St. Louis Distracted Trucker Accident Lawyer

St. Louis Distracted Trucker Accident Lawyer: Holding Negligent Trucking Insurance Companies Accountable

While you might drive safely to protect your family, you must rely on others to do the same. Unfortunately, preventable collisions caused by distracted driving occur every day. Furthermore, when a distracted driver operates an 80,000-pound commercial truck, the resulting physical and financial devastation is catastrophic.

If a distracted commercial driver caused your severe injuries, you need an experienced St. Louis distracted trucker accident lawyer. At The Cagle Law Firm, we aggressively represent crash victims across Missouri and Illinois. Call us (314) 276-1681 or toll-free at (800) 685-3302.

Causes of Distracted Driving

Distracted driving makes up many of the motor vehicle accidents that occur every year. All drivers are susceptible to distractions, including truck drivers. Distractions can lead to a serious truck accident in seconds. Due to commercial trucks’ size, these accidents are often much more severe than accidents involving other vehicles. Because of this, truck drivers have specific rules they need to follow to ensure safe driving. Since truck drivers have to follow certain rules, you need a lawyer who understands the differences between a truck driver and a passenger car driver.

FMCSA Rules Against Distracted Trucking

Because commercial trucks possess immense destructive power, federal regulators hold truckers to a much higher safety standard. Specifically, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) strictly forbids commercial drivers from texting or using hand-held devices behind the wheel.

Consequently, federal violations carry severe financial penalties. The FMCSA can fine distracted drivers up to $2,750 per offense. Additionally, trucking companies that allow or require their drivers to use hand-held devices face massive fines of up to $11,000.

The Three Types of Truck Driver Distractions

Distractions lead to serious truck accidents in a matter of seconds. Therefore, our legal team meticulously investigates your crash to prove liability. We typically categorize commercial driving distractions into three distinct groups:

• Manual Distractions: This occurs when a trucker takes their hands off the steering wheel. Common manual distractions include texting, eating, or reaching for dispatch radios.
• Visual Distractions: Safe driving requires continuous visual focus. Consequently, when a driver looks away at a GPS screen or smartphone, they cannot react to sudden traffic stops.
• Cognitive Distractions: A driver might have both hands on the wheel, but extreme fatigue causes their mind to wander. Therefore, strict federal break requirements exist to prevent this dangerous mental fog.

Contact a Bi-State Truck Accident Lawyer Today

Victims of distracted trucker accidents face expensive medical bills and lost wages. However, going up against a corporate trucking company alone is incredibly difficult.

The Cagle Law Firm operates on a strict contingency fee basis. As a result, you owe zero upfront costs or legal fees unless we win your case. We maintain our primary headquarters in Downtown St. Louis (500 N. Broadway, Suite 1605, St. Louis, MO 63102) and a regional office in Southern Illinois (231 W. Main Street, Carbondale, IL 62901).

Contact us today toll-free at (800) 685-3302 or locally at (314) 276-1681 to schedule a free, confidential consultation.

Zane T. Cagle of The Cagle Law Firm focuses specifically on those seriously injured in truck accidents in Missouri and Illinois. A member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Super Lawyer, Zane has the Case Results and 20 years of client service maximizing his client’s compensation.

Related Legal Resources: 

• Zane T. Cagle | The Cagle Law Firm
• How does a driver failing to stop factor into trucking accidents? | The Cagle Law Firm