St. Louis County Commercial Truck Collision Lawyer
Commercial trucks play a vital role in the transportation of goods and services. However, due to their weight, load, and size, they could inflict severe damage if the driver chooses to operate their vehicle in a careless and negligent manner.
If you have suffered such injuries and would like to hold the at-fault party liable, speak with a dedicated attorney today. With a St. Louis County commercial truck collision lawyer at your side, you may be able to build a convincing claim for damages. To get started on a case, be sure to schedule a consultation today.
Recoverable Damages in a Commercial Truck Accident
A party is able to seek a variety of damages after a commercial truck accident in St. Louis County. Examples of damages a person could recover pending a successful injury claim may include:
- Medical care
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Property damage
- Future medical care
The nature of the injuries sustained during a commercial truck accident can vary significantly based upon the load or substance being carried by the truck. The primary reason for this is due to the weight and the stability of the substances being carried. Substances that do not have a stable weight, such as liquids, tend to lead to more rollover crashes, which may cause catastrophic injuries.
Regulations Followed by St. Louis County Trucking Companies
The trucking industry in the United States is regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration comes up with a regulatory standard by closely dealing with the trucking industry. These basic standards are based on the average truck driver in the United States. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration also reviews rules and regulations each year and makes adjustments accordingly. In addition, federal trucking laws and industry standards and regulations are closely intertwined. Most industry standards and regulations are based exactly off of federal trucking laws.
Trucking companies are solely responsible for upholding the standard of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation and the standard of the trucking industry. Although truck drivers are also held liable in the event of an accident, it is up to the trucking companies to make sure that all standards are being complied with.
Examples of Trucking Standards
Some examples of companies complying with federal regulations found in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations are maintaining proper hours logged, taking proper rest break, maintaining commercial licenses, maintaining minimum insurance coverage, and not abusing substances, whether on the job or not.
What to Expect from Insurance Adjusters in Commercial Truck Wrecks
In commercial truck accidents, insurance adjusters have to account for a variety of factors. These factors may include:
- Whether the truck driver was licensed
- Who was at fault for the crash
- What caused the crash
- Any mechanical defects in the vehicle
- What substances the truck was carrying
- The legal status of the driver
- The license status of the driver
- Any significance of the injuries of the drivers involved
It is typical for insurance adjusters to report back to the insurance company and provide an inaccurate assessment of what you are owed. In order to avoid being misled by an insurance company during any settlement negotiations or agreements, it is important to speak with an attorney about your situation. A lawyer could conduct their own investigation in order to give you a reliable estimate regarding the calculation of damages.
Insurance that Must be Held by Trucking Companies
Trucking companies are required in most states to carry insurance coverage for their drivers and for their trucks. This coverage could include standard auto insurance coverage, but additional insurance coverage could include medical payment coverage and umbrella coverage for their truck drivers and trucking companies.
Mandatory Liability Coverage
Mandatory liability coverage change depends greatly upon whether the material being carried is hazardous or nonhazardous. Although it is optional in some states on whether it is required to carry insurance coverage, all states require that the carrier maintain insurance when carrying hazardous material.
Learn More from a Legal Profesional
Trucking standards are prone to change and adjust over time. However, what is unlikely to change is the responsibility a commercial truck driver owes to neighboring drivers. If you have suffered an injury due to the negligence of a truck driver, speak with a St. Louis County commercial truck collision lawyer. With their help, you may be able to build a convincing claim for damages, allowing you to recover for economic and non-economic losses. To get started, schedule a consultation today.