Truck & Tractor-Trailer Accidents

Truck & Tractor-Trailer Accidents

Accidents involving semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, and tractor-trailers are among the most dangerous on Missouri’s roads. Due to their massive size and weight — often 20–30 times heavier than a passenger vehicle — these crashes frequently result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities.

Common causes of truck accidents include:

• Driver fatigue (especially when hours-of-service rules are violated)
• Distracted or impaired driving
• Speeding or unsafe lane changes
• Overloaded or improperly secured cargo
• Mechanical failure due to poor maintenance
• Inexperienced or poorly trained drivers

What makes truck accident cases more complex than standard car crashes is the number of parties that may be involved. In addition to the truck driver, liability may extend to the trucking company, a third-party maintenance provider, a freight company, or even the vehicle or parts manufacturer.

If you’ve been injured in a tractor-trailer collision, it’s critical to act quickly. Trucking companies and their insurers often deploy rapid-response teams to investigate the scene and protect their interests — sometimes before the injured person has even left the hospital. Key evidence such as logbooks, dashcam footage, black box data, and maintenance records can be lost or intentionally withheld without prompt legal intervention.

In a Missouri truck accident case, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Emergency and ongoing medical expenses
• Lost income and reduced future earning capacity
• Pain, suffering, and emotional trauma
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Wrongful death (for surviving family members)

These are high-stakes cases, and the companies involved have aggressive legal teams on their side. You deserve someone who will stand up for you — and fight to hold every responsible party accountable.

View Previous Pages in this series, “What Is Considered a Personal Injury in Missouri?”

What Is Considered a Personal Injury in Missouri?

Car Accidents: Common Types of Personal Injury Cases in Missouri