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A Truck Accident Lawyer And Missouri Truck Safety Laws
A truck accident lawyer handles cases involving large trucks, buses, and commercial vehicles. Establishing who is at fault in a truck accident case is essential to a successful resolution of an injury claim. The stakes are high for trucking companies and the insurance companies who may be found liable in a lawsuit.
For someone who has been injured in a truck accident, an experienced truck accident lawyer who understands Missouri truck safety laws and regulations can devise a sound legal strategy for an injury claim. Speaking with a knowledgeable attorney as soon as possible is imperative, in order to preserve the right to file a claim for compensation.
Truck Accident Lawyer: Causes of Truck Accidents
Trucking accident cases are handled differently than ordinary car accident cases. Because of the large size and heavy weight of trucks, they are typically worse, resulting in thousands of fatalities each year.
Common causes of truck accidents are distracted driving, failure to yield, driving under the influence, bad road conditions, driver fatigue, and mechanical failure. However, most fatal truck accidents in Missouri are caused by truck drivers exceeding the speed limits.
Truck Accident Lawyer: Who Is At Fault?
An important first step in representing a truck accident case is to determine who is at fault. This may include the driver, the trucking company, the truck manufacturer, the loading and shipping company or the company that performed maintenance on the tractor and/or the trailer.
Causes of truck accidents are not always obvious and can present challenges when determining who was at fault. A truck accident lawyer understands the common reasons for trucking accidents, and the relationships among everyone who is connected – the driver or truck owner, manufacturer, insurance companies – and can help to determine if there is a valid claim and how to present the case.
Truck Accident Lawyer: Truck Safety Laws and Requirements
State, federal and local truck safety laws are designed to prevent accidents on the roads and highways and apply to trucking companies, truck owners and drivers. For example, drivers are required to obtain special licenses, comply with hourly driving limits, and take regular breaks. In addition, they may be required to keep a daily log of hours driven, dates and times of deliveries, maintenance and repairs, and mileage. Routine inspections are required to ensure trucks are operating properly. Further, trucking companies involved in interstate commerce carry specific insurance requirements when trucks cross state lines.
Truck Accident Lawyer: Comparative Negligence
In Missouri, Comparative Negligence law affects the amount of compensation an injured party can recover in a lawsuit. Proving negligence considers the following points of law: (1) the driver is legally required to be reasonably careful in the particular situation; (2) the driver was not reasonably careful; and (3) the driver’s conduct caused actual injury or damage to someone.
Drivers and trucking companies that are found to be in violation of Missouri’s truck safety laws can be held liable for accidents that lead to injuries or fatalities.
Truck Accident Lawyer: Investigation
An experienced truck accident lawyer will conduct an independent accident scene investigation. The lawyer must act quickly in order to preserve and secure all the evidence, such as truck driver’s logbooks, employment file, maintenance records, and other relevant information that is vital to your truck accident case. In addition, a truck accident lawyer will secure witnesses, take photographs and thoroughly investigate all the aspects of the case in order to prepare the best defense.
Truck Accident Lawyer: Act Quickly!
Speaking with a lawyer as soon as possible after an accident is imperative. You may be entitled to receive the compensation you deserve for pain and suffering, medical costs, lost wages, and property damage. You need a lawyer who is knowledgeable about how trucking accident cases work.
Truck Accident Lawyer: Noland Law Firm
Our firm is dedicated to protecting the rights of truck accident victims in Kansas City, Blue Springs, Gladstone, Independence, Liberty, Clay County, and throughout the greater Kansas City area. We have over 45 years of combined experience in obtaining meaningful compensation for those who were injured by negligent commercial truck companies and drivers.