The aftermath of a truck accident in Independence, Missouri, can change everything in an instant. Your vehicle is likely destroyed, you’re facing mounting medical bills, and the trucking company’s insurance adjusters are already working to protect their interests.
Our experienced Independence 18-wheeler accident lawyers level the playing field. Since 1990, we’ve focused exclusively on motor vehicle accidents in Missouri, giving us deep knowledge of both trucking regulations and local courts. We know how trucking companies and their insurers operate, and we’re prepared to counter their tactics to minimize your claim.
Contact us today for a free consultation with our experienced 18-wheeler accident attorneys in Independence.
Why Choose Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers For Your 18-Wheeler Accident Claim?
As a family-run firm, we provide personal attention that large corporate law firms simply cannot match. You are not just another case number to us, instead, we treat every client like family.
Our deep understanding of federal FMCSA regulations and Missouri trucking laws gives us a significant advantage in these complex cases.
Insurance companies know we are always prepared to take cases to trial when they refuse fair settlements. This reputation for aggressive advocacy strengthens our negotiating position and gets better results for our clients.
- Local Missouri Expertise: We know Independence courts, judges, and the local legal landscape
- Truck Accident Specialization: Our entire practice focuses on motor vehicle accidents, making us experts in trucking law
- Trial-Ready Approach: We prepare every case for court, which insurance companies respect and fear
- 24/7 Availability: Accidents don’t follow business hours, and neither do we
How Our Independence 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers Help You
Time is critical after an 18-wheeler crash because vital evidence can disappear within days. Our team acts immediately to protect your rights and preserve crucial information that proves your case.
We send spoliation letters to trucking companies within 24 hours, legally requiring them to preserve all evidence. This includes electronic data from the truck’s black box, driver logs, maintenance records, and drug test results.
Our investigation process includes working with expert witnesses, such as top accident reconstruction specialists and medical professionals. They help us prove exactly what happened and document the full extent of your injuries. Meanwhile, we handle all communications with multiple insurance companies while you focus on recovery.
Critical Evidence We Preserve Immediately
Electronic data from commercial trucks is incredibly fragile and gets overwritten automatically. We move quickly to secure this vital evidence before it disappears forever.
Essential evidence includes:
- Electronic Control Module data showing speed, braking, and driver actions before impact
- Electronic Logging Device records that may reveal hours-of-service violations
- Driver Qualification Files revealing past violations or inadequate training
- Post-accident drug and alcohol test results
- Dashcam footage and surveillance video from nearby businesses
Common Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents
Most 18-wheeler accidents result from preventable negligence rather than true accidents. Understanding these causes helps establish who should be held responsible for your injuries and losses.
Driver fatigue ranks among the leading causes, often involving violations of federal hours-of-service rules. Trucking companies sometimes pressure drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines, leading to drowsy driving accidents. Distracted driving from texting, GPS use, or dispatch communications also contributes to many collisions.
Poor maintenance creates serious hazards when trucking companies skip inspections to save money. Additionally, when cargo is not properly secured, it can shift during transport and cause drivers to lose control. Brake failures often result from inadequate pre-trip inspections or deferred maintenance.
Who Can Be Held Liable in Your 18-Wheeler Crash
Unlike typical car accidents where one driver is usually at fault, truck crashes often involve multiple liable parties.
- The truck driver may be liable for speeding, distracted driving, or violating safety regulations.
- Trucking companies can be responsible for negligent hiring, inadequate training, or pressuring drivers to break rules.
- Cargo loading companies may be at fault if improperly secured loads caused the accident.
- Parts manufacturers can be liable when defective brakes, tires, or other components contribute to crashes.
- Maintenance providers may share responsibility for performing faulty repairs or skipping required inspections.
We investigate all potential sources of compensation to ensure you receive full recovery.
Federal and Missouri Regulations That Strengthen Your Case
Both federal FMCSA rules and Missouri state regulations create strict safety standards for the trucking industry. When drivers or companies violate these rules, it provides powerful evidence of negligence in your case.
Hours-of-service regulations limit drivers to 11 hours of driving within a 14-hour window before mandatory rest breaks. Drug and alcohol testing is required after accidents and conducted randomly throughout the year. Vehicle inspection rules mandate daily pre-trip and post-trip checks plus annual comprehensive inspections.
Missouri enforces an 80,000-pound weight limit for most commercial vehicles on state highways. Cargo securement rules specify exact tie-down requirements based on load type and weight. Violations of these safety standards may also support claims for punitive damages designed to punish wrongdoers.
Types of Compensation Available After Your Crash
The massive size and weight of 18-wheelers often cause catastrophic injuries requiring extensive medical care and long-term treatment. Your compensation should cover every loss you have suffered and will suffer in the future.
Economic damages include all measurable financial losses from the accident. This covers current and future medical expenses, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity if you cannot return to your previous job. Property damage to your vehicle and any necessary home modifications for disabilities are also included.
Non-economic damages compensate for personal suffering that cannot be measured in dollars. Physical pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and mental anguish including PTSD fall into this category.
Loss of enjoyment of life and permanent scarring or disfigurement are also compensable losses.
Missouri’s Shared Fault Rules
Trucking companies and their insurers almost always try shifting blame onto accident victims to reduce their payouts. Missouri’s pure comparative fault rule still allows you to recover damages even when you share some responsibility for the crash.
In these cases, your total compensation gets reduced by your percentage of fault, but you can still recover substantial damages. For example, if you are 30% at fault, you can recover 70% of your total damages. Even at 90% fault, you could still recover 10% of your losses.
Steps to Take After Your 18-Wheeler Accident
The moments following a truck crash are chaotic and frightening, but your actions can protect both your health and legal rights. Getting proper medical attention should always be your first priority.
Call 911 Immediately and Accept Medical Evaluation
Even if injuries seem minor, serious injuries like internal bleeding or traumatic brain injury may not show immediate symptoms, which is why medical attention after a truck accident is critical.
Getting prompt medical care also creates important documentation linking your injuries to the crash.
Take Photos and Gather Witness Information
If you can safely do so, take photographs of everything: vehicles, skid marks, road conditions, and your visible injuries. Also, get contact information from any witnesses who saw what happened. Their statements can become crucial evidence later.
Do Not Give Recorded Statements to Insurance Adjusters
When adjusters call after the accident, politely decline and tell them you will have your attorney contact them. These adjusters are trained to ask questions that can be used against you later.
Contact Our Firm Immediately
We send preservation letters to the trucking company right away. This legally requires them to preserve all evidence, including the truck’s electronic data, before it gets overwritten.
Our Contingency Fee Structure
At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, we handle all 18-wheeler accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means we advance all costs for investigating your case, hiring expert witnesses, and filing lawsuits when necessary.
You never pay us anything out of your own pocket. Our Independence 18-wheeler accident lawyers only get paid when we successfully recover compensation for you through settlement or trial verdict.
Time Limits for Filing Your Claim
Missouri law gives you five years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. If the crash resulted in a loved one’s death, families have three years to file wrongful death.
While these deadlines may seem generous, crucial evidence disappears quickly after truck accidents. Electronic data gets overwritten, witnesses move away, and memories fade.
Contacting us immediately gives us the best chance to build a strong case for maximum compensation.
Our Track Record of Success
Over our decades of practice representing truck accident victims, we’ve secured substantial compensation for injured clients throughout Missouri.
Our reputation for thorough preparation and aggressive advocacy is well-known among insurance companies and defense attorneys. They know we will not accept lowball settlement offers and are always prepared to take cases to trial when necessary.
Semi-Truck Accident Injury Law Firm in Independence, Missouri
After a devastating truck accident, you should not face powerful trucking companies and their insurance teams alone. Our experienced Independence 18-wheeler accident lawyers handle all legal burdens so you can focus on recovery and healing.
We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide the compassionate guidance you need during this difficult time. Our down-to-earth approach means we explain everything in plain language you can understand.
Frequently Asked Questions About 18-Wheeler Accidents
Should I Give a Recorded Statement to the Trucking Company’s Insurance?
No, you should politely decline giving any recorded statements until you consult with an attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to ask leading questions that can be used to minimize or deny your claim later.
How Quickly Can Electronic Data from the Truck Be Lost?
Critical black box and electronic logging device data may be overwritten if not promptly preserved. Contact our firm immediately so we can send legal preservation notices to the trucking company before this evidence disappears.
Can I File My Case in Missouri if the Trucking Company Is Based in Another State?
Yes, if your accident occurred in Missouri, you can file your lawsuit here regardless of where the trucking company is headquartered. Our firm regularly handles cases involving out-of-state trucking companies.
Who Pays My Medical Bills While My Case Is Pending?
Your health insurance or medical payments coverage typically pays initial medical bills. We work with healthcare providers on payment arrangements and ensure all medical costs are included in your final settlement or verdict.
What if I Was at Work When the 18-Wheeler Hit Me?
You may have both workers’ compensation benefits and a personal injury claim against the truck driver and company. We help you navigate both systems to maximize your total recovery from all available sources.
Can I Still Recover Money if the Truck Driver Was Following Traffic Laws?
Yes, truck drivers and companies can still be liable even without traffic violations. Factors like inadequate training, poor maintenance, or violating federal trucking regulations can establish liability regardless of traffic law compliance.
How Long Do Most 18-Wheeler Accident Cases Take to Resolve?
The time it takes to resolve a complex truck accident case can vary widely depending on factors like injury severity, available evidence, and the parties’ willingness to negotiate.
