St. Joseph Truck Accident Lawyer Information
If you have a St. Joseph, Missouri, truck accident claim, St. Joseph truck accident lawyers are here to advocate for you. Call one of the St. Joseph truck accident lawyers listed on this site for a free initial consultation.
An estimated 5,000 people die as a result of truck accidents and collisions in the United States each year. St. Joseph has its fair share of truck accidents due in large part to the traffic caused by its growing population. As the county seat of Buchanan County, Missouri, St. Joseph is northwest Missouri's largest city and the eighth largest city in Missouri overall. As of the 2010 census, St. Joseph had a population of close to 80,000 residents; and, the St. Joseph Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Buchanan, Andrew, and DeKalb Counties in Missouri and Doniphan County, Kansas, had an population of close to 126,000 residents in 2008. St. Joseph has a total land area of 44.5 square miles.
The most common form of transportation in St. Joseph is still the automobile with most of its residents driving to work alone each day. The nearest major metropolitan area to St. Joseph is the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, a drive that measures approximately 37 miles from downtown St. Joseph to the Kansas City International Airport via I-29 and I-229. At times St. Joseph has a great deal of traffic congestion, which leads to frequent automobile accidents of all types- including accidents caused by or involving commercial trucking vehicles.
If you find yourself the victim of one of these accidents in or near St. Joseph, Missouri, don't hesitate to call one of the knowledgeable St. Joseph truck accident lawyers listed on this site for a free initial consultation to get your case underway today!
St. Joseph Semi Accident Injury Attorney
Because a commercial vehicle accident involving an automobile usually results in severe injuries or death, due to the weight difference of a car versus the weight of a tractor trailer, it is essential that you choose an experienced commercial vehicle accident attorney. Commercial vehicles come in all shapes and sizes and are called various names throughout the United States. Here are just some common names and their meanings:
- Truck
- Semi
- Tractor trailer
- 18 Wheeler
- Big-Rig
The above five references usually refer to a vehicle that has, when you count all the axles of both the tractor and trailer, a total of 5 axles, 10 brakes, an average overall standard height of 13´ 6´´, an overall length of 70´ to 80´, a total of 12 gears (10 forward and 2 reverse), and an overall maximum weight of 80,000 pounds without any overweight certificates. Compared to the average weight of an automobile, which is only 5,000 pounds, you can easily see how much more dangerous a large truck like this could be.
St. Joseph Big-Rig Injury Lawyers
Then there are trucks that do certain things and carry certain items:
- Bob-Tail Trucks
- Tanker trucks
- Refrigerated trucks
- Flat bed trucks
- Logging trucks
Then there are trucks that are commercial in nature but do not necessarily involve long haul situations. Some of the examples stay within the State of Missouri and some do not. However, when any one of these is involved in a St. Joseph wreck, it is advisable to retain a St. Joseph attorney with Big-Rig accident knowledge.
- Casino Bus accidents occur running back and forth from Kansas City;
- Shuttle bus accidents driving to and from the airport, e.g., Kansas City International Airport or Rosecrans Memorial Airport;
- Transportation buses such as Greyhound;
- St. Joseph Limo Buses.
St. Joseph truck accidents caused by semi trucks, big rigs, 18-wheelers, tractor trailers, buses and commercial vehicles are common on St. Joseph streets, avenues, and highways. Many of the semi truck crashes that occur in the city of St. Joseph happen along the major St. Joseph highways, which include the I-29, I-70, US 169, I-229, and US 71.
St. Joseph Truck Accident Lawyers
When driving along a St. Joseph intersection, avenue, or highway, there are many factors that can lead to a commercial semi-truck rollover, jackknife accident, or tractor trailer collision. The consequences can be devastating with very serious injuries that can even result in death. When truck drivers fail to take the necessary precautions to avoid trucking accidents, they needlessly endanger the lives of people who ride in smaller vehicles. Drivers of semi tractor-trailers and 18-wheelers are often pressured to work long hours in order to meet delivery deadlines. Drivers are required by federal law to take breaks and adhere to safety regulations, but they often take shortcuts when it comes to driver safety, resulting in driver negligence.
Under federal and state laws, a trucking company may be held liable for driver negligence occurring in St. Joseph, Missouri. If you have been a victim of a tractor trailer or big rig truck accident in St. Joseph, Missouri, or a nearby area, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. A qualified St. Joseph truck accident lawyer or attorney who is familiar with the federal laws as well as Missouri laws and regulations regarding commercial trucking can be a great asset in any potential lawsuit against a trucking company. This is a good reason why anyone involved in a truck collision should consider hiring a St. Joseph truck accident law firm to represent them in their claim against the trucking company. If you live in St. Joseph, here is an example of one court in which your lawsuit may be filed:
Buchanan County Circuit Court - Judicial Circuit 5
Buchanan County Courthouse
411 Jules Street
St Joseph, MO 64501
(816) 271-1462
View a complete list of courts that serve St. Joseph and Buchanan County.
Common Causes of St. Joseph Truck Accidents:
- DUI / Drugs
- Driver Fatigue
- Improper Maintenance
- Hazardous Roads
- Aggressive Driving
- Overloaded Trucks or Trailers
- Loads that Shift Weight
- Faulty Brakes
- Tire Blowouts / Tread Burn
- Rear End / Head-on Collisions / Jackknives
Truck Accident Attorneys Serve St. Joseph and Surrounding Cities
Serving clients throughout Northwestern Missouri, including Atchison, Cameron, Chillcothe, Columbia, Grant City, Independence, Kansas City, Kirksville, Levenworth, Marysville, Maryville, Milan, Nodaway, Olathe, Overland Park, Shelbyville, Smithville, St. Joseph, Topeka, Wildwood, areas in the vicinity of Rosecrans Memorial Airport, and other communities in Buchanan County.
St. Joseph Truck Accident Attorneys are experienced in handling serious injury truck collision cases and can help you fight the trucking company or its insurer in order to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact a St. Joseph Truck Accident Lawyer today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.