Big rigs, also called semi trucks or 18-wheelers, are vital for the economy of the country. However, they pose enormous risks for anyone in a smaller vehicle. A crash with a big rig can easily become fatal or catastrophic, leaving families with huge financial burdens and incredible losses.
With the help of the Bronx truck accident lawyers at Morelli Law, victims of big rig accidents can fight for the compensation they deserve. Negligent truckers and their employers should pay you fully for what happened, and we’ll do our best to make sure that happens.
Why Are Big Rigs So Dangerous?
Big rig trucks carry many tons of cargo across America’s roadways. This extra weight means they cause more damage when they crash into another vehicle. Simple physics tells us that heavier objects hit with more force, even at lower speeds.
Truckers have to take special precautions and training courses to get licensed to drive these vehicles, but mistakes can still happen. Whether through simple negligence or through pressure for profit, a trucker may do something that puts other drivers at risk.
Yet the danger posed by these trucks is so great that no one should ever drive one negligently. If you were hit by a big rig, find out if the driver was negligent and if you can claim compensation with our help. If they were, a personal injury lawyer in the Bronx can help you file an insurance claim or a lawsuit so you can get paid for what happened to you.
Have You Been Injured In An Accident? Contact Morelli Law
877-751-9800How Are Truck Drivers Found Negligent?
Negligence causes most big rig accidents. Negligence happens when someone acts beyond the boundaries of what a reasonable person would do in the same situation. To win your case, four things must be proven.
Duty of Care
This is the legal responsibility people must take to keep other people from harm. All drivers have an obligation to keep others safe while they drive. Proving someone was behind the wheel at the time of the accident is the usual way to show this in a big rig accident case.
Employers of truckers may also hold liability in the case because employers are responsible for the actions of employees while they do their jobs. In rare cases, another party could be liable, like a part or truck manufacturer, the people who loaded the truck, or a mechanic who didn’t repair the truck right.
Breach of Duty
Negligence starts when the duty of care isn’t fulfilled. This could be for any number of reasons, from reckless or drunk driving, to driving while tired, to forgetting to turn on a turn signal before moving into a new lane.
If a police officer cites the trucker for breaking the law at the accident, that could become the basis for a breach of duty. There are other ways of proving a breach as well. A Bronx big rig accident lawyer will know where to look for evidence, like inside a truck’s data recorder.
Damages
Merely committing a negligent act isn’t enough. You also need to have a reason to sue or make a claim. You need to prove the damages you’ve received. Your case may qualify for both economic and non-economic damages.
Getting the right amount of money for your damages is a primary task of any personal injury lawyer. There is no average amount, and insurers will try to pay you as little as they can. Hiring a lawyer is the best way to increase the value of your claim and your chances of winning.
Causation
The last piece is causation. Your lawyer must show that the breach of duty caused your damages and not for some other reason. This can get complicated if you have pre-existing conditions or if you waited some time between your accident and seeing a doctor.
If all four pieces are proven, then you have a valid case and the defendant owes you damages. Fortunately, you don’t have to do this on your own. Once you have Morelli Law on your side, you can focus on recovering your health while we focus on recovering compensation for you and your family.
Wrongful Death Claims in Big Rig Accidents
In the worst scenario, you may have lost a loved one in a big rig accident. If so, you may be left with both massive bills for their final expenses and a sudden drop in your household’s income. However, you can collect wrongful death damages if you’re successful with a wrongful death claim.
Wrongful death claims can be quite complicated, so it’s vital you call us as soon as possible. Only certain people may file them. If you were a close relative of the deceased or financially dependent on them, you may have the standing to bring a case.
No amount of money can bring a loved one back to life, but money can help cushion the financial shock and can help you achieve a measure of justice. Learn your legal options by contacting Morelli Law as soon as possible to speak with a Bronx big rig accident lawyer.
Contact our Bronx Truck Accidents Lawyers today
877-751-9800Will I Need to Pay Upfront?
No. Some areas of law require big upfront payments, but not with personal injury. We only take a fee if we win your case, and we only take our fee from your final compensation. This is called a contingency fee arrangement.
The amount we take depends on the case, but it’s a percentage of whatever you win. If you win a little, we only get a small amount. If you win millions, the fee will be quite large. Yet, it will always be proportional.
Since we only get paid if you win, it gives us incentive to fight as hard as possible for you and to get you the most money possible. Should you lose your case entirely and get nothing, you will owe Morelli Law nothing for our services.
Contact Morelli Law for a Free Consultation
If you live in the Bronx and you need legal representation after a big rig accident, contact us immediately. The sooner you call, the better your chances of a favorable outcome. You can get financial compensation for what you’ve gone through, so don’t miss your opportunity.
Morelli Law has helped our clients get over a billion dollars over our decades of service to the community. Learn your legal options and how we can help you. Call today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Call or text 877-751-9800 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form