Some of these statistics may surprise you. Rest assured, you’re not alone in the nationwide struggle of arriving safely at your destination.

• In 2017, 4,889 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal crashes, a 9-percent increase from 2016. Many of these crashes resulted in a wrongful death lawsuit.
• Accidents involving trucks and large buses increased by 40 percent between 2009 and 2017. From 2016 to 2017, the number of fatal crashes involving large trucks or buses increased by 8 percent.
• From 2009 to 2015, crashes resulting in injury increased 62 percent to 97,000 (based on GES data). From 2016 to 2017, according to NHTSA’s CRSS data, large truck and bus injury crashes increased 4 percent (from 112,000 in 2016 to 116,000 in 2017).
• From 2016 to 2017, the number of large trucks involved in fatal crashes increased 10 percent, from 4,251 to 4,657, and the large truck involvement rate (large trucks involved in fatal crashes per 100 million miles traveled by large trucks) increased 6 percent, from 1.48 to 1.56. 
• Over the same period, the number of large trucks involved in property damage only crashes increased by 3 percent, from 351,000 to 363,000.
• In 2017, 1% of truck accidents were fatal and 23% caused injuries. Statistics like this are especially useful in the event of a bellwether trial.
• Fatal truck crashes are most likely to occur on highways in rural areas. Crashes that occur on someone else’s property may be subject to premises liability.

Chances are you take a mental note when you see a truck on the highway, and this is normal. Driving a truck or even driving near a truck creates unique hazards on the road which you have to look out for. Here are a few reasons why trucks can make driving less safe:

• Trucks block the view of surrounding drivers.
• It takes trucks longer to change lanes and to stop.
• Truck drivers sit higher up than regular car drivers which makes them difficult to see.
• Cars constantly try to pass trucks which makes for more lane changes and sudden surges or stops in traffic.
• Trucks carry loads that can be distracting or even become detached from the vehicle.
• Trucks have loud horns that can startle nearby drivers.

Don’t forget that trucks serve a necessary purpose in society. Despite the hazards they pose, truck drivers should be respected both on and off the roads. Widespread accidents caused by a faulty car brand may be subject to multidistrict litigation.

In order to keep our road laws intact and our drivers safe, reach out to a Webster Groves truck accident lawyer if you get in any trouble.

Here are some tips to help prevent disaster:

• If you see a truck, stay at least 200ft away unless passing.
• If you aren’t sure how a truck driver is trying to maneuver, make eye contact and look for a gesture.
• Try not to drive directly behind a truck. Being one or more lanes away will give you better visibility.
• Observe the truck to see if they frequently change lanes. This will help you to more safely navigate around it.
• If you see a truck activate their turn signal, adjust your speed so they can turn or switch lanes. It’s a lot harder for them to adjust than you.
• If you need to pass a truck, always pass on the left. 

Traffic accidents are not new. Whether you’ve suffered physically, emotionally, or financially, the resources you need have been improving for years. It’s important that you know the steps to take after an accident and who can help.

You’ve just been in an accident. If you can, steer your vehicle away from the road to prevent a pileup from happening. Turn your hazard lights on. Exit the vehicle if you can and make sure everyone around you is okay. If anyone seems injured, dial 911 to report the accident. Gather information about everyone involved in the crash such as name, contact info, and license plate. After the situation has calmed down, you can contact your insurer.

Once you have left the scene, it’s best to contact a Webster Groves truck accident lawyer. Your insurance company may owe you for the physical damages of the crash, but an attorney can help win you money for the other ways your life was affected by the accident. It’s important that you call before the statute of limitations expires. The role of a personal injury attorney is to go through the details of the accident (gather evidence), figure out if you’re owed further compensation (assess damages), and represent you in court. At the end of the trial, you may be awarded a check to make up for the losses you’ve suffered. Mitigating injuries will strengthen your lawsuit.

In Missouri, compensation depends on the degree to which each party is at fault.

You may believe that the accident was entirely your fault, but there’s still a lot to be decided in court. If you get in an accident in Webster Groves, the liability is organized by percentage. The court will make a decision about what percentage of the crash was your fault which is based on compensatory or punitive damages. If they find the crash was 20% your fault, then 20% of the proposed compensation will be subtracted from your winnings.

The civil lawsuit process is very technical and helps prevent one side from winning an unreasonable amount of money.

Every state has a statute of limitations on traffic accidents. Waiting around can hurt your case, and time will run out.

Make your case as strong as possible by calling TorHoerman Law at 314-325-1369. We’ll review your situation for free and determine the best way to move forward. TorHoerman Law is your Webster Groves truck accident lawyer.