Charlotte Truck Accident Lawyer

Charlotte Truck Accident Attorney

The aftermath of being hurt in a truck accident can be time-consuming and traumatic for the individual who was injured. An accident involving a truck involves a greater number of details to investigate than an accident involving only automobiles. In cases like these, retaining the services of a Charlotte truck accident lawyer can be crucial to navigating the process of attaining full compensation.

Why Choose Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC?

You can be confident you will get the committed, individualized legal assistance you need by selecting our truck accident attorneys in Charlotte, NC. Our personal injury lawyer team tackle the complexities of your case with a caring approach and substantial legal skills, having a track record of getting maximum compensation for our clients.

Our staff is dedicated to tenaciously advocating on your behalf because we recognize the significant impact a truck accident can have on your life. We can ensure you receive the justice and assistance you require during this trying time.

The Laws of Truck Driving in North Carolina

Truck drivers are protected on the road by laws outlined in both federal and state rules. This is to make sure they get enough sleep and do not get fatigued while driving. In order to prevent technical issues, breakdowns, and accidents on the road, this also serves to ensure that their trucks are kept up to date. These rules address a range of topics, including:

• The minimum amount of rest time required in between trips
• The maximum number of hours a truck driver is permitted to travel in a particular period of time
• The most time a driver may work in a week overall
• Criteria for car maintenance, repairs, and inspections, together with guidelines on how and when they must be done
• Requirements that one must fulfill in order to work as a truck driver

Reasons for Truck Accidents

Numerous factors can result in a truck accident. Reducing the number of trucking accidents on the road can be accomplished by being aware of their prevalent causes. The following are some frequent reasons for truck accidents:

• Errors by the driver. Errors by the driver are defined as any action taken by the driver alone, independent of other influences. This may be the consequence of deliberate or unintentional actions that cause an accident, like going fast, switching lanes without looking for oncoming traffic, and running lights that are red.
• Driver exhaustion. Typically, truck drivers are required to travel great distances for long periods of time. The likelihood of drivers being fatigued or drowsy increases if they do not take the proper rest breaks, which raises the possibility of accidents.Our driving sensitivities are inhibited when we are sleepy or exhausted, which reduces our reaction time. As a result, truck drivers may find it challenging to react correctly to unexpected threats.
• Other drivers. Occasionally, a motorist who was driving violently, distractedly, or without regard for other drivers is the reason behind a trucking accident. This can involve lane changes that are not authorized, speeding, and neglecting to yield.
• Truck difficulties. Trucking accidents can occasionally be caused by equipment malfunctions, such as worn-out wheels or other components. This can be lessened with consistent upkeep.
• External difficulties. Accidents can be caused by outside issues like bad weather or negative road situations. Potholes, construction, fog, snow, icy roads, and impediments in the route are a few examples of these.

Kinds of Truck Accidents

Gaining a comprehensive understanding of the circumstances surrounding your accident is crucial as it can facilitate the determination of the accident’s root cause and guarantee that you receive full compensation for the injuries you have sustained. Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC have extensive knowledge in managing various truck accident claims, including the following:

• Jackknifing. Jackknifing refers to the phenomenon when the trailer of a semi-truck pivots outwards around the cab, resembling the motion of a jackknife blade opening. These incidents frequently occur as a result of abrupt and forceful braking or entering a curve at an excessive velocity. When the truck jackknifes, the driver frequently loses control, resulting in the truck turning over, moving across the centerline of the street, or colliding with other cars.
• Collisions involving trailers. Semi-trucks possess advanced trailer systems that require frequent maintenance. A malfunction in the hitch or any other trailer component might result in the driver losing control of the truck or the trailer becoming detached.
• Override accidents. These collisions usually happen when a substantial truck collides with the vehicle in front of it, causing the truck’s cabin to ride up onto and crush the vehicle. These accidents frequently occur due to excessive speed or following too closely, resulting in the truck driver’s inability to brake in a timely manner. Frequently, they result in significant harm and, in certain instances, can lead to death.
• Underride accidents. These accidents happen when a car forcefully collides with the back of the truck. These trucks can pose a significant threat due to their elevated height, which frequently results in the truck’s trailer colliding with the windshield of the vehicle behind it, causing the vehicle to be crushed beneath the truck.A significant number of these accidents are attributed to the irresponsibility of the driver, while others are caused by faulty brake lights, dangerous stopping, or parking on the side of the road without activating the emergency lights.
• Transporting goods. Trucks transport substantial weights that have an impact on their ability to maneuver and stop. Improperly secured loads can result in unpredictable truck handling, potentially causing accidents or making it challenging for the driver to prevent accidents. Moreover, the scattering of merchandise across the road might lead to accidents or further harm to other cars engaged in the first collision.

Typical Injuries Resulting From Trucking Accidents

Trucks are substantially larger and possess a significantly greater weight compared to other vehicles. Consequently, individuals involved in a truck accident are far more prone to sustaining severe injuries compared to those involved in a collision with a smaller vehicle. Typical injuries resulting from truck accidents include:

• Fractured bones. Fractured bones may necessitate the use of physical therapy, casting, and/or surgical intervention.
• Whiplash. Whiplash occurs when an individual’s head rapidly moves in a back-and-forth motion. This can result in injury and physical harm to the cervical region. It is crucial to seek medical assistance because the effects of whiplash may not always be evident immediately.
• Burns. Burns can occur due to various causes. Exposure to automotive fires, hot surfaces, or car-related chemicals can lead to burns. Collisions involving trucks provide a heightened risk of such injuries due to the presence of volatile substances and liquids, which can lead to fires and explosions in the event of an accident.
• Internal trauma. These are injuries that may not be readily recognized by an injured individual. A medical professional’s evaluation is necessary to determine the injury. Nevertheless, certain symptoms can indicate the presence of an underlying medical problem. Failure to address these issues can lead to subsequent complications.
• Amputations. Severe accidents can result in the severance or crushing of a person’s limbs, necessitating amputation. Long-term aftercare will be necessary for this.
• Craniocerebral trauma. The severity of these injuries can vary. An individual may get a mild concussion or a severe traumatic brain injury, both of which might result in enduring consequences. Severe brain injuries may necessitate lifelong treatment for the affected individual.
• Spinal injury. Back injuries can range in severity from mild to severe. Untreated back injuries can lead to future complications, making them a serious concern. Severe difficulties can result in paralysis, causing a lifelong impact on a person’s mobility.
• Mortality. If any of the aforementioned injuries are sufficiently serious, an individual may die, either abruptly or within a short period thereafter. In such instances, the relatives of the deceased may be eligible to receive compensation.

Steps To Take Following a Trucking Accident

After a truck collision, your primary concern should be to ensure your safety and that of those involved in the incident by promptly assessing for any urgent injuries. If someone has severe injuries, it is imperative to promptly contact emergency medical services.

It is important to stay at the location until law enforcement personnel come. Provide them with your account of the events. Present the objective information without attributing blame, even if you think you are partially responsible.

Collect all available evidence and promptly seek medical care once you are authorized to depart, even if you believe you are uninjured. Certain injuries may require a period of time to be properly identified, and it is important to obtain medical clearance to safeguard both your personal safety and any potential legal claims you may pursue in the future.

Compensation Granted in Claims for Truck Accidents

When an individual experiences harm as a result of a trucking accident, it can profoundly affect various aspects of their life, such as bodily discomfort, financial loss, alterations in mobility, and even modifications in their daily routines and ability to derive pleasure from life. The goal of seeking damages is to provide compensation for their distress. Several of these damages include:

• Economic damages refer to quantifiable losses, such as medical expenses and income loss, which may be readily calculated. This encompasses any prospective medical treatment that may be required, including physical therapy and surgical procedures.Economic damages also include the cost of necessary medications. Lost wages encompass not just the period you were absent from work due to the accident but also potential future earnings that may be forfeited if your injury impairs your capacity to work at the same level as previously.
• Non-economic damages are less readily identifiable than economic damages because they lack a quantifiable value. The damages covered in this category consist of pain and suffering and emotional harm.If the accident resulted in the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), heightened stress levels, depression, anxiety, persistent and substantial pain, or a diminished ability to derive pleasure from interests and hobbies, you may be eligible to receive compensation for non-economic damages.An attorney can assist you in submitting a claim for a suitable sum. The court is expected to have the ultimate authority in determining the amount of compensation you receive for intangible losses.
• Punitive damages are monetary compensation awarded to a plaintiff in a claim as a kind of punishment for the defendant’s wrongful actions. Punitive damages are less common compared to economic or non-economic damages. They are typically employed as a form of retribution against the wrongdoer for displaying gross negligence or flagrant misconduct.

Seeking Compensation for Damages After a Truck Accident

Even though there is no one sequence of events that a person can follow to guarantee that they will be awarded a particular amount of damages, there are things that you can do to maximize your chances of achieving a settlement that is fair to you.

First, you need to make sure that you have a complete understanding of the damages that you are seeking and the amount of money that will be required to pay for them, particularly for the ones that are relatively simple to calculate.

Your medical bills, the amount of your injuries and any actions you had to take to recover from them, missed wages, and any pain and suffering you experienced as a result of the accident are all included in this. Additionally, any damages that were done to your car or the cost to replace it are also included.

Next, you will need to collect all of the proof that you require to back up your assertions. Documentation such as doctor’s notes, medical bills, mechanical work, communications with your insurance company, police reports, photographs or videos of the accident scene, statements from witnesses, and even your personal statement about what occurred might be included in this category.

How A Charlotte, North Carolina Lawyer Can Help You

Beyond an accident, a truck accident attorney can assist you in many different ways. They offer vital legal knowledge to negotiate the complexity of truck accident cases—often involving several parties, including manufacturers, insurance companies, and trucking businesses. To create a compelling case, a lawyer will carefully look over the accident, compile and preserve proof, and name responsible parties.

They can bargain with insurance companies to guarantee you equitable reimbursement for property damage, lost income, pain and suffering, and medical bills. Whether demonstrating carelessness resulting from driver tiredness, incorrect maintenance, or overloaded cargo, their understanding of federal and state shipping laws also helps to hold the liable parties responsible.

If it doesn’t seem like a fair settlement can be reached, a truck accident attorney can represent you in court, battling for your rights and interests. They will take care of all the procedural rules, timelines, and legal documentation so you may concentrate on your healing.

They will keep you updated throughout the process, offering peace of mind during a difficult period. Their ultimate aim is to get you the justice and compensation you are due.

FAQs

Q: How Much Are Most Truck Accident Settlements in North Carolina?

A: Truck accident settlements are very different from each other depending on how bad the accident was, how many people were hurt, and who was to blame. They can range greatly in compensation granted. Medical bills, missed wages, pain and suffering, and the level of negligence are some of the things that affect the amount. Talking to a truck accident lawyer can give you a more accurate quote based on the specifics of your case.

Q: What Are the Truck Driving Laws In North Carolina?

A: North Carolina’s truck driving rules cover matters such as who can be a driver, how long they can work, how the condition of the truck must be kept, and how the cargo must be secured. Drivers must have a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL) and follow government rules about how many hours they can drive to avoid getting fatigued. Regular checks must be done on trucks, and dangerous goods must be clearly marked and moved in a way that follows safety rules.

Q: What Is a Jackknife Truck Accident?

A: A jackknife truck accident occurs when the trailer of a truck sweeps out to one side, making a sharp angle with the cab, like a pocket knife folding. The truck usually loses control when it has to stop quickly, when the roads are wet, or when the driver makes a mistake. Jackknife accidents are especially dangerous because they can involve multiple vehicles and cause a lot of damage.

Q: What Is the Fender Bender Law In North Carolina?

A: The fender bender rule in North Carolina says that drivers who are involved in minor accidents must move their cars off the road if it is safe to do so. This is done so that they do not get in the way of other traffic. After moving their cars, the drivers should trade information, take pictures of the scene, and, if necessary, call the police to report the crash. The goal of this rule is to keep traffic moving and lower the chance of more accidents.

Contact Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC Today

If you have been involved in a trucking accident, auto accident or motorcycle accident Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC can help. Contact us today for more information.