Kansas City Truck Accident Lawyers

Semi-Truck, Tractor-Trailer & Big Rig Collisions

Were you injured in a truck accident? We know that managing your everyday life and supporting your family while trying to recover from serious injuries can be overwhelming. It's important to know that you do not have to face these challenges on your own.

By filing a personal injury claim against those at fault, you can obtain the compensation you need to pay for medical care, treatment, rehabilitation, and lost wages.

How Can Truck Accident Attorneys In Kansas City Help You?

At Cullan & Cullan, our Kansas City truck accident lawyers are among a select few attorneys in the United States who have obtained specialized training in semi-truck accident reconstruction. In addition, we have an attorney who is also an engineer.

Our truck accidents attorneys will be responsible for the following:

  • Negotiating with insurance companies and helping maximize your compensation.
  • Supporting you emotionally and providing you with clarity through every step.
  • Giving you important legal advice that will help you protect your rights and your future.
  • Answering all of your questions and helping ensure that you are on the right track for a favorable outcome.

We have the medical and legal knowledge, skills, resources, and experts to properly handle these cases. We handle these cases nationwide and have the largest verdict in Nebraska history, as well as many other eight-figure verdicts and settlements. Although we have helped many individuals injured by a truck accident, we are very well aware that each case is unique, and our attorneys will go above and beyond to make sure that you feel heard and receive the guidance that you need.

For a free review of your case, call our Kansas City truck accident attorneys at (816) 253-8606 or contact us online.

Learn More About Your Case:

Two Critical Things to Know About Truck Accident Cases

First, handling a truck accident case is not like handling a car accident case.

Many lawyers incorrectly believe that handling a case involving a semi-truck is the same as handling a case involving a car accident. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Hundreds of federal and state regulations govern the ownership and leasing, insurance, operation, repair, maintenance, loading, and use of commercial vehicles.

Very few lawyers are aware of these complex regulations, let alone have read them or understand them.

If you have been injured in a tractor-trailer wreck and are interviewing lawyers, ask them to give you just a few examples of federal regulations governing truck drivers. This will tell you immediately if they have handled these cases.

Second, winning the most amount of money in a truck accident case requires immediate investigation and preservation of evidence.

The best offense is understanding the defense. After graduating from law school, Dr. Sam Cullan and Dr. Gene Cullan both worked for insurance defense law firms. This training provided valuable insight and made them both better advocates for truck accident victims.

One important thing they learned is that, when a truck accident occurs, the insurance company for the trucking company will send its own team of investigators to the scene of the wreck as quickly as they can. This early investigation can often make or break a case.

It is extremely important that the family of the person injured or killed in a truck accident retain an attorney as early as possible to conduct an investigation.

Today, many trucks are equipped with sophisticated computerized data accumulation systems that record location, speed, time, and duration of stops, brake and clutch applications, performance while passing on curves and hills, and many other statistics.

Obtaining this information and performing a thorough inspection of the truck before the evidence is altered or destroyed is crucial to the underlying accident reconstruction and is often critical to a claim for punitive damages.

This may require the injured parties’ attorney to file an emergency motion with the court for a protective order preventing the trucking company from destroying the data and/or repairing the tractor or trailer.

There are also hundreds of documents to examine when investigating a trucking accident. These will not be freely given to the injured parties’ attorney.

Causes of Truck Accidents

Truck drivers are tasked with operating heavy and powerful machines that are difficult to control and maneuver. Often, they also work under tight deadlines and are asked to work long hours, all while traveling on congested roadways.

Truck drivers are required to adhere to several safety regulations in addition to obeying the same traffic laws as other motorists, but these safety regulations are not always followed and may lead to an accident taking place.

There are a variety of factors that may contribute to a truck accident, such as:

  • Truck driver negligence
  • Fatigued, distracted, drugged, or drunk driving
  • Violation of hours of service regulations
  • Trucking company negligence
  • Poor vehicle maintenance or repair
  • Illegal or negligent loading practices

Truck drivers and trucking companies may be held liable if their negligence causes a crash, but their insurance companies will fight tooth and nail to avoid paying out any claims, fairly or at all.

What You’re Up Against

Big trucks have big insurance companies with their own lawyers and resources to fight your claim which can hinder your recovery, creating unnecessary burdens for you and your family.

With attorneys on your side who have specialized training in semi-truck accident reconstruction, an attorney who is an engineer, AND multiple attorneys who are doctors, you can be sure that you will be effectively represented.

At Cullan & Cullan, we understand the financial and emotional impact injuries can have and can ensure that insurance companies don’t succeed in attempting to downplay your losses to avoid taking financial responsibility.

You can trust that our truck accident attorneys in Kansas City, MO are qualified to represent your interests.

Committed to Protecting Your Legal Rights

By conducting a thorough investigation of your accident, we can gather and preserve the evidence to determine fault and present a strong case on your behalf.

We are familiar with the trucking industry rules and regulations, as well as the equipment in trucks, such as “black boxes” and satellite tracking systems, which can provide us with important information.

Truck accident claims can be complex, but having a knowledgeable legal team on your side can mean the difference between a positive future and one filled with undue hardship.

Gene Cullan, J.D., Ph.D. is among a small percentage of attorneys who obtained training at Texas A&M University in semi-truck accident reconstruction.

Dr. Sam Cullan is an engineer as well as a lawyer and medical doctor. His advanced training in engineering is also advantageous in investigating truck wrecks.

If you have been injured in a truck wreck in Kansas City, MO, our team at Cullan & Cullan has the know-how and resources to help you find justice.

Dangerous Truck Driver Behavior

Because of the damage that large trucks can cause, it is especially important for truck drivers to make responsible, safe decisions on the roadway. When a truck driver behaves carelessly or recklessly, the resulting accidents can be devastating.

Examples of truck driver negligence include:

  • Speeding: Truck drivers must adhere to the speed limit and adjust their speed relative to the weight of the cargo they are hauling.
  • Failing to check blind spots: It is not easy to see alongside and behind a large trailer. Therefore, truck drivers must use their signals and check their mirrors multiple times before changing lanes or making a turn.
  • Driving while fatigued: Driving while drowsy can be as dangerous as driving while intoxicated. Under federal regulations, truck drivers may only drive for 11 hours after having 10 hours of consecutive off-duty hours for rest.
  • Driving while intoxicated: Each state can modify legal alcohol limits for drivers, but most states make it illegal for large truck drivers to work with a blood-alcohol level of .04% or higher. The legal limit for passenger vehicle drivers is 0.08%.
  • Driving while distracted: A truck driver who is looking at a phone instead of the roadway, or who is otherwise distracted, may fail to notice changes in traffic and roadway conditions.
  • Failing to obey traffic devices: Truck drivers who run red lights or stop signs can cause devastating collisions and pedestrian accidents.

Fatal Truck Accidents & Wrongful Death Claims

A truck accident wrongful death occurs when the negligence of a truck driver, trucking company, truck manufacturer, or other responsible parties directly results in someone’s death. In such cases, the victim’s family can file a wrongful death claim to receive compensation for their tragic losses.

Potentially liable parties in a wrongful death claim may include:

  • Truck drivers: Truck drivers who speed, drive while distracted, or fail to yield the right-of-way may be held responsible for the injuries they cause. They may also face a wrongful death lawsuit if they were unable to inspect their vehicle, failed to obey a traffic control device, fell asleep at the wheel, or caused a wrongful death due to drunk driving or impaired driving.
  • Truck companies: Companies can be held accountable for the negligence of their employees. They may also be liable for violating federal laws regarding the number of hours their drivers are on the road if this leads to wrongful death.
  • Truck owners: Some fatal truck accidents result not from driver error but from mechanical malfunction. Truck owners can be held accountable for a crash that results from their failure to properly service and maintains the vehicles.
  • Truck manufacturers: Truck part companies can be held responsible for a fatal crash if their product is defective and that defect leads to a loss of life.

Hours-of-Service Violations

Truck drivers are often required to work long hours with tough deadlines, but their time behind the wheel is strictly regulated by regulations set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Service Administration (FMCSA). These rules are in place to protect truckers and other motorists alike.

Fatigued truck drivers often have:

  • Delayed reaction times
  • Impaired judgment and vision
  • Decreased performance and motivation
  • Difficulty processing information
  • Short-term memory issues
  • Increased moodiness
  • Tendencies toward aggressive behavior

Under hours-of-service regulations set forth by the FMCSA, truck drivers may only drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 hours of consecutive off-duty hours. Additionally, drivers may not drive after 60/70 hours on duty in 7/8 consecutive days. Drivers can restart their 7/8 consecutive day period after 34 or more consecutive off-duty hours.

When HOS regulations are ignored or willfully violated, truck drivers and trucking companies put everyone on the road at risk. Cullan & Cullan is committed to exposing HOS violations and other types of negligence or wrongdoing to help victims of truck accidents in Kansas City and across Missouri and Kansas.

Our truck accident attorneys have an in-depth understanding of state and federal trucking regulations, and how violations can cause serious collisions.

Runaway Trailer Accidents

A runaway trailer accident occurs when a trailer causes the truck to veer out of control. In some instances, the trailer may become detached from the truck, leaving a wake of destruction in its path. As soon as a trailer begins to travel at a speed that is different than that of the truck, there is the potential for a runaway trailer accident to occur.

Common causes of runaway trailer accidents include:

  • Mechanical defects: When the brakes on the trailer fail to work in conjunction with the brakes on the truck, the trailer may detach from the truck. If the parts connecting the truck to the trailer are defective, it could result in a sudden detachment as well. When a mechanical defect results in a runaway trailer, it must be determined who conducted the last inspection. The driver, the truck owner, or even the last mechanic to work on the truck may be responsible for the incident.
  • Overloaded trailer: A trailer that is overloaded, or loaded improperly, is more likely to go out of control. In some cases, an overloaded trailer can result in tire blowout and brake failures. Truck companies must make sure that trailers are not overloaded and make sure that the truck is not hauling too much weight.
  • Speed: Truck drivers must adjust their speed relative to the type of cargo they are carrying. When hauling heavy cargo, truck drivers need to slow down. The same applies to poor road or weather conditions.
  • Sudden turns: Trailers can become detached if the truck driver makes a sudden or severe turn. This can result in a jackknife incident followed by a runaway trailer.
  • Steep declines: As truck drivers attempt to slow down on hills, the brakes of the trailer can fail. In such cases, accident investigators must determine if the driver was going too fast on the hill or if the roadway was poorly designed.

If you have been injured or lost a loved one due to a runaway trailer crash, you may be entitled to receive financial compensation to assist with your losses.

Pursuing Compensation for Your Losses

Negligent truck drivers can be held accountable for the damages they cause.

If you have been injured in a truck accident, you should retain an attorney who has extensive experience in investigating truck accident cases. Federal and state laws regarding trucks and truck accidents are very complex. Your attorney must know these laws.

Trucking firms have insurance companies and defense lawyers on their side that will fight hard to protect their interests. You need someone on your side that will fight for your rights and look out for your best interests.

The legal team at Cullan & Cullan can provide the legal guidance you need to obtain the compensation necessary for a secure future.

Suggested Reading:

Find out how our Kansas City truck accident lawyers can help by calling (816) 253-8606 or contacting us online.

Record SettingVerdicts

View All Results
  • $26.1 Million

    Medical Malpractice

    Cullan & Cullan has set a state record in Nebraska with a $26.1 million medical malpractice jury award.

  • $25.4 Million

    Medical Malpractice

    Cullan & Cullan, won a record-setting $25.4 million jury verdict for an infant injured by medical malpractice during labor and delivery.

  • $17 Million

    Birth Injury

    Negligence by nurses and hospital staff in failing to assess the position of the baby, improper use of Pitocin, and failing to obtain an assessment by physician, resulting in severe oxygen deprivation and brain injury to the baby.

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