$750,000 Trucking Case
Bautista LeRoy LLC., are rated one of the best truck accident attorneys in St. Louis'. A trucking collision can cause very serious injuries, if you have been injured you need expert auto injury lawyers on your side. Give us a call at 833-381-6589. Whether you were injured in a truck accident in Kansas or Missouri, Bautista LeRoy LLC is St. Louis' truck accident law firm.
Semi-trucks (a.k.a. tractor trailers, 18-wheelers, semi-trailers) and other large commercial vehicles operate throughout our nation's interstates, highways and city streets. While motor vehicle accidents happen every day, motor vehicle crashes involving large semi-trucks are particularly dangerous. The most recent statistics on semi-truck crashes are staggering.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that there were 115 fatal crashes involving 18-wheelers which resulted in a total of 122 untimely deaths. There were 2,652 crashes involving automobiles and tractor-trailers that resulted in injuries.
The consequences of a large 18-wheeler hitting a smaller vehicle are catastrophic, but preventable. According to the USDOT, human error is the most common cause of a crash involving a semi-truck: “Drivers of large trucks and other vehicles involved in truck crashes are ten times more likely to be cause of the crash than other factors, such as weather, road conditions, and vehicle performance.” Some of the most common causes or trucking accidents and reasons why truck drivers cause crashes include:
- Dangerous Driving. When semi-trucks are going too fast for conditions or speeding, they are slow to brake and maneuver out of the way of smaller vehicles. An aggressive driver may easily cause a truck accident if the truck driver does not have time to respond.
- Alcohol and drug use. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is extremely dangerous for any driver. Alcohol and drug impair response time and for truck drivers this an even deadlier combination. Driving under the influence may also make the semi-truck driver fall asleep.
- Aggressive driving. Motor vehicle drives should ensure that they are changing lanes with proper clearance and use their turn signals.
- Distracted Driving. All drivers on the road may be distracted by using their cell phones, using their computers, changing the radio, or attempting to grab something and taking their eyes off the road. Distracted driving lasts longer than what it feels and will lead to accidents.
- Negligent Maintenance. Truck companies must ensure that their fleet of vehicles are receiving the proper care and maintenance that the vehicles need to be safely on the road. Failure to perform require maintenance could lead to a failure and be the cause of an accident.
Unfortunately, in pushing profits over safety, trucking and shipping companies are not providing operators of semi-trucks and commercial vehicles proper training. Large tractor trailers can be difficult to operate due to their size, and operating a semi-truck is very different than operating a normal car. For instance, it takes longer to stop and slow down a semi-truck, and operators of semi-trucks must be more alert and attentive of motorists and pedestrians in the vicinity of a tractor-trailer. In addition, the way in which the truck operators are paid, which is usually on a per-mile basis, gives them incentive to overdrive or drive while fatigued. Due to these reasons, a special agency, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), oversees and regulates the operation of semi-trucks and large commercial motor vehicles. The regulations promulgated by the FMCSA in this area include hours of service limitations, minimum insurance requirements, inspection requirements, etc., and are complicated. The big insurance companies that defend semi-truck operators know these regulations very well. People injured in semi-truck crashes also need help from legal specialists in semi-truck crashes.
St. Louis Trucking Accident Law Firm
At Bautista LeRoy LLC, we think it's unfair that trucking accident insurance companies have unlimited resources in fighting victims and deny legitimate claims hoping the victims will not be able to afford a lawyer. When you hire our firm, we will advance all costs associated with representing the client. If we do not win your case, the firm takes on the losses of the litigation costs. In fact, we only get compensated when we win the case. Simple as that. Give us a call at 833-381-6589 or contact us online.
Summary
Reports of truck accidents have been a growing concern in Missouri. People involved suffer from catastrophic injuries that could possibly lead to death. Bautista LeRoy LLC's legal experts have become a trusted advocate for injured victims and are ready to guide them in pursuing legal action.
Truck accidents can have many causes, but most of them are preventable, including:
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence
- Distracted behavior
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Aggressive lane changes
Trucking companies can be held liable when an accident occurs. These negligent operations can make them face legal consequences:
- Inadequate training
- Poor supervision
- Forcing unsafe schedules
- Negligent maintenance
- Violation of safety regulations
- Improper loading of cargo
- Vicarious liability
The legal professionals of Bautista LeRoy LLC think that it is truly unfair for injured victims if trucking companies deny responsibility. They have unlimited resources and a legal team to defend them, hoping that victims will not be able to afford an attorney for themselves. That is why our firm offers a service where victims do not have to worry about upfront fees while still delivering an effective representation. Contact Bautista LeRoy LLC through www.bautistaleroystl.com or 833-381-6589.
Why are truck accident claims different from car accident claims?
- Severe injuries
- Larger insurance policies
- Layers of responsibility.
- Federal trucking rules
- Driver logs
- Company records to review
Why are injuries from a truck accident more severe?
Trucks, especially commercial ones, are heavier and larger than a regular vehicle. When it crashes into smaller cars, it can be devastating, which could lead to catastrophic injuries and death.
How to know if the trucking companies may also be responsible?
Legal authorities can look into pieces of evidence that can show companies' negligence, such as:
- Hired an unqualified driver
- Failed to maintain the truck
- Pushed unsafe schedules
- Ignored safety rules
What pieces of evidence can build a strong claim?
- Accident reports
- Photographs and videos
- Witness statements
- Medical records
- Truck driver logs
- Black box data
- Maintenance and inspection records
- Employment and training records
- Proof of financial losses
- Expert analysis
Do I still need the expertise of an attorney if the insurance company has already made an offer?
Yes, your attorney can review the initial offer before you accept it. They can protect you from low settlements and other insurance tactics that undervalue your claim.
How do truck accident attorney fees work?
Many attorneys, including the legal experts of Bautista LeRoy LLC, work on a contingency fees bases. This can ease the worry of victims who are still facing injuries and have to deal with powerful companies.
Why choose Bautista LeRoy LLC?
Our personal injury attorneys have the knowledge of Missouri law and have years of experience handling truck accident cases. We can explain the process clearly, without overwhelming you with complicated legal terms.
