved one has suffered injuries in a truck accident, you know how devastating the aftermath can be. The physical and emotional injuries can be overwhelming, and the financial burden can be crushing. You may face mounting medical bills, lost wages and a long road to recovery.

You are not alone. The experienced truck accident lawyers at the Montee Law Firm are here to help. We have a proven track record of success in fighting for the rights of truck accident victims and their families. We will work tirelessly to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.

MONTEE LAW FIRM

For years, the Montee Law Firm has helped residents of St. Joseph, Missouri, and other communities deal with the catastrophic aftermath so frequently encountered after a trucking accident. We've recovered more than $300 million for clients since we opened our doors in 1996, and we are still going strong.

If you have been injured in a collision with a big rig, the skilled truck accident lawyers at Montee Law Firm can help. We have years of experience fighting for the rights of truck accident victims and their families. We know what it takes to win these cases, and we will work tirelessly to get you the compensation you deserve.

We will review your case free of charge and advise you of your legal options. There is no risk or obligation, and we only get paid if we win your case. Let us help you get the justice and compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation. We can be reached at (816) 364-1650. We are also available online if that is more convenient for you.

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DO YOU NEED A TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYER IN ST. JOSEPH?

A big truck accident claim is more complex than one involving only passenger vehicles. For instance, big rigs and their drivers are subject to state and federal regulations regarding their driving hours and rest breaks. Violations of these rules can lead to accidents.

An experienced truck crash lawyer knows how to unearth evidence showing whether a driver or the trucking company they work for complied with these rules. This is a crucial phase of any truck accident case and can be pivotal in winning.

Truck maintenance and driver training are two other vital elements in a big rig accident case that need to be explored. If either one of them caused the accident, being able to do this is mandatory.

The trucking industry and its drivers are required to carry large insurance policies, but insurers tend not to be fair when it comes to paying out claims. Remember, the trucker and his/her employer will have one or more attorneys and going it alone might be difficult.

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TYPES OF ACCIDENTS INVOLVING A BIG RIG

Many different types of accidents can occur when a big rig is involved. Here are some of the most common:

  • Rear-end collisions: These happen when the truck driver behind you doesn't leave enough space between their vehicle and yours, and they end up slamming into the back of your car. This is called an override accident and can have serious consequences. Another version of this occurs when the trucker does not give ample warning before stopping or even slowing down at highway speeds. The passenger vehicle to the rear might be unable to stop in time to avoid hitting the back of the truck. If underride guards are not present on the truck’s rear, the passenger vehicle can slip underneath. This is called an underride crash, and often, the truck’s underbelly shears off the top of the passenger vehicle, causing horrifying injuries to occupants. Death is high in this type of collision.
  • Side-swipe accidents: These often happen when a truck is trying to change lanes and doesn't signal, causing them to sideswipe another vehicle. Conversely, the passenger vehicle may sideswipe the truck. Sideswipe accidents often result in a fractured pelvis or femur. Both of these injuries take a considerable toll on the vehicle’s driver or passenger and result in long periods of hospitalization and recuperation.
  • Head-on crashes: Some of the most dangerous accidents, head-ons involve two vehicles colliding with each other front to front at high speeds. The impact is the combined speed of the vehicles. Although head-on collisions happen infrequently, the fatality risk is high. Generally, they are caused by drunk or distracted driving and occur on rural roads more often.
  • Rollover accidents: These occur when a truck overturns, often due to high winds or incorrect loading of the tractor-trailer. Inappropriate turning is also a factor in this type of crash. The problem with truck rollovers is that other vehicles on the road are impacted. Often, driver inexperience is involved. When this happens and causes injury to passenger vehicle occupants, a lawsuit can be filed against the trucking company and the driver.
  • Jackknife accidents: These happen when a truck's trailer swings out, causing the vehicle to look like a folding knife. It usually happens when the tractor pulling the trailer travels slower than the cargo portion of the big rig or heading down a hill at too high of a speed for the truck. They can also be caused by sudden braking or using the wrong brakes or sharp turns.
  • Tanker truck accidents: These types of accidents are often very dangerous, as the contents of the tankers (such as gasoline or hazardous materials) can leak and cause fires or explosions. They can also cause environmental damage in the area where the crash occurred.
  • Tire blowouts: This type of accident can occur when a truck's tires are not properly inflated or maintained, and they can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Tires need not only be maintained before the journey, but the trucker must check them multiple times along the way. If tires are thought to be worn, the trucking company is required to either fix or replace them.
  • Blind spots: Compared to passenger cars, tractor-trailers and other large commercial vehicles tend to have larger blind spots, especially along the sides of tankers or tractor-trailers. Big rig drivers cannot see other vehicles when they are too close to them. It is possible for the truck driver to cause a severe accident if he changes lanes without being aware of the vehicle next to him.
  • Brake failure: If a truck's brakes fail, it can be very dangerous, as the vehicle will be unable to stop. Again, this might be because the vehicle is poorly maintained. Another reason linked to brake failures is product defects. In such cases, the manufacturer and seller of the tires can also be held liable for the accident under a product liability claim.
  • Wide turns: Semis are about 53 feet long without the tractor. The addition of the tractor can increase it to 70 or 80 feet. Because of this, big rigs have a wide turn radius. This means the truck can strike a vehicle in an adjacent lane when turning. Avoiding this depends on the trucker’s experience.
  • Equipment failure: If a truck's lights or other equipment fail, it can create a hazard for other vehicles on the road. Again, it is the trucking company’s responsibility to maintain their vehicles and be alert for defects.
  • Cargo distribution: It is essential that truckers or other employees pack cargo in a way that will avoid imbalance or overload. If this is not done, the risks of a rollover, driver loss of control or jackknife collisions are higher. Your attorney will be able to delve further into this problem, including who packed the cargo. This allows them to use this knowledge in a truck accident lawsuit.
  • Poor maintenance: If truck maintenance is shoddy, many accidents can happen. Whether the maintenance is done in-house or farmed out, the trucking company and/or a third-party bears responsibility for damages.
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DRIVER ERROR ASSOCIATED WITH A TRUCK ACCIDENT

Driver error is a major component of any accident, and truck crashes are no exception.

  • Driver fatigue: Truck drivers often work long hours, and this can lead to them becoming fatigued. When this happens, they may have trouble staying awake and make mistakes that can lead to accidents. Truckers may use various diversions to combat fatigue, including talking on a cell phone. However, driver fatigue might be precipitated by the company’s insistence on delivering products in the shortest amount of time and sticking to an unreasonable timetable. By doing this, a driver may cut resting time and take other unnecessary shortcuts.
  • Distracted driving: As mentioned earlier, drivers may use diversions to stay alert while driving. This is called distracted driving and is rampant today. However, there are other reasons this occurs such as boredom or the need to multitask by checking the GPS or working on route plans. Whatever the reason, it is a dangerous activity and one that causes many fatalities annually.
  • Aggressive driving: Truckers sometimes feel omnipotent due to the size of their vehicles and take chances they should not take. This includes changing lanes repeatedly. When this happens, it is beneficial to report the driver either to the police or by using the number found on the rear of many trucks.
INVESTIGATION OF A TRUCK ACCIDENT

To be compensated for your damages, a case must show evidence that supports a client’s claim. An accident investigation involving a commercial vehicle must delve into the experience and background of the driver, their employer, traffic and state/federal violations involved in the crash and lack of maintenance as well as defects that affect the truck’s performance.

It is vital to have a truck accident lawyer by your side every step of the way. The attorney and his investigative team can determine why the accident happened and who was at fault. In this way, it satisfies the need to prove negligence and recover the compensation you deserve.

INVESTIGATING A TRUCK ACCIDENT

The investigation starts with the accident scene as investigators seek to determine how the collision happened and who was at fault.

  • The accident scene is recorded using photos and descriptions of car placement and damage.
  • Witnesses to the accident are interviewed and contact information is documented.
  • The truck is examined to show problems that may have caused damage. An example of this could be the age of underride guards to prevent underride accidents. If the underride guards are absent or incapable of providing the needed safety, this could be used to build a case against the defendant(s).
  • The truck's Electronic Logging Device is examined. The ELD replaces the logbooks truckers used in the past. The examination reveals whether federal or state regulations were falsified or broken. This tedious work is essential to a truck accident case.
  • The police report is checked for mistakes or inaccuracies. This is a necessary step since the report is widely used to assign fault. If mistakes or errors do exist, the successful resolution of the case may be compromised.
  • Visual accident surveillance is provided by traffic and nearby business cameras in many cases. Video evidence of a truck accident is accepted as one of the key elements in a personal injury case. In addition, bystanders often capture the accident using their cell phones, which can also be used.
  • Company records and driver information is checked to see if they have prior citations for negligence, traffic convictions or claims dealing with maintenance issues in the past.
  • Reviewing evidence from a truck’s black box can show navigational and other errors.
MONTEE TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYER

The lawyers at the Montee Law Firm have successfully helped clients injured in a truck accident. You should not have to bear the brunt of the costs associated with a truck accident that was not your fault. Let us fight for you while you focus on healing and moving forward. Contact us today for a no-obligation consultation at no cost to you. We will review your case and advise you of your legal options. There is no risk or obligation since we work on a contingency basis. Let us help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.

Call us at (816) 364-1650 to schedule a free case review. We can also be reached online if that is easier for you.

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