Westport Truck Accident Lawyers

The devastation of a truck accident is unlikely any other type of vehicle collision. Thanks to a truck’s massive weight and length, even a low-speed crash can have catastrophic fallout. With three busy highways crossing through its borders, the city of Westport has seen a substantial amount of truck accidents over the years. If you’re involved in a truck accident, it is crucial that you know your rights and use them to fight for the compensation you deserve.

Having a strong legal team on your side is a huge advantage as you seek compensation. Find out how we can help by calling Dodd Law Firm at 475-275-8649 now.

What Causes Truck Accidents in Connecticut?

A wide range of factors contribute to the growing number of truck collisions in Connecticut. As you learn more about these contributing factors, you’ll be in a better position to understand what caused your crash and how it happened. Understanding the cause of an accident is an important part of determining liability, which can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.

Common causes of collisions include:

• Driver fatigue: Truck drivers are prone to exhaustion. Their job is mentally and physically draining, and they put in long hours before they can turn in for the night. This puts them at significant risk for fatigue, which makes driving significantly more dangerous.
• Mechanical issues: Trucks get an enormous amount of wear and tear. If they are not properly maintained or inspected, mechanical failures are always a possibility.
• Improper loading: Safe loading is a crucial part of safe driving. A truck’s load must not be heavier than what the driver can handle, nor can it be unbalanced. An unbalanced load can cause a truck to roll over.
• Distracted driving: Drivers sometimes choose unsafe ways to stay awake when they are on the road. If they distract themselves with their phone, a tablet, or their radio, their attention may be off the road long enough to cause an accident. While distracted driving is always dangerous, it’s especially risky for a driver operating a vehicle that weighs up to 40 tons.
• Impaired driving: When truck drivers choose to drive under the influence, they are at serious risk of causing a collision.
• Inexperience: Truck driving is a challenging job. With the national truck driver shortage, some companies are putting drivers on the road before they are actually ready. When those drivers face an unexpected obstacle, they may panic and overcorrect or make the wrong judgment call.

Why Truck Accidents Are More Dangerous Than Car Crashes

Truck accidents tend to be more dangerous than car crashes because of the massive size disparity between tractor-trailers and passenger vehicles. A tractor-trailer can weigh up to 40 tons when fully loaded, making it dozens of times heavier than a passenger vehicle. This leads to significant impact forces in collisions.

Also due to their size, tractor-trailers need much more time and space to come to a complete stop. This increases the likelihood of a collision if there’s an unexpected obstacle or a sudden stop in traffic. When you combine this with the limited maneuverability of tractor-trailers, it’s easy to see how severe crashes can occur. Passenger vehicles’ relatively small size makes them easy to maneuver in small spaces. On the other hand, tractor-trailers have long units that must move as one piece. This means that drivers need to plan turns, lane changes, and parking very carefully. Any misjudgment could lead to a collision, especially when navigating in small spaces or heavy traffic.

Another major risk factor for truck accidents: cargo spills. When a truck crashes, you never know what it’s carrying. If it’s transporting hazardous materials, they could react in a variety of ways. They may explode, seep into the ground or into the water supply, start fires, or cause serious health issues for those in the immediate vicinity.

Steps to Take After a Collision

The minutes and hours after a crash are when you need to protect yourself and your right to seek compensation. We recommend:

• Contacting law enforcement to report the accident and ensure that a police report is created for the collision.
• Exchanging information with the truck driver, making sure to get their name, company name, and insurance information.
• Watching what you say, since admitting anything could seriously harm your personal injury claim.
• Seeking medical care at a local urgent care facility or hospital, such as Westport Urgent Care, Hartford HealthCare Urgent Care, or St. Vincent’s Medical Center.
• Talking to a Westport truck accident lawyer to explore your legal options and figure out if you have a valid claim against the truck driver or their employer.

How The Dodd Law Firm Can Help You

We understand how financially damaging a truck accident can be. Even at low speeds, a truck can leave you with a totaled vehicle and medical bills. In more severe crashes, you could be looking at lifelong disability and permanently decreased quality of life.

That’s why you need the team at The Dodd Law Firm to support you through this challenging time. We have taken on enough truck accident claims to know how hard it is for victims to get what they deserve. Trucking companies and their insurance providers will do everything in their power to keep victims from getting a fair settlement. It’s frustrating at best, and enough to make you give up at worst.

We are ready to take care of every aspect of your personal injury claim. From investigating your crash and establishment liability to negotiating with the insurance company and taking your case to court if necessary, we know exactly what it takes to give our clients a fair shot at the compensation they are owed.

Reach Out to The Dodd Law Firm Today

Ready to start your truck accident claim in Westport? We’re here to talk. Take the first step by setting up your free consultation now. Just give us a call at 475-275-8649 or send our team a message online to find a time that fits your busy schedule.