Garbage Truck Accident Lawyers in St. Louis, MO

garbage truck in St. Louis, MO

A crash involving a garbage truck can inflict serious injuries that leave you unable to work while medical bills and daily expenses pile up. You should not bear the financial consequences of a garbage truck accident that was not your fault. Let the truck accident lawyers with Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC  help you pursue full compensation for the harm you’ve suffered.

Since 1999, our law firm has advocated for the rights of accident victims in St. Louis and throughout the region. The success we ha eve achieved for our clients is reflected in the many awards and honors we have received. Our firm has the highest AV Preeminent® rating with the esteemed Martindale-Hubbell legal directory and a 10.0 Superb score on the rating service Avvo. We are proud of this recognition but even prouder of what it represents: thousands of satisfied clients who received the money they needed to rebuild their lives.

Reach out to Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC in St. Louis for a free case review if you have been injured in an accident involving a trash truck. We can help you assess your legal options after a devastating trash truck accident.

What To Do After a Garbage Truck Accident in St. Louis, MO?

After a garbage truck injury, you can protect your rights to financial compensation by taking the following steps:

  • Report the accident to the police, and request a copy of any police accident report.
  • Get contact, vehicle registration, and insurance information from the garbage truck driver.
  • Get contact info from any eyewitnesses to the crash.
  • Take photos or videos of the accident scene to document important details such as vehicle damage, visible injuries you suffered, skid marks, and traffic signs/signals.
  • See a healthcare professional to diagnose your injuries and begin treatment.
  • Notify your auto insurance provider about the accident.
  • Follow your medical provider’s treatment plan and instructions. Keep follow-up appointments. Do not disregard prescribed treatment or end your treatment early.
  • Keep copies of vehicle repair bills, medical invoices, and other expenses you incurred due to the accident.
  • Keep your income records if you miss time from work or earn less after the accident as a result of your injuries.

Contact Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC to speak with a St. Louis garbage truck accident lawyer. We can pursue the compensation you need while you focus on your health.

Why Choose Craig, Kelley & Faultless for Your Garbage Truck Accident?

After a garbage truck accident in St. Louis, you deserve dedicated legal representation to help you pursue the full financial recovery you need to cover your medical expenses and losses. For decades, accident victims have turned to Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC for excellent legal advice and advocacy because:

  • We genuinely care about the well-being of our clients and want to help them.
  • We get to know our clients so that we can better advocate for their needs.
  • We maintain direct contact with each client throughout our representation of their legal matter.
  • We never back down against big corporations and insurers. We fight to protect our client’s rights and do our best to achieve a favorable outcome on their behalf.

As an established firm, we have the resources necessary to take on municipalities and private trash collection companies to demand financial compensation and justice for you. We will assume the expense of conducting  an investigation of the garbage truck accident, hiring expert witnesses, and developing your case.  You will not owe any legal fee unless we obtain money for you through a settlement or court award.

What Are Recoverable Damages After a Garbage Truck Accident in Missouri?

After a garbage truck accident that someone else caused, you may have the right to seek compensation for losses like:

  • Costs of medical treatment and rehabilitation, including hospitalization, surgeries and other medical procedures, prescription medications, doctor’s appointments, and physical therapy
  • Costs of long-term care, such as home health services or the purchase of mobility equipment and support devices for permanent disabilities
  • Loss of wages due to missed work or modified duty during your recovery
  • Loss of earning capacity and lost employment benefits if you become disabled
  • Physical pain and distress
  • Emotional trauma and suffering
  • Permanent disabilities or disfigurement that result in a loss of enjoyment or quality of life
  • Vehicle repair bills or reimbursement of the value of your totaled vehicle

What Is the Time Limit for Filing a Garbage Truck Accident Lawsuit in Missouri?

Under Â§516.120 of the Revised Missouri Statutes, you have five years from the date of a truck accident to file a lawsuit. If you file suit after this deadline, the court can permanently dismiss your claim, causing you to lose your right to recover compensation for your injuries.

If a municipal government is liable for the garbage truck accident, you may face a shorter deadline to file a notice of a pending claim. For this reason, you should not delay contacting Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC for help  in filing your claim in a timely fashion.

How Is Liability Determined in a Garbage Truck Accident?

Determining which party bears responsibility for a truck accident requires gathering and reviewing the available evidence, which might include the following:

  • Accident scene photos and videos
  • Surveillance/traffic camera or dashcam footage
  • Eyewitness testimony
  • Vehicle event data recorder logs
  • The garbage truck driver’s employment and driving records
  • The garbage truck driver’s cell phone records
  • The garbage truck company’s dispatch records
  • Results of any post-accident alcohol/drug tests of the garbage truck driver
  • Post-accident vehicle inspections
  • Accident reconstruction reports

How Our Attorneys Can Help You Deal with Your Garbage Truck Accident

You need knowledgeable attorneys as you pursue your rights after a garbage truck accident. These accidents are more complicated to investigate and resolve than a typical collision involving two cars. The attorneys at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC have the experience to handle these cases effectively. We can take care of your compensation claim, allowing you to focus on your medical treatment and rebuilding your life.

The legal services we provide include the following:

  • Explaining your legal options and preparing you for what to expect
  • Investigating the accident to determine which party has liability for your injuries and losses
  • Evaluating your compensation options and identifying applicable insurance coverages
  • Documenting your injuries and losses to calculate the compensation you should seek
  • Working with accident reconstruction, medical, vocational, and financial specialists to develop your claim
  • Drafting and filing formal legal claims and demand letters on your behalf to put liable parties on notice of your claim
  • Seeking fair compensation in settlement negotiations with insurance adjusters and defense lawyers
  • Taking your case to court if necessary

Most Common Causes of Garbage Truck Accidents in Missouri

Some of the more frequent causes of garbage truck accidents include:

  • Speeding
  • Reckless driving
  • Following too closely
  • Not checking mirrors before changing lanes
  • Backing up without checking mirrors or cameras
  • Running red lights or stop signs
  • Making illegal turns
  • Lack of familiarity with the collection route
  • Drowsy/fatigued driving, especially since waste collection shifts start early in the morning
  • Distracted driving, including using a cell phone while driving
  • Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Inadequate maintenance of the garbage truck
  • Overloading the truck with refuse

Most Common Injuries in Garbage Truck Accidents in Missouri

A garbage truck’s size and weight can cause severe injuries when a garbage truck collides with a passenger vehicle. The injuries can disrupt your life, your ability to enjoy life, and your means of earning a living. The injuries might include:

  • Lacerations and abrasions
  • Burns
  • Crush injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Dislocated joints
  • Ligament sprains/tears
  • Muscle and tendon strains/tears
  • Whiplash injury
  • Nerve damage
  • Herniated spinal disc injury
  • Internal injuries and bleeding
  • Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
  • Facial and head injuries
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Amputation/limb loss

These injuries can also result in severe emotional trauma that can make it hard to go about your life. If a truck driver or another party caused the crash, you should not be responsible for your medical bills. The at-fault party’s insurance should compensate you for the full extent of the injuries and losses you have sustained. Craig, Kelly & Faultless LLC can calculate your losses and pursue compensation accordingly.

Schedule a Free Case Review with Our Experienced St. Louis Garbage Truck Accident Attorneys

Hurt in a garbage truck accident in St. Louis? Was someone else to blame? If so, you deserve compensation to help you rebuild your life.  But you should not try to deal with a commercial trash hauler or government agency on your own. Instead of trying to pursue justice and accountability alone, enlist the help of our seasoned St. Louis garbage truck accident attorneys. We are available to review the details of your garbage truck accident and discuss the steps available to you.

Call Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC today at (800) 746-0226 or fill out the contact form on our website for a free, no-obligation consultation.