Are you suffering from injuries sustained in an accident with a commercial vehicle in St. Louis? If its driver, their employer, or someone else was to blame, they could also be responsible for covering your medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, and other losses. Let the St. Louis commercial vehicle accident attorneys at Sumner Law Group, LLC, help you demand maximum compensation from the parties at fault for your injuries.
We’re here to fight for your rights and explore all possible avenues for recovery as you seek justice for what happened to you. Contact us today for a free consultation about your unique case.
How We Can Help After a Commercial Vehicle Accident in St. Louis
Commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) are typically many times larger and heavier than passenger vehicles, making them particularly dangerous in the event of a collision. Furthermore, cases involving CMVs can be complicated because of the number of potentially liable parties, including drivers, their employers, and vehicle manufacturers. You should not have to face these challenges alone while you’re also focused on your health and physical recovery.
When you hire the Sumner Law Group, LLC, after a commercial vehicle accident in St. Louis, you can rest assured that your case is in good hands. Our knowledgeable injury lawyers can help you by:
- Explaining your rights
- Identifying all possible sources of compensation
- Conducting an independent investigation into the circumstances of the crash
- Communicating with insurance providers and other parties on your behalf
- Obtaining medical records, accident reports, and other evidence for your claim
- Interviewing eyewitnesses and medical experts for compelling case testimony
- Managing important legal documents, details, and deadlines
- Filing claim paperwork and negotiating aggressively to maximize your settlement
- Taking your case to court and representing you at trial, if the other side won’t agree to a fair settlement
What Qualifies as a Commercial Vehicle?
Different types of vehicles can qualify as commercial vehicles depending on how they’re operated, the types of cargo they carry, and their gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWRs). According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, a vehicle that operates entirely within Missouri state lines is a commercial vehicle if:
- It has a GVWR or actual weight exceeding 26,000 pounds
- It is designed or used to carry nine or more occupants
- It is used to transport hazardous materials
Missouri considers a vehicle involved in interstate commerce a commercial vehicle if:
- It has a GVWR or gross combination weight exceeding 10,000 pounds
- It is designed or used to carry nine or more occupants
- It is used to transport hazardous materials
How Common Are Commercial Vehicle Accidents in St. Louis?
The following statistics from the Missouri State Highway Patrol illustrate the frequency and severity of commercial vehicle accidents in St. Louis and throughout the state:
- In one recent year, there were 15,792 traffic accidents involving commercial motor vehicles throughout Missouri.
- There were 2,907 nonfatal injury crashes causing 4,253 nonfatal injuries.
- There were also 130 fatal commercial vehicle accidents in Missouri that year, killing 146 people.
- In St. Louis alone, there were 3,975 commercial vehicle accidents that year.
- Of all the commercial vehicle accidents to occur in St. Louis that year, there were 706 nonfatal injury crashes and 15 fatal crashes.
- The most common contributing factors among commercial motor vehicle accidents in Missouri included improper lane changes, driver distraction, following too closely for conditions, failure to yield, driving too fast for conditions, improper turning or backing maneuvers, and vehicle defects.
What Is My Commercial Vehicle Accident Case Worth?
You have the right to demand compensation from anyone who contributed to a commercial vehicle accident that injured you. Depending on the circumstances, you could recover compensation for the following types of crash-related losses:
- Hospital bills and other medical expenses you incur due to your injuries
- Lost income from any time you miss work due to your crash injuries
- Projected losses in your earning potential, if you suffer permanent impairments
- Subjective losses, such as crash-related pain, suffering, and lost quality of life
- Incidental expenses, such as out-of-pocket travel costs for medical appointments
- Costs to repair or replace your damaged vehicle
Most Common Causes of Commercial Vehicle Accidents in St. Louis
Commercial vehicle accidents in St. Louis are frequently caused by:
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence
- Driver fatigue
- Driving too fast for conditions
- Following too closely
- Failure to check blind spots
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Improper turning or merging
- Driver inexperience
- Cargo shifts and spills
- Defective truck parts
- Poorly maintained truck parts
- Poor road conditions
Liability for a Commercial Vehicle Accident in Missouri
Cases stemming from commercial vehicle accidents are often more complex than other car accident cases due to the severity of the injuries they cause and the number of parties involved. Many parties are responsible for the safe operation of a commercial vehicle, any one of which could potentially be to blame for an accident. These parties include:
- The commercial driver – The driver of the commercial vehicle could be liable if their negligence caused the crash. Behavior that could be construed as negligence includes speeding, distraction, intoxication, and carelessness. The driver could also be liable if they failed to perform basic vehicle maintenance before driving.
- The trucking company – The trucking company or other entity that owns the commercial vehicle could be liable if it hired an unqualified driver, failed to properly train or screen the driver, failed to properly maintain the vehicle, or encouraged the driver to engage in unsafe practices. Employers can also be vicariously liable for the actions of their on-duty employees.
- A cargo loading team – A cargo loading team could be liable if unsecured cargo or an overloaded trailer contributed to the accident.
- A vehicle manufacturer – A truck parts manufacturer could be liable if a design or manufacturing flaw contributed to the accident.
- A truck mechanic or shop – A truck mechanic or repair shop could be liable if it failed to properly inspect or repair a defect that contributed to the accident.
- A local government – A government entity could be responsible if poor local road conditions contributed to the accident.
Contact a St. Louis Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Were you hurt in a collision involving a commercial vehicle in St. Louis? Was someone else to blame? Then contact Sumner Law Group, LLC, to find out how we can help you pursue compensation for the losses you’ve suffered. Consultations are free, so there’s no cost to speak with our St. Louis commercial vehicle accident lawyers about your case.
