In the United States, trucking is a $255.5 billion industry. While trucking accidents are the fault of the truck driver less than 20% of all motor vehicle accidents, the incidents tend to be more severe. One person is killed or injured in a trucking accident every 16 minutes in the U.S.
Large trucking companies will use all available resources to deny or minimize liability. They will hire their own experts to start building a case that shows minimal responsibility right away. That is why it is imperative that you hire a lawyer to represent you.
Some of the issues that may come into play in a trucking accident case are:
- hours of service requirements
- commercial insurance
- federal regulations
- truck mechanics
- drug/alcohol testing
- improper vehicle maintenance
- reckless driving
Often, research into the case by an attorney might even reveal a history of the truck being improperly maintained, the driver was not trained properly or that the driver was reckless.
Because each trucking accident is fraught with its own set of unique circumstances, it is necessary to hire a seasoned attorney familiar with the specific issues surrounding trucking accidents. An experienced attorney can ensure the best outcome for his clients.
Smaller trucking firms often have inadequate insurance limits, meaning a smaller settlement is available for the injured party. So it is important to find other responsible parties such as the logistic companies or vehicle leasing companies. By including as many responsible parties as possible, the pool of recovery funds can be greater.
For the best representation in the St. Louis Metro Area, contact William Meehan. The Meehan Law Firm is one of a select few law firms in St. Louis handling trucking accidents.
Our client list ranges from individuals who have lost their civil litigation or personal injury cases because of their lawyer’s carelessness or mismanagement, to the corporations whose in-house counsel did not or does not represent the best interests and wishes of the company. Legal malpractice cases are one of the Meehan Law Firm’s areas of expertise. If you feel you have been wronged by past legal counsel and would like a free consultation on the case, contact us today at (314) 725-9994.
Sources:
- Truck Accident Law by Michael Leizerman. Web. 24 Apr. 2011. http://blog.truckaccidents.com/.”
- Trucking Statistics – Truckinfo.net.” Trucking Jobs – Truck Drivers – Trucking Information – Load Boards – Trucking News – Truckinfo.net. Web. 24 Apr. 2011. http://www.truckinfo.net/trucking/stats.htm.
- “Common Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents – Accidents and Injuries.” Accident and Injury Center – Accidents and Injuries. Web. 24 Apr. 2011. http://injury.findlaw.com/car-accident/truck-accident/truck-accident-causes.html.
- Federal Transit Administration – FTA Safety and Security. Web. 24 Apr. 2011. http://transit-safety.fta.dot.gov.
- “U.S. Department of Transportation.” Home | U.S. Department of Transportation. Web. 24 Apr. 2011. http://www.dot.gov/dapc