Truck Accident Attorneys in St. Joseph, MO

Fighting for truck accident victims in Missouri

Whenever you are on the road, you will often try to avoid being in the path of a truck, with good reason, of course, truck accidents are not only common but have devastating consequences. The size and weight difference between passenger vehicles and semi-trucks are one of the main reasons that being involved in a truck accident can be life-altering for those who are not in the truck.

While truck drivers can still be injured, they may only suffer minor injuries compared to others involved in the accident. The St. Joseph truck accident attorneys at Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys will fight to protect your right to compensation so you can focus on recovery.

What types of truck accidents occur in St. Joseph?

Since trucks have their own physical structure that is far different from those of other vehicles on the road, this means they also have a range of specific types of accidents. Some of the most common types of truck accidents include:

• Blindspot accident
• Wide turn accident
• Jackknife accident
• Tire blowouts
• Rollovers
• Cargo spills and shifts

There are other common causes of accidents that are not specific to trucks such as sideswipes and T-bone crashes. Other common types of car accidents include head-on collisions, rear-end collisions, and intersection accidents. When you are invoked in a truck accident, the injuries sustained can change the entire course of your life. As soon as you can, you will need to contact a St. Joseph truck accident attorney to begin building a case.

What is truck driver negligence?

The real cause of most accidents, truck accidents included is negligence. There are various forms of negligence that a truck driver may participate in that causes an accident. While there are common actions like distracted driving or driving under the influence, there are other types of negligence that are specific to truck drivers. Negligence that is specific to truck accidents includes:

• Commercial truckers' special training: To drive a truck, prospective drivers will need to undergo specialized training. During this training, they will be shown how to inspect the truck prior to getting on the road and after a drive. They will also need to know how to back out, drive with blind spots, turn safely, etc. Each driver will also need to be able to handle an emergency should one arise.
• Truck parts that wear out quickly: Since trucks travel longer distances more often than passenger vehicles, this means that their parts will wear out faster than others. This can include parts such as tires, clutches, steering wheels, and more. A truck driver should inspect their vehicle to ensure that all parts are in working order. However, in some cases, the parts come defective from the manufacturers, and no one is the wiser until an accident happens.
• Longer and harder shifts: Driving a truck can be grueling. Many drivers are traveling long distances and driving for upwards of 12 hours a day. This means they are not getting the rest they need while on the road. Oftentimes, drivers are motivated to finish a delivery so they can make it back home to their families. In other cases, the trucking company is the one pushing its drivers to make deliveries faster than they realistically can.

While we understand that being a truck driver is hard work and drivers face unique challenges, this does not mean that negligent parties should not be held responsible for their actions. There are agencies that place regulations on how long a driver can be on the road. The FMCSA and OSHA have also placed rules to ensure that the weight of trucks is within safe limits and all safety protocols are being followed. When someone is negligent in any form then this can lead to accidents. Our St. Joseph truck accident attorney has experience handling these kinds of cases and is familiar with all the safety protocols that have been implemented by these agencies.