Have you been injured in a collision with a commercial truck? Victims of these situations often don’t know where to turn in the aftermath of such a stressful set of circumstances, but we want you to know that you’re not alone—a truck accident lawyer in Gladstone can help you.
You can trust Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers to represent you as your commercial truck accident lawyer in Gladstone and advocate for your rights as the victim of the crash. It’s your injury, but it’s our fight, and we’ll do everything in our power to protect you.
Our attorneys have recovered over $1 billion in compensation. With more than 45 years of combined experience, we know what it takes to handle commercial truck accident cases. You can count on us to pursue fair compensation on your behalf.
Federal and State Regulations Governing Trucking Operations
Both federal and state rules govern trucking operations. More specifically, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets national standards for driver qualifications, vehicle maintenance, hours-of-service requirements, and cargo securement.
Those federal standards often provide the framework for proving that a commercial operator acted negligently before the crash. At the same time, Missouri statutes and case laws determine procedural rules and damages caps in certain contexts.
They also dictate how comparative fault may apply to your case. Your personal injury lawyer in Gladstone can further explain why the coordination of federal compliance reviews and state-court litigation strategies is important in regard to your car accident case.
Driver Qualification and Hiring Practices
Driver qualification and hiring practices are often central to truck crash litigation in Missouri. Motor carriers are required to verify their driver’s commercial driver’s license (CDL) status, driving record, medical examiner’s certificate, and prior employment information.
Failure to perform reasonable hiring processes or conduct official background checks can form the basis for negligent hiring or retention claims against the employer. Likewise, the following behaviors can be brought into question when proving carrier liability after a crash:
- Inadequate training
- Unrealistic route schedules
- Incentive pay structures that encourage unsafe driving
Contact our Kansas city personal injury lawyers now.
Vehicle Maintenance and Inspection Records
Vehicle maintenance records and inspection histories frequently determine whether a mechanical defect or poor maintenance contributed to a crash.
Truck owners must perform regular inspections and repairs. Otherwise, lapses in scheduled maintenance, ignored out-of-service defects, or falsified inspection logs can demonstrate negligence on the part of the truck owner.
We can hire forensic mechanical professionals who can examine brake systems, steering components, tire quality, and other truck parts. In doing so, they can identify pre-existing failures or inadequate maintenance practices.
Medical and Economic Damages in Truck-Related Collisions
Medical and economic damages in truck collisions are often very impactful. Catastrophic injuries often require long-term medical care, rehabilitation, and assistive devices, not to mention home or vehicle modifications.
These are common injuries sustained by victims of truck crashes:
- Spinal cord damage
- Traumatic brain injury
- Amputations
- Severe burns
Calculating future medical needs and lost earning capacity usually involves the insight of life-care planners, vocational professionals, and experienced economists who can produce projections that juries and insurers evaluate when assessing damages.
Properly calculating future costs, addressing inflation, and accounting for likely medical advances are also other responsibilities carried out by those tasked with handling the valuation process.
Statute of Limitations and Procedural Deadlines
Missouri law sets procedural deadlines that claimants must respect. The general statute of limitations for personal injury claims is five years from the day the accident took place.
In claims involving a government entity, shorter notice periods or special filing requirements may apply. Just keep in mind that failing to take legal action before the statutory deadline expires often results in you forfeiting your legal right to recover compensation altogether.
The sooner you contact commercial truck accident lawyers in Gladstone, the sooner your attorney can start building your case and minimizing your chances of missing deadlines.
Punitive Damages in Truck Accident Cases
Punitive damages are available when a defendant’s conduct is particularly egregious, willful, or fraudulent. In trucking cases, the following forms of evidence of systemic disregard for safety can support punitive damages claims:
- Falsified logs
- Deliberate maintenance avoidance
- Punitive company policies
That said, awards like these require proof, and they are subject to constitutional limits. Your Gladstone commercial truck accident lawyers can look into the possibility of pursuing punitive damages in your case.
Call Now to Talk to a Commercial Truck Accident Attorney in Gladstone
If you or a loved one has been injured in a collision involving a commercial truck, you’re likely under a lot of physical, emotional, and financial stress. While these cases often involve complicated regulations and insurance issues, you don’t have to face them alone.
At the law firm of Foster Wallace, our commercial truck accident lawyers in Gladstone have the experience it takes to handle personal injury claims of this nature. We understand all aspects of these cases, and we will work to hold the responsible parties accountable for hurting you.
We’re here to pursue the compensation you deserve. That way, you can focus on healing from your injuries and recovering from the trauma that you endured. Reach out to us as soon as possible so we can start working on your case right away.
