Truck accidents are a common occurrence in St. Louis, and many of them result in serious injuries and even death for people who aren’t driving the trucks. For instance, one of the latest incidents happened in July 2023 where one person died and two were injured. The crash occurred in North Stl. Louis and it was a multi-vehicle accident. One of the vehicles was a U-Haul truck.
The point is that despite the negligence of truck drivers, anyone on the road can suffer injuries due to such crashes. If you’ve been involved in an accident with a semi-truck, you might be wondering what your legal options are. This article will explore some of the complexities around truck accident litigation and what you can expect as a victim.
Understanding St. Louis Truck Accidents
Trucks are involved in more fatal accidents than cars. In fact, data shows that as many as 5,788 people died in large truck crashes in 2021. Of these 72% of the people were the occupants of other vehicles and not the trucks. This means that truck accidents are more severe and fatal for others on the road.
Talking specifically about Missouri, a total of 137 people died because of truck crashes in 2021. Truck crashes can be catastrophic events with serious injuries or even death as consequences. Truck accident victims often suffer lifelong injuries as well as financial hardship because they’re unable to work while recovering from their injuries.
The Legal Landscape in St. Louis
St. Louis is a home-rule city, meaning it has the power to pass its laws and regulations. The mayor of St. Louis is also the chief executive officer of the city government. He or she appoints department heads, who then report directly to him or her.
The legal system in St. Louis follows civil law principles rather than common law ones. This means that judges have less discretion during trials and juries must reach unanimous verdicts before they can convict defendants.
Once a victim of personal injury resulting from a truck accident files a case, he or she can get compensation. For example, in June 2023, Lindsay Du Buque’s car was hit by a St. Louis trash truck driver. However, she did not suffer any major injury as such.
She received compensation for her car’s damage. It was 75% of the value of her 2018 Nissan Altima. Moreover, the traveling pediatric nurse had to cancel all her appointments that day. However, she was not compensated for the same, and the 75% value she got was not enough to buy a new one.
Similarly, you can also get less compensation if you don’t hire the right lawyer for your case. If you have been a victim of a crash, you must find and hire an experienced St. Louis truck accident lawyer. An attorney with the right expertise can help you get the deserved settlement amount.
According to TorHoerman Law, the lawyer can represent you in the legal battle. He or she can navigate the legal process, allowing you to focus on recovery. Moreover, the professional can also help build a strong case for you to ensure success.
Initial Steps After a Truck Accident
After a truck accident, you should call the police. You are required to call 911 if there has been an injury or death in a truck crash in St. Louis. However, even if there’s no injury or death, you should contact the police to prevent things from escalating.
For instance, an accident at night blocked the ramp from I-55 to the Poplar Street Bridge in September 2020. A semi-truck overturned on the ramp around midnight. The driver was not injured in this case and there were no other casualties. However, the overturned truck led to traffic congestion. Thankfully, the police arrived on time to handle things.
Besides calling the police, you should also get medical attention for yourself and any passengers who may have been injured in the accident. There are chances of internal bleeding. Hence, everyone involved in the crash must seek immediate medical attention. You can go to any nearby hospital in St. Louis, such as the Kindred Hospital or St. Luke’s Hospital.
Finding Legal Representation
Finding a lawyer who is experienced in truck accident litigation is not only important but can also be very difficult. Trucking companies have large resources at their disposal to fight your case. Hence, only an experienced attorney can help you get success against them.
A professional who knows the legal system in St. Louis and has experience litigating cases like yours will be key to winning. You need someone who understands how these types of cases work. This also includes what evidence needs to be gathered and presented at trial so that you can get the best outcome possible.
The cost of hiring an attorney may vary. Additionally, some lawyers ask for a fixed price, while others opt for a percentage of your winnings. The attorney’s percentage usually starts at 33%, and increases according to your case’s details and requirements. If it moves into a trial, charges may be higher.
Building Your Case
The first step to building a case is to gather evidence. This means taking pictures of the scene, documenting your injuries and lost wages, and getting any other documentation you can.
It’s also important to get copies of all police reports related to the accident. The police report will contain details about what happened, who was involved, and where it occurred. If someone else was involved in this collision, then try contacting them as soon as possible. They may provide information about what happened during their part in this accident too.
Negotiating with Insurance Companies
Negotiating with insurance companies can be challenging, as they will often try to give you less than your injury claim is worth. The owner and operator of the truck pay between $9000 and $15,000 a year, including insurance elements for truck insurance.
The required coverages are primary liability insurance, physical damage, and occupational accident coverage. General liability insurance may also be included. It covers the victim’s injuries as well. However, insurance companies will try to save this money.
This is why it’s important to hire an attorney who knows how to negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. Your attorney will know how much money you need and when it’s appropriate for him or her to accept their offer.
If the amount offered in the settlement is acceptable, the lawyer should work out all of the details with them. If there are any issues with this proposed settlement agreement, you can discuss it with your lawyer.
Conclusion
We hope this article has given you a good overview of the truck accident litigation process in St. Louis. If you or someone you know has been involved in a crash with a large commercial vehicle, please contact a lawyer immediately. They will guide you through what may be an overwhelming situation.
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