St. Louis Truck Accident Lawyer

Every day, thousands of commercial trucks drive the major arteries of St. Louis, from the cross-country traffic on I-70 to the regional commerce flowing along I-55 and the I-270 loop. While vital to the economy, these massive vehicles present a significant danger on our roads. When a collision occurs, the outcome for those in passenger vehicles is often catastrophic, resulting in severe injuries and complex legal challenges.

Following a truck accident, victims and their families are thrust into a difficult fight against powerful trucking companies and their insurance carriers, corporations equipped with legal teams dedicated to protecting their profits and minimizing payouts. Successfully holding negligent parties accountable requires a deep understanding of federal transportation regulations, Missouri law, and the sophisticated tactics used to dispute claims.

The attorneys at DM Injury Law represent individuals who have been seriously injured in these devastating crashes. Our firm has the resources, experience, and regional strength—from St. Louis to Kansas and even with a top-rated St. Louis truck accident lawyer on our team—to level the playing field. We manage the legal complexities of your case so you can focus on your recovery. If you were injured in a commercial truck accident, contact our firm for a free, no-obligation consultation to learn about your rights and legal options.

Call (314) 888-4444 or contact us online today for a free consultation.s.

Why Choose DM Injury Law for Your St. Louis Truck Accident Claim

When you’re up against a powerful trucking company and its insurance carrier, you need a law firm with the experience, resources, and determination to level the playing field. At DM Injury Law, we bring big-firm firepower with the personal, compassionate touch you deserve during this difficult time. We are not just lawyers; we are your advocates, your counselors, and your staunchest allies.

Here’s what sets us apart:

• A Proven Track Record of Results: We have successfully recovered millions of dollars in compensation for accident victims and their families. This track record sends a clear message to insurance companies: we are prepared to fight for the maximum value of your claim, and we know how to win.
• Nationally Recognized Trial Attorneys: Our lawyers have been recognized by prestigious organizations like Super Lawyers® and The National Trial Lawyers. This is a testament to our skill in the courtroom and our commitment to our clients. Our reputation for success isn’t limited to Missouri; clients seeking a top Oklahoma City truck accident lawyer or representation in Kansas and Colorado also turn to us because of our extensive resources and powerful advocacy.
• A Large Support Team: Our attorneys and support staff of investigators, case managers, and medical records specialists can help you throughout the entire process of your case.
• No Fee Unless We Win: We operate on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay absolutely nothing upfront. We cover all the costs of investigating and pursuing your case. You only pay a fee if and when we successfully recover compensation for you.

Choosing a lawyer is a critical decision. With DM Injury Law, you are choosing a team that will stand by your side, give you personalized attention, and fight relentlessly to secure the justice and financial stability you need to move forward.

Our Case Results

When you hire our attorneys, you also have the help of our support staff of investigators, case managers, and medical records specialists. We’ll make sure you’re taken care of throughout your case.

Take a look at some successful case results that our commercial semi-truck accident lawyers have handled:

• $11,000,000: Our client’s child was killed in a company truck when the other driver fell asleep at the wheel.
• $1,500,000: Our client’s father was killed by a semi-truck that turned in front of him.
• $1,000,000: Our clients, a family, were seriously injured when a delivery truck hit them.

The Insurance Company Offered Me a Settlement. Should I Take it?

Shortly after a serious truck accident, you will likely receive a phone call from an insurance adjuster representing the trucking company. They may sound friendly, concerned, and eager to help. They might offer you a quick settlement, explaining that it will cover your immediate medical bills and save you the hassle of a lengthy legal process. It can be incredibly tempting to accept, especially when you are worried about mounting expenses.

We strongly advise you not to accept this initial offer.

You must understand the insurance adjuster’s primary role. Despite their friendly demeanor, they are not on your side. Their job is to protect their company’s profits by paying out as little as possible on your claim. The first offer they make is almost always a “lowball” offer, calculated to be a fraction of what your claim is actually worth.

Here’s why accepting a quick settlement is a major risk:

• You Don’t Know the Full Extent of Your Injuries: Many serious injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or internal injuries, may not be fully apparent in the days or even weeks following an accident. If you accept a settlement before your medical condition has stabilized, you will be unable to seek further compensation for future surgeries, long-term physical therapy, or permanent disabilities that arise later.
• The Offer Won’t Cover Future Costs: The initial settlement offer rarely accounts for future lost wages, your diminished earning capacity if you cannot return to your previous job, or the immense physical pain and emotional suffering you will endure.
• You Sign Away Your Rights: Accepting a settlement requires you to sign a release form. This document legally and permanently bars you from ever seeking any more money for this accident, no matter how your condition worsens or what new expenses you face.

Before you speak to an adjuster, sign any paperwork, or provide a recorded statement, please talk to us first. We can handle all communications with the insurance company on your behalf, protecting you from their tactics while we work to build a case that reflects the true and total value of your damages.

Who May Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident

One of the key aspects of a truck accident case is identifying all potentially liable parties. Unlike a simple car accident that may only involve two drivers, a commercial truck crash can involve multiple individuals and corporate entities whose negligence may have contributed to the accident.

Our experienced legal team will conduct a thorough investigation to determine every party that shares fault. This is crucial for maximizing your potential for a full recovery.

Potentially liable parties may include:

• The Truck Driver: The most obvious party is often the driver. We investigate whether they were acting negligently by speeding, driving while fatigued in violation of federal Hours-of-Service rules, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or engaging in distracted driving (texting, etc.).
• The Trucking Company (Motor Carrier): The driver’s employer can be held vicariously liable for the actions of their employee. More importantly, the company can be held directly negligent for its own actions, such as negligent hiring (hiring drivers with poor safety records), inadequate training, failing to properly maintain their fleet of trucks, or creating a company culture that encourages drivers to break safety rules to meet unrealistic deadlines.
• The Cargo Loader/Shipper: If the truck’s cargo was improperly loaded, unbalanced, or not secured correctly, it can shift during transit. This can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle, leading to a jackknife or rollover accident. The company responsible for loading the trailer can be held liable for this negligence.
• The Truck or Parts Manufacturer: Sometimes, the accident isn’t caused by human error but by a mechanical failure. If a critical component like the brakes, tires, steering system, or coupling mechanism was defectively designed or manufactured, the company that made the part or the truck itself can be held liable under product liability laws.
• A Maintenance or Repair Company: Trucking companies often outsource their vehicle maintenance to third-party repair shops. If these mechanics performed shoddy work, used incorrect parts, or failed to identify a dangerous mechanical issue, their negligence could be a direct cause of the crash.

How Our Lawyers Prove Negligence in a Truck Collision Case

Proving negligence in a commercial truck accident case requires a swift, aggressive, and detailed investigation. Evidence can disappear quickly, and trucking companies have rapid-response teams dedicated to controlling the narrative from the moment a crash occurs.

At DM Injury Law, we move immediately to preserve crucial evidence and build a powerful, undeniable case on your behalf. Our process for proving negligence involves:

1. Securing the “Black Box” Data: We immediately send a spoliation letter to the trucking company, demanding they preserve all evidence, most importantly the truck’s Electronic Control Module (ECM) or “black box.” This device records critical data about the truck’s speed, braking, RPMs, and other factors in the moments leading up to the impact.
2. Analyzing Driver Logs and Records: We subpoena the driver’s logbooks (both electronic and paper), which track their driving hours. This helps us determine if they violated federal Hours-of-Service regulations designed to prevent drowsy driving. We also review the driver’s qualification file, employment history, training records, and post-accident drug and alcohol test results.
3. Examining Maintenance and Inspection Records: We demand access to all maintenance, inspection, and repair records for the specific tractor and trailer involved in the crash. This can reveal a history of mechanical problems or a pattern of neglected safety checks by the trucking company.
4. Hiring Accident Reconstruction Experts: We work with leading accident reconstruction specialists. These experts can visit the crash scene, analyze physical evidence like skid marks and vehicle damage, and use the black box data to create a scientific, computer-animated model of how the accident occurred, clearly demonstrating the truck driver’s fault.
5. Interviewing Witnesses and Reviewing Police Reports: We identify and interview any eyewitnesses to the crash, whose testimony can be invaluable. We also obtain and meticulously analyze the official police report for initial findings, diagrams, and citations.
6. Investigating the Trucking Company’s History: We dig into the trucking company’s safety rating with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). A history of safety violations, failed inspections, or previous accidents can establish a pattern of corporate negligence.

By gathering and piecing together this evidence, we build a comprehensive and compelling narrative that leaves no doubt as to who was at fault and why they should be held accountable for the harm they have caused you.

Compensation Available in a St. Louis, Missouri Truck Accident Lawsuit

No amount of money can undo the trauma of a serious truck accident. However, securing a fair and just settlement or verdict is essential for providing you with the financial resources you need to heal, pay your bills, and regain a sense of stability for your family.

Under Missouri law, you are entitled to seek compensation for a wide range of damages. Our attorneys will carefully document every single loss you have suffered to ensure we fight for the maximum compensation possible. These damages are typically categorized as economic and non-economic.

Economic Damages: These are the tangible, verifiable financial losses you have incurred.

• Past and Future Medical Expenses: This includes everything from the initial emergency room visit and ambulance ride to surgeries, hospital stays, doctor’s appointments, prescription medications, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and any necessary long-term care.
• Lost Wages: Compensation for the income you have lost while being unable to work during your recovery.
• Loss of Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or limit your ability to earn a living in the future, you can be compensated for this diminished earning potential.
• Property Damage: The cost to repair or replace your vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the crash.
• Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Costs for things like transportation to medical appointments, home modifications (like a wheelchair ramp), and other expenses related to your injuries.

Non-Economic Damages: These are the intangible, but very real, personal losses you have suffered.

• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain, discomfort, and anguish caused by your injuries.
• Emotional Distress: Damages for the psychological impact of the accident, including anxiety, depression, fear, sleep disturbances, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation for the inability to participate in hobbies, activities, and life experiences that brought you joy before the accident.
• Disfigurement and Scarring: Damages for permanent scars or physical disfigurements that affect your appearance and self-esteem.

In some rare cases of extreme recklessness or intentional misconduct by the defendant, Missouri law also allows for punitive damages, which are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future.

Call (314) 888-4444 or contact us online today for a free consultation.

St. Louis, MO Truck Accident FAQs

After a traumatic event like a truck accident, it’s natural to have a lot of questions. Here are answers to some of the common concerns we hear from our clients.

What if I Was Partially at Fault for The Accident? Can I Still Recover Compensation?

Yes. Missouri follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule. This means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault. However, your total compensation award will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault, your final award would be reduced by 20%. It is the insurance company’s goal to place as much blame on you as possible, which is why having a St. Louis truck accident attorney to defend you is critical.

How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Missouri and Illinois?

The statute of limitations is a legal deadline. It is a state law that sets a time limit on when you can file a lawsuit after suffering an injury.

Missouri

• Truck Accident Claim: According to RSMo § 516.120, you have 5 years to file a truck accident claim in Missouri. 
• Wrongful Death Claim: According to RSMo § 537.080, a family member has 3 years to file a Missouri wrongful death claim.

Illinois

• Truck Accident Claim: According to 735 ILCS 5/13-202, you have 2 years to file a truck accident claim in Illinois.
• Wrongful Death Claim: According to 740 ILCS 180, you have 2 years to file an Illinois wrongful death claim.

While this may seem like a long time, it is crucial to act much sooner. Building a strong case requires preserving evidence that can be lost or destroyed over time. The sooner you contact an attorney, the stronger your case will be.

My Injuries Seemed Minor at First, but Are Getting Worse. Is It Too Late to Do Something?

It is definitely not too late, and this is a very common situation. The adrenaline from a crash can mask pain, and some serious injuries, like whiplash, concussions, or herniated discs, have delayed symptoms.

It is vital that you continue to seek medical treatment to document your worsening condition. This medical record will be key evidence in your case. Contact us immediately to discuss your situation.

Contact Our Trusted St. Louis Truck Accident Lawyers Today

If you suffered injuries in a truck accident, you don’t have to be intimidated by big trucking corporations and their insurance carriers. Put a big-time law firm on your side. Let the experienced and compassionate St. Louis truck accident attorneys at DM Injury Law take over the fight for you.

When you trust us with your case, we will:

• Handle all communication with insurance companies so you can focus on your health.
• Launch an immediate and thorough investigation into your accident.
• Bring in world-class experts to prove liability and document your damages.
• Negotiate aggressively for a full and fair settlement.
• Prepare to take your case to trial if the insurance company refuses to do what is right.

Your road to recovery starts with a single phone call. Contact our St. Louis office today for a 100% free and confidential consultation to learn how we can help.

Call our St. Louis office now at (314) 888-4444 or visit our Contact Us page to send us a message online. There is no cost and no obligation, only answers.

Call (314) 888-4444 or contact us online today for a free consultation.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own facts.