A couple from Missouri alleges they suffered severe injuries after being hit from behind in a semi truck accident.

The couple alleges the semi truck accident could have been avoided if not for the negligent actions of the truck’s driver, who allegedly collided with the plaintiffs’ car and caused multiple cars to become involved.

Plaintiff couple Michael W. and Sylvia W. allege they sustained serious injuries from the semi truck accident, which reportedly occurred on Interstate 270 in Town and Country, Mo.

According to the truck accident lawsuit, the semi truck accident occurred on July 21, 2013. Michael says he was driving his 2007 Lincoln MKZ, with Sylvia riding on the passenger side.

During that day, the truck driver was driving a loaded tractor-trailer southbound on Interstate 270 and was following behind and go to the left of the claimants’ vehicle, according to the couple’s complaint.

The semi truck accident reportedly occurred at 1:30 p.m., when the truck driver allegedly lost control of the truck and caused the tractor-trailer to violently crash into the right rear end of the claimants’ car.

The semi truck accident reportedly caused serious injuries to Sylvia and Michael’s back, neck, head, and legs, causing them to incur expensive medical bills. In addition, the couple claims their injuries forced them to miss work. They allege they will have to contend with an extensive recovery process for their injuries.

Michael and Sylvia’s semi truck accident is just one of numerous incidents that occur throughout the United States each year.

Overview of Semi Truck Accident Risk

According to statistics, an average of 500,000 semi truck accidents every year, with 5,000 incidents being fatal and over 100,000 incidents involving serious injury. Due to the size of semi trucks, it is easy to understand why consumer class cars like sedans could be overpowered by the 18 wheeler.

There are a number of contributing factors that can cause a semi truck accident, but any incidents involving truck driver negligence could spur legal action against the trucking company.

While there are factors that are beyond the driver’s control like weather or condition of the road, other factors like lack of sleep or reckless driving can increase the chances of a semi truck accident. Human error actions that are commonly linked to semi truck accidents include, but are not limited to:

• Fatigue or Lack of Sleep
• Lack of Truck Driving Experience
• Alcohol or Drug Use
• Unsafe Equipment
• Lack of Proper Truck Maintenance
• Weight, Load, or Size Imbalances
• Driving Too Fast
• Insufficient Brake Function
• Using a Cell Phone while Driving

While there are federal regulations in place that require companies to give drivers sufficient amounts of sleep and limits drivers from driving too long without rest, semi truck accidents remain a prominent concern on the road.

The couple claims they have incurred over $151,000 in medical bills for Sylvia’s treatment and over $66,000 for Michael’s. Both of them say they lost wages due to being unable to work.

Michael and Sylvia are seeking financial damages for these medical expenses, alleging Atkinson’s negligence and CRST Malone are responsible for the semi truck accident.

This Semi Truck Accident Lawsuit is Case No. 4:18-cv-01048-HEA, in the U.S. District Court of Eastern Missouri.