St. Louis Truck Accident Lawyer

Accidents involving trucks are rarely straightforward.

Unlike a typical car crash, collisions involving commercial motor vehicles often require investigations into company safety practices, federal regulations, maintenance records, and the actions of multiple parties before liability can be fully determined.

At TorHoerman Law, our attorneys understand the complexities of the trucking industry and know how to uncover evidence of truck driver negligence and other failures that contribute to serious injuries.

Since 2009, our firm has recovered more than $4 billion in verdicts and settlements for more than 38,000 clients across all practice areas, giving injured individuals and families experienced advocates when the stakes are highest.

Reasons truck accident victims have chosen TorHoerman Law to handle their case include:

• More than $4 billion recovered in verdicts and settlements for injured clients since 2009.
• Experience handling complex personal injury claims involving catastrophic injuries, commercial vehicle accidents, and wrongful death.
• Comprehensive investigations designed to identify every liable party and preserve critical trucking evidence before it disappears.
• Trial-ready representation that prepares every case for litigation while pursuing favorable settlements whenever possible.
• Personalized representation focused on keeping clients informed and involved throughout the legal process.
• No attorney fees unless we recover compensation for your case.

Truck accident victims are often left facing mounting medical bills, lengthy rehabilitation, lost income, and uncertainty about the future.

Our attorneys work with accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, and other specialists to build strong claims supported by evidence and a thorough understanding of Missouri law.

Whether your case involves a negligent driver, a trucking company, or multiple parties that contributed to the collision, we are committed to pursuing the compensation and accountability you deserve.

Our Truck Accident Attorneys Get Results

Truck accident cases often involve catastrophic injuries, extensive medical treatment, and complex liability issues that require experienced legal representation.

At TorHoerman Law, we have recovered substantial verdicts and settlements for clients injured in collisions involving commercial trucks, tractor-trailers, and other serious motor vehicle accidents.

While every case is unique and past results do not guarantee future outcomes, our record reflects our commitment to holding negligent drivers and companies accountable while pursuing the maximum compensation available under the law.

Some of our truck accident and serious motor vehicle accident results include:

• $1.3 Million Settlement – Recovered for a client after a speeding semi-truck crossed the center line, causing a devastating head-on collision and dragging the client’s vehicle.
• $157,500 Settlement – Obtained for a commercial truck driver whose tractor-trailer was struck from behind by a distracted driver while stopped at a traffic light, resulting in injuries that ended his trucking career.
• $100,000 Settlement – Secured for a tractor-trailer driver who suffered injuries and missed months of work after another motorist failed to signal before colliding with his truck.
• $1.5 Million Settlement – Recovered for the family of a 29-year-old woman killed in a high-speed collision while her three-year-old son sustained multiple fractures, a broken clavicle, and severe internal injuries.
• $498,700 Settlement – Obtained for a St. Louis mother and daughter injured when another driver rear-ended their vehicle on icy roads, causing a traumatic brain injury and serious back and spinal injuries.
• $300,000 Settlement – Secured for a passenger who suffered multiple fractures and underwent at least six surgeries after an intoxicated driver caused a head-on crash.
• $240,000 Settlement – Recovered for a husband and wife seriously injured after another vehicle crossed into their lane on Interstate 44, leaving both with multiple fractures and injuries requiring hospitalization.
• $140,000 Settlement – Achieved for a client who sustained a broken clavicle, leg lacerations, and emotional distress after a drunk driver crossed the center line and caused a head-on collision.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer from TorHoerman Law?

It costs nothing to hire an experienced St. Louis truck accident lawyer from TorHoerman Law.

TorHoerman Law operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t pay any legal fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you.

This arrangement ensures that your financial situation won’t prevent you from accessing top-tier legal representation.

Our priority is to secure justice and compensation for you, so we take on the financial risk, allowing you to focus on your recovery.

If we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing.

St. Louis is a centralized hub where much of the nation’s cargo and freight moves through.

There are over 140,000 trucking-related jobs in Missouri – 1 in 17 jobs in the state.

While commercial logistics and freight bring business and jobs to St. Louis, it also means that many of the city’s highways are often filled with large trucks and commercial traffic.

As a result, there are has been a steady increase of trucking accidents taking place in and around the city throughout the years.

The aftermath of a truck accident can be incredibly confusing and overwhelming, particularly for victims dealing with severe injuries.

In the chaos that follows a truck crash, it may be difficult to focus on anything beyond immediate recovery.

For those unable to manage the necessary tasks, seeking help from an experienced truck accident lawyer can provide much-needed support.

Steps to take after a truck accident in St Louis include:

1. Prioritize Safety and Seek Medical Attention: Your health is the top priority. If you or anyone else is injured in the truck collision, call 911 immediately and seek medical care. Even if injuries seem minor, it’s essential to get evaluated by a medical professional as some conditions may not be immediately apparent.
2. Call the Police and File a Report: Contact local law enforcement to report the accident. A police report will document the incident and can serve as critical evidence later. Be sure to provide accurate details about the accident, but avoid admitting fault.
3. Document the Scene: If possible, gather as much information as you can from the accident scene. Take photos of the vehicles, damages, injuries, road conditions, and any visible evidence. Collect contact information from witnesses and the truck driver, including their insurance and trucking company details.
4. Exchange Information: Exchange names, contact details, insurance information, and driver’s license numbers with the truck driver and any other parties involved in the accident. Be sure to note the truck’s license plate and the company it operates for.
5. Do NOT Admit Fault for the Truck Accident: Even if you believe you may be partially responsible for the accident, avoid admitting fault at the scene or in any conversations with the truck driver, police, or insurance companies. Fault will be determined through an investigation, and premature statements can be used against you in a truck accident claim.
6. Notify Your Insurance Company: When notifying your insurance company, provide only the necessary details about the truck accident without speculating on fault or the extent of your injuries. Stick to the facts, and let your St. Louis Truck Accident Lawyer handle further communication to ensure your legal rights are protected.
7. Contact a St. Louis Truck Accident Lawyer: After ensuring your immediate safety and documenting the scene, contact a St. Louis Truck Accident Lawyer. An experienced attorney can help you through the legal process for truck accident claims, gather evidence, and pursue compensation for your injuries and damages.

We understand that if your loved one has suffered severe injuries in a commercial truck accident, they may not be able to complete these steps on their own.

In such cases, it’s important for family members or legal representatives to assist with gathering information and seeking legal counsel.

Our lawyers are here to help you through this and to make sure that your loved one’s rights are protected.

Reach out to us today.

Commercial truck accidents can result from a variety of factors, often stemming from negligence, unsafe driving practices, or mechanical failures.

Due to the size and weight of commercial trucks, even minor mistakes can lead to catastrophic consequences.

Both truck drivers and trucking companies must adhere to strict safety regulations, but violations and carelessness are unfortunately common.

Below are some of the most frequent causes of truck accidents, which can have devastating effects on all involved.

Common causes of truck accidents in St Louis include:

• Driver fatigue: Fatigued driving, referring to long hours on the road without adequate rest, can lead to truck drivers falling asleep at the wheel or making dangerous mistakes due to exhaustion, increasing the risk of serious accidents.
• Distracted driving: Truck drivers, like all motorists, can become distracted by cell phones, GPS systems, or other in-cab technologies, diverting their attention from the road and leading to preventable collisions. TorHoerman Law has created the Let’s End Distracted Driving advocacy campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of driving while distracted.
• Speeding or reckless driving: Driving too fast for road conditions or making aggressive maneuvers with a large truck significantly increases the likelihood of accidents, as trucks require more time to stop or maneuver safely.
• Improperly loaded or overloaded cargo: Cargo that is improperly loaded or exceeds weight limits can cause a truck to become unstable, leading to rollover accidents or causing the driver to lose control.
• Mechanical failures or lack of maintenance: Trucks that are not properly maintained are prone to mechanical failures, such as brake malfunctions or tire blowouts, which can result in devastating accidents.
• Poor weather conditions: Adverse weather like rain, snow, or fog can make driving large trucks even more hazardous, especially if drivers fail to adjust their speed and behavior to accommodate the conditions.
• Driver inexperience or insufficient training: Inexperienced or poorly trained truck drivers may lack the skills needed to safely operate a large truck, making critical errors that can result in accidents.
• Alcohol or drug impairment: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can impair a truck driver’s judgment and reaction time, leading to dangerous and often fatal accidents.
• Blind spot or no-zone accidents: Trucks have large blind spots, or “no-zones,” where smaller vehicles can go unseen by the driver. Accidents occur when drivers fail to check these areas before changing lanes or making turns.
• Jackknifing: Jackknifing occurs when the truck’s trailer swings out of alignment with the cab, often due to sudden braking or slippery conditions, leading to severe collisions with other vehicles.

Understanding these common causes of these often catastrophic accidents can help identify responsible parties and prevent similar tragedies.

The varying causes and types of truck accidents also highlight the importance of holding negligent drivers and companies accountable for the harm they cause.

Where Do St. Louis Truck Accidents Commonly Occur?

St. Louis serves as one of the Midwest’s busiest freight hubs, with thousands of commercial trucks traveling through the region each day on major interstate corridors connecting Missouri, Illinois, and the rest of the country.

Heavy truck traffic, congested interchanges, construction zones, and merging traffic increase the risk of semi-truck crashes, particularly during peak commuting and shipping hours.

Commercial motor vehicle crashes remain a significant safety concern across Missouri, and MoDOT reported an increase in fatalities involving commercial motor vehicles in 2024 compared to the previous year.

While a truck accident can happen anywhere, certain highways and freight corridors throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area experience especially high volumes of commercial traffic.

Truck accidents commonly occur on roadways including:

• Interstate 70 (I-70) – One of Missouri’s busiest freight corridors, carrying substantial commercial truck traffic between St. Louis, Kansas City, and destinations across the Midwest.
• Interstate 44 (I-44) – A major trucking route connecting St. Louis with southwest Missouri and Oklahoma, where merging traffic and congestion can contribute to serious collisions.
• Interstate 55 (I-55) – A heavily traveled north-south freight corridor used by tractor-trailers transporting goods through St. Louis and beyond.
• Interstate 64 / U.S. Highway 40 (I-64) – High traffic volumes, frequent lane changes, and busy interchanges create challenging conditions for passenger vehicles and large commercial trucks alike.
• Interstate 270 (I-270) – Serving as the primary bypass around St. Louis, this interstate experiences significant commercial vehicle traffic and congestion throughout the day.
• Interstate 170 (I-170) – Although shorter than many surrounding interstates, heavy commuter traffic and commercial vehicles frequently share the roadway, increasing the potential for collisions.
• Interstate 255 (I-255) – A key connector for trucks traveling between Missouri and Illinois, particularly near industrial areas and distribution centers.
• The Poplar Street Bridge and Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge – These Mississippi River crossings carry a steady mix of commercial and passenger traffic entering and leaving downtown St. Louis.
• Industrial corridors near the Riverport, Earth City, and North Riverfront areas – Warehouses, manufacturing facilities, rail terminals, and distribution centers generate frequent commercial truck traffic throughout the region.

Because commercial trucking companies often begin investigating serious crashes immediately after they occur, preserving evidence from collisions on these roadways can be critical.

An experienced truck accident lawyer can act quickly to secure electronic logging data, maintenance records, onboard computer information, and other evidence that may help establish liability before it is lost or destroyed.

The size and weight of commercial trucks often make collisions far more severe than accidents involving passenger vehicles.

Occupants of smaller vehicles frequently absorb the greatest force of impact, leading to life-changing injuries that require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.

Even crashes at relatively low speeds can result in permanent disabilities because of the tremendous force generated by a fully loaded tractor-trailer.

Some victims are never able to return to work or resume the activities they once enjoyed, while others tragically lose their lives, giving surviving family members the right to pursue a wrongful death claim.

Our attorneys work closely with medical experts to understand the full extent of each client’s injuries and pursue compensation that reflects both their immediate and long-term needs.

Some of the most common injuries sustained in truck accidents include:

• Traumatic brain injuries ranging from concussions to severe brain trauma that may result in permanent cognitive, physical, or emotional impairments.
• Spinal cord injuries that can cause chronic pain, reduced mobility, partial paralysis, or permanent paralysis depending on the severity of the damage.
• Spinal cord damage affecting the vertebrae, discs, or surrounding nerves, often requiring surgery, rehabilitation, and long-term medical care.
• Broken bones and multiple fractures, particularly to the ribs, pelvis, legs, arms, and hips, frequently requiring surgical repair and months of recovery.
• Internal injuries, including damage to organs and internal bleeding that may not be immediately apparent after the collision.
• Neck and back injuries, such as herniated discs, whiplash, and other spinal conditions that can lead to chronic pain.
• Burn injuries caused by vehicle fires, explosions, or exposure to hazardous cargo.
• Crush injuries and amputations resulting from the tremendous force generated by a collision with a commercial truck.
• Psychological injuries, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other emotional effects following a traumatic crash.

Many truck accident injuries require ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, assistive devices, or modifications to a person’s home or vehicle.

Because some conditions may not fully develop until weeks or months after the collision, it is important to seek prompt medical evaluation and continue following your treatment plan.

Our attorneys carefully document every injury and its long-term impact to pursue compensation that reflects the true extent of your losses.

Determining liability after a commercial truck accident is often far more complicated than it is in a typical passenger vehicle collision.

Unlike many car accidents, truck crashes frequently involve multiple companies, contractors, and insurers, meaning a single claim may involve multiple liable parties.

Identifying every responsible party is essential because commercial carriers often carry higher insurance limits than individual drivers, and additional insurance coverage may be available depending on the circumstances of the crash.

Liability may also extend beyond the truck driver if negligent hiring, inadequate maintenance, defective equipment, or cargo loading practices contributed to the collision.

Whether your case involves a jackknife crash, rollover, or multi-vehicle accident, our attorneys conduct thorough investigations to determine who should be held accountable.

We work quickly to preserve evidence before trucking companies and their insurers have the opportunity to challenge or minimize your claim.

Depending on the circumstances of the collision, potentially liable parties may include:

• The truck driver if negligent actions such as speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, impairment, or other traffic violations caused the collision.
• Trucking companies that failed to properly hire, train, supervise, or monitor drivers, or encouraged unsafe practices that violated federal safety regulations.
• The truck manufacturer if a defective truck component, braking system, steering mechanism, tire, or other equipment contributed to the accident.
• Maintenance providers responsible for inspecting, servicing, or repairing commercial trucks that were negligently maintained.
• Cargo loading companies if improperly loaded cargo or an overloaded truck caused the driver to lose control or increased the severity of the collision.
• Freight brokers or shipping companies whose actions contributed to unsafe loading practices, unrealistic delivery schedules, or other negligent conduct.
• Vehicle or parts manufacturers if defective components played a role in causing the crash.
• Other negligent motorists whose actions contributed to the collision, particularly in a chain-reaction or multi-vehicle accident.

Our attorneys evaluate every aspect of a truck accident to identify all available sources of recovery and maximize the compensation available to our clients.

By determining who is responsible and preserving critical evidence early, we build stronger claims against every negligent party involved.

Whether liability rests with a single driver or involves multiple companies, we are prepared to pursue accountability through settlement negotiations or litigation.

A truck accident can result in substantial financial, physical, and emotional losses that extend well beyond the days immediately following the collision.

A personal injury lawsuit seeks to recover damages that reflect both the immediate impact of the crash and the long-term consequences of your injuries.

Our attorneys carefully assess each client’s losses by reviewing medical records, consulting medical and financial experts when necessary, and evaluating how the accident has affected every aspect of their life.

We calculate both current and anticipated expenses, including the cost of ongoing treatment and care needed to cover future medical needs, while also accounting for income losses and diminished earning potential.

By thoroughly documenting every category of damages, we pursue compensation that reflects the full value of your claim.

Depending on the circumstances of your case, compensation may be available for:

• Medical expenses, including emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgeries, rehabilitation, prescription medications, and future medical care.
• Lost wages resulting from time away from work while recovering from your injuries.
• Loss of future earning capacity if your injuries permanently affect your ability to work or earn the same level of income.
• Property damage for repairs or replacement of your vehicle and other personal property damaged in the collision.
• Pain and suffering for the physical pain and discomfort caused by your injuries.
• Emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other psychological effects of the accident.
• Permanent disability or disfigurement resulting from catastrophic or life-changing injuries.
• Loss of enjoyment of life when injuries prevent you from participating in activities and hobbies you previously enjoyed.
• Out-of-pocket expenses, including transportation to medical appointments, home modifications, medical equipment, and other accident-related costs.
• Wrongful death damages, when a fatal truck accident results in recoverable losses for surviving family members under Missouri law.

Commercial truck accidents are governed by both Missouri law and federal regulations that do not apply to most passenger vehicle collisions.

Many truck accident cases center on whether a driver, trucking company, or another party violated safety rules designed to prevent serious crashes.

An experienced truck accident lawyer understands how to identify regulatory violations, obtain critical records, and use those findings to strengthen a claim.

The following laws and regulations commonly play an important role in truck accident litigation:

• Federal Hours-of-Service (HOS) Regulations – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) limits the number of hours commercial drivers may operate before taking mandatory rest breaks. Violations of these rules can contribute to driver fatigue and may become important evidence in a truck accident claim.
• Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) and Driver Logs – Most interstate commercial carriers must use electronic logging devices to record hours of service, and motor carriers are required to retain driver logs and supporting records for specified periods. These records can help determine whether a driver exceeded legal driving limits or falsified hours worked.
• Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Requirements – Federal regulations require trucking companies to systematically inspect, repair, and maintain commercial vehicles. Maintenance records may reveal whether mechanical failures or neglected repairs contributed to a collision.
• Missouri’s Pure Comparative Fault Rule – Missouri follows a pure comparative fault system, allowing an injured person to recover damages even if they were partially responsible for the accident. Any recovery is reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to the injured party.
• Missouri’s Five-Year Statute of Limitations – In most cases, Missouri law gives injured individuals five years from the date of a truck accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing the statute of limitations can prevent compensation recovery, making it important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after a collision.

TorHoerman Law is committed to helping truck accident victims secure compensation for the harm they’ve suffered.

Our team of experienced truck accident attorneys understands the physical, emotional, and financial toll that truck accidents in St Louis can take on your life.

We are committed to holding negligent trucking companies and truck drivers accountable and making sure that you are compensated for your medical bills, lost wages, and other relevant damages.

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident at no fault of your own in the St. Louis area, you may be eligible to take action and file a St. Louis truck accident claim.

Contact the experienced St. Louis truck accident lawyers at TorHoerman Law today for a free consultation.

Use the chat feature on this page to find out if you qualify for a truck accident victim claim instantly.