If you’ve been in a truck accident in Kansas City, you’re likely dealing with a lot more than just the physical injuries. Truck accidents differ from car accidents in many ways, and the impact can be far more severe. Trucks are bigger, heavier, and more dangerous, so the consequences are often devastating when they’re involved in a collision. Whether you’ve suffered serious injuries, lost income, or damage to your vehicle, it’s important you know there’s a way forward.
However, by working with Kansas City truck accident lawyers, you can protect your rights, recover compensation for your damages, and hold the responsible parties accountable. It helps to understand the unique aspects of truck accidents, why hiring the right legal team matters, and why Mann Wyatt Tanksley Injury Attorneys should be your first call after a truck accident in Kansas City.
To speak with our team directly at no cost and with no obligation, please call (877) 388-8555 now.
Why You Should Turn to Mann Wyatt Tanksley Injury Attorneys
When you’re looking for Kansas City truck accident lawyers, you want a team that’s not only skilled at handling truck accident cases but also committed to providing personalized service. That’s exactly what you’ll get when you work with Mann Wyatt Tanksley Injury Attorneys.
At our firm, we pride ourselves on taking a client-centered approach to every case we handle. We don’t just treat you like another case number. Instead, we take the time to get to know you, understand your concerns, and work with you to achieve the best possible outcome.
A Commitment to Communication
One of the things that sets us apart is our commitment to communication. We’re always available to answer your questions and keep you informed about the status of your case. We believe that when you’re involved in a legal case, you should never feel like you’re in the dark. We’ll ensure that you feel supported and confident throughout the entire process.
But our communication is just part of what makes us different. We also have a strong track record of success in helping truck accident victims recover compensation. We understand the unique challenges that truck accidents present, and we know how to build strong cases that hold all responsible parties accountable.
After a truck accident, communication is one of the most important things you need from your legal team. You’ve already been through a traumatic experience, and the last thing you need is to wonder about your case. That’s why we prioritize communication with our clients at Mann Wyatt Tanksley Injury Attorneys.
We understand that you’ll have questions and concerns throughout the legal process. You might wonder how long your case will take, whether the insurance company’s settlement offer is fair, or how you’ll pay for medical bills while your case is pending. Whatever your question, we’re here to provide answers.
Our attorneys strive to keep you updated every step of the way. We explain the legal process in plain language so you’re never confused about what’s happening with your case. And if you have concerns, we’re always available to address them.
Communication isn’t just a convenience – it’s essential to ensuring your case is handled properly. You can make informed decisions about your case when you understand what's happening. And when you feel confident that your legal team is on top of things, it takes some of the stress off your shoulders, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
Truck Accidents Require Experience and Skill
Truck accidents aren’t like car accidents – they’re far more complex. You need Kansas City truck accident lawyers who understand these differences and can build a case reflecting the unique challenges of truck accident claims.
At Mann Wyatt Tanksley Injury Attorneys, we know the federal regulations governing the trucking industry, such as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules. These regulations dictate how long truck drivers can be on the road, the types of records they need to keep, and how often their trucks must be inspected. Violations of these regulations can play a key role in truck accident cases, as they often point to negligence by the driver or trucking company.
For example, fatigue might have been a factor in the crash if a truck driver was behind the wheel for longer than FMCSA’s hours-of-service rules allowed. Or, if the truck’s brakes failed due to a lack of maintenance, the trucking company might be responsible for not adhering to the required safety standards.
These details are critical when building your case. Our team knows how to investigate truck accidents to uncover any violations of federal or state regulations, and we’ll use that information to strengthen your case. By holding drivers and trucking companies accountable for these violations, we can secure the compensation you deserve.
Why Truck Accidents Are Different
You already know that trucks are significantly larger than passenger vehicles, but it’s worth mentioning why that matters. A fully loaded commercial truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, compared to the average 3,000-pound car. The impact force is immense when an 18-wheeler collides with a smaller vehicle. This force leads to more severe injuries, greater property damage, and higher medical costs.
Truck accidents also tend to occur on major highways like I-435, I-70, and I-35, with higher speeds and denser traffic. The combination of heavy trucks and high speeds can be deadly, especially in areas like downtown Kansas City, where congestion and merging traffic increase the risk of collisions.
In addition, truck accidents often involve multiple parties, such as the truck driver, the trucking company, the company that loaded the cargo, and potentially even the truck's manufacturer. Each party may bear some responsibility for the accident, which makes pursuing compensation more complicated. Kansas City truck accident lawyers are well-equipped to handle these multi-party cases and ensure that all responsible parties are held accountable.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Kansas City
Truck accidents happen for various reasons, many of which were avoidable. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents in Kansas City include:
- Driver fatigue: Truck drivers often work long hours and may be pressured to meet tight deadlines. Fatigue impairs reaction times and decision-making – much like driving while drunk. Highways like I-435, where truck traffic is constant, are common spots for accidents caused by drowsy driving.
- Improper loading: When cargo isn’t properly secured or distributed, it can cause the truck to become unbalanced. A balance loss can lead to rollovers or cause the driver to lose control, especially in areas with sharp turns like the I-35 to I-670 interchange.
- Distracted driving: Whether texting, adjusting a GPS, or eating while driving, distractions are dangerous for any driver – even those with years of experience operating commercial trucks. High-traffic areas like Troost Avenue and the busy intersections of downtown Kansas City can become even more hazardous when a distracted truck driver is behind the wheel.
- Poor maintenance: Trucking companies are responsible for maintaining their vehicles, but when maintenance is neglected, things like faulty brakes or worn-out tires can lead to catastrophic accidents. This is especially dangerous on highways like I-70, where truckers travel at high speeds, and any mechanical failure can be fatal.
- Speeding: Large trucks need more time and distance to stop, but when truck drivers speed, they reduce their ability to react to changing road conditions. Speeding is particularly common on long stretches of highway, such as I-29, where drivers may try to make up for lost time.
Each of these factors presents unique challenges when it comes to pursuing compensation. You need Kansas City truck accident lawyers who understand the nuances of truck accidents and can investigate your crash's underlying causes
Who’s Responsible for Your Truck Accident?
One of the biggest differences between car and truck accidents is the number of parties involved. In a typical car accident, you usually deal with the other driver and their insurance company. But, as mentioned earlier, several parties can share responsibility for a truck accident. Some of them include the following:
- The truck driver: If the driver was fatigued, distracted, or otherwise negligent, they can be liable for the accident.
- The trucking company: Trucking companies are responsible for hiring qualified drivers, properly maintaining their vehicles, and ensuring compliance with federal regulations. If they fail in any of these areas, they may be accountable.
- The cargo company: If the accident happened due to improperly loaded cargo, the company responsible for loading the truck may share liability.
- The truck manufacturer: If the accident was caused by a mechanical failure, the truck manufacturer or its parts may be liable.
This multi-party liability can make truck accident cases more challenging, but it also means more avenues exist to pursue compensation. With Kansas City truck accident lawyers by your side, you’ll have a team of legal professionals who can identify all responsible parties and build a strong case to recover the compensation you deserve.
Investigating a Truck Accident
Truck accidents require a thorough investigation, often more in-depth than a typical car accident. You’re not just looking at who caused the crash – you’re looking at the underlying factors that contributed to it, such as truck maintenance records, driver logs, and the condition of the road at the time of the accident.
At Mann Wyatt Tanksley Injury Attorneys, we take a detailed approach to investigating truck accidents. We gather evidence from the accident scene, including police reports, photographs, and witness statements. We’ll also request the truck’s electronic logging device (ELD) data, which tracks the driver’s hours on the road and can provide critical insights into whether fatigue played a role.
We’ll review the truck’s maintenance records to see if the trucking company was keeping up with the required inspections and repairs. In many cases, accidents are caused by mechanical failures, and these records can help prove that the company was negligent in maintaining the vehicle.
If necessary, we’ll work with accident reconstruction experts to identify exactly what happened. These experts use physics and engineering principles to analyze the crash and clearly show how the accident occurred. This information can be invaluable when negotiating with insurance companies or presenting your case in court.
By conducting a thorough investigation, we can build a strong case that addresses all the factors involved in the accident. This comprehensive approach ensures that we cover all our bases and that every detail is noticed.
The Insurance Company’s Formidable Opposition
Dealing with insurance companies after a truck accident can be frustrating. Trucking companies and their insurers are often well-prepared to fight claims, and they’ll use every tactic in the book to minimize their liability and reduce the compensation they have to pay.
One of insurance companies' most common tactics is offering a quick settlement. They know that truck accident victims often deal with medical bills, lost earnings, and other expenses, so they’ll offer what might seem like a fair settlement in hopes you’ll take it and move on. But these initial offers are rarely enough to cover the full extent of your damages.
When you work with Kansas City truck accident lawyers, you don’t have to deal with the insurance companies on your own. We’ll handle all communications with the insurance adjusters, so you don’t have to worry about saying something that can hurt your case. We’ll also evaluate any settlement offers to ensure they’re fair and consider the full scope of your injuries and damages.
You’d like to think the trucking company’s insurer will do the right thing and give you the money you deserve. Unfortunately, that’s not likely to happen. If the insurer’s settlement offer is unfair, we’ll be ready to take them to court. Our team has a proven track record of success in the courtroom, and we’re prepared to fight for your rights if that’s what it takes to secure the compensation you deserve.
Don’t Settle for Less Than You Deserve – Contact Mann Wyatt Tanksley Injury Attorneys
Truck accidents are serious events with long-lasting consequences. You deserve Kansas City truck accident lawyers who will fight for your rights and ensure you’re compensated for the full extent of your damages. We take pride in our commitment to communication, personalized service, and results at Mann Wyatt Tanksley Injury Attorneys.
Please call us at (877) 388-8555 or use our online form to schedule your free case evaluation.