If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you’re likely going through one of the most difficult times in your life. A Kansas City truck accident lawyer can take on your case and help you pursue compensation.
Truck accidents can leave you feeling powerless. When you go to file a claim, you may find that you’re not just up against a negligent driver but also a large company with deep pockets and aggressive insurance adjusters.
Over the past six years, Foster Wallace has recovered more than $1 billion for clients. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident that wasn’t your fault, a Kansas City budget truck accident lawyer from our team can help you file a claim and pursue damages.
How Can a Truck Accident Lawyer Help?
If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, a truck accident lawyer can provide assistance by doing the following:
- Investigating the accident: A lawyer can work with accident reconstruction experts and gather vital evidence such as truck logs, maintenance records, and surveillance footage.
- Determining liability: An attorney can identify the parties responsible for the accident.
- Communicating with insurance companies: A lawyer can handle negotiations and protect you from unfair settlement offers.
- Pursuing legal action: If necessary, your lawyer can file a lawsuit and represent your interests in court.
A Kansas City personal injury lawyer can handle the legal process and provide peace of mind while you recover from your injuries.
What Types of Damages Can You Recover in a Truck Accident Case?
Victims of truck accidents are entitled to various types of compensation, including:
- Medical expenses: Costs for current and future medical treatment, hospitalization, rehabilitation, surgeries, and prescribed medications
- Lost wages: Compensation for the income you have lost due to being unable to work, as well as any reduction in your future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage: The cost to repair or replace your vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the accident
- Punitive damages: May be awarded in cases involving gross negligence or reckless behavior to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct
A budget truck accident lawyer in Kansas City can calculate your damages to ensure you’re fairly compensated.
Contact our Kansas city personal injury lawyers now.
How Much are Most Truck Accident Settlements?
The value of a truck accident settlement can vary widely based on the circumstances of the crash, the extent of the victim’s injuries, and available insurance coverage. While some cases may settle for tens of thousands, others can result in six- or seven-figure settlements.
A budget truck accident attorney in Kansas City can pursue a fair settlement on your behalf.
What is the Statute of Limitations for a Truck Accident Claim in Missouri?
In Missouri, the statute of limitations for filing a truck accident claim is generally five years from the date of the incident. If you don’t file by this deadline, you could forfeit your right to pursue compensation.
A Kansas City truck accident attorney can make sure you file on time.
Who Can be Held Responsible in a Truck Accident?
Truck accident cases can have multiple liable parties, including:
- Truck driver: The driver may be held liable if their negligence (such as speeding, fatigue, distracted driving, or operating under the influence) directly caused the accident.
- Trucking company: The company may be responsible if it failed to properly train drivers, enforce safety protocols, or perform regular vehicle maintenance.
- Vehicle manufacturer: If a defect in the truck’s design or a faulty part contributed to the crash, the manufacturer could be held accountable.
- Cargo loaders: If the cargo was improperly secured or loaded in a way that affected the truck’s balance and led to the accident, the loading company may share liability.
A truck accident attorney in Kansas City can hold all responsible parties accountable.
How Do Truck Accident Lawsuits Work?
Truck accident lawsuits generally involve the following steps:
- Consultation: You meet with an attorney to go over your case.
- Investigation: Your lawyer gathers evidence and interviews witnesses.
- Demand letter: A demand is sent to the insurance company outlining your injuries and the compensation sought.
- Negotiation: Your lawyer negotiates a settlement on your behalf.
- Filing a lawsuit: If negotiations fail, a formal lawsuit is filed.
- Discovery and trial: Both sides exchange information before trial. If no settlement is reached, your case goes to court.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents can have many different causes, including:
- Driver fatigue: Long hours behind the wheel without adequate rest can lead to slower reaction times and poor decision-making.
- Distracted driving: Truck drivers who use phones, eat, or engage in other activities while driving may fail to notice hazards in time.
- Speeding: Operating a truck at excessive speeds reduces the driver’s ability to react quickly and increases stopping distances, which can lead to accidents.
- Improper loading: When cargo is not properly balanced or secured, it can shift during transit, causing the truck to tip or become difficult to control.
- Mechanical failures: Faulty brakes, worn tires, and other mechanical issues can cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Common Truck Accident Injuries
Due to the size and weight of commercial trucks, the injuries caused by truck accidents are often serious. Some of the most common ones include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Burns and lacerations
- Internal organ damage
- Wrongful death
What Should I Do After a Truck Accident?
If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, it’s critical to take the following steps to protect your well-being and legal rights:
- Call 911: Report the accident to emergency services and request medical assistance for any injured parties.
- Document the scene: Take clear photographs of the vehicles involved, the road conditions, and any visible injuries or property damage.
- Gather information: Collect the other driver’s name, contact details, license plate number, and insurance information.
- Speak to witnesses: Ask for the names and contact information of anyone who saw the accident and may be able to provide a statement.
- Seek medical treatment: Even if your injuries seem minor, be sure to undergo a full evaluation by a medical professional. The documentation of your visit could be critical to your case.
- Avoid talking to insurers: Do not provide a statement or accept a settlement offer from an insurance company without speaking to a lawyer first.
- Contact a lawyer: Reach out to a Kansas City budget truck accident lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your case and begin building your claim.
Contact a Kansas City Budget Truck Accident Attorney Today
Truck accident claims are often complex. If you’re dealing with medical bills, vehicle repairs, and emotional trauma, you may not have the bandwidth to navigate the claims process alone.
At Foster Wallace, we’re dedicated to pursuing the best possible outcome for each of our clients. A Kansas City budget truck accident attorney can explain your options and help you pursue the financial compensation you need.
It may be your injury, but it’s our fight. Schedule a free consultation today to take the first step toward justice.
