Large semi-trucks and 18-wheelers play an important role in commerce, and our roadways are teeming with them. Most truckers are responsible professionals who take safety seriously, but it only takes one reckless or unskilled driver to ruin your life.
If you’ve been in a truck accident, you may have serious injuries that prevent you from performing important tasks such as working or caring for your family. Your medical bills are adding up, and you don’t know where to turn. Our Norwalk truck accident lawyers can help.
At Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers, we’ve recovered over $500 million in awards and settlements for injured accident victims. Contact us today for a free consultation and find out how our Norwalk, CT, personal injury lawyers can help with your truck accident case.
Should You Take a Settlement?
After your accident, an agent representing the trucking company’s insurance company may reach out to you with a settlement offer. It can be tempting to take the money when your debts are piling up, but this is rarely a good idea without first consulting with an attorney.
Insurance companies know what your claim is worth, but often they hope you don’t. They’ll offer a low settlement, and if you take it, you waive your rights to future compensation, even if your injuries persist. They close your case for a fraction of what it’s worth, and you’re still hurting.
Our Norwalk truck accident attorneys will know what your case is worth as well, and we aren’t going to let an insurance company take advantage of you. We’ll work for a fair settlement that fully accounts for your damages and helps you get your life back on track.
How Our Attorneys Can Help
Unless you are an attorney yourself, it is usually not a good idea to handle a personal injury case on your own. You’ll be up against insurance companies and their teams of high-priced lawyers. That’s not a battle you want to fight alone.
Our personal injury lawyer can help with many aspects of your truck accident case. Depending on your circumstances, this could include:
- Case Evaluation: We’ll listen to your story during your initial consultation. If you have a case, and we agree to work together, we’ll get to work forming a strategy.
- Case Management: We can file your claim, deal with insurance company correspondence, and ensure you meet key deadlines, and help you avoid common mistakes.
- Investigate Your Accident: We’ll thoroughly investigate your accident to determine what happened and who is liable for your damages.
- Assess Your Damages: Our team will calculate your damages to make sure any awards or settlements fully account for your expenses and hardships.
- Negotiate a Settlement: We will negotiate on your behalf for a fair settlement with the goal of resolving your case in your favor and with as little stress to you as possible.
- Represent You In Court: If the insurance company does not respond to good-faith negotiations, we can help you file a civil lawsuit and take your fight to the courtroom.
What is a Truck Accident Claim Worth?
A truck accident case can be worth thousands or even millions of dollars. Each case is unique, and the compensation you may receive is highly dependent on the specifics of your accident.
Your truck accident lawyer in Norwalk will assess your damages and seek maximum compensation for your losses. This may include factors such as:
- The Extent of Your Injuries: Catastrophic and long-term injuries typically result in higher awards and settlements.
- Economic Damages: This includes your expenses and costs for things like medical care, lost wages, future medical needs, vocational rehabilitation, and property damages.
- Non–Economic Damages: While it isn’t always possible, in some cases, you may be able to recover damages for things like pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and mental anguish.
Keeping accurate records of your expenses as well as the impact the accident has had on you and your family can help your lawyer accurately assess your damages.
Who is Liable in a Truck Accident?
While it is easy to assume the driver is liable in a truck accident case, there may be other or additional parties at fault. Your Norwalk truck accident attorney will investigate your accident and identify all responsible parties. Some potential examples are:
- Truck Drivers: A driver may be liable in a truck accident if they were driving recklessly, speeding, ignoring traffic signals, or operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Trucking Companies: The trucking company may be liable if it did not train drivers properly, did not perform adequate background checks, or neglected to follow regulations established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
- Other Drivers: In some cases, another driver may contribute to the accident due to their negligence.
- Maintenance Companies: If a maintenance or inspection company allowed an unsafe truck on the road, they may share responsibility for the accident.
- Freight Loaders: Freight companies, shippers, or warehouses could be liable if they loaded a truck in a dangerous manner that caused loss of control or tipping.
- Construction Companies: If a construction company creates a dangerous situation by routing traffic in unusual ways or not allowing enough space between lanes, it could be liable for a truck accident.
- Local or State Governments: The government could share responsibility if it did not maintain roads safely or enforce traffic regulations.
Get Help from a Norwalk Truck Accident Attorney
A truck accident can mean serious injuries requiring weeks or months of recovery, and the medical bills to go with them. You can’t work, your bills are piling up, and the insurance companies that are supposed to help don’t seem like they are on your side.
You’re in a tough situation, but there is hope. Our Norwalk truck accident attorneys can investigate your accident, identify the liable parties, assess your damages, and fight for the compensation you need.
Our team at Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers has the experience and knowledge to take on the big insurance companies. When you’re injured in an accident, get the Power of Perkins. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and tell us your story.