St. Louis truck accident Lawyers

We are St. Louis truck accident lawyers who have won millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for our clients

Expert truck accident lawyers in Saint Louis, Missouri

Truck companies have a lot of money to lose when their vehicles cause collisions. Large commercial trucks, tractor-trailers and eighteen-wheelers can weigh 15 to 20 times more than a regular passenger car and often cause catastrophic injuries and death.

Truck companies know they are the target of multi-million dollar lawsuits. So, immediately after a serious collision occurs, the truck company will send an experienced team of experienced lawyers, experts, and investigators to the scene of the accident. This team is often referred to as a “crash team.” The truck company’s crash team is responsible for securing the accident scene, gathering evidence in support of the truck company, and minimizing evidence that may place blame on the truck driver and the truck company.

Our truck accident attorneys have helped clients across the state win Millions in settlements and verdicts

Receiving compensation after a semi truck accident

The devastation left behind after a car accident involving a semi-truck, 18-wheeler, or other large commercial vehicle is tragic. Many times, these collisions cause serious injuries, property damage, and even fatalities.

Types of compensation you may be entitled to after a truck accident

• Medical bills and expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Payments for lost wages
• Property damage to your vehicle or personal items that were in your vehicle

We have helped our clients win millions in truck accident settlements and verdicts

How much is my truck accident in Missouri worth?

As personal injury lawyers, we have learned that every injury case is different and the amount of compensation we will get for our clients depends on a seemingly infinite number of factors. We can say, however, that we have experience winning millions of dollars for our clients who have been involved in truck accidents.

Here are a few recent truck accident cases we have won for our clients:

• $5 Million settlement in wrongful death truck accident
• $1 Million settlement after being rear-ended by truck driver
• $2.1 Million truck accident settlement against the City of St. Louis

Related: Ortwerth Law wins $5 Million Truck Accident Settlement

It is critically important that you hire an experienced and powerful St. Louis truck accident lawyer immediately if you have been injured by a commercial truck or your family member was killed by a commercial truck. At Ortwerth Law, LLC, we have a team of attorneys who will investigate the scene of the accident immediately, from your point of view and with your best interest in mind. We do not trust the truck company’s “crash team,” and neither should you.

Related: Common Truck Accident Causes in Missouri

Our injury attorneys have gone up against large trucking and insurance companies

• You don’t want to take the trucking company’s word for it. Do you? You want your legal team to conduct its own investigation before the trucking company can cover up evidence.
• Your legal team will gain access to the truck’s black box, which is similar to the “black box” you often hear about on airplanes. The black box may contain important information about the truck’s speed, throttle position, brake and pedal application, and clutch status.
• Your legal team needs to inspect the truck before it is moved, repaired or destroyed because the nature and extent of the damage to the truck will provide valuable evidence as to how and why the collision occurred.
• The debris on or near the road should be inspected before it is moved or cleaned up. Your legal team will document and photograph the debris the same way authorities investigate a criminal case. It is important because it may provide evidence proving how, where, and why the collision occurred.
• The skid marks on the road [or the lack of skid marks] should be documented before the next heavy rain, ice or snow because those skid marks [or the lack of skid marks] provide evidence as to the speed of the truck, whether the driver applied the brakes prior to impact, and, in some cases, whether or not the driver was fatigued or distracted at the time of the crash.

Related: Fatal Truck Accidents in the United States Statistics

Speak with a St. Louis Truck Accident Lawyer Today

Trucking accident lawyers for the people of Missouri

We are committed to holding truck drivers responsible for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, reckless driving, speeding, texting while driving or failing to take sufficient rest stops in order to make their quotas. We are also dedicated to consulting with your doctor to identify the types of medical care you will need, such as reconstructive surgeries, physical therapy, and long-term rehabilitation facilities.

We are determined to help you obtain compensation for your current and any long-term medical expenses stemming from the truck accident. We also work with economists and vocational experts to understand how your injuries have threatened your ability to continue working. We will pursue maximum compensation against any liable parties for your past and future medical needs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Taking action against a truck driver’s employer

When an automobile accident takes place, and one of the vehicles involved is a commercial vehicle like a semi-truck or delivery van, the legal process can be more complex than a traditional car accident. Since the driver is working on behalf of their employer, you may not know if it is the driver or the company who should be deemed responsible.

Over the years, our commercial vehicle accident attorneys have seen how trucking companies operate. They have large insurance companies working around the clock to minimize the damages when one of their drivers are involved in an accident. This also means they will do everything in their power to make sure the amount of money they award you is as small as possible.

In some cases, trucking companies will try and put all of the fault on their driver to shield themselves from having to pay you.

Shipping and freight distribution companies with the most vehicles on the road:

• UPS
• FedEx
• USPS
• Amazon
• Swift Transportation
• XPO Logistics
• Knight-Swift

Companies with the most delivery and service vehicles:

• PepsiCo
• Amazon
• AT&T
• Waste Management
• Time Warner Cable
• Verizon Communications

Most common types of commercial vehicles:

• Semi-trucks and 18-wheelers
• Box trucks
• Cargo/delivery vans
• Pickup trucks and service trucks
• Buses and coaches

Can I file a lawsuit against the company that employs the driver?

Yes. If you have been involved in a car accident with a semi-truck or 18-wheeler, there may be grounds to file a lawsuit against the driver’s employer. The specifics of the matter will depend on things like determining negligence and how their employer is responsible.

The best way to determine which course of action is best for your truck accident case is to speak with a personal injury attorney.

Our truck accident attorneys in Missouri have a history of success in truck accident cases in cities and counties across the State of Missouri.

Automobile accidents involving tractor-trailers and 18-wheelers

There are many factors that can contribute to car accidents involving 18-wheelers, including driver fatigue, distracted driving, improper maintenance, and overloaded trucks. In some cases, the trucking company may be liable for the accident due to negligent hiring or training practices, inadequate maintenance procedures, or failure to comply with federal safety regulations.

Automobile accidents that involved a tractor-trailer are some of the most devastating types of accidents. When a tractor-trailer is involved in an accident, the damage can be extensive. Common causes of these accidents include driver negligence, improper loading of the trailer, and mechanical failure.

No matter what speed it is traveling, any object of that size is bound to cause a great deal of damage when it collides with something else. When that something is another vehicle with people inside, it is easy to see why semi-truck accidents are some of the most deadly.

Most times an 18-wheeler, or any large truck, is involved in a crash, the damage is horrific. Our client’s safety is our top priority. We make sure the first thing they do, after a trucking collision is get the proper medical attention. We want their health and/or the health of their loved ones is the first they on their mind while we investigate their case. Trucking companies have teams of people they quickly send out to investigate their truck’s crash. Our team of experts makes sure all of the information is correctly collected and recorded for your case.

We are powerful St. Louis personal injury lawyers who will continue to fight our client’s rights and defend our clients until they receive the compensation they deserve. We know the devastating effects of a truck wreck and work quickly for all of our truck accident clients. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a truck collision, contact Ortwerth Law, LLC, Premier St. Louis truck accident attorneys today for a free consultation.

For more information on truck accidents, you can view our truck accident statistics page.

Important Missouri Truck Accident Statistics

We have compiled important data regarding truck accident statistics in Missouri. The graphic below shows the number of deaths involving commercial vehicles/trucks in the state of Missouri according to the Missouri Department of Transportation

As you can see, the data shows that in 2021 there were 156 deaths in Missouri caused by automobile accidents involving large trucks and semi-trucks.

Important Missouri truck accident statistics:

• In 2022, there were over 15,000 automobile accidents involving commercial vehicles
• Truck accidents were responsible for 119 deaths in Missouri in 2022
• There were over 2,750 injuries reported in Missouri caused by truck accidents
• Improper lane changing is the #1 known cause of truck accidents in Missouri
• St. Louis County, Jackson County, and St. Louis City County were responsible for the most truck accidents in 2022

*Data according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol

Additional statistics involving large trucks and large vehicles:

• In 2022, Missouri had 2,718 injuries caused by commercial vehicle and truck accidents
• In 2022, Missouri had 14,722 injuries caused by commercial vehicle and truck accidents
• In 2022, Missouri (currently has) 131 deaths caused by commercial vehicle and truck accidents

Our St. Louis Truck Accident Lawyers Work with People Across Missouri

We are a St. Louis-based injury law firm, but we have helped clients across the state of Missouri and Southern Illinois who have been involved in automobile accidents involving semi-trucks and other large vehicles.

Driving a large vehicle can be an extremely stressful job. Companies often force their employees to work unreasonable hours and meet extremely strict quotas. As you can probably guess, these strict expectations can be a recipe for disaster when the job involves a massive vehicle that can cause unimaginable damage at even minimal speeds. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is regulations in place to, at best, limit the amount of risk truck drivers face, and while their intentions are good, they obviously cannot monitor every driver on the road – and the companies that employ them – to make sure they are following the rules at all times.

Even if the truck driver and their employer have not broken any FMCSA rules, that does not mean the driver and their company cannot be responsible for an automobile accident. Unfortunately, car accidents are an unavoidable aspect that comes with the luxury of driving. Like anyone behind the wheel of a vehicle, a simple mistake or accident caused by poor weather still puts the driver at fault.

Because of this, we spend a great deal of time investigating not only the driver of the truck’s actions but also spend an exuberant amount of time looking into their employer and the requirements they placed on their driver at the time of the accident.

Our team has the resources to investigate every detail of your case, and we will make sure you are rewarded with the compensation you deserve

What should I do if I am involved in an automobile accident involving a semi-truck?

We are going to assume you are reading this in a safe place, so we will not go through the steps of making sure you are not in the middle of the road where your truck accident took place. The first thing you want to do is document as much of the accident as possible. This means taking pictures, speaking with witnesses, and ensuring you give a thorough description to any police officers on the scene.

We then strongly advise you to speak with a doctor so they can examine and document any injuries you sustained during the crash. You will also likely speak with your insurance agent shortly after the accident. Next, you speak with our truck accident attorneys so they can start building your case. We will then give you an overview of our process, the steps we take to build your case, and, if possible, an idea of how much compensation your truck accident case is worth.

St. Louis truck accident experts serving the people of Missouri

Truck accidents are devastating events that often lead to serious injuries, property damage, and unfortunately fatalities. If you or a loved one has been involved in an automobile accident involving a semi-truck, delivery van, or any other type of commercial vehicle, it’s essential to find a competent attorney who can help you navigate the legal process and get the compensation you deserve.

Make sure the personal injury attorney you hire has experience handling truck accidents

When searching for a St. Louis truck accident attorney, their experience with these cases should be your top priority.

Look for a lawyer who has a proven track record of handling truck accident cases successfully. An experienced truck accident attorney will know the ins and outs of the legal system and understand the complexities of truck accident cases. They will also have the skills and resources necessary to investigate the accident, gather evidence, and build a strong case on your behalf.

Before hiring, it’s essential to check their credentials. Make sure the attorney is licensed to practice law in your state and has no history of disciplinary action. You can also look for certifications from reputable organizations such as the American Association for Justice or the National Board of Trial Advocacy. These certifications indicate that the attorney has met rigorous standards of professional competence and ethics.

Speak with the premier truck accident attorney in St. Louis, Missouri

Truck accident injuries can range from minor to life-threatening. Depending on the severity of the crash, truck accident victims can suffer from broken bones, head trauma, internal injuries, and whiplash. In some cases, the injuries can be permanent or even fatal. Regardless of the severity of the injury, it’s important to investigate the cause of the truck accident to prevent similar accidents in the future.

When searching for a truck accident lawyer near me, you will find tons of results for personal injury attorneys who offer semi-truck accident services. As the premier automobile accident involving large trucks, Ortwerth Law can provide you with the services you need to win your case.

Additional truck accident resources and information