Few things are as scary as an accident involving a truck. Tractor trailers, semis, and delivery trucks are much larger than other passenger vehicles and can do serious damage when a crash occurs. Finding the right Arnold truck accident lawyer makes it easier to navigate the process of holding the right people accountable and protecting your rights. At Albers Injury Law, we have the experience and expertise to get you what you deserve.
Our Arnold Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help
Immediately after a truck accident, you’ll want to talk with an Arnold truck accident attorney. Representatives for the trucking company may try to contact you and encourage you to settle quickly for less than you deserve. When you have our team in your corner, we help you stand up to corporations and insurance companies to make sure your case is handled the right way.
Because there can be multiple stakeholders, dealing with a truck accident on your own can be complicated. The individual truck driver may be liable for damage, as well as the trucking company or the owner of the cargo or products being transported. Each party could have a different insurance company, liability policy, and attorney. Rather than try to manage all of those different groups on your own, turn to a truck accident lawyer in Arnold who can make your life easier.
What We Do At Albers Injury Law
After an accident, you need to focus on healing from injury, replacing lost vehicles or property, and managing the emotional toll that comes with such a traumatic event. To help you do that, the team at Albers Injury Law takes other important things off your plate, including:
- Finding all the relevant people involved: If you aren’t sure how to find the appropriate people to talk to at the trucking company or the insurance company, don’t worry. Our experts know how to track down the right people to get answers and keep your case moving.
- Examining medical records: Attorneys at Albers understand how to sort through complicated medical documents relevant to your case. We can keep your records in order and analyze them to determine which medical issues may qualify for damages from the liable parties in the crash.
- Guiding you through the claims process: You don’t have to worry about filing deadlines, completing paperwork correctly, or wondering how much your case is worth. Get all the answers and support you need in one place with the confidence that your situation will be handled correctly.
Albers Injury Law is ready to see your case through to the end. If our attorneys can’t find a fair settlement, we are ready and able to take your case to trial and hold all responsible parties accountable for the trucking accident that caused your injury or loss.
Arnold Truck Accident Factors & Causes
Every time you hit the road in Arnold, MO, or Granite City, IL, there is a risk of an accident with a commercial vehicle. In 2022, there were more than 160 fatal crashes involving commercial vehicles in Missouri. Many of those crashes involved trucks colliding with smaller passenger vehicles, leaving the occupants of those smaller vehicles at risk.
The Arnold, MO, area also has unique factors that can add to the risk of crashes. Interstate 55 is a major transportation route through the Midwest, and, accordingly, many large cargo trucks and semis travel through the city. Regular commuters have to share the roads with these large vehicles on a regular basis.
Weather can also be a factor in truck crashes in Arnold. During the winter, the roads can become icy when temperatures drop. This makes driving challenging for anyone, but truck drivers in particular may struggle to keep their oversized loads steady on the road. Storms during other times of the year can also lead to slick roads, increasing the chances of trucking accidents.
Identifying Responsible Parties in Arnold Truck Accidents
Truck accidents in Arnold, Missouri, can be devastating, causing significant physical, emotional, and financial damages. To be made whole again, it’s critical to determine who is responsible and liable for a truck accident. Multiple parties can be liable, including:
- Truck Driver: The truck driver is often the first party to consider after a trucking accident. Drivers may be dealing with fatigue or may be distracted while on the road and should be held accountable when they are at fault.
- Trucking Company: Trucking companies are responsible for the actions of the drivers they employ and the trucks they put on the road. If the trucking company fails to maintain the truck properly or doesn’t properly enforce safety rules for drivers, they may be liable for a crash.
- Truck Manufacturer: If a defect in the truck or its parts played a role in the accident, the manufacturer could be held responsible. Issues with brakes, tires, or other critical components can lead to major safety concerns that could have been prevented.
- Cargo Loaders: Improperly loaded or overloaded cargo can cause accidents. An individual or organization that ignores weight limits and fails to secure cargo safely creates a danger for others on the road.
Each of these groups may have a different insurance policy as well as different responsibilities under the law. To make sure everyone pays their fair portion, you need experienced Arnold truck accident lawyers who know how to sort through the various agencies.
What Damages Can I Recover in My Missouri Truck Accident Case?
Victims of truck accidents in Missouri are often entitled to damages, which is the compensation paid by the at-fault parties. There are different types of damages that an experienced truck accident lawyer in Arnold can help recover: economic, non-economic and punitive.
Economic damages
These are quantifiable financial losses. You can recoup medical expenses, such as the cost of hospital stays, surgeries, doctor visits, medications, and rehabilitation.
Lost wages can also be recovered as economic damages. A truck accident victim who has to miss work or other economic opportunities as they recover can ask for that financial loss to be considered in the case. Damaged property is also eligible to be recovered under economic damages. This includes the costs of damage to your vehicle and other belongings broken in the crash. Thorough documentation is key to receiving full repayment.
Non-Economic damages
Your Arnold truck accident lawyer can also win non-economic damages for your case. If you suffer intangible losses after your crash, such as pain and suffering and loss of relationships, you may be owed non-economic damages.
Punitive damages
In some cases, the at-fault driver or company may be found responsible for particularly reckless behavior. In that case, a crash settlement or verdict may include punitive damages, which are intended to punish the wrongdoer. These types of damages are meant to send a message that a certain action is unacceptable in the eyes of the law.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Missouri
Every crash is different, but there are often common causes for truck accidents in Arnold, MO, including:
- Driver Fatigue: Truck drivers often have tight schedules and long hours on the road, leading to fatigue.
- Distracted Driving: Trying to navigate on the road while driving a large truck can be dangerous. Mobile phones, GPS devices, or other distracting devices can lead to accidents.
- Impaired Driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or certain medications can severely impair a truck driver’s ability to operate their vehicle safely.
- Speeding: Trucks require more time and distance to stop compared to smaller vehicles, making speeding a dangerous and common cause of truck accidents.
- Poor Vehicle Maintenance: Regular maintenance is critical for safe truck operation. Failures in brakes, tires, or other mechanical systems can lead to accidents.
Work with an Experienced Truck Accident Law Firm in Arnold, Missouri
With so many complicated factors and so much at stake, work with the team that has the right Arnold truck accident lawyer for you. Reach out to Albers Injury Law for a consultation today.