Winter weather might cause trucking accidents in a variety of ways. Winter weather hazards might include still and blowing snow, heavy and driving rain, sleet and ice that cause slick road surfaces, and heavy winter fog. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) reports that during inclement winter weather such as this, truck drivers might experience:
- Limited visibility
- Loss of vehicle control
- Lack of road and tire traction
- Hidden debris in roadways
- Hidden road damage
Truck driver inexperience, training failures, and driving frustrations might also play a role in winter weather trucking accidents. Dangerous truck driver behavior, such as fatigue, inattention, and speeding, may also be a factor. In addition, faulty tires, failing brakes, and inadequate windshield wipers may contribute to winter weather trucking accidents.
A personal injury lawyer can help you determine the cause of the trucking accident you were involved in. The investigation your lawyer conducts, an examination of the truck and driver’s condition, and your crash report may help your lawyer prove fault, negligence, and liability. Proving these factors might lead to the recovery of the financial damages that stem from the accident.
Seek Recovery of Your Trucking Accident Damages
Due in part to their size and weight, trucking accidents can be especially dangerous events for the drivers and passengers in smaller vehicles involved in the accident. Accident victims may be left with serious injuries, lost wages, and a totaled vehicle.
Tracking the economic and non-economic damages of a trucking accident can be difficult. This is especially true when the economic impact of an accident comes from a variety of sources. Your lawyer can help you develop a list of your potentially recoverable damages and ensure you have received all injury-related bills prior to a final calculation of the following financial expenses and losses:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Required therapy
- Income losses
- Pain and suffering
- In-home assistance
- Property damage
- Property loss
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Physical impairment
- Physical disfigurement
Make sure your lawyer has your medical bills, income statements, repair bills, and other proof of your financial damages. Careful calculation of your recoverable damages may ensure an accurate assessment of your potential compensation package. A miscalculation might result in your receiving an inadequate financial settlement or one that leaves you with out-of-pocket expenses.
Assess Your Recoverable Damages Prior to Negotiating a Settlement
You may wish to resolve your trucking accident lawsuit outside of court. A lawyer might be able to help you negotiate a financial settlement that covers your injuries and their related expenses and losses. Because the final decision in settlement negotiations is always yours to make, you might want to avoid accepting a speedy settlement before the true cost of the accident is known.
Once you do accept an offer, you will typically relieve the at-fault party of any further obligation to compensate you, even if you uncover additional financial damage at a later date. That might make it beneficial to hire a trucking accident lawyer to help you weigh the pros and cons of each settlement offer you receive. Your lawyer can also help you fight for financial recovery in court if you cannot reach a settlement agreement.
Do Not Run Out of Time to Fight for Compensation
Your potential trucking accident lawsuit may have a critical time component. Failing to understand and meet your filing deadline might put your ability to compel payment from the at-fault party in jeopardy. If you do not file on time, your lawsuit may be dismissed without ever being heard.
You do not have to decipher or ensure compliance with the relevant timeline on your own. With early involvement in preparing your lawsuit, your legal team might be able to make sure the filing of your lawsuit meets your state’s statute of limitations.
Seek Financial Compensation After a Trucking Accident
If you were injured in a trucking accident that involved winter weather, Morelli Law Firm might be able to help you seek financial recovery. Allow our team to take over the legal work in your case while you dedicate your time and energy to your physical recovery.
For a free consultation on your case, call Morelli Law Firm today at (212) 751-9800. Our case review team might be able to help you learn more about how winter weather can cause trucking accidents and who may be liable for your damages.
Morelli Law Firm works on a contingency-fee-basis, meaning our clients do not pay us attorney fees unless they win their case.