Collisions involving semi-trucks are among the most devastating accidents on Missouri roads. The sheer size and weight of these commercial vehicles often result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities — and navigating the legal landscape around these cases can be intricate.
Understanding the Complexities of Trucking Accidents
At Presley & Presley, we assist victims and families in holding trucking companies and insurers accountable. If you or a loved one has been injured in a semi-truck accident, here are essential considerations:
1. Trucking Cases Differ Significantly from Car Accidents
Semi-truck crashes are governed by multiple layers of federal and state law. The trucking industry falls under the remit of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR), which cover areas such as:
- Driver qualifications and training
- Hours of service (to combat driver fatigue)
- Vehicle maintenance and inspection
- Load securement protocols
Our team will conduct an investigation to determine if any breaches of these rules contributed to your accident and if the trucking company can be held accountable.
2. Immediate Action is Key
After a major truck crash, trucking companies and their insurers are quick to act with defense teams ready to:
- Secure physical evidence
- Control access to logs and data
- Conduct witness interviews
To preserve crucial evidence, our team promptly takes actions such as:
- Issuing preservation of evidence letters
- Securing black box (ECM) data
- Photographing the scene and vehicle damage
- Interviewing first responders and witnesses
3. Comprehensive Investigation is Vital
Our investigations commonly focus on factors such as:
- Driver fatigue due to hours-of-service infractions
- Improper maintenance or defective brakes
- Improper loading leading to rollovers or loss of control
- Distracted or impaired driving
We collaborate with various professionals to construct a well-supported case.
4. High Stakes Demand Tenacious Representation
Given the severe outcomes of truck crashes, trucking companies and their insurers vigorously defend their cases. Common defenses include:
- Attributing fault to other drivers
- Challenging the severity of injuries
- Claiming compliance with FMCSR standards, despite violations
A dedicated legal team is crucial for countering these defenses and pursuing the compensation entitled to you.
5. Our Approach at Presley & Presley
Our attorneys have managed complex truck accident cases throughout Missouri. We focus on:
- Conducting thorough FMCSR violation investigations
- Proving systemic safety shortcomings at a company level
- Maximizing recovery in severe injury and wrongful death cases
If you’ve been injured in a semi-truck accident or lost a loved one, reach out to Presley & Presley for a consultation. We are committed to pursuing justice and appropriate compensation for our clients.
