Hazelwood Truck Accident Lawyer

Hazelwood, the “City at the Crossroads,” is a suburb of St. Louis County located just south of the Missouri River.

It is a popular town to live in, and visitors often enjoy its elaborate nightlife destinations.

Hazelwood has a population of 27,000 and a geographic area of over 16 square miles.

Unfortunately, road conditions in the city make for frequent traffic accidents.

If you suffer a truck accident in the area, you can benefit from speaking with an attorney.

A truck crash lawyer can help you receive the compensation that your insurance company can’t cover.

They do this by filing a civil lawsuit or by arranging an out-of-court settlement. An expert lawyer can make this process easy for their client.

On this page, you will learn about truck accidents in Hazelwood and why you should contact an attorney after any accident.

• Fewer than 5 fatal traffic accidents take place in Hazelwood annually. Most years, none of these involve trucks.
• Truck accidents caused more than 12,000 deaths in the US between 2015 and 2017.
• Nearly 3 out of 4 fatal truck accidents take place in rural areas.
• It takes a loaded tractor-trailer up to 40% longer to stop than a regular car. A truck’s relative inability to change speeds makes them more hazardous than most other vehicles.
• Drivers of large trucks can only drive up to 11 hours at a time by federal law, though surveys show that many of drivers ignore this law. If you know a driver who violated this policy, call a Hazelwood truck accident lawyer now.
• 96% of truck accident fatalities are of other drivers or pedestrians besides the truck driver.
• Fatal large truck crashes happen fairly evenly throughout the day, whereas accidents not involving trucks are more likely to happen at night.

In general, the most hazardous driving roads are highways and rural roads.

The particular qualities that make a road less safe are having multiple lanes, generous speed limits, sharp turns, hills, and frequent stops.

Some roads are also affected by weather more than others, such as a tendency to flood or accumulate ice.

There are usually signs to help notify drivers of such roads.

In Hazelwood, Missouri, the main roads to be careful on are Highways 67, 141, 170, 270, Howdershell Road, Charbonier Road, and James S. McDonnell Boulevard. It is also advised to pay attention when driving near the Missouri River.

The trucking industry is worth more than $700 billion.

In fact, there are more than 12 million registered trucks in the US alone.

Practicing safe habits as a driver can save your life and the lives of others on the road.

Here are some truck driving safety tips to keep in mind:

• Stay alert. This goes for all drivers and passengers. Distracted driving is one of the top causes of accidents. It is helpful to avoid using a cell phone while driving and to intervene when you see a distracted driver.
• Routinely check the weather. Weather conditions are another primary cause of car and truck accidents. Before starting your commute, check the forecast. Reschedule your outing if there is a risk of severe thunderstorms or any other intense weather. If you already started your drive, it is okay to pull off onto somewhere safe until the conditions are sufficient for driving.
• Visit delivery spots on foot. Many truck drivers ignore this measure. Some docking facilities are not suitable for large vehicles, and there are no warnings. If you suspect that your destination is not optimal for bringing in a truck, check out the area on foot first.
• Be cautious at night. Even the safest roads become less safe when the lights go out. Driving at night is not recommended (its only redeeming quality is that there are fewer drivers around). Make proper use of your lights, and remember that light traffic does not justify speeding.
• Keep yourself in driving shape. This encompasses both you and your vehicle. Fatigue or any other inhibitions may call for a break from driving. Furthermore, it is essential to keep your vehicle in top shape. This means getting inspections at least once a year and paying attention to any signs that your vehicle is malfunctioning. Also, keep your car or truck’s oil and gas at conservative levels.

If you’ve been hurt in a truck crash, you may be wondering what your options are.

Accidents that caused you any kind of pain or harm (physical, emotional, or financial) may call for a lawsuit.

However, not all claims meet the necessary requirements.

It is important that you have a Hazelwood truck accident lawyer examine your case to make sure you are eligible.

First, you must be within the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations for truck accidents is two years in Missouri. It is also necessary that the accident was not your fault and the evidence will indicate this. The court’s ruling about liability will affect the amount of money you receive if any. Finally, be sure to practice mitigation as soon as you notice injuries.

When you get in an accident, your insurer is limited in the damages they can cover.

For example, they may cover damage to your vehicle but not the cast and crutches you had to buy for your injuries.

Situations like this call for a Hazelwood truck accident lawyer.

They can use the lawsuit process to win you a fuller compensation for your losses.

Even if you are not eligible for a lawsuit, you can speak with a law firm for information on what other options may be available.

If you decide to use the services of a lawyer, they will guide you throughout the compensation process.

They will gather evidence, assess damages, and build a case.

They will also communicate with the courts, the insurance companies, and anyone else as needed.

There is no need to be worried about the lawsuit process.

Most truck accident cases settle before ever going to court.

Even if that does not happen, your attorney will keep you updated about each step of the civil lawsuit timeline.

TorHoerman Law is a truck accident law firm with offices in Chicago, Edwardsville, and St. Louis.

Our team of attorneys has decades of experience managing truck crash cases, as well as many other areas of personal injury.

We operate on a contingency fee basis which means you won’t pay legal fees unless we win your lawsuit.

Contact us today at (314) 325-1369 to schedule a free consultation.

You can also complete an Online Instant Case Evaluation for a preliminary review of your legal options.