Were you recently hurt in a trucking accident in Durham, NC? If so, you might be dealing with painful injuries and overwhelming financial strain from your unexpected medical bills and lost wages. The truck driver or trucking company responsible for the accident could owe you monetary compensation to cover these losses, but it could prove hard to recover without a knowledgeable lawyer.
At Kornbluth Ginsberg Law Group, P.A., our Durham truck accident lawyers are here to assist you with all your legal needs during this difficult time. Let us handle the details of your injury claim while you focus on your recovery. We will work hard to secure the compensation you need and hold at-fault parties accountable.
Benefits of Hiring a Durham, NC, Attorney for Your Truck Accident Claim
If you’ve been in a truck accident in Durham, North Carolina, you’re likely dealing with a painful recovery and feeling overwhelmed. An experienced truck accident lawyer can step in to help manage every aspect of your injury claim, leaving you free to focus on healing.
We at Kornbluth Ginsberg can help by:
- Investigating the details of the truck crash to determine who is responsible
- Gathering evidence such as video footage, witness statements, and crash reports
- Coordinating with accident reconstruction experts to strengthen your case
- Consulting with medical professionals to fully understand the extent of your injuries
- Reviewing your healthcare records to link your injuries directly to the accident
- Calculating the total cost of your claim, including lost wages and medical expenses
- Filing all necessary claim documents within the required deadlines
- Negotiating with insurance companies to demand the fair settlement you deserve
- Representing you in court if your case goes to trial
- Never charging you anything unless we recover compensation for your accident lawsuit
What to Do After a Truck Accident
In the aftermath of a semi-truck accident, it’s essential to take specific steps to protect your legal rights and lay a solid foundation for your truck accident injury claim. Here’s what you should do:
- Document the Accident Scene – Take photos of your vehicle, the truck, any visible injuries, and the surrounding area. If any witnesses are available, get their names and contact details.
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention – A medical provider can assess your health and create documentation that links any injuries directly to the accident, which could be vital for your claim.
- Keep a Detailed Record of Your Medical Care – Document all doctor’s visits, treatments, and communications with healthcare professionals related to your injuries from the accident.
- Contact a Truck Accident Attorney – An experienced Durham truck accident lawyer can protect your rights and handle every aspect of your injury claim while you recover.
- Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company – Inform your insurer about the accident, but be cautious of making any statements that could be interpreted as admissions of fault.
- Avoid Discussing the Accident on Social Media – Avoid sharing any information about the accident or your injuries on social media, as these posts could be used against you in your claim.
How We Investigate Durham, NC, Truck Accident Cases
At Kornbluth Ginsberg, we take a thorough approach to investigating Durham truck accident cases. First, we start by collecting all the evidence from the accident scene, including photos, video footage, and witness statements. We also gather and evaluate police reports and any other relevant documents from the accident.
Our team frequently consults with experts in accident reconstruction to analyze how the accident happened and identify who is at fault. We also review all your healthcare records and work with your doctors to understand the full extent and long-term impact of your injuries. This detailed and meticulous approach allows us to build a strong case, hold the responsible parties accountable, and secure the fair truck accident compensation you deserve.
Why Trucking Accidents Are More Complicated Than Other Motor Vehicle Crashes
Trucking accidents are more complicated than other motor vehicle crashes for several reasons. First, 18-wheelers are much larger and heavier than most cars, so the damage and injuries they cause are often more severe. Second, commercial truck drivers are subject to specific regulations, such as limits on how many hours they can drive without a break. Understanding these rules is essential for determining whether a violation contributed to the accident.
Additionally, truck wreck cases often involve multiple parties, such as truck drivers, trucking companies, and parts manufacturers. Each party might have different insurance companies, making the legal process more complex. Lastly, the mechanics of trucks are more complex, requiring expert analysis to understand issues like brake failure or mechanical defects that could lead to an accident.
This complexity means that handling a truck accident case requires specific legal knowledge and experience, which is why it’s so important to work with a knowledgeable truck accident attorney.
Compensation You Could Recover in a Durham, NC, Truck Accident Claim
If you suffer injuries in a truck accident in Durham, NC, you could be entitled to several types of compensation to help you recover from the incident. This could include compensation for:
- Medical Bills – The cost of current and future medical treatments for accident-related injuries
- Lost Wages – Any income you lost if your injuries prevented you from working
- Lost Earning Capacity – The projected costs of reduced earning capacity due to long-term or permanent disabilities resulting from the accident
- Pain and Suffering – The subjective costs of physical and emotional distress from the accident
- Property Damage – The costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle and personal items damaged in the accident
Several parties could be liable for a truck wreck in Durham, North Carolina, depending on the circumstances of the accident. These include:
- The Truck Driver: The driver could be liable if their negligent or reckless behaviors, such as speeding or driving under the influence, caused the accident.
- The Trucking Company: A trucking company might be responsible if they failed to maintain the truck properly or if they hired an unqualified driver.
- Cargo Loading Teams: If improper loading of the truck’s cargo contributed to the wreck, the parties responsible for loading it might be liable.
- Maintenance Providers: If a mechanical failure due to poor maintenance caused the accident, the truck’s service providers could be accountable.
No. North Carolina has a strict “pure contributory negligence” law, which says that if you are even slightly at fault for an accident, you cannot recover any compensation at trial. For instance, let’s say the truck driver was 95 percent at fault, and you were only 5 percent to blame. In that case, you would still be barred from recovering compensation in court.
This is why it’s crucial to have a skilled truck accident lawyer in Durham who can effectively demonstrate that you were not at fault so you maintain eligibility for compensation.
You have three years from the date of a North Carolina trucking accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you wait too long and miss this three-year deadline, you could lose your right to claim compensation from liable parties.
Contacting a lawyer and starting the legal process early is the best way to ensure you file your truck accident lawsuit on time and maintain your ability to seek compensation for your losses.
Truck accidents can vary widely in type and severity. Determining the type of truck accident that injured you is essential for evaluating how the accident occurred and identifying who is at fault. Common types of big rig accidents in Durham, North Carolina, include:
- Head-on collisions
- Rear-end collisions
- Jackknife accidents
- Rollovers
- T-bone accidents
- Side-swipe collisions
- Underride accidents
- Override accidents
- Wide turn accidents
- Blind spot accidents
- Lost load accidents
- Tire blowout accidents
- Brake failure accidents
- Bridge strikes
Truck accidents often result from numerous complex factors, such as driver behavior, mechanical failures, and road conditions. Knowing the common causes can help you understand the factors that might affect your compensation claim. Here’s a list of common causes of Durham truck accidents:
- Driver fatigue
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Poor truck maintenance
- Inadequate driver training
- Overloaded trucks
- Improperly secured cargo
- Mechanical failures
- Poor road conditions
- Driving under the influence
- Aggressive driving behavior
Truck accidents often result in severe injuries due to the size and weight of the vehicles involved. Here are some common injuries that appear in truck accident cases:
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Internal bleeding
- Whiplash
- Burns
- Crush injuries
- Amputations
- Fractures
- Rib and torso injuries
- Psychological injuries such as PTSD
- Wrongful death from fatal truck accidents
Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer in Durham, NC, Today
Are you ready to take action after a trucking accident in Durham? The team at Kornbluth Ginsberg is here to help. Our truck accident law firm is ready to relentlessly pursue the outstanding results you deserve so you can devote your time to getting better.
Don’t wait to get the legal help you need in recovering compensation for your accident. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation initial consultation with a Durham truck accident attorney and learn how we can assist you.