For those injured in a trucking accident or the family members of those who are killed in one, it is an extremely difficult process to face alone. When filing a personal injury claim after a semi-truck wreck in Missouri, it is imperative to hire a personal injury attorney. An experienced Missouri personal injury lawyer will know how to deal with the truck company’s legal teams, who just want to settle the claim for the least amount possible. the Martin Law Group, LLC has successfully represented many clients in accidents, and will have the knowledge and tenacity to fight for you to receive maximum compensation! 

Missouri Truck Accident Statistics 

Across the United States, around 500,000 semi-truck accidents occur per year; 1% of these horrific accidents are fatal. Semi-trucks weigh in at an average of around 80,000 lbs, whereas an everyday car weighs about 5,000 lbs. Due to this, the fatalities are often those in the smaller cars simply because of the vast size difference between the two vehicles. There is an extremely large number of trucking accidents in Missouri because it is located in the Midwest, making trucking a huge industry here seeing that it is in the middle of the country. In 2022 alone, 127,485 crashes occurred and 7,747 of them were accidents involving semi-trucks in Missouri. There was a total of 113 deaths in 2022 due to large 18-wheeler trucks (2022 Missouri Crashes by Type of Vehicle and Crash Severity). If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, call Martin Law Group, we will fight for you to receive maximum compensation. 

Truck Driver Regulations 

Semi-trucks are highly regulated and restricted. They are regulated by a set of rules called the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR). Per these regulations, truck drivers must acquire a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in order to drive a semi. It qualifies them to operate 18-wheelers and other large trucks. Along with obtaining a CDL, all truckers must follow the Hours of Service (HOS) regulation, arguably one of the most important rules set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). 

The HOS in Missouri rule states that truck drivers are only allowed to work for 11 consecutive hours. After these 11 hours, they are required to be off duty for at minimum 10 hours before embarking on a new route. In Missouri, truck drivers are only allowed to drive 60 hours for 7 consecutive days, or 70 hours after 8 consecutive days. Many drivers violate this rule and change their driving reports to fit the standards set by the HOS regulation. They do this to make longer trips and get their cargo to the destination quicker, but change the driving logs to make it seem like the trip fits the HOS guidelines. By doing this, they are putting themselves and others at risk. Drowsy driving is a huge cause of trucking wrecks and as previously mentioned, they are highly fatal.  

Legal Teams for Trucking Companies 

Tuck accidents vastly differ from regular personal injury claims. Some might simply consider them “big car wrecks”, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Evidence is an imperative aspect of filing a personal injury claim after a truck accident. If possible, we will gather as much evidence as you can like photos, witness statements, and a copy of the police report. This is because legal teams for big trucking companies often try to shift the blame onto the other driver, the manufacturer of a defective part, or the maintenance company responsible for upkeep of the truck. These legal teams also tend to use aggressive legal tactics. They will try to minimize their liability by using intimidation tactics, delaying the legal process, or dragging out the case to increase your personal legal fees. 

That being said, this can be avoidable if you hire a Missouri personal injury attorney. They will know exactly how to fight these legal teams, ensuring that you are not the target of their aggressive tactics. If you hire an attorney, legal teams cannot reach out to you personally; they must speak to your lawyer instead. An experienced personal injury lawyer will know the correct steps to take and will fight for you during this unimaginably difficult time of pain and suffering. 

The Martin Law Group, LLC

By retaining a Missouri truck accident attorneys at Martin Law Group, you can discuss your case with an attorney who will give you the respect and attention that you deserve during this difficult time. We are prepared to give everything we can to obtain the compensation you deserve. We also work on a contingency fee basis, which means that we don’t get paid unless you get paid. Put your faith in us and allow us to fight for you!