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North Carolina Semi Truck Accident Lawyer | Tatum & Atkinson

North Carolina Semi Trucking Accident Lawyer

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Every year in North Carolina, thousands of trucks are involved in collisions. Sadly, many of those collisions lead to severe or fatal injuries. While statistics show that it is more likely to get into a passenger vehicle collision than a collision involving a semi truck, larger trucks cause more accident-related fatalities. If you or a loved one have been involved in a crash with a semi truck in North Carolina, it is essential to speak with an experienced semi truck accident attorney as soon as possible. You may be entitled to substantial compensation for the damages caused by the collision. Having an attorney advocating for your rights as soon as possible will help ensure that your case is thoroughly and competently prepared.

Semi Truck Accident Lawyer

The experienced semi truck accident attorneys at Tatum & Atkinson, ‘the Heavy Hitters’ have the skill and experience you need to identify all liable plaintiffs properly, prove negligence, and fight for the substantial compensation you deserve for the pain, suffering, and other losses that have been afflicted upon you. We have assisted hundreds of North Carolina families with receiving the compensation they need following a serious collision. For a free consultation, call us at (800) 529-0804 or contact us online. We will help you understand your legal rights and advise you on the best course of action. All legal services are free until we win your case.

What Are Common Types of Truck Accidents?

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

What Causes Semi Truck Accidents?

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

Although there are regulations that dictate how many hours a trucker may drive, many drivers still drive long hours, long past the time in which they become fatigued. In the event that a truck driver nods off or starts to fall asleep at the wheel, an accident may occur. Furthermore, sleep deprivation and drowsiness can lead to impaired judgment and coordination. Trucking companies may try to push drivers to work longer hours in order to meet deadlines, especially if there is a shortage of drivers.

Driving While Distracted

Distracted driving may lead to accidents in any type of vehicle. When a driver is looking at their phone, reaching for something, or otherwise distracted, taking their attention away from the road, the chances of being involved in an accident drastically increase. However, due to a semi truck’s weight and size, the possibility of causing serious injury when a semi truck causes an accident skyrockets. Despite the risk, many truck drivers continue to use their phones or other devices while driving, which endangers other drivers on the road.

Inadequate Maintenance

Semi truck accidents may also occur due to improper maintenance or inspection of the vehicle. Issues such as defective brakes, wheels, tires, an insecure load, or other issues may lead to an accident. While Federal law requires that all semis be regularly repaired, inspected, and maintained and that records be kept, negligence can and has occurred, leading to a malfunctioning and unsafe semi.

Inadequate Training

Trucking companies may fail to properly train their drivers or may otherwise hire unqualified drivers. If a trucking company fails to perform background checks, ensure that their drivers are currently licensed, and that they are trained on best trucking industry practices, they may be held liable. Additionally, if trucking companies pressured drivers to work overtime or disregard certain safety protocols to meet deadlines they may be held liable.

Alcohol and Drug Use

Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol can lead to needless crashes which may result in injuries or even fatalities. Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol while operating a semi truck is even more dangerous. Sadly, some truck drivers have been found to be under the influence while driving when involved in catastrophic collisions.

Who Is Responsible for a Semi Truck Accident?

If you or a loved one have been severely injured in a collision with a semi, or if a family member was fatally injured, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation for the damages caused by the accident. If a semi driver or company was negligent and caused or contributed to the accident, North Carolina law allows you to pursue a claim against the negligent party to hold them responsible for damages resulting from the accident. In a semi truck accident, the negligent party(s) may be:

  •   The semi truck driver
  •   The trucking company
  •   The manufacturer of the semi
  •   The semi maintenance provider
  •   The owner of the semi cargo

The experienced semi truck accident attorneys at Tatum & Atkinson, ‘the Heavy Hitters,’ will investigate your collision to find all liable parties.

What Kind of Compensation May I Recover?

Typically, in a semi truck accident, trucking accident injury victims may be entitled to two types of compensation for their damages, economic and non-economic.

Economic Damages

Economic damages include specific monetary amounts associated with your injuries, such as:

  •   Medical expenses
  •   Future medical expenses
  •   Lost wages
  •   Diminished earning capacity

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages account for non-financial losses experienced due to the accident, such as:

  •   Pain and suffering
  •   Disfigurement
  •   Mental anguish
  •   Loss of consortium
  •   Wrongful death

Semi truck 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. The experienced truck accident attorneys at Tatum & Atkinson, ‘the Heavy Hitters,’ will assess all of the economic and non-economic damages sustained by you and/or your family and will fight for the just compensation you deserve.

Semi Truck Accident Attorney in North Carolina

Every attorney at Tatum & Atkinson, ‘the Heavy Hitters, ‘ is dedicated to helping semi accident victims receive the just compensation they deserve for their injuries and suffering. 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, examine vehicles and the scene of the accident, 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.

Call Tatum & Atkinson, ‘the Heavy Hitters’ today by calling us at (800) 529-0804 or contacting us online for your free consultation. All legal services are free until we win your case.