Truck Accident Lawyers in Kansas City, MO
Being injured in a truck accident can cause more than a headache. Large trucks are on the roads every day and have the potential to be deadly. A truck accident can also lead to a significant loss of income. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you’ll need the services of a knowledgeable truck accident attorney in Kansas, Missouri. The attorneys at Fowler Pickert Eisenmenger Norfleet are knowledgeable Kansas City car accident attorneys who have handled all types of truck accident cases and can help protect your rights and seek the compensation you deserve.
Treating a truck accident the same as a regular car accident is a dangerous game to play. Understanding the intricacies of the law surrounding trucking accidents is an important part of reaching a successful verdict.
Truck Accident Fatalities in America 2006 – 2016
[Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety]
While the number of truck accident fatalities took a significant dip in 2009, it has been on a steady increase since then. This could be due to an increasing amount of distracted drivers on smartphones, more young drivers hitting the roads or an increase in driver’s operating a vehicle under the influence.
How Trucks Are Different
It is obvious that trucks are bigger and therefore cause more damage than cars, but there are other factors at play that make truck accidents a real risk on the roads today. Drunk driving truck accidents are on the rise and truck accidents account for roughly 5,000 deaths every year. Driving defensively is one way that drivers on the road can avoid collisions with trucks, but even the most cautious drivers are at risk. Understanding the importance of legal representation after a truck accident can make a significant difference in your life after an accident.
Liability
In truck accident cases, unlike most car accidents, an employer may be held responsible. If any act that caused an accident happened during the normal course of work, an employer may be held liable. Independent contractors are an exception to this rule, because they are held personally liable for all of their truck activities.
To determine if an act happened during the natural course of work expected by the employer, the following are evaluated:
- The driver’s intent – any intentional acts that cause an accident, such as drinking or texting while driving, will not generally be held liable by an employer.
- The circumstances surrounding the accident, including nature, time, and place.
- The type of work.
- The freedom an employee is allowed during work.
- The time-frame an employee spent acting outside of the scope of work.
Compensation for a Truck Accident Injury
The damages that may be awarded during the course of a truck accident case may include compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, lost income, and loss of future earning capacity.
Considerations that will affect the outcome of your case primarily affect liability. In some states, if you are partially liable for the accident, you may not receive full monetary compensation for any injuries sustained.
Experienced Kansas City, MO Truck Accident Lawyers
If you have been injured in a truck accident, seek medical assistance immediately. Your medical records may play an integral role in proving the effect of the accident on your long-term ability to function normally after the accident. Psychological and emotional injury considerations may also come into play during the course of a case. If you suffer from anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues directly related to your accident, you may be eligible for compensation for your suffering.
Take as many pictures of the accident scene as you can. Get information from witnesses and the other driver. Sometimes gaining this information is not possible due to the injuries sustained in the accident. As soon as you are able, contact an attorney to help you with all aspects of your case as it moves forward. Your attorney may help facilitate conversations between you and your insurance company, the other party in the accident, and other representatives.
Your main focus after the accident should be to regain your health, and having a qualified attorney to help you with your case can help you get back to your normal life much faster. Our attorneys have extensive combined successful experience handling all types of auto accident cases, including truck accidents.