Truck Accidents Attorney in Sanford
Were you injured in a commercial truck accident in North Carolina? Carelessness or recklessness by a truck driver or trucking company can leave victims with severe, life-altering injuries. If you were hurt in a crash with an 18-wheeler, you may be eligible to recover compensation for the many ways your life has been affected. These include the cost of your medical treatment and lost wages to the pain and suffering you’ve experienced.
Working with an experienced Sanford, NC truck accident attorney with Kornbluth Ginsberg Law Group, P.A., can help you demand every cent you deserve. Our truck accident law firm knows how to stand up to the trucking companies and insurers and seek maximum compensation for your injuries and other losses. With 100-plus years of combined legal experience, our lawyers have dedicated their careers to helping injury victims in the Tar Heel State recover after catastrophic accidents such as truck collisions.
You need a strong advocate who will fight for your rights and interests while you take the time to focus on healing. Call us today or contact us online for a free consultation with a truck accident lawyer in Sanford, NC, and let’s get you on the road to recovery and accountability.
Benefits of Hiring a Sanford, NC, Attorney for Your Truck Accident Claim
While many victims of big rig accidents know they may be eligible for compensation, the claims process can feel overwhelming, confusing, and frustrating for those who try to go it alone. Insurance companies have a vested interest in minimizing payouts, and they will take advantage of injured individuals without legal representation, increasing the likelihood that you will face unfair payment delays, reductions, or even denials.
Hiring a seasoned Sanford, NC, truck accident lawyer can send a clear signal to the trucking company and their insurers that you are being supported by a legal professional who is willing to fight for your rights. When you hire a member of our skilled legal team, we will:
- Thoroughly investigate the accident to determine its causes and who is at fault for your injuries
- Calculate the total value of your losses so that you do not unknowingly settle for less than you deserve
- Handle communications with the insurance company to protect you from their aggressive tactics
- File a truck accident lawsuit to recover damages before a judge and jury if the insurer is unwilling to offer you the settlement you deserve
Our compassionate legal team will handle every aspect of your truck accident case so you can focus on your healing journey.
What to Do After a Truck Accident
In the aftermath of a semi-truck accident, your priority should be seeking medical attention, even if you believe your injuries are minor. Some serious conditions may not present symptoms immediately.
Once you have been treated, take these steps to protect your rights:
- Collect evidence at the scene, including photos of the vehicles, your injuries, and the surrounding area.
- Get contact and insurance information from the truck driver.
- Talk to witnesses and record their statements.
- Contact an experienced truck accident lawyer with Kornbluth Ginsberg to discuss your case.
How We Investigate Sanford, NC, Truck Accident Cases
At Kornbluth Ginsberg, we conduct thorough investigations to uncover the causes of truck accidents and determine liability. Our process includes:
- Visiting the accident scene to gather evidence
- Interviewing witnesses and recording their statements
- Examining the vehicles involved for signs of defects or poor maintenance
- Reviewing the truck driver’s driving history and credentials
- Consulting with accident reconstruction specialists
- Obtaining data from the truck’s event data recorder or “black box”
Through our meticulous investigations, we can build strong cases that prove fault and liability.
Why Trucking Accidents Are More Complicated Than Other Motor Vehicle Crashes
While all traffic accidents have the potential to cause serious injuries, accidents involving 18-wheelers are potentially more devastating and more legally complicated than other types of crashes. This increased complexity is due to several factors, including the following:
- Size Disparity – While the average passenger car weighs two tons, a fully loaded semi-truck can weigh 40 tons. The impact of a collision between the two disproportionately affects occupants of the smaller vehicle.
- Handling – Due to trucks’ large size and awkward shape, truck drivers require specialized training to handle them properly. Drivers who do not have sufficient skills or experience to operate a large commercial vehicle are more at risk of causing an accident.
- Stopping Distance – The weight of a large truck necessitates far greater stopping distances than smaller cars. Adverse weather conditions can make these distances even more substantial.
- Multiple Parties – Because trucks are commercial vehicles, there may be more than one party at fault for the accident. This can make the claim more complex, but it can also increase the likelihood of recovering the full truck accident compensation amount.
- Increased Damages – Because the injuries resulting from a truck crash can be catastrophic, the awards in these cases can be significantly greater than in collisions involving smaller vehicles.
Due to these and other factors, working with a skilled attorney is essential to optimize your chances of a successful claim.
Compensation You Could Recover in a Sanford, NC, Truck Accident Claim
A successful truck accident injury claim can provide you with compensation for losses such as:
- Medical expenses, including past, present, and future treatment, as well as assistive devices and ongoing care
- Lost income due to the time your injuries have forced you to miss at work
- Reduced earning capacity if a long-term disability requires you to take a lower-paying job
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
In cases involving wilful or wanton disregard for the safety of others, courts may award punitive damages.
If a loved one lost their life in a fatal truck accident, our attorneys can file a wrongful death truck accident claim on your behalf.
Every truck accident case is unique. You can better understand how much you might be eligible to recover by consulting a knowledgeable North Carolina truck accident attorney from Kornbluth Ginsberg.
Parties Who Could Be Held Liable for a Truck Wreck
Depending on the circumstances, one or more parties may be held liable for a truck accident, including:
- The truck driver, if their negligence caused the crash
- The trucking company, if they failed to properly maintain the vehicle or hired an unqualified driver
- The cargo loading company, if improperly loaded cargo contributed to the accident
- The truck or parts manufacturer, if a defective vehicle or component led to the wreck
- Government entities tasked with designing and maintaining safe roads
Identifying all potentially liable parties is crucial for maximizing your compensation.
Could You Recover Compensation if You’re Partly to Blame for a Trucking Accident?
North Carolina law states that if an individual is even slightly responsible for a trucking accident, they will be ineligible to recover compensation for their losses. However, a defendant has the burden of proof in establishing the injured party’s negligence. This is why it is crucial to hire a skilled truck accident attorney from Kornbluth Ginsberg who can prove that the other party or parties were entirely to blame for the crash and your resulting injuries.
How Long Do You Have to File a Trucking Accident Lawsuit in North Carolina?
In most cases, North Carolina’s personal injury statute of limitations requires truck accident victims to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party within three years of the collision date. While this deadline may differ depending on the circumstances, it is critical to consult with a knowledgeable North Carolina truck accident attorney as soon as possible to avoid forfeiting your right to recover compensation.
Common Types and Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents
Truck accidents can occur in many ways, but some of the most common include:
- Rollovers caused by taking turns too quickly or improperly loaded cargo
- Jackknifes resulting from improper braking
- Rear-end collisions due to tailgating or distracted driving
- Underride accidents when a car slides underneath a truck
- Blind spot accidents when a trucker fails to see a vehicle in their “no-zone”
Frequent trucking collisions causes include:
- Speeding or traveling too fast for conditions
- Distracted driving
- Drowsy/fatigued driving
- Tailgating/following too closely
- Truck driver inexperience
- Improper wide turns
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Aggressive driving/road rage
- Reckless driving
- Not using turn signals or checking mirrors before turning or changing lanes
- Inadequate truck/trailer maintenance
- Disregarding traffic signals and road signs
- Driving while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol
- Unsafe cargo loads, such as excessive or unbalanced weight or unsecured items
Typical Injuries Resulting from a Truck Collision
Due to the massive size and weight of commercial trucks, accidents often result in devastating injuries such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries and head trauma
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Crushed or amputated limbs
- Broken bones
- Severe burns, lacerations and disfigurement
- Whiplash
- Neck and back injuries
- Internal organ damage and bleeding
- Lacerations or abrasions
- Degloving injuries
- Strains or sprains or ligament/muscle/tendon tears
- Herniated disc injury
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
Whatever injuries you may have sustained, our skilled legal team can help you recover the compensation you need to afford your treatment and secure a brighter future.
Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer in Sanford, NC, Today
The experienced truck accident attorneys at Kornbluth Ginsberg understand how overwhelming the aftermath of a truck accident can be. We are here to help you understand your rights and options, and we are ready to fight for what you deserve.
Our team has over 100 years of combined experience helping North Carolinians secure the compensation they deserve. We will partner closely with you, listen attentively to your needs and goals, and develop a compelling claim demonstrating why you deserve full and fair compensation.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.