Springfield 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney

Why Choose Our Springfield 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers?

Trucking companies have teams of lawyers working to minimize what they pay you. You need attorneys who understand the complex federal regulations that govern commercial trucks and know how to hold these companies accountable.

We’re a family-run practice that treats every client like family. When you hire us, you get brothers Paul and John Beck personally handling your case from start to finish.

• Missouri-Only Focus: We handle nothing but Missouri auto accidents, giving us deep expertise in state trucking laws
• Experience: We have extensive experience fighting for truck accident victims.
• $105+ Million Recovered: Our track record speaks for itself
• We generally handle cases on a contingency-fee basis, so you typically won’t owe attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.

How Our 18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys in Springfield Help With Your Claim

After a devastating truck crash, your job is to heal. Our job is to handle everything else so you can focus on recovery without worrying about legal battles or insurance company tactics.

Because critical records can be lost quickly, we act immediately to preserve black box data, driver logs, and maintenance records.

Our team handles all communication with insurance adjusters and trucking company lawyers. We negotiate aggressively for maximum compensation and take cases to trial when necessary to get you what you deserve.

What Does It Cost To Hire Our Truck Accident Lawyers?

We generally handle cases on a contingency-fee basis, so you typically won’t owe attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.

We work on contingency, meaning we only get paid when we win money for you. Our fee comes from the settlement or verdict, never from your pocket. All case expenses like expert witnesses and court costs are covered by us and only repaid if we succeed.

Do I Have a Case After an 18-Wheeler Crash in Springfield?

If a truck driver or trucking company’s negligence caused your injuries, you likely have a valid claim. We evaluate every case for free to determine if you can recover compensation.

Key factors that strengthen your case include:

• Traffic Law Violations: The truck driver was speeding, ran a red light, or broke other traffic rules
• Federal Regulation Violations: The driver exceeded legal driving hours or the company skipped required inspections
• Medical Treatment: You sought medical care for injuries caused by the crash
• Fault Assignment: You weren’t entirely responsible for causing the accident

What Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents Do We Handle?

Commercial truck crashes differ dramatically from regular car accidents due to the size and weight involved. We handle every type of semi-truck collision that occurs on Missouri roads.

Collision Types We See Most in Springfield

Jackknife Accidents: The trailer swings out perpendicular to the cab, often sweeping across multiple traffic lanes. Truck jackknife accidents frequently involve several vehicles and cause severe injuries.

Underride Crashes: Your vehicle slides underneath the truck’s trailer, crushing the passenger compartment. Underride accidents often result in serious injuries or death.

Blind Spot Accidents: Large trucks have massive blind spots on all four sides where drivers cannot see other vehicles. Truck blind spot accidents often occur when drivers change lanes in these “no-zones,” causing devastating sideswipe collisions.

Wide Turn Crashes: Truck drivers swing wide to make right turns, trapping cars between the truck and curb. The truck’s rear wheels follow a different path than the front wheels, creating a deadly squeeze point.

Mechanical and Loading Failures

Cargo Spills: Improperly loaded cargo shifts during transport, causing drivers to lose control or creating road hazards when freight falls off trucks.

Brake Failures: Commercial trucks require properly maintained air brake systems to stop safely. Truck brake failure accidents often result in rear-end collisions at highway speeds.

Tire Blowouts: Overloaded trucks or worn tires can blow out suddenly, causing drivers to lose control and cross into oncoming traffic.

Who Is Liable in a Springfield Semi-Truck Crash?

Truck accidents often involve multiple responsible parties, unlike typical car crashes with just two drivers. Identifying every liable party increases the insurance coverage available for your compensation.

The Truck Driver: Responsible when they violate traffic laws, drive while fatigued, or operate under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The Trucking Company: Liable for negligent hiring practices, inadequate driver training, or pressuring drivers to violate federal safety regulations.

Cargo Loading Companies: At fault when improperly secured freight causes the truck to become unstable or creates road hazards.

Maintenance Providers: Responsible when they fail to properly inspect or repair critical safety systems like brakes or steering.

Parts Manufacturers: Liable when defective truck components like tires, brakes, or coupling devices cause accidents.

Government Entities: At fault when poorly maintained roads or inadequate signage contribute to crashes.

What Causes 18-Wheeler Accidents in Springfield?

Most truck crashes result from preventable human errors or mechanical failures. Our investigation uncovers every contributing factor to build the strongest possible case.

Driver-Related Causes

Driver Fatigue: Federal law caps truck drivers’ driving time at 11 hours per day, but some violate these rules to meet delivery deadlines, leading to crashes.

Distracted Driving: Truck drivers who text, eat, or use GPS systems while driving cause thousands of preventable crashes. Taking your eyes off the road for just five seconds while driving at highway speed means you travel the length of a football field blind.

Speeding: Heavy trucks need much more distance to stop than cars. Speeding trucks often cannot brake in time to avoid collisions, especially in construction zones or heavy traffic.

Following Too Closely: Trucks need significantly more distance to stop than passenger cars.

External Factors

Weather Conditions: When weather is poor—such as rain, ice, or fog—truck drivers are advised to reduce speed and exercise extra caution.

Road Hazards: Construction zones, potholes, and debris create dangerous conditions for large vehicles. Sudden steering corrections can cause trucks to jackknife or roll over.

What Evidence Proves an 18-Wheeler Claim?

Truck accident cases require specialized evidence that doesn’t exist in regular car crashes. We know exactly what to preserve and how to use it to prove your case.

Electronic Logging Device Data: Federal law requires trucks to use ELDs that track driving hours.

Engine Control Module Records: The truck’s “black box” records speed, braking, steering inputs, and other critical data from the moments before impact.

Driver Qualification Files: These records reveal the driver’s training history, past violations, and results of required drug and alcohol tests.

Maintenance and Inspection Records: Federal regulations require detailed truck inspections and logs. Missing or falsified records indicate negligence.

Shipping Documents: bills of lading show cargo weight and distribution. Overloaded trucks are more likely to cause serious accidents.

This evidence disappears quickly if not preserved immediately. Trucking companies only keep records for the minimum time required by law.

How Missouri Laws Affect Your Truck Accident Case

Missouri’s specific laws determine how much compensation you can recover and how long you have to file a lawsuit. Understanding these rules is crucial for your case.

Missouri’s Pure Comparative Fault Rule

Under Missouri fault law, your total recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.

Missouri’s 5-Year Statute of Limitations

Under Missouri’s statute of limitations, you have five years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit.

What Compensation Can I Recover After a Semi-Truck Crash?

Truck accidents cause devastating injuries that affect every aspect of your life. We fight to recover full compensation for all your losses, both economic and personal.

Medical Expenses: All current and future medical costs including emergency treatment, surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, medications, and medical equipment.

Lost Income: Wages and salary you’ve missed due to your injuries, plus future income if you cannot return to your previous job.

Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain, emotional trauma, and reduced quality of life caused by your injuries.

Property Damage: Repair or replacement costs for your vehicle and personal belongings damaged in the crash.

Permanent Disability: Additional compensation if your injuries result in lasting impairment or disfigurement.

Loss of Consortium: Your spouse may recover damages for loss of companionship and support.

What To Do After an 18-Wheeler Crash in Springfield

The steps you take immediately after a truck crash protect both your health and your legal rights. Acting quickly and correctly can make the difference in your case outcome.

Call 911 Immediately: Report the accident and request emergency medical services. A police report creates an official record of what happened.

Get Medical Treatment: Accept evaluation by paramedics at the scene and follow up with a doctor even if you feel fine. Adrenaline masks serious injuries that may not appear for hours or days.

Document Everything: If safe to do so, photograph the vehicles, crash scene, road conditions, and your visible injuries. Get contact information from any witnesses.

Never Give Recorded Statements: The trucking company’s insurance will call you quickly asking for a statement. Politely decline and refer them to your attorney.

Contact Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers Immediately: The sooner you call our experienced Springfield 18-wheeler accident attorneys, the sooner we can preserve evidence and protect your rights. We’re available 24/7 to start working on your case.

Where Do Truck Crashes Happen in Springfield?

Springfield sits at the intersection of major trucking routes, making certain roads particularly dangerous for passenger vehicles. Heavy commercial traffic increases crash risk at these locations.

Interstate 44: This major east-west route is a major corridor that carries heavy truck traffic at high speeds.

US Highway 65: The primary north-south corridor through Springfield includes segments where trucks and passenger cars merge, which can lead to conflicts.

James River Freeway: Speed limit changes and ongoing construction create hazardous conditions for large trucks. Multi-vehicle pile-ups happen when trucks cannot stop in time.

Glenstone Avenue: Commercial deliveries and stop-and-go traffic make this corridor dangerous for wide-turn and backing accidents involving delivery trucks.

Contact Us Today For a Free Case Evaluation

After a serious truck accident, you shouldn’t face the legal battle alone. While you focus on healing, let our family fight for yours.

We offer completely free consultations with no obligation. During this meeting, we’ll listen to your story, answer your questions, and explain your legal options clearly.

Our 35+ years of experience handling Missouri truck accidents means we know what evidence to gather, which experts to hire, and how to negotiate with trucking companies. We’ve recovered over $105 million for injured clients, and we’re ready to put that experience to work for you.

Truck Accident Lawyer FAQs

Should I Accept the Trucking Company’s First Settlement Offer?

Never accept the first offer without consulting an attorney. Insurance companies typically offer far less than your case is worth, hoping you’ll settle quickly before understanding the full extent of your injuries and damages.

How Long After My Truck Accident Can I Still File a Lawsuit in Missouri?

Deadlines apply to filing a personal injury lawsuit, so contact an attorney promptly to protect your rights.

What If the Truck Driver Claims I Caused the Accident?

Even if you were partially at fault, you can still recover compensation under Missouri’s comparative fault law. Your total recovery is simply reduced by your percentage of responsibility for the crash.

Will My Truck Accident Case Go to Trial or Settle Out of Court?

Most truck accident cases settle before trial through negotiations. However, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial, which strengthens our negotiating position and often leads to better settlement offers.

How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Springfield Truck Accident Attorney?

Nothing upfront. We work on contingency, meaning we only get paid if we win money for you. All case expenses are covered by our firm and only repaid from your settlement or verdict.

What Makes Truck Accident Cases Different From Regular Car Accidents?

Truck accidents involve federal regulations, multiple potentially liable parties, specialized evidence like black box data, and typically much more severe injuries requiring higher compensation amounts.