A commercial truck accident can cause devastating injuries and costly property damage. If you’ve been on the wrong end of one, a Blue Springs truck accident lawyer can help you pursue damages.
A truck accident can leave you facing prohibitive medical bills and a long recovery. Worse, trucking companies and their insurers go to great lengths to minimize payouts to accident victims. But you don’t have to pursue justice on your own.
The attorneys at Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers have recovered more than $1 billion for our clients. If you’ve been injured in a crash, a commercial truck accident lawyer in Blue Springs can help you secure the compensation you’re entitled to.
Why Do I Need a Blue Springs Commercial Truck Accident Lawyer?
A truck accident lawyer doesn’t just provide legal advice—they take on the heavy lifting so you can focus on your recovery. More specifically, an attorney can:
- Investigate the crash: A lawyer can gather police reports, black box data, driver logs, and witness statements to build a strong case.
- Calculate damages: A lawyer can assess your case and identify all of the damages you’re eligible for.
- Handle insurance companies: An attorney can manage all communications with insurers and push back against lowball settlement offers.
- Provide representation: If a fair settlement can’t be agreed upon, a lawyer can take your case to court and fight for a fair outcome.
A Blue Springs personal injury lawyer can ensure you don’t have to go up against powerful trucking companies and insurers on your own.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?
Most commercial truck accident attorneys, including those at Foster Wallace, work on a contingency fee basis. This means:
- No upfront costs: You don’t pay anything out of pocket to hire your lawyer.
- Only pay if you win: Your attorney’s fee will be an agreed-upon percentage of your settlement or court award.
- Free consultations: You can schedule an initial meeting with your attorney at no charge to go over your case.
Contact our Kansas city personal injury lawyers now.
Types of Damages Available
Some of the damages that are available in a truck accident case include:
- Medical expenses: You can seek compensation for hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical treatment.
- Lost income: You can recover the wages you would’ve earned while injured and future earnings if you cannot return to work.
- Pain and suffering: You can pursue damages for the physical pain and emotional trauma caused by the accident.
- Property damage: You can recover the costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle and other personal property.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: You can pursue damages if your injuries prevent you from living the life you once had.
- Punitive damages: In cases of reckless or intentional misconduct, you can be awarded damages meant to punish the wrongdoer.
A commercial truck accident attorney in Blue Springs can make sure your settlement accounts for all of your losses.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Filing a Commercial Truck Accident Lawsuit in Missouri?
According to Section 516.120 of Missouri law, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is five years from the date of the incident. If you don’t file your truck accident claim before this deadline, you may lose your right to pursue compensation.
Waiting too long to file your claim can be risky. Evidence like black box data and driver logs can disappear, and witnesses’ memories of the incident may erode. Contacting a lawyer soon after the accident will give you the best odds of success.
Who Pays for a Commercial Truck Accident?
Determining liability for a commercial truck accident can be challenging. Potential defendants in a truck accident case include:
- The truck driver, if they were negligent, fatigued, distracted, or impaired
- The trucking company, if it failed to enforce safety regulations or pressured drivers to meet unrealistic schedules
- Cargo loaders, if improperly loaded freight caused the crash
- Manufacturers, if a defective truck part contributed to the accident
A Blue Springs personal injury attorney can ensure the parties responsible for your injuries are held accountable.
How Long Does a Commercial Truck Settlement Take?
The time it takes to settle a truck accident varies from case to case. Some cases conclude in a matter of months, while others take years. Factors that can affect a case’s timeline include:
- Severity of injuries: Lawyers typically wait until you’ve reached maximum medical improvement before calculating damages.
- Disputes over liability: If fault is contested, the case may drag on longer.
- Insurance company tactics: Insurers often delay settlements to pressure victims into accepting less.
- Court schedules: If your case goes to trial, court availability will affect its timeline.
A lawyer can push for the fastest and fairest resolution possible without compromising your claim.
Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents
Some of the most common causes of commercial truck accidents are:
- Driver fatigue
- Distracted driving
- Speeding or reckless driving
- Overloaded or improperly secured cargo
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Defective truck parts
- Driving under the influence
Steps to Take After a Commercial Truck Accident
The steps you take immediately after a truck accident can have a significant impact on your case. Here’s what you should do:
- Call 911: Notify the authorities and file a report.
- Collect evidence at the scene: Take photos and videos of vehicles, road conditions, and injuries.
- Get witness information: Gather the names and contact details of anyone who saw the crash.
- Seek medical attention: Even if your injuries seem minor, it’s important to visit a physician to document them.
- Avoid admitting fault: Do not apologize or make any statements to the trucking company’s insurer that could be construed as an admission of guilt.
- Contact a lawyer: Reach out to a commercial truck accident lawyer to discuss your case.
Contact a Commercial Truck Accident Attorney in Blue Springs
If you’ve been involved in a commercial truck accident, you don’t have to take on the insurance company alone. A Blue Springs commercial truck accident attorney from Foster Wallace can investigate the crash and negotiate with insurers to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Schedule a free consultation to start building your case today.
