Experienced Missouri, Southern Illinois and Kansas Truck Accident Lawyers
Our team of truck accident attorneys has been involved in this type of litigation for more than 25 years. These accidents, which involve large, over-the-road tractor-trailers, are generally the most deadly we see at Brown & Crouppen. The statistics are frightening: Every year, 500,000 large trucks, or "semis," are involved in accidents on our roads. Of these, 5,000 involve fatalities. In fact, 1 out of every 8 people killed in a traffic accident in the United States is killed in an accident involving a truck -- and it's usually the passengers of the vehicles struck by the trucks, not the truck drivers themselves.
Truck drivers repeatedly break federal laws by driving:
- While fatigued
- In excess of the amount of hours they are allowed to drive
- With oversized trucks
- With overloaded trucks
- With improper maintenance
- With an inability to see at night
There are three reasons why truck accidents are so dangerous: size, speed and driver fatigue. A fully loaded, over-the-road truck is a huge piece of machinery. When you put something like that on the road at speeds topping 60 miles an hour you get a monster that can run over anything in its path. Then, add the growing problem of driver fatigue. Truck drivers are under constant pressure to move cargo -- so much so, that 16-hour days are not uncommon. A recent study revealed that 20 percent of long-haul truck drivers reported they had fallen asleep at the wheel during the last 30-day period. It’s no wonder that people are killed when one in five drivers admit to falling asleep, leaving these giants with no one at the wheel.
When someone comes in to our offices to talk about a tractor-trailer wreck, we address three major topics: liability, injury and insurance. Liability means who caused the accident. It is the first issue addressed in any collision case because in our legal system, people who cause accidents can’t collect damages. The second issue to be discussed is injury. Was there physical harm done to the person seeking compensation? Lastly, does the party at fault have insurance, or does the innocent party have uninsured motorist insurance coverage to pay for the damages done? It’s important to note that in every successful case there is good liability, injury caused by the negligent party, and insurance to compensate for damages done. In accident law, two out of three isn’t enough.
At Brown & Crouppen, we handle truck accidents cases. If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed in an accident involving a tractor-trailer or other large truck, come to us to discuss your legal options. Many trucking companies push drivers to the limit in order to have their goods delivered on time. Their greed has cost hundreds of lives.
Contact the Attorneys at Brown & Crouppen for a Free Consultation
We would be happy to answer any questions you might have about one of these very serious accidents. If we can help, please contact us online or call toll free 888-842-7944 and an experienced lawyer from Brown & Crouppen will promptly contact you and give you the help you need.
