Collisions involving a massive commercial truck and a much smaller passenger vehicle often result in catastrophic injuries and devastating consequences. A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and when an accident occurs, the lives of truck accident victims are changed forever. If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries in a Kansas City truck accident, you are not alone.
An experienced Kansas City truck accident lawyer at Presley and Presley Trial Lawyers is here to help you navigate the complexities of a truck accident case and fight for the justice you deserve.
Key Takeaways for Kansas City Truck Accident Attorney
- Truck accident cases are highly complex and can involve multiple liable parties, including the truck driver, trucking company, and parts manufacturers.
- Federal and state regulations, such as hours-of-service rules and vehicle maintenance requirements, play a crucial role in determining fault in a truck accident claim.
- Common causes of commercial truck accidents include driver fatigue, poor truck maintenance, improper cargo loading, and violations of federal safety laws.
- Evidence such as the truck's "black box" data recorder, driver logs, and professional accident reconstruction is vital for building a strong personal injury case.
- Victims of a devastating truck accident may be entitled to financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages related to their serious injuries.
Get Help from Our Kansas City Truck Accident Lawyers with a Proven Track Record
The Kansas City truck accident lawyers at Presley and Presley Trial Lawyers, LLC have over 45 years of combined experience helping those who have been injured due to another’s negligence. When a truck driver's reckless driving or a trucking company's poor truck maintenance leads to a serious accident, reach out to our team. We can evaluate your truck accident claim and help you understand your legal options.
Call our Kansas City truck accident attorneys at 816.931.4611 for a FREE consultation.
We’ve Recovered Hundreds of Millions for Our Clients
You have the right to seek financial compensation for any injuries sustained in a devastating truck accident caused by someone else’s negligence. A successful injury claim can help you cover overwhelming medical bills, lost wages, and other medical expenses related to the accident. Our law firm has a proven track record of securing substantial results for our clients, including:
- $15,000,000 – Car Accident Settlement
- $5,250,000 – Tractor-Trailer Crash Verdict
Recovering the maximum compensation possible is vital to your physical and financial recovery. At Presley and Presley Trial Lawyers, LLC, we understand how complex these personal injury cases can be. We handle the investigation, negotiations with insurance companies, and all legal actions so your focus can be on healing from your severe injuries.
Why a Truck Accident Case is More Complex Than a Car Accident
Unlike typical car accidents, many truck accidents involve powerful corporate defendants and complex federal and state laws. A Kansas City truck accident claim often requires identifying multiple liable parties, from the truck driver to the massive trucking company they work for.
These companies and their insurers have teams of lawyers dedicated to minimizing their payouts. You need an experienced injury attorney who understands the nuances of federal trucking regulations and isn't afraid to take on these corporate giants to secure the fair compensation you need.
Common Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents in Kansas City
Our experienced attorneys investigate all factors that may have contributed to your truck crash. Many truck accidents are caused by negligence and are entirely preventable. Common causes include:
- Driver Fatigue: Many truckers work long hours to meet deadlines, leading to dangerous driver fatigue that impairs judgment and reaction time, often in violation of federal hours-of-service rules.
- Reckless Driving: Speeding, aggressive lane changes, tailgating other vehicles, and distracted driving are common forms of negligence that lead to catastrophic accidents.
- Poor Truck Maintenance: Trucking companies are required to perform regular vehicle inspections. When they fail to do so, mechanical failures like faulty brakes or tire blowouts can cause the driver to lose control.
- Improper Cargo Loading: An overloaded or improperly secured load can violate truck weight limits, making the commercial vehicle unstable and difficult to stop, leading to serious truck crashes.
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI): Commercial truck drivers are held to a higher standard regarding alcohol and drug use. A truck driver operating their vehicle while impaired presents an extreme danger to everyone on the road.
- Violating Federal Trucking Regulations: From logbook violations to ignoring mandatory rest breaks, cutting corners on federal and state regulations is a frequent cause of devastating truck accidents.
Proving Who Is at Fault for Your Truck Accident
A critical step in any truck accident case is determining all liable parties. Our investigation goes beyond just the driver to uncover every party whose negligence contributed to the crash.
- The Truck Driver: We investigate if the driver was distracted, fatigued, speeding, or violating traffic laws at the time the accident occurred.
- The Trucking Company: The trucking company can be held responsible for negligent hiring practices, encouraging drivers to violate federal trucking regulations, or failing to ensure proper poor truck maintenance on its fleet of commercial vehicles.
- Vehicle or Parts Manufacturers: If the crash was caused by mechanical failures like defective tires or brakes, the manufacturer can be held liable for putting a dangerous product on the market.
- Maintenance & Cargo Companies: Third-party companies responsible for vehicle inspections, repairs, or loading cargo can also be held accountable if their negligence led to the collision.
How We Fight the Insurance Companies on Your Behalf
After a city truck accident, you can be sure the trucking company’s insurance company will immediately begin working to protect its interests. They often try to dispute liability or offer lowball settlements that don't begin to cover medical expenses. You should not even speak to your own insurance company before consulting with a lawyer.
An experienced truck accident lawyer from Presley and Presley Trial Lawyers, LLC will build a powerful case to protect your rights. We use key evidence, including:
- Police and witness reports
- The truck’s event data recorder (the “black box”)
- Driver logs and trucking company records
- Expert accident reconstruction to prove how the crash happened
- Testimony from medical and financial experts
Our team of personal injury lawyers will explore every avenue to hold the responsible parties accountable and help you recover the financial compensation you need for your recovery.
Understanding Federal Trucking Regulations
One of the key ways we investigate a truck accident is by scrutinizing the trucking company’s adherence to federal trucking regulations. These federal laws, set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), are designed to prevent accidents.
- Hours-of-Service Regulations: To combat driver fatigue, federal law limits how many long hours a truck driver can be on the road. A driver is generally limited to an 11-hour driving period within a 14-hour window, after which they must take 10 consecutive hours off-duty.
- Mandatory Rest Breaks: A driver must take a 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving.
- Vehicle Inspections: Drivers and companies must conduct regular inspections to identify safety issues like worn tires or faulty brakes.
When a truck driver or trucking company is found to be violating federal trucking regulations, it can be powerful evidence of negligence in your injury claim.
FAQ for Kansas City Truck Accident Lawyer
Here are answers to common questions our personal injury law firm receives about truck accident cases in Kansas City.
What is the statute of limitations for a truck accident claim in Kansas City?
In Missouri, the statute of limitations for a personal injury claim, including one from a truck accident, is generally five years from the date the accident occurred. In Kansas, it is typically two years. It is crucial to act quickly, as failing to file a lawsuit within this timeframe can permanently bar you from recovering compensation.
What happens if I am found partially at fault for the truck crash?
Both Missouri and Kansas use a "comparative fault" system. This means you can still recover financial compensation even if you are partially responsible for the accident. However, your total compensation award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 10% at fault, your final recovery would be reduced by 10%.
How much does it cost to hire a Kansas City truck accident lawyer?
Most experienced personal injury law firms, including Presley and Presley Trial Lawyers, handle truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront fees. The law firm's fee is a pre-agreed percentage of the total settlement or verdict they recover for you. If they do not win your case, you owe no attorney fees.
What is the average settlement for a commercial truck accident case?
There is no "average" settlement, as the value of each truck accident case depends on its unique facts. Factors that influence a settlement amount include the severity of the injuries, total medical bills and future medical costs, the amount of lost wages and impact on future earning capacity, the level of negligence of the liable parties, and the strength of the evidence gathered.
Contact an Experienced Kansas City Truck Accident Attorney Today
If you or a family member is one of the many truck accident victims facing broken bones, catastrophic injuries, or even wrongful death after a collision, do not wait. The time to act is limited.
Contact Presley and Presley Trial Lawyers, LLC to speak with a dedicated city truck accident lawyer who can protect your rights. We will fight to get you the resources you need to cover your medical costs, lost wages, and more. We are here to help.