Why Truck Accident Claims Are Different?
If an 18-wheeler, semi-truck, or commercial vehicle hit you in St. Louis, you’re dealing with something far more complex than a typical car crash. Trucking companies have legal teams working immediately to protect themselves. Mutrux Firm moves just as fast, preserving black box data, identifying every liable party, and building the strongest possible case for maximum compensation. No fees unless we win.
Trucking accidents often result in some of the most severe injuries. Whether the crash involves a commercial truck or an 18-wheeler, victims of such serious accidents are entitled to seek compensation. To increase the chances of a successful claim, it’s crucial to consult an injury attorney. Learn how a St. Louis truck accident lawyer can help you after one of the most dangerous crashes on Missouri roads.
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How to Build a Strong Truck Accident Case?
Building your St. Louis truck accident lawsuit isn’t just paperwork – it’s about piecing together your story. From police reports and medical records to witness statements, every detail matters. Proving who’s at fault and calculating damages like lost wages, medical bills, and pain isn’t easy, but the right lawyer makes the process smoother and far less stressful.
When a massive truck collides with a smaller vehicle, the outcome can be life-changing. Truck accidents in St. Louis often lead to severe injuries, emotional trauma, or even wrongful death. So, what damages can you pursue with the help of a dedicated truck accident lawyer?
Medical expenses (past and future)
Ongoing medical care and rehabilitation
Wrongful death claims for grieving families
Vehicle and property damage
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress and trauma
If you’re picking up the pieces after a commercial truck accident in St. Louis, you shouldn’t face it alone. If a bobtailing truck hit you, our commercial truck accident lawyer explains why empty trucks are more dangerous than loaded ones.
Award-Winning Truck Accident Lawyer Recognized for Excellence
Tyson Mutrux has recovered millions for personal injury victims across Columbia, St. Louis, and throughout Missouri and Illinois. With an office right here in Columbia, he handles car crashes, truck accidents, slip and falls, wrongful death, and more for Boone County residents and surrounding communities. Licensed in Missouri, Illinois, and U.S. Federal Courts, he has been named Best Injury Attorney in Columbia (2025) – Inside Columbia Magazine, Recognized under Top 10 Car Accident Lawyers in Columbia (2024) – Trust Analytica, Best Car Accident Lawyer in Columbia (2023) – Expertise.com and holds a Superb 10/10 Avvo rating. Before founding Mutrux Firm, Tyson worked for State Farm Insurance as a claims representative, giving him firsthand knowledge of how insurance companies minimize claims and how to fight back.
Why Hiring a Truck Accident Lawyer Makes a Difference?
A collision with a semi-truck is not just a big car accident, it’s a complex legal battle involving federal trucking regulations, multiple liable parties, and insurance companies with teams of lawyers already working against you.
Unlike a standard car crash, a truck accident case can involve the driver, the trucking company, the cargo loaders, the maintenance crew, and even the vehicle manufacturer, all at once. Understanding multi-vehicle truck crash liability in Missouri is critical when more than one party may owe you compensation, and identifying every responsible party from the start is what separates a good settlement from a great one.
At Mutrux Firm, we move immediately after a truck crash, preserving black box data, analyzing driver logs, reviewing Hours of Service records, and building the strongest possible case before evidence disappears. No fees unless we win.
What To Do After a Truck Accident in St. Louis?
The steps you take in the first days after a crash with a semi or other commercial truck can protect both your health and your claim. Trucking companies and their insurers often start investigating right away, so it helps to move quickly too.
At the Scene
- 01
Call 911. Ask for police and medical help. In St. Louis City, St. Louis County, or on interstates like I-70, I-44, I-55, and I-64, the responding agency may be a local department or the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
- 02
Get medical care. Some injuries, including brain and spinal injuries, may not show symptoms right away.
- 03
Document what you can. If you are able, photograph the vehicles, the truck's DOT number and company name, skid marks, road conditions, and your injuries.
- 04
Collect names. Get the truck driver's name, the carrier's name, insurance information, and contact details for witnesses.
In the Days After
- 05
Follow your treatment plan and keep every bill, record, and receipt.
- 06
Request the crash report from the agency that responded.
- 07
Be careful with insurance calls. You do not have to give a recorded statement to the trucking company's insurer.
- 08
Stay off social media about the crash and your injuries.
- 09
Talk to a lawyer early so a preservation letter can go out before electronic data and records are lost.
Don't settle for less
The first offer is where insurers start. It is not where we finish.
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The insurer opened at $65,000 and later called $101,000 its top offer. Working closely with our client, we proved significant lost wages and settled for $400,000.
Figures are actual recoveries. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Who Is Liable For a Truck Accident?
Most people assume the truck driver is the only one responsible after a crash. The reality is far more complex and far more valuable to your case. When safety technology fails, speeding is involved, or cargo shifts unexpectedly, a truck accident attorney in St. Louis can help determine who is truly liable under Missouri law, and it's often more than one party.
Establishing Liability: The Four Things We Must Prove
Every truck accident claim in Missouri is built on four legal pillars:
- A duty of care was owed to you
- That duty was breached through negligence
- The breach directly caused your injury or death
- You suffered real, documented damages as a result
Proving all four against a trucking company with its own legal team is exactly why having dedicated legal representation matters from day one.
The Trucking Company's Responsibility
Under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, a trucking company is directly accountable for its driver's negligence. Beyond that, federal law requires trucking companies to maintain strict safety standards, including:
- Proper hiring and screening of drivers
- Thorough and ongoing driver training
- Adherence to federal weight limits
- Regular vehicle inspections and maintenance logs
When a company cuts corners on any of these, and many do, that failure becomes evidence in your case.
Hours of Service Violations: A Major Red Flag
Federal Hours of Service (HOS) laws set strict limits to prevent driver fatigue.
When drivers or companies falsify logs to push past these limits, fatigue becomes negligence and negligence becomes liability. Mutrux Firm Injury Lawyers requests driver logs and black box data immediately after a crash, before they can be altered or destroyed.
Other Parties Who May Owe You Compensation
Liability in a truck accident rarely stops at the driver. Depending on the circumstances, the following parties may also be held responsible:
The freight-loading company
If improperly secured cargo caused or worsened the crash.
The truck manufacturer
If a defective part such as faulty brakes or steering contributed.
The maintenance contractor
If a missed inspection or repair failure played a role.
How Mutrux Firm Builds Your Case?
From the moment you call us, we move fast:
Preserve black box data before it can be overwritten.
Secure driver logs to check for Hours of Service violations.
Request inspection and maintenance records from the trucking company.
Interview witnesses while their memories are still fresh.
Identify every liable party before the insurer builds its defense.
Our goal is simple: maximum compensation for every injury, loss, and hardship you've suffered.
See how Mutrux Firm identifies all responsible parties — read our guide to who is liable in a St. Louis truck accident.
Common Truck Accident Injury Types
Traumatic brain & head injuries
From a seemingly minor concussion to severe trauma, a brain injury can have lasting effects on memory, cognitive function, and your quality of life. These cases require a deep understanding of the long-term challenges victims face.
Spinal cord injuries
An injury to the spinal cord is life-altering, often resulting in paralysis, loss of sensation, and the need for lifelong medical care. We fight to secure the resources your family needs to adapt and move forward with stability.
Whiplash & neck injuries
Often dismissed by insurance companies, a serious neck or whiplash injury can cause chronic pain and mobility issues. We work to prove their full, long-term impact on your daily life.
Broken bones & fractures
A severe fracture is more than a temporary inconvenience. It can require surgery with plates and screws, extensive rehabilitation, and may lead to a permanent reduction in function or lasting pain.
Internal injuries
The damage from an accident is not always visible. Internal injuries, such as organ damage or internal bleeding, are medical emergencies with long and complicated recovery periods that demand immediate attention.
Severe burns & lacerations
Beyond the initial pain, serious burns and cuts can result in permanent scarring, infections, and significant emotional distress. Reconstructive surgeries and ongoing wound care are often necessary.
How a Commercial Truck Accident Lawyer Can Strengthen Your Accident Claim?
A semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. When one collides with a passenger vehicle, the damage isn’t just physical — it’s financial, emotional, and life-altering. Commercial truck crashes routinely result in catastrophic injuries, total vehicle losses, and legal battles that can drag on for months against well-funded corporate defendants.
When the trucking company denies fault and they almost always do, our commercial truck crash lawyer explains how liability extends far beyond the driver, and how we pursue every responsible party to maximize your recovery.
How Much Will My Truck Accident Claim Settle For?
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Truck Accident Attorney?
Mutrux Firm Injury Lawyers handles truck accident cases on a contingency fee. There is no upfront fee and no hourly billing. No fee unless we win.
How the Contingency Fee Works
- Our fee is a percentage of the money we recover for you through a settlement or verdict.
- The percentage is agreed in writing before we start, so you know the terms up front.
- If we do not recover compensation, you do not owe us a fee.
Case Costs
Truck cases often need more investigation than car cases. Costs can include crash reconstruction, downloading electronic data from the truck, medical records, expert reviews, depositions, and court filing fees. We explain how case costs are handled, and how they are paid out of a recovery, in your written agreement before you sign. If you have questions about a cost at any point, ask us.
What Are Some Common Causes of Truck Accidents?
Truck accidents can be caused by a number of different factors. Some of the most common include the following:
Impairment by alcohol or drugs can severely reduce a driver’s awareness of their surroundings, often leading to catastrophic accidents.
Speeding leads to many truck accidents because it can cause drivers to lose control and significantly reduce their reaction time in emergencies.
Truck drivers must adhere to regulations that limit their work hours to prevent fatigue-related accidents.
In adverse weather conditions, the truck driver might have reduced visibility, or loose traction on the slick roadway, causing an accident to occur.
If a truck driver does not receive adequate training, they could make a careless mistake that could have been addressed had the driver received the hands-on training needed for the job.
In some cases, the manufacturer of the truck involved in the accident could be held liable for faulty components or maintenance issues that could have led to the accident.
No matter what caused the crash, a Columbia truck accident lawyer at Mutrux Firm Injury Lawyers is ready to guide you through the claims process and fight for the compensation you deserve.
What Factors Can Maximize Your Truck Accident Settlement?
Let's be honest, when an 80,000-pound semi-truck collides with your vehicle, there's nothing "minor" about it. But when it comes to truck accident settlements, some factors can send your case value soaring faster than a fully loaded rig on I-70. Here's what really drives those big numbers:
The more serious the injuries, the higher the settlement
Catastrophic injuries like spinal damage, brain trauma, or wrongful death push settlements into six or seven figures. Long-term disabilities mean life-changing compensation.
Medical bills that could rival a mortgage
Surgeries, rehab, and lifelong care add up fast. Home modifications and in-home nursing are factored into your compensation too.
Pain, suffering, and the invisible damage
Missouri law allows compensation for emotional distress, PTSD, anxiety, and loss of enjoyment of life, not just medical bills.
Multiple parties = bigger payout potential
Truck crashes often involve the driver, trucking company, cargo loaders, and manufacturers, each with their own high-limit insurance policy.
Safety violations and negligence that can boost your case
Ignored regulations, skipped maintenance, or falsified logbooks raise settlement values fast, and may qualify you for punitive damages.
Strong evidence builds strong negotiations
Police reports, dashcam footage, black box data, and witness statements are your leverage. The stronger your hand, the faster the other side folds.
Minimizing your share of the blame
Missouri's pure comparative fault rule reduces your settlement by your percentage of fault. We work to keep that share as low as possible.
Final takeaway
Settlements climb highest when injuries are severe, multiple parties are liable, and safety rules were broken. Mutrux Firm Injury Lawyers fights for every dollar you deserve.
How Truck Drivers Can Prevent Bad Weather-Related Accidents?
Preventing Weather-Related Crashes
Most weather-related crashes can be avoided. The safest option is to stay off the road during hazardous conditions. If driving is necessary, reduce speed significantly to lower the risk of a crash. In areas with severe weather, using snow tires, installing chains, and keeping headlights on improves safety.
Truck drivers who feel their vehicle hydroplaning, skidding, or sliding should pull over and wait for better conditions before continuing.
How Truck Blind Spots and Dangerous Conditions Cause Serious Accidents?
Large commercial trucks have four significant blind spots, directly in front of the cab, directly behind the trailer, and along both sides. When a truck driver fails to check these zones before changing lanes or turning, the results can be catastrophic for anyone in that space.
Common Injuries and Damages in a Blind Spot Truck Accident
The force of an 80,000-pound truck striking a passenger vehicle from the side is devastating. Common damages include:
- Side-impact and structural damage to vehicles
- Broken mirrors on both the truck and surrounding cars
- Damage to guardrails, bridges, and road medians
Beyond property damage, victims frequently suffer life-altering injuries. A sudden side impact can cause traumatic brain injuries, severe neck and spinal injuries from the violent whipping motion, and internal injuries that aren’t immediately visible. These injuries often require months or years of ongoing medical treatment costs that your claim should fully account for.
See what NHTSA data reveals and how a truck crash lawyer in Missouri uses federal safety reports to build stronger cases for victims.
Jackknife Accidents, When a Truck Becomes a 70-Foot Barrier
A jackknife occurs when a truck’s cab and trailer fold inward at the hitch point, swinging the trailer violently across lanes. These accidents are among the most dangerous on Missouri highways and in most cases, they are preventable.
Truck drivers are required to adjust their speed for road conditions, particularly when moisture or ice reduces traction. A driver who fails to slow down on a wet I-70 or icy I-64 isn’t just making a mistake, they’re breaching their duty of care.
The rare exception is a truly unforeseeable jackknife. In practice, these are uncommon. Most jackknife accidents trace back to one of two causes: driver error or equipment failure, both of which create legal liability.
Regular mechanical checks, particularly monitoring defective tires and wheels, are one of the most effective ways to prevent jackknifing. When a trucking company skips these checks and a crash results, that failure is evidence of negligence.
Overloaded and Overweight Trucks – A Hidden Danger on Missouri Roads
Federal and Missouri law set strict limits on how much a commercial truck can weigh and for good reason. An overloaded truck takes longer to stop, is harder to control in emergencies, and puts enormous stress on tires and brakes that can lead to sudden failures.
Under Missouri and federal regulations, a truck is considered overweight if its gross vehicle weight exceeds 80,000 pounds. Additional axle limits apply:
- Interstate system: No more than 20,000 pounds per axle
- Missouri highways: No more than 22,000 pounds per axle
- Commercial zones (per Section 304.190): No more than 22,400 pounds per axle
The manufacturer’s weight rating for the steering axle and tires must also never be exceeded, a detail trucking companies sometimes ignore under pressure to move freight faster.
The Scale of the Problem
Each year, over 208 million trucks pass through weigh stations across the U.S. Despite strict enforcement, tens of thousands are found to be operating over the legal weight limit. An overweight truck doesn’t just endanger other drivers, it accelerates the destruction of Missouri’s roads and bridges, creating secondary hazards for everyone.
Missouri Statute Section 304.200 does allow permits for non-divisible oversized loads, but those permits come with strict movement restrictions, including a prohibition on travel during major holidays such as Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
If an overloaded truck caused your crash, that weight violation is powerful evidence of negligence. Mutrux Firm Injury Lawyers knows how to obtain weigh records, inspection logs, and cargo manifests to prove it.
Statute of Limitations for Truck Accidents in Missouri
Missouri Statute of Limitations for Truck Accidents
In Missouri, you generally have five years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit (RSMo 516.120). If a truck accident caused a death, the family generally has three years to file a wrongful death claim (RSMo 537.100). These are general rules. Different deadlines can apply in some situations, such as claims against government entities, claims involving minors, or crashes that happened in Illinois, which has its own shorter deadlines. If you miss the deadline that applies to you, you can lose the right to recover. Waiting is risky even when the deadline is years away. Trucking companies are not required to keep some electronic data and records forever, witnesses become harder to find, and vehicles get repaired or scrapped. We recommend contacting a Missouri truck accident lawyer as early as possible so evidence can be preserved.(888) 550-4026
What to Expect from Insurance Adjusters After a St. Louis Truck Accident?
The moment a commercial truck crash happens in Missouri or Illinois, the trucking company's insurance team is already mobilizing. Their goal is not to help you, it's to pay as little as possible, as fast as possible, before you fully understand what your case is worth.
A St. Louis truck accident lawyer knows exactly how this process works and how to counter it.
What Insurance Adjusters Are Really Looking At?
When a commercial truck accident adjuster evaluates your claim, they are building a case against you while appearing to help. The factors they examine include:
CDL licensing status
Whether the driver held a valid commercial driver's license at the time of the crash.
Fault determination
Who is legally responsible for the crash, and to what degree.
Cause of the accident
Driver error, weather, road hazards, or equipment failure.
Mechanical defects
Any truck malfunction that may shift liability toward the manufacturer.
Cargo contents
Particularly if hazardous materials were involved, which triggers additional federal regulations.
Regulatory compliance
Whether the driver and company followed Missouri and federal trucking laws.
Injury severity
How serious your injuries are and what your long-term treatment costs may be.
Driver history
Prior violations, accidents, or disciplinary record that may indicate a pattern of negligence.
Every one of these factors can be used to reduce your payout. A commercial truck accident lawyer conducts an independent investigation to ensure none of them are used against you unfairly.
Why You Should Never Speak to an Adjuster Alone?
Insurance adjusters are trained negotiators working for a billion-dollar industry. Their evaluation will rarely if ever fully represent the damages you are actually owed. A single recorded statement, an offhand comment about how you're feeling, or a premature agreement can permanently damage your truck accident claim in Missouri or Illinois.
Consulting a truck accident attorney in St. Louis before speaking to any adjuster is one of the most important steps you can take after a crash.
Insurance Requirements for Commercial Trucking Companies
Unlike standard auto insurance, commercial trucking companies in Missouri and Illinois are required to carry significantly higher coverage limits, because the damage a semi-truck causes is significantly higher than a passenger vehicle.
Required and common coverage types include:
Primary liability insurance
Mandatory federal coverage for bodily injury and property damage.
Medical payment coverage
Covers medical expenses regardless of fault.
Cargo insurance
Covers damage related to the freight being transported.
Umbrella coverage
An additional layer of liability protection when a serious crash exceeds standard policy limits.
When a truck is carrying hazardous materials, federal law mandates even higher minimum coverage levels, and violations of those requirements become additional evidence of negligence in your Missouri truck accident case.
Why Brain Injuries After Truck Crashes Are So Serious?
A truck crash is nothing like an ordinary fender bender. Commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, so the force of impact is far greater and the damage is often devastating. When your head takes that hit, your life can change in a matter of seconds.
Truck accidents can cause traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that affect how you think, remember, speak, and feel. For many victims, the effects reach into every part of life, including their ability to return to work and care for their families.
Common Signs of a Brain Injury After a Truck Accident
Symptoms aren’t always obvious right away, and some show up hours or even days after the crash. Watch for:
- Headaches
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Nausea or vomiting
- Blurred or double vision
- Trouble concentrating
- Memory problems
- Feeling foggy or mentally slowed down
- Irritability or sudden mood changes
- Confusion
- Slurred speech
- Unusual fatigue
According to the CDC, these are among the most common symptoms of a mild TBI or concussion. If you notice any of them after a truck crash, get medical attention right away, even if you felt fine at the scene.
If you or a loved one suffered a brain injury in a truck accident, call the Mutrux Firm Injury Lawyers at 888-550-4026 for a free consultation.
- Weight figure: I added the 80,000-pound legal limit for loaded tractor-trailers, which is the federal maximum on most highways. Remove it if you’d rather not include a statistic.
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- Originality: This was borrowed, so run the page through a plagiarism checker before publishing. I can reword further if it comes back too close.
What Should You Know About Comparative Negligence After a Truck Accident?
Comparative Negligence in Missouri
Missouri’s comparative negligence law allows injured parties to seek compensation even if they share some fault in a truck accident. Unlike contributory negligence, which bars any recovery, Missouri law permits claims as long as the defendant is at least 1% responsible.Why It Matters in Truck Accidents?
In St. Louis County truck accident cases, comparative negligence can impact settlements. If the injured party is partially at fault, their compensation is reduced by their percentage of responsibility. Trucking companies often use this to minimize payouts, making strong legal representation crucial.How It Affects Your Case?
Since fault directly influences compensation, insurance companies may try to shift blame. An experienced attorney can challenge unfair fault assignments and fight for the maximum settlement you deserve.St. Louis Truck Crash Corridors: Where Our Truck Accident Attorneys See Trouble
St. Louis sits where several of the country’s busiest freight routes come together, so semi-trucks share the road with commuters every day. As St. Louis truck accident lawyers, we often look at crashes on:
- I-70: the main east-west freight route across Missouri, linking St. Louis to Kansas City and running past Lambert Airport and St. Charles County.
- I-64/US-40: the central commuter route through the city and county. Heavy traffic, short merges and closely spaced interchanges leave little room for a loaded tractor-trailer to stop.
- I-44: the southwest route toward Springfield and Oklahoma. It carries long-haul freight and travel through Eureka and Pacific.
- I-55: the route south toward Memphis through south St. Louis County and Jefferson County.
- I-270: the outer beltway connecting the interstates. Trucks change lanes often here, and some stretches have long-running construction zones.
- The Poplar Street Bridge: the busy Mississippi River crossing for I-55, I-64 and US-40 into Illinois. Lanes merge and weave in a short distance.
Each corridor has its own hazards, including work zones, sudden slowdowns and weaving at interchanges. Knowing the road where a crash happened helps a truck accident attorney in St. Louis figure out what the driver should have seen and done.
Federal Trucking Rules That Can Prove Fault
Interstate trucking companies must follow the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR Parts 350–399), enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Key rules include:
- Hours of service (49 CFR § 395.3). A property-carrying driver may drive up to 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty. The driver may not drive after the 14th hour on duty and must take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving. Weekly limits are 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days.
- Driver logs and ELDs (49 CFR Part 395). Most interstate drivers must record duty status on an electronic logging device. Carriers have to keep these records for only six months, so it is important to act quickly.
- Driver qualification (Part 391), drug and alcohol testing (Part 382), and inspection and maintenance (Part 396). Missing medical cards, skipped inspections and poor repair records can all point to carrier negligence.
- Black box data. Engine control modules and other onboard systems can record speed, braking, throttle and fault codes from the moments before impact. Data from telematics and forward-facing cameras can also be key evidence.
Who Can Be Liable for a St. Louis Truck Crash?
Truck cases often involve more than one defendant:
- The driver, for speeding, distracted driving, impairment or hours-of-service violations.
- The motor carrier, for the driver’s conduct while working, and for its own negligent hiring, training, supervision or scheduling.
- The freight broker, when there is evidence it carelessly chose an unsafe carrier.
- The shipper or loader, when cargo was overloaded or poorly secured (see the cargo securement rules at 49 CFR § 393.100 and following).
- Maintenance and parts companies, when bad brakes, tires or repairs played a part.
Evidence to Preserve and the Spoliation Letter
Trucking evidence can disappear fast. Electronic data can be overwritten, trucks get repaired and logs can be purged. Soon after we take a case, we can send a preservation (spoliation) letter to the carrier and other parties. It demands that they keep ELD records, ECM data, dash camera video, dispatch messages, driver qualification files, maintenance records, drug test results and the truck itself. If a party destroys evidence after it was on notice, Missouri courts may allow an adverse inference against that party. You can help by keeping photos, medical records, the crash report and witness names.
The Truck Accident Legal Process, Step by Step
Every case is different, but most truck accident claims in Missouri follow a similar path.
1. Free Case Review
We talk with you about what happened, your injuries, and your questions. There is no cost for this review.
2. Investigation and Evidence Preservation
We send preservation letters and start gathering evidence, including electronic logging device (ELD) and engine control module (“black box”) data, driver hours-of-service logs, maintenance and inspection records, dispatch communications, and camera footage. We also identify everyone who may share responsibility, such as the driver, the carrier, a shipper or loader, or a maintenance company.
3. Medical Treatment and Documentation
While you focus on recovery, we collect your medical records and bills and track lost wages and other losses. It is usually better to understand the full extent of your injuries before settling.
4. Demand and Negotiation
We send a demand to the insurers explaining liability and your damages. Many cases settle during negotiation, but we do not recommend accepting an offer that does not cover your losses.
5. Filing a Lawsuit
If the insurers will not make a fair offer, or a deadline is approaching, we file suit. Depending on the parties, a case may be filed in a Missouri state court, such as in St. Louis City or St. Louis County, or in federal court.
6. Discovery
Both sides exchange documents, answer written questions, and take depositions. In truck cases, this is often when company policies, driver qualification files, and dispatch records come out.
7. Mediation, Settlement, or Trial
Many cases resolve at mediation or before trial. If a case does not settle, it goes to a judge or jury. We prepare each case as if it may go to trial.
Missouri Comparative Fault and Filing Deadlines
Missouri uses pure comparative fault (adopted in Gustafson v. Benda, 661 S.W.2d 11 (Mo. banc 1983)). You can still recover damages even if you were partly at fault, but your award is reduced by your share of the fault. Most personal injury claims must be filed within five years under RSMo § 516.120. Wrongful death claims generally must be filed within three years under RSMo § 537.100. Some situations have different deadlines, such as claims against government entities, so get legal advice early. If you lost a loved one, see our St. Louis wrongful death lawyer page.
Reach Out to a St. Louis Truck Accident Attorney Today
(888) 550-4026