For many drivers, nothing is scarier than being involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler or a semi-trailer. This is because accidents involving commercial trucks like FedEx delivery trucks almost always lead to catastrophic injuries and/or loss of lives.
It’s worse when the collision is between smaller passenger vehicles and these big rigs. And even if you manage to escape unhurt and unscathed, the trauma from that truck accident can be lifelong. But in reality, it’s very rare that a commercial truck collision has a mild outcome.
Victims either end up in the hospital fighting for their lives, or their loved ones have to plan for their burial. Because of the severity of the accidents, it’s critical that you talk to a St. Peters FedEx truck accident attorney about recovering compensation. Morelli Law Firm can help.
Who Is Responsible for FedEx Truck Accidents?
Before you can claim your compensation in a FedEx truck accident case, you first need to show that the other driver and/or other third parties were responsible for the truck crash and the ensuing injuries or losses.
This is why the first thing any truck accident lawyer will do is to determine what caused the collision in the first place. This is crucial to establishing fault. Some common causes of FedEx truck crashes include:
- Distracted driving
- Excessive speeding
- Driver fatigue and exhaustion
- Impaired driving
- Bad roads
- Poor weather conditions, such as black ice
- Reckless driving
- Poor truck maintenance
- Manufacturing fault or defective truck parts
- Medical conditions such as a seizure or heart attack
But that’s not all. Even though the aforementioned can be the cause of the crash, it’s also important to identify the people or entities that may have been directly or indirectly responsible for the truck wreck. These include:
- The driver
- The driver’s company (FedEx)
- The sub-contracting firms, if any
- The maintenance and safety personnel
- The cargo loaders
These are just some of the possible culpable parties that may be held liable for the crash. If the driver is solely responsible, there has to be proof that he or she was on the job at the time of the accident.
Your St. Peters FedEx truck accident attorney will have to investigate all these and find the right parties to hold responsible for your crash and injuries.
Compensation You Can Get From a St. Peters FedEx Truck Accident Claim
Victims of FedEx truck collisions in St. Peters, MO, may be able to get some compensation for their injuries and losses. Depending on your situation, you may be able to recover some of the following damages:
Economic Damages
These are financial losses that are easy to identify and calculate because they have invoices, receipts, and other tangible proof. These include:
- Medical expenses
- Present and future rehabilitative costs
- Lost income due to the accident
- Repair or replacement of damaged or lost property
- Diminished income earning ability
- Reduced future earning capacity
Non-Economic Damages
These are equally important but less tangible losses that you may be able to recover. Noneconomic damages typically cover all non-tangible issues arising from your accident. These include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Inconvenience
- Diminished quality of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
- PTSD
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of consortium
These damages are meant to help you recover any financial losses, pay all necessary bills, and allow you to get back on your feet. With the help of a good FedEx truck accident lawyer in St. Peters, MO, you should be able to get all the necessary compensation that you qualify for.
St. Peters FedEx Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
What if You Lost a Loved One in a FedEx Truck Accident in St. Peters, MO?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that in the last two years, FedEx trucks were involved in 386 collisions, five of which resulted in the loss of lives. That’s way too many people killed because of negligent driving or other driver errors.
Who Can Bring a Wrongful Death Suit in Missouri?
Surviving family members such as the spouse, children, or parents of the deceased can bring a wrongful death lawsuit against all responsible parties if they have lost a loved one to a FedEx truck crash in Missouri.
If the spouse, parents, or children of the deceased are o longer living, the children’s descendants can file the suit. And if there are no descendants, other surviving relatives like the siblings or their descendants can do that.
A wrongful death suit can file a claim for the following damages:
- Funeral or burial expenses
- Cost of medical treatment before the deceased passed on
- Lost benefits and wages
- Pain and suffering endured by the deceased loved one before their death
- Value of caregiving that the loved one provided
- Loss of consortium, companionship, society, comfort, or other value that the deceased would have provided if they hadn’t passed on
Even though wrongful death claims can provide some compensation, the reality is that the money can’t bring back your loved one. However, bringing this legal action against FedEx can help provide a sense of justice to surviving family members.
Plus, it can help force FedEx to do better so that no family has to go through such pain again. But, you have to file the claim soon as you have just three years to do so according to RSMo § 537.100.
What if You’re Partially Responsible for the FedEx Truck Crash?
Missouri practices the pure comparative fault rule. So, even if you’re 99% liable for the accident, you may still be able to pursue a claim for the remaining 1% that you’re not responsible for. Therefore, it doesn’t matter if you’re partly at fault; you can still seek compensation for your injuries.
The courts will only determine the degree to which you were at fault, award a settlement amount, and deduct your percentage of liability. So, you’ll only be able to get whatever is left after the deductions.
For example, if you were 40% responsible for the truck accident in St. Peters, and the court awards a $500,000 settlement, 40% of the award (or $200,000) will be deducted to give you the final settlement amount of $300,000.
Hire a Skilled St. Peters FedEx Truck Accident Lawyer
Because freight truck crash cases usually have the potential of huge payouts, the defendant’s legal team will try to deflect and shirk as much of the liability as possible. In many cases, they’ll try to push it your way.
Make sure you have a seasoned St. Peters FedEx truck accident lawyer from Morelli Law Firm in your corner. We have a lot of experience taking on big corporations and winning.
Our personal injury lawyers are skilled and capable of helping you win the settlement that you deserve. So far, we’ve recovered over $1 billion in settlements for our clients. We can do the same for you. If you’re wondering if you have a chance at recovering damages, contact our very capable commercial truck accident lawyers today for a free case evaluation.