Missouri Tractor-Trailer Accident Lawyer
Truck Accident Claims
Missouri is filled with large trucks delivering goods all over the state. One cannot travel any distance on our highways without seeing many of these massive, heavy vehicles cruising down the roadway. Unfortunately, it is well-known that many truck drivers lack sleep and can become aggressive or inattentive to the passenger vehicles around them. Even a slight sideswipe by one of these extremely heavy vehicles can cause a devastating accident, often involving many cars. The injuries sustained in these truck accidents can be extremely serious and in some cases fatal. It is crucial to contact a St. Louis tractor-trailer accident lawyer if you have been injured in a car vs. large truck accident.
A Missouri truck accident injury lawyer has dedicated a comprehensive website solely for assisting victims of tractor-trailer accidents (click on the link at the bottom of this page). Trucks weighing over 26,000 pounds are required to abide by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. These in-depth regulations require commercial trucking companies and commercial truck drivers to follow safety guidelines specifically designed to protect the public. Many trucking companies and their drivers follow these regulations, but some consciously disregard them. It is critical to understand that truck crashes are much more complicated to handle than a car accident. Since both federal and state law are implicated in a car vs. truck crash, it is important to retain a truck accident injury lawyer who is highly experienced in handling these types of injury claims.
Many truck drivers operate their big-rigs over the Hours of Service (HOS) limitations set forth in Section 395 of Title 49 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations. The HOS regulations limit truck drivers to 11 hours of driving time within any 24 hour period. After exhausting 11 hours of driving time, truck drivers must remain off duty for 10 consecutive hours. Most drivers are paid by the mile, resulting in a direct conflict between safety and profit. The more time the driver is on the road accumulating miles, the more income he/she will make. Thus it becomes clear why many truck drivers out there are fatigued, resulting in serious injuries and fatalities on Missouri highways each and every day.
Missouri Truck Crash Injury Attorney
Some tractor-trailer 18-wheelers weigh over 80,000 lbs. The sheer mass and weight of the truck can crumple a regular car to the point that the make and model of the car is unrecognizable. The driver of the truck may have been driving recklessly, negligently or speeding. In some cases they have been found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or may have just been tired or inattentive. Whatever the reason for the crash, you now have serious injuries to deal with as well as medical bills, hospital bills, ambulance bills and possibly loss of work and wages. All of these things can be part of any claim that is made for damages when you are assisted by a personal injury lawyer from the Schultz Legal Group. It is crucial that you contact our office as quickly as possible after the accident so that all necessary evidence and documentation can be preserved for your claim for compensation.
It is important to understand that you must not discuss the accident with an insurance claims adjuster without speaking to a car accident lawyer from Schultz & Myers law firm. Anything you say could be used to pay you a lesser amount in a settlement for your case. Do not accept any settlement without getting qualified legal representation. You will find that the amount being claimed is usually much higher when you have the assistance of a skilled truck accident attorney.
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