Have you or a loved one been injured by a negligent truck driver? In the wake of your injury, are you struggling with keeping on top of your medical bills and expenses while experiencing extensive pain and suffering?
The firm of Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe is here in your time of need. With over $1 billion recovered for wrongfully injured clients throughout the decades, we believe our track record of excellence speaks for itself.
Don’t delay reaching out to our team to book your free consultation. If you’re unsure about working with a Lee’s Summit truck accident lawyer for your truck accident case, just know that we never bill clients unless we successfully win the case.
Contact us toll-free at (877) 816-2600 to schedule your case review with a personal injury attorney from Lee’s Summit; you can also request an appointment online as well.
Why Choose Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe Truck Accident Lawyers in Lee’s Summit
In Jackson County, we’re often regarded as one of the best truck accident lawyers in Lee’s Summit. Why?
- We successfully conclude truck accident cases. As previously discussed, we have an exceptional track record for successfully settling or receiving favorable jury verdicts. Often, the compensation we win for clients totals in the eight figures.
- We aren’t afraid to take your case to court. Some law firms may be intimidated by a complex or contentious case with a long trial process. Not our team at Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe. Some of our biggest awards recovered for clients have been through a civil proceeding, such as a $50 million truck accident jury verdict.
- We are recommended by advocates and leaders who deal with negligent truckers. Not only do we have testimonials about our ability from satisfied Missourians, but we’re also recommended by prominent individuals combatting truck driver negligence. Daphne Izer, founder of Mom’s Against Tired Trucking, says that we are “unmatched [in] experience and compassion for clients.”
- We only charge you if we win your case. The only event in which we are compensated is if we win your case in court or settle it. This contingency fee payment structure means that you can count on our full investment in your case.
Determining Liability And Negligence In Your Lee’s Summit Truck Accident Case
Determining who or what entity is truly liable for your truck accident can be tough. While the negligent behavior of the driver could be the reason for your or a loved one’s accident, the reason could also be attributable to the trucking company leasing the vehicle.
Federal law dictates that trucking operations that lease their vehicles to truckers have a duty to perform regular maintenance on vehicles. Failure to abide by this could mean that if a maintenance error caused the accident, the parent trucking company could be held liable.
In a similar vein, the manufacturers of truck parts could also be held liable if it was determined that a part failure caused the accident.
Compensation Available After a Truck Accident in Lee’s Summit
In a truck accident claim, the compensation you receive should cover not only the expenses incurred from the crash but also the ongoing costs related to your injury throughout your life. Missouri law permits truck accident victims to pursue two primary types of damages.
The first category, economic damages, addresses the financial impact of the crash, covering current and future expenses. These may include:
- Emergency and ongoing medical treatment
- Future care projected through a life care plan
- Lost income and diminished earning capacity
- Home and vehicle modifications
- In-home assistance and caregiving
- Property damage sustained in the crash
The second category, non-economic damages, covers the physical and emotional toll of the accident. These may include:
- Permanent disfigurement
- Scarring from burns or lacerations
- Loss of quality or enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
- Depression and anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe will account for every dollar you are entitled to recover. We will enlist the help of experts, including medical professionals, life care planners, and vocational specialists, who can project your future medical needs and analyze how the accident has affected your career trajectory. Our goal is to secure a settlement or verdict that reflects the full scope of what you have lost.
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What Should You Do After a Collision with a Commercial Truck in Lee’s Summit?
After a truck accident in Lee’s Summit, stay calm and seek help. Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you do not feel hurt. Adrenaline can mask many injuries in the hours after a collision, and injuries such as internal bleeding, concussions, and spinal damage may not show symptoms.
If you are able, or if someone with you is able, photograph the accident scene and your visible injuries. Collect the names and phone numbers of anyone who witnessed what happened, and call 911 to report the accident to the police.
You can expect a call from the trucking company’s insurer after the accident. You are under no obligation to provide a recorded statement, and it is reasonable to decline until you have spoken with an attorney and understand the full extent of your injuries. Anything you say in those early conversations can be used against you. Instead, contact a Lee’s Summit truck accident lawyer as soon as possible.
If you are reading this after your accident and didn’t complete everything listed above, that is normal, and it doesn’t mean your claim is beyond help. Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe can step in at any stage to recover as much evidence as possible. We will also take over all communication with the insurer from that point forward, protecting you from errors that could delay or harm your case.
How Long Does a Truck Accident Case Take to Reach a Settlement?
It’s natural to wonder how long a truck accident case will take, but the answer isn’t always straightforward. Many cases settle within a year or so, though some situations can shorten or extend the process.
This timeline largely depends on the other side’s willingness to make a reasonable offer and on the severity of your injuries. Because truck accident claims often involve catastrophic injuries, there is considerably more money at stake than in a typical collision, and carriers and their insurers tend to push back harder and longer. Our attorneys prepare every case as though it will be tried, which keeps steady pressure on the other side and positions us to move forward in court if their offer falls short of your claim’s value.
Why Do Semi-Truck Collisions Happen in Lee’s Summit?
Commercial vehicle operations have many moving parts. You have the driver behind the wheel, the carrier that hired and scheduled them, the mechanics responsible for keeping the equipment road-ready, the crew that loaded the trailer, and the broker or shipper that set the delivery window. Each has obligations, and each can fall short.
When one party cuts a corner to stay on schedule or assumes someone higher up the chain already handled a problem, it can trigger a chain reaction that leads to a serious collision. Truck accidents in Lee’s Summit are often caused by:
- Driver Fatigue: Federal rules limit how long a trucker can drive without taking a break. Drivers must follow these laws, but tight delivery schedules push some to keep going anyway. Fatigue slows reaction time and impairs judgment in much the same way alcohol does, increasing the risk of serious collisions.
- Improper Cargo Loading: Freight that is unevenly distributed, inadequately secured, or loaded beyond legal weight limits can be extremely hazardous. These conditions can cause a rollover or jackknife accident. Additionally, an overweight truck is harder to stop.
- Failure to Check Blind Spots: Large trucks have substantial blind spots on all four sides. Truckers are trained to account for these areas before merging or turning, but a rushed or distracted driver may change lanes without confirming that the space is clear.
- Hiring Unqualified Drivers: Trucking carriers must verify a driver’s license, medical certification, driving history, and prior employment before putting them on the road. When a company skips those checks, it places an unqualified and potentially dangerous trucker on the road.
- Poor Maintenance or Repairs: Federal regulations require carriers to inspect, service, and repair their fleets on a regular schedule. If a truck is not properly maintained or repairs are neglected, the driver may experience a catastrophic failure at very high speeds.
- Mechanical Defects: Defective components can fail without warning. When a design or production flaw is to blame, the manufacturer may share responsibility for the resulting crash.
- Impaired Driving: Impairment from alcohol, illegal drugs, or even certain prescription and over-the-counter medications compromises a trucker’s ability to drive. Despite being held to a stricter blood alcohol limit than other motorists, some drivers still get behind the wheel while intoxicated.
Catastrophic Injuries Caused by Commercial Truck Crashes
Victims of truck accidents often face lifelong consequences. These collisions produce considerable force, resulting in injuries such as:
- Skull fractures
- Concussions
- Spinal cord damage
- Paraplegia
- Quadriplegia
- Herniated discs
- Whiplash
- Crush injuries
- Amputation
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Severe burns
- Facial disfigurement
- Vision or hearing loss
- Nerve damage
- Chronic pain conditions
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
Injuries at this level rarely resolve with a single course of treatment. Many survivors undergo multiple surgeries, months of inpatient rehabilitation, and years of physical and occupational therapy. Some require medical equipment, home modifications, or in-home caregiving permanently, and others cannot return to their previous work.
Have Questions About Your Lee’s Summit Truck Accident? Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe Has Answers.
Our trusted team of truck accident attorneys in Lee’s Summit is standing by, waiting to hear from you. Call us at (877) 816-2600 or schedule your free, no-obligation case review online today. We’re ready to hear from you to answer any questions you may have.