Were you or someone you love hurt in a crash with a semi truck? The aftermath of a collision like this can result in life-changing injuries and overwhelming consequences, not only physically and mentally but also financially. However, you don’t have to face this newfound reality all alone.
Instead, reach out to a Kansas City truck accident lawyer from Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers. We have 45 years of combined experience, and our attorneys have recovered more than $1 billion in compensation for our clients.
As your semi truck accident lawyer in Kansas City, you can rely on us to help you understand your legal options. With us by your side, you will never be on your own because we will stand by you and advocate for your rights at all times.
Common Causes of Semi Truck Accidents
When your semi truck accident lawyer looks into the details of your case, they will want to figure out what caused the collision that left you injured.
Here’s what your Kansas City personal injury lawyer will consider as potential causes of the crash:
- Driver fatigue: Truck drivers often work long hours, leading to fatigue, which can impair reaction times and decision-making abilities.
- Speeding: Due to tight delivery schedules, some truck drivers may exceed speed limits, reducing their ability to stop in time to avoid collisions.
- Improper loading: Overloaded or improperly balanced cargo can affect a truck’s stability, making it more prone to tipping or losing control.
- Poor maintenance: Neglecting regular maintenance checks can lead to mechanical failures, such as brake malfunctions, which can cause accidents.
- Distracted driving: Use of mobile phones or other distractions can divert a driver’s attention from the road, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Weather conditions: Adverse weather conditions, like rain or fog, can reduce visibility and road traction, making driving hazardous.
Legal Framework in Missouri
Missouri operates under a comparative fault system. This means that if you are involved in an accident and found partially at fault, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault. For instance, if you’re awarded $100,000 but found 20% at fault, you’ll receive $80,000.
It’s essential to understand this system, as insurance companies may attempt to shift blame to reduce their payout. Additionally, Missouri has a five-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims.
This means you have five years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Failing to do so within this timeframe can result in losing your right to seek compensation.
Contact our Kansas city personal injury lawyers now.
Parties That May Be Held Liable
Determining liability in a semi truck accident can be complex due to the multiple parties involved:
- Truck driver: If the driver was negligent, such as driving under the influence or violating traffic laws, they may be held responsible.
- Trucking company: Employers can be held liable for their employees’ actions under the doctrine of “respondeat superior.” If the company failed to ensure proper training or maintenance, it might share liability.
- Cargo loaders: If the cargo was improperly loaded, leading to an imbalance or spillage, the company responsible for loading may be at fault.
- Vehicle manufacturers: Defective parts or mechanical failures due to manufacturing defects can lead to accidents, making the manufacturer liable.
- Maintenance contractors: If a third-party company was responsible for maintaining the truck and failed to do so adequately, they might be held accountable.
Potential Compensation
Victims of semi truck incidents often face devastating financial, physical, and emotional consequences. Depending on the circumstances of the crash, injured parties—as well as their families—might be entitled to recover a wide range of damages.
Compensation in these cases is designed not only to cover measurable financial losses but also to address the lasting impact an accident can have on a person’s life. Let’s take a look at examples of potential avenues of compensation for the victim of the crash:
Medical Expenses
Truck accidents frequently cause catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, or internal trauma.
Compensation may cover emergency room care, hospital stays, surgeries, prescription medications, physical therapy, and ongoing rehabilitation.
In cases of long-term or permanent disability, victims may also be entitled to future medical costs, including assistive devices, in-home care, or long-term treatment plans.
Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity
When injuries prevent victims from working, they may be compensated for the income they missed during their recovery.
For those whose injuries cause permanent limitations, compensation may also include loss of earning capacity, reflecting the diminished ability to pursue their career, advance professionally, or return to their previous line of work.
Pain and Suffering
Beyond the tangible expenses, truck accident victims endure a lot of physical pain and emotional suffering. Compensation may account for chronic pain, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sleep disturbances, and reduced quality of life.
These damages recognize the human toll an accident takes, which cannot be measured strictly in financial terms.
Property Damage
The force of a collision with a semi-truck often leaves passenger vehicles severely damaged or destroyed. Victims may be reimbursed for the cost of repairs or, if the vehicle is totaled, for its fair market replacement value.
Compensation can also extend to damaged personal property inside the vehicle, such as electronics, child safety seats, or other belongings.
Loss of Consortium
Serious injuries often affect not only the victim but also their loved ones. Loss of consortium damages may be available to compensate spouses or family members for the loss of companionship, support, affection, or intimacy caused by the accident.
Wrongful Death Damages
In tragic cases where a semi-truck crash results in a fatality, surviving family members may pursue compensation through a wrongful death claim. Recoverable damages may include funeral and burial costs, loss of financial support, and the profound emotional suffering that comes with the loss of a loved one.
Contact Our Kansas City Semi Truck Accident Law Firm ASAP
If you’ve been involved in a semi-truck accident in Kansas City, the injuries and financial stress can be overwhelming. You don’t have to face this situation alone—experienced legal support is available.
Our Kansas City attorneys are prepared to fight for your rights and seek the compensation you deserve for your injuries, lost income, and other damages.
Reach out to our office today. We can start building your case immediately and help ensure that those responsible for your accident are held accountable.
