If you or a loved one have been involved in a truck accident, there’s a good chance that you may be feeling some frustration, confusion, and may be facing serious injuries. If you or a loved one have suffered severe injuries or have been killed by a commercial vehicle, a truck accident attorney at Tatum & Atkinson, ‘the Heavy Hitters,’ can help. Thousands of U.S. citizens are injured by commercial trucks annually, leaving families left to deal with hefty medical bills, often long-lasting injuries, and lost wages. Contact us today by calling us at (800) 529-0804 or contacting us online to receive your free, no-obligation consultation. We have won many of our truck accident injury victims multi-million dollar settlements, and we look forward to placing our 65 collective years of experience to work for you.
What To Do After a Truck Accident?
Several steps should be taken following a truck accident to preserve the integrity of your claim:
1. Ensure the Police Are Called
It is infrequent for a truck accident to occur with minor damage done. Truck crashes are often associated with severe and sometimes permanent injuries or death. Additionally, the car(s) involved in the truck crash may be totaled in many cases. This is why the police must be called following the collision. The police will investigate the accident scene and will do the following:
- Prepare a report based upon their findings in the investigation
- Receive statements from the drivers
- Interview any eyewitnesses
- Check to see if either driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Receive the drivers’ license and insurance information from all drivers involved in the crash
The police report will provide valuable evidence for your compensation claim. Try to obtain the responding officer’s badge number and name so that you can easily retain a copy of the report.
2. Receive Medical Treatment As Soon As Possible
Unfortunately, truck accidents tend to lead to some pretty severe injuries due to the size and weight of the truck. Anyone involved in a truck accident must receive medical attention immediately to evaluate themselves. Even if you feel okay, potentially serious injuries such as a traumatic brain injury (TBI) may not present with symptoms directly. In order to receive compensation for your truck accident-related damages, you will need to prove that you have been injured due to the accident. Medical records are the best way to present evidence of your injuries. If you have been injured in a trucking accident, receive a medical evaluation right away. Ensure that you follow your doctor’s instructions for follow-up care and attend any follow-up appointments as suggested.
3. North Carolina Truck Accident Lawyer
After receiving a medical evaluation, you will need to contact an experienced truck accident attorney. A truck accident lawyer can evaluate the unique circumstances surrounding your case and help you to explore your legal options. Truck accidents are often complex and may involve multiple liable parties.
Truck Accident Liability
Liable parties may include:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The mechanic who serviced the trucks
- The truck manufacturer
- A 3rd-party driver
- Insurance companies
Truck Accident Damages
The value of any personal injury claim will vary widely depending on the unique factors surrounding your case. For example, the severity of injuries and the nature of the accident will play a significant factor in determining the value of your claim. Therefore, only after all of the case evidence has been obtained and analyzed may the true value of your case be accurately determined.
When our law firm works to determine the value of your case, we will consider the following factors:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Emotional trauma
- Pain and Suffering
- Property Damage
- Disfigurement or permanent scarring
- Mental and/or physical disability
- Loss of consortium
- And more
Our law firm has fought hard to help my clients obtain full compensation for their injuries caused by someone else’s negligence.
Causes of Semi Truck Accident
Due to their nature, most crashes involving large trucks and semis are very serious and may lead to catastrophic consequences. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reports that about 50% of large truck accidents involving injuries involved lifelong injuries or fatalities. All accidents involving a semi truck can lead to severe, life-threatening injuries and will often require a lengthy recovery period.
When a semi truck collides with one or more other vehicles, the most common types of collisions involve rear-ending collisions and sideswipe collisions. Other semi-truck accidents include:
- Collisions that occur when the semi is turning
- A T-Bone collision in an intersection
- Head-on collisions
Many semi truck collisions involve negligent actions on the part of the semi truck driver or trucking company. Common causes of accidents may include:
- Driving while drowsy
- Driving while distracted
- Inadequate maintenance
- Alcohol and drug Use
18 Wheeler Accident
Over 90,000 people are injured by 18-wheeler trucks annually, and an individual is killed or injured by a truck around every 16 minutes in the U.S. Sadly, fatal large truck accidents are on the rise in the U.S. Eighteen-wheeler accidents often result in severe injuries that may necessitate significant recovery time; other injuries may be permanent. Truck accident injury victims and their families can be left with enormous medical expenses, lost wages, emotional trauma, and potentially, funeral expenses. A successful personal injury claim may include economic and/or non-economic damages, such as loss of earning capacity, mental anguish, loss of consortium, and more.
Why Is An Accident With An 18 Wheeler So Dangerous?
Heavy-Load Capacity
With a full load, an 18-wheeler truck may weigh 400 tons, which is 80,000lbs. The average 18-wheeler is 20x heavier than most cars. When the massive weight of an 18-wheel truck collides with another vehicle, serious injury, property damage, and even death may occur.
Largest Vehicles on the Road
18-wheeler trucks may be up to 176 feet long, making them nearly 10x as long as the average car. The long length of the truck amplifies the danger of negligence, such as speeding.
They Need Much Longer to Stop
Due to the enormous size, length, and weight of 18-wheeler trucks, they often need about 40% longer than an average car to stop.
They Have Large Blind Spots
Unlike many other types of vehicles, 18-wheelers do not have a rear window, and given the large size of the truck, there are large blind spots.
Tractor Trailer Accident
Tractor trailer accidents often require thorough investigation. Investigations will usually include a review of the scene of the accident, the vehicles involved, the trucker’s log, transportation company records, and more. Experts, witness testimony, and accident reconstruction may also be involved. With these types of cases, as insurance companies and trucking companies often have vast resources at their disposal and will hold investigations of their own, time is of the essence. You will need investigators to document and preserve critical evidence to receive the best possible outcome. Our tractor trailer accident attorneys will:
Answer any questions you may have and help guide you through the legal process
- Help your recover lost wages and pay medical expenses
- Obtain critical data from the trucking company
- Investigate and preserve key evidence
- Ensure your rights are protected
As truckers and their companies must comply with many regulations and laws, a tractor trailer accident attorney with advanced knowledge of these laws and regulations can help determine if a violation of these regulations led to your accident. In addition, our attorneys can gather, analyze, and interpret critical data from the trucking company to allow us to paint a complete picture of any negligence made by the opposing party. If you are seeking a tractor trailer accident attorney in North Carolina, you can rely on the law office of Tatum & Atkinson.
Truck Accident Attorney
At Tatum & Atkinson, ‘the Heavy Hitters,’ we operate on a contingency fee basis. This means that you will not pay anything unless we win, and you will have no out-of-pocket expenses. We will fight hard to deliver you the best possible outcome and to receive fair and just compensation for your damages. As your attorneys, we will investigate the accident thoroughly to ensure that all at-fault parties are identified and collect the evidence necessary to demonstrate their negligence. Trucking and insurance companies often have vast resources and legal teams at their disposal. They usually begin investigations to discredit or reduce potential claim compensation immediately.
In order to receive the best possible outcome, it is necessary to stay ahead of the opposing party. We will investigate the accident, interview witnesses, analyze accident reports and medical records, consult with experts, and ensure that supporting evidence is kept intact when necessary. We have the required skills to successfully and aggressively negotiate with insurers for a settlement that will compensate you fairly for damages you have suffered. Truck accident cases are often complex, and having an experienced attorney on your side will help you get the maximum recovery possible. Contact us today by calling us at (800) 529-0804 or contacting us online to receive your free case evaluation to see what we can do to help you.
