Truck accidents can be challenging to deal with, both physically and emotionally. Commercial trucks’ size and weight make accidents far more dangerous than typical car crashes.
Victims often suffer life-changing injuries, overwhelming medical bills, and significant emotional trauma. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, it’s important to know your rights and seek help from a New London truck accident lawyer.
Hiring a lawyer after a truck accident can make all the difference in getting the compensation you deserve. A skilled truck accident attorney in New London, CT, can help you pursue legal action, gather evidence for your case, and handle insurance companies.
Here, you can learn more about the causes of truck accidents, the role of a New London truck injury lawyer from Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers, and how to get fair compensation for your injuries.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Various factors cause truck accidents; understanding these is key to determining who is at fault.
Some common causes include:
Driver Fatigue
Truck drivers often spend long hours on the road, leading to exhaustion. When drivers are tired, their reaction times slow, and they may struggle to focus. This increases the likelihood of accidents.
Mechanical Failures
Trucks require regular maintenance to stay in good working condition. When brakes, tires, or other critical components fail, the results can be catastrophic. Sometimes, these failures are due to poor maintenance or defective parts.
Improper Loading
If a truck’s cargo is not loaded properly, it can shift during transit, making it harder to control. Overloaded trucks are also dangerous as they are more difficult to stop and can cause accidents, especially in sudden braking situations.
In many cases, negligence plays a role, whether the truck driver does not follow safety protocols or the trucking company fails to maintain the vehicle. A truck wreck attorney near me in New London will investigate these factors thoroughly to determine the exact cause of the accident and identify the responsible parties.
Truck Accident Injuries and Their Consequences
Due to the size and weight of trucks, accidents involving them often result in significant and life-altering injuries.
Some common injuries include:
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Truck accidents can cause damage to the spine, sometimes leading to paralysis.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): These are often life-altering injuries that can affect memory, cognitive function, and physical abilities.
- Fractures and Broken Bones: The impact of a truck crash can cause serious fractures that may require surgeries and long-term rehabilitation.
Beyond the immediate medical concerns, victims often face long-term consequences. Medical bills can pile up, and some victims may never be able to return to work. A New London truck accident injury attorney can help you pursue compensation to cover medical costs, lost wages, and other expenses related to the accident.
Liability in Truck Accidents
Determining who is liable in a truck accident can be complicated. There may be multiple parties responsible, including:
- The Truck Driver: If drivers were distracted, speeding, or violating traffic laws, they may be at fault.
- The Trucking Company: Companies are responsible for ensuring their vehicles are properly maintained, and their drivers follow regulations.
- Maintenance Providers: If a truck was not properly maintained and this contributed to the accident, the maintenance provider could be held liable.
- Manufacturers: If a defective part, such as faulty brakes or tires, caused the crash, the manufacturer might be responsible.
A top-rated truck accident lawyer in New London will work to identify all the responsible parties to ensure you receive the full compensation you’re entitled to.
The Role of a New London Truck Accident Lawyer
After a truck accident, it’s essential to have a lawyer who understands these cases’ unique challenges.
A truck accident lawyer near me in New London, CT, can:
Investigate the Accident
One of the first things a lawyer will do is gather all the evidence needed to show who was at fault. This includes police reports, witness statements, and video footage from nearby cameras. They might even work with experts to recreate the accident scene if needed. This thorough investigation helps build a strong case for you.
Understand Trucking Regulations
Commercial truck drivers and trucking companies must follow strict rules set by both state and federal governments. These rules cover how long drivers can be on the road without a break and how much weight a truck can carry.
A New London truck accident lawyer understands these regulations and can check if any were broken. If rules were violated, proving negligence can greatly strengthen your case.
Negotiate with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies often try to pay as little as possible after an accident, even if the truck driver was at fault. Your lawyer will step in and handle all the negotiations with the insurance company, fighting to make sure you get a fair settlement.
They know how to deal with insurance companies’ tactics and won’t let them take advantage of you. This relieves a lot of the pressure so you can focus on recovering.
Compensation Available to Truck Accident Victims
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for several different types of damages:
- Medical Expenses: This includes any immediate and long-term care costs related to your injuries from the truck accident.
- Lost Wages: If your injuries force you out of work, whether for several days, weeks, or even months, you can seek compensation for the income you’ve lost and may continue to lose for your time away from work.
- Property Damage: You can also seek compensation for damage to your vehicle or other personal property.
A truck accident attorney in New London, CT, will help you calculate the full value of your claim, ensuring you are compensated fairly for economic and non-economic damages.
Truck Accident Lawsuits and the Legal Process
Filing a lawsuit after a truck accident can feel overwhelming, but a no-win, no-fee truck accident lawyer in New London will guide you through the entire process, making it easier to handle. Here’s what you can expect:
Initial Consultation
During the first meeting, your lawyer will review the details of your case and explain the legal options available to you. They will ask questions about the accident and your injuries, ensuring they have all the necessary facts. This is also a good time to ask your lawyer any questions you might have about the process.
Investigation
Next, your lawyer will start investigating your claim. They will gather important evidence like accident reports, witness statements, and expert opinions to build a strong case. This investigation helps determine who is at fault and ensures all the details are carefully considered.
Filing the Claim
Once your lawyer has all the necessary information, they will file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. This claim outlines the damages you seek for medical bills, lost wages, and other losses. Filing the claim is the first official step toward getting the compensation you deserve.
Settlement Negotiation
Most of the time, your lawyer will try to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company to cover your damages. They will handle all the communication and fight for a fair amount. If the insurance company doesn’t offer a reasonable settlement, your lawyer will be prepared to take the case to trial.
Trial
Your lawyer will represent you in court if a settlement can’t be reached. They will present your case to a judge and jury, explaining how the accident happened and why you deserve compensation. Going to trial can take time, but your lawyer will be with you.
A New London truck accident lawyer will also ensure all deadlines are met, including the statute of limitations, which is the time limit for filing a claim after an accident. These steps can help you get through the legal process and increase your chances of receiving fair compensation.
Steps to Take After a Truck Accident
If you’re involved in a truck accident, there are some important steps you should follow right away. First, your health is the top priority, so see a doctor, even if you feel fine. Sometimes, injuries don’t show up immediately, so getting checked out is important.
Next, you will want to document the scene. Take pictures of the accident, any damage to the vehicles, and your injuries. This helps provide proof later on.
After that, gather evidence by getting the contact information of any witnesses and filing a police report. This report can be important when determining who was at fault.
Finally, contact an accident lawyer in New London, CT, as soon as possible. A lawyer will help protect your legal rights and guide you through building a strong case, which could make a big difference in getting fair compensation for your injuries and damages.
Contact Our New London Truck Accident Lawyer Today
Truck accidents can have devastating consequences, but hiring a New London truck accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve. From investigating the accident to negotiating with insurance companies, your lawyer will fight for your rights every step of the way.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, contact the best truck accident lawyer in New London at Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.
Don’t wait—taking immediate legal action is critical to building a strong case and securing the compensation you need to recover.