DHL Truck Accident Lawyer in St. Louis
More than 72,000 people suffered injuries, and over 4,800 died in commercial vehicle accidents in a recent year, including those involving DHL trucks, according to data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). DHL is one of the largest logistics companies in the country, and their trucks are frequently seen in St. Louis and throughout Missouri.
Unfortunately, victims of DHL delivery truck crashes often find themselves with significant injuries and in an uphill legal battle to recover the compensation they deserve.
If you were injured in a DHL truck accident in St. Louis, contact Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC to schedule a free consultation with an experienced truck accident lawyer. We’ll review your case, explain your options for seeking compensation, and answer your questions about the legal process.
Reasons to Choose Our DHL Truck Crash Attorneys
When you choose Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC, you’re choosing a law firm with:
- Decades of experience – Our firm has been helping injury victims for over 30 years.
- Track record of success – We’ve recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients through settlements and verdicts.
- Truck accident experience – Our team has substantial experience managing truck accident claims and understands the challenges these cases present.
Read the positive testimonials from our former clients to find out what it is like to have our lawyers on the case. For example, as one satisfied client wrote:
“I cannot begin to thank the entire team at Craig, Kelley, and Faultless enough for the work that they have done and are continuing to do on my case. They have made this entire process almost effortless.” – Brianna M.
What Makes DHL Truck Accidents Different?
DHL delivery truck accident claims can be complex for multiple reasons, the first being the severity of the injuries that frequently result from commercial truck accidents. Because of the size and weight of commercial trucks, collisions involving them tend to result in more severe injuries with extensive recovery periods – especially for the occupants of smaller passenger cars involved in the crash. If you suffer from severe injuries, it’s vital that you work with a lawyer who can accurately assess your long-term medical expenses.
Another major reason these accidents differ from typical motor vehicle crashes is that multiple parties can be liable for your injuries after a DHL truck crash, which may also mean multiple insurance companies are involved. With liability insurance limits often set at $1 million or more on commercial trucks, you can expect a fierce fight from the insurance companies when injured victims present claims for their extensive injuries.
An experienced truck accident attorney from our law firm can identify the liable parties and deal with the insurance companies, so you don’t have to. We have the knowledge and resources to effectively seek the maximum compensation you deserve for all your losses.
Who Could Be Held Liable for a DHL Truck Accident?
Some of the most common parties held liable in DHL truck collision cases are:
- DHL – If the truck driver is a direct employee of DHL, the company could be vicariously liable for injuries the driver causes. If DHL hired an independent contractor, the company could be liable for allowing an inexperienced or unsafe driver to haul for them.
- Truck driver – The delivery driver could be liable for injuries caused by their negligent actions.
- Truck manufacturer – If a defective product, such as a faulty brake system, contributed to the accident, the truck’s manufacturer could be liable.
- Truck maintenance provider – If poor maintenance, such as the truck’s brake pads not being replaced when they should have been, contributed to the accident, the maintenance provider could be liable.
- Cargo loader – The loader could be liable if unsecured cargo caused shifting weight that contributed to the accident.
- Other motorists – If another motorist caused the accident, such as by cutting off the DHL driver, they could share liability for your injuries.
Compensation You May Be Entitled to After a DHL Truck Crash
After a DHL Express truck accident, you can seek compensation for your losses, including:
- Your past and future medical expenses, including medical treatments, surgeries, medical devices, prescription medications, and physical therapy
- The income you lost while recovering from your injuries and the income and work benefits you will lose due to your injuries’ impact on your ability to work in the future
- The physical pain and emotional suffering you experience
- Accommodations for any permanent disability you suffered, including making home or vehicle modifications or hiring in-home care
- Your loss of enjoyment of life caused by your injuries preventing you from engaging in activities you once enjoyed
Common Causes and Types of DHL Truck Accidents
DHL truck accidents have many causes. Some of the most common include:
- Distracted driving – When DHL Express truck drivers text, eat, or are distracted in other ways, they’re more likely to get into accidents.
- Fatigued driving – The FMCSA has hours of service regulations that truck drivers must follow to prevent drowsy driving. Driving while tired can increase the risk of mistakes or falling asleep behind the wheel.
- Speeding – Speeding trucks require more distance to come to a complete stop, increasing the likelihood of an accident.
- Inexperienced drivers – If a delivery truck driver is inexperienced, they may be more likely to make a mistake resulting in a serious accident.
- Poor vehicle maintenance – When trucks don’t receive proper maintenance, it increases the likelihood that a part will fail, which can lead to a crash.
These negligent acts can result in various types of accidents. Some of the most common and severe DHL truck crashes are:
- Jackknife accidents – These accidents occur when the trailer swings out alongside the cab, usually under heavy braking or on slippery surfaces.
- Rollover accidents – These accidents occur when weight shifts within the truck’s trailer, causing instability, or when a driver takes a tight turn too fast.
- Rear-end collisions – These accidents often occur due to driver inattentiveness or tailgating.
- Head-on collisions – These accidents occur when the truck crosses the center line, typically leading to fatal injuries.
- Underride collisions – These accidents occur when a smaller vehicle goes under the truck’s trailer.
How Our Lawyers Can Help You After a DHL Truck Accident
When you hire our team, we’ll handle every aspect of your truck accident case, including:
- Investigating the accident to identify all liable parties and collect supporting evidence
- Calculating the value of your case by analyzing your medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, and other losses
- Filing your lawsuit within the five-year deadline established by Missouri’s personal injury statute of limitations
- Negotiating with the insurance companies for a fair settlement that covers all your expenses
- Representing you at trial if the insurance companies refuse to offer a fair settlement
If you suffered injuries in a crash with a DHL delivery truck, contact Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC to set up a free case review with one of our experienced St. Louis truck accident lawyers.