St. Joseph 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer Information

A commercial vehicle accident involving a passenger vehicle can cause extreme injury and even death. Contact an 18 Wheeler Accident Attorney for a free initial consultation.If you have a St. Joseph, MO 18-wheeler accident claim, St. Joseph 18-wheeler accident lawyers are here to advocate for you. Call one of the St. Joseph 18-wheeler accident lawyers listed on this site for a free initial consultation.

St. Joseph, Missouri is the county seat for Buchanan County and with a population of 76,780 as of the 2010 U.S. Census, St. Joseph is the largest city in northwest Missouri and the eighth largest city in Missouri. Kansas City, MO is located roughly 37 miles from St. Joseph, which can be accessed by traveling on I-229 or I-29.

St. Joseph is home to some of the finest shopping centers in the area. Malls and area shopping centers such as East Hills Mall and the Shoppes at North Village are located in St. Joseph, attracting many shoppers annually.

Universities and colleges such as St. Joseph Center, American College of Technology and Missouri Western State University are located in St. Joseph. In 2010, the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League began using Missouri State University's athletic facilities to conduct pre-season training, which attracts many Chiefs fans and media outlets from all over the county annually.

St. Joseph is home to many attractions, parks and shopping centers as well as several manufacturing companies and other industries. Because of this, St. Joseph roads, interstates and highways such as, I-229, I-29, U.S. 59, U.S. 71, U.S. 169, U.S. 36 and MO-371 service St. Joseph residents, visitors and businesses daily. Unfortunately, this also means that traffic accidents along these roads, highways and interstates are quite common throughout St. Joseph, including accidents involving 18-wheelers


It is estimated that approximately 5,000 people die as a result of 18-wheeler accidents and big rig collisions in the United States each year with a substantial number of 18-wheeler truck accidents occurring in St. Joseph, Missouri and surrounding areas, every day.

If you find yourself in an automobile or truck accident, you need a St. Joseph 18-wheeler accident lawyer to advocate aggressively on your behalf. If you have a St. Joseph truck accident claim, call one of the St. Joseph truck accident lawyers listed on this site for a free initial consultation.

St. Joseph 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney

Due to the sheer weight difference of a car versus the weight of an 18-wheeler or tractor trailer, accidents that involve commercial vehicles often times result in severe injuries or even death. Compared to the average weight of an automobile, which is only 5,000 pounds, one can easily see how much more dangerous commercial vehicles like an 18 wheeler can be. That is why if you are injured by a semi truck or commercial vehicle in St. Joseph, it is important that you choose an experienced St. Joseph 18-wheeler accident attorney who knows the truck regulations and laws both nationally and for the State of Missouri.

Commercial vehicles go by different names such as:

  1. Truck
  2. Semi
  3. Tractor Trailer
  4. Big Rig
  5. 18 Wheeler

St. Joseph truck accidents caused by an 18-wheeler, big rig, semi truck, tractor trailer, bus or commercial vehicle are common on St. Joseph streets, avenues and highways. Many of the semi truck crashes that occur in the city of St. Joseph happen along the major St. Joseph highways, which include I-229, I-29, U.S. 59, U.S. 71, U.S. 169, U.S. 36 and MO-371.

Types of Trucks

The following trucks do specific things and carry certain types of cargo:

  1. Bob-Tail Trucks
  2. Tanker trucks
  3. Refrigerated trucks
  4. Flat bed trucks
  5. Logging trucks

Buses are also considered commercial vehicles as well, but as a rule do not haul cargo. Instead a bus is a transportation vehicle that carries children or adults such as a school bus or commercial bus like Greyhound. School bus accidents or commercial bus accidents are common on St. Joseph roads and freeways. The causes may vary, but often times the accident is a result of hazardous road conditions or driver negligence.

It is essential to hire a St. Joseph bus accident lawyer if you have been involved in the following type of accident:

  1. St. Joseph city buses;
  2. transportation buses such as Greyhound;
  3. shuttle bus accidents when driving to and from the airport, such as Kansas City International Airport and/or;
  4. Bus accidents that occur running back and forth from Missouri Western State University.

The ways St. Joseph truck accidents happen occur are too numerous to list. Blind spots, rear-ends, sideswipes, head-ons, load overturns, jack-knifes are all possible and can result in fatal wrongful death truck accidents.

If you live in St. Joseph and have a claims for an accident that involved a big rig or an 18 wheeler, your case might be filed in one of these courts:

Buchanan County Circuit Court - Judicial Circuit 5
Buchanan County Courthouse
411 Jules Street, St Joseph MO 64501
(816) 271-1462

St Joseph Municipal Court
411 Jules St # 22-10, St. Joseph
(816) 271-4686

18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys Serve St. Joseph and Surrounding Cities

Serving clients throughout Northwestern Missouri, including Atchison, Cameron, Chillcothe, Columbia, Grant City, Independence, Kansas City, Kirksville, Levenworth, Marysville, Maryville, Milan, Nodaway, Olathe, Overland Park, Shelbyville, Smithville, St. Joseph, Topeka, Wildwood, areas in the vicinity of Rosecrans Memorial Airport, and other communities in Buchanan County.

St. Joseph 18-wheeler accident attorneys are experienced in handling serious injury truck collision cases and can help you fight the trucking company or its insurer in order to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact a St. Joseph 18 wheeler accident lawyer today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.

Hiring a St. Joseph 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer

Check your lawyer's credentials when you are selecting a St. Joseph 18 Wheeler Accident AttorneyIf you have been involved in an 18 wheeler truck accident in St. Joseph, Missouri, it is recommended that you hire a qualified St. Joseph 18-wheeler accident lawyer who is knowledgeable in federal laws and Missouri state laws regarding trucking regulations. St. Joseph, located in Bunchanan County, is the largest city in Buchanan County, which means St. Joseph is home to some of the most expansive and extensive roadways in the county and surrounding areas. Therefore, it is not uncommon for truck collisions, wrecks, crashes and injuries to occur due to the high amount of traffic. If you or a loved one have been injured in a Northwest Missouri truck accident, contact a qualified St. Joseph semi truck accident attorney today for a free initial consultation.

St. Joseph & Missouri Professional Associations

In addition to selecting a qualified St. Joseph accident & injury lawyer that regularly handles St. Joseph big rig truck accident cases, you should also check out the attorney’s credentials. For example, is the attorney a member of the Buchanan County Bar Association, or the Missouri Trial Lawyers Association? All lawyers that practice St. Joseph truck accident litigation must be active members of the State Bar of Missouri. They may also join other professional organizations, such as:

  • Buchanan County Bar Association
  • Missouri Trial Lawyers Association
  • American Association of Justice

The Buchanan County Bar Association is a nonprofit professional association of lawyers. The Buchanan County Bar Association provides educational and professional development services for both the legal profession and Buchanan County, including the St. Joseph community.

Big Rig Accidents Can Be Devastating

When a negligent truck driver makes the decision to get behind the wheel of their semi tractor-trailer, any driver traveling near them is at risk for serious injury or death. The consequences of an 18-wheeler truck a crash along a St. Joseph intersection, avenue, or freeway can be devastating, often resulting in very serious injuries that can even lead to death. The sheer force of a speeding 18-wheeler truck is a dangerous weapon that can forever change your life. Under the law if you are involved in such a wreck or an accident, you are entitled to compensation for your medical bills, loss of income, and pain and suffering. If you or a loved one have been injured in a commercial truck accident in St. Joseph, MO or Bunchanan County, it is in your best interest to contact a St. Joseph big rig truck accident lawyer immediately.

St. Joseph 18 Wheeler Accident Attorneys File in Bunchanan County, MO

When a truck accident occurs and a lawsuit is subsequently filed, the decision of where to file it is called “choice of venue.” The venue chosen can have legal consequences that affect the outcome of your case. Generally, venue in a truck accident case is proper in any of the following locations:

  1. the county wherein the accident occurred;
  2. the county wherein the defendant company’s principal place of business is located; or,
  3. the county wherein the defendant truck driver resides.

Even though your accident may have occurred in St. Joseph, the truck company and truck driver will often be from a different state. This is because trucking companies frequently operate in states other than where they are registered. In these cases, the venue where the lawsuit may be filed could be the state where the truck accident occurred, the state where the trucking company is located, or even the state where the trucking company regularly does business, if different. For example, the accident may have occurred in St. Joseph, Missouri, therefore making venue proper in Bunchanan County, but the claim may be filed against a trucking company from another state. You need a qualified and experienced St. Joseph tractor trailer lawyer to decide what the best venue would be in a case like this that crosses state lines.

Some of the courts in the St. Joseph, Bunchanan County, Missouri, areas include:

Buchanan County Circuit Court - Judicial Circuit 5
Buchanan County Courthouse
411 Jules Street, St Joseph MO 64501
(816) 271-1462

St Joseph Municipal Court
411 Jules St # 22-10, St. Joseph
(816) 271-4686

18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys Serve St. Joseph and Surrounding Cities

Serving clients throughout Northwestern Missouri, including Atchison, Cameron, Chillcothe, Columbia, Grant City, Independence, Kansas City, Kirksville, Levenworth, Marysville, Maryville, Milan, Nodaway, Olathe, Overland Park, Shelbyville, Smithville, St. Joseph, Topeka, Wildwood, areas in the vicinity of Rosecrans Memorial Airport, and other communities in Buchanan County.

Don’t be the victim of a semi driver’s negligence. Hiring a qualified St. Joseph 18-wheeler accident lawyer is essential if you or a loved one have been injured in a truck collision. Contact a big rig accident lawyer today to ensure you receive expert representation from an attorney who knows how to handle your case.

Please see the St. Joseph, Missouri questions & answers page for frequent issues encountered in handling an 18 Wheeler Accident in the St. Joseph, Missouri area.

Types of Trucks on St. Joseph Highways

There are many types of commercial trucks found in and around St. Joseph, Missouri. Trucking companies in St. Joseph offer a wide variety of vehicle choices. Some St. Joseph trucking companies deal with courier and small package delivery as well. Some companies offer bicycle couriers for downtown areas and will also use an assortment of vehicles ranging from cars, vans and pick-up trucks to large tractor-trailers and bobtail trucks.

Types of Trucks Used By St. Joseph Trucking Companies:Big rig, 18 wheeler, box truck, straight truck, flatbed, and bobtail are examples of commercial trucks driven on St. Joseph, Bunchanan County, Missouri, highways.

  • 18 Wheeler
  • Semi Truck
  • Tractor Trailer
  • Big Rig
  • Semi Trailer
  • Box Truck
  • Straight Truck
  • Flatbed Truck
  • Stake Truck
  • Bobtail Truck

Be sure to insist on the highest levels of safety by selecting a reputable St. Joseph trucking company that uses late model vehicles which are inspected on a regular basis.

When to Hire a St. Joseph Truck Accident Lawyer

In many cases, St. Joseph 18-wheeler accident attorneys must retain the services of scientific and medical experts to prove both the cause of the accident and the cause of your injuries. Additionally, a qualified semi truck accident lawyer will obtain all kinds of evidence concerning the scene of the crash, truck logs, and other important information to be used against the trucker, trucking company, or the company’s insurer. Arranging expert witness testimony and preparing important physical and documentary evidence is just one of many ways a St. Joseph tractor trailer injury lawyer can help you after you’ve suffered a truck accident injury from a major 18-wheeler truck wreck.

If you or a loved one have been involved in a serious box truck wreck, semi crash or big rig accident, hiring a lawyer is the farthest thing from your mind when tragedy such as this strikes you, a family member, or a friend. However, this is when you need a St. Joseph truck accident lawyer most. Do yourself a favor by calling one of the qualified St. Joseph truck accident lawyers listed on this page. Hire a qualified St. Joseph tractor trailer accident lawyer to help protect your rights.

St. Joseph Trucking Companies

Following is a list of trucking companies based in St. Joseph, Missouri. Services offered include container drayage, loose freight drayage, overweight loads, bonded moves, same day delivery.

Ken Keith Trucking, Inc.
801 Hickory Street, St. Joseph, MO 64503
(816) 387-8783

ABF U-Pack
2416 South 10Th, St. Joseph, MO 64503
(816) 232-5440

Wow Trucking Inc
1125 Mitchell Avenue, St. Joseph, MO 64503
(816) 232-5800

Mid-Cities Motor Freight Inc
6006 Lake Avenue, St. Joseph, MO 64504
(816) 238-8000

Old Dominion Freight Line Inc
3340 Pear Street, St. Joseph, MO 64503
(816) 364-0422

Spirit Miller Brokerage LLC
4605 Frederick Avenue, St. Joseph, MO 64506
(816) 364-2353

Economy Express Trucking Inc
2415 South 9th Street, St. Joseph, MO 64503
(816) 232-8485

Hawk Truck Leasing
2933 Pear Street, St. Joseph, MO 64503
(816) 232-9180

Halter Transportation Services
713 South 5th Street, St. Joseph, MO 64501
(816) 233-7709

Food Delivery Solutions
3808 Corinth Court, St. Joseph, MO 64506
(816) 390-9018

YRC
3511 Pear Street, St. Joseph, MO 64503
(816) 233-9098

B S Xpress Inc
4703 Southeast US Highway 169, St. Joseph, MO 64507
(816) 364-4002

Wabash Valley Transportation
3407 Missouri 759, St. Joseph, MO 64505
(816) 238-6300

Markt Truck Line
1707 Garfield Avenue, St. Joseph, MO 64503
(816) 279-6393

A-1 Pickup & Delivery
5002 SE Highway 169, St. Joseph, MO 64507
(816) 232-4855

Lisenbee Trucking Llc
1918 Wank Avenue, St. Joseph, MO 64507
(816) 232-7423

St Joe Express
2120 Alabama Street, St. Joseph, MO 64504
(816) 238-0530

First Fleet Inc
4725 Easton Road, St. Joseph, MO 64503
(816) 676-0510

Brown Co
920 South 6th Street, St. Joseph, MO 64501
(816) 279-0855

Auto Safe Transport LLC
360 P Farren, St. Joseph, MO 64501
(816) 233-3456
 

Truck Accident Attorneys Serve St. Joseph and Surrounding Cities

Serving clients throughout Northwestern Missouri, including Atchison, Cameron, Chillcothe, Columbia, Grant City, Independence, Kansas City, Kirksville, Levenworth, Marysville, Maryville, Milan, Nodaway, Olathe, Overland Park, Shelbyville, Smithville, St. Joseph, Topeka, Wildwood, areas in the vicinity of Rosecrans Memorial Airport, and other communities in Buchanan County.

St. Joseph truck accident attorneys are experienced in handling serious injury truck collision cases and can help you fight the trucking company or its insurer in order to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact a St. Joseph truck accident lawyer today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.

St. Joseph Truck Accident Lawyers Represent Injured Truck Drivers

It's not always the trucker's fault when accidents occur on St. Joseph highways. Contact a St. Joseph Injured Truck Driver Attorney today.Truck drivers who operate an 18-wheeler truck or big rig on the busy roads and highways of St. Joseph such as I-229, I-29, U.S. 59, U.S. 71, U.S. 169, U.S. 36 and MO-371, can become injured when a major commercial vehicle collision occurs. Truckers often say, “Ride with me for just one day and you will see what it is like ‘out there’…it’s not always the trucker’s fault…”

It is not uncommon to see a big rig wreck, semi crash or major accident involving semi truck drivers in St. Joseph, MO. St. Joseph’s freeway system, which is made up of major interstates and highways. Additionally, St. Joseph is one of the largest cities in Missouri, which means many types of traffic, including both passenger and semi traffic rely on St. Joseph interstates and highways. The danger of an 18-wheeler truck accident is not just confined to injured people in automobiles, but can end up injuring the truck driver affecting their livelihood and family’s livelihood as well as the automobile driver. So, when a St. Joseph 18-wheeler truck accident lawyer is contacted, be it by an automobile driver who has been injured or a truck driver that has been injured at the dangerous hands of another, you will need an expert St. Joseph truck injury lawyer to fight for your rights.

The Semi Truck Driver is Not Always at Fault

When an 18-wheeler is moving down a St. Joseph road or highway, such as I-229, I-29, U.S. 59, U.S. 71, U.S. 169, U.S. 36 or MO-371at high speeds, it is nearly unstoppable and can easily turn a motorist’s everyday commute into a lethal situation. Although a passenger car is lightweight, in comparison, and can easily maneuver in and out of lanes on St. Joseph highways, it is no match for a big rig truck. If the two vehicles are unable to avoid a collision, wreck or crash, the driver of the passenger car will be lucky to escape with their life.

A driver of a passenger vehicle could easily be killed as a result of  veering out of his lane and then smashing into a tractor trailer truck let’s say on I-229, which is the closest interstate in St. Joseph.  If the trucker tried to avoid hitting the passenger car but was unable to avoid the wreck or crash, then this would be a case where the accident was caused by the driver of the passenger vehicle and therefore the trucker would not be at fault.

Truck Driver Facts

  • Two of your fellow truck drivers die each day in accidents
  • 33,000 people driving large trucks are injured each year
  • 6.3% of U.S. truck drivers are injured each year.

Injured Truckers Need Legal Representation

A qualified St. Joseph 18-wheeler accident attorney should offer a free case review. If they decide to take on your legal matter, they should not require an up-front fee. Truckers with a trucking injury claim are generally taken on a contingency fee basis. In other words, your St. Joseph truck accident attorney is only paid if you receive compensation for your injuries.

Injured Truckers Need to Know Their Rights

As a trucker, you have rights you need to be aware of. It is not uncommon for aggressive insurance companies to contact you shortly after the accident in an effort to try to get you to settle quickly and convince you that you want the matter to go away. In many cases, injuries are not so quick to heal. Many times the injuries can be permanent, long-lasting, and career-threatening. That is why you need a competent St. Joseph truck accident lawyer that is not only prepared to mediate a resolution, but also prepared to take your case to court.

When Negligence Changes a Trucker’s Life

Qualified St. Joseph truck accident lawyers know exactly how to provide nationwide representation for truckers injured in trucking accidents caused by a variety of negligent acts and mechanical malfunctions, including:

  • Rear-end, Head-On Crashes and Jackknives
  • Poor Maintenance, including Tires and Brakes
  • Driver Fatigue
  • Unsecured Loads
  • Aggressive Driving
  • DWI/Drug Use
  • Lack of Reflectors and Poor Visibility

Since trucking laws are governed by hundreds of regulations, litigation can be very complex. Hiring a semi truck accident attorney who specializes in the numerous trucking laws throughout the United States is essential for a successful verdict outcome. For more information about trucking laws or to schedule an appointment with an experienced commercial truck injury lawyer, contact a truck injury attorney today.

When an 18 Wheeler accident occurs, your St. Joseph truck accident lawyer will check the truck driver’s credentials to see if he/she attended an accredited Commercial Drivers’ License (CDL) school. In St. Joseph, Missouri, one truck driving school is CDL Ready Inc, 1507 Southwest 6 Street, Lee's Summit, MO, although there are many others throughout the country. See the Nationwide List of Accredited CDL Schools for a more comprehensive list.

Resources for Truck Drivers

Trucking Schools (earn your CDL):

KCK Community Clg Truck Driving
820 Kansas Avenue, Atchison, KS 66002-2329
(913) 371-4668 ‎

CDL Ready Inc
1507 Southwest 6 Street, Lee's Summit, MO
(816) 554-9005

Occupational Health Care Facilities

Heartland Occupational Medicine
2703 Running Horse Road, Platte City, MO
(816) 858-7068

Heartland Occupational Medicine
401 Illinois Avenue, St. Joseph, MO
(816) 671-4880

Companies that provide towing services for big rigs:

Nick's Good Time Tows LLC
50 S Whitney St, Kansas City, MO
(816) 468-4488

Independence Tow & Recovery
10730 East Truman Road, Independence, MO
(816) 358-2869
Dennis Auto Center & Towing
1815 Mulberry Street, St. Joseph, MO 64501
(816) 233-9923

All Star Towing & Recovery Inc
106 2nd Street, Platte City, MO 64079
(816) 858-4488

 

Contact a St. Joseph 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer for a free initial consultation.

Truck Accident Attorneys for Injured Truckers Serve St. Joseph and Surrounding Cities

Serving clients throughout Northwestern Missouri, including Atchison, Cameron, Chillcothe, Columbia, Grant City, Independence, Kansas City, Kirksville, Levenworth, Marysville, Maryville, Milan, Nodaway, Olathe, Overland Park, Shelbyville, Smithville, St. Joseph, Topeka, Wildwood, areas in the vicinity of Rosecrans Memorial Airport, and other communities in Buchanan County.

St. Joseph truck accident attorneys for injured truckers are experienced in handling serious injury truck collision cases and can help you fight the trucking company or its insurer in order to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact a St. Joseph 18 wheeler accident lawyer today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.