Anyone who has been injured during a collision with a commercial truck can file a claim, whether they were a driver, passenger or pedestrian. Our law firm represents local victims of semi-truck accidents in Missouri and Illinois, as well as those who live out of state and were involved in an accident while traveling through Missouri and Illinois.

If a minor was injured, a parent or legal guardian can file a claim on the minor’s behalf.

If the accident caused a fatal injury, the victim’s surviving loved ones can pursue a Wrongful Death claim.

Trucking is a highly regulated industry. Victims of a commercial truck wreck need an experienced St. Louis truck accident lawyer who understands Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR), which govern what truckers can and cannot do. The federal government also mandates trucking companies to carry $1M of insurance coverage in order to drive on public roadways and, often, the policy limit is not enough to fairly compensate a victim for the losses they have incurred.

A St. Louis truck accident attorney will assess your case to determine who may be found liable for causing the accident. This could likely involve bringing a lawsuit against multiple parties, including:

• The truck driver
• The trucking company
• The company’s insurer
• The broker or shipper who hired the trucking company
• A parts manufacturer, in the event of faulty equipment
• The government agency responsible for road maintenance where the accident occurred

Because of complex industry regulations, limited insurance coverage and the likelihood of pursuing a lawsuit against multiple parties at once, it is critically important to work with an experienced St. Louis trucking accident attorney.

The truck accident lawyers at Padberg Appelbaum Knepper work under a contingency fee contract. As a result, our clients do not pay anything unless we successfully recover damages for their case. Our trucking accident attorneys also pay the upfront cost to investigate and pursue the lawsuit. These costs are not reimbursed unless we are able to recover on our client’s behalf. When the case is completed, fees are based on a percentage of the judgment or settlement, which has been predetermined and mutually agreed on.

If you or a loved one have suffered from a trucking accident injury, contact the law office of Padberg Appelbaum Knepper for a free consultation with a St. Louis truck accident attorney.

For injuries caused by a trucking accident, the amount of compensation that can be recovered depends on many factors. The main considerations are the nature and extent of the client’s injuries and damages. Another factor that will influence the amount of any settlement is whether the trucking company is completely at fault, or if the client has some fault in causing the crash.

A victim’s financial compensation could include payment for these damages:

• Loss of Quality of Life
• Lost Wages
• Medical Treatment and Expenses, including rehabilitation
• Permanent Partial or Total Disability
• Death Benefits

In the event of a Wrongful Death claim or other serious truck accidents resulting from gross negligence, the responsible party may also be subject to pay punitive damages to the victim.

Individuals who are involved in a semi-truck accident will likely be contacted by the opposing insurance company shortly afterwards. Their goal is to take a recorded statement and use it against the injured person during the handling of the claim. Do not talk to the other party’s insurer. Instead, provide them with the contact information of a St. Louis trucking accident attorney. If you have not yet retained a truck accident lawyer for your case, contact one immediately.