Truck Accidents

If you or a family member have been injured in an accident involving a tractor-trailer or other type of big truck, or commercial vehicle, you may be able to seek compensation for damages by filing a truck accident lawsuit. Contact us, and we will put our resources to work for you. We will evaluate your claim without cost or obligation to you.

Experience is Key in Truck Accident Cases

With decades of experience handling truck accident cases and more than $32 billion in verdicts and settlements, we’ve seen first-hand the trauma, anxiety, and hardships truck crash victims and their families experience after an accident. We have the insight needed to maximize your recovery.  For example, we secured an $18.79 Million Verdict for a man paralyzed by Negligent Repair$17.25 Million for a Georgia Woman Killed$5.75 Million for a Client who suffered Traumatic Brain Injury$4 Million for a Client who became Disabled, and other confidential settlements, all related to Trucking Accidents.

Our expertise and skill in handling all types of trucking accident cases and achieving the best possible outcome for our clients come from decades of unmatched experience. 

  • We know the complex laws and regulations that govern trucking safety and how they will affect your case.
  • We know how to stand up to big trucking firms, their insurance companies and other key parties inside and outside the courtroom.
  • We thoroughly investigate all our truck accident cases and know what to look for to win your case and maximize your recovery.
  • We will take this fight on for you and won’t back down until we get our clients the best possible outcome.

Beasley Allen is nationally recognized for aggressively fighting for our clients and holding all parties accountable.

How We Will Help You

You need a law firm like Beasley Allen that can go head-to-head with powerful corporate lawyers and stand up to some of the most influential companies. 

We understand that peace of mind is essential to recovery, especially after a traumatic event like a truck accident. We want to take the burden of this challenging, sometimes scary process off your shoulders. 

Our lawyers will deal directly with the trucking or commercial vehicle companies, their insurers, and other critical parties at every step so you can focus on your emotional and physical healing.

Our Knowledge and Resources 

Our truck accident lawyers have the proper background, knowledge and experience to handle a truck accident lawsuit. 

Because of our experience, we know where commercial vehicle and truck companies cut corners, sacrifice safety for profit and violate the law.   We also understand that products fail, which may mean additional defendants share liability. Without this experience, these factors might otherwise go overlooked or remain hidden.

Beasley Allen’s in-house team of investigators will inspect the accident scene and the vehicles involved, download all data, and begin formulating your strategy and plan. We will search high and low to uncover the most seemingly minor detail that could make or break a case.

It is easy to think that a commercial vehicle or truck accident case can be treated the same as a typical car accident case. Yet, commercial vehicle and big truck accident cases are their own breed of case for a variety of reasons, including:

  • The size and experience of well-funded defendants. 
  • The need to immediately preserve and record evidence. 
  • The complicated relationships between trucking companies, insurance carriers and other possible defendants. 
  • Navigating complex insurance issues. 
  • Familiarity with federal and state trucking laws. 
  • Collecting, processing and analyzing technical data. 

Our singular focus is to make you whole and to maximize your award. 

Negotiating a Settlement

When it comes time to negotiate a settlement, you will place your trust in a firm that has recovered tens of billions for clients before you. We do not settle cases to simply get them over and move to the next client. 

Going to Trial 

If the defendants do not own up to their mistakes, we have no issue taking the case to trial. Our history of trying cases speaks for itself. In one year alone, we obtained verdicts of nearly $300 million. You can rest assured that if your case goes to trial, you will have veteran trial lawyers working on your behalf who know what to do and when to do it.

What to do After a Truck Accident

What you do immediately after being involved in a truck accident can impact your case.

Safety First! 

If you are not seriously injured and can move about, check on the condition of everyone else involved in the crash. Call for medical assistance and report the crash to law enforcement. Remain at the scene and communicate with first responders if possible.

Act Fast.

The trucking companies are always ready to protect their interests. We are here to preserve and protect your interests. Collecting, analyzing, and preserving evidence critical to your case is best done immediately after a collision while evidence remains intact and witness recall of the event is fresh.

Work Together.

  • Collect as much information about the crash as possible such as photos of the vehicles involved, weather conditions at the time of the accident, license plate numbers, and contact information for witnesses.
  • Document valuable evidence related to the commercial truck, including taking pictures of any visible damage or defects and the markings on the side of a shipping container or semi-trailer. 
  • Preserve other necessary information, such as recording the truck’s registration papers, insurance coverage, and details about who was operating or maintaining the vehicle.

Remember, while it might be tempting, don’t discuss the details of your injuries publicly, including on social media. And never talk to another party’s lawyers or insurance company without a lawyer.

Hiring a Truck Accident Lawyer

It is absolutely critical in every truck accident case that your investigation start IMMEDIATELY to ensure evidence is preserved.

Parker Miller

First, speak with an experienced and qualified truck accident lawyer. You’ll need to sign a retention agreement with the law firm. This establishes the working relationship between the lawyer and the truck accident client and allows the investigation to begin. The investigation is the first stage of building a case against any potentially liable parties. 

Then work with your lawyer to compile as many relevant facts to the case as possible, including:

  • Facts about the truck crash, including those leading up to and following the collision.
  • Names of witnesses who saw the impact or observed the aftermath.
  • Statements you or a family member may have made to any party about the accident.
  • Documentation of all injuries and resulting medical expenses.
  • Descriptions and documentation of other damages, including emotional injuries and destruction of property.
  • Any further testimony can help form a clear picture of the truck crash and the parties potentially liable.

The Truck Accident Investigation

Our investigation of the truck accident shapes the foundation of your claim. It is a meticulous and exhaustive process that determines all potential sources of liability, including some that may not be obvious to law enforcement and other investigating parties.  

Crash Scene 

  • Layout of the crash scene and reconstruction of the crash.
  • Document, collect, and analyze debris from the crash scene.
  • Measure and document any markings on the road at the accident site.

Driver

  • Determine if driver fatigue caused or contributed to the crash.
  • Determine if the driver was distracted by smartphone use or other activity.
  • Determine if the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  • Record any statements the driver made about the case.
  • Examine the driver’s record for safety violations.
  • Examine the driver’s background for any history of criminal behavior.

Truck 

  • Obtain and analyze data from the truck’s “black box,” such as speed, acceleration, braking, steering angle, engine RPMs, and other information that may be available through the device.
  • Obtain and analyze the truck’s GPS data.
  • Review video footage from the dash and cabin view cameras and any nearby street cameras.
  • Pull all available data maintained by onboard and offboard monitoring technology.
  • Closely analyze the truck for signs of any defective components that may have played a role in the crash, such as:
    • The truck’s age, make, and model.
    • The truck’s condition.
    • Maintenance records.
    • Information about the truck’s load, such as content, weight, orientation and distribution.
    • The truck’s Department of Transportation (DOT) number and any markings on the truck and its trailer.

Trucking Company and Owner

We often find important clues about the causes of a crash when investigating a trucking company. Such findings may increase the defendant’s liability and the amount of damages you can collect. Our investigations generally cover the following:

  • Accident History & Safety Violations – we research federal and state registries for the driver’s accident history and compliance with safety regulations. These include their drivers’ hours-of-service records, drug and alcohol testing, traffic citations, vehicle inspections, maintenance standards, and driver qualifications.
  • Company Culture – we examine company culture that incentivizes speeding and other poor driving habits and puts performance goals ahead of safety.
  • Driver Screening & Training Protocols – we assess the practices and procedures a trucking company implements to ensure drivers are safe, skilled, and knowledgeable.
  • Driver Monitoring – we evaluate a company’s policies and procedures regarding driver monitoring systems and programs.

Truck Accident Litigation

Truck accident cases are often among the most complex litigation cases today. 

Trucking companies and drivers must follow strict federal and state laws and regulations. Lawyers must thoroughly know all the applicable laws to prove fault in a truck accident lawsuit. Our lawyers are well-versed in these laws, including:

  • Statutes of limitations. 
  • Negligence laws. 
  • Contributory negligence rules that may affect the case. 
  • Transportation and trucking industry regulations and insurance issues.

During litigation, we will also help you assess if it is best to settle your case with the defendants or go to trial. Both options have rewards and risks, and our truck accident lawyers can explain how they apply to your case. We always have your best interests at heart and lay out the available options to help you make the best decision for you and your family.

What Compensation Can I Seek After a Truck Accident?

We understand how critical compensation is to you and that it touches every aspect of your life. 

We are devoted to making you whole and securing the maximum possible recovery under the law. Our truck accident lawyers will work closely with you to determine the amount of compensation you can seek for the damages you and your family suffer. 

Truck crash victims and their families are entitled to economic, non-economic, and sometimes punitive damages.

Economic Damages 

Economic damages can be thought of as compensation that can help restore you and your family’s physical condition to the fullest possible extent and recover losses caused by the crash. These damages are relatively easy to calculate and prove, including:

  • Hospital and medical bills.
  • Rehabilitation and physical therapy expenses.
  • Lost income.
  • Lost earning capacity.
  • Vehicle and other property damage.
  • Lost household services. 

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are more difficult to quantify in terms of dollars, but they are just as real. These injuries can be equally or more debilitating than physical injuries but harder to prove. Non-economic damages resulting from a truck accident can include: 

  • Emotional distress.
  • Mental anguish and trauma.
  • Loss of enjoyment of life.
  • Loss of consortium.
  • Diminished quality of life.
  • Scarring and disfigurement.

Punitive Damages 

Punitive damages are meant to “punish” the defendant. When substantial enough, they can discourage the defendant from operating in ways that caused the accident and prompt policy changes. 

Punitive damages are usually only possible in cases where we prove a trucking company acted with gross negligence or intentional misconduct. For instance, if the trucking company has a history of repeated violations or knowingly fails to adhere to critical safety regulations, it may be ordered to pay punitive damages.

Types of Truck Crashes

  • Rollovers: Tire blowouts or other defective components, traveling too quickly on a curve, overcorrection, or another kind of driver error resulting in loss of control are some of the many events that often result in truck rollover accidents.
  • Jackknife accidents: A jackknife crash occurs when a big truck skids and its trailer swings out at a 90-degree angle to the truck, resembling a folding pocketknife. These extremely dangerous accidents can often lead to the truck rolling or tipping over. They can also lead to multiple car pileups, especially when the jackknifed semi-truck blocks traffic.
  • Head-on collisions: When a commercial truck veers into oncoming traffic, a collision becomes practically unavoidable. Many head-on truck collisions are linked to driver fatigue, distracted driving, or the driver being medically unfit to operate the vehicle.
  • Rear-end collisions: Fatigue or inattention frequently results in the driver’s failure to stop in time for slowed or stopped traffic.
  • No-zones or blind spot collisions: Tractor-trailers and other large commercial trucks are notorious for blind spots that make it difficult for truck drivers to see other vehicles. If the driver fails to be patient, keep a proper lookout, or exercise reasonable care, they can easily cause a major accident.
  • Lost or shifting freight: Improperly secured or loaded trucks can result in cargo detaching from the truck or a sudden weight shift, causing the driver to lose control or stop suddenly. Spilled or detached cargo may also cause other vehicles to crash.
  • T-Bone crashes: These crashes occur when a commercial truck runs a stop sign or red light and strikes another moving vehicle on its side.
  • Underride and Override Collisions: These are among the deadliest collisions involving commercial trucks. Underrides occur when a smaller passenger vehicle collides with the back or side of a truck and becomes wedged underneath it. Overrides generally happen when a semi-truck strikes a smaller vehicle from behind and travels over it.

Truck Accident Injuries 

Every experienced truck accident lawyer has seen first-hand the pain and tragedy that truck accidents cause. Given their size and weight, tractor-trailers and other large commercial vehicles typically cause greater damage and more severe injuries when they collide with smaller passenger vehicles. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration estimates that between 140,000-150,000, people are injured in accidents involving commercial vehicles every year in the U.S. Many of these injuries are debilitating and lead to lifelong hardship for survivors and their families. 

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