

Anything can happen on the busy streets of St. Louis, Missouri, especially truck accidents. Most of the nation’s cargo passes through the St. Louis highways because of the city’s centralized location.
According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, approximately 21% to 32% of the state’s traffic involves commercial trucks. St. Louis became the #1 location for traffic bottlenecks, leading to accidents.
In 2022, a total of 2,462 trucking accidents happened in St. Louis. Recently, a violent multi-vehicle collision occurred involving a small U-Haul truck and two cars. In this incident, one St. Louis resident lost their life, while two more were gravely injured.
Do you reside in St. Louis and drive a car every day? In this blog, we will discuss what you shouldn’t do after a truck accident.
#1. Failing to Get Prompt Medical Assistance
Accident victims sustaining a catastrophic injury will be quickly rushed to the hospital. However, people with moderate injuries tend to ignore further medical treatment after getting checked by paramedics. They might go home and consult a doctor only if they feel weird.
It is likely because of the increasing cost of medical care in St. Louis. For instance, the cost of an X-ray is USD 400, whereas an MRI can cost USD 1,400.
Yes, insurance companies are supposed to compensate for the cost of medical assistance required after an accident. However, 11.3% of St. Louis residents don’t have insurance, making it hard to seek medical care. When the accident is not your fault, the truck company’s insurance provider will cover your medical bills and auto repairs.
Irrespective of who pays the bills, you should check with a healthcare professional after a trucking accident. Doing so will help rule out any internal injuries you are unaware of.
Seeking prompt medical attention also helps your case when you file a personal injury lawsuit. For example, the medical reports and documents from the doctor will help increase your chances of getting hefty compensation.
#2. Neglecting the Importance of Legal Assistance
The second mistake most victims make is failing to call a lawyer. Without legal counsel, you might not receive satisfactory compensation for the injuries caused. Only attorneys can help you deal with multiple liable parties, which is a possibility in St. Louis.
Yet, you can shy away from calling lawyers because of the high hourly rate of USD 385. This might seem minimal when you can get a hefty compensation. Usually, the average payout is USD 73,109.92 for trucking accidents.
According to TorHoerman Law, lawyers will help you take legal action and seek sufficient compensation after suffering damages in a truck accident. You qualify for this claim if you’ve sustained physical injuries and property damage caused by a truck driver. Therefore, after informing the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, you should find a legal representative.
To find a truck accident attorney in St. Louis, you can follow these tips:
- Evaluate the experiences and successes they have had in personal injury lawsuits
- Pay close attention to how they engage with you during the free consultation
- Understand the payment model they request and compare it with others
#3. Forgetting to Gather Evidence From the Scene
You should gather evidence from the accident scene before admitting fault or apologizing. Without it, your personal injury lawsuit might not stand in court.
For instance, you should collect photos and videos of vehicle damage, visible injuries, road conditions, skid marks, etc. You can also make video footage to record the crash scene. Remember to photograph the driver’s license plate as well.
However, don’t let the other parties take pictures or evidence from the scene before you. Chances are, the truck company’s insurance adjuster will use those to build a case that diminishes their liability.
Additionally, you can gather the contact information of witnesses to corroborate your story. Share these with your St. Louis attorney and insurance adjusters to maximize your winning chances.
The Bottom Line
St. Louis is a great place to live due to the minimal cost of living and good roads. However, the continuous news of traffic accidents makes the city unattractive. Every month, the residents witness avoidable accidents involving trucks, pedestrians, and cars.
These accidents occur due to faulty mechanisms, truck driver errors, and bad weather conditions. Moreover, brake failure, overloading, driver fatigue, and alcohol abuse are also leading causes of truck accidents in the city.
That’s why residents like you should stay vigilant while driving. In case you get into a trucking accident, avoid making the mistakes mentioned in this blog.