ManchesterTruck Accident Attorney

You may suffer an injury in a truck accident. In this situation, the truck driver, their employer, or another party may be liable. To find out, it may be beneficial to consult with a Manchester, CT personal injury attorney. If someone else caused your accident, you may be able to seek damages.

The legal team at Tehrani Law Group, LLC has helped many of our clients get settlements of over $1.5 million. Our Manchester truck accident lawyer is available to discuss your case. To get started, reach out to us. 

Truck Laws

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has hours of service (HOS) requirements. It is against the law for a trucker to spend an extended period of time driving a vehicle without taking a break. If a truck driver violates these regulations, this individual and their employer may face penalties. In addition, the driver may cause an accident due to fatigue or exhaustion. At this point, the driver and their employer may be held financially responsible for any accident-related losses. 

There are truck size and weight limit laws in Connecticut. A truck cannot exceed size and weight limits. If it does, the vehicle may be susceptible to rollovers and tipovers. 

An individual must have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to operate a large truck. It is also a truck company’s responsibility to make sure its drivers have a valid CDL. If a driver does not have a license, they are operating a vehicle in violation of the law. They may get into an accident and face serious consequences for their actions. 

The moments after a truck crash can be stressful. There are many things you can do to protect yourself in these moments, such as:

Call 911

This will bring medical personnel and police officers to the scene. Medical professionals will treat you and anyone else who may be hurt. Police officers will gather information from you and others involved in the accident. They will use this information to prepare a police incident report.

Gather Evidence

Use your smartphone to take photos and videos at the scene. These photos and videos can highlight the severity of your injury and damage to your car. You may use your evidence to support your request for compensation from a liable party. This proof may help you get your desired case results. 

Go to a Hospital 

Resist the urge to “tough it out” after your accident. Meet with a doctor to undergo a medical evaluation. A doctor may help you determine if you are dealing with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or other health issues. They can treat your injury before it gets any worse. 

Get the Truck Driver’s Information

Ask the trucker for their driver’s license and insurance information. You should also get information about their employer. You may need this information if you want to file a claim for compensation. 

Consult with a Truck Accident Attorney

Connect with a trucking accident lawyer to explore your legal options. Your attorney can review the facts surrounding your collision. They can help you figure out who is at fault. 

Truck accident lawyers will ask you questions and get as much information as they can about your crash. From here, they can explain if you are eligible to seek damages as part of an injury claim. 

Semi-truck accident attorneys can help you prove fault in a T-bone collision or any other type of crash. They may also help you calculate your damages. Your lawyer may encourage you to ask for compensation for many reasons, such as:

• Car repairs or replacement
• Lost wages
• Medical bills
• Pain and suffering

Your semi truck accident attorney understands the challenges that come with collecting damages. They can help craft a compelling argument that shows a judge or jury you deserve compensation based on your losses.

Truck Accident Evidence

You may collect proof at the accident scene. Along with this, there are many pieces of evidence you can gather after your evidence. These include:

• Black Box Data: A truck’s black box includes information about the vehicle’s speed, if the driver was wearing a seat belt and other accident-related data. 
• Dashcam Footage: This footage may give you insights into whether a trucker chose not to take actions that otherwise could have prevented your accident from happening. 
• Truck Inspection and Maintenance Records: These may show you if a truck company chose to ignore vehicle safety issues. 
• Witness Testimony: Anyone who saw your accident may provide an eyewitness account that helps you prove an at-fault party was negligent. 

Your 18-wheeler accident lawyer may help you collect an abundance of evidence. If you have a wealth of proof, the defendant in your case may have concerns about the strength of your case. These concerns may lead the defendant to offer a fair settlement. 

Comparative Negligence in a Truck Accident Case

According to Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 925 § 52-572h, you may be found partially liable for your truck accident. If this happens, your percentage of fault dictates what you may receive in damages. Those who are found to be less than 50% to blame may get a portion of the compensation they originally requested. If you are determined to be more than 50% liable, you may not recover damages. 

For example, a judge or jury may say you are 20% responsible for your accident. This means the defendant in your case is 80% liable. The defendant may be required to pay 80% of the damages you initially sought. 

Now, consider what may happen if you are found to be 51% liable. A judge or jury says you are more responsible for your accident than the other party. As a result, the defendant is not required to pay damages. You are also 100% responsible for your crash-related losses. 

How an Insurance Company Treats a Truck Accident Claim

Having a tractor-trailer accident lawyer at your side can make a world of difference relative to an insurance claim. When you are dealing with an insurance company after an accident, there are no guarantees you will get the money you want. If you work with an attorney, you may be able to avoid mistakes.

For instance, an insurer may contact you just days after your accident. The business may offer a settlement and pressure you to accept it. If you approve the offer, you will get money right away. On the other hand, the proposal may be far less than what you have suffered in losses. By accepting the offer, you may leave money on the table. 

Your 18-wheeler accident attorney keeps your best interests front and center. They will let you know if they believe a settlement proposal is fair. If your lawyer feels it may be best to decline a proposal, they will let you know. 

It may take weeks or months for 18-wheeler accident attorneys to negotiate settlements with insurance carriers. If your lawyer cannot come to terms with an agreement, you may have to bring your case to trial. Your attorney will help you prepare for your trial date and make sure you know what to expect when you present your case to a judge or jury. 

You may want to submit a demand letter. A tractor-trailer accident attorney can help you craft this letter. If you produce this letter on your own, it may be unclear about what you want from the liable party or their insurer. This may hurt your chances of getting damages.

It may be tempting to approve the first settlement offer that comes your way. Rather than rush to make a decision, you may want to go over the proposal with a big rig accident lawyer.  This gives you a chance to weigh the offer’s pros and cons with an attorney. You can then decide if it is in your best interests to accept the proposal. 

Many 18-wheeler accident lawyers will encourage their clients not to post content on social media during their litigation. An at-fault party or their insurance company may search online for photos, videos, and other content that they can use against you. If you do not publish content on Facebook, X, and other social networks, you may be able to avoid sharing information that the defendant, in your case, may use against you. 

Truck Accident Case Settlement

Tractor-trailer accident lawyers help their clients negotiate fair settlements. You may get a quick settlement proposal before your trial date. If you receive one, your attorney will share it with you, and you have the final say on what to do with it. 

A big rig accident attorney wants their client to get a reasonable amount of compensation. They may encourage their client to request economic and non-economic damages. A plaintiff in a truck crash case may recover economic compensation for quantifiable losses and non-economic damages for subjective ones. 

Tractor-trailer accident attorneys can answer questions you have about a settlement. If you are unsure of how to proceed with an offer, tell your lawyer. Then, your attorney can give you additional insights into a proposal. 

Big rig accident lawyers want their clients to feel great about their case results. Your attorney can help you evaluate a settlement offer. With a clear understanding of all that an offer entails, you can make an informed decision about it. 

Hire an Attorney

Big rig accident attorneys are available to help you out. The legal team at Tehrani Law Group, LLC has plenty of experience with personal injury cases. We can review your truck accident case and help you determine what to do next. To schedule a free consultation, contact us today.