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Truck Accident Lawyer in North Carolina

With tens of thousands of commercial trucks on the roads transporting goods daily, the chance of being affected by a truck-related accident has increased. Over the years, registered tractor-trailers have increased dramatically across the country. Accidents involving semi-trucks have also increased significantly. Research shows that since 2016, the number of trucks involved in fatal accidents has increased by 5%. The rising number of accidents has made truck accident lawyers a necessity. Anyone involved in a commercial vehicle accident can hire a truck accident lawyer.

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Call us at (866) 907-1145 24/7 to arrange to speak with a personal injury lawyer about your case, or contact us through the website today.

You'll need to hire an experienced truck wreck lawyer to know what went wrong in an accident.

What Causes Truck Accidents in North Carolina?

Truck Accident Lawyer

Several things can cause the disaster, such as:

  • intoxicated driving
  • high speed
  • fatigue
  • distracted driving
  • or a mechanical failure, primarily if the truck had not been adequately serviced.

Reckless Driving

Many drivers don't give themselves enough room to stop. Icy roads, for instance, increase the probability of a truck getting into an accident, especially when combined with other drivers' negligence.

Unreasonable Business Delivery Requirements

If a delivery timetable is aggressive, the truck driver will be more susceptible to causing accidents. Nobody should ever have to deal with several tons of steel sliding along a slippery road at high speed. Truck drivers should be especially cautious and observant.

Poorly Constructed or Maintained Streets and Highways

The city or state in charge of building or maintaining a road or highway is liable for accidents if a hazard exists because it is poorly constructed.

Mechanical Breakdown

If the brakes or other safety measures stop working, either the owner neglected to implement a reliable maintenance schedule or the maintenance contractors erred. Driver weariness might also cause accidents involving trucks.

Injured In An Accident With a Big Rig on North Carolina's Roads?

If you have been injured in an accident with a big rig on North Carolina's roads, it is important to understand the laws that apply to truckers. Truckers have more rules than regular vehicles, and these rules are designed to ensure the safety of everyone on the road. In North Carolina, truckers must adhere to specific regulations regarding speed limits, hours of service, and vehicle maintenance. Additionally, they must follow all applicable federal regulations as well.

It is also essential to understand that laws can differ between states. If you were injured in an accident with a big rig while located in South Carolina, for example, different laws may apply. Therefore, if you are involved in an accident with a big rig on North Carolina's roads, it is essential that you seek legal advice from an experienced attorney who understands the nuances of truck accidents law in your state. An experienced lawyer can help ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive fair compensation for any injuries or damages incurred due to the accident.

Our North Carolina Truck Accident Lawyers Who Know How to Help

When a trucking accident occurs, the stakes are high, and the claims process can be complicated. Trucking companies and their insurance providers often have teams of lawyers ready to protect their interests. It is important for victims of truck accidents to have experienced legal representation on their side as well.

The Law Offices of John M. McCabe has extensive experience in North Carolina truck accident law. We understand the complexities involved in these cases and will work diligently to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. We will fight aggressively on your behalf to ensure that justice is served.

Why Hire a Truck Accident Attorney?

If you were injured in a truck accident, you'd probably be in shock, so you'll be unsure what steps to take next. A truck wreck lawyer will:

  • can investigate the crash
  • conduct interviews with witnesses
  • gather evidence
  • negotiate with insurance companies
  • and even represent you in court where necessary.

Hiring a trucking injury accident lawyer is the best approach to handle a lawsuit involving a truck accident that wasn't your fault. But, simultaneously, you focus on healing or caring for any injured loved one. Read a testimonial from one of our trucking accident clients to learn how we helped him.

Truck accidents often require the expertise of a traffic reconstructionist to determine their causes. A skilled trucking accident attorney will work with credible accident reconstruction experts to determine what went wrong. For instance, the truck wreck lawyer will obtain the truck driver's cell phone records to determine if they were using it while driving. The experts will also review the driver's log and the toll receipts to see if the driver was fatigued from going for an extended time. Each truck's service record is also examined to ensure the transportation firm has maintained routine inspections of the truck's brakes and other safety features.

How Much Does a Personal Injury Claim Cost?

We work on a contingency basis for premises liability, personal injury, and wrongful death. A contingency fee basis means we do not charge you anything unless we win a settlement in or out of court. This fee structure ensures we work hard for your case and that you don't have even more out-of-pocket expenses during a stressful time. We offer contingency fee schedules for other practice areas such as:

How To Deal With Insurance Companies

Since large trucks inflict more severe damage than passenger vehicles, the law mandates that they carry liability insurance significantly higher than that needed for cars. After an accident, you should be prepared for the insurance company to contact you. In most cases, an accident victim must negotiate with multiple insurance firms before receiving maximum compensation. These insurance companies may represent the truck driver, the trucking business, or the cargo shipper.

Insurance Companies Look Out For Their Bottom Line

You need to understand that the purpose of the insurance agent is to safeguard their profits and costs. As such, do not be fooled by the adjuster's kind tone. Insurance companies also employ tactics to get you to admit fault. To avoid making a remark that could be used against you, it is crucial to have a trucking accident attorney represent you. Remember, the longer you wait to get in touch with a truck accident lawyer, the more challenging it will be to collect and preserve evidence.

Liability Assessment in a Truck Accident Claims

Truck accident claims are typically more complicated than vehicle-to-vehicle crash cases. In a case involving a truck accident, potential defendants could include, but are not limited to:

  • The truck driver
  • Transport company
  • The shipping companies
  • Insurance companies
  • Public authorities

So, what if the truck driver worked under an independent contract with the trucking company? All commercial trucks operating on U.S. roads are subject to regulation by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

In other situations, something in the truck might have broken while being shipped and caused the collision. That could mean that the truck's maker is responsible for whatever went wrong. Again, an experienced truck accident lawyer specializing in vehicle accidents can help you identify all liable parties and launch a case against them.

Building a Compelling Case

An attorney specializing in cases involving truck accidents can handle legal matters so you can heal. They'll take the process of filing claims with the insurance company or arguing your case in court. The attorney specializing in semi-truck accidents will investigate your case and gather evidence, including:

  • police reports
  • footage or photographs were taken at the scene of the accident
  • data from the truck's system
  • and eyewitness testimony from the scene.

In addition to any records demonstrating loss, you should compile all medical bills and other expenses associated with the injury. You'll need to allow your experienced truck accident lawyer to handle all the negotiations to secure a fair settlement. The trucking accident attorney will also propose court proceedings if the insurance companies are unwilling to reach a settlement agreement.

Need legal assistance?

Call us at (866) 907-1145 24/7 to arrange to speak with a personal injury lawyer about your case, or contact us through the website today.

Truck Accident Injuries in North Carolina

Head Injuries

A common injury associated with truck accidents is traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), which can result from the massive force of impact collision between the vehicles involved. In North Carolina, head injuries are one of the most frequent and deadly truck accident-related ailments, and they can range anywhere from mild to severe depending on the severity of the crash.

Upper Body Injuries

A severe injury like broken bones and dislocations are also quite common in truck crashes involving extreme forces of impact. Neck, shoulder and back injuries also represent a notable percentage of North Carolina truck accident victims due to whiplash movements exerted during such collisions.

Internal Organ Damage

Truck accidents can be extremely violent and traumatic for those involved, often resulting in medical trauma to vital organs such as the lungs, heart and abdomen area. This type of trauma is especially common when large trucks collide with smaller automobiles at high speeds due to their much greater mass.

Spinal Cord Trauma

Alongside head injuries, spinal cord trauma is among one of the most serious types of bodily harm arising from 18-wheeler crashes in North Carolina due to its potential for causing long-term mobility or paralysis issues if not treated promptly after an accident.

Burns

Burning from scalding hot fluids from malfunctioning parts or exposure to extreme heat stemming from crushed metal wreckage is another unfortunate outcome which can occur when two large vehicles collide with enough force on busy highways or roads around Charlotte or Raleigh.

Can I File a Wrongful Death Claim if a Loved One Dies in a Truck Accident?

Yes, you can file a wrongful death claim if a loved one dies in a truck accident. The claim must be filed by an immediate family member or legal representative of the deceased. You may be able to seek damages related to medical and funeral expenses, loss of income or companionship, and any pain and suffering caused by the death.

What Types of Damages Can I Be Awarded in a Truck Accident Lawsuit?

The damages you can be awarded in a personal injury case can be classified as either economic or non-economic. Economic damages can be:

  • monetary damages
  • medical costs
  • lost wages
  • and property damage.

Non-economic damages might include:

  • discomfort
  • mental suffering
  • loss of enjoyment from past activities
  • and loss of companionship.

What Do I Do if I Have Been in a Trucking Accident in North Carolina?

If you have been in a trucking accident in North Carolina, it is important that you seek medical attention as soon as possible. Additionally, you should report the accident to local police and collect any evidence related to the collision. Furthermore, contact a personal injury attorney who specializes in trucking accidents so they can help guide you through the legal process.

What Are the Insurance Requirements for Commercial Trucks in North Carolina?

Commercial trucks in North Carolina are required to have both a commercial motor vehicle operator's license and proof of financial responsibility which can be obtained from the North Carolina DMV. These requirements include an insurance policy with minimum coverage amounts of ($30,000/$60,000 bodily injury liability) and ($25,000 property damage). Additionally, all drivers must hold a valid driver's license and meet other state licensing requirements to operate commercially in North Carolina.

How Are Trucks Regulated in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, trucks are subject to state laws and regulations involving vehicle licensing, safety inspections, trucking route requirements, and federal motor carrier safety regulations. Drivers must also register for North Carolina International Registration Plan (IRP) Cab Card and a Fuel Tax Certificate if the truck will be operating outside of their base jurisdiction. Finally, drivers may need to obtain relevant permits from the North Carolina Department of Transportation for specific drives or operations.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident in North Carolina?

Generally in a truck accident, the liable party will be one or more of the following: The driver of the commercial truck for their negligent operation, the owner of the truck, any company responsible for inspecting and maintaining the truck, or loading/unloading materials onto it, or a manufacturer of an improperly functioning part used on the vehicle.

Contact The Law Offices of John M. McCabe

If you or your loved ones have been involved in a truck-related accident, you should get a trucking accident attorney first. Contact us today to get started on your claim.

FREE Consultations

Call us at (866) 907-1145 24/7 to arrange to speak with a personal injury lawyer about your case, or contact us through the website today.

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