Being involved in a truck accident caused by no fault of your own can be confusing. Victims who have sustained injuries and damages in accidents caused by the careless, reckless, or negligent actions of others often don't know who to turn to. The well-versed and experienced Kansas City truck accident attorneys at Peterson & Associates, P.C. have helped numerous truck accident victims and can help you secure the justice and compensation you need to move forward.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Kansas City
A truck accident is a crash involving a commercial vehicle, such as an 18-wheeler or big rig. These large and powerful vehicles can cause severe damage when they collide with other vehicles or objects. Truck accidents can occur anywhere but most commonly happen on highways and busy roads.
They are the leading cause of death for commercial drivers and the most frequent cause of non-fatal occupational injuries among highway workers. Various factors can cause these accidents.
Driver Fatigue
Truck accidents are one of the leading causes of highway deaths. While most accidents involve human error, many are attributed to driver fatigue. Fatigue results from a lack of sleep, too much time spent at the wheel, or a combination of both.
Speeding
Speeding is one of the most common causes of truck accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding causes roughly 30 percent of all truck crashes. Speeding is most dangerous on highways, leading to weaving in and out of traffic and sudden lane changes.
Illegal Maneuvers
Sudden, unexpected changes in direction or speed can cause crashes and lead to serious injuries. These maneuvers are also occasionally referred to as evasive maneuvers, and they are commonly used by drivers when they need to avoid an object on the road or when they need to make room for another vehicle. Drivers can use several different types of maneuvers, including swerving, accelerating suddenly, braking suddenly, turning sharply, and speeding up before slowing down.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of accidents on the road. Distracted driving includes cell phone use, texting while driving, and other activities that take your attention away from the road. It can be difficult to drive safely if you are distracted by a cell phone, tablet, or other electronic devices. This leads to several dangerous behaviors, like driving too fast for the conditions, swerving across lanes, or failing to check your blind spots before changing lanes.
Bad Weather
Inclement weather conditions can play a significant part in the number of truck accidents that occur. Heavy snowfalls will make the roads slippery and treacherous, making them extremely dangerous to drive on. High winds or heavy rain can also make driving very dangerous as they can cause sudden and unexpected changes in the road surface and force drivers to step on the brakes suddenly.
Common Injuries Sustained in Truck Accidents
Your injuries can be devastating when you are involved in a truck accident. Some of the most common injuries include:
- Head and brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Fractures
- Burns
- Internal injuries
Compensation Available to Truck Accident Victims in Kansas City
If you have been involved in a truck accident, it is important to seek legal assistance immediately. A Kansas City truck accident lawyer can help you file a claim and get the compensation you deserve.
Truck accidents can be devastating to those involved, and in some cases, the victims may be entitled to several different financial compensation packages.
Medical Expenses
Victims who suffer injuries in truck accidents may be eligible to receive compensation for the medical expenses they have already incurred and those they will incur in the future.
Lost Wages
If you could not work because of an injury sustained in a truck accident in Kansas City, Missouri, you might be able to recover lost wages. This compensation is significant if your job was your primary source of income or if you have an otherwise limited income stream.
Pain and Suffering
Some victims will suffer serious pain due to their truck accident injuries. Sometimes, this pain may last for months or years after the initial injury. Victims suffering from chronic pain due to their accident injuries should consider seeking compensation for their pain and suffering.
Property Damage
Those whose vehicles or other properties are damaged or destroyed by a truck accident may be able to collect compensation for this damage.
Emotional Trauma
Truck accidents are often terrifying for the victims and their loved ones. The victims may suffer from high stress, anxiety, and fear in the weeks following the accident.
Disability
If the truck accident victim cannot return to work due to the injuries they suffered, they may be entitled to disability payments. Disability payments can also be paid out if the victim suffers from permanent impairment or disfigurement.
Statute of Limitations for a Truck Accident Claim in Missouri
This law states that you have a certain amount of time to file a lawsuit after an accident. Missouri's statute of limitations for a personal injury case is five years.
This may seem like a long time, but it's important to note that the clock starts ticking on the day of the accident. So if you're thinking about filing a lawsuit, it's important to contact a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. They can help you understand your rights and whether or not you have a case.
Benefits of Hiring a Truck Accident Lawyer
If you've been injured in a truck accident, you must speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. A lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and options and can help you file a claim against the responsible party.
The benefits of hiring a truck accident lawyer include the following:
- Access to resources and experience needed to win your case
- Guidance through the legal process
- Representation in court
- Help securing compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages
Before you hire a truck accident lawyer, be sure to ask them the following questions:
- How long have you been practicing law?
- How much experience do you have with truck accident cases?
- What is your strategy for winning this type of case?
- How often do you win compensation for your clients?
- Do you have the resources to handle my case?
- What are my chances of winning?
- What will it cost me to hire you?
- How long will it take to resolve my truck accident case?
- What are the potential risks and rewards of taking my case to trial?
- Can you provide references or past clients I can speak with?
- What are the most common causes of truck accidents?
- What is your payment structure?
- How often do you communicate with clients?
Once you've met with several lawyers, choose the one that you feel most comfortable with and who seems like they have your best interests at heart.
Schedule a Consultation With Our Kansas City Truck Accident Lawyers
If you or a loved one have been injured in a truck accident, you should speak to an experienced Kansas City truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. An experienced truck accident lawyer can help you determine whether you have a case and can help you get the compensation you need.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a truck accident, the Kansas City truck accident lawyers at Peterson & Associates, P.C. are here for you. We have the experience and resources needed to help truck accident victims in Kansas City get their lives back in order. Contact our Kansas City truck accident lawyers for a free consultation.