Commercial Transportation Accident lawyers in Kansas City
Committed to Improving Passenger Safety
Commercial Transportation
Under the law, the state, municipality, or private company that provides these methods of transportation are considered “common carriers” and are heavily regulated by state and federal agencies. Generally, common carriers are expected to exercise the highest degree of care and caution regarding the safety of their passengers and other driver or pedestrians utilizing the roadways. This includes the carriers hiring practices like conducting proper background checks, drug testing, and providing adequate training and supervision.
However, many entities in the commercial transportation industry hire unqualified and untrained drivers to improve their bottom lines. These drivers are often overworked, underqualified, undertrained, or inadequately supervised, which poses a serious threat to passengers and others on the road and can lead to serious injury and death.
When commercial transportation companies place profit above passenger safety, they are placing passenger lives, as well well as the lives of every other person on the road, at serious risk. If you or a loved one have been injured or killed in a bus accident or another type of commercial transportation accident, you need a law firm that is experienced in handling complex matters and has the necessary resources to go toe-to-toe with the large commercial transportation entities and their insurers.
Representative Cases
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$7.5 Million
Trucking company causes death of man on motorcycle
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$11.9 Million
Railroad
Jury verdict for a UPS driver who sustained a brain injury when his truck was hit by a train at a crossing when the crossing lights malfunctioned
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$7.1 Million
Wrongful Death
Settlement for a man killed in a school bus accident
Each case is unique. Every case starts with us getting to know you and your family. Our team will gather information and take steps to ensure evidence is properly preserved.
We will conduct a thorough investigation to identify who is responsible, confirm what happened, and determine theories of liability. We will assemble a team of highly skilled experts to assist with the investigation and support the claims. We also work with your doctors and outside medical experts to determine your future medical needs and the costs of those needs.
We understand that after a tragedy, families are searching for answers, accountability for a lost life or assurance that no other family suffers the same way. We want to achieve more than a legal result–we want to be a source of comfort, compassion, and resolution.
Were you or a love one injured while riding in a commercial vehicle?
Due to the number of parties involved in the commercial transportation industry, it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly who would be responsible for an accident involving a commercial vehicle. Thus, establishing liability in a commercial transportation case is often complicated.
To win your commercial transportation accident case, you will need to prove that the driver and any other parties, like their employers, are liable or responsible for you or your loved ones’ injuries. The company can be liable for your damages through the legal theory of “vicarious liability.” This means that employers are responsible for accidents their employees cause during the regular course and scope of their employment.
One way to prove liability is to show that the driver or company broke the law, as this can automatically prove negligence. This is the legal concept of “negligence per se.” An example is when the driver is under the influence or runs a red light, which are both against the law. Drivers of commercial vehicles often face pressure to deliver goods and passengers on time. In order to maintain these schedules, drivers often commit inexcusable errors that put other persons at risk.
Another way to show the company was negligent is to show it negligently hired, trained, supervised, or retained a driver. Depending on the type of vehicle, specific state and federal laws may apply which require drivers to obtain special certifications and a commercial driver’s license. However, some commercial vehicles, like delivery vans (e.g., Amazon) and rideshare vehicles, can be driven by anyone with a regular driver’s license. As a result, these drivers often lack the training and experience to operate large commercial vehicles, so companies must practice due diligence when hiring, training, and supervising their drivers.
However, to improve their bottom lines, many businesses in the commercial transportation industry hire unqualified drivers and do not provide adequate training or supervision. The commercial transportation lawyers at Bartimus Frickleton Robertson Rader can help expose the dangerous practices of these companies and hold them accountable for the dangers they create.
We are passionate about leveling the playing field for injury victims who are forced to face major corporations and large insurance companies. Commercial transportation accident cases are often complicated, including identifying all possible lines of insurance to maximize your potential recovery. However, our team has the experience, skill, and dedication to pursue the optimal result for your claim.