If you've been injured in a truck accident in Colorado, Nebraska, Oregon, Washington, or Wyoming, you can trust in the Comfort, Safety, and Strength® provided by the team of
truck accident injury lawyers with Metier Law Firm. We've been effective and efficient against the toughest competition for over 40 years thanks to our decades of legal and medical experience and quick trial readiness. So give us a call today for a free consultation on your case.
Truck accidents are some of the most debilitating accidents victims can face, causing thousands in damages, debilitating injuries, and even death. But you shouldn't have to face the future alone. Call an experienced truck accident attorney from Metier Law Firm today, and read the following blog to answer some of our clients' more common questions.
Causes of a semi-truck accident
Tragically, a tractor-trailer accident can be caused by many factors. Some of the most common we've seen in accidents our clients have suffered include
- Truck driver fatigue
- Speeding and other forms of reckless driving
- Improper truck maintenance
- Failure to follow traffic signals
- Distracted driving
- Truck driver inexperience
- Improper loading
- Substance abuse, including driving while under the influence of alcohol
It's important to note that not
all semi-truck accidents are caused by the above causes. There are as many causes for tractor-trailer accidents as the accidents themselves because every truck accident is different. Other factors influencing an accident include poor road conditions, lack of driver training,
lousy weather, unrealistic time constraints, and tight deadlines.
Common injuries from a tractor-trailer accident
Semi-truck accident victims can sustain a wide range of injuries, ranging from neck and back injuries to head or
brain injuries, broken bones, organ damage,
spinal cord injuries, lacerations, bruising, whiplash, and even
wrongful death.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a semi-truck wreck, you're likely broken in body or spirit and unsure of where to turn. That's why you need an experienced personal injury lawyer to help you recover the compensation you deserve after suffering significant injuries from a truck accident.
Who is liable for a truck accident?
Commercial truck accidents are different from crashes that involve only passenger cars, in part because of the number of parties involved: the court has to take into account your rights and responsibilities, those of the truck driver, and the following:
- The company that owns the truck or trailer
- The owner of the cargo
- The manufacturer of the truck, trailer or truck parts
- Vendors providing carrier services
- A local government or contractors responsible for highway maintenance
- and others
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, it could take an
investigation to determine who should be responsible for your injuries and other losses. Our legal team has experience investigating and litigating all kinds of
truck accidents in Colorado,
Wyoming,
Nebraska,
Oregon, and
Washington, so you can trust that we'll help you become whole again after your accident.
Damages in a truck accident
There are many types of damages you could face after a semi-truck accident. Not only can these be expensive, but they can also be complex, which is why a skilled attorney should assess your case as soon as possible. Damages you could suffer after a tractor-trailer wreck include
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Property damage: Because 18-wheelers are much larger than the passenger vehicles they collide with, the other vehicle usually sustains the most damage. An insurance adjuster will assess your car to determine if it can be repaired or must be totaled.
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Medical expenses: Truck accident injuries are often severe or even catastrophic, requiring massive medical intervention and continuing care. The cost of all of the treatment you've received, plus the care you'll need in the future, must be totaled to include in your demand for insurance.
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Loss of income: If your injuries leave you unable to work, you'll lose that income. Similarly, suppose your injuries are severe enough to reduce your ability to obtain work in the future. In that case, you may also be eligible to recover those losses in your settlement.
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Pain and suffering: Your attorney will confer with doctors and other experts to assess the total severity of your injuries and damages, as well as how they affect your life, your family's, and others around you.
Evidence in truck accident cases
After you call the experienced lawyers at
Metier Law Firm, we'll investigate your case immediately and collect evidence to help you recover the maximum compensation you're owed. We'll examine all evidence pertinent to your case, including:
Police Reports
When you call 911 at the scene of an accident, a police officer will arrive to assess the fault of all parties involved and generate an official report. This report can be used as evidence in your case, but you can also collect evidence yourself.
If you can, take pictures of the scene, including tire marks, car damage, and injuries. Also, collect the contact information of all witnesses, and try to write down your thoughts and feelings as you wait for the police to arrive.
Accident Reconstruction
The experienced lawyers with Metier Law Firm have years of experience working with accident reconstruction experts skilled at recreating the accident and explaining the mechanism of injury to a jury. Often, an accident reconstruction is all the jury needs to visualize the accident and determine fault.
GPS and Driver Logs
Current trucking regulations require truck drivers and companies to keep detailed logs about their whereabouts, how long they've been driving, and other information. A truck driver is required by law to take regular breaks, but many don't do so in the interest of saving time. Finding a discrepancy in the driver's logs or evidence of log fraud can significantly improve your odds of receiving compensation.
Driver Record
We'll also consider the truck driver's record, including whether they've been in an accident before. Again, a poor record can help to establish a pattern of negligence, further proving their liability in your case.
Call an experienced truck accident lawyer today
If you're dealing with the aftermath of a truck wreck, you don't have to deal with your pain alone. Call the nationwide truck accident attorneys with Metier Law Firm today for a free, no-risk consultation about your case.
When you call Metier, you'll talk to an experienced
personal injury lawyer who'll listen to your story and advise you on how best to proceed. Then, when you hire us, you'll have a passionate on your side who'll tirelessly fight for your rights against those of the insurance company, trucking company, and other parties.
We've been in business for over 40 years, and in that time, we've seen it all. So give us a call today to start on your path to healing.
