Formerly Padberg, Corrigan & Appelbaum

St. Louis Truck Accident Attorneys

The St. Louis truck accident attorneys at Padberg Appelbaum Knepper have a proven track record of success. Our legal team has recovered several multi-million-dollar settlements for clients who have sustained damages from a trucking accident. Any collision with a large commercial truck is likely to result in serious injury or worse, due to their massive size. A fully loaded commercial truck can weigh more than 80,000 lbs., while the average passenger vehicle weighs approximately 4,000 lbs. by comparison.

Many safety hazards can cause a trucking accident, including:

  • Truck Driver Fatigue
  • Improper Driver Training
  • Use of Drugs or Alcohol
  • Speeding
  • Illegal Operating Procedures
  • Unbalanced or Unsuitable Loads
  • Inadequate Truck Maintenance
  • Defective Equipment
  • Severe Weather and/or Unsafe Road Conditions

Employers often push truck drivers to deliver loads quickly, leading them to violate general traffic laws and federal regulations. When regulations have been violated, or a trucking company or driver is negligent, they could be financially responsible for the damages caused by their actions. But the trucking company’s lawyers and investigators will be on the scene working to minimize their liability immediately after a big truck accident. As a result, it is very important to contact an experienced truck accident law firm to discuss the details of your accident in a free consultation.

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Notable St. Louis Truck Accident Attorneys Cases

$9,800,000 Settlement

For a 21-year old woman who was permanently paralyzed when a tractor trailer rear ended the pick-up truck in which she was a passenger while on Interstate 44 in the City of Pacific, Franklin County, Missouri. The collision caused the pick-up truck to flip over and partially eject her. Unfortunately, she fractured her neck and was placed on life support and in a coma for several months. Then, she was transferred to a rehab hospital where she remained for approximately six months.

$3,000,000 Settlement

For serious orthopedic injuries that were sustained in a trucking accident.

$1,800,000 Settlement

For a truck driver and his passenger who suffered injuries after being hit by another semi-tractor trailer.

More Cases

FAQs: Questions to ask a truck accident attorney

Click to jump to a question and answer:

How do I choose an attorney for a trucking accident?

Trucking is a highly regulated industry. Victims of a commercial truck wreck need an experienced St. Louis truck accident lawyer who understands Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR), which govern what truckers can and cannot do. The federal government also mandates trucking companies to carry $1M of insurance coverage in order to drive on public roadways and, often, the policy limit is not enough to fairly compensate a victim for the losses they have incurred.

A St. Louis truck accident attorney will assess your case to determine who may be found liable for causing the accident. This could likely involve bringing a lawsuit against multiple parties, including:

  • The truck driver
  • The trucking company
  • The company’s insurer
  • The broker or shipper who hired the trucking company
  • A parts manufacturer, in the event of faulty equipment
  • The government agency responsible for road maintenance where the accident occurred

Because of complex industry regulations, limited insurance coverage and the likelihood of pursuing a lawsuit against multiple parties at once, it is critically important to work with an experienced St. Louis trucking accident attorney.

Can I file a claim?

Anyone who has been injured during a collision with a commercial truck can file a claim, whether they were a driver, passenger or pedestrian. Our law firm represents local victims of semi-truck accidents in Missouri and Illinois, as well as those who live out of state and were involved in an accident while traveling through Missouri and Illinois.

If a minor was injured, a parent or legal guardian can file a claim on the minor’s behalf.

If the accident caused a fatal injury, the victim’s surviving loved ones can pursue a Wrongful Death claim.

What should I do after I’ve been in a trucking accident?

Individuals who are involved in a semi-truck accident will likely be contacted by the opposing insurance company shortly afterwards. Their goal is to take a recorded statement and use it against the injured person during the handling of the claim. Do not talk to the other party’s insurer. Instead, provide them with the contact information of a St. Louis trucking accident attorney. If you have not yet retained a truck accident lawyer for your case, contact one immediately.

What kind of financial compensation am I entitled to?

For injuries caused by a trucking accident, the amount of compensation that can be recovered depends on many factors. The main considerations are the nature and extent of the client’s injuries and damages. Another factor that will influence the amount of any settlement is whether the trucking company is completely at fault, or if the client has some fault in causing the crash.

A victim’s financial compensation could include payment for these damages:

  • Loss of Quality of Life
  • Lost Wages
  • Medical Treatment and Expenses, including rehabilitation
  • Permanent Partial or Total Disability
  • Death Benefits

In the event of a Wrongful Death claim or other serious truck accidents resulting from gross negligence, the responsible party may also be subject to pay punitive damages to the victim.

How much does it cost to hire a truck accident lawyer?

The truck accident lawyers at Padberg Appelbaum Knepper work under a contingency fee contract. As a result, our clients do not pay anything unless we successfully recover damages for their case. Our trucking accident attorneys also pay the upfront cost to investigate and pursue the lawsuit. These costs are not reimbursed unless we are able to recover on our client’s behalf. When the case is completed, fees are based on a percentage of the judgment or settlement, which has been predetermined and mutually agreed on.

If you or a loved one have suffered from a trucking accident injury, contact the law office of Padberg Appelbaum Knepper for a free consultation with a St. Louis truck accident attorney.