Columbia Truck Accident Lawyer

Located at the intersection of two major highways, Highway 70 and Highway 63, Columbia, MO has numerous interstates and roadways that see a high volume of truck traffic on a daily basis. Unfortunately, this also means that there are a significant number of truck accidents in the Columbia area each year.

The demand for consumer goods and the need for faster shipping times have led to an increase in the number of semis on the road, which has resulted in large, semi-truck crashes becoming more frequent as the trucking industry continues to grow. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), tractor-trailer crashes resulted in 4,119 deaths in 2019. This accounts for over a 30% increase in just the last decade. This is in addition to the approximately 130,000 injuries involving truck accidents annually.

If you or a loved one have been injured as a result of a semi crash, it is important to seek legal assistance from an experienced personal injury attorney. A Columbia truck accident lawyer could help you understand your legal rights and options.

Unique Causes for Truck Crashes in Columbia

Factors that contribute to tractor-trailer crashes are similar to those that cause other traffic accidents. However, there are some unique circumstances that arise when a large truck is involved in a crash. Some of the most common causes of semi crashes include:

Driver fatigue: Truckers often must meet tight deadlines and may go for long periods of time without sleep. This can lead to drowsy driving, which is a major factor in truck collisions.
Braking capability: Large trucks require a much greater distance to come to a stop than smaller vehicles. This is due to the weight and size of the truck, as well as the fact that they are typically carrying a heavy load. Typically, a semi-truck takes 20-40% longer to come to a complete stop than a passenger car.
Truck maintenance: If a truck is not properly maintained, it can lead to mechanical issues that can cause an accident.
Truck weight: According to U.S. federal law, a fully-loaded semi-truck can be up to 80,000 pounds. This weight makes it difficult for the truck to maneuver, especially around tight turns or in stop-and-go traffic.
Cargo shift: If a truck’s cargo is not properly secured, it can shift during transport and lead to a crash.

The first thing to do if you’ve been involved in a semi crash is to see a doctor and document any injuries suffered because of the collision. Even if you do not think you were seriously injured, it is always best to be checked out by a medical professional. Once you have sought medical attention, you should contact a local lawyer who has experience handling tractor-trailer accident cases.

Know Your Rights if You’ve Been Injured in a Truck Crash

There are multiple parties that may be liable if you’ve been injured in a truck accident. This includes the semi driver, the trucking company, and/or the manufacturer of the truck or its parts. Determining who is at fault and to what extent they are liable can be a complex process. What’s important to understand is that if you or a loved one has been injured in a tractor-trailer accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.

Once liability has been established, you can file a personal injury claim to seek compensation for your injuries. Some of the damages that may be available in a personal injury claim include:

Medical expenses: You can recover the cost of past and future medical treatment related to your injuries.
Lost wages: If you missed time from work due to your injuries, you could recover your lost wages.
Pain and suffering: You may be able to recover compensation for the physical pain and emotional suffering caused by your injuries.

A seasoned attorney in Columbia will review the facts of your case and help you understand the best way to proceed with your crash claim.

If You’ve Suffered Injuries in a Truck Crash, a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help

Any traffic-related injury is serious, but when a large truck is involved, the potential for serious injuries is much greater. These are also extremely traumatic events that can have a major impact on your life. If you or a loved one has been injured in a semi accident, it’s important to have an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side. Often truck crashes are complex cases, and the insurance companies will have their own team of lawyers working to minimize their liability.

Legal representation is beneficial for many reasons. First, a legal team member will fully investigate the accident to determine who is at fault and to what extent. They will also gather all the evidence needed to build a strong case on your behalf, including interviewing witnesses, reviewing the police report, and obtaining truck maintenance records. In addition, skilled lawyers in Columbia are experienced in negotiating with insurance companies and will fight for the maximum compensation you deserve after a trucking accident.

Types of Truck Accidents in Columbia, MO

Commercial trucks and large vehicles are involved in a wide variety of accidents on Columbia’s roads and highways each year. Understanding the type of truck accident you were involved in can be important when building your truck accident case. Some of the most common types of truck accidents in Columbia, MO include:

Jackknife accidents – A jackknife accident occurs when a truck driver brakes suddenly and the trailer swings out at a sharp angle from the cab, resembling a folding jackknife. Jackknife accidents involving commercial trucks are extremely dangerous and often cause catastrophic injuries to motorists in nearby vehicles.
Wide turn accidents – Because of their enormous size, commercial trucks need to make wide turns, particularly right turns. Wide turn accidents happen when a truck swings too far during a turn and crushes smaller vehicles traveling alongside or behind the truck.
Rollover accidents – Truck rollover accidents can occur when a truck driver takes a curve too fast, when cargo is unevenly loaded on the commercial truck, or when a negligent truck driver overcorrects a steering error. Rollover accidents cause serious injuries to both the truck driver and occupants of other vehicles involved in the crash.
Rear-end accidents – Because of their weight, fully-loaded commercial trucks take significantly longer to come to a complete stop than passenger vehicles. When truck drivers follow too closely, drive while distracted, or are fatigued, rear-end truck accidents can result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities.
Underride accidents – An underride accident occurs when a smaller vehicle slides under the rear or side of a large commercial truck during a collision. Underride truck accidents frequently result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities.
T-bone accidents – T-bone truck accidents occur when the front of a commercial truck strikes the side of another vehicle at an intersection. Because of the massive weight of commercial trucks, side-impact accidents can be especially deadly.

No matter what type of truck accident you were involved in, a Columbia truck accident attorney at the Law Offices of Chris Miller can investigate your crash, identify the responsible parties, and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

Common Injuries in Truck Accidents

Truck accidents in Columbia, MO frequently result in far more severe injuries than typical passenger vehicle accidents. Because commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded, the force of impact in a truck accident can be devastating. Some of the most common and serious injuries suffered in truck accidents include:

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) – Traumatic brain injuries are among the most serious injuries that can result from a truck accident. Traumatic brain injuries can cause permanent cognitive, physical, and emotional impairment, and often require extensive ongoing medical care and rehabilitation.
Spinal cord injuries – The violent force of a truck accident can cause severe damage to the spinal cord, potentially resulting in partial or complete paralysis and requiring lifelong medical attention.
Broken bones and fractures – Truck accident victims frequently suffer multiple broken bones and fractures, which may require surgery, extended hospital stays, and a prolonged recovery.
Internal injuries – Truck accidents can cause serious internal injuries to organs that may not be immediately apparent at the crash scene but can be life-threatening if not treated quickly.
Catastrophic injuries – Many truck accident victims suffer catastrophic injuries — such as amputations, severe burns, or permanent disfigurement — that permanently alter their ability to work, care for themselves, or live independently.
Wrongful death – Tragically, many truck accidents result in the loss of life. When a truck accident results in a fatality, the surviving family members may be entitled to file a wrongful death claim.

If you or a loved one have suffered injuries in a truck accident in Columbia, MO, it is critical to seek medical care immediately and contact a Columbia truck accident attorney as soon as possible to protect your right to compensation.

Who Is Liable in a Truck Accident Case in Columbia, MO?

One of the most challenging aspects of truck accident cases is identifying who is responsible for the accident. Unlike a standard car accident, multiple parties can potentially be held liable in a truck accident claim, including:

The truck driver – Negligent truck drivers who speed, drive while fatigued, drive while under the influence, use a cell phone behind the wheel, or violate federal trucking regulations may be held personally liable for a truck accident. Negligent truck drivers are often the primary cause of serious truck accidents on Columbia, MO roads.
The trucking company – If the trucking company failed to properly vet or train its truck drivers, enforce hours-of-service regulations, or properly maintain its fleet of commercial trucks, the trucking company can share liability for a truck accident. Trucking companies often have significant resources and insurance coverage, making them an important party in a truck accident claim.
Cargo loading companies – If improperly loaded or unsecured cargo contributed to the truck accident, the company responsible for loading the commercial truck may be held liable for resulting injuries.
Truck manufacturers – If a defective part or component in the commercial truck contributed to the accident, the truck manufacturer may be held liable under product liability law.
Government entities – In some cases, poor road design, inadequate signage, or negligent road maintenance in Columbia, MO may have contributed to a truck accident, potentially creating liability for a government entity.

A Columbia truck accident attorney at the Law Offices of Chris Miller will conduct a thorough investigation into your truck accident case, identifying all potentially liable parties — from the truck driver to the trucking company to their insurance companies — and build a strong truck accident claim on your behalf. Filing a truck accident claim against a large trucking company can be extremely challenging, as these companies typically have experienced legal teams and insurance adjusters working to minimize their liability. Having an experienced Columbia truck accident attorney by your side levels the playing field and maximizes your chances of recovering the full compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Don’t wait to contact a Columbia truck accident attorney after a crash. Evidence can disappear quickly, and Missouri’s statute of limitations places strict deadlines on filing a truck accident claim. Contact the Law Offices of Chris Miller today for a free consultation with an experienced Columbia, MO truck accident attorney.

Contact a Columbia Attorney to Discuss Your Truck Accident Case

If you or a loved one has been injured in a semi crash, contact a Columbia truck accident lawyer at the Law Offices of Chris Miller for your free consultation today. We will review your case and explain your legal options.