Truck accidents can cause devastating injuries that change lives in an instant. As a Truck Accident Lawyer in Belton, we’ve represented clients who suffered severe harm in collisions involving 18-wheelers, delivery vehicles, and commercial fleets.
Truck crashes often involve a combination of complex liability issues, powerful insurance companies, and serious medical consequences. These elements make experienced legal representation essential.
At Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers, we’re proud to serve the people of Missouri with over 45 years of combined legal experience. Our firm has recovered more than $1 billion in settlements, jury awards, and judgments. As a Belton personal injury lawyer, we know how to hold commercial carriers and negligent drivers accountable when their actions put others at risk.
What Makes Truck Accidents More Complicated?
Truck crashes differ from other vehicle accidents in several key ways. These vehicles are larger, heavier, and subject to more regulations. When a commercial truck collides with a car, the damage can be catastrophic, resulting in serious injuries or fatalities. In addition to the physical damage, there are legal complications. Multiple parties may be responsible, including:
- Truck drivers: Fatigued driving, distracted driving, or speeding can all lead to serious crashes.
- Trucking companies: Employers may be liable for unsafe hiring practices, poor training, or pressuring drivers to violate hours-of-service rules.
- Maintenance providers: Neglected brake systems, tires, or engines can lead to preventable accidents.
- Manufacturers: Defective truck parts or components may be partially to blame.
Our role is to untangle these layers of responsibility and determine exactly who should be held accountable. We investigate thoroughly and pursue every possible avenue for recovery.
Additionally, we understand how state and federal trucking regulations impact these cases. When a company violates FMCSA safety rules, fails inspections, or knowingly allows unfit drivers on the road, we use those violations as leverage during negotiations or in court. Every detail matters, and we leave nothing unchecked.
Common Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents
Understanding what caused a crash is critical to building a strong case. Based on the truck accident claims we’ve handled in Belton and throughout Missouri, some of the most common contributing factors include:
- Driver fatigue: Long hours on the road without adequate rest can impair judgment and reaction time.
- Improper loading: Overloaded or unbalanced trailers may cause a truck to tip or swerve.
- Distracted driving: Mobile devices and GPS systems can take a driver’s focus off the road.
- Speeding and aggressive driving: Commercial vehicles take longer to stop and are harder to control at high speeds.
- Mechanical failure: Worn brakes, bald tires, or failed steering systems may indicate negligence in upkeep.
As your Belton truck accident attorney, we gather logbooks, GPS data, dashcam footage, black box records, and other key evidence to support your claim. Our team works with accident reconstruction experts and medical professionals to document the full extent of your injuries and the impact on your life.
We’ve also seen cases where trucking companies attempt to shift blame onto injured drivers or minimize fault by citing poor weather or road conditions. We counter those tactics with facts, expert testimony, and a detailed timeline of events.
Contact our Kansas city personal injury lawyers now.
How We Fight for Full Compensation
After a serious truck accident, medical bills can mount quickly, and you may be unable to work or care for your family. We make sure the value of your claim reflects all current and future losses, including:
- Emergency care and hospitalization
- Ongoing treatment and physical therapy
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life
We know that trucking companies and their insurers are focused on minimizing payouts. That’s why we build each case as if it’s going to trial, even if it settles out of court. Our preparation and persistence give our clients a stronger negotiating position from day one.
In especially serious cases, we may also pursue punitive damages. These are awarded when a trucking company or driver acted with gross negligence or willful disregard for safety. For example, these damages may be used when a driver was intoxicated or falsified logbook entries to hide illegal driving hours.
Why It’s Important to Act Quickly
Time is critical in a truck accident case. Evidence such as skid marks, debris, and vehicle damage can disappear fast. In addition, trucking companies often control key data like driver logs and maintenance records, and they may not preserve it unless they’re legally required to do so.
We act quickly to send preservation letters, conduct investigations, and secure records before they’re lost. In Missouri, you typically have five years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim, but the sooner we get involved, the better your chances of success.
We also advise clients not to speak with the trucking company’s insurance representatives before consulting with us. Their goal is to gather information that can be used to reduce your claim. Our team handles all communication so that your rights are protected from the very beginning.
How Our Belton Truck Accident Law Firm Supports You
We know how stressful it is to face a long recovery while dealing with insurance companies, paperwork, and uncertainty. Our truck accident law firm in Belton takes that burden off your shoulders so you can focus on healing. From the moment you contact us, we provide clear communication, honest guidance, and personalized representation.
At Foster Wallace, we don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we tailor every strategy to your specific case and goals. Whether that means pursuing a fast resolution or preparing for court, we’re ready to stand by you through every phase of the process.
We’ve built our reputation on results, transparency, and client service. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a commercial vehicle accident, we’re here to help you pursue the recovery you deserve—and make sure the people responsible are held accountable. It’s your injury, but it’s our fight.
