Any collision between two motor vehicles involves thousands of pounds of weight generating immense physical force, but when one of the vehicles is a tractor-trailer, it’s more accurate to measure that force as tens of thousands of pounds. Even the safest and most well-equipped modern commuter cars aren’t designed to withstand an impact from something as heavy as a semi-truck, meaning these wrecks tend to have severe consequences.
When you are injured in a crash involving a commercial truck, you should strongly consider reaching out to a Mt. Laurel truck accident lawyer before trying to file suit by yourself. Trucking companies and insurance representatives fight against truck crash claims, and our seasoned personal injury attorneys can give you vital assistance with overcoming that opposition and getting paid what you deserve.
Our legal team represented and recovered $5 million for the Estate and family of a woman who lost her life in a fatal truck wreck. After her vehicle collided with a tractor-trailer, our client was ejected from the vehicle she was a passenger in.
Who Could Be Legally Liable for a Truck Crash?
Most of the time, lawsuits and settlement proposals over auto accidents target the individual driver whose reckless or careless act directly caused the collision. While it’s true that individual truck driver negligence is a common cause of truck wrecks, it’s generally not ideal to file suit solely against an irresponsible trucker since they likely won’t have the personal assets or insurance coverage necessary to cover losses like:
- Pain and suffering from permanent physical injuries
- Loss of life’s pleasures, including lost consortium with a spouse
- Emotional and psychological trauma
- Short-term and long-term medical bills
- Vehicle replacement costs and other expenses like rental car fees
- Lost working capacity and work income
Fortunately, it’s often possible to hold trucking companies vicariously liable for the misconduct of their employees, something a knowledgeable Mt. Laurel truck accident attorney can explain in more detail during a private initial meeting. Alternatively, it may be possible to file suit directly against a trucking company for its own negligent hiring or maintenance practices or against a third party like a supplier that failed to secure a truck’s cargo properly prior to transit.
Obstacles to Civil Recovery for Truck Collision Claims
Even though people in commuter cars hit by commercial trucks are much more likely to suffer serious harm than the truck driver who hit them, those injured are not immune from being found partially to blame for their injuries based on their own negligent conduct. Even something as small as a minor traffic offense prior to a truck crash might lead to a court assigning you a percentage of comparative fault for your damages and reducing the total compensation available to you through your claim.
State law generally limits you to two years to file suit after suffering an injury of any kind, even if the negative effects of that injury will last for years longer than that. A seasoned truck wreck lawyer in Mt. Laurel can build a strong claim within this deadline and navigate around other possible legal roadblocks.
Consider Working with a Mt. Laurel Truck Accident Attorney
There’s no easy route forward after suffering a serious injury in an auto accident, especially one involving a tractor-trailer weighing dozens of tons. Fortunately, there’s help available from winning legal professionals willing to fight on your behalf to ensure you can recover fairly for your losses.
A conversation with a Mt. Laurel truck accident lawyer can provide answers to important questions and confidence about your next steps. Call Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers today to discuss your options. You won’t owe us anything until we win the compensation you deserve.
