St. Louis Truck Accident Attorney

What to expect

You don’t have to take on a trucking company alone

There are an estimated 500,000 truck accidents in the U.S. each year, and nearly 5,000 result in fatalities. The rest often cause injuries of varying severity. With three major interstates running through the St. Louis area — I-44, I-64, and I-70 — Missouri and Illinois see more than their share of trucking crashes, and many are caused by the negligence of truck drivers or trucking companies.

The rules of the road for trucks

The government has established detailed rules covering trucks, trucking companies, and driver training and conduct. Among them:

• Commercial drivers are limited in how many hours they can drive before resting. They’re required to keep a detailed logbook of their driving hours, which can be crucial evidence in a truck accident case.
• Trucks have weight, road, and maintenance restrictions that, if neglected, can lead to crashes.
• Trucking companies must comply with federal regulations on hiring, training, scheduling, and maintenance, and must transport cargo safely — including properly containing hazardous materials under HAZMAT rules. Violations can result in a serious accident.

Common causes of truck accidents

The trucking industry involves many parties — drivers, owners, warehouses, and maintenance crews among them — so crashes can have a wide range of causes. The most common include:

• Driver fatigue. One of the leading causes of truck accidents in Missouri and Illinois. Laws limit driving hours, but some drivers ignore them or fail to rest properly.
• Impaired driving. A significant number of truck crashes involve alcohol or drug use by the driver, despite strict laws against it.
• Brake failure and poor maintenance. Brake failure, tire blowouts, and other dangerous conditions often go undetected when a truck isn’t properly inspected. The rig and trailer are frequently owned by different parties, each responsible for maintaining their own equipment.

We understand how insurance companies work to limit your recovery after a tractor-trailer accident. Insurers send people to the scene right away to gather evidence and limit their liability. The sooner you have a lawyer protecting your interests, the sooner our investigators can begin building your case.

With 25 years of truck accident and personal injury experience, Attorney Christopher Hoffmann understands the causes and the many factors that make these claims so complex. He handles truck accident cases of all kinds, including those involving faulty brakes and defective parts, commercial trucks colliding with vans or shuttle buses, bucket trucks, fire trucks, pick-up trucks, and tanker trucks.

Who was responsible for the truck accident?

In truck accident cases, multiple parties can be responsible — and if you fail to include any of them in a claim, you may lose the chance to secure the full recovery you need. Attorney Hoffmann thoroughly investigates every case to identify each potentially liable party, including:

• The truck driver
• Truck loaders
• The trucking company that hires or pays the driver
• The truck owner
• The trailer owner
• Truck manufacturers
• Truck and trailer maintenance personnel

Semi-truck accident statistics

A U.S. Department of Transportation report indicates that 68 percent of accidents involving 18-wheelers and semi-trucks occurred in rural areas. Over 500,000 truck accidents happen nationwide each year, and almost 5,000 result in fatalities. The victims in 98 percent of those cases were the occupants of smaller passenger cars — which is why drivers of smaller vehicles should drive defensively whenever a large truck is nearby.

Defensive driving around trucks

Passenger car occupants are especially vulnerable to severe and life-threatening injuries in a collision with a truck. Driving carefully near semis can help prevent a dangerous or fatal truck accident:

• Stay cautious and alert on the highway, especially around big trucks.
• Watch for semis and tractor-trailers as they turn or enter and exit a highway.
• Give big trucks extra space and a wide berth in construction zones.
• Take extra precautions in bad weather — a big truck can’t maneuver or stop like a passenger car.
• Avoid a truck’s blind spots, where the driver can’t see you.
• Never cut off a truck when overtaking it.

Three questions insurance companies ask after a truck accident

After a crash, an insurer’s questions can sound routine but are often designed to limit what they pay. Three come up again and again:

1. How did the truck accident happen?

This question is meant to determine fault — but it can also be a trap to get you to admit responsibility. An insurer might steer you toward saying you “didn’t see the truck” or “didn’t have time to react,” then use those words to argue you were at fault. It’s generally best to let an experienced attorney communicate with the insurance company. If you do answer, stick to the facts and avoid speculating about what caused the crash.

2. What medical conditions do you have?

Insurers typically want detailed information about any health issues that could affect your recovery or ability to work — ongoing conditions, current medications, or prior injuries. Don’t answer without consulting a truck accident attorney first. The insurance company may look for pre-existing conditions or earlier incidents to use against you.

3. How were your injuries treated?

Insurers also want details on how your injuries were first treated — whether you went to an emergency room or received ongoing care, and what was prescribed. As simple as it sounds, don’t answer without an attorney. The insurer may use your response to shift blame or deny your claim.