Sikeston Truck Accidents

As attorneys, we can represent Sikeston truck accident victims throughout the legal process. One of our main responsibilities is to identify and gather relevant evidence. This may include the official Sikeston Police Department crash report of your accident, photos and videos taken at the scene, and interviewing witnesses. Important evidence may also exist in the possession of the trucking company, including driver logs, the truck itself, and data from the truck’s “black box.” We often send Spoliation of Evidence letters to prevent other parties from destroying or tampering with evidence that can be used to prove your case and help you recover for your personal injuries.

Big trucking companies are known for contesting injury claims made against them. They often retain investigators immediately to inspect the accident scene, talk to witnesses, and try to take the injured victim’s recorded statement. Before talking to any insurance company, you should retain a lawyer of your own with experience handling truck accident cases in Missouri. Our law firm has the resources to properly investigate a truck accident case, which helps us examine all avenues of recovery on behalf of the injured victim. Our truck accident lawyers assist Sikeston residents and visitors struck by 18-wheelers, semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, delivery trucks, dump trucks, and cement trucks, among other big rigs.

Interstate truck drivers and commercial carriers are subject to rules initiated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Common rule violations that lead to otherwise preventable accidents include:

• Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol
• Not getting enough rest
• Driving in excess of hours of service allotted by federal law
• Improper transport of hazardous materials
• Improper loading
• Inadequate driver training

Expert witnesses are often necessary to help prove fault or the amount of damages suffered. For example, it may be necessary to retain an accident reconstruction expert. These experts combine many disciplines to provide testimony on issues such as driver speed, collision impact, driver behavior, and visibility. In addition, medical experts can testify as to the full extent of damages suffered, which could include the amount of past medical bills, future medical treatment needed, and lost wages. Our truck accident attorneys can help Sikeston victims retain experts to prove the harm that they have suffered.

Injuries are typically severe in truck accident cases, especially where high speeds and heavy loads are involved. Perhaps the most common type of damages in truck wreck cases is medical costs to treat the injuries sustained, which could include broken bones, spinal disc injuries, head trauma, and other disabling conditions. Medical costs may include emergency room treatment, physical therapy, surgery, prescription medication, and hospital visits. Other common examples of damages include loss of wages from missed work, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Developing the damages portion of a personal injury case is critical, and our truck accident lawyers can utilize our resources to ensure all forms of damages are adequately documented for Sikeston residents.