A semi-truck accident is one of the most dangerous and painful injury accidents that you can experience as a driver. They can take a horrific toll on you and your loved ones’ lives. There are unique issues involved in semi-truck accidents because these are often commercial vehicles that are being driven for business purposes. You may have a claim against the driver of the vehicle as well as the company that owns the vehicle and/or retained the driver.
While you are trying to heal from your injuries, it can seem impossible to also pursue compensation from the people who are responsible for the crash. You can hire an Englewood semi-truck accident lawyer to help you with your legal rights and options. There is no obligation to work with us, and the consultation is free. Contact Morelli Law Firm now to get started at (212) 751-9800.
Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents
Although there are different ways that a semi-truck accident can happen, there are a few common causes that could be involved in your crash. Some causes of semi-truck accidents, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), include:
- Faulty or poorly maintained brakes
- Sudden changes in traffic flow, like congestion or an accident
- Drivers using prescription drugs
- Speeding
- Navigating an unfamiliar road
- Poorly maintained or constructed roads
- Failure to stop
- Drivers using over-the-counter drugs
- Lack of driver attention
- Driver exhaustion
How a Lawyer Can Help You
Seeking the financial recovery you deserve can be an intimidating, involved, and exhausting process, especially if you have not dealt with a legal matter before and are unsure about where to start.
Pursuing compensation can also be costly. There are a lot of steps that go into proving your case and defending your rights against the driver, trucking company, and insurance companies involved. Here are some of the ways an Englewood semi-truck accident lawyer can assist you with your claim:
- Inspecting the truck involved in the crash
- Negotiating with insurance companies and holding them accountable
- Identifying all possible defendants who may be liable for your injuries
- Collecting evidence to help prove your right to compensation
- Filing key documents with the court and monitoring critical deadlines
- Conducting a thorough investigation
- Reviewing all available insurance policies and making a claim if necessary
- Locating and interviewing potential witnesses
- Retaining and preparing expert witnesses who will testify on your behalf
- Ensuring that you seek the full amount of compensation that you are owed
- Preparing for trial if necessary
Your lawyer will also keep you informed as the process unfolds and answer any questions you may have about your rights and options. We do not take any payment unless we are able to secure a settlement or judgment on your behalf, which removes the financial pressure of pursuing compensation.
If you are ready to start pursuing the financial recovery that you and your family deserve, contact Morelli Law Firm now at (212) 751-9800.
Englewood Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
Pursue Compensation from a Careless Driver or Trucking Company
A semi-truck accident is considered a personal injury accident. In this type of accident, you will need to show four things before you are entitled to recovery. Each element is important, and you cannot recover compensation unless you prove all four.
Duty
You must first prove that the defendant(s) owed you a duty of care. In general, drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles with reasonable care and skill. This means following traffic laws, not getting distracted behind the wheel, and refraining from intoxicated driving, as a few examples. In the context of a semi-truck accident, it also means that the driver adheres to federal and state regulations about the proper operation of semi-trucks, including pre-driving inspections and safety checks.
For a trucking company, the duty of care encompasses things like hiring drivers that have completed the appropriate training, checking each driver’s driving record for any tickets or violations, and keeping their semi-trucks in good working condition.
Breach
The next step requires you to show that the defendant(s) failed to act according to their duty of care. This could be a situation where the driver was using illegal drugs to stay awake, drove an excessive number of consecutive hours, or violated a traffic law. For a trucking company, this could include being careless in its hiring practices or failing to supervise its drivers.
Causation
You must show that there is some connection between the breach and your injuries. If the defendant can show that there is some other cause involved, like severe weather, a poorly designed road, or even your own carelessness, then your ability to recover compensation may be affected.
Damages
Finally, you will be asked to provide evidence supporting the different damages that you are requesting. There are a few common categories of damages that a semi-truck accident victim pursues, like medical bills and lost wages.
You can also seek compensation for future estimated costs that are directly related to the accident, like physical therapy or a reduction in your earning capacity. This is a critical step of your claim because once the litigation concludes, you will not be able to go back and ask for more compensation. Working with an Englewood semi-truck accident lawyer can help you ensure that you seek every penny that you deserve.
Call for Your Free Consultation
Morelli Law Firm knows how critical this situation is to you and your family. While you focus on getting better, we will work to build the strongest case possible on your behalf. Under New Jersey Statute §2a:14-2a, you only have two years after your accident to bring your lawsuit for compensation, so do not wait. Contact our office today at (212) 751-9800 for your free and confidential consultation.