TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYERS


Commercial vehicles are part of our daily lives. Every time we travel down a highway in the United States, we see semi-trucks, large trucks and other flatbed trucks. These vehicles are an essential part of our economy, as they transport people and goods so that our communities have the resources to thrive. However, these trucks can also be dangerous and cause accidents.

Ultimately, truck crashes can result in serious injury or death. That's why it's important to know your legal options in the event of an accident.

No matter where the truck accident occurs in the U.S., our lawyers at In Case of an Accident can provide legal advice and representation in cases of injury and damages for a crash due to the negligence of another person, company, government institution or more.

Schedule your free and confidential consultation today!

Truck accident statistics in the U.S.


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According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published in April 2022:

  • In 2020 there were 4,965 people killed in crashes involving large trucks. This is a 1% decrease from 5,032 killed in 2019.
  • 71% of people killed in large truck crashes in 2020 were in other vehicles.
  • 76% of fatal crashes involving large trucks in 2020 occurred Monday through Friday (from 6 a.m. Monday to 5:59 p.m. Friday).
  • 3% of large truck drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2020 had blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) of 0.08 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or higher, which is much lower than drivers of other vehicles (27% for motorcycles, 23% for passenger cars, and 19% for light trucks).

Truck driver regulations


Truck drivers and the companies that employ them must follow certain standards set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This is a federal government agency that determines the proper guidelines for truck weight, driving hours, maintenance schedules and other appropriate safety measures.

If a driver or their employer violates any of these rules, there can be serious consequences and fees. If you get in a truck accident due to the negligence of a driver or company, our attorneys at In Case of an Accident can help you with your case.

Types of vehicles involved in truck accidents


The most common types of truck accidents involve vehicles such as:

  • 18-wheel truck
  • Tank truck
  • Heavy-duty truck
  • Garbage truck
  • Refrigerator truck
  • Tractor unit
  • Delivery trucks and vans
  • Flatbed trucks
  • Buses
  • Construction vehicles

Types of common truck accidents


The most regularly reported truck crashes on highways include:

  • Jackknife accidents
  • Driver fatigue
  • Speeding
  • Rollover accidents
  • Inexperienced drivers
  • Driving errors
  • Overloading or improperly loaded goods
  • Driving under the influence (DUI)
  • Defective parts

What type of compensation can be claimed for a truck accident?


A personal injury lawsuit involving commercial vehicles may involve claiming compensation for:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost income or lost wages
  • Reduced earning capacity
  • Property damage
  • Long-term disability care and other forms of medical treatment
  • Pain and suffering (both emotional and physical)

Why is it important to hire a truck accident lawyer?


The amount of compensation will depend on the unique circumstances of your case. Every client is different and any compensation you receive should cover the damages you suffered.

An accident involving a large truck can create liability for several parties, including the truck driver and their employer, the owner of the truck and the owner of the container or cargo being transported. You will need an experienced truck accident lawyer to help you file your claim and fight to get you compensation.

Our lawyers at In Case of an Accident can help you file a compensation claim, no matter your immigration status. Contact us - the consultation is free and confidential!

Familia testimonio Mario Davila

How much does an attorney at In Case of an Accident Attorney charge for filing your claim?


Our attorneys at In Case of an Accident work on a contingency fee basis. This means that they only get paid after they win financial compensation for their clients. If the client doesn’t get compensation, the attorney won’t get paid for the case. In addition, an initial consultation with our experts is free.

What are contingency fees?


A contingency fee agreement states that your attorney will work on your accident case, but that you will only pay his fees if he/she gets you compensation, either through a settlement or a trial verdict.

Our attorneys at In Case of an Accident are here to help


You can find an experienced truck accident lawyer for your case at the following locations.

We’re proud to work with lawyers who stand up for your rights and fight to get you compensation.

Contact In Case of an Accident as soon as possible to schedule your free consultation with a truck accident lawyer near you.

FAQs


If you or a loved one is involved in a truck accident, it’s important that you know what you can do to stay safe and how to claim compensation with the help of a truck accident lawyer.

When a truck accident occurs, here are the most common questions that victims ask our attorneys at In Case of an Accident:

When you get into a truck accident, it’s important to keep in mind these key steps to help file an injury compensation claim:

  • Request a copy of the police report for the accident.
  • Ask your insurance company for an appraisal of the damage that your vehicle sustained in the crash.
  • Keep a record of visits to doctors or any other medical specialists who treat your injuries. It’s important to keep a diary to write down any symptoms or pain you suffer.
  • Keep a record of out-of-pocket expenses that you’ve incurred.
  • Keep a record of any days missed from work or non-participation in other activities due to the accident.
  • Don’t accept an offer of compensation from an insurance company without having a truck accident attorney represent your accident case.
  • Hire a truck accident attorney to handle your case.

If you want to claim compensation for a collision with a truck, it’s important to prove the defendant driver's liability or negligent conduct in order to get it. Therefore, you should enlist the help of a personal injury lawyer who is an expert in this type of collision case.

The lawyer will gather all the information that proves liability, including getting the police accident report, obtaining witness statements and even visiting where the accident occurred to analyze and investigate the facts. Your expert attorney will know how to put together the right legal strategy to win your case.

If you have personal injury protection insurance, this is the first resource available to you to cover payment for any medical care you receive, as well as any lost wages because you’re unable to go to work and receive your paycheck.

In the event that you don’t have personal injury protection insurance, whoever caused the accident will be responsible for covering these expenses, typically through their insurance provider.

It’s possible to sue for damages, but keep in mind that this type of lawsuit isn’t simple. In these cases, it’s best to hire a truck accident attorney who knows how the laws work and what the time frame is for filing a claim. Suing a governmental agency isn’t simple, which is why you should rely on the expertise of a professional attorney.

Getting a check-up is very important after a truck accident. You may have internal injuries that aren’t noticeable or symptoms may appear hours or days after the collision.

For example, there are injuries such as whiplash or head injuries that don’t manifest themselves immediately after an accident. You may even have life-threatening internal injuries without knowing it.

See a doctor and explain that you were in a truck crash so that they will know what type of injuries to look for and document the pain and symptoms in a report. This will serve as proof when you want to file an accident compensation claim later on.

A truck crash is considered a personal injury accident and the laws regulating the time frame for suing vary from state to state. You may have between one to six years to file your claim, depending on the state. That said, most states typically have a statute of limitations of two years. This means that from the date of your truck accident until two years later, you can file a claim. Sometimes there may also be exceptions to these time frames.

For this reason, it’s important to consult with an attorney experienced in these types of cases within the state where the accident occurred. This way, you’ll know how much time you have to file a lawsuit and receive expert assistance in resolving your case.

If an insurance agent from the truck driver’s or owner’s insurance company contacts you before you have spoken to an accident attorney, it’s best not to talk to them or answer questions. Remember that their goal is to minimize your compensation payment. So, for your own safety and well-being, you should consult with an attorney who knows how to handle these types of cases.

Don’t sign any documents or provide recorded statements to the insurance company or the owner of the truck, as they could be used against you.

Of course. Family members of a person killed in a truck accident may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit. However, not all family members can do so, as there are restrictions on who is legally eligible.

In wrongful death lawsuits, it’s common for these family members to file a claim for the death of their loved one:

  • Spouse of the deceased
  • Parents of the deceased
  • Children of the deceased
  • A representative of the deceased's estate

The spouse of the deceased person is the first person who can file a wrongful death lawsuit. If the deceased had children under the age of 18, the spouse may also file on their behalf.

If the deceased's surviving family members file a claim for wrongful death compensation, the damages that may be claimed include:

  • Medical bills for injuries resulting from the truck accident
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of income opportunity
  • Funeral expenses

These damages are easy to calculate because they have a monetary value, but there are others that aren’t so simple, such as non-economic damages. A wrongful death claim may also include damages that represent intangible losses, such as:

  • Physical pain and suffering the deceased experienced prior to death
  • Mental anguish they may have suffered
  • Loss of consortium or companionship

The laws regulating wrongful death claims due to negligence can vary from state to state. That’s why it’s important to consult with a truck accident lawyer who is experienced in these types of cases so that you have an expert by your side.

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