You can take charge and file a claim to secure maximum compensation after a crash by hiring a Charlotte truck accident lawyer. Our team at Shane Smith Law has helped over 10,000 clients get fair compensation after accidents caused by another party’s negligence.
Our team can assist with your insurance claim or a lawsuit against the at-fault party. You can rely on a Charlotte personal injury lawyer to put you first, answer your legal questions, and focus on bringing you fair payment for your medical expenses, property repairs, pain, suffering, and other losses.
Why Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer in Charlotte, NC?
Hiring a personal injury attorney immediately after your trucking crash can improve your chances of getting fair payment for all your economic and noneconomic losses. You’ll also have someone on your side to explain what victims should do immediately following a truck accident.
There’s a lot at stake after a serious truck accident. Injuries and other losses in a truck crash are often more serious, leading to the potential for higher financial awards. Additionally, trucking and insurance companies often work aggressively to deny claims or blame truck accident victims for a crash.
A Charlotte truck accident attorney can take charge of the legal process, handle all communication with the insurance company, and immediately collect evidence to back up your claim. We handle all legal matters so you can focus your energy on recovering after a commercial vehicle accident.
For a free legal consultation with a truck accident lawyer serving Charlotte, call 980-246-2656
Types of Truck Crash Claims We Handle
You can rely on our personal injury law firm to help after a wide range of trucking accidents. For example, you can reach out to us when you need assistance from a:
- Charlotte Jackknife Truck Accident Lawyer: You may have a valid claim for compensation after a jackknife collision involving a large commercial vehicle. These collisions often result in catastrophic damage.
- Charlotte Head–On Truck Accident Lawyer: A truck driver could hit you head-on and cause tremendous damage to your vehicle and severe injuries. Our team can help you build a claim for compensation in this situation.
- Charlotte T–Bone Truck Accident Lawyer: We’re ready to help with your claim if a trucker causes a T-bone or side-impact collision. We often see these accidents at busy intersections.
- Charlotte Rear–End Truck Accident Lawyer: You can turn to us for personalized support after a rear-end collision involving a large commercial vehicle. We can help if a trucker rear-ends you at a stop sign or red light.
- Charlotte Underride Truck Accident Lawyer: Underride collisions often result in catastrophic injuries. We can discuss legal options that can bring you maximum compensation after this type of crash.
The above list represents examples of the types of claims we handle. You can reach out to us to discuss the specifics of your situation and how a truck accident attorney in Charlotte can bring you fair financial compensation.
Charlotte Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me 980-246-2656
Compensation Available After a Trucking Collision
The effects of a serious truck accident can last a lifetime. Victims may require extensive medical treatment, assistive care, and other support services—the costs of which can quickly mount.
Fortunately, in North Carolina, you can seek compensation for economic and non-economic damages, including your:
Medical Expenses
You may qualify for compensation for any accident-related medical expenses, including future medical care and medical-related travel costs. We can track all the medical costs you experience, including expenses for emergency treatment, physical therapy appointments, and medications.
Property Damage
You may receive funds to pay for vehicle repairs after a crash involving a commercial driver. The liable party may also need to pay for any other property damaged in the crash.
Lost Wages
We know that you may need a lot of time off work after an accident. In this situation, the liable party may need to cover the wages you lost and your lost earning potential.
Non-Economic Losses
We can help you take legal action against the liable party to secure payment for the non-economic effects of your crash. For example, you may qualify for payment for your:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
Truck accident victims injured in crashes caused by intoxicated commercial drivers may also be eligible for a third type of compensation known as punitive damages.
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Steps to Take After Your Trucking Collision
Taking specific steps after a commercial vehicle accident can improve your chances of securing fair compensation for your losses. Legal professionals recommend that you:
- Contact the police and report the crash
- Take pictures of your injuries and the damage to your vehicle
- Write down everything you remember about the collision
- Get contact information from eyewitnesses
- Get medical care for your injuries
- Contact a lawyer for professional help
An attorney can review your situation and help you take legal action against the responsible party. You can contact us to learn how to respond after a truck accident.
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Your Lawyer Needs to Establish Negligence After a Collision
Your truck accident attorney in Charlotte, NC, must establish negligence to successfully resolve your claim. These crashes often pose challenges to this process.
For example, the trucking company may try to remove evidence after a collision to weaken your claim. These big companies may also attempt to blame you for a crash or downplay the severity of your losses.
Truck accidents demand a thorough investigation and a comprehensive legal strategy. Fortunately, if you sustained injuries in a truck accident, we are here to provide the dedicated support and advocacy you deserve. We may:
- Request information from the truck’s data recorder
- Take statements from eyewitnesses
- Get copies of the official accident report
- Visit local businesses to get surveillance footage showing the collision
These steps can strengthen your claim and demonstrate negligence for the collisions.
What’s the Legal Process for a Truck Accident Claim?
The legal process for filing a claim after a truck collision typically involves collecting evidence, identifying the liable party, and pursuing all available options to secure compensation for your economic and non-economic damages.
Typically, you have two primary options to secure payment for all of your losses:
You May Settle Your Truck Crash Claim
You may have a chance to settle with the insurance company after a trucking accident. Trucking companies often carry extensive insurance policies to cover potential damages. However, insurers may aggressively dispute claims to minimize payouts.
Navigating these disputes requires a skilled attorney who understands the tactics employed by large insurance companies.
We can take over the negotiation process. We will need to review all settlement offers made by the company, compare them against your losses, and push for more compensation when necessary.
You May File a Personal Injury Lawsuit
Sometimes, the insurance company will refuse to treat you fairly after a crash. In this situation, you can rely on your Charlotte truck accident lawyer to help with a lawsuit against the responsible party.
We can assist you with every step of the legal process, so reach out now for a risk-free consultation. In Pain? Call Shane!
Why Hire Us After a Truck Crash?
Our team at Shane Smith Law has helped countless North Carolinians obtain the compensation they deserve after being injured in a truck accident. We are committed to obtaining the best possible result on your behalf. Whether your injury is small or big, we will not rest until we get the compensation you deserve.
We understand that this is a scary and confusing time. We have created a library of free resources that will allow you to start finding the answers and solutions to your most pressing questions.
We handle all aspects of personal injury cases throughout North Carolina. If you sustained injuries, our team can help.
Time Limits on Your Claim in North Carolina
State statute of limitations laws determine just how long you have to file a truck accident lawsuit. In North Carolina, truck accident victims have three years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court.
Waiting too long to file your lawsuit can seriously damage your case, even if you don’t allow the statute of limitations to expire (which would result in the dismissal of the case).
Evidence can get misplaced or destroyed, witnesses may become unreachable, and the defense attorney may claim that you would have acted faster if your injuries were severe.
Injuries Associated With Truck Accidents
Truck accidents can cause a wide range of injuries. Victims often face permanent, life-altering injuries. Some common types of truck accident injuries are:
- Lacerations
- Contusions
- Broken or crushed bones
- Internal injuries
- Burns
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis of varying degrees
- Head and brain traumas, such as concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Amputations
You may be entitled to compensation if you were severely injured in a truck accident caused by a negligent commercial truck driver or trucking company.
How Are Truck Accidents Different From Car Accidents?
Truck accident cases are more complex than car accident cases. These differences highlight the importance of having an experienced truck accident attorney to guide victims through the process.
Increased Severity of Injuries
Trucks are substantially larger and heavier than passenger vehicles, resulting in greater force during collisions. Their size often leads to more severe injuries or fatalities for those involved. Victims may require long-term medical care, resulting in higher damages and more complex compensation claims.
Regulatory Oversight
Truck drivers and trucking companies are subject to extensive federal and state regulations, including hours-of-service rules, weight limits, and maintenance requirements.
Understanding these laws is crucial to building a strong case, and violations of these regulations can serve as critical evidence in determining liability.
Multiple Parties Involved
Liability in truck accidents may extend to several parties beyond the driver, including the trucking company, maintenance providers, and manufacturers. The number of potentially liable parties complicates the investigation and negotiation process.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident?
Truck accidents often involve multiple parties, making determining liability complex. Unlike car accidents, where fault usually falls on the drivers involved, truck accidents may involve several entities responsible for ensuring safety and compliance with regulations.
The Truck Driver
The truck driver is the most apparent liable party. If reckless driving, speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence, or fatigue caused the crash, the driver could be held responsible. Federal regulations limit the hours a truck driver can operate without rest, and violations of these rules may indicate negligence.
The Trucking Company
The company employing the driver could share liability, especially if it failed to conduct proper background checks, neglected driver training, or pushed the driver to violate hours-of-service rules.
Trucking companies are also responsible for maintaining their fleets. Poor maintenance that leads to equipment failures, such as brake malfunctions or tire blowouts, may result in liability for the company.
However, these companies often try to avoid compensating injured drivers. We understand truck company tactics for avoiding responsibility and can counter these strategies.
Cargo Loaders
Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo can destabilize a truck, increasing the risk of accidents. Companies responsible for loading cargo must ensure compliance with weight limits and securement procedures.
A cargo shift during transit could implicate these entities in an accident.
Where Truck Accidents Often Occur in Charlotte
Truck accidents are a notable concern in Charlotte, NC, reflecting a growing trend across urban and suburban areas. These incidents occur with unsettling regularity, often resulting from congested traffic, construction zones, and adverse weather conditions.
Additionally, the intersection of major transportation routes in the Charlotte area contributes to the frequency of truck accidents, as increased truck traffic heightens the possibility of collisions.
Hazardous Areas in Charlotte
Several roads and intersections in Charlotte are notorious for being the most perilous areas for truck accidents. The intersection of I-85 with I-77 is hazardous due to the high truck and passenger vehicle traffic navigating this major crossroads.
Additionally, the Brookshire Freeway (I-277) experiences frequent truck accidents, which may occur because it is a primary artery circling the city’s downtown area. The road also sees heavy traffic congestion, especially during peak hours.
Independence Boulevard (US-74) is another hotspot for truck-related incidents. The mix of local and through traffic, combined with ongoing construction projects, creates challenging driving conditions. These areas are critical focal points for transportation safety initiatives in Charlotte.
Talk to Us After a Truck Crash in Charlotte, NC
You can explore your legal options and build a claim for fair financial compensation after a crash by hiring a Charlotte truck accident lawyer from our team at Shane Smith Law. We have over 100 years of combined experience we can apply to handling your legal needs.
You can reach out to us today to discuss your next steps with a risk-free initial consultation.
Call or text 980-246-2656 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
