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Charlotte Truck Accident Lawyers

Our Attorneys Help Victims Get the Compensation They Deserve

Big-rigs, 18-wheelers, and other large commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, so it's no surprise that when they collide with smaller, lighter passenger vehicles — which typically weigh between 3,000 and 6,000 pounds — the results can be devastating. Sadly, horrific truck-and-passenger-vehicle collisions are a regular occurrence in both North Carolina and across the country, despite regulatory attempts to curtail accidents.

Types of Truck Accidents

Large trucks can be involved in many types of motor vehicle accidents, including head-on collisions, T-bone crashes, rear-end accidents, rollovers, blind-spot wrecks, and tire blowouts. However, while some truck accidents can be categorized as common types of crashes made more horrifying by a truck's size and weight, others are unique to large trucks and belong in a nightmarish category all their own.

Examples include:

  • Jackknife accidents
  • Wide “swinging turn” crashes
  • Underride collisions

Common Truck Accident Causes

Truck accidents have a number of causes, the vast majority of which are preventable. 

The most common truck accident causes include:​

  • Driver fatigue
  • Distracted driving
  • Driving under the influence (DUI)
  • Drugged driving
  • Aggressive driving
  • Insufficient driver training
  • Improperly loaded cargo
  • Inadequate truck maintenance
  • Negligent trucking company hiring practices

Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit 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 if your injuries were really serious, you would have acted faster.


Contact us today at (980) 246-2656 to discuss the details of your case.


Injuries Associated with Truck Accidents

Truck crash injuries can be catastrophic. If victims aren’t killed, they are often left with 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
  • Death
  • And More

If you were severely injured in a truck accident caused by a negligent commercial truck driver or trucking company, you may be entitled to compensation.

Potential Damages in Truck Accident Cases

The effects of a serious truck accident can last a lifetime. Victims may require extensive medical treatment, assistive care, and other support services — the cost of which can quickly mount. Fortunately, in North Carolina, you can seek compensation for economic and non-economic damages such as:

  • Accident-related medical expenses, including future medical care and medical-related travel costs
  • Property damage to your vehicle
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of earning potential, if applicable
  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • Scarring or disfigurement
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • And more

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.


Learn more about how our Charlotte truck accident lawyers can help you by calling (980) 246-2656or contacting us online today!


 

Consult Our Experienced Truck Accident Attorneys in Charlotte

There's a lot at stake after a serious truck accident, which is why attorneys handle truck accident cases differently than a standard vehicle crash. The injuries and other losses in a truck crash are often more serious, leading to the potential for higher financial awards. While minor car accident cases can be handled without legal representation, truck accident cases require significant skill.

Shane Smith Law has helped countless North Carolinians obtain the compensation they deserve after being injured in a truck accident.