Truck accident Lawyer
Truck accidents (involving large 18-wheelers, semis, big rigs, etc.) are much different from ordinary collisions involving regular-sized cars or passenger vehicles. These cases are more complex, as they hinge upon state and federal laws. In addition, special legislation, rules, and policies from the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) play a huge role in truck accident claims. There are simply a myriad of regulations from multiple parties that must be considered. These parties include federal agencies and the trucking company with which the driver is affiliated.
Truck Accident Attorneys
Because these cases are so layered and complex, you want to ensure you obtain your legal advice from a team with experience and proven results. The Ward Law Group has this in spades, with over 20 years of high-profile cases from every imaginable variation of personal injury claim. Whenever you make an insurance claim due to personal injury or psychological suffering, you can almost guarantee that someone out there is going to try to minimize it. Our team will ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve for your pain and suffering.
Don't speak English? What about Spanish? The Ward Law Group is incredibly passionate about providing legal counsel to members of the Spanish-speaking community. Don't let language hinder seeking the legal advice you desperately need. If you have recently been involved in a motor vehicle accident, please contact our team!
Common Types of Truck Accident Claims that We Settle
Big rigs are typically powered by large engines that are responsible for hauling thousands of pounds of freight in an attached trailer. Large commercial trucks such as these may weigh up to 40 tons! Naturally, this means that many truck accidents involve ludicrous property damage. On top of that, because of their large size, truck accidents often result in severe injuries. At higher speeds, this only becomes worse.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, more than 500,000 truck accidents occur in the U.S. annually. This translates to roughly 5000 truck-related fatalities a year, or 12% of all lethal automotive-related deaths.
Here are a few common subtypes of truck accident claims that we settle:
Impaired Driving: There are regulations set in place to prevent truck drivers from being out on the road for long periods. Even so, many truck drivers with rigs that carry freight for third-party companies often have to wake up at 4 AM or earlier to complete their delivery cycle. Driver fatigue (as you can imagine) is very common.
Negligent Supervision: Big rigs behave very differently from normal cars. You need special training to drive these large vehicles over long distances. Unfortunately, some companies do not properly train their truck drivers, which may lead to negligence regarding safety procedures and vital truck maintenance.
Distracted Driving: Quite frankly, this is more common among truck drivers than it is with regular motor vehicle operators. This is a natural byproduct of truck drivers often driving across the state for 8 hours several days a week. There are monotonous stretches of highway where handheld entertainment is particularly enticing.
Types of Truck Accident Injuries & Compensation
Because these freight carriers are so big, injuries are very serious, especially when smaller cars are involved. Although it is technically possible to walk away unscathed, it is much more likely that victims of these accidents will be hospitalized. The National Institute of Traffic and Highway Safety reports that 3 out of every 4 truck accident victims suffer a personal injury or even death. Common injuries include:
- Neck & Spinal Cord Injuries
- Cranial & Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Internal Organ Damage
- Bruises & Lacerations
- Seat Belt Injuries (Whiplash)
- Paralysis
- Dismemberment
- Broken Bones
...and more.
Unfortunately, when you're the victim of a truck accident, you're probably going to get hurt and often badly. More likely, this translates to various compensation possibilities you can pursue with your lawyer. These forms of compensation include:
Medical Charges: Any visit to the hospital is expensive, and if you're the victim of a truck accident, you'll probably end up there. This includes other expenses such as conservative treatments, surgeries, or therapies.
Potential Earnings Loss: This coin has two sides. This category accounts for earnings lost during the injury recovery period. Secondly, if your doctor deems your injury permanent, you may receive compensation if it disrupts your ability to work.
Mental Distress: This category becomes complex quickly because it delves into PTSD, which can be harder to prove in court. Additionally, other emotional/psychological stressors brought on by the accident will be taken into consideration.
Property Damage: This includes any materials on your person and your vehicle itself. You may be compensated for items such as laptops, smartphones, jewelry, clothes, and more.
Our Experience With Truck Accidents
In addition to serving English-speaking personal injury victims, The Ward Law Group is passionate about providing bilingual legal services to the Spanish-speaking community. Don't let language become a barrier to getting the compensation you deserve for your claim. Contact our team of legal advisors at the Ward Law Group today!
Gregory Ward and Jany Martínez-Ward have recovered millions of dollars in personal injury compensation for car accident victims. They were recognized for a top 5 verdict in Florida in 2021. They obtained more than $2,000,000 in compensation for the victim of a truck accident. Don't leave the fate of your settlement to chance. Contact The Ward Law Group today to secure your legal rights and hire reputable insurance companies.
Maximizing Your Claim: Immediate Steps to Take After a Truck Accident
If you, members of your party or a truck driver are involved in an accident, call 911 immediately if no one is injured. The emergency responders will remove the damaged vehicles from the road and take them to a safe place as soon as possible. Seek immediate medical attention if necessary, or at least receive an evaluation later.
Nowadays, just about everyone has a high-quality camera in their front pocket. It is important to document every applicable detail of the accident space. This will greatly increase your chance of receiving the compensation you deserve later. If possible, you should also obtain the contact information of anyone nearby who witnessed the crash.
It is also not a bad idea to ask for a copy of the truck driver's license, a copy of the police report, and any insurance information from the other party. The last one is especially important if you are injured. You will want to give the police every last possible detail you remember about the nature of the accident. Spare no detail, however trivial. This will ensure that the police report is accurate for later use when you need it.
Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer For Help!
If you have recently been injured in a truck accident, seek legal counsel with The Ward Law Group immediately. The sooner you establish contact with us, the better your chances of achieving the compensation that you deserve. Remember, for truck accidents, you want to enlist the best. Our team has an endless resume of high-profile, complex claims and victories. It is a resume that extends over 20 years. It doesn't get much better than that.
Don't speak English? Fortunately, The Ward Law Group employs lawyers fluent in Spanish and English. Whether you are a native English speaker or speak Spanish, you can be assured that your case will be in extremely capable hands.