TRUCK ACCIDENTS

Getting into an accident with a large commercial truck can cause serious damage if you are driving a passenger vehicle. The sheer size and weight of these massive vehicles can cause devastating damage. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries, our Kansas City truck accident attorneys are here to help you protect your rights.

At Klenofsky & Steward, LLC we have represented many victims harmed in preventable truck accidents. Because these accidents were preventable, our work focused on proving that a victim’s damages could have been avoided had a trucking company or driver operated safely, followed regulations, and taken reasonable steps to avoid potential hazards.

We encourage you to contact Klenofsky & Steward, LLC as soon as possible. We’re available to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Tragically, semi-truck accidents are very complex events, especially when there is a fatality involved. Although there is no amount of compensation that can ease the pain of the loss of a loved one, it is imperative to hire a skilled Kansas City semi-truck crash attorney to help you navigate through the litigation process. They will ensure a full investigation of the site is conducted, and the negligent party or responsible event is held accountable.

Klenofsky & Steward, LLC has handled numerous accident cases and can help you. Our attorneys have the knowledge and experience to go against large trucking companies to ensure you receive maximum compensation to help pay for medical bills, lost wages, emotional trauma, and funeral costs if needed. We will vehemently fight on your behalf to make sure you receive the fair financial compensation you deserve and help you recover from your traumatic experience. Please contact us today for a free consultation.

Klenofsky & Steward is experienced with handled all kinds of accidents caused by semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, and other types of commercial vehicles. Some of the most common types of truck accidents are:

• Jackknife accidents – If a truck driver brakes too quickly or harshly, the trailer may slide forward and get lodged at a 90-degree angle to the cab, making the truck uncontrollable.
• Truck rollovers – If a driver loses control of the truck or makes an unexpected turn, the trailer may topple over onto other vehicles or even pedestrians.
• Tire blowouts – Poorly maintained or defective tires can burst under the immense strain of carrying a semi-truck, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
• Wide turns – A truck that has to maneuver through city streets can take a turn too wide and crash into nearby vehicles.
• Underride accidents – If a truck stops suddenly, a passenger vehicle traveling at high speed may crash into the back of the truck and become lodged underneath the trailer.
• Unsecured loads – If the cargo being carried by a semi-truck is not properly secured, it can shift during transit, causing an accident, or even fall off of the trailer into traffic.
• Overloaded trucks – There are regulations that limit the amount of weight a tractor-trailer can carry safely. A truck that is overloaded can be more difficult to steer or stop in an emergency.

Because commercial trucks are large machines capable of causing serious damage, the U.S. trucking industry enforces a number of safety regulations. These laws – on both a state and federal level – are designed to protect public safety by ensuring vehicles are maintained appropriately, drivers are qualified and safe, and trucking companies are operating in accordance to the law. When violations occur, the risk of accidents and injuries increases.

There are a number of state and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) violations that commonly lead to truck accidents, including:

• Impaired drivers – Truck drivers must comply with strict alcohol and drug policies.
• Poorly maintained vehicles – Commercial trucks must be regularly maintained. If they are not, dangerous parts, broken equipment, and hazardous conditions can lead to accidents.
• Cargo violations – Improperly loaded cargo and overloaded trucks can cause serious accidents when cargo falls onto the road or trucks are unable to maneuver safely.
• Fatigued drivers – There are strict regulations in place to ensure drivers get enough rest, take proper breaks, and are not on the road when they shouldn’t be.

If a safety violation caused a trucking accident that injured you or your loved one, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your damages.

Although truck accidents can happen for a number of different reasons, one thing always remains the same: most accidents are preventable. If you were injured in an accident caused by a negligent truck driver, you shouldn’t have to suffer the consequences.

In some truck accident cases, there is more than one responsible party. If the trucking company who hired the driver did so without training them properly, addressing on-the-job drug or alcohol use, or enforcing important safety regulations, they too may be liable for your injuries. Our firm can fully investigate the cause of your accident and identify all liable parties

You may be entitled to compensation for your losses, including:

• Medical expenses
• Past and future lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Out-of-pocket expenses
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent disability

It’s important to collect physical evidence from the crash site to the extent you are able to do so. Take photos of the crash scene if you can. Gather the names and numbers of any eyewitnesses present. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), any accident-related documents must be kept by the trucking company, including hours-of-service log, GPS tracking, and black-box data. They only have to keep these documents for a certain amount of time, however, so it is important to take action right away to protect your rights.