Side-Impact Truck Accidents in St. Louis

T-Bone truck crashes, also called broadside or side-impact, occur when the front of a commercial vehicle, such as an 18-wheeler, strikes the side of another car. The collisions can be severe and may result in life-threatening or fatal injuries and substantial property damage.

The significant difference in the size and weight of trucks makes them particularly dangerous, and factors such as speed can increase the risks. If you suffered harm in this type of collision, talk to a truck accident attorney experienced in cases involving side-impact truck accidents in St. Louis.

What Increases the Risk of Harm?

Many components of side-collision crashes involving large vehicles in St. Louis significantly increase the risk of harm, resulting in life-altering consequences. Unfortunately, the sides of cars provide much less structural protection compared to the front and rear.

When any vehicle, especially a massive tractor-trailer, hits the side of another vehicle, there is little to absorb the impact of the crash. In a collision between a heavy commercial vehicle and a much smaller car, the occupants often bear the brunt of the impact due to the truck’s mass and momentum. Those factors can lead to life-changing or deadly consequences.

Common Causes of Side-Impact Collisions

Side-collisions in St. Louis are more typical at intersections and are usually caused by truck driver recklessness or error. Some causes of side-impact crashes include:

  • Failure to yield the right-of-way, such as failing to stop when entering the intersection or turning without waiting for oncoming traffic
  • Disregard for traffic signs, signals, and warnings, such as driving through red lights or ignoring stop or yield signs
  • Driver distractions, such as phones
  • Excessive speed, which reduces the operator’s reaction time and increases the force caused by the impact
  • Improper maneuvering, such as lane changes and merging, and failure to check blind spots
  • Impaired driving from alcohol or drugs, impacting judgment and reaction abilities
  • Poorly maintained vehicles, leading to equipment failure, such as steering or brakes
  • Weather, such as fog or rain, which decreases visibility and road safety

The consequences of broadside collisions involving 18-wheelers and other large commercial vehicles can be devastating for everyone involved.

Call a St. Louis Attorney Today To File a Legal Claim After a Side-Impact Truck Accident

Crashes involving tractor-trailers and other heavy vehicles with regular passenger cars can often be traumatic and dangerous. That is particularly true in accidents that broadside passengers in the vehicle.

You have the right to file a claim to pursue payment for damages from the liable party if someone else’s negligence caused an avoidable crash and harm. A seasoned personal injury lawyer could answer questions about side-impact truck accidents in St. Louis, support you throughout the investigation, prepare the case, and fight for a fair settlement. Call McCready Law today to schedule a consultation and learn more.