St. Louis Fuel Truck Accident Attorney

Fuel-loaded truck crashes into vehicle on the highway

If you were injured in a tanker truck accident in St. Louis, you need fuel truck crash legal help to demand fair compensation for what you’ve suffered – help that Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC is eager to provide.

Contact us today for a free consultation with a fuel tanker accident lawyer with our firm, and let us put our 30-plus years of experience to work for you.

Why Fuel Tanker Truck Accidents Are So Dangerous

Given their inherent dangers, fuel trucks should be driven by only highly skilled and well-trained truck drivers. Unfortunately, inadequate training or negligent operation of these vehicles can result in a catastrophic commercial vehicle accident in St. Louis.

The weight of the vehicle and flammable or otherwise hazardous liquids that fuel trucks carry make them particularly dangerous. Specifically, the weight of the liquid is significantly heavier than most commercial vehicle loads, which can increase the likelihood of an accident if the driver does not account for the additional weight when braking and turning.

The types of fuel the tanker trucks transport pose a unique danger on the road. Some of the liquids fuel tankers may carry include:

Gasoline
Diesel fuel
Propane
Liquid petroleum
Chlorine
Argon

If the vehicle is involved in a collision or these liquids leak – as they do in about 16 percent of all crashes involving trucks carrying hazardous materials – the truck driver and the occupants of any vehicle in the truck’s path are subject to life-threatening injuries, given the risk the liquids could easily ignite.

How Our St. Louis Fuel Tanker Accident Lawyers Can Help

At Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC, we know what it takes to pursue a successful fuel tank accident case. Our attorneys are ready to thoroughly investigate the circumstances of the motor vehicle accident and gather the necessary evidence to build a strong personal injury claim for you. Examples of evidence may include:

The police officer’s standard crash report
Photos of the vehicles
Photos of the accident scene and surrounding area
Expert reconstructionist reports
Data from the truck’s black box
Vehicle maintenance records
Employment or contracting records

Our experienced St. Louis truck accident attorneys will handle all the details of your personal injury case. From the initial investigation to evaluating fuel truck accident liability, you can trust we will work hard to prepare a solid claim. We will calculate your financial losses, communicate and negotiate with insurance companies, and file a lawsuit if settlement negotiations prove unsuccessful.

Check out the positive reviews our law firm receives from our former clients, such as Mary Slagle, who writes, “After our car accident, the team at Craig, Kelley and Faultless made our life easier during a difficult time. They took care of everything, even dealing with the small details.”

Compensation Available After a Fuel Truck Accident

Although every case is different, the categories of potential compensation after a fuel truck accident are generally similar. Your attorney will advise you concerning what types of financial compensation you can pursue, which may include money for the following:

Medical bills
Prescription medication
Physical therapy
Lost wages
Loss of future earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Mental distress

While no amount of money can undo the impact a serious fuel truck accident has on your life, it can give you the financial security you need to heal and live the fullest life possible.

The Legal Process for Fuel Truck Accident Claims in Missouri

Our Missouri truck accident attorneys will develop a legal strategy specifically tailored to your case’s unique facts and circumstances. However, the basic steps of a fuel truck accident claim in Missouri typically include the following:

Investigation – Our St. Louis truck accident lawyers will thoroughly investigate the circumstances of the accident. We will identify the potentially at-fault parties as we gather the necessary evidence to support your personal injury claim.
Evaluation – Our experienced fuel truck accident lawyers will carefully listen to how your injuries have impacted your life. We will also total all your economic losses to determine the full extent of the financial effect of the accident while evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of your claim.
Negotiation – Our experienced truck accident lawyers will initiate a claim with the insurance company and negotiate with it to settle your case. However, if the insurance adjusters deny the liability of their insured or refuse to negotiate in good faith and offer you a fair settlement, our attorneys will not hesitate to prepare a lawsuit.
Litigation – If the settlement negotiations are unsuccessful, our lawyers can file a lawsuit in court, where the parties will exchange written discovery, take depositions, and seek expert opinions, if necessary. If the case is not later settled at mediation or through further negotiations, our attorneys will argue for the compensation you deserve when they present your case at trial.

Determining Liability for St. Louis Fuel Truck Accidents

Like other commercial truck accidents, fuel truck accidents differ from other motor vehicle accidents because of the number of potentially liable parties, which may include:

The truck driver – The truck driver is often primarily liable for the accident if they were driving negligently. For example, distracted driving, driving while intoxicated, or speeding could result in an accident with injuries for which the truck driver may be responsible.
The trucking company – If the fuel truck is owned by a trucking company that employs a driver whom they did not adequately train or to whom they failed to administer necessary drug tests, the company could be liable for the accident and financially responsible for your losses. If the truck driver was an employee (not an independent contractor), the employer would be vicariously liable for the trucker’s negligence.
The truck manufacturer – If a defective component of the fuel truck contributed to the accident, the manufacturer of the vehicle may be liable for the accident.
The truck maintenance company – Sometimes, a trucking company relies on a separate maintenance company to inspect and service the truck to ensure it is road-ready. If that company fails to properly perform these duties, the maintenance company may be liable in part for the accident.

Get Help from Our Experienced Fuel Truck Accident Lawyers

At Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC, we understand that pursuing compensation for a catastrophic accident may feel overwhelming, especially if you are struggling to heal from your injuries. You can rest assured that our experienced and compassionate attorneys will handle every aspect of your case for you, pursuing the money you deserve while you focus on getting better.

(314) 367-2661