Truck Accident Lawyer — Seeking Compensation for Those Harmed in Big Rig Collisions

Navigating the Complexities of Truck Accident Claims

Most people will be involved in a vehicular collision at some point. This is a simple fact of life. Fortunately, most of these are “fender benders” and don’t result in significant injuries. When tractor-trailer trucks are involved, though, the risk of harm greatly increases. If you or a loved one have been injured in such an accident, you no doubt have a lot to be worried about. However, you don’t have to go through this alone. A truck accident lawyer may be able to assist.

At Chad Brown Law, PLLC, our personal injury law firm is committed to getting our clients every bit of compensation they deserve. Commercial vehicles are essential for our national and local economies, but when negligent or reckless parties are involved, it’s not uncommon for people to suffer catastrophic injuries. If you’ve been harmed in such a collision, do not speak to the insurance company before talking to an attorney. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Do You Need a Commercial Truck Accident Attorney?

When a person is involved in a commercial truck collision, they often question whether they need an attorney for their truck accident case. This is an understandable query. After all, no one in America is required to seek legal counsel. However, failing to do so can prove disastrous in your situation. This is true for many reasons. Most importantly, it comes down to legal experience. Personal injury lawyers constantly deal in this area of the law, and they know what has to be proven to secure compensation.

The big problem that people run into without legal representation is settlement negotiations. In some cases, they may not even realize that the company handling their insurance claim will likely try to pay out as little as possible. After all, insurance companies are businesses — and businesses need to profit to thrive. Having an experienced truck accident lawyer handle settlement negotiations will significantly decrease the odds of you being taken advantage of by insurers.

Additionally, a legal professional will know all the potential compensation you’re eligible for. For instance, did you know that people often qualify for non-economic damages in addition to economic damages? This includes things like pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment in life, and emotional distress. It’s even possible that you could be eligible for additional punitive damages. If you want to ensure you’re getting every penny you deserve, contact our law firm today for a free initial consultation.

What Are Common Causes of Truck Accident Injuries?

Those who drive large trucks commercially are required to have extensive training. Unfortunately, such training does not always prevent accidents. This is particularly true when negligence is involved. Recognizing the most common causes of tractor-trailer collisions can help injured parties better understand truck accident claims. These causes show that liability can take many forms, and without a thorough legal review of your case, it’s easy to overlook a significant aspect.

Consider the most common causes of these collisions and their potential implications:

• Driver error
• Dangerous road conditions
• Driver fatigue
• Drunk driving
• Manufacturer defects
• Equipment failure (e.g., defective brakes)
• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Reckless driving

Most truck accident victims will immediately want to blame the driver. However, the most frequent causes of collision show that multiple parties could share liability. For instance, an accident involving a drunk driver will obviously be placed at the feet of that driver. However, what if their employer failed to perform a background check that would’ve shown four DUIs on that person’s record? In this situation, the company could find themselves at fault as well.

For this reason and so many others, it’s imperative to speak with a truck accident attorney before moving forward. Put simply, liability isn’t always as clear as it may seem.

Is the Truck Driver Always At Fault?

It’s understandable that someone would want to immediately blame the driver after experiencing a collision with a semi-truck. However, statistics show truckers are at fault a relatively low percentage of the time. So, does this mean there’s no one to hold accountable? Absolutely not. What if a brake failure was caused by a company’s lack of maintenance? What if a privately owned truck collided with your vehicle — but it was due to cargo loaders improperly loading the truck?

In these and so many other situations, there could be additional parties that share liability. In some instances, the driver may have no level of fault. This is particularly true if the driver followed all federal laws and FMCSA regulations. However, cases involving an 18-wheeler collision can be incredibly complex. There may even be instances where the injured party shares some of the blame themselves. It’s important to be incredibly careful in these cases.

In some states, sharing partial liability will not hinder a person’s ability to recover damages. These damages would typically just be reduced. However, there are some states where any level of fault could destroy your case. For instance, North Carolina is a contributory negligence state. This means any level of liability held by the victims in smaller vehicles could disqualify them from recovery. That’s why you shouldn’t hesitate to speak with a personal injury lawyer before doing anything else.

Contact Our Truck Accident Lawyers Today

No one starts their day expecting to be in a vehicular crash. When such an event occurs, it can completely derail a person’s life. Even minor injuries can result in excessive medical expenses and lost time at work. Unfortunately, the consequences of accidents involving commercial trucks are often much more severe. Injury victims often face years of recovery — if they’re able to recover at all — and it’s not uncommon for these collisions to be fatal.

Regardless of the unique circumstances of your case, you should speak with a personal injury attorney. At Chad Brown Law, PLLC, we honestly believe you deserve the best truck accident lawyer to handle your case. This is why we work diligently to uncover all facts in a case and are willing to fight insurance companies for every dime our clients deserve. At times, we’re able to get a fair outcome through settlement negotiations. However, we’re also trial lawyers who do not shy away from litigation.

Contact us today at 336-962-5373 to schedule a free consultation. We’ll help you understand all the options in your personal injury case.