Truck Crash Lawyers in Columbia, MO
Call 866-382-4167 for a Free Case Evaluation.
Truck Crash Lawyers Columbia, MO. Truck crashes cause devastating injuries. After being injured in a truck accident, there's the very real possibility that you might have to deal with exorbitant medical bills and possibly months, years or even a lifetime of additional care. If you were harmed because of another person's negligence, you need an attorney by your side to make sure you are fairly compensated. The veteran and devoted Columbia, MO truck crash lawyers at Halvorsen Klote are here to fight by your side and get you the compensation you deserve. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident through no fault of your own, speak to our Columbia, MO truck crash lawyers today at 866-382-4167 or contact us online for a no-risk, no-obligation case review.
Is it Worth it to Get Columbia, MO Truck Crash Lawyers?
If a negligent person or organization injured you, then you unquestionably need to hire a lawyer. Truck drivers and trucking companies have expensive insurance policies and their insurance adjusters will do everything in their power to minimize how much money you get. The catastrophic consequences of truck accidents go well beyond a common fender bender that you might be able to manage on your own. Your Columbia, MO truck crash lawyers at Halvorsen Klote understand how to prove exactly how much you are owed and why. Besides handling the trucking company, veteran and talented truck crash lawyers will:
- Obtain and assess evidence, including:
- The truck's black box
- Video footage from inside the truck
- Close-by surveillance footage
- Witness statements
- Police reports
- The crash site
- Employer records
- Maintenance records
- Manage the entire legal process
- Review your medical records
- Work with medical and motor vehicle crash experts to determine negligence and correctly calculate the value of your claim
- Keep in constant communication with you
- Take your case to trial if the insurance and trucking company will not be reasonable in negotiations
Our Columbia, MO truck crash lawyers know how to get you the full financial recovery you deserve. You owe us no attorney's fees unless you get the full compensation you deserve.
Columbia, MO Truck Crash Lawyers: The Statistics
Any Columbia, MO motor vehicle accident can lead to disastrous injuries or, in the most tragic cases, wrongful death. People who were injured as the result of truck crashes are at especially high risk due to the utter size of semi-trucks and the force they expel. Despite accounting for only 4 percent of registered vehicles, trucks are part of 9 percent of fatal crashes. In fatal truck accidents, Almost three-quarters of of fatalities were occupants of other vehicles, not the truck. Most trucks are 20-30 times bigger than standard vehicles and have 20-40 percent increased stopping time.
Columbia, MO truck drivers and their trucking companies have a colossal responsibility to ensure everyone on the road is safe. When their negligence in following those rules injures you, you need to call the Columbia, MO truck crash lawyers of Halvorsen Klote to stand up the the trucking company and insurance company.
What Compensation Can I Receive For My Columbia, MO Truck Accident?
The damages available in personal injury cases fall into 3 categories: economic damages, non-economic damages and, in rare cases, punitive damages.
Economic damages offer you a recovery for the economic losses you've incurred because of your accident. These include:
- Property damage
- Medical bills, including
- Emergency care
- Follow-up appointments
- Surgeries
- Crutches or other assistive devices
- Chiropractic appointments or physical therapy
- Any reasonably foreseen future expenses, such as joint replacements
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from earning a living like you used to
- Out-of-pocket expenses like transportation to and from medical appointments
Non-economic damages offer you a recovery for the consequences of your injuries you can't put a dollar amount on, like how you've suffered physically and emotionally. Non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Anxiety
- Loss of ability to enjoy life
- Scarring
- Inconvenience
- Physical impairment
- Loss of consortium
Punitive damages are unusual and are reserved for cases where the negligent party was incredibly reckless, for example, if a truck driver was driving drunk.
How much your personal injury claim is worth depends on the severity of your injuries, the impact they've had on your life and how hard your truck crashes lawyers are willing to work for you. Call Halvorsen Klote today at 866-382-4167 to start your road to true recovery with full compensation.
Who Can My Columbia, MO Truck Crash Lawyers Hold Accountable for My Injuries?
The circumstances of each crash are ]unique, and who we can hold accountable depends on how and why your specific crash happened. The experienced and capable Columbia, MO truck crash lawyers at Halvorsen Klote know how to evaluate truck accidents and find every party we can hold accountable. The following are some of the common causes of truck accidents and the parties our truck crash lawyers may be able to hold accountable for your injuries.
The Driver
According to the Federal Motor Safety Administration, 87 percent of truck accidents are the result of negligent driving. Examples of driver negligence:
- Distracted driving, including driving while
- Texting, or otherwise using their phone
- Eating or drinking
- Smoking
- Changing climate controls or the radio
- Not focusing on the road of them
- Daydreaming
- Driving while tired
- Driving drunk or otherwise impaired
- Reckless driving
- Unsafe lane changes
- Driving well over the speed limit
If you were harmed because of a negligent truck driver, call Halvorsen Klote's semi-truck accident lawyers today to start on your journey getting justice for your injuries.
The Truck Company
Truck companies owe the same duty of care to people on Columbia, MO roads that truck drivers do. Semi-trucks are in constant use and because of that the company needs to stay up to date on repairs. While trucks can be pulled over for inspection, they are too numerous for the Department of Transportation to be able to monitor every single truck. That's why scheduled maintenance and repairs is paramount for the safety for everyone on the road.
Additionally, truck companies have a duty to take care of their drivers and not overwork them. Some studies demonstrate that driving with less than four hours sleep within 24 hours can be worse than drunk driving. There are strict regulations about the number of miles a truck driver can drive in one day and how often they are supposed to take breaks. The hours of service regulations are:
- An 11-hour driving limit after 10 consecutive hours off duty;
- A 14-hour driving limit followed by 10 consecutive hours not driving, even if they were not on duty all 14 of those hours;
- A 30-minute driving break after eight hours straight hours of driving;
- A 60/70-hour limit in 7/8 consecutive days, and a driver may only restart the 7/8 straight day period after having 34 or more hours off-duty.
Unfortunately, some Columbia, MO truck companies are concerned more about their bottom line than they do about doing what's right. If you were injured in a truck crash because a driver was drowsy, it may be because they felt pressure from their bosses to keep driving even when it violates federal regulations.
Finally, truck companies must only hire drivers who are capable of driving safely. Truck drivers need a Commercial Driver License before they can be hired. If a truck company hires someone who is untrained, has a history of DWIs or is otherwise unqualified to drive a truck, they are liable for their negligent hiring practices.
The Truck Manufacturer and Mechanics
Anyone involved in the design, manufacture, distribution and sale of trucks has a duty to issue recalls on any component they find to be hazardous. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that any device that carries "unreasonable risk of death or injury in an accident" must be taken off the market.
Similarly, if a mechanic observes an issue and does not repair it or does not fix it adequately, HK Law's truck crash lawyers may be able to hold them liable.
The Shipping Company
Cargo needs to be properly loaded so that the weight distribution is balanced. Uneven weight distribution could cause the truck to roll-over and injure you. If the shipping company did not load their cargo properly, they may be to blame for your injuries.
A Governmental Entity
Roadway hazards including potholes, loose guard rails or malfunctioning traffic lights can cause truck accidents. Governments have a duty to maintain the safety of our roadways and when they fail in that duty you may be able to hold them responsible with the help of experienced and skilled Columbia, MO truck crash lawyers. Construction companies hired to repair the hazards poorly may also be held responsible.
The personal injury lawyers at HK Law have experience arguing and winning a wide scope of personal injury cases. Check out the links below to see more about the services we offer.
- Fatal Car Accident Lawyer
- Auto Accident Attorney
- Bike Wreck Lawyer
- What to Do After a Car Accident
- Premises Liability Attorneys
- Automobile Injury Attorney
- Motorcycle Accidents Attorney
- Lawyer for Bicycle Accident
- Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
- Injury Claim Lawyer
Contact Your Columbia, MO Truck Crash Lawyers Today | HK Law
If you have been injured in a truck accident through no fault of your own, the devoted and skilled truck crash lawyers of Halvorsen Klote will take up your case. You should not have to worry about exorbitant medical expenses and lost wages because of somebody else's negligence. Let us fight by your side to win you the compensation you are entitled to. Call us today at 866-382-4167 or contact us online to learn more about how the Columbia, MO truck crash lawyers of Halvorsen Klote can help you.
Joel Halvorsen
Attorney at Law
Joel Halvorsen and his partner Greg Klote founded the Halvorsen Klote law firm on the principle that injured people and their families should have access to the same quality legal representation as large insurance companies.
Greg Klote
Attorney at Law
Greg Klote is a partner and founder of Halvorsen Klote.
Greg has successfully fought for people who were injured through no fault of their own. He became a lawyer to help make a difference in the lives of those who have been wronged and treated unfairly.
