All motor vehicle accidents have the potential to cause life-changing injuries. However, accidents involving large commercial trucks often cause catastrophic damage due to the size of these vehicles. In some cases, fully loaded semi-trucks and tractor trailers can outweigh the average car by over 70,000 pounds.
If you were injured in a trucking accident due to the negligent behavior of someone else, you may be entitled to pursue justice and compensation. Please call (859) 236-1010 for a case evaluation with The Helton Law Office. Our experienced lawyers are proud to serve clients in Danville, Harrodsburg, Lancaster, Stanford, and nearby areas of Kentucky.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
When compared to the average passenger car or motorcycle, large commercial trucks require a longer distance to stop, have limited visibility, and can be more difficult to maneuver. These factors can often play a role in a crash, though truck accidents can also happen due to a number of other reasons.
Common causes of truck accidents include:
- Inadequate truck driver training
- Truck driver fatigue
- Speeding
- Poor truck maintenance
- Improperly loaded cargo
- Drunk or distracted driving
- Driving in a reckless manner in order to meet unrealistic schedules
As the driver of a car or motorcycle, there are some ways that you can help prevent an accident with a truck from occurring. Large vehicles cannot accelerate or decelerate quickly, so try to leave sufficient space between your vehicle and commercial trucks. Avoid driving alongside a truck in the driver’s blind spot for an extended period of time and instead, try to pass the vehicle or remain behind them where you are visible in their mirror.
Unfortunately, even cautious drivers can still be involved in an accident with a truck due to the negligent actions of another.
Injuries Sustained in Truck Accidents
Truck accidents often result in serious personal injuries or even death. A car or motorcycle offers a driver little protection against a vehicle that is 25 times heavier. When one of these massive vehicles is involved in a crash, the result can be catastrophic.
Some of the common injuries that occur in truck accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Paralysis
- Disfigurement
- Amputations
- Broken and fractured bones
Injuries sustained during a collision with a commercial truck can be life-altering. Our attorneys can help pursue the compensation that you deserve.
Compensation in a Truck Accident Claim
A truck accident can affect you physically, financially, and emotionally. You may be dealing with medical bills and wondering how you will pay for them, especially if you are unable to work due to your injuries. Our experienced lawyers will work tirelessly to pursue the maximum amount of compensation that you deserve to help you during this difficult time.
Our attorneys can help you seek compensation for:
- Loss of employment
- Loss of benefits
- Lost wages and diminished earning potential
- Vehicle damage
- Medical expenses including hospital visits, rehabilitation, and prescription medication
- Pain and suffering
You may also be eligible to pursue additional compensation that is unique to trucking accidents. For example, trucks can transport potentially hazardous materials that can cause injuries during a crash. In some circumstances, you may be able to hold the shipper of hazardous materials responsible for injuries that you received from the cargo.
It is important to note that if your actions contributed to the crash, the amount that you can recover from the case may be impacted. In Kentucky, when both parties are at fault the recovery is determined by the pure comparative negligence law. This means that your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault in the accident.
Why Hire an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney?
During this difficult time, the last thing that you should worry about is navigating the complex legal aspects of a trucking accident claim. Instead, you need an experienced attorney on your side to pursue justice and compensation on your behalf.
Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the crash and determine the potential at-fault parties, including the:
- Truck driver
- Trucking company
- Company responsible for loading the vehicle
- Manufacturer of the truck
We will not back down when going up against large trucking corporations or insurance companies. You are our top priority from the moment that we take your case. At The Helton Law Office, we have won over nine million dollars in settlements for our clients.
Our lawyers believe that professional legal help should be available and accessible to everyone. That is why work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not owe us anything unless we are able to recover compensation in your case.
Schedule Your Case Evaluation Today
If you have been injured in a truck accident, please call (859) 236-1010 for a case evaluation. We can determine if you may have a case and we can advise you on what steps you should take next. We serve clients in Danville, Harrodsburg, Lancaster, Stanford, and nearby areas of Kentucky.