ST. LOUIS TRUCK ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Terry Crouppen who has more than 40 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney. Our last modified date shows when this page was last reviewed.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Terry Crouppen who has more than 40 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney. Our last modified date shows when this page was last reviewed.
- Last Modified:
- March 20, 2024
If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a truck accident in the St. Louis area, the truck accident lawyers at Brown & Crouppen Law Firm can help you get the compensation you deserve. Our lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning there is no upfront cost to you — if you don’t get paid, we don’t get paid.
- Get The Truck Accident Settlement You Deserve
- Client Testimonials For Our St. Louis Truck Accident Attorneys
- Recent Truck Accident Settlements In St. Louis
- How Is Liability Established After A St. Louis Truck Accident?
- How Long Do I Have To File A Truck Accident Claim?
- What Is The Average Settlement For A Truck Accident Claim In St. Louis?
- What To Do After A Truck Accident In St. Louis
- Common Causes Of Truck Accidents In St. Louis
- Get Help From A St. Louis Truck Accident Attorney At Brown & Crouppen
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Since 1979, our truck accident attorneys have helped our clients recover over $1 billion in compensation from settlements and verdicts, including those for truck accident cases. We help people who have been injured obtain compensation for serious injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
As one of the Midwest’s largest truck accident law firms, you can rely on Brown & Crouppen to get results. Our attorneys have a long history of supporting truck accident victims and achieving success.
- Over 40 years of experience handling personal injury lawsuits
- More than $1 billion recovered for injury and accident victims
- Settlements 30 times higher than what insurance companies originally offered
With a team of over 250 legal professionals and an extensive network of attorneys, we’re capable of providing unparalleled legal representation. Our St. Louis truck accident lawyers believe in compassionate support, frequent communication, and achieving the best results possible for our clients.
GET THE TRUCK ACCIDENT SETTLEMENT YOU DESERVE
Due to their large size, accidents involving trucks often lead to serious injuries or death, leaving victims with substantial medical bills and life-changing injuries. At Brown & Crouppen, a truck accident lawyer helps victims pursue compensation for damages including:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical bills (past and future)
- Lost wages (past and future)
- Wrongful death
- Jackknife Accident
- Property damage
When an accident occurs, truck drivers and trucking companies can be held liable for damages that occurred as a result of the accident. Our law firm has the resources to take on large trucking companies and the responsible truck driver. If you believe you have a truck accident case, contact Brown & Crouppen in St. Louis to see how we can help.
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS FOR OUR ST. LOUIS TRUCK ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS
Our semi- and truck accident attorneys have helped hundreds of individuals recover full and fair compensation for their injuries.
RECENT TRUCK ACCIDENT SETTLEMENTS IN ST. LOUIS
- $333,000 truck accident settlement for a Missouri driver in rear-end collision accident with a tractor-trailer
- $250,000 truck accident settlement after a tractor-trailer collision led to back surgery
Having a truck accident attorney handle your claim can help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Our attorneys can help you file a successful claim, negotiate with the insurance company or pursue trial, and ensure that you are compensated for medical bills and treatment.
HOW IS LIABILITY ESTABLISHED AFTER A ST. LOUIS TRUCK ACCIDENT?
Liability following a St. Louis truck accident is established by determining which party’s actions constitute negligence. Negligence in a motor vehicle accident consists of four elements:
- Someone owed a duty of care.
- The duty of care was breached.
- The breach of duty caused an injury that otherwise would not have occurred.
- The breach of duty is the proximate cause of the injury.
If the driver was negligent, the trucking company may also be liable under the doctrine of respondeat superior, which is also known as vicarious liability. Under this doctrine, a trucking company can be held liable for the conduct of the truck driver even if the company was not negligent.
In some cases, the trucking company may be found negligent. Trucking companies are required to adhere to strict state and federal laws, including laws that govern the following:
- Hours of service
- Vehicle inspections
- Truck driver screening
- Truck driver training
- Weight limits
Trucking companies are prohibited from requiring a property-carrying driver to drive more than 11 hours per shift or after 14 hours of being on duty, and drivers must take a 30-minute uninterrupted break after every eight-hour driving period.
In addition to the driver and the trucking company, potentially liable parties include the following:
- Cargo loaders
- Manufacturers of trucks and truck components
- Truck maintenance companies
A St. Louis truck accident attorney at Brown & Crouppen can often identify multiple liable parties to maximize compensation. Our truck accident attorneys accomplish this by working with forensic specialists and accident reconstructionists to identify all factors that caused or contributed to your accident.
HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO FILE A TRUCK ACCIDENT CLAIM?
The Missouri statute of limitations is five years from the date of the accident in most cases. However, this does not mean you should put off contacting a St. Louis semi-truck accident lawyer. If you plan to sue after being hit by a semi truck, your attorney must conduct detailed forensics investigations, which are most productive during the immediate aftermath of the crash.
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE SETTLEMENT FOR A TRUCK ACCIDENT CLAIM IN ST. LOUIS?
The average truck accident settlement is $73,109.92. However, each case is unique, and settlement amounts are dependent on many variables. Upon requesting a free case evaluation from one of our truck accident attorneys, we can begin to estimate the value of your case.
Get started with a free consultation with one of our skilled Personal Injury Lawyers today.
WHAT TO DO AFTER A TRUCK ACCIDENT IN ST. LOUIS
The first step to take after a St. Louis truck accident is to seek medical attention by calling 911. Avoid moving after the accident to prevent worsening your injuries, unless necessary to escape traffic hazards.
After you are safe, take the following steps to protect your case:
- Preserve evidence by taking pictures and/or video footage of the accident scene, gathering witness contact information, and taking photos of your injuries.
- Follow your medical treatment plan. This will provide documentation of your injuries and the resulting necessity of ongoing medical care. If you do not follow medical treatment, the insurance company can argue that you do not need it.
- Save your medical bills and contact information for your medical providers.
- Request a copy of the police report from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.
- Contact a St. Louis truck accident attorney as soon as possible.
After an accident, do not:
- Admit fault to the other party, the insurance company, or anyone else.
- Provide a statement to the insurance company.
- Accept a settlement offer or sign insurance paperwork without a St. Louis truck accident lawyer present.
- Discuss the accident on social media or with anyone other than your attorney.
Insurance companies facing large payouts may spy on you, interview your friends and family, monitor your social media, and use your statements against you. No matter what the insurance company tells you, it is representing its own interests rather than yours. Insurance companies hire lawyers, and you should too.
COMMON CAUSES OF TRUCK ACCIDENTS IN ST. LOUIS
Like car accidents, truck accidents are often caused by underlying human factors. Due to their heavy weight, commercial trucks often result in severe or fatal accidents.
Common causes of truck accidents in St. Louis, Missouri, include:
- Truck driver negligence – Due to long hours and pressure from their truck company, a truck driver may be tired, distracted, or speeding, all of which can result in an accident.
- Manufacturing/maintenance errors – Commercial trucks must follow guidelines, which can vary by state. In Missouri, a pre-trip inspection is required before a truck is dispatched. This means that the trucking company or carrier must certify that the vehicle is safe and free of defects before travel. For more information on regulations, see MODOT’s trucking guidelines.
- Poor roads and work zones – Potholes, poorly designed work zones, and faulty traffic signs can contribute to the underlying cause of a truck accident.
- Cargo spills and shifts – Most commercial trucks such as 18-wheelers and semis transport materials and often carry heavy loads. When sudden shifts occur, truck drivers can make over corrections or hasty movements on the road that can result in multi-vehicle accidents.
Commercial truck accidents can also stem from driving under the influence or other forms of driver negligence.
GET HELP FROM A ST. LOUIS TRUCK ACCIDENT ATTORNEY AT BROWN & CROUPPEN
A truck accident lawyer from Brown & Crouppen can help you recover financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and suffering of severe injuries if you have been injured in a truck accident. Getting started is easy: call (314) 501-9510 or request a free consultation.
Our St. Louis law office is located at 4900 Daggett Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110, and serves St. Louis County and the greater metropolitan area including Arnold, Clayton, Kirkwood, Ferguson, Fairview Heights, Edwardsville, Washington, O’Fallon, and St. Charles.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)
Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about truck accidents.
The value of a truck accident case is unique to each accident and each individual. The factors that influence compensation include the following:
- The extent of your injuries
- Your financial situation before and after the accident
- The available insurance coverage
- Who the liable parties are
- The conduct of the defendant
You may be entitled to pursue economic, non-economic, and punitive damages, depending on the circumstances of the accident and the severity of your injuries.
Economic damages are compensation for monetary losses, such as:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Past and future lost wages
- Property damage
Non-economic damages are compensation for pain and suffering, including the following:
- Loss of bodily functions
- Disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of society
- Loss of ability to enjoy life
Punitive damages are non-compensatory damages that are awarded to punish a defendant whose conduct was especially egregious. They are not available in all cases.
Truck accidents are different from car accidents because they are more dangerous. A fully loaded 18-wheel tractor-trailer may weigh as much as 80,000 pounds or more with special permits.
The average car weighs approximately 4,000 pounds. As a result, the occupants of the passenger vehicle tend to experience the gravest harm.
Truck accidents also tend to have higher insurance limits than private drivers, which increases the amount of compensation that can be collected. In some cases, a single company may have multiple insurance policies. The best truck accident lawyers will find all the insurance coverage available to maximize your compensation.
If you or a loved one has been hit by a semi-truck or 18-wheeler, you may be eligible to pursue compensation for damages including any injuries, property damage, and lost income. Our St. Louis semi-truck accident lawyers will investigate the cause of your accident to ensure all liable parties are identified.
Semis are often driven by owner-operators, but under Missouri case law, trucking companies can be liable for the actions of negligent owner-operators as if they were employees.
Missouri is a pure comparative negligence state, which means you can collect compensation if you are at fault in an accident, even if you are as much as 99 percent at fault. However, your compensation will be adjusted in proportion to your share of the fault.
Before you accept a finding of fault, contact a St. Louis truck accident attorney at Brown & Crouppen. Our forensic accident investigators will perform a more detailed analysis than law enforcement can provide. We may be able to refute a finding of fault against you.
Always refer the insurance company to your attorney. Do not provide the insurance company with any information. Remember that the insurance company is hoping to minimize compensation or avoid paying it altogether. Allowing your attorney to speak for you will ensure you do not inadvertently make statements the insurance company can use against you.
In a perfect world, all cases would settle for a fair and reasonable amount, but in the real world, this does not always occur. In many cases, it is better to go to court than to accept a settlement that is significantly lower than the amount you need and deserve.
Our law firm has a strong reputation that gives us leverage in negotiations. Our goal is to reach a substantial settlement, but we are always prepared to present your case to a jury if that’s what it takes to win you the compensation you deserve.
Most truck accident cases settle within six to 16 months from the date of the accident. However, each case is unique, and there are various factors that affect how long a truck accident case will take to settle. If your case goes to trial, it could take longer, especially if the defendant appeals.
At Brown & Crouppen, our dedicated truck accident attorneys understand how important it is for you to receive compensation as soon as possible. We work tirelessly to thwart the stall tactics of the insurance company and move your case forward as expeditiously as possible.
If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries or been killed in a truck accident, call Brown & Crouppen of St. Louis at (314) 501-9510 or request a free case evaluation online.
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