A semi truck is significantly larger than a passenger vehicle. We expect truck drivers to handle these massive vehicles and their tens of thousands of pounds of cargo safely. Unfortunately, though, truckers, the companies that hire them, and other players in the industry are sometimes negligent in their operations.
When this negligence results in an accident, you have the right to pursue compensation for your injuries. Our semi truck accident injury attorneys can help.
Ventura Law has been serving clients in Connecticut, New York, and throughout the Tri-State area for over 60 years. Please call (203) 800-8000 today to discuss your semi truck accident case during a free consultation.
Who Is Liable for My Semi Truck Accident Injuries?
If you or someone you love has been hit by a semi truck, you may be able to file a claim against multiple parties. Unlike most motor vehicle accident claims, fault for commercial trucking accidents may not rest solely with the driver.
To recover the compensation you deserve, it is important to identify all of the parties whose negligence resulted in the semi truck accident and your injuries. By conducting a thorough investigation, your attorney may find evidence that supports a claim against:
- The truck driver: Most semi truck accidents begin with an error on the part of the driver of the big rig. However, liability for the crash rarely ends with just one person.
- The trucking company: Trucking companies are responsible for hiring qualified drivers, training them to be safe on the road, and staying in compliance with all federal trucking regulations. If they fail in these duties and an accident occurs as a result, the company may also be liable.
- A shipping company: Third-party companies that load the trucks may be held liable for your injuries if the semi truck crashes or rolls over due to negligence in the handling and securing of cargo.
- A vehicle manufacturer: The makers of semi truck cabs, trailers, and their parts may be liable if a defective product they manufacture, assemble, or sell malfunctions and causes the accident.
- A broker: Brokers arrange for trucking companies to handle transportation of another company’s goods. If the broker is negligent in hiring a trucking company with a history of safety violations and accidents, then the broker may be partially liable for your injuries in the truck accident.
Liability in semi truck accident claims is complicated. If you were hit by a semi truck, it is important to contact an injury attorney to investigate your case and pursue compensation on your behalf.
What Compensation Can I Recover for Semi Truck Accident Injuries?
Whether you file a claim with the insurance company after a truck accident or ultimately have to file a lawsuit, the compensation in your case will depend on the nature and extent of your losses. These are known as damages, and they may include:
- Medical expenses: Bills for medical treatment are one of the most apparent losses after any truck accident. Given the severity of injury that typically occurs when a vehicle is hit by a semi, the cost of care may be substantial and continue for years.
- Lost wages: With serious injury comes the inability to work. You deserve to be compensated for the income you lose while recovering from your injuries.
- Lost earning capacity: In addition to the short-term losses after the semi truck accident, the injuries you sustain may impact your income for years to come. Whether you require modified duty to accommodate your condition or your injuries render you unable to work at all, you may be entitled to damages for lost wages in the future as well.
- Property damage: Damage to your vehicle and other personal property is often extensive when your car is hit by a semi truck. You deserve compensation for repair or replacement of your vehicle and any other property.
- Pain and suffering: Economic losses only account for part of your damages in a truck accident claim. After any serious injury, you are likely to face ongoing physical pain. Mental and emotional distress is also common due to the frightening circumstances of a semi truck crash, not to mention the ongoing effects of your injuries. Although they don’t have an exact dollar value, your attorney will present evidence demonstrating why you deserve compensation for pain and suffering.
Before filing a lawsuit, you will likely file a claim with the insurance company for the truck driver and/or his employer. The insurance company may offer you a settlement, or it may deny your claim. Regardless, it is important to hire an experienced lawyer to represent you in the claims process.
Ventura Law negotiated a $1.5 million settlement on behalf of a client who suffered a traumatic brain injury after being hit by a semi truck. View Our Results.
Your semi truck accident lawyer will represent you in negotiations with the insurance company. Although some claims are settled out of court, it may be necessary to sue for damages – especially if multiple parties are at fault.
During trial, your lawyer will present evidence of fault on the part of all the responsible parties, as well as the nature and extent of your injuries and the compensation you deserve. In addition to economic and non-economic damages, you may be awarded punitive damages if the conduct of the defendant(s) is found to be extremely reckless or malicious.
Contact Our Semi Truck Accident Injury Attorneys Today
If you or a loved one was hit by a semi truck, it is crucial to hire legal representation as soon as possible. Trucking companies and insurance companies know how much a successful legal claim can cost them, and they will aggressively fight to limit your recovery.
At Ventura Law, our lawyers have extensive experience handling semi truck accident cases. We understand the serious injuries and significant damages in these cases, and we have earned compensation on behalf of many clients injured by the negligence of truck drivers and other parties in the trucking industry.
For a free consultation, please call (203) 800-8000 today. Our semi truck accident injury attorneys help clients in Connecticut, New York, and all of the Tri-State area navigate their rights.