When a large commercial truck collides with a car or another smaller vehicle, the massive difference in weight and size often leads to catastrophic outcomes. Victims may face life-changing medical problems, months or years of recovery, or permanent disabilities.
It’s important to recognize that these cases are much more complicated than a basic car accident. If you’re ever involved in one, understanding how these cases are different and what steps you need to take to protect yourself and your future is essential.
Contact a truck accident attorney in St. Louis to get the compensation you deserve.
Size, Weight, and Damage Differences
Large commercial trucks are many times heavier and bigger than regular cars. Even at relatively low speeds, this size difference means a collision delivers much more force. The people in passenger vehicles end up absorbing most of the impact, leading to much greater harm. Some of the most common injuries from truck crashes include severe brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and internal organ damage.
Many victims either require long hospital stays or may never fully recover their old level of health. Trips to numerous specialists, ongoing physical therapy, lost work, and permanent disabilities drive medical costs much higher than with standard car wrecks.
Federal vs. State Regulations
Semi trucks and other commercial vehicles operate under a mix of Missouri state laws and strict federal guidelines, primarily those issued by the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration). Trucking companies have to keep up with both sets of rules, not just local traffic laws. Some of the regulations that most often affect commercial vehicles include:
- Hours-of-service limits: Rules forcing drivers to take rest breaks, limiting how many hours they can drive without a break to prevent fatigue
- Driver qualification standards: Requirements on licensing, safe driving records, and even English proficiency to operate these big vehicles legally
- Drug and alcohol testing: Regular screening for substances before drivers get back on the road after a serious accident
If trucking companies or their drivers break any of these rules, they can be liable for damages you suffered in the accident.
Liability Is More Complicated in Truck Accidents
Figuring out who caused a truck crash isn’t always as simple as pointing to the person behind the wheel. The truck driver might be negligent and liable, but there could be other parties that share liability or are fully responsible in some cases. The trucking company itself could be to blame or cargo loaders who pack dangerous or unbalanced loads could be responsible. Equipment failures could play a role as well.
Additionally, other drivers on the road could be responsible for the accident even though the truck was the actual vehicle involved. Because all these different groups may share fault, investigating a truck accident usually means a much more intensive investigation, which is best done with the help of a legal professional.
If you were in a passenger car during the collision with a truck, reach out to our St. Louis car accident attorneys today.
Evidence in Truck Accident Cases Is More Technical
Proving what happened in a truck accident means looking closely at technical and specialized evidence that doesn’t come up as much or if at all in other types of accidents. One of the most important pieces is the truck’s “black box,” also called the electronic control module (ECM). This device records critical details like speed, braking, and engine activity just before and after a collision.
Driver logs play a significant role in the aftermath of a truck accident too. They show how long a driver was on the road and whether they broke federal rules about rest or hours worked.
Other important documents include the bill of lading (showing who loaded the cargo and the type of freight), as well as detailed inspection and maintenance reports. These records can point to mistakes like poorly loaded or unsecured cargo, or skipped maintenance that might have caused mechanical failure or worn-down brakes.
When it comes to truck accident claims, the stakes are high and the legal process can be more confusing than you might think. This makes it essential to work with experienced legal representation to make sure you get the compensation you deserve so you can move forward and focus on healing. You don’t have to handle this by yourself.
Call us today to schedule a free case evaluation with a trucking accident lawyer from our firm.