Truck accidents can happen anywhere in St. Louis, MO. Long-haul trucks can hit other vehicles while traveling on interstate highways. However, they can also hit cars, pedestrians, or bicycles on local streets and in parking lots as they depart from or arrive at their destinations.
According to St. Louis truck accident statistics, thousands of collisions involving large commercial trucks occur annually in the St. Louis metro area. Many of these crashes are attributed to negligence on the part of trucking companies and their drivers.
Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers helps truck crash victims pursue injury claims. Contact us today at (314) 932-1066 to schedule a free consultation with a St. Louis truck accident lawyer.
How Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Truck Accident in St. Louis, MO
Our firm has represented truck crash victims in St. Louis, MO, for over two decades. Our founding attorney leverages his decades of legal experience to hold at-fault drivers and their insurers accountable.
Our St. Louis personal injury lawyers can:
- Educate you about your legal options for seeking injury compensation
- Build a case against the trucking company by gathering evidence to support your case
- Negotiate with the trucking company’s insurers and sureties for a fair payout
- Litigate against the trucking company if we cannot settle your claim
Truck crashes can cause catastrophic injuries that cause long-term or permanent disabilities. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with a St. Louis truck accident attorney to learn how we can help you fight for accident compensation.
St. Louis Truck Accident Statistical Overview
Commercial motor vehicles include vehicles that meet any of the following definitions:
- A gross vehicle weight of 10,001 pounds or more
- Carries eight passengers, including the driver, for compensation
- Carries 15 passengers, including the driver, without compensation
- Transports hazardous material
Using this definition, almost any large truck or bus crash qualifies as a commercial motor vehicle accident, including garbage truck crashes, shuttle bus crashes, and 18-wheeler crashes.
The Missouri Traffic Safety Compendium provides broad information about truck accidents in the state. According to Table 6.9, the City of St. Louis had 1,413 total truck accidents in 2023. Crashes in the city accounted for 9.14% of the state’s total truck crashes.
The same source reports that St. Louis County had 2,679 total truck accidents that year. Crashes in the county accounted for 17.34% of the truck collisions across the state.
The City of St. Louis is an independent political and geographic entity from St. Louis County, which surrounds it. Together, the St. Louis metro area had 4,092 total truck crashes in 2023, accounting for nearly 26.5% of Missouri’s truck accidents.
Truck Accident Crash Outcomes In St. Louis
Table 6.9 of the compendium also reports that the crashes in the St. Louis area included:
- Four fatal truck accidents in St. Louis
- Seven fatal truck accidents in St. Louis County
- 291 non-fatal injury truck accidents in St. Louis
- 446 non-fatal injury truck accidents in St. Louis County
These numbers represent a total of eleven fatal truck accidents and 737 non-fatal injury truck accidents across the St. Louis metropolitan area.
Large trucks also caused 1,118 property damage-only crashes in the city and 2,226 property damage-only crashes in the county. Using these numbers, you can calculate that about 21% of truck crashes in the city and 16.9% of truck accidents in the county resulted in injury or death.
What Causes Truck Crashes In Missouri?
The causes of truck accidents are more diverse than those of car accidents. For example, a significant percentage of truck crashes are caused by equipment failures, such as brake failures or tire blowouts. These mechanical factors can cause the driver to lose control of their vehicle.
Environmental factors can also play a role in truck crashes. Slick roads or high winds can cause a truck to roll over or jackknife. Errors in loading or securing a load can affect a truck’s stability. A shifting or dropped load can cause car accidents.
However, truck driver mistakes cause most truck accidents.
Table 6.18 of the compendium lists the following traffic violations:
- Failed to yield
- Followed too closely
- Exceeded the speed limit
- Traveled too fast for conditions
- Distracted or inattentive driving
Trucking companies can be found vicariously liable for an employee’s negligence. This means that the business may still be liable even if a crash resulted from driver error.
Our St. Louis personal injury attorneys can help you navigate the complexities of these cases and seek just compensation for your injuries. We have the resources and experience needed to investigate the cause of the accident, gather evidence, and build a strong case.
Contact Our St. Louis Truck Accident Attorneys Today for a Free Consultation
Truck accidents often result from driver error or negligence by the trucking company responsible for the truck. Contact Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation to discuss your crash involving a commercial truck and the compensation we can seek for your injury-related losses. Our St. Louis truck accident lawyers are available to guide you every step of the way.