Do I Need A Truck Accident Lawyer?

Big Truck Wrecks

Wrecks involving tractor-trailer trucks are completely different from car wreck cases. Often, the truck driver, the truck owner, the intermodal equipment provider, the shipper, or the broker can be responsible for a truck crash case. In order to maximize the recovery for our clients, we identify each and every person who may be responsible for or may have insurance coverage to pay our clients damages.

Truck drivers and truck owners are responsible for not only the negligent operation of the truck such as not maintaining a proper lookout, failing to yield the right of away or traveling too fast. Truck drivers can also be responsible for other kinds of negligence like not inspecting or maintaining the tractor-trailer.

Federal law requires that truck drivers complete daily inspection reports and “be satisfied that the motor vehicle is in safe operating condition” before operating the motor vehicle. Although the truck driver’s negligence may be the cause of the accident, anyone who sues just the driver can really be limited in their recovery, especially if there is insufficient coverage. You always want to sue the motor carrier, which is “the person or company providing the motor vehicle transportation for compensation.” This is a trucking company.

There are two types of claims that can be alleged against motor carriers in truck crash cases. Direct liability claims for those attributable to the misconduct of the owner of the truck. If they hire someone who’s not qualified or hires someone who has repeated traffic convictions or has caused several other crashes. Vicarious liability means they are responsible if the truck driver runs a light or is speeding. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety regulations prescribe many rules and obligations for motor carriers operating in Interstate commerce. If the motor carrier violates the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and such violation causes or contributes to a crash with resulting personal injury or death, then the motor carrier is responsible for the negligence of their truck. That’s why you need an attorney who is familiar with the Federal Regulations that govern truck wrecks.

Tractor-trailer companies and their insurance companies have “Go, Teams.” Within hours of being informed of the wreck, the company and insurance companies have investigators and experts on the scene to “lock down” the evidence. Joel and I have built our own “Go Team” for our clients! We can have our experts and investigators anywhere in the continental US within 24 hours of the wreck. This ensures that our clients or their families are on an equal playing field with the trucking company.

Because of our experience handling these types of cases, Joel and I have had great success representing our clients where they have been injured or killed in a wreck with tractor-trailer trucks and have had several multi-million-dollar recoveries in these cases.

Buckle up, drive safely, and as always, your referrals are appreciated! (256) 333-5000