Trucking accidents can be horrific and life-changing, often resulting in severe injuries and damages. Unlike regular car accidents, trucking accidents involve specific regulations and laws, and insurance companies may be reluctant to pay out larger claims despite charging higher premiums for coverage.

Defense firms in trucking accidents often have specialist attorneys representing their interests and those of their drivers. Locating and serving out-of-state truck drivers can be tedious and expensive but is necessary to pursue legal action. Additionally, trucks and trailers may be comprised of several legal entities, with rental companies leasing trailers to trucking companies from the same physical location but legally remaining separate entities to protect assets from injured parties.

Trucking companies may also employ independent contractors as drivers or owner-operators, bringing in other insurance carriers and complexities to a case. Liability in trucking accidents can range from placarding requirements to piercing the corporate veil to expose liability in otherwise shielded businesses.

Handling trucking cases requires a working knowledge of commercial motor vehicle wreck physics, state and federal trucking regulations, computer tracking information used in the industry, and corporate practices in both the trucking and insurance industries. Serious accidents with serious injuries demand representation from an attorney experienced in such matters to achieve a fair resolution.

How Long Do I Have to File My Claim?

In St. Louis, there is a five-year window from the date of a truck accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, while the timeframe for a wrongful death claim after a fatal crash is limited to three years. It is crucial not to wait, as missing these deadlines could result in losing the opportunity to seek compensation from the responsible party.