Truck Accidents

Commercial Trucks, also known as semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, etc., make up a $700+ billion industry in the U.S. [1] Although trucks are vital to the U.S economy, they pose a large danger to passenger vehicles. Trucks usually weigh 20-30 times more than passenger cars and take 20-40% more distance to stop than cars.[2]
If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident, contact Counsel Hound today for a no-cost consultation and case evaluation. Our lawyers are dedicated to helping you receive the compensation you deserve.
truck accident lawyer

Causes Of Truck Accidents

  1. Driver Fatigue: The most common reason for trucking accidents is driver fatigue. IIHS found that when truck drivers are behind the wheel for more than 8 hours, they are twice as likely to crash.[3] Federal regulation prohibits truckers from driving for more than 11 hours and requires breaks while driving.
  2. Improper Maintenance: Trucks are required to be kept in good condition per federal regulation. Improper maintenance can lead to serious accidents; investigations of truck crashes found 42% of the trucks involved had break defects.[4] Truck companies should receive periodic maintenance.
  3. Distracted Driving: Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving (texting, eating, drinking, talking, etc.).[5] Federal regulation allows truckers to drive for up to 11 hours at a time with breaks, but truckers may attempt to entertain themselves during long drives.
  4. Improper Loading: How cargo is loaded on a truck can significantly impact the driving quality. Overloading the truck can lead to equipment and break failures. Stacking cargo too high can increase the chance of the truck rolling over during turns. Imbalanced loads can damage the axle, affect traction, and cause equipment failure.[6]

Stages Of A Truck Accident Lawsuit

  1. Initial Investigation: If possible, take photos of the scene and write down witnesses’ names and phone numbers. No matter how minor the accident, always call 911. The police report may provide vital information for your case. Avoid telling the other driver “sorry” or explaining what you believe happened to anyone other than the police- doing so could inadvertently take responsibility for the accident.
  2. Medical Treatment for Injuries: Receiving medical treatment is an important step in creating a case. Be honest with your doctor about the severity of your injuries so the doctor can provide you with the necessary treatment. Always continue the treatment the doctor has prescribed, or insurance may see the discontinuation of treatment to indicate you are healed. Document each doctor’s visit so we can include your medical costs in the settlement or award.
  3. File Claim with Insurance Company: Notify your auto insurance company of the accident. Your insurance company should take the necessary steps to reimburse you for damages. If the truck driver’s insurance company attempts to contact you for a statement or settlement, do not respond until after consulting with Counsel Hound. We are working with your best interest in mind, and you may be eligible for more than what the at-fault driver’s insurance company will initially offer.
  4. Counsel Hound Consultation: Fill out our contact form, and we will set up an initial meeting to discuss your options. We work with lawyers across the nation, and Counsel Hound will refer you to the best-suited lawyer for your case at no cost.
  5. Settlement Demand: After your medical treatment has been finalized, we will begin the settlement process to maximize your compensation for damages. This process may involve negotiations with the insurance company.
  6. Settlement or Lawsuit: Once a final offer has been reached with the insurance company, you will decide if you would like to settle or file a lawsuit. Your Counsel Hound lawyer will advise you on the benefits of settling or continuing a lawsuit for you to receive the compensation you deserve.
  7. Trial: If you decide to decline an offer for settlement, we will guide you through the discovery, mediation, and trial. During discovery, both parties will exchange information to build their case. After the discovery period, you may go through a mediation where a neutral third party helps to facilitate a discussion between both parties. This may provide a second chance to accept a settlement before the trial. If mediation does not resolve the lawsuit, we will move to trial and work to convince the judge and jury that the truck driver acted negligently, resulting in you suffering a loss.

Compensation

Truck accidents can leave you with physical, emotional, and financial hardships. Our Counsel Hound-approved lawyers will work to maximize your settlement or award. Types of compensation you may be eligible for include economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages:
  • If your crash required surgery, physical therapy, prescription drugs, medical equipment, repeat doctors visit, we would work to have you reimbursed.
  • If the accident forced you to miss work or suffer a wage decrease at a new position, we would prove your losses with timesheets.
  • If your vehicle was totaled during the accident, we would include the cost of repairs in the losses sustained.
  • If you lost a loved one in a truck accident, we would work to recover funeral or burial costs.
Non-Economic Damages:
Some damages cannot be proved with lost wages, property damages, etc. You may face emotional suffering as a result of the accident. Our lawyers will work to include compensation for your suffering in the settlement or award.

FAQs

Counsel Hound provides no-cost consultations and case evaluations
The amount of time you have to file a claim depends on the statute of limitations in your state. Contact Counsel Hound to discuss your case.
Unexpectedly losing a loved one is a traumatic experience. Counsel Hound is here to support you through this process. You may be eligible for a wrongful death claim and may be able to recover medical and funeral/burial expenses as well as compensation for emotional pain and suffering.
The police provide valuable resources before you even leave the scene. They will determine if any drivers were under the influence, had a suspended/expired license, expired/no insurance, etc. It is important to know if the truck driver was following proper protocols for how long they are allowed to drive and when to take breaks. The police report will be extremely useful for building a case against the at-fault driver and provide photos and witness. There is also no way for you to verify if the other driver has given you valid information (name, number, insurance).
If the at-fault driver’s insurance company attempts to contact you for a statement or settlement, do not respond until after your consultation with Counsel Hound. We are working with your best interest in mind, and you may be eligible for more than what the insurance company of the at-fault driver will initially offer.

REFERENCES

  1. https://www.statista.com/ topics/4912/ trucking-industry -in-the-us
  2. https://www.iihs.org/ topics/fatality-statistics/ detail/large-trucks
  3. https://www.iihs.org/ topics/large-trucks
  4. https://www.iihs.org/ topics/large-trucks
  5. https://www.nhtsa.gov/ risky-driving/distracted-driving
  6. https://www.sentry.com/ what-we-offer/tools- and-services/ sentry-safety-services/ improper-loading-techniques

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Law is complicate matter. It can cause you a big problem if you ignore it. Let us help you!