Truck drivers spend long hours on the road to deliver goods and make the economy run. However, the size of these vehicles, combined with tight schedules, can lead to catastrophic accidents. Though truckers aim to operate safely, wrecks still happen at alarming rates, and an Enfield truck accident lawyer can help you if you find yourself in this situation.
A compassionate Enfield personal injury lawyer at Aeton Law can fully investigate your case. The attorney will construct the strongest possible argument for potential compensation so that financial recovery can be obtained. Given the complexity of truck accident cases and insurance company resistance, it is extremely advisable to obtain an attorney with specialty knowledge to tenaciously fight for your legal rights to fair damages.
General Causes of a Truck Accident
Driver error is a common cause as truck drivers may drive while distracted or fatigued, or they may fail to properly secure cargo. Mechanical issues like brake failure or tire blowouts can also lead to truck crashes. Other motorists on the road may make dangerous or careless driving decisions that put truck drivers in danger when they are being careful otherwise, so it can also be the other way around.
Slippery roads, debris, and poor visibility during inclement weather can all make operating a truck more hazardous. Even well-maintained roads can be problematic if they are overly congested or have sharp turns that are difficult to maneuver with a large truck. Infrastructure flaws like weak bridges or uneven pavement may also precipitate wrecks.
Lack of driver oversight and training, overloading trucks, insufficient maintenance, or unrealistic delivery timelines all elevate on-the-job risks. Negligent hiring and retention practices also endanger public safety. When carriers fail to address these operational hazards, truck crashes become more likely.
Why to File Your Claim Promptly
Insurance companies are more inclined to settle and pay policy limits when claims are promptly reported and documented. Delayed demands raise suspicions and give insurers openings to deny or reduce payouts. By notifying relevant parties right away, you put yourself in the best position to potentially recover the maximum compensation available.
Filing your claim quickly after a truck accident is crucial for preserving evidence and witnesses’ memories, and a truck accident attorney in Enfield can make sure you have all the details together. Critical physical evidence like skid marks or debris scatters gets lost over time. Witnesses may also forget important details as time passes after the event, so it is important to gather them right away when possible.
There are also strict legal limits on when you can file personal injury and property damage claims after a crash. Connecticut imposes a two-year deadline to take legal action or make demands from insurers. Letting this window lapse because of delay forfeits your right to recover damages.
Determining Fault
Establishing fault and legal liability is a key component of any injury claim after a truck accident. Police reports, accounts from witnesses, and physical evidence from the scene will all be used to help determine the at-fault party. Truck drivers, other motorists, third parties, and even trucking companies could potentially bear responsibility.
Truck drivers may be deemed negligent if they are speeding, driving recklessly, or violating important safety regulations like hours of service rules. Their employer may also be liable if it was aware of maintenance issues or failed to properly train the driver. For multi-vehicle crashes, the other involved motorists’ actions will be examined as well to assess relative fault.
In accident reconstruction, specialists review factors like weather conditions, road features, vehicle damage, and more to help investigators understand what happened. With multiple liable parties, comparative negligence rules may apply to assign percentages of fault. Identifying the roles and legal responsibilities of all involved can be easier with a truck accident lawyer in Enfield at Aeton Law on your side.
Serious Injuries from a Truck Accident
Because of their large size and weight, trucks can inflict catastrophic injuries during a collision. Blunt force trauma from the impact can lead to disabling or even fatal injuries. Common severe truck accident injuries include spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, internal organ damage, and extensive orthopedic fractures.
Occupants of smaller passenger vehicles are especially vulnerable to grave injuries because of huge mass disparities. Truck rollovers and underride collisions also introduce additional risks not present with typical car wrecks. Even low-speed truck collisions can generate enough force to seriously injure or kill.
Given the scale of occupational truck driving, traumatic and permanent disabilities from truck wrecks are a major public health concern. Extensive and costly medical treatment is often needed, along with major lifestyle adjustments for those disabled. Lost income, rehabilitation, and medical expenses must be accounted for in injury claims.
Why to Work with a Lawyer Even for Minor Injuries
Even if you only sustained minor injuries in a truck accident, retaining legal representation is still advisable. An attorney can handle the claims process so you can focus on recovery. They also know how to potentially maximize compensation from insurers.
Having an experienced lawyer in your corner may even the odds against insurers eager to minimize payouts. They can credibly demonstrate how even soft tissue injuries like whiplash impair quality of life and warrant compensation. An attorney also knows what settlement a minor truck accident injury deserves.
Trucking companies and insurers have financial incentives to dispute fault and injury claims. A lawyer can vigorously represent your interests in negotiations and legal proceedings if needed. Though injuries are mild, legal advocacy is still prudent to recover fair damages without personal struggle.
Contact an Enfield Truck Accident Attorney
Promptly contacting an experienced lawyer is essential after sustaining injuries in a crash involving a large truck. An attorney can launch an investigation to establish fault, correspond with insurers, reconstruct the accident scene, and potentially build a strong case for damages. Call our team at Aeton Law for a free consultation to see how and if we can help you with your specific case and how to move forward.