Commercial Truck Accident Lawyers in Cheshire, CT

Nothing is more terrifying than seeing an 80,000-pound vehicle headed your way. Most tractor-trailer trucks weigh 20 times more than the average passenger car, which means that the amount of force involved in these accidents is multiplied.

At the office of The Dodd Law Firm LLC, our experienced Connecticut truck accident attorneys know what you’re going through and are here to support you after a truck accident. If you have been in a serious truck accident yourself, have lost a loved one, or are supporting an injured family member, we are here to help you navigate the legal system and recover the settlement that you deserve. Reach out to us today to learn more and get started.

How Truck Accidents Happen

Commercial trucking accidents can be caused by the truck driver’s negligence, vehicle defects, road hazards, the actions of third-party drivers, shifts in cargo, and other factors. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:

• Truck driver errors. Things like speeding, taking a turn too fast, following too closely, failing to signal, and driving while distracted can all lead to severe truck accidents.
• Passenger car driver errors. Truck drivers aren’t always to blame for truck accidents; passenger car drivers commit errors too. Driving in a truck’s blind spots, attempting to pass on the right, or cutting a large truck off can all be serious mistakes.
• Vehicle defects. Brakes that go out, tires that separate, steering defects, and other vehicle problems may all increase the risk of or cause a truck accident.
• Cargo problems. When cargo is loaded into a truck, it must be properly secured. If cargo shifts in transit, it could cause the tractor to sway or even tip, causing a severe crash.
• Road hazards. Defective signage, objects, animals in the road, and poorly maintained roadways are hazardous to all drivers and can increase the risk of a crash.

Damages from a Truck Accident

As stated above, the amount of force involved in a truck accident is significantly more than the amount of force involved in the average accident involving standard passenger cars based on the weight of the truck involved. As such, the damages may be particularly severe. If a truck accident is not fatal, it could lead to catastrophic injuries, including:

• Crush injuries
• Internal injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Bone fracture injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Amputation injuries
• Soft tissue injuries
• Burn injuries

In addition to injuries, a person who is severely harmed in a crash is likely to also suffer property damage costs, lost wages and a loss of earning capacity, and emotional distress and trauma.

Why Truck Accidents Are So Complex

If you or a loved one has been involved in a trucking accident, working with an experienced accident attorney near you should be a top priority. Truck accident claims are often much more complex than standard car accident claims, so having an attorney on your side who can assist you in navigating the process and advocating for your interests can be invaluable.

• Multiple potentially liable parties. One of the primary reasons why truck accident claims are so complex is the number of potentially liable parties. As mentioned above, the truck driver, another third-party driver, the shipper or loader of cargo, the trucking company, the party responsible for road maintenance, the manufacturer of the vehicle, or another party could all be liable. These accidents require a thorough investigation to determine who’s at fault and who should be liable. Note that truck drivers are often protected from personal liability through the vicarious liability of their employer.
• Severe damages. Another reason that these claims are more complex and more difficult to settle is because of the amount of money involved. Trucking accident claims are often valued much higher than are standard auto accident claims because of the value of economic and non-economic damages suffered by the victim. While you deserve to be paid in full for your losses, the truth is that an insurance adjuster will be looking for all possible ways to devalue your claim, especially if it’s going to cost the insurance company a lot of money. This is one of the most critical reasons to hire an attorney.
• Statute of limitations. Investigating your case, gathering evidence, proving fault and liability, and calculating damages—amongst other things—can be an overwhelming process for a person to take on their own, as well as one that takes months to complete. Unfortunately, you don’t have a lot of time. This is because the statute of limitations in Connecticut is two years from the date of the accident in most cases. This means that from the time the accident occurs, you have two years to file your lawsuit, or you will be permanently barred from damages. Quick action after a crash to file a claim and reach a settlement is essential.

How Our Connecticut Trucking Accident Attorneys Can Help

When you hire our Connecticut truck accident lawyers, we’ll start working on your case immediately. Ways that we’ll support you include explaining your rights, analyzing your case and providing you with a recommendation of how to proceed, handling the accident investigation process, hiring all necessary experts to contribute to your claim, sending spoliation of evidence letters, representing you in all conversations with the insurance adjuster, calculating the full value of your economic and non-economic damages, proving the elements of a strong claim, and negotiating your settlement amount. While we always try to reach an out-of-court settlement, we’ll also be available to represent you in litigation in the event that you do file a lawsuit.

Call The Dodd Law Firm LLC Today

At The Dodd Law Firm LLC, we are passionate about providing competent legal representation to truck accident victims and their families. If you or a loved one has been harmed, our team can help. Reach out to us today by phone at 203-272-1883 or online to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your options. You can also visit our law office in person at your convenience.