Truck Accident Lawyer

While tractor-trailers transport goods and services all over the country, being involved in an accident with one can drastically alter the trajectory of your life. From the sustaining injuries to the associated losses and more, a victim of a semi-truck crash deserves strong legal representation. If you have been hurt, a truck accident lawyer from Thomas Law Offices is prepared to help you take action.

Accident victims have the right to pursue injury claims when someone else’s negligence contributed to their crash. Depending on who the at-fault party is, the claim can be complicated. Fortunately, our attorneys are well-versed of the best practices for seeking compensation for our clients. To provide you with an understanding of what the claims process could look like for you, we will start by exploring the trucking industry in the United States.

Nearly every product purchased in the United States is transported on a tractor-trailer at some point. According to the American Trucking Association, the trucking industry hauled 80.7% of the nation’s total freight bill in 2022. The industry’s gross revenue also saw a significant rise, reaching $940.8 billion.

An accident involving a semi and a passenger vehicle differs significantly from a crash between two passenger vehicles for several reasons. First, commercial freight trucks weigh upwards of 80,000 pounds or more, which is twenty times the weight of a car. Consequently, the severity of the injuries is likely to be greater. Additionally, the property damage is expected to be more extensive. Consequently, the victim could face higher medical bills, an extended period away from work, and substantial property losses.

While there are some similarities between the types of car accidents and tractor-trailer crashes, certain accidents are unique to trucks due to their size. We have had clients come to us after a variety of accidents, including the following:

• Jackknife A jackknife accident occurs when a trucker loses control of their vehicle, and the trailer swings up in front of the cab to form a V or L shape. These accidents most often happen when a driver brakes hard and quickly, but they can also happen if cargo has been improperly loaded.
• Rollover Large trucks, due to their higher center of gravity, are more susceptible to tipping over. When a rollover occurs on a busy highway, multiple vehicles could be involved. The situation can become even more dangerous if the truck is hauling hazardous chemicals.
• Blind Spot Due to their size, commercial vehicles have blind spots in front of them, behind them, and on each side. Both truckers and drivers need to be aware of the vehicles around them. If a truck is unaware of a vehicle in its blind spot and attempts to merge, the two vehicles could strike each other from the side.
• Wide Turn If you have ever noticed uneven turning lanes, they are designed to ensure that truck drivers have enough space at intersections to turn safely. When a truck driver is not paying attention to the road or simply expects other smaller vehicles to yield to them, they are more likely to cause an accident while they are turning—regardless of how fast they are traveling.
• Underride/Override Underride and override accidents rank among the deadliest truck crashes. An underride accident occurs when a vehicle strikes the rear of a truck and becomes trapped underneath it. In an override accident, the tractor-trailer essentially drives over the top of the vehicle in front of it.

No matter what type of accident you’ve been involved in, our attorneys are here for you and ready to help you pursue a claim.

The compensation you are eligible for after a crash depends on a number of factors including the severity of your injuries, your ability to return to work, the mental anguish you have endured, and the factors related to your crash.

When your lawyer is valuing your case, the first thing they will look at is your economic losses. These are directly calculable, as they are based on real numbers. Your medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage are included. In some instances, your lawyer can determine what you are owed for future medical bills or, if you cannot return to work, diminished earning capacity.

Once your lawyer has determined your economic losses, they can work on figuring out what you are owed in terms of non-economic losses. Non-economic damages are harder to calculate, as they are based on more subjective forms of suffering. For instance, if your injuries have significantly disrupted your life, you may be eligible for greater non-economic damages compared to someone whose recovery only lasted a few weeks.

Tractor-trailer accidents can result in serious or even fatal injuries. At Thomas Law Offices, we believe victims deserve the chance at full and fair compensation. If you’ve been involved in a crash, you need help from a truck accident lawyer.

When we begin evaluating your situation, we will tell you honestly if we think you have a valid claim. If you do and you decide to proceed, we will guide you through the process and fight for your rights to a fair settlement. If need be, we wil not hesitate to take your case to court. To learn more, contact us today.