A tractor-trailer accident lawyer is a lawyer who specializes in representing victims of tractor-trailer accidents. These are generally large truck collisions in which the tractor-trailer is travelling at a speed of 65 mph or higher, and often travelling on interstate highways. Tractor-trailer accidents can be caused by many factors, including driver error, fatigue, weather conditions, and problems with the truck itself.

The tractor trailer accident lawyer handles many different types of cases, including legal claims for bodily injury and property damage, claims for wrongful death, and claims for medical expenses. In some cases, the lawyer may also handle claims for lost wages and benefits. The lawyer may also represent victims’ families in lawsuits against the tractor trailer driver or trucking company if the driver is uninsured or underinsured. Learn more about tractor accident lawyers here on RepDex.
A tractor-trailer accident lawyer may work with a victim’s other lawyers, such as his or her attorney for personal injury, a personal injury attorney, or a lawyer for property damage, a personal injury attorney, or a lawyer for property damage. The lawyer may consult with other experts, such as accident reconstruction experts, meteorologists, and engineers, to help the lawyer determine liability and damages.
Tractor-trailer accident lawyers are often called truck accident attorneys. Some lawyers specialize in representing victims of accidents with natural gas or propane trucks.
History of Tractor Trailer Accidents and Attorneys
Tractor-trailer accidents are a major cause of personal injury and wrongful death. According to statistics compiled by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there were 106,000 accidents involving large trucks in 2007. This represented a 6 percent decrease in the number of accidents since 2006, but the number of deaths in tractor-trailer accidents increased 7 percentage.
A tractor-trailer accident lawyer may represent an injured client who was a passenger or pedestrian that was struck by a commercial motor vehicle. The lawyer’s job is to make sure the client gets full compensation for their injuries, pain and suffering, lost wages, and loss of enjoyment of life.
According to statistics, 58,000 pedestrians are killed and 1,000,000 are injured each year in traffic accidents.
Tractor-trailer accidents account for approximately 3,000 deaths and 100,000 injuries each year.
One-third of all deaths in accidents involving commercial vehicles are pedestrians.
Drivers of passenger vehicles and pedestrians of automobiles are twice as likely to be killed in an automobile or commercial vehicle accident.
The death toll in accidents involving commercial vehicles is twice that of automobile accidents.
Commercial vehicles are involved in approximately 10% per cent of all motor vehicle accidents.
Commercial vehicles, including 18-wheelers and tractor-trailers, are 23 times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident than passenger vehicles.
- In 2010, 5,200 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents.
- One-third of pedestrian fatalities occur in urban areas.
- Pedestrians account for about 13 per cent of all motor vehicle traffic.
- Roughly 16,000 pedestrians are killed each year in traffic accidents.
- The number of pedestrian deaths has been declining by 6 per cent per year since 1970.
- Pedestrians are three times more likely to be killed in a bicycle accident than a motorcycle or car.
- Pedestrians are also three times more likely to be killed in a pedestrian accident than a motor vehicle accident.
- Most pedestrian fatalities occur in urban areas.
No matter how careful you are, accidents happen. They can happen to anyone, at any time, no matter how good a driver you think you are. That’s why it’s important that, if you have an accident, you find a good lawyer right away. Because a good lawyer can do three things for you.
First, he or she can get the insurance company to back down. Insurance companies are a business, and their number one goal is to make a profit. A good lawyer makes them realize that there is a price to pay for making it so easy for people to get into accidents.
Second, a good lawyer can get you what you deserve. The insurance company will try to pay you as little as possible. But a good lawyer knows that you have rights. A good lawyer will know what those rights are, and will make sure that you get them.
Third, a good lawyer can help you collect what is owed you. Insurance companies aren’t the only people who owe you money.
The driver of that truck, for example, has a responsibility to you, too, and if your accident was caused by his fault, he owes you. A good lawyer will find out what that responsibility is, and will fight hard for it.
So find a good lawyer right away. And ask him or her these three questions:
Q: Can you get me a good settlement?
A: Yes.
Q: Can you get me what I can rightfully expect to get?
A: Yes.
Q: Can you fight for me in court?
A: Yes.
Q: Can you get me everything I can possibly get?
A: Yes.
The driver of the semi-truck, who was taking a load of corn to Omaha, Nebraska, from his farm near Ogallala, Nebraska, and who was driving about 90 miles per hour, lost control and struck the overpass. The highway was wet and icy and the truck skidded on the roadway, flipping over several times and overturning. The collision was violent.
The truck driver, a 40-year-old man who lived on a farm near Ogallala, Nebraska, was totally knocked out. He was unconscious for about 12 hours. When he came to, he found himself lying on his back in the wreckage of the truck. The semitrailer was upside down and on fire. The corn in the trailer had caught fire, and, because of the wind, the truck was filling with smoke. The truck’s cab was crushed.
The truck driver managed to pull himself out from under the trailer, but he was badly injured. At first, the trucker thought that his legs were all broken. But X-rays showed that he had only fractured his pelvis. His legs were badly swollen. It took him three weeks to get his strength back.
The truck driver was still in the hospital six weeks after the accident. The accident happened about
4:30 in the morning. The truck driver was drowsy. He used his cellular phone while driving. That made the accident even more dangerous. Police charged the driver with reckless driving. If he had been hurt less, he would have been fined.
The driver’s employer, the 5 Companies, owned the semitrailer. 5 Companies had hired the driver to drive that semitrailer, which was their truck.
The lawyers had talked about this case for years. The trucking company had trained for accidents like this one. The engineers had designed the truck for the conditions it would see. And the driver had been on the road for 16 years.
Yet somehow it all went wrong.
A truck carrying logs on a highway in northern Minnesota lost control, careened across the median, and slammed into a concrete barrier, killing seven people and injuring 24.
How could it happen?
The truck had been designed for a 45-mph, 50-mph, or even a 65-mph, crash. But in this case, it crashed at a speed 23% higher than that. How could that happen?
The truck had been designed specifically for icy conditions, but the logs, which were shipped inside, hadn’t suffered any water penetration. How could that be?
The truck’s brakes were new, and the brakes were tested at temperatures well below those it had encountered on the road. How could that be?
The driver had been on the road for 16 years, but had never been in an accident. How could that be?
The case seems hopeless. How could it all go wrong?
Well, one of the lawyers says, you have to remember two things. The first is, you can’t control how a truck behaves when you hit the brakes. Second, you can’t control how a truck reacts when you hit the brakes.
The lawyers had talked about this case for years. The trucking company had trained for accidents like this one. The engineers had designed the truck for the conditions it would see. And the driver had been on the road for 16 years. And yet somehow
Tractor trailer accidents happen much more often than most of us realize. Like plane crashes, they are rare, but they do happen.
And like plane crashes, they are usually big, both in terms of money paid in claims and in terms of human lives lost. One reason truck accidents happen so often is because tractor trailer drivers are overworked. They drive more than 11 hours on average, and many of them drive more than 16 hours.
Drivers are overworked because there is a demand for their work. Truck drivers make less than many other drivers. But they are in high demand, because truckers are needed to deliver goods, and because companies usually pay their drivers piece rate, so truckers can make more money if they drive more miles.
Piece rate, which means getting paid for each mile you drive, can be great. But it can be bad, too. A driver who drives a thousand miles a month, but gets paid one cent per mile, is not going to keep driving.
Another problem with piece rate is that because it encourages drivers to drive more miles, it is hard for them to know when to stop. A driver who has earned $2500 driving 2300 miles this month,
thinks: “Well, if I drive another 100 miles, I will make an extra $25. So I will.” But the driver who earned $2500 driving 1100 miles this month,
thinks: “Well, if I drive another 100 miles, I will make an extra $500. So I will drive.”
If a truck driver is tired, he may decide to drive more miles anyway, even when it is unsafe.
The first thing to know about tractor trailer accidents is that, unlike most traffic accidents, most tractor trailer accidents are not the fault of the truck driver.
It is difficult enough to control a large vehicle. Tractor trailers are 40 feet longer than passenger cars, and their weight is 20 times greater. It takes more space to turn a tractor-trailer than a car, and because of the greater mass of the tractor-trailer, it requires more energy to accelerate it to the same speed.
A tractor-trailer driver also needs more time to bring the vehicle up to highway speed, and more time to slow down. There is simply more to think about.
A truck driver’s job is to drive safely, which means not driving too fast and being alert. But a tractor-trailer driver is also supposed to operate the vehicle in a way that limits the congestion it creates.
In general, this requires a combination of speed and space. That is how trucking companies schedule their drivers. But sometime the drivers of tractor-trailers operate with too much speed, and too much space.
A newspaper recently ran a photograph that showed a truck parked on the side of a highway, the driver slumped over the steering wheel, dead. The caption said the truck had been traveling at 81 miles per hour, nearly twice the speed limit. This kind of accident is very rare, but it does happen.
The problem with tractor trailer accidents is that the driver can’t simply pull over to the side of the highway. If she did, she would block traffic. So she drives on, oblivious to the dozens of cars that try to pass the slow-moving truck. When the truck finally stops, and the cars behind it are stopped, the chain reaction of accidents begins.
A tractor-trailer accident kills 3,000 people a year.
When you read stories about lawyers, they almost always involve some kind of ethical violation. If you search for “lawyers” on google, you get 15 million hits. If you search for “lawyers” on yahoo, you get 280 million hits.
The reason lawyers are so common and such easy targets for humor is that everybody knows they are crooks. In the real world, however, lawyers are actually surprisingly hard to find, and they don’t all behave like crooks.
There are basically two ways to find a lawyer. One way is to search through the yellow-pages listings. This is usually sensible, but sometimes it produces surprises.
The phone book has a bad reputation. Most people who go through their whole lives never open it; instead, they type a few names into the computer, and that gets them in touch with someone.
There is a sense in which this makes sense. If you search for a name, you want to be in touch with someone who knows that name. In fact, the phone book has a couple of advantages over the computer: it is easier to remember, and a lot more interesting.
Because phone books are interesting, they are an oddity. Most people don’t look at them. They type a few names into the computer, and that directs them to a list of lawyers. Then they call the first lawyer on the list.
The phone book is an unusual thing. Every town has one, but its size varies. In a small town, the phone book will be a few pages long. Big cities have huge books, with hundreds of pages.
The phone book is unusual because it doesn’t contain everything. It doesn’t list every lawyer, for example. It lists only lawyers who are members of the local bar association, and that varies a lot.
Commercial Semi Truck Accident Lawyers
Commercial Semi Truck accidents can turn out to be very fatal for the one involved if the right steps are not taken at the right time. You can call a Commercial Semi Truck Accident Lawyer if you have suffered any kind of injuries because of this accident. The best thing that you can do is to talk to accident lawyers now. You will get all the required help that you will need when it comes to filing a claim against the other party. The following are the things that you should know about Commercial Semi Truck Accident Lawyers.
When you are searching for the right attorney, it is important to do some research on your own. You can check if there are any good lawyers in your area by doing an online search. If you find several Commercial Semi Truck Accident Lawyers, you can then contact each of them and make sure that they are as experienced as they can be. This will help you know what to expect from the attorney that you will be hiring. Once you have selected a few of them, you can then schedule free consultations with each of them.
During these free consultations, you will be able to tell them all about the case that you want to pursue. By doing so, you will be able to get a better idea on how much money you will be entitled to. By getting a free consultation, you will be able to see if the one of them will be able to offer you something that you cannot get anywhere else. For instance, you might not be able to get as much money if there were damages to another vehicle besides yours. So, there are different factors that you should keep in mind. It will be wise to ask a commercial semi truck accident lawyers for a free consultation.
In order to be able to save as much money as possible after you are involved in commercial truck accidents, it is imperative that you hire an experienced lawyer who is specialized in these types of cases. The accident lawyers that you will be hiring should be able to handle different types of trucking accidents. They should also be experts in how to conduct investigations on the accident that you have been involved in. This will ensure that you get the right compensation that you deserve.
You do not have to spend too much time looking for a law firm that has experienced and highly qualified accident lawyers. All you have to do is go online and visit the website of a legal professional liability firm. Here, you will be able to view all the details about their past clients and the kinds of accidents that these professionals helped them get out of. Through this, you will know what to expect from their services.
The websites of Los Angeles truck accident lawyers can also be used to search for companies that can offer you the best compensation for your claim. Most firms do not want to take any risk on your account as they know that the insurance market is very competitive. They know that there are plenty of Los Angeles truck accident attorneys who are more than willing to help you get the right amount. There are a lot of benefits that you can enjoy when you use the internet to get the right help. For one, you do not have to leave your home and deal with traffic or long hours of meetings with representatives of the company. You can spend as much time as you want and just sit back and relax.
On the other hand, using the internet to get the right Los Angeles truck accident attorney can also make your claims faster. Most firms are aware that you do not have enough time to go to a firm and discuss your case details before the settlement. The internet is also a wealth of information as there are professionals answering questions that you may have and offering legal advice. If you have any questions or if you want more information, you can always consult a lawyer.
Commercial truck accidents occur every day in Los Angeles. It is important to note that the liable party in such cases is usually the driver of the vehicle. It is also very important to note that not all trucking companies are capable of handling truck accidents. In order to ensure that you are well represented, it is advisable to hire the services of experienced truck accident lawyers. The firm you choose to handle your case should have a staff of lawyers with the required expertise to win your case. If you have suffered from injuries as a result of a vehicle accident, it is important to hire a Los Angeles truck accident lawyer to ensure that you receive the right compensation.
The Benefits of Hiring a Truck Accident Lawyer
Commercial Semi Truck Accident Lawyers have special skills in helping truckers who have been injured in an accident that was caused by the negligence of a commercial driver. Many people are injured each year in large truck and tractor accidents, many of which are fatal. As such, accidents involving commercial trucks cause the most fatalities of all road accident-related deaths, accounting for almost one half of all road traffic accident related fatalities. Unfortunately, these numbers don’t include the victims that suffer injuries from pedestrian-related accidents. Therefore, finding a reputable commercial truck accident lawyer is vital to receiving the compensation that you deserve.
Searching online for the different types of Commercial Semi Truck Accident Lawyers is one way to find qualified attorneys that can help you with your injury claims. When searching for an attorney, be sure to look at the website of the law firm or law group that you intend on using. There should be plenty of information about the firm on the site, including testimonials from clients who have used their services before. Additionally, you may want to contact the National Association of Personal Injury Lawyers to see if any other professional accident lawyers are associated with the organization. By using this step to gather further information, you can narrow down your search considerably and begin contacting the best lawyers for your particular type of injury claim.
When you contact Commercial Semi Truck Accident Lawyers, be prepared to provide them with a detailed description of your situation, including the names of all of your medical team members and any witnesses. In addition, it would be advisable to provide copies of any police reports and police pictures that may be relevant. During your free consultation, you should ask the lawyers’ questions as well. Once you have met with and discussed the details with the law firm or law group, you can decide whether or not you want to proceed with the case.
It is important that you fully understand the fees that are expected from you when hiring Commercial Semi Truck Accident Lawyers. Most accident lawyers charge a percentage of any settlements that you are able to receive for your injuries; however, you should inquire about the fees that are charged prior to retaining the services of the law firm. If you can find an attorney who charges less for his or her services, it may be preferable to hire that attorney in order to retain the least amount of money possible. The same is also true if you discover that the fees that you will be required to pay a particular attorney are more than what the other experienced attorneys in your state are charging.
Once you have retained the services of the Commercial Semi Truck Accident Lawyers that you have found through the Internet or by speaking with a local lawyer group, you will need to provide them with as much information as possible in order to assist them in their investigation of your case. Some of the information that you will be required to supply include the exact dates of the truck accidents, any witnesses that were involved in the accident, and the specifics of the personal injury that you sustained. It is important that you remain as accurate and complete as possible during your consultation with the law firm or individual attorney. Failure to do so could jeopardize your ability to successfully pursue a claim for compensation against the responsible party.
If you were injured in a tractor-trailer accident, it is important that you consult with a professional lawyer as soon as possible in order to ensure that your rights are protected. Your chances of obtaining a fair settlement or judgment will be adversely affected if you do not appoint a competent lawyer to represent your claim immediately after you sustain injuries. You may also face an uphill battle in attempting to get the responsible party to compensate for their negligence. Commercial truck accidents involving large trucks are very common and many people do not seek the representation of accident lawyers immediately following the accident.
The statistics regarding trucking accidents are difficult to obtain due to the fact that the government does not compile national data regarding trucking accidents. However, trucking companies are required to keep up with certain statistical reports concerning accidents and injuries that their employees sustain in the workplace. In most instances, these reports are incomplete and/or contradictory. Because of this, it is often recommended that you retain an experienced truck accident lawyer to help you obtain the best possible results from any legal proceeding. A qualified truck accident attorney will be able to determine whether or not your case qualifies for a workers’ compensation claim and whether or not your employer should be liable for your injuries. They will be able to assess the extent of your injuries, the severity of your injuries, the damages incurred as a result of your accident and whether or not your employer should be held liable for the accident.
Truck accident lawyers are experienced in representing clients who have been injured in truck accidents caused by faulty products, mechanical errors, weather conditions and fatigue. Many people who suffer such accidents choose to pursue litigation against the manufacturer of the products responsible for the accident. If you decide to pursue a case against a company, it is important to hire a qualified lawyer who has experience representing truck drivers. These accident lawyers will have access to information about the company’s history and may even be able to gather witnesses to testify in your defense. If you or someone you know has been seriously injured as a result of a defective product or due to negligence on the part of a truck driver, contact one of today’s experienced truck accident lawyers for a free consultation.
Tips On How To Choose A Truck Accident Lawyer
Legal representation for victim’s following an auto or tractor trailer accident can be helpful and is often expensive. If you’ve suffered bodily injuries as a result of an accident including an auto or tractor trailer accident, you can get compensation for your lost wages and medical bills. The legal fees involved can add up quickly and without an experienced auto or tractor trailer accident lawyer, you could possibly not recover the losses. By hiring a qualified attorney, the odds are in your favour that you will receive the compensation you deserve.
The driver of a big rig may not even have been aware of what was happening when they pulled off the road to park. They were travelling along and suddenly rear-ended another vehicle. The truck in the back ended up spinning out of control and almost hit a parked car. This accident became extremely serious as the other driver escaped the wrecked car while the injured driver suffered minor injuries. A big rig driver could face jail time if convicted of vehicular manslaughter charges.
You might think that there wouldn’t be any need for an experienced tractor trailer accident lawyer. After all, the other drivers were clearly at fault. However, just because the other drivers were obviously at fault doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t be held accountable for their actions.
Your chances of success in trucking or auto collision cases are much better with the help of an experienced attorney. If you’ve been injured in a crash caused by negligence on the part of the other driver, don’t risk losing your case before it has a chance to work its way through the court system. An experienced trucking or auto accident lawyer can help you recoup your losses and get the compensation you deserve.
First, an experienced accident lawyer will work to make sure that you have the best chance of winning your lawsuit. They will consult with you and your lawyer about how best to file your claims, which tractor trailer models fall into the most eligible categories, what damages you can ask for, and how much you should pay each month in payments and fees to keep you covered. These types of cases go to trial all the time, and if you don’t win your case, you could lose everything you’ve built for your livelihood.
Second, your lawyer will also fight for your rights. Everyone has the right to seek compensation from other drivers who cause commercial vehicle accidents. In fact, insurance companies are required by law to compensate their clients in the event of these types of accidents. In addition, the victims of these crashes must have a way to pay for medical bills, loss of income, and more. In some cases, victims might even qualify for job loss or disability benefits. For the sake of your personal safety, it is critical that you speak with a qualified attorney today to find out whether you qualify.
Third, you need an experienced attorney working on your behalf because of the long-term impact of these injuries. Because they happen so quickly and severely, the victims of these accidents need the support of a skilled attorney right away. An experienced attorney will know how to protect your rights as well as fight for you in court. They know the law and how to get the maximum settlement possible for you, no matter what the extent of the injuries you suffered. That’s why you need to trust your lawyer when making decisions regarding your case.
You don’t have to suffer the pain and suffering caused by tractor trailers in another person’s care. Contact a large truck accidents attorney today for a consultation. Don’t be afraid, to tell the truth about what happened so that your claim can be properly filed. If you are a victim of a tractor trailer accident, contact an attorney today for an evaluation of your case. While there is no time like the present, you don’t have to wait to seek compensation for the injuries you have suffered. Take action today to get the compensation you deserve.
Truck Accident Attorneys
How an attorney for truck accidents can help
The size of a tractor-trailer crash along with the complexity situation could seem overwhelming. Allow The Roth Firm, LLC to guide you through the procedure with an evaluation of your case for free. If you’ve been involved in a collision with a truck that was not your fault, you’ve found the right firm. Accidents involving trucks happen frequently which leaves many injured and in need of a knowledgeable personal injury attorney to take care of any motor vehicle crash lawsuit. Tractor-trailer accidents can cause serious injuries or even deaths. The experience of being the victim of a crash involving a truck can result in catastrophic physical injuries and financial and emotional stress.
If you’ve been involved in an accident involving a truck that was caused by the negligence of a driver the lawyers for truck accidents from The Roth Firm, LLC can assist you in your case. We devote all of our resources and time to research the incident and assist you to obtain the compensation you’re entitled to. We are an group of skilled lawyers who specialize in handling truck accidents lawsuits. We assist victims of accidents receive the compensation they need as they work towards recovery. If your tractor-trailer accident was the result of a negligent driver, you should not allow their reckless behavior to remain unpunished.
Contact the Roth Firm, LLC for FREE consultation with one of one of our lawyers for truck accidents now.
The Most Common Causes for Truck Accidents
There are a variety of reasons that a truck collision could take place, and if suspect that your crash was the result of driver error then you may be eligible for damages.
Here is a listing of the most frequently cited reasons for crashes involving trucks:
- Drunk Driving
- Distracted Driving
- Speeding
- The truck is not in good condition. Maintenance
- Reckless Lane Changes
- Vehicle Defects
- Trucks that are improperly packed
- Fatigue in the Driver
Proving Truck Driver Negligence
If you decide to choose The Roth Firm, LLC we offer a highly experienced team of lawyers determined to complete an extensive investigation into the accident as well as proving driver carelessness, and prove that their negligent actions caused the accident.
During the the investigation process, your attorney will:
- Check the police and accident reports.
- All witnesses should be interviewed.
- Examine the scene of the accident
- Verify the credentials of the driver
- Check if all traffic laws were observed
An attorney who can prove the negligence of the truck driver is crucial in an injury lawsuit. There are a wealth of state and federal regulations for trucking which are difficult to comprehend without legal guidance. Our truck accident lawyers are knowledgeable of these laws and have experience in defending and having the resources to analyze the incident.
Companies operating in the field of trucking must adhere to strict guidelines for driving hours as well as maintenance of their trucks. Drivers are held to a much higher standard than a normal driver in a motor vehicle. Companies that operate in the trucking industry often alter their records in order to safeguard their employees and business.
Our truck accident lawyers are specially trained to spot errors and omissions in documents of the trucking industry that show that the company or driver was the one responsible for the incident.
Finding out who is responsible in the event of a truck crash can be more difficult than a typical car accident. In a truck-related accident there can be several people involved, for example:
- The trucking company
- The driver of the truck
- The manufacturer of parts
- A third party
Our lawyers are trained to determine the people who could have been responsible for the accident. They develop a strong defence against the party at fault.
Don’t attempt to manage the truck accident case on your own. With the assistance of a skilled personal injury lawyer, you’ll be in good hands and can count on your attorney to secure the compensation you deserve.
Compensations Due to Victims of Truck Accidents
Many victims of accidents involving trucks get compensation only for the damage to their vehicle through the assistance of an insurance company. Our personal injury attorneys can assist you to receive compensation for your damages, medical expenses loss of wages, pain and suffering.
Most victims of accidents involving trucks suffer severe physical injuries, emotional stress as well as financial stress. Our attorneys will handle your lawsuit while you focus on your recovery. Our goal is to ensure that you receive the maximum amount of money for your pain and suffering.
When a person injured in a collision with a truck is not represented, they rarely get the compensation they are entitled to. If you were the accident’s cause then you must get in touch with an attorney from the Roth Firm attorney to represent you in obtaining the amount you’re due and focus on restoring the condition you were in prior to the accident.
Understanding the legal process of your truck accident injury Case
Semi-truck accidents that cause injuries can be extremely complex instances.
Your attorney will be following the four steps to ensure that your case is dealt with properly.
- Investigate The victims of truck accidents need to immediately seek legal advice after being struck by a tractor-trailer. The attorney you choose to hire will want to conduct a thorough inquiry to ensure that the insurance company gives an accurate estimate of your losses. They will likely collect evidence to reduce their liability and lower the amount they will pay to you. This is why it is essential to allow your personal injury lawyer conduct an investigation so that they can effectively defend you.
- File a Claim Once the investigation has been completed and the evidence has been collected and analyzed, your lawyer for a truck accident will make an claim. Your claim will cover an amount to cover the amount of damages due to you, which is a combination of material and bodily injuries. The claim should also mention the truck driver’s or trucking company’s negligence , and responsibility for the accident.
- Negotiations There are a variety of methods to resolve your claim. If your lawyer can agree with the insurance company , your dispute will be resolved outside of court through an agreement on a settlement of the financial aspect. If the compromise is not reached the case will be brought to court where the judge or jury will decide what you are legally obligated to pay.
- Litigation This procedure is only available if your case is officially taken to the court. Your attorney and the insurance company be able to present their arguments and, after all the evidence is presented the jury or judge is the one to decide the decision. The verdict will decide the party responsible as well as the total amount compensation due.
Employ a professional Truck Accident Injury Lawyer to Assistance
Accident victims in the truck accident typically require the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer who is dedicated for their clients.
Only an attorney for truck accidents can properly examine, collect information, provide all the evidence required to prove the fault of the case of a claim for injury from a truck accident.
Personal injury cases which have to do with truck accidents are more complicated than other cases involving motor vehicle accidents It will require an experienced attorney’s legal representation to secure a fair settlement. A lawyer who has knowledge of the state’s trucking laws and regulations can be an advantage in bringing the lawsuit.
Why should you hire a Michigan Truck Legal Advocate for Accidents?
These kinds of accidents can be devastating, which is why it is crucial to get in touch with a skilled Michigan legal professional for a truck crash as soon as possible in the event that you or a loved one suffers injuries in any accident involving a large tractor-trailer rig. It’s crucial to act quickly when lawyers employed by the trucking company could begin legally destroying evidence as early at three months from the collision.
Documents that show that the trucking company has acted negligently on behalf of the trucking firm can be destroyed in that brief time frame. Black boxes, or the electronic recorder’s evidence is able to be erased and overwritten. If you do not act fast, you run the risk of not being able to collect evidence needed to prove the liability or damage. State laws and federal regulations are both applicable to tractor-trailer accidents, creating an additional layer of complexity for lawyers who are not familiar in defending semi-crash cases. Federal regulations cover requirements for insurance for semis the retention of electronic log device (ELD) data, as well as the time period that companies have to keep its documents.
The Michigan legal counsel for people injured in a truck crash will identify other negligent parties that are also accountable the injuries you sustained. In many instances, other people who are also responsible are not identified. In addition to the obvious individuals that comprise the driver and the business it could also be the maintenance company on the tractor trailer and the manufacturer, as well as the load broker or leasing agent of the tractor-trailer business as well as the company which loads or unloads the cargo. These types of crashes are distinct from car accidents and require an experienced Michigan attorney for truck accidents to help you.
What can our Michigan Attorneys for Truck Accidents Aid You?
If you’re a victim of an accident involving truck is a good idea to speak with a skilled Michigan attorney for truck accidents as soon as possible. An experienced attorney will conduct an investigation and is familiar with the most reputable expert witnesses in this field to establish that there was negligence and to uncover evidence. Our lawyers will always be in touch throughout the entire legal process , and will answer any questions you may have.
Our law firm handles the most tractor trailer-related cases brought to us from attorneys across the state than any other legal firm within the state, because of our results-proven as well as our specialized knowledge and expertise in the cases. We are aware of the necessity to respond quickly and to safeguard those that we serve. We also understand how crucial it is to concentrate on healing, physically and emotionally following a trauma, and we strive to make the legal process the simplest with our clientele. We have a culture of respect, cooperation and empathy within our team.
How to Find Out Who Are Accident Lawyers
A personal injury attorney is a legal professional who offers legal representation to individuals who claim to have recently been injured, either physically or psychologically, due to the negligence of another individual, organization, government agency or some entity in the social context. Personal injury attorneys primarily practice in the area of civil law recognized as tort law. Tort law governs how pecuniary damages and/or non-pecuniary damages are defined, claimed and evaluated in a court of law. Civil law governs the administration of justice in a civilized society, with the exception of crimes that are covered by special statutes.
It can be challenging when you are dealing with matters that fall outside of the realm of traditional family law matters, such as those involving a former partner, former spouses or ex-spouses, or civil law that deals with injuries sustained from car accidents, defective products or defective machinery. If you believe that you have fallen victim to an injury-based case, you will want the expertise of a qualified personal injury attorney. This type of attorney can offer the guidance and representation that may be necessary in order for you to receive fair compensation for your injuries. Personal legal representatives can also assist clients in preparing the necessary paperwork to pursue a civil law lawsuit.
A civil case is a legal proceeding in which an individual obtains monetary compensation from an individual or entity that has been responsible for an injury-based event. In order to commence a civil case in California, an individual must first file a complaint. The complaint can be made against an individual, business entity or governmental agency. Once filed in the court of law, a personal injury legal representative will then work on your behalf to determine whether or not you have a case against these or other entities.
Divorce can be an extremely difficult time for any couple. Often, the couple is unable to agree on terms of the divorce, and there can be numerous complex issues that arise during the course of a divorce. In many instances, a couple may decide that they would like to separate, in which case they will need the services of a qualified divorce lawyer to represent them in their efforts to finalize a divorce settlement. A divorce lawyer can help the individual in the California area handle the requisite documentation that must be submitted when filing for a divorce.
In addition to assisting in the filing and preparation of a divorce settlement, a divorce lawyer can also be helpful to individuals who have been involved in some type of accident. Whether you were the passenger in a vehicle that was damaged or injured in some way, or whether you were the one who was injured, a qualified personal injury attorney can help you navigate through the legal process.
These legal representatives are often referred to as personal injury attorneys. This type of legal representative will work to ensure that you are able to obtain the most adequate compensation available to you in your particular instance. No matter what your circumstances, a civil law attorney will be able to assist you and represent you in court.
When you are looking to hire a person to assist you with the aforementioned situation, it is important to understand what you should expect from a professional who are accident lawyers. For one thing, you may have to provide documentation such as accident reports, photos, prescriptions, and other pertinent documents in order to obtain your compensation. The more information you can provide to your personal injury attorney, the quicker and more efficiently your case will proceed. As such, if you are looking for someone to represent you in an accident case, you should expect that this representation will be handled in an even-handed manner.
Additionally, you may need to discuss what you can expect from your personal injury attorney, and this discussion should take place in a calm, peaceful place. During this time, you should discuss your concerns and any concerns your have about the conduct of your personal injury attorney. This includes discussing your expectations for fees, and how these fees should be shared between you and your lawyer. You should also ask who are accident lawyers who do not charge their clients, or who do not work on retainer, or who do not require a retainer to work for them.
If you are trying to find someone who are accident lawyers, you should consider who are experienced and well qualified, and you should also consider the reputation of these professionals. For this reason, you should carefully research local attorneys who specialize in personal injury cases, as well as any recommendations provided by your friends and relatives. You can also try looking for local and online organizations dedicated to reviewing legal professionals and law firms.
Through these organizations, you will be able to compare the experiences and opinions of past clients who have used the services of each attorney. After finding who are accident lawyers that you think you can trust, you will need to contact these individuals in order to establish the services that you will be getting from them. Your initial consultation is often free of charge, and you should not hesitate to ask what fees will be associated with your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What to do after a truck accident?
Confusion right after a truck accident can be of great mass. Make sure the police and any necessary emergency services are called immediately to help with injuries or burns.
Police will take extensive notes, depositions from all parties and witnesses, and take photos of the accident report. Also, if possible, you should document as much as you can, including testimony.
If your phone’s camera is working, take as many pictures as you can of the damage to your vehicle and any injuries that hurt you and any other permanent passengers. That way you can ensure that anything the police have forgotten is still documented
What are the main causes of truck accidents?
Driver error – Despite the increasing scale and impact of truck accidents, truck drivers often drive recklessly. They often drive drowsily to meet the mileage targets set by their companies, and they may drive their trucks under influence or distraction. , they can quickly become dangerous. While smaller vehicles may need to repair worn brake pads or a cracked windshield, they can be the cause of a serious truck accident, but they can be fatal. Your attorney can determine whether, in addition to the truck driver, a shipping company or manufacturer is also responsible for your accident.
If the truck is loaded incorrectly, its contents can enter the road and cause accidents and injuries
What are the differences between truck and car accidents?
Commercial cargo trucks (or “big rigs”) are typically weighing at least 80,000 pounds 20 times heavier than passenger vehicles. Despite the fact that regulations exist to ensure that truckers don’t drive longer than ten hours a day, they’re often offered financial rewards for driving longer distances that could directly impact on the safety of other drivers.
Higher Insurance Policy Truck driver’s insurance plans can be approximately fifty times bigger than those for car accidents. The result is that the amount of insurance at millions, and you can bet on the various insurance companies that are named in the lawsuit will try everything they can to prove that they were not accountable. Experienced insurance adjusters are summoned and will employ complex methods, including providing a large amount of money however, your case may be worth more. An experienced lawyer at your side will to make the process much less stress-inducing.
Increased property damage In the above paragraph the weight and overall dimensions of an 18-wheeler commercial cargo truck is far greater than a standard vehicle. This means that any nearby property will be more affected than in a collision involving two vehicles.
More serious injuries The injuries common to automobile accidents are also a lot more serious and may require extensive medical treatment and expenses. From severe whiplash and fractured bones , to the brain and serious lacerations, the injuries that result from a truck crash can have a profound impact on your life.
More expensive medical bills – The time spent in a hospital can be more extensive than that of the injuries caused by car accidents. People who are injured in truck accidents are not able to be back at work for a long duration, or any time at all. Working with an experienced attorney with Morgan & Morgan, we can better estimate the extent of your injuries and suffering and get the amount you need.
Higher Risk of Death A collision with an enormous commercial truck is much more likely to cause death than a collision between two automobiles. Based on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) the number of deaths due to truck accidents is between three and five deaths from truck-related accidents each year.
With the many factors that can be involved in accidents involving trucks and the huge resources possessed by the trucking firms and their insurance companies, obtaining an assessment of your case for free is a good first step in deciding whether to engage the services of an attorney.
Who is accountable for my Truck Accident?
If you’ve suffered injuries or lost your loved ones during a collision with a truck there are a lot of parties responsible for your loss. It is not unusual for the parties involved to deny responsibility or blame for a accident. The parties who are liable could include the following:
Drivers of trucks
Truck company
The owner of the truck
The company leasing the truck
A company leasing the trailer
Shipper who needed the cargo to be moved
Parts, trailers, or trucks manufacturer
Injuries that result from truck accidents may be serious, such as serious head traumas, spinal cord damage and disfigurement. Burns broken bones, lacerations, fractures, paralysis, or death.
The types of lawsuits involving truck accidents include:
Negligence The law suits filed in order to get compensation for injuries sustained during a truck crash are usually based on the driver’s negligence. The most common signs of negligence are:
Inexperienced truck drivers
Overloading trucks
Oversized trucks operating on roads with narrow streets
Unable to discern other vehicles because of the truck’s blind spot.
Infractions to traffic laws
Long driving without stopping
Inability to track the hours of operation of the driver of the truck
Keep the tractor and/or the trailer in an optimum functioning condition
Unqualified or unfit truck driver
Inability to supervise properly the truck driver
Inadequately training the truck driver
Picking an unqualified or incompetent trucking company
In order to prevail in any negligence suit, the victim must prove that the truck driver owed an obligation of care towards other vehicles in the road. The driver breached that duty by the act or the failure to take action, causing an injury occurred and the breach resulted in the injury.
In some cases the owner of the trucking firm and manager or the driver of the truck and or the company that employs the driver and their respective insurance companies could be held accountable following a crash.
Product Liability In the event that a flaw in the vehicle or any of its components was responsible for this accident could be a legitimate claim against the manufacturer(s). Products liability lawsuits based on the manufacturer’s negligence have the plaintiff prove:
The truck with the defect or component was “unreasonably risky”
The truck was operated according to the specifications of the manufacturer.
The performance of the truck had not changed since the initial purchase.
The suits for product liability may also be filed under strict liability, where the evidence of negligence is not required However, the plaintiffs need to prove that the defect was caused within the manufacturing process in order in order to prevail. This requires investigation, testing and evidence from experts.
Wrongful death: Many times, truck accidents can be so serious that the victim doesn’t survive the accident. In some instances the family could bring an action on behalf loved ones to obtain the compensation they suffered for their losses. The wrongful demise claims require that the family show the same evidence as the deceased should they have survived and filed claims independently. A lawyer can assist family members collect financial, non-economic, as well as in certain circumstances punitive damages in the event of the loss of a loved ones.
What Can My Attorney Do to help me?
We at Morgan & Morgan, not only are our accident attorneys well-versed in the various tactics employed by insurance companies to cut the amount of compensation you are entitled to We also have an extensive network of experts investigators and witnesses to look into all aspects of an accident. Following an accident the trucking company as well as their insurance company begin an immediate investigation into the scene. They will record the statements of witnesses, photograph the scene of the accident, and inspect the cars to assess the extent of the damage caused by the collision. Authorities from the state may also initiate an investigation of their own into the incident and could prove to be beneficial to your case. When you’ve decided to hire the services of an attorney from Morgan & Morgan truck accident lawyer, we immediately get to examine all aspects that is involved in your claim.
Our lawyer can take statements from witnesses, photograph the scene of the accident and inspect the vehicle to assess the severity of the damage that was caused by the collision. The steps to take comprise:
Review footage from the camera, if it is available
Interview witnesses
Check the mandatory police reports and accident reports
Examine and analyze medical documentation
Medical staff from the interview
Experts can help reconstruct the scene of the accident and recreate the incident
Assist in ensuring that valuable evidence is protected by the trucking company and driver
Conducting a drug and alcohol test from the driver of the truck
Find out information about the truck’s Electronic Control module (ECM; i.e. “black box”)
Our lawyers also ensure that any evidence that is crucial from being altered by delivering the the spoliation notice to the truck company prior to any evidence that is crucial disappears or is destroyed. Following receipt of this letter, truck companies are legally required to keep records of evidence relevant to the matter including driver logs as well as black box information. The letter is issued right after an accident, however, trucking businesses can decide to destroy the records in their normal routine of business.
What is the definition of negligence following an accident with a truck
If you or someone close to you was injured by an commercial truck driver, and you are seeking legal action to get the amount you are due you must demonstrate the negligence by the driver of the truck as well as the other parties that you believe to be responsible. To prove that the incident resulted from negligence, your attorney will determine the scope that the driver of the vehicle is required to follow in their obligation to take care and show the violation of this duty that resulted in your injuries and the resulting damage. The most common types of negligence that truck drivers face includes texting when driving, rushing through an stop sign or red light and even sleeping at the wheel.
Because of the risky nature of truck driver’s jobs Due to the high-risk nature of their work, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations state that truck drivers must follow the following guidelines:
Maintaining logbook that records the hours of driving
Notifying hours of rest breaks and service hours
Respecting legally mandated and scheduled maintenance rules and regulations
The proper loading of cargo trucks, including dangerous substances
The non-use of controlled substances as well as alcohol
Limiting driving to 10 hours per day during the workday
To see a complete listing in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) applicable the trucking industry, click here.
How do you determine the amount of compensation to be paid following an accident involving a truck?
Similar to other personal injury lawsuits, the kinds of damages available to those who are affected by an accident that involves a truck can be classified into two groups which are: non-economic damages and economic damages.
Compensation for economic truck accident damages helps to pay the particular monetary expenses, which include the following:
Current Medical expenses: This may include costs for surgeries, hospital care as well as appointments with licensed medical professionals.
Future Medical expenses: Compensation for extended medical treatment and.
Lost wages: Compensation for the wage loss between the time of injury until the conclusion of the suit.
Loss of earning capacity: If the victim is able to show that their ability to earn money has been affected, compensation could be awarded. The person who awards the compensation will attempt to determine the amount the an individual could have earned had the accident not happened.
Non-economic damages reimburse the family or victim for intangible, non-financial losses which include:
The pain and suffering This covers compensation for the physical pain that sufferers due to injuries sustained during the crash. The severity and severity of injuries, as well as the intensity of pain, as well as the amount of time that the victim is likely to be suffering are all considered into the computation of an amount.
mental anguish Redress for psychological distress resulting from a car accident, which includes fright anxiety, embarrassment, fear, sadness and other types of emotional stress caused by the crash.
The loss is a result of Consortium: Compensation awarded to parents, spouses and children of minors who suffer the loss of assistance, services in the form of aid, society and the companionship/care of a beloved child or parents.
In addition to the economic as well as non-economic damage, punitive damages could be awarded if the defendant’s actions that caused the harm were intentional or malicious, as well as fraudulent or negligent. Punitive damages are used to penalize the offender and deter any similar actions from occurring in future.
What are the differences between truck and car accidents? Accidents differ from car Accidents
As you’d expect commercial truck accidents vary from auto accidents in different ways. In addition, you are dealing with a bigger vehicle — in the most occasions, an 18-wheeler will weigh 80,000 poundsand be 20 times that of the average passenger car — but drivers also have to comply with certain regulations that a normal driver doesn’t have to comply with. They can’t drive longer than 10 hours per day. However, some disregard this rule to meet deadlines, or to get some financial reward.
Other ways that truck accidents may differ from car crashes are:
- Who’s responsible? In the event of a car crash generally, just a few people are held accountable like either or both drivers. In a trucking crash there may be multiple people responsible, including the truck driver as well as the trucking company the car’s manufacturer as well as the company who loaded the vehicle.
- Policies on insurance: A truck driver’s insurance policy is far more than a typical insurance policy for car accidents. Insurance adjusters will take every step to ensure that the blame falls on the shoulders of the driver to avoid a massive payout.
- Injuries grave: If the automobile is bigger, greater the chance the injury from an accident is larger. This means higher medical bills, life-altering accidents, and possibly death.
Accidents involving trucks can be life-changing and catastrophic. This is why it’s crucial to consult an experienced lawyer for truck accidents who has the expertise, experience as well as a track record of success to safeguard your rights and fight for your rights.
Questions and answers on truck accidents
Question: How should I do to ensure my rights after a car accident?
A: If you are the victim of an truck accident You have legal rights to claim compensation for the injuries you sustained. However, because trucking crashes usually involve multiple parties along with insurance providers, getting this compensation could turn into an overwhelming task. If you don’t have the legal assistance of a lawyer, you’re more likely to be snubbed out of an equitable settlement. The trucking industry typically has an unlimited amount of resources, with teams of lawyers who can defend any lawsuit you bring as a result of an accident, no matter how hurt you may be. If you’ve been struck by an tractor trailer or other big commercial vehicles, the most effective option to ensure your safety is to talk to a skilled truck accident lawyer from Munley Law who will defend your rights and make sure that you are compensated fairly.
Q How do I proceed at the site of a truck crash?
A: While you’re at the site of the wreckage, ensure that you:
- Stay calm and in your car when it’s safe to do so.
- Switch on your hazard lights
- Contact the emergency number, regardless of whether injuries seem to be minimal.
- Get medical care for yourself and for your passengers
- Do not leave the scene of the accident
- Find all the addresses, names and telephone numbers of the parties who are involved, as well as any witnesses.
- Note down the badge numbers and the names of all police officers present at the scene.
- Take photos of your vehicle including the truck, as well as any accidents
- Don’t admit to the fault
- Don’t discuss the crash with anyone other than you and the authorities or personal insurance agent. You don’t have to submit a statements to the insurance company.
Q What should I do if a representative from the trucking company contacts me after I’ve selected an attorney for a truck accident?
A: Don’t agree to sign a written declaration to their trucking firm or insurance company. Don’t sign any documents provided at your request by the transportation company or their insurance provider. Contact Munley Law today for a no-cost consultation. We’ll review any forms they provide to you.
Q How should I proceed after a car accident?
A day following an accident with a truck:
- Take a copy of the police report on the crash you were involved in.
- Find a value of the damage to your property by contacting your insurer
- Keep the record of every doctor’s visit and treatments you receive, and keep a record of any pain or symptoms you feel. Keep copies of the results of all tests, medications prescriptions and treatments, along with any other medical information that is relevant to you.
- Make a complete listing of any costs out of pocket you may incur.
- Record-breaking days of work absence or other activities or events
- Do not accept a settlement offer from an insurance company unless you’ve had a discussion with a lawyer for truck accidents.
A: What person could get sued for a car crash case?
A in the event of a truck crash situation in which the driver of the truck the transportation company, the driver, or the owner of the vehicle could be held responsible. In other instances the place that is responsible of loading and unloading the truck or even the company accountable to the cargo of the truck may be held accountable as well. Every case is different The best method to determine who’s accountable is to talk with an attorney. This is why we provide no-cost consultations for prospective clients.
Q: What time do I have for a court case following the wreck of a truck?
A: In the majority of cases, the statute of limitation is 2 years after the day of the incident. It is however recommended to consult an attorney as quickly as you can after an accident. Critical evidence regarding safety standards for vehicles and driver logs could easily be lost or destroyed. It is preferable if we begin work quickly.
Q: What is it to pay a lawyer for a truck accident?
A The answer is: In Munley Law, we do not take fees (a part from the verdict or settlement) in the event that we do not win your case. You’ll pay us nothing upfront or from your personal funds.
Tractor Trailer Accidents Roots
The reasons for the causes of tractor-trailer accidents The causes of tractor trailer accidents can vary. When a huge commercial truck is involved in a collision with a vehicle or truck, and pedestrian nearly always leads to serious injuries or even death. When the situation is in control, dimensions and the weight of huge truck makes it a lethal weapon.
Unfortunately, big trucks can be involved in fatal accidents as a result the driver’s negligence or carelessness. Certain licenses are required to operate commercial vehicles. State and federal laws govern the way commercial trucks operate. However, accidents have shown that regulations and training are often not taken seriously.
If you or someone close to you has suffered injuries by the tractor trailer and you are injured, you could be entitled to money to cover medical bills and other expenses. Munley Law’s team of lawyers Munley Law has helped victims of accidents involving tractor trailers across the Northeast receive the justice they deserve. Contact us today to arrange an initial consultation for no cost.
Factors that cause tractor trailers to cause wrecks
There are a variety of reasons big trucks cause crashes. Most often, the cause is due to negligence or carelessness by the driver of the truck or trucking firm like:
- Drivers who are aggressive
- Disregarding speed limits and speeding up, and not heeding speed limits
- Fatigue of the driver
- Driving distracted (i.e. using a cell phone)
- Driving impaired (i.e. alcohol, drugs)
- Inadequately inspecting brakes and tires
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration defines the term “large truck” as truck with a gross weight of more that 10,000 pounds. Recent statistics indicate that 333,000 wrecks involving large trucks took place within the U.S. in a one-year time. The accidents claimed the lives of 3,921 victims and injured 104,000.
How to determine compensation following a tractor trailer Accident
Tractor trailer accidents can result in numerous grave injuries or even deaths. Victims of injuries face an extended, painful, and costly recuperation. A few financial losses that victims may face can include:
- Loss of wages
- A decrease in earnings capacity
- Therapy and medical bills that are extensive.
- Costs for funerals could be a possibility.
In determining the amount of compensation to be awarded, these as well as other elements are considered. Then, you can be awarded with two types of compensation both economic and non-economic.
Economic damage will pay for the costs incurred by financial institutions following the accident. This covers but is not limited to, future and current medical costs, lost wages, the loss of earnings capacity and funeral expenses.
The non-economic damage are intended to pay you and your family members who are struggling following the accident, including the pain or suffering you’re feeling, mental stress as well as loss of consolation.
In some rare instances, punitive damages could be awarded in the event that your actions are reckless, fraudulent or fraudulent. These kinds of damages are designed to punish the offender in order to stop the same incident from happening in the future.
Insurance doesn’t cover all the costs and losses caused by the wreck of a tractor-trailer. Transport, hauling and leasing companies typically attempt to reduce payment by denying victims’ insurance claims. Insurance companies and trucking companies frequently employ tactics that make the experience more stressful and cost of an accident involving a commercial motor vehicle.
If negotiations fail to yield enough funds for victims the filing of the personal injury or wrongful death suit is the appropriate procedure. Our truck accident lawyers have won millions in settlements and verdicts with many awards of millions of dollars.
who is Liable in the event of a Tractor trailer Crash?
Large tractor accidents are distinct from other car accidents because of their size, injuries could be devastating. They can also be more complex due to the fact that there are many people who are liable in your case. There’s more than just the driver of the truck who may be the one to blame. To understand the liability of a truck crash including large companies, third-party manufacturers and brokers – you’ll need a seasoned truck crash lawyer on your side.