Missouri Truck Accident Injury Lawyers

Missouri Truck Accident Injuries

In the United States, commercial truck accidents account for a significant percentage of all traffic and auto accidents. One person is said to die every 16 minutes as a result of a large truck or big rig accident in this country. There are more than 500,000 truck accidents in the United States, a majority of which result in severe injuries especially for the occupants of the passenger vehicle. At least 10 percent of these truck accidents result in death. In the state of Missouri, there were 4,289 fatal and non-fatal truck collisions in 2006, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Large commercial trucks such as big-rigs, semis and tractor-trailers are most often used to transport cargo across the country. These trucks could also be delivery trucks, moving trucks, emergency service vehicles or trucks belonging to government agencies. Large trucks are frequently used to transport goods, and as a result, the number of truck accidents are increasing. Injuries are often catastrophic when it comes to these types of crashes because of the weight and size of the big rigs. Some of them weigh more than 60,000 pounds. The impact of such a vehicle on a smaller passenger vehicle or even a sport utility vehicle or pick up truck can be devastating.

Fires and deaths are common occurrences in truck crashes as are major injuries such as traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord injuries, head injuries and broken bones. A severe truck crash can leave you disabled for a long time, sometimes even for the rest of your life resulting in loss of wages, emotional distress and increasing medical expenses.

Truck accidents can occur because of a variety of reasons, such as truck driver error or negligence; error or negligence on the part of the passenger vehicle driver; mechanical and technical problems that are either inherent or caused by poor vehicle maintenance; weather or freeway conditions; driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs; and fatigue because of driving more hours than allowed by law.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident or if you have lost a loved one in such an accident, you have certain rights by law and may be entitled to compensation, especially if the accident was caused by the negligence of the truck driver. The driver's employer, most often a trucking company, a corporation or agency, may be held financially liable and responsible for injuries, death and loss.

These are complicated cases that require in-depth investigations to determine who was at fault. You need a personal injury attorney who has the legal expertise and experience to help protect your legal rights and get the compensation you deserve and need to pay your medical bills and get back on your feet.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Missouri trucking accident, call the St. Louis truck accident injury attorneys at Page Cagle for your free consultation. We do not charge any fees until our clients have been compensated for their loss. Call us today to discuss your case.