An 80,000-pound truck.
And your family.
Commercial truck collisions are not just bigger car accidents — they are governed by federal regulations, defended by rapid-response teams, and worth significantly more in compensation when handled properly. We've represented Missouri families against motor carriers for forty-nine years. If you or someone you love was hurt by an 18-wheeler, call today. There is no fee unless we recover.
Federal regulations,
multiple defendants, deep coverage.
A car accident is governed by Missouri tort law. A trucking case adds a layer of federal regulation under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Each FMCSA violation creates a powerful negligence-per-se theory — and each violation is documented in records the carrier is required to keep.
FMCSA Rules
Hours-of-service (49 CFR 395), driver qualifications (49 CFR 391), maintenance (49 CFR 396), drug & alcohol testing (49 CFR 382), load securement (49 CFR 393).
Liable Parties
Driver, motor carrier, vehicle owner, shipper (cargo), broker, maintenance company, manufacturer. Each adds coverage and recovery sources.
$750K–$10M Policies
Federal minimum is $750,000 for general freight, $5M for hazardous materials. Most major carriers carry $1–10M. Compare to $25K minimum on car policies.
Spoliation Letters
Engine control module data, dashcam footage, electronic logging device records, dispatch logs — all overwrite within days or weeks. We send preservation demands immediately.
What we look
for in every case.
Most trucking cases come down to one of these factors. Each one has documented evidence we can subpoena.
Driver fatigue
FMCSA limits drivers to 11 hours behind the wheel within a 14-hour window. ELD records show every minute. Violations drive verdicts.
Inadequate training
Carriers must verify CDL, road test, and provide ongoing training. Personnel files reveal whether they did.
Maintenance failures
Brakes, tires, lights, coupling devices — all require pre-trip inspection and documented maintenance. Records tell the story.
Drug or alcohol use
Post-accident testing is mandatory under 49 CFR 382. Failed tests or skipped tests both create liability.
Improper loading
Shifting cargo, overweight loads, improperly secured freight. The shipper is often a separately liable defendant.
Distracted driving
Phone use, in-cab tablets, navigation. Cellphone records and dashcam footage are subpoenable.
Truck accident
FAQ.
What every Missouri trucking-case plaintiff should know.
Why are truck cases different from car cases?
Federal trucking regulations create additional negligence theories, multiple defendants are usually liable, and commercial insurance policies are far larger ($1M+ vs. $25K minimum on cars). Trucking cases are also defended by rapid-response teams with one job: limit the carrier's liability.
How quickly do I need to act?
Within days. Engine control module data, dashcam footage, and electronic logs overwrite within days or weeks. We send spoliation preservation letters immediately so the carrier cannot lawfully delete the evidence.
Who is legally responsible?
Often several parties: driver (negligence), motor carrier (vicarious liability + negligent hiring), shipper (cargo loading), broker, mechanic, even the manufacturer if a defect contributed. Each defendant adds insurance coverage.
What is the Missouri statute of limitations?
Five years under RSMo §516.120. Three years for wrongful death (RSMo §537.100). But evidence-preservation deadlines are the real urgency.