Charlotte Truck Accident Attorneys

Fighting For Truck Accident Victims in North Carolina

Few things are more terrifying than an 18-wheeler truck barreling toward your significantly smaller vehicle. Victims of a truck collision may sustain catastrophic, life-altering injuries, including brain injuries, that affect their ability to earn a living and enjoy life. 

Truck accident victims have the right to hold negligent parties accountable for their recklessness through personal injury litigation.

At Shane Smith Law, we make it our mission to help truck accident victims recover just compensation. Our truck accident lawyers can connect you to the treatment and care you need to get better. Simultaneously, we will leverage our firm’s robust resources to develop a strong case and protect your interests. We fight to win and will do everything possible to secure an optimal outcome. 

Request a case evaluation by calling (980) 246-2656 or contacting us online to schedule a consultation with our truck accident attorney in Charlotte. Se habla español.

Identifying the Root Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents

One would hope that truck drivers would exercise the highest level of caution when operating their enormous, inherently dangerous vehicles. Sadly, this is not always the case, especially when truck drivers are constantly pressured to work long hours and meet delivery quotas.

Common causes of truck accidents include:

• Fatigued driving. Truck drivers work extensive hours, but the law limits how much they can drive without resting. Some truck drivers will forgo required rest breaks and push past their body’s natural limits, resulting in excessive (and dangerous) levels of fatigue.
• Distracted driving. Truck drivers may become unacceptably distracted if they text while driving or otherwise engage in conversation on a cellphone that prevents them from keeping their attention on the road. 
• Reckless driving. A truck driver behaves recklessly if they fail to follow traffic rules, including obeying stoplights, signaling before turning, and following posted speed limits.
• Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. It is illegal to operate any vehicle when intoxicated, and most professional truck drivers know better than to drive while drunk. However, it is also unlawful to drive when under the influence of drugs, and some truck drivers will rely on unacceptable amounts of prescription or controlled substances to keep them alert. 
• Poor vehicle maintenance. There are certain situations where a truck driver will lose control of their vehicle due to inadequate maintenance on a crucial component.
• Unsafe cargo loading. A truck’s cargo must be carefully loaded and secured by a qualified crew. Inadequate cargo loading can result in debris spilling out onto the roadway or jeopardizing the stability of the truck. 

Common Injuries in Truck Accidents

Some of the most common injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): A severe head impact can result in a TBI, which affects brain function and can lead to symptoms ranging from cognitive impairments to physical limitations and emotional changes.
• Spinal cord injuries: These injuries can lead to partial or complete paralysis, depending on the location and severity of the injury. Spinal cord damage often requires extensive rehabilitation and lifelong care.
• Broken bones and fractures: The force of a truck collision frequently results in fractures, especially in the legs, arms, and ribs, which may require surgery and prolonged recovery.
• Internal injuries: Vital organs can be damaged due to blunt force trauma, leading to life-threatening internal injuries that require immediate medical intervention.
• Burns and lacerations: When a truck accident involves fire or hazardous materials, victims may suffer from severe burns or deep cuts that lead to permanent scarring or disfigurement.
• Soft tissue injuries: Injuries to muscles, ligaments, and tendons, such as whiplash, are common in truck accidents and can cause chronic pain and decreased mobility.

Each injury type presents its own set of challenges, and recovering from these injuries often requires substantial medical care, physical therapy, and sometimes even vocational retraining.

How to Determine Liability in Semi-Truck Accidents

The truck driver may not be the only one responsible for an accident. In fact, the truck driver may not be liable at all if there is evidence that another party’s negligence led to the crash. Our truck accident attorneys can conduct a thorough investigation and help you determine who is liable.

Depending on the facts of the case, the following parties may be liable for a truck accident:

• The truck driver. Like in a traditional car accident, the truck driver may be liable if they were driving recklessly, driving while intoxicated, or failing to follow traffic rules. 
• The trucking company. The trucking company could be held liable if they knowingly hired (or failed to adequately train) an unqualified truck driver. They may also be found liable if there is evidence the trucking company pressured the driver into driving longer than the law allows. 
• The truck’s manufacturer. If the accident is caused by a defective truck component, the manufacturer of that component may be liable.
• The truck’s maintenance crew. If the maintenance crew that examined and made repairs to the truck prior to the accident failed to exercise reasonable care when doing so, they could be liable for accident-related injuries.
• The cargo loaders. Improper cargo loading can cause an accident, even when the driver does everything right. In these instances, the cargo loaders may be liable.

Maximizing Your Compensation After a Truck Accident

A truck accident victim may be able to recover economic and non-economic damages if they file a personal injury lawsuit by the applicable deadline. Each state has its own time limits, so it is important to get legal advice and understand your options as soon as possible after an accident. Note that you will have more time to file a wrongful death lawsuit if a loved one perishes in a truck accident. 

A successful truck accident lawsuit allows you to recover compensation for many types of losses, including:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Disfigurement
• Loss of consortium 
• Property damage

Explore your legal options with our truck accident lawyers in Charlotte– Call Now(980) 246-2656.