Traffic accidents are common in Missouri. No one can prevent a car or truck accident from taking place, but once you follow the safety measures, it is possible to keep yourself and others secure from such accidents.
The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) shared that the rate of fatalities went up by 12% in 2020. According to MoDOT, more than 1,015 individuals lost their lives in a car accident in Missouri. The data from the agency revealed that speeding was one issue that led to 40% of accidents in 2021.
That is not all. Even truck accidents are common in Missouri, which result in physical injury, vehicle damage, emotional trauma, and even the loss of lives. In October 2023, KMOV reported that every lane on the westbound Highway 370 in St. Charles was closed because of a MoDOT truck accident.
The accident took place between a car and a truck on the Highway 94 exit. There were many emergency vehicles on the scene, and no one was injured. However, that might not always be the situation, and a truck accident might hurt you physically and financially.
In this article, we will shed light on the guidelines that will help you get compensation for the pain and suffering you witnessed due to the truck crash in St. Louis.
Getting Compensated for a Truck Accident
It is necessary to seek legal representation when you want to get compensated for your truck accident injury. Only a truck accident attorney in St. Louis can help you effectively negotiate with the insurance companies and collect the correct evidence. If you have a partial fault, the lawyer can enable you to increase the compensation.
The other essential factors that determine your compensation include:
Determining Liability
Missouri follows a comparative fault law for deciding liability in truck collisions. This law states that a person involved in the crash can be partially accountable for the accident. The overall amount is based on the fault percentage of the accident.
To obtain compensation, it is essential to establish liability. There are several parties accountable for the truck crash, which comprise the cargo loading company, truck driver, trucking company, and truck manufacturer. One person, one party, or any of them might be held accountable for the accident.
Collecting Necessary Evidence
If, after the truck accident, you have undergone property damage and have suffered injuries, chances are that you will require the necessary proof when you seek compensation. It will help establish who was at fault for the collision.
There are multiple kinds of proof used in a truck accident. Photographs can help to determine the property damage and the physical injuries that the victim has endured. It helps to find out who was at fault for the crash.
An expert lawyer will also try to gather video surveillance evidence about the way the accident took place. There are various other kinds of evidence, which comprise expert testimony, statements from witnesses, and physical evidence, available at the accident scene. When you have solid evidence, you have a better chance of getting fair and full compensation for your personal injury claim.
Assessing Damages
The other crucial aspect of trying to obtain compensation is establishing the damages that you suffered in the accident. Usually, there are two kinds of damages-economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages comprise lost wages, medical costs, and various other financial damages. The non-economic damages comprise how the truck crash affected your mental health. For instance, if you had to experience depression or anxiety after the accident, it can be counted as non-economic damages.
Seeking compensation for the losses that you have suffered after a truck accident in St. Louis can be a challenging battle. And the odds can rise when you try to battle it out all by yourself without any professional help, which could make the process easy and streamlined.
TorHoerman Law states that truck accident victims must get the help of a lawyer and seek justice. These lawyers have knowledge of how to guide victims through the claim process. Also, they use the evidence gathered in the best way possible to develop a solid case, which ensures that the verdict is in the victim’s favor and they also receive their compensation. However, the duration of the entire process might vary and is case-specific.
Conclusion
No one wants to get hit by a truck when they are driving or walking on the streets of St. Louis. Following the necessary traffic rules and safe driving tactics can help to avoid accidents, but there is no guarantee that you will never encounter a truck accident.
In case you face a truck accident that results in physical injuries, anxiety, and property damage, ensure that you seek legal recourse. Working with a lawyer and following the steps mentioned above will help you get the compensation you deserve to cover the losses you have incurred.
