St. Louis Underride Accident Attorney

Truck accidents are a major danger in Missouri. According to statistics from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, over 4,100 people sustained injuries in crashes involving commercial vehicles in a recent year. Some of the most devastating wrecks happen when a passenger vehicle gets trapped underneath a commercial truck’s trailer. This situation is known as a truck underride accident, and it may crush vehicle occupants and lead to life-threatening injuries.

If you were hurt in a truck underride collision, the St. Louis attorneys at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC will fight for the compensation you deserve for your physical, emotional, and financial losses. Contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced truck accident lawyer in St. Louis.

Why You Need Our Law Firm for Your Underride Truck Accident Claim

Accidents involving commercial trucks often result from the carelessness of the truck driver or another party within the trucking industry. Identifying who is responsible for the crash requires a detailed investigation — something most accident victims cannot do after suffering a serious injury. You deserve the space to heal while an experienced attorney does the heavy lifting. Put Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC to work for you.

At Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC, we focus on protecting your rights while seeking to hold the responsible party(s) accountable for their negligence. Since 1999, our award-winning St. Louis semi-truck accident lawyers have recovered millions in settlements and verdicts for our clients. We’ll help you navigate the legal process and demand maximum compensation for you.

What is a Truck Underride Accident?

A truck underride accident happens when a car slides underneath a large truck, usually a tractor-trailer. Since trucks ride much higher than passenger vehicles, cars can easily get wedged under the truck’s trailer. This type of collision may cause the car’s cabin to cave in, crushing and potentially killing occupants.

Understanding truck underride crashes can play a key role in accident prevention. The most common types of underride accidents include:

• Rear underride collision – The most common type of underride accident, a rear underride collision occurs when a vehicle slams into the rear of a truck or semi-trailer and gets stuck underneath the trailer.
• Side underride crash – Side underride wrecks happen when a vehicle slides under the side of a truck’s trailer. These collisions typically occur when a truck fails to yield the right of way, crosses or turns onto a street, and is hit by an oncoming car. 

Who Could Be Liable for Underride Truck Accidents in St. Louis?

Multiple parties can be responsible for an underride truck collision, including the following:

• Truck drivers – A truck driver could cause an underride collision by failing to follow the rules of the road. Fatigued driving, distracted driving, or speeding may result in dangerous errors or a driver’s failure to react to surrounding traffic conditions. 
• Trucking company – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires truck companies to install rear guards to prevent underride collisions and apply reflective tape, triangles, and lights on the side of trucks to improve visibility. Violations could mean the truck company is responsible for the accident. Trucking companies could also be liable if they negligently hire, train, or supervise their drivers.
• Truck manufacturer – A truck manufacturer may be responsible if a defective truck part, such as faulty brakes, causes an underride crash.
• Truck maintenance company – Problems such as defective brakes, worn tires, or malfunctioning lights can lead to underride accidents. A mechanic or maintenance company may be at fault if poor maintenance caused the collision.
• Cargo loading companies – Cargo loaders must ensure the truck’s freight is balanced and secured to promote stability and avoid load shifting, which can cause a driver to lose control and cause an accident.

Injuries That Can Result From Truck Underride Accidents

Underride accidents cause some of the most severe injuries. Few cars can withstand the weight of an 80,000-pound big rig without severe damage. The top of the vehicle could be ripped off or crushed. The truck’s rear end may shatter the passenger vehicle’s windshield and enter the cabin. Any of these scenarios can result in devastating trauma to accident victims, including: 

• Head and traumatic brain injury (TBI) – The violent impact involved in truck underride crashes can cause severe head injuries, leading to lifelong cognitive impairment and permanent disability.
• Spinal cord injuries – Damage to the spinal cord could result in total or partial paralysis after an underride crash, as well as related medical complications.
• Limb loss – A crush injury could cause a traumatic amputation at the crash scene or require surgical amputation if the damage from the injury is irreparable.
• Internal organ damage – The blunt force trauma of a truck accident can damage vital organs like the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys.

Tragically, underride accidents are very likely to be fatal. The victim’s family may face medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, and the loss of their loved one’s income. Pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit in Missouri can help the survivors seek compensation.

What Should I Do If I Have Been Injured in an Underride Truck Accident?

Victims of underride accidents usually need emergency medical attention. Once your condition has stabilized, taking the following actions can protect your rights and any future personal injury claim you wish to file: 

• Follow your doctor’s orders – Your medical team will develop a treatment plan to help you work toward maximum physical recovery. Attend all follow-up appointments, keep up your physical therapy or rehab regimen, take all prescribed medications, and do everything your doctor ordered. It will help with your physical recovery and strengthen your legal position. 
• Seek legal representation – Your best move is to consult an experienced truck accident lawyer before making statements to the police or insurance company. Anything you say could be misinterpreted as an admission of fault. An attorney will handle any communication with other parties, investigate the facts of the accident, identify everyone who might be responsible, negotiate with insurance companies, and pursue the full and fair compensation you deserve.

Contact Our Experienced St. Louis Underride Truck Accident Attorneys Today

When recovering from an underride accident involving a commercial truck, you need unwavering legal support to fight for compensation from every liable party. Let Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC help. Our proven truck accident attorneys support St. Louis truck accident victims by providing attentive, detail-oriented legal representation and fighting for every dollar they deserve.  

Ready to get started? Contact us today for a free case review.