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“The 7 Biggest Mistakes That Will Wreck Your Car Accident Case” By Joshua P. Myers
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Post Date: July 29th, 2011
As a Missouri truck accident attorney, I believe it is my responsibility to report yet another commercial truck accident just south of St. Louis that claimed another life. This accident will mark the third fatal semi-truck accident in Missouri over the past three months. The cause of the accident was a distracted truck driver. Jay Valentine, a 32-year-old, was distracted as he came to the McNutt Road overpass northbound on I-55 in Herculaneum, Missouri. As Valentine came upon the passing lane, he clipped a small passenger vehicle causing a six-car pileup. An investigation into the accident and Valentine’s conduct is ongoing as local authorities are going through evidence to see if there is enough to prosecute him in the deaths of two people and numerous serious injuries.
The Missouri truck accident in Herculaneum resulted in the deaths of 28-year-old Alana McKnight and 52-year-old Charles Martin. The departed were driving separate vehicles at the time of the accident. As a Missouri truck accident attorney, I have reviewed photographs of the accident that indicate both vehicles were crushed into a highway wall and were barely recognizable. So why were innocent lives lost to another distracted driver and what is being done to prevent more loss in the future? We are constantly lobbying for stricter safety regulations for commercial trucking companies and drivers, which include bans on cell phone use and other distracting electronic equipment that are not useful for the truck driver to do his or her job.
Time after time in Missouri truck accident cases we uncover a severe level of distraction. Once the data from the tractor-trailer’s Electronic Control Module is downloaded, there is a clearer understanding on what caused the accident. The ECM is essentially a commercial truck’s black box that allows a glimpse into the moments that lead up to a collision. Experienced Missouri tractor-trailer attorneys will file a protective order in the court to receive a copy of the data that many trucking companies will try to dispose of to make it difficult for victims to prove liability.
After a devastating accident such as this most recent fatal Missouri truck accident, most families don’t think about the money. Over time, funeral costs and bills begin to start piling up and paychecks stop for the victims. In the event of a devastating truck accident, an attorney should be contacted immediately. An experienced attorney will need to protect the evidence such as the ECM data, log books, receipts, and other forensic evidence. Failure to protect this information could result in injustice to the victims and his or her families. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed by the negligence of a truck driver or the company they work for, please call 888.956.2487 for a free consultation and let us help you through this difficult time.
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Joshua P. Myers is the owner and President of Myers Injury Law, LLC and a founding partner of Schultz & Myers, LLC. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, his personal injury law firm routinely handles tractor-trailer accidents that result in personal injury or death throughout the Midwest. If you have been hurt or have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another driver, please contact a truck accident attorney to learn your rights. It is always free to discuss your case and there are never any attorney’s fees until we recover on your behalf.
 Tags: attorneys, crash, driving, killed, missouri, missouri truck accident lawyer, mo, myers, tractor-trailer, truck accident, truck accident settlements, wrongful death
Posted in Maximizing Truck Accident Settlements, Missouri Truck Accidents, MO Truck Accidents, Semi-Truck Accident Injuries, Truck Accident News, Truck Accident Settlements | No Comments »
Post Date: July 27th, 2011
 A Lafayette County, Missouri tractor-trailer head-on accident caused serious injury to another driver after losing control on US Highway 24. David Lauer, a 76-year-old truck driver, lost control and crossed into oncoming traffic crashing head-on with 24-year-old Derek Petre. Lauer was eastbound on US 24 when his semi-truck randomly traveled into westbound traffic. Petre of Macon, Missouri was severely injured in the head-on collision and was transported to Lafayette County Regional Medical Center.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol are investigating the Missouri truck accident, gathering evidence for pending charges against Lauer. At this time, the cause for Lauer to lose control of the tractor-trailer is unknown. Any collision involving a commercial trucking company requires immediate attention from an attorney in order to properly secure the evidence in the accident. Tractor-trailers have their own version of a black box just as airplanes, but the data must be protected in order for victims to receive maximum compensation. Many trucking companies will erase the information to avoid paying out the maximum amount of compensation because liability is difficult to prove without it.
After a devastating accident such as this one, most families don’t think about the money. However over time, funeral costs and bills start piling up. When this happens, it is sometimes too late to gather the proper evidence for a personal injury or wrongful death claim because the evidence has been compromised. When an accident such as this occurs, it is imperative you hire an experienced truck accident attorney immediately. Truck accident attorneys will send out letters of protective order over any evidence, so the trucking companies do not dispose of it and hurt your chances for maximum compensation. If you or someone you love has been injured by the negligence of a truck driver or the company they work for, please call 888.956.2487 for a free consultation and let us help you through this difficult time.
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Joshua P. Myers is the owner and President of Myers Injury Law, LLC and a founding partner of Schultz & Myers, LLC. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, his personal injury law firm routinely handles tractor-trailer accidents that result in personal injury or death throughout the Midwest. If you have been hurt or have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another driver, please contact a truck accident attorney to learn your rights. It is always free to discuss your case and there are never any attorney’s fees until we recover on your behalf.
Tags: crash, driving, head-on collision, injury, missouri truck accident lawyer, mo, myers, semi, tractor-trailer, truck accident
Posted in Fatigued Truck Drivers, Missouri Truck Accidents, MO Truck Accidents, Semi-Truck Accident Injuries, Truck Accident Advice, Truck Accident News, Truck Accident Settlements | No Comments »
Post Date: July 26th, 2011
 As a Missouri truck accident attorney, many people ask me if there is actually a truck accident settlement formula or known in many circles as a ‘base formula’. This mathematical formula is used to determine the amount of a settlement to be made as a result of a Missouri truck accident. When dealing with property damage, this mathematical formula calculates the monetary amount allowed for damage of a truck accident. After a truck accident, the damage to the car and any personal belongings must be assessed and documented for your claim.
When you look at any personal injury claim, it is much more complex than a property damage claim after a Missouri truck accident. In order to have a successful injury claim, you and any other victims in the truck accident should document your physical injuries and pain. You should also keep detailed records of all emotional traumas, medical bills, and lost wages. All financial loss directly related to the truck accident should be documented because you will need to be compensated for the negligence of another.
There are many other factors that must be taken into account in the event of a Missouri truck accident. The fault of a truck driver is one of the major factors, but truck insurance companies will try to limit the amount paid out to the victims, so it is important that you do not leave it up to the insurance company. The services of an experienced truck accident attorney in Missouri are important so your rights are looked after in the event of an accident. Call 888.956.2487 to speak to one of our experienced truck accident attorneys and learn what your rights are as a victim.
Joshua P. Myers is the owner and President of Myers Injury Law, LLC and a founding partner of Schultz & Myers, LLC. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, his personal injury law firm routinely handles motor vehicle accidents that result in personal injury or death throughout the Midwest. If you have been hurt or have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another driver, please contact a motor vehicle accident attorney to learn your rights. It is always free to discuss your case and there are never any attorney’s fees until we recover on your behalf.
Tags: accident, attorney, collision, injury, lawyer, missouri truck accident lawyer, mo, myers, semi, wrongful death
Posted in Common Truck Accident Questions, Maximizing Truck Accident Settlements, Missouri Truck Accidents, MO Truck Accidents, Truck Accident Advice, Truck Accident Settlements | No Comments »
Post Date: July 25th, 2011
 In Atchinson County Missouri, a truck accident ejected four people from a sedan, injuring them. The accident occurred in the northbound lanes of I-29 just seven miles north of Rock Point in Missouri in the late evening hours of May 9, 2011. Cold Springs, Missouri resident Joseph J. Darman was driving his Dodge sedan with three other passengers. David F. Hollenberg, from Cameron, Missouri, rear-ended Darman’s vehicle on the I-29 with his Freightliner truck. The impact of the accident caused Darman’s vehicle to overturn on its side right in front of the tractor-trailer. The Freightliner then collided with Darman’s sedan, pushing it off the road. The occupants of the Sedan were ejected during the accident.
The four occupants of Darman’s sedan were reported to have injuries from the Missouri truck accident. Joseph Darman, Rebecca L. Darman, and Amanda N. Playford suffered serious injuries and were transported to Grape Community Hospital in Hamburg, Iowa by the Atchinson-Holt Ambulance, and then Life Flight took them to Omaha. The fourth passenger, Christopher J. Darman suffered only moderate injuries and was transported to Grape Community Hospital. No one in the Sedan was wearing a seatbelt.
The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) stated that the leading cause of death of people ages two to 33-years-old are traffic accident. Over 30,000 drivers and passengers die in car related accidents every year. With the efforts of all law enforcement agencies, 2010 had the lowest number of traffic-related fatalities since 1949. The decrease in traffic-related fatalities is attributed to new seat belt laws and their enforcement. Missouri requires that all drivers and passengers in the front seat wear a seat belt. Children under the age of 16-years-old are also required to wear a seat belt even if they are not in the front seat.
After a devastating accident such as this, most Missouri truck accident victims will not think about compensation as they try to recover from their injuries. Over time, the medical bills and physical therapy add up and they feel hopeless. If you were injured in a Missouri truck accident, contact an experienced attorney immediately especially if you were not wearing a seat belt. A Missouri truck accident attorney will know how the absence of a seat belt and the Missouri seat belt laws will affect your claim. Call 888.956.2487 to speak to an experienced Missouri truck accident attorney to discuss your claim.
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Joshua P. Myers is the owner and President of Myers Injury Law, LLC and a founding partner of Schultz & Myers, LLC. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, his personal injury law firm routinely handles tractor-trailer accidents that result in personal injury or death throughout the Midwest. If you have been hurt or have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another driver, please contact a truck accident attorney to learn your rights. It is always free to discuss your case and there are never any attorney’s fees until we recover on your behalf.
Tags: accident, attorney, driving, injury, missouri truck accident lawyer, myers, semi-truck, truck accident settlements
Posted in Missouri Truck Accidents, MO Truck Accidents, Truck Accident Advice, Truck Accident News, Truck Accident Settlements | No Comments »
Post Date: July 24th, 2011
 Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes people to have brief interruptions in their breathing during sleep. Sleep apnea may not sound like a dangerous disorder, but according to the scientific research available the disorder interferes with safe driving. Sleep apnea is also a leading cause of Missouri truck accidents.
The breathing interruptions caused by the disorder may occur up to 400 times a night and lasting up to 10 seconds each time. These breathing interruptions keep a truck driver from the ability to function well by wreaking havoc on their quality of sleep. Symptoms of sleep apnea include memory impairment, falling asleep during inappropriate times, daytime sleepiness, and lack of concentration. Each of these symptoms are dangerous when a truck driver is behind the wheel of a massive commercial truck.
Sleep apnea symptoms interfere with a truck driver’s ability to operate a large commercial truck. According to a scientific study, sleep apnea left untreated increases the risk of a Missouri trucking accident. Another study found that truck drivers with sleep apnea had worse performance stats than people who were under the influence of alcohol. Despite these numbers, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration estimates that nearly 28% of commercial driver license holders suffer from the disorder.
The sleep apnea disorder poses so many dangerous risks to highway safety that many states regulate people with disorder and prohibits them from driving a commercial truck in state-to-state commerce. Sleep apnea does not disqualify a truck driver unless it is moderate to severe or the driver has been involved in an accident where the disorder was the cause. The sleep apnea disorder disqualification goal is to limit the number of Missouri trucking accidents.
Commercial trucking companies may decrease Missouri truck accidents that are caused by the sleep apnea disorder by creating schedules that don’t impair the truck driver’s ability to get a good night’s sleep. The occurrence of the sleep apnea disorder is mostly dependent on the trucks driver’s quality of sleep. Sleeping six hours or less in a night is dangerous for any driver, but the danger increases with sleep apnea. Commercial trucking companies endangers others when they encourage or require their drivers to have irrational driving schedules. Irrational driving schedules create a greater risk of Missouri trucking accidents caused by sleep apnea. If trucking companies comply with Missouri trucking regulations concerning the hours of service, the roadways would be safer.
If you are injured in a Missouri trucking accident, contact a Missouri truck accident attorney immediately. An experienced truck accident attorney can investigate the facts of your case for signs of truck driver sleep apnea, so there is a greater outcome in compensation for your injuries.
Joshua P. Myers is the owner and President of Myers Injury Law, LLC and a founding partner of Schultz & Myers, LLC. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, his personal injury law firm routinely handles tractor-trailer accidents that result in personal injury or death throughout the Midwest. If you have been hurt or have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another driver, please contact a truck accident attorney to learn your rights. It is always free to discuss your case and there are never any attorney’s fees until we recover on your behalf.
Tags: fatal, fatigue, federal motor carrier safety regulations, fmcsa, injury, killed, missouri truck accident lawyer, mo, truck accident, wrongful death
Posted in Fatigued Truck Drivers, Missouri Truck Accidents, MO Truck Accidents, Semi-Truck Accident Injuries, Truck Accident Advice, Truck Accident News, Truck Accident Settlements | No Comments »
Post Date: July 19th, 2011
 A fatal head-on Missouri truck accident claimed the life of 88-year-old Anna L. Davis, a resident of Eagle Rock. The accident occurred on Friday morning on MO-112, just five miles south of Cassville. Davis was driving her 2000 Chevrolet Malibu eastbound on MO-112 when an International Truck hit her head-on. The 35-year-old driver of the truck, Jason H. Hessee of Springfield, MO was traveling west in the eastbound lanes, but the reason has not been reported.
Davis’ vehicle was totaled in the collision, but the truck only received moderate damage. Davis was transported to Cox South hospital for treatment of her injuries, but died while in route. Dr. Sweeny of Cox South hospital declared Davis’ dead at 12:15 p.m. When a loved one dies because of the negligence in a Missouri truck accident, it can be emotionally devastating. Missouri law allows family members of truck accidents victims to receive compensation for wrongful death. The compensation is meant to address the financial hardship that follows the death of a family member. The family can recover expenses such as burial and financial loss.
The wrongful death statute in Missouri applies to truck accidents where the defendant, the driver and many times the trucking company, causes the death of another because of negligent circumstances. The statute aims to provide compensation to the families of victims to help with unexpected expenses related to the tragedy. The statute also serves to provide compensation for those who relied financially on the Missouri truck accident victim.
After a devastating accident such as this one, most families don’t think about the money. Over time, funeral costs and bills start coming in and the paychecks stop for the victim. If you or someone you love has been injured by the negligence of a truck driver or the company they work for, please call 888.956.2487 for a free consultation and let us help you through this difficult time.
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Joshua P. Myers is the owner and President of Myers Injury Law, LLC and a founding partner of Schultz & Myers, LLC. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, his personal injury law firm routinely handles tractor-trailer accidents that result in personal injury or death throughout the Midwest. If you have been hurt or have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another driver, please contact a truck accident attorney to learn your rights. It is always free to discuss your case and there are never any attorney’s fees until we recover on your behalf.
Tags: crash, fatal, injury, killed, missouri, missouri truck accident lawyer, myers, tractor-trailer, wrongful death
Posted in Missouri Truck Accidents, MO Truck Accidents, Semi-Truck Accident Injuries, Truck Accident Advice, Truck Accident News, Truck Accident Settlements | No Comments »
Post Date: July 18th, 2011
 As a truck accident attorney in Missouri, I meet many people affected by negligent truck drivers. Currently the commercial trucking industry nets over $600 billion dollars a year and that number is expected to almost double by the year 2015. Even as the current trucking industry is booming, tractor-trailers create hazardous conditions for Missouri drivers. According to the United States Department of Transportation, more than 500,000 truck accidents happen nationwide each year. Out of this number, nearly 5,000 of these accidents result in death. With the increasing hazards commercial trucks have on other drivers, here are some ways to avoid trucking accidents.
- When you are near a tractor-trailer, use extra caution and stay alert.
- If you are near a commercial truck, give them plenty of room to turn or navigate through construction zones.
- When the weather is bad, give tractor-trailers more room on the road. Weather can limit the acceleration, stopping, and maneuvering of commercial trucks.
- Try to avoid driving in a tractor-trailer’s blind spots, so they know you are on the road.
- Always give the commercial truck enough room when you’re passing them.
When you see a truck driving badly, you can usually see a phone number to call that is posted at the back. If you see an erratic or negligent driver, Missouri truck accident attorneys advise that you report the driver. Even though it is much safer to have a passenger in your vehicle to make the call, it is important that negligent drivers need to be reported because they could endanger many other lives.
No tractor-trailer accident is the same. Tractor-trailer accidents can happen when a driver is fatigued or makes bad decisions; when a commercial trucking company chooses not maintain their trucks or use faulty equipment; and when they choose to put the public’s safety behind making a profit. If the commercial trucking company has injured you by a negligent truck driver or because of negligent decisions, please contact an experienced Missouri truck accident attorney immediately. The longer a tractor-trailer accident victim waits to hire an attorney, the less evidence that will be available to fight for compensation. Call 888.956.2487 to speak to one of our experienced Missouri truck accident attorneys about your tractor-trailer accident injury claim.
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Joshua P. Myers is the owner and President of Myers Injury Law, LLC and a founding partner of Schultz & Myers, LLC. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, his personal injury law firm routinely handles motor vehicle accidents that result in personal injury or death throughout the Midwest. If you have been hurt or have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another driver, please contact a motor vehicle accident attorney to learn your rights. It is always free to discuss your case and there are never any attorney’s fees until we recover on your behalf.
Tags: federal motor carrier safety regulations, fmcsa, injury, missouri, missouri truck accident lawyer, mo, myers, tractor, truck, wrongful death
Posted in Fatigued Truck Drivers, Maximizing Truck Accident Settlements, Missouri Truck Accidents, MO Truck Accidents, Semi-Truck Accident Injuries, Truck Accident Advice, Truck Accident News, Truck Accident Settlements | No Comments »
Post Date: July 15th, 2011
 A 15-year-old Turley, Oklahoma boy suffered serious injuries on Tuesday night in a truck accident hit-and-run near Springfield, Missouri. The Missouri truck accident occurred around 10:50 p.m., when the teenager was walking along the shoulder of Interstate 44 west of Springfield. Apparently, the tractor-trailer struck the boy and then struck a red tow truck before leaving the scene of the accident heading West. According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, the tractor-trailer was white and hauling a trailer. It is believed that the tractor-trailer may have red paint marks on it from its collision with the tow truck. The teenager remains in the hospital although there has been no update on the extent of his injuries.
According to Missouri law, the truck driver was legally obligated to stop and help the victim while waiting for emergency officials to arrive. In Missouri it is illegal for anyone to leave the scene, which is damage to persons or damage to property. Because of the truck driver’s negligence and decision to flee the scene of the accident, the driver will face a class D felony when found. In this particular case, it is unclear why the driver left the scene of the accident, but a search is underway for the truck driver. As a Missouri truck accident attorney, I certainly hope that the driver is stopped, especially for the sake of this young victim. A variety of unique legal issues will happen to a truck driver, especially one where the driver left the scene accident. Several parties may be held accountable for this special trucking accident like the trucking company.
If you or a loved one was involved in an accident with a commercial truck, call an experienced truck accident attorney. Accidents that involve negligence and serious injury or death should not be ignored. Call 888.956.2487 to speak to an experienced Missouri truck accident attorney and let us help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Our attorneys protect the rights of truck accident victims because the trucking industry is only concerned about their bottom line.
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Joshua P. Myers is the owner and President of Myers Injury Law, LLC and a founding partner of Schultz & Myers, LLC. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, his personal injury law firm routinely handles tractor-trailer accidents that result in personal injury or death throughout the Midwest. If you have been hurt or have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another driver, please contact a truck accident attorney to learn your rights. It is always free to discuss your case and there are never any attorney’s fees until we recover on your behalf.
Tags: collision, driving, hit and run, injury, missouri truck accident lawyer, myers, tractor-trailer, wreck
Posted in Missouri Truck Accidents, MO Truck Accidents, Pedestrian Truck Accidents, Semi-Truck Accident Injuries, Truck Accident News, Truck Accident Settlements | No Comments »
Post Date: July 14th, 2011
 When a tractor-trailer driver is distracted, they can cause serious injury and property damage. As a Missouri truck accident attorney, I was disappointed that a tractor-trailer had overturned and killed livestock. A tractor-trailer overturned near Buck Creek, Missouri, on January 2, 2011. Highway 67 was blocked by the overturned tractor-trailer, which disabled the highway for seven hours, disrupting traffic. The trailer of the truck was filled with cows, but many were killed instantly.
At this point, investigators have not said what caused the truck to overturn and trailer. According to the forecast for that day, there was no fog, rain, or snow to contribute to the truck accident in Missouri. Truck accident attorneys often see incidents caused by distracted tractor-trailer drivers because of text messages or talking on mobile devices. It is unclear whether the distraction contributed to cause this accident. Fortunately, no other vehicles were involved and the driver of the truck escaped without serious injuries.
If you see a tractor-trailer driver swerving or driving erratically on the road, you should contact the authorities before someone is seriously injured. Responsible citizens must be careful to protect each other and tired truckers. If you or someone you love has been injured by the negligence of a truck driver or the company they work for, please call 888.956.2487 for a free consultation and let us help you through this difficult time.
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Joshua P. Myers is the owner and President of Myers Injury Law, LLC and a founding partner of Schultz & Myers, LLC. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, his personal injury law firm routinely handles tractor-trailer accidents that result in personal injury or death throughout the Midwest. If you have been hurt or have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another driver, please contact a truck accident attorney to learn your rights. It is always free to discuss your case and there are never any attorney’s fees until we recover on your behalf.
Tags: collision, distracted driver, injury, missouri truck accident lawyer, myers, truck accident, truck accident settlements, wreck
Posted in Missouri Truck Accidents, MO Truck Accidents, Truck Accident Advice, Truck Accident News, Truck Accident Settlements | No Comments »
Post Date: July 9th, 2011
 As a Missouri truck accident attorney, I am disappointed to report a Moscow Mills, Missouri man was injured in the first week of the New Year Missouri in a tractor-trailer accident, which occurred in Lincoln County, MO. The driver, whose name has not yet been released, was driving south of U.S. Highway 61 according to the Missouri Highway Patrol. The man tried to pass the tractor-trailer when his car struck the left rear of the Peterbilt 18-wheeler. When the car came into contact with the tractor-trailer, the driver was unable to control his vehicle. Although the truck driver was unhurt, the other driver was taken to St. Joseph Hospital in West Lake St. Louis via the Lincoln County Ambulance where he was treated for injuries in the truck accident.
This particular truck accident is still under investigation and it is unclear what caused the driver to lose control of the car when it collided with the truck. Truck accidents are responsible for more than 5,000 deaths annually. Fortunately, there were no deaths in this Missouri truck accident and investigators will determine if any responsibility exists for the truck driver. Truck drivers are subject to rules Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations and operators of tractor-trailer must follow these specific guidelines, especially when sharing the road with passenger vehicles.
If you have been injured in a Missouri truck accident that was because of a negligent tractor-trailer driver call an experienced Missouri truck accident attorney. We have a load of experts to rebuild a truck accident to determine if the tractor-trailer driver was in error. Call 888.956.2487 to speak to an experienced truck accident attorney today. We want to ensure your rights are protected and you receive the compensation you deserve.
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Joshua P. Myers is the owner and President of Myers Injury Law, LLC and a founding partner of Schultz & Myers, LLC. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, his personal injury law firm routinely handles tractor-trailer accidents that result in personal injury or death throughout the Midwest. If you have been hurt or have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another driver, please contact a truck accident attorney to learn your rights. It is always free to discuss your case and there are never any attorney’s fees until we recover on your behalf.
Tags: accident, federal motor carrier safety regulations, fmcsa, injury, missouri, missouri truck accident lawyer, myers, wreck
Posted in Missouri Truck Accidents, Semi-Truck Accident Injuries, Truck Accident Settlements | No Comments »
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