Missouri Truck Accident Lawyers
Navigating Trucking Accidents in Missouri
Truck accident cases in Missouri are governed by a combination of state law and federal trucking regulations. Understanding how Missouri law applies to commercial vehicle crashes is critical, as trucking companies and insurers often attempt to minimize liability by shifting blame or disputing damages.
Missouri law allows individuals injured in truck accidents to pursue compensation when negligence or regulatory violations contribute to a crash. These cases often require extensive investigation due to the severity of injuries and the number of parties involved.
Statute of Limitations in Missouri Truck Accident Cases
Missouri law limits the amount of time an injured person has to file a lawsuit after a truck accident. In most Missouri truck accident injury cases, the statute of limitations is five years from the date of the accident.
Claims involving wrongful death are subject to a shorter deadline, and the time to file may begin running from the date of death rather than the date of the crash. Wrongful death cases must be filed within three years following the date of death. Because trucking accidents often involve multiple parties and complex investigations, evidence preservation and early legal action are critical.
Failing to file a claim within the applicable statute of limitations can permanently bar recovery, regardless of the severity of injuries or the strength of the evidence. *Note: All cases are different and this answer is meant as general information. Please consult with one of our attorneys for specific information about the filing details of your case.
Comparative Fault in Missouri Truck Accident Cases
Missouri follows a pure comparative fault system in personal injury cases, including truck accidents. Under this system, an injured person may still recover compensation even if they were partially responsible for the crash. However, any recovery may be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to the injured party.
In Missouri truck accident cases, trucking companies and insurers frequently attempt to shift blame to injured drivers in order to reduce financial exposure. Because commercial truck crashes often involve complex evidence, accident reconstruction and regulatory analysis are critical to accurately assessing fault.
Federal Trucking Regulations and Missouri Truck Accidents
Commercial trucks operating in Missouri are subject to federal safety regulations enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These regulations establish minimum safety standards for commercial drivers, motor carriers, and trucking companies in an effort to reduce serious and fatal crashes involving large commercial vehicles.
FMCSA regulations govern nearly every aspect of commercial trucking operations, including how long drivers may remain on the road, how vehicles must be maintained, and how drivers are hired, trained, and supervised. Violations of these regulations frequently play a central role in Missouri truck accident litigation.
Common categories of FMCSA violations involved in Missouri truck accident cases include:
Hours-of-Service and Driver Fatigue
Federal rules limit the number of hours a commercial truck driver may operate a vehicle without rest in order to reduce the risk of fatigue-related crashes. Violations of hours-of-service rules are common in serious trucking accidents and may involve falsified logbooks or electronic logging device data, increasing the likelihood of catastrophic injuries.
Vehicle Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair
Trucking companies are required to regularly inspect, maintain, and repair commercial vehicles. Brake failures, tire blowouts, and mechanical defects often stem from violations of maintenance and inspection requirements.
Driver Qualification and Training
Federal regulations require trucking companies to ensure drivers are properly licensed, medically qualified, and adequately trained. Inadequate hiring practices or failure to monitor driver records may expose carriers to liability.
Drug and Alcohol Testing Requirements
Commercial drivers are subject to mandatory drug and alcohol testing under federal law. Violations of these testing requirements can significantly impact liability in Missouri truck accident claims.
Evidence of FMCSA violations can be critical in establishing negligence and identifying all responsible parties in a Missouri truck accident lawsuit, particularly when commercial carriers, brokers, or third-party contractors are involved.
Trucking Accidents In The News
Read More News Alerts
Fatal Head On Truck Crash Near Sullivan
A semi crossed over the median into the eastbound lane of I-44 near Sullivan, resulting in a fatal head on truck crash with a…
Woman Killed in Freightliner Truck Crash
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police responded to a Freightliner truck crash at around 3am on March 2nd at I-70 near O’Fallon Park. A 23-year-old…
Fatal Truck Accident in St. Charles County
On January 31, 2024, a local news outlet reported Christine Schneider, a 60 year-old from Bridgeton, Missouri, died from a crash with a tractor…
Semi Truck Rollover in Lincoln County
A semi truck collided with a GMC Sierra and overturned, blocking the southbound lanes of Highway 61 in Troy, Missouri. The 26-year-old truck driver…
Tractor Trailer Veers Off I-44
On Sunday morning, first responders were called to I-44 eastbound just past Shrewsbury Avenue due to an overturned semi-truck down an embankment. The driver…
I-44 Semi Truck Crash Near Pacific
A 55-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene of an accident on I-44 W at mile marker 257 on the night of October…
Fatal Truck Crash Near Enterprise Center
An overnight accident involved a collision with a car and a box truck at 14th and Clark. The truck hit the driver side of…
Tanker Truck Jackknife Results in Chemical Spill in Central Illinois
A tanker truck carrying caustic anhydrous ammonia jackknifed when another vehicle tried to pass the truck. This resulted in the tanker hitting a utility…
Fatal Greyhound Bus Crash in Highland, IL
Greyhound bus crashed into tractor trailers parked to the side of a rest area exit on Wednesday, July 12. The crash led to multiple…
Catastrophic Injuries in Truck Accident Cases
Since 2016, the number of trucks involved in injury crashes has grown 15% and large semi trucks account for 9% of all vehicular crash fatalities in the country. Our St. Louis truck injury lawyers have worked on cases ranging from minor injuries to life-altering injuries with months of recovery. No matter the size of the truck wreck your client experienced, we are here to provide guidance, expertise and enduring loyalty to all we represent.
Serious truck wreck injuries include:
- Head and Neck Injuries
- Back Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Paralysis
- Severe Burns and Lacerations
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Wrongful Death
Work with an Experienced Truck Injury Lawyer
Truck wrecks are scary and oftentimes lead to serious injuries or death. Whether your client experienced a life-altering truck crash on I-70, collided with a truck in a rural road accident or lost a loved one in a city truck accident, our truck accident lawyers are at your side until justice is earned.
If you are seeking a trucking expert to help with your client’s case, call our dedicated team of truck accident lawyers to refer your case.
