Call Meyerkord & Kurth If You’ve Been Injured by a Work Vehicle
Commercial vehicles are an everyday presence on American roadways, ferrying goods or performing needed tasks and services. While they are essential to commerce and cities, commercial vehicle also make our roads and highways more dangerous places given the fact that they are often larger and slower than other vehicles. That’s why they are subject to numerous safety regulations, and why commercial vehicle operators have legal obligations to ensure preventable wrecks are avoided.
If you or someone you love has been injured in any type of auto accident involving a commercial vehicle, our award-winning St. Louis truck accident attorney at Meyerkord & Kurth is here to help. With over 100 years of combined experience, our commercial vehicle accident attorneys in St. Louis know how to address the complexities involved in commercial vehicle accident cases, fight back against powerful insurance companies and corporations that try to minimize payouts, and help victims seek a full and fair recovery of their damages.
Injured by a commercial vehicle? Contact our firm for a FREE consultation.
St. Louis Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorney, Brian Kurth
Brian Kurth is a skilled personal injury attorney at Meyerkord & Kurth who represents victims of commercial vehicle accidents throughout the St. Louis area. With a strong foundation in analytical problem-solving from his early career as an actuary, Brian brings a sharp, detail-oriented approach to navigating the complex legal and insurance issues that often arise in commercial vehicle cases.
A native of Reedsburg, Wisconsin, Brian earned his degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison before pursuing his law degree at The John Marshall Law School in Chicago. Today, he combines his legal skill and data-driven mindset to advocate for injured clients and hold negligent drivers and companies accountable.
If you’ve been hurt in a commercial vehicle accident, contact Brian Kurth at Meyerkord & Kurth to schedule a free consultation and learn how he can help you move forward.
Creating a Level Playing Field
As commercial vehicle accident lawyers in St. Louis, we help victims and families make their voices heard in the civil justice system. Whether it is a personal injury lawsuit filed over preventable accidents and injuries, or a wrongful death action following a fatal wreck, these claims allow victims to take on even the most powerful adversaries who failed to abide by regulations, were negligent, or otherwise caused harm that could and should have been prevented.
If your accident involved any vehicle used for commercial purposes, or any of the below, you can be confident about placing your trust in a legal team with the experience you need:
- Commercial trucks and tractor-trailers
- Garbage and sanitation trucks
- Public utility vehicles
- Commercial busses and transportation services
- City-operated vehicles
- Courier vehicles and delivery trucks
Because commercial vehicles are owned and operated by businesses, or even local government, they can make for challenging cases. Fortunately, our team has experience fighting back against government agencies, corporations, and insurance companies that prioritize profits over people, and want to pay victims as little as they can.
What Are The Most Common Types of Commercial Vehicle Accidents in St. Louis
Commercial vehicle accidents can cause severe injuries and property damage. It’s helpful to recognize the different types of accidents that can take place, which often includes:
- Rear-End Collisions: These often take place in heavy traffic or at stoplights. Sometimes, commercial drivers follow cars too closely and can’t react in time when traffic slows, leading to crashes.
- Jackknife Accidents: Vehicles with trailers can fold inward without enough stopping distance or during sudden braking. This movement looks like a folding pocketknife, which can block several lanes and involve multiple cars.
- Rollover Accidents: Tall or top-heavy commercial trucks might roll onto their sides, often while rounding a curve too quickly or encountering strong winds.
- Lost Loads: Improper loading can cause cargo to spill onto the road, striking other vehicles or causing drivers to swerve and crash.
No matter what type of accident you’ve been in, it’s important to contact our commercial vehicle accident lawyers in St. Louis for legal help as soon as you can.
Common Causes of Commercial Vehicle Accidents
Commercial vehicles move countless goods each day, but their size and time on the road can make them a higher risk for accidents. When these crashes happen, the force and damage can be severe for passengers and other drivers. Below are some of the most common reasons these collisions occur.
Driver Fatigue
Truck and delivery drivers often work long shifts, some of them up to or over federal limits. Tired drivers can have slower reaction times and poorer judgment, making it easier to swerve, get distracted, or fall asleep behind the wheel.
Distracted Driving
Many commercial drivers use electronic devices for directions or to communicate with dispatchers. Taking eyes away from the road, even briefly, increases the chance of crashing because heavy vehicles can’t stop or turn as quickly as cars.
If you have been involved in a commercial vehicle accident due to a distracted driver, contact our St. Louis distracted driving attorney to seek legal advice today.
Improper Maintenance
Larger vehicles like these have a lot of parts that need frequent and proper checks. When a trucking company skips routine inspections or repairs, it leads to equipment failures that endanger everyone on the road.
Speeding and Aggressive Driving
Deadlines encourage some drivers to speed, leave little room between vehicles, or change lanes abruptly. Speeding increases both the risk of accidents and worsens their severity when they do occur.
Wide Turns
Large trucks and delivery vans need more room for turns. If a driver misjudges this space, they may hit cars in other lanes or on the curb while turning.
Blind Spot (“No-Zone”) Collisions
Commercial vehicles are much longer than most cars, so they have much larger blind spots. Accidents can happen if drivers change lanes or merge without realizing a car is beside or behind them.
If you’re hurt in one of these crashes, understanding what went wrong can be the first step toward getting the help you need. Schedule a free consultation with our St. Louis auto accident lawyers today.
Common Commercial Vehicle Accident Injuries
Commercial vehicle accidents can leave people with many different types of injuries, ranging from mild to very severe. Below are some common ones that occur:
- Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries
- Broken bones or fractures
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Head injuries
- Cuts and bruise
- Roadrash
- Burns
- Internal bleeding or organ damage
It’s a good idea to see a doctor as soon as possible after an accident, even if you don’t feel that bad right away.
Proven St. Louis Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorneys With the Experience You Need
Because our firm focuses exclusively on fighting for the injured and the wronged, we have the necessary experience and resources to handle all types of auto accident cases, including those involving various commercial vehicles.
By understanding the unique issues at hand, working to investigate and build strong cases, and protecting our clients’ rights at every step of the process, we work to recover any and all damages victims suffered.
Damages we fight to recover include:
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages or future income
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Mental anguish or “nervous breakdowns“
- Loss of support or quality of life
- Disfigurement or disability
- Emotional injuries
Discuss Your St. Louis Commercial Vehicle Accident Case During a FREE Consultation
Meyerkord & Kurth is a home-grown law firm that has earned national recognition for our ability to succeed in challenging personal injury cases. Over the years, we have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for clients across St. Louis and beyond, and are readily prepared to help you.
Due to the challenges of commercial vehicle accident cases, as well as unique rules and procedures that may apply in cases where government agencies are liable, we strongly encourage you to reach out to our team as soon as possible after an accident.
Our firm is available 24/7 to help, and we offer free and confidential case reviews! Contact us to get started.