Whether an accident happens on an interstate, highway, or even a small country road, large commercial trucks are significantly more likely to cause devastating, permanent, and debilitating personal injury. Semi-trucks have significant more force behind them due to the mass and weight of the cargo it may be hauling. If you or someone you love has been injured by an 18-wheeler, contact our Mt. Sterling truck accident lawyers today.
Listed below are some of the injury types that are often seen in commercial truck wrecks:
If you are injured in a big rig collision, you have rights that need to be protected as soon as possible. Many insurance companies may attempt to contact you and make it seem that you may be able to settle the claim on your own and receive a check without the help of an attorney. You mustn’t handle this process on your own. The insurance worker will do everything they can to place blame on you for causing the accident, or they may offer a settlement that does not fairly represent the value of your injuries and the need for future treatment.
Oftentimes, it is enticing to accept a settlement check as soon as possible, as your medical bills will snowball after you are treated at a hospital. If you have been contacted by an insurance company that has made a settlement offer and you are unsure if it is a fair amount, do not hesitate to call and ask for an attorney’s opinion. There is no obligation, and our advice is free.
Innocent victims and their families are often faced with staggering medical bills, property damage, repair bills, significant injuries, and sometimes funeral-related expenses. Of course, the added stress over finances is the last thing victims or their families want to deal with during these difficult times.
At Maze Law Offices, we understand that you are reaching out to us for help. Likewise, it may not be possible for you to wait to receive a settlement or compensation owed to you. Our team has experience assisting clients with obtaining pre-settlement funding fast and efficiently while advising on which pre-settlement loan companies are most appropriate for your particular case.
In order to receive a settlement check and successfully win a trucking accident claim, an injured victim will need to prove that the truck driver or trucking company was either negligent or did something reckless, wrongful, or careless.
Listed below are some examples of cases where a truck driver may fail to use reasonable care:
Often, the accident is not the truck driver’s fault at all, and it is more appropriate to place blame on the company. A trucking company could be negligent for improperly hiring an unqualified driver, failing to train the driver properly, or providing faulty equipment.
There are numerous differences between truck accidents and car accidents. To start, truck accidents tend to be much more severe–injuries are more often fatal in comparison to those in accidents with two passenger vehicles. This is primarily because of the sheer size difference between tractor trailers and cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks.
In terms of filing a claim, semi-truck accidents are unique in that there may be more than one at-fault party. Depending on the circumstances, you could be filing a lawsuit against the truck driver, their company, or a third party–more on that later. The evidence your attorney collects is also different. While a typical car accident scene may not present copious evidence, semi trucks are often enabled with what is referred to as a “black box,” which holds comprehensive data like driving logs, maintenance reports, cargo load information, rate of travel, and more.
According to the Kentucky Transportation Center (KYTC), there were 8,703 truck accidents in 2020, with 1,315 resulting in injury and 106 resulting in death. Most of the crashes took place on U.S. and state-numbered routes, followed by interstates and county or city streets. The most common contributing factors included the following:
An additional 255 accidents were the result of other undisclosed or undeterminable factors. In terms of truck drivers, over 3,545 were out-of-state residents, 2,531 were state residents, and 1,923 were local residents. The residencies of the remaining 668 drivers were not determined.
There are a number of factors that go into determining who is at fault for a tractor-trailer accident. Your lawyer will collect different types of evidence, including your recollection of the accident, witness statements, black box information, available security footage, etc., to begin determining fault. The fault is traced back to the truck driver, the trucking company, or an auto parts manufacturer.
Negligent truck drivers’ actions often involve speeding, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, ignoring state and federal safety regulations, driving while tired, focusing on devices like cellphones, and disobeying traffic signs and signals.
In some instances, the trucking company may be at fault for an accident. This often occurs for two reasons: they used negligent hiring practices or failed to maintain their fleet correctly.
Trucking companies have strict hiring procedures they must follow before putting someone behind the wheel of one of their semis. If any laws are broken during that process, and an inexperienced or unqualified driver causes an accident, the company could be liable.
Trucking companies are also responsible for ensuring their vehicles are in safe, operating order. If inspections are skipped, or log books are filled out incorrectly, an issue like defective headlights could cause an accident.
If neither the truck driver nor the trucking company is at fault for your accident, the vehicle manufacturer could be held accountable. When auto part manufacturers cut corners or ignore safety protocols, there is a chance a defective part could be released to the market and installed on a tractor-trailer.
How do you select the best personal injury attorney to protect your rights and your family and future? At Maze Law Offices, our Mt. Sterling truck accident lawyers are well-versed in Kentucky truck laws. When a client comes to us after a truck accident, we carefully review their situation to develop a personalized strategy to build their claim.
We also provide clear, transparent communication throughout all aspects of your claim. We understand how challenging truck accident claims can be, so we will keep you informed of your rights and any case updates. Schedule your free, same-day evaluation today if you are ready to learn about your legal options.
The sooner you contact our Mt. Sterling truck accident lawyers from Maze Law Offices, the more time we will have to collect the evidence needed to prove you are owed compensation for your losses. We understand the complexities truck accidents can present. When you work with us, you can rest assured that your case is being handled by legal specialists who know how to fight for you.
If you would like to learn about your rights concerning an accident involving a big truck, call us today for free advice. Remember, we never charge our clients anything until we recover the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule your free, same-day consultation.
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