Driving on the highways and interstates of America can be a harrowing experience with the sheer number of large commercial trucks sharing the roads. These massive vehicles, weighing up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded, pose serious risks if they are involved in an accident with a standard passenger vehicle. The size and weight disparity means the occupants of the smaller vehicle often suffer devastating, life-altering injuries or even wrongful death.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a collision with a semi-truck, tractor-trailer, big rig, or other commercial vehicle, you need an experienced trucking accident attorney in your corner. The consequences of these crashes are severe, resulting in astronomical medical bills, lost wages, lingering pain and suffering, permanent disabilities, and psychological trauma. An expert commercial truck accident lawyer will be your advocate, fighting tirelessly to get you the maximum compensation you deserve.
The Challenges of Trucking Accident Cases
Pursuing a claim and possible lawsuit after a truck accident is vastly more complicated than a regular passenger vehicle collision. There are many more parties potentially involved, including the truck driver, trucking company, truck manufacturer, shipping company, maintenance companies, and more. Building a strong case requires an extensive investigation to determine all liable parties and their roles in causing the crash.
An accident reconstruction team, including engineers and investigators, must analyze all the evidence at the scene such as skid marks, road debris, the positioning of the vehicles after impact, and the damage patterns. They’ll examine the truckers’ logs, maintenance records for the truck, data from the vehicle’s black box, and freight manifests.
Your truck accident lawyer also needs to have a deep understanding of the complex state and federal regulations that truckers, trucking companies, and trucks themselves must follow. Violations like failure to follow hours of service rules, improper loading of cargo, lack of required driver qualifications or training, and deferred maintenance can all contribute to causing devastating crashes.
Experience on Your Side
Trucking companies and their insurers are major corporations with vast resources and legal teams dedicated to minimizing payouts on injury claims, even when their negligence was the primary factor. Having the right truck accident injury attorney gives you the leverage and legal firepower to take them on. They represent real David vs Goliath battles pitting injured victims against wealthy corporations – but the right lawyer can make all the difference.
At the Personal Injury Lawyers of America, our team of litigators has secured numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of our clients who were victims of commercial vehicle crashes. We thoroughly understand all the nuances of trucking accident cases, including:
● The complex web of state and federal regulations governing the trucking industry
● Hiring Accident Reconstruction experts to prove negligence and liability
● Dealing with combative trucking companies, insurers, and their massive legal teams
● Quantifying and proving damages including current and future medical costs, lost earnings, and pain & suffering
● Accelerating insurance claim processes that trucking companies intentionally delay
● Taking cases to trial if settlement offers are insufficient
Through it all, our top priority is maximizing your financial recovery and getting your life back on track to the fullest extent possible. We’re selective about the cases we take so every client gets the attention, empathy, and commitment they deserve on the path to regaining their lives.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
While no two trucking accidents are exactly alike, there are frequent recurring factors and themes when it comes to the causes:
Truck Driver Fatigue: Studies show fatigue is a factor in over 13% of commercial truck accidents due to drivers violating Hours of Service rules or experiencing disrupted sleep schedules. You’re putting your life at risk sharing the road with an overtired trucker fighting off “micro-sleep” behind the wheel of an 80,000 lb rig.
Impaired Driving: Whether under the influence of alcohol, prescription medication, or illegal drugs, impaired truck drivers are a menace on the roads, lacking the concentration, judgment and reflexes to operate big rigs safely.
Improper Maintenance: Trucking companies that defer maintenance to cut costs put profit over public safety and driver safety. Worn-out brakes, bald tires, defective underride guards, and other issues seriously compromise the safe operation of semi-trucks.
Distracted Driving: Eating, texting, using CB radios or infotainment systems while driving take a trucker’s eyes off the road and mind off driving for critical moments that can lead to catastrophe.
Dangerous Loading: Overloaded, improperly distributed or inadequately secured freight loads can cause rollovers, jackknifes, or devastating impacts if loads shift unexpectedly during driving.
Speeding: Drivers who speed in large trucks are a major hazard due to significantly increased braking distances needed to stop these massive vehicles at high speeds.
Aggressive Driving: Truckers who tailgate, make dangerous lane changes, or fail to yield right-of-way endanger everyone with the sheer size of their rigs amplifying the consequences.
At our firm, we’ll conduct a deep dive to uncover the exact causes and circumstances behind your truck accident, allowing us to identify all liable parties and secure the accountability and compensation you deserve.
What to Do After a Truck Accident
Being involved in a major truck accident is extremely traumatic, but the actions you take in the immediate aftermath can make a significant difference in your legal case. Do your best to stay calm and take these steps if you’re able:
Call Emergency Services: Your priority should be getting qualified medical help for any injuries. This creates an official record of the incident as well.
Document the Scene: Take photos and videos of the accident scene, debris, damage, roadway markings, and vehicle positions if it’s safe to do so. Also exchange information with the truck driver and gather witness contacts.
Avoid Speculation: Don’t speculate about fault or admit any degree of responsibility. Even a seemingly innocuous apology could be misinterpreted as an admission of guilt.
Report the Accident: Contact your insurance company promptly to file an official report. Don’t provide any formal statements before speaking with a lawyer.
Contact a Truck Accident Attorney: An experienced truck crash attorney will start protecting your rights immediately and make sure you don’t inadvertently undermine your ability to file a claim.
Never accept a quick settlement offer from an insurance company before having your injuries professionally evaluated and consulting legal counsel. We’ll ensure you’re rightfully compensated for the full scope of your medical costs, lost income, pain & suffering, and other damages.
Essential Points for Understanding Trucking Accidents and Legal Assistance
Get a quick overview of trucking accidents and why you need legal help. Learn about the risks, complexities, and common causes of accidents, plus what to do after one occurs.
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| Trucking Accident Risks | Driving on American highways alongside commercial trucks weighing up to 80,000 pounds poses severe risks. Accidents with these vehicles often result in life-altering injuries or wrongful death for occupants of smaller vehicles. |
| Need for Legal Assistance | Victims of truck accidents require experienced trucking accident attorneys to navigate complex legal processes. Attorneys advocate for maximum compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, pain & suffering, disabilities, and psychological trauma. |
| Complexity of Cases | Truck accident cases involve multiple parties such as truck drivers, companies, manufacturers, and maintenance firms. Building a strong case demands extensive investigation, including accident reconstruction and understanding of state and federal regulations. |
| Experience Matters | Competing against well-resourced trucking companies and insurers requires experienced legal representation. Knowledgeable attorneys secure maximum compensation, handling complexities like regulations, accident reconstruction, negotiations, and trial proceedings. |
| Common Accident Causes | Truck accidents stem from factors like driver fatigue, impaired driving, improper maintenance, distracted driving, dangerous loading, speeding, and aggressive driving. Understanding these causes is crucial for identifying liable parties and securing compensation. |
| Post-Accident Actions | After a truck accident, victims should prioritize medical assistance, document the scene, avoid speculation or admitting fault, report the accident to insurance, and promptly seek legal counsel to protect their rights and avoid premature settlements. |
Frequently Asked Questions:
How much does it cost to hire a truck accident lawyer?
Most reputable truck accident law firms work on a contingency basis, which means you don’t pay anything out-of-pocket. We take a percentage of your final settlement or judgment after successfully resolving your case.
How long does a trucking accident case typically take?
There’s no simple answer since every case is unique. Straightforward claims with clear liability may settle within a few months while highly complex cases involving serious injuries, multiple parties, or going to trial may last 1-2 years.
What damages can I recover after a trucking accident?
There are economic damages for quantifiable costs like medical bills, future treatment needs, lost wages/income, and property damage. Non-economic damages cover less tangible costs like pain & suffering, mental anguish, disability impacts, and loss of enjoyment of life.
What happens if the truck driver doesn’t have insurance or proper coverage?
Even when truck drivers or companies don’t have adequate insurance, our attorneys will pursue every source such as holding the company responsible, the freight company’s insurance, and other linked parties.
Should I accept a settlement offer from the trucking company?
It’s virtually never in your best interest to accept an initial offer from trucking companies or their insurers. They’ll extend lowball offers to protect their profits. Our experts ensure you receive full compensation.
The road to physical, emotional and financial recovery after a truck accident is extremely challenging, but having the right legal representation can smooth the process. At the Personal Injury Lawyers of America, we give each client the empathy, respect, and tenacious advocacy they deserve after being victimized by negligence. Contact us today for a free consultation to start pursuing the justice you’re owed.