If you’ve been hurt in a crash involving a commercial truck in St. Louis, it’s crucial to understand your legal rights and know what steps to take next. Truck accidents are often complicated, involving large trucking companies, their insurers, and sometimes multiple at-fault parties. Only a St. Louis truck accident attorney will understand these nuances of your accident and how to pursue a successful claim.
Being clear on how to file a claim can help ensure you don’t overlook essential evidence or deadlines that could affect your compensation. Here are the most important steps you can take:
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Getting emergency treatment after a truck accident protects both your physical health and your legal rights. Early diagnosis helps prevent complications, and prompt treatment establishes a clear link between the crash and your injuries. Detailed medical documentation, including doctor notes and test results, becomes crucial evidence if you later need to prove your damages and justify your compensation.
Step 2: Report the Accident
In Missouri, you are required to report a car accident to law enforcement if anyone is injured, a death occurs, or property damage exceeds $500. When officers arrive, provide the facts, such as what happened and where you hurt, but avoid making guesses or unnecessary admissions about who was at fault.
If police do not respond at the scene, you have 30 days to file an accident report with the Missouri Department of Revenue.
303.040. All motor vehicle accidents to be reported — director to notify all other parties, contents — parties to furnish information — nonresident requirements. — 1. The operator or owner of every motor vehicle which is involved in an accident within this state, including a nonresident operator or owner of a motor vehicle, or the owner of a legally or illegally parked car which is in any manner involved in an accident within this state, with an uninsured motorist, upon the streets or highways thereof, or on any publicly or privately owned parking lot or parking facility generally open for use by the public, in which any person is killed or injured or in which damage to property of any one person, including himself, in excess of five hundred dollars is sustained, and the owner or operator of every motor vehicle which is involved in an accident within this state if such owner or operator does not carry motor vehicle liability insurance shall, within thirty days after such accident, report the matter in writing to the director. Such
It’s best not to discuss details or accept responsibility when talking to the trucking company’s representatives at the scene.
Step 3: Gather Evidence at the Scene (If Possible)
Collect as much supporting information as you can before leaving the crash site. Take photographs of the accident scene, vehicles, road conditions, and visible injuries (broken bones, bruises, etc…). Get the names and contact details of any witnesses.
Step 4: Notify Your Insurance Company
Reporting the accident to your own insurer is part of preserving your rights but be careful in your discussions. Stick to the facts and avoid saying anything that could suggest you were at fault. If the insurer asks for a recorded statement, tell them you’d like to wait until after you speak with your attorney.
Step 5: Contact a St. Louis Truck Accident Attorney
Because truck accident cases often involve complicated regulations, severe damages, and multiple parties, having an experienced lawyer is essential. A skilled attorney will work to preserve important evidence (such as maintenance logs and dashcam footage), communicate with powerful insurance companies, and make sure your full range of damages is fairly valued.
Step 6: File the Claim
Once you know who is responsible, your lawyer will help you file an insurance claim and, if needed, a personal injury lawsuit. Insurance claims are submitted directly to the relevant provider; lawsuits are filed in the appropriate Missouri court where the crash or injuries took place.
Step 7: Negotiate or Litigate
Most Missouri truck accident cases are resolved through settlement negotiations, where both parties (through their lawyers or insurance companies) reach an agreement about compensation. If a fair settlement can’t be reached, your attorney may recommend moving forward with litigation, where a judge or jury will decide the final outcome.
If you’ve been involved in a truck accident and have questions about your rights or next steps, don’t hesitate to contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in St. Louis.