
A truck accident can cause serious or even fatal injuries. These injuries can leave victims with lifelong disabilities and chronic pain and suffering.
If you or a loved one was injured in a truck accident in Cleveland County, Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC can help. A Shelby truck accident attorney can explain your rights and options for recovering compensation during a free case evaluation.
In This Article
- Compensation to Help You Recover From Your Truck Accident in Shelby
- Our Lawyers Will Collect Evidence to Support Your Case
- We Handle Many Types of Truck Accidents
- Common Truck Accident Causes
- Who Is Liable for My Truck Accident?
- How Much Insurance Do Semi-Truck Drivers and Companies Carry?
- Contact Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC for Legal Help
Compensation to Help You Recover From Your Truck Accident in Shelby
Injuries from truck accidents can be life-threatening due to the size and weight of these large vehicles. A semi-truck accident lawyer can help you recover financially so you don’t have stress over how you will cover your medical bills or regular financial needs during this difficult time.
Our personal injury legal team in Shelby can help you collect economic damages such as:
- Current and future medical treatment
- Physical rehabilitation
- At-home care
- Vehicle repair or replacement
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning ability
- Accessibility modifications for your home or car
- A rental car
- Replacement services
- Other accident-related costs
Pain and Suffering Damages
Besides the financial losses you might have experienced due to your accident, you may also have suffered mentally and emotionally. You might have also sustained permanent debilitating physical injuries. You are legally entitled to receive compensation for these types of non-economic losses as well. You may be able to collect funds for:
- Continuous pain
- Physical impairment
- Permanent scars and disfigurement
- Loss of limbs
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of quality of life
- Reduced enjoyment of activities
- Emotional distress
- Psychological trauma
Evidence of Your Losses
To ensure you have considered all your losses, we will gather the appropriate evidence and documentation of your injuries. We gather evidence of your losses, including:
- Medical bills
- Estimates for car and property damage/repair
- Lost wage documentation from your employer
- Bills for psychological services
- Receipts from accident-related expenses
For a legal consultation with a truck accidents lawyer serving Shelby, call 828.286.3866
Our Lawyers Will Collect Evidence to Support Your Case
The personal injury attorneys at our firm will investigate your case to determine cause and liability. We will collect evidence of the at-fault party’s negligence. Our legal team gathers:
- Medical records
- Police reports
- Photos of the accident
- Photos of car and property damage
- Photos of your injuries
- Witness statements
- Evidence from the semi-truck driver/company
- Expert testimony medical and mental health practitioners
Building a Strong Case From the Start
Building a strong case is our top priority from the beginning. That way, should we need to file a lawsuit to ensure you get paid what you deserve, we will be ready. This is particularly important as the statute of limitations for truck accidents in North Carolina is just three years, per G.S. §1-52. That may seem like a lot of time until the liable insurance company starts dragging its feet on your truck accident claim or negotiations break down.
Though we hope for a fair settlement outside of court, our law firm aims to be prepared for any scenario. Waiting too long to take legal action can be detrimental to your case. We encourage you to file a claim as soon as possible, and our lawyers serving Shelby can help you do that.
Shelby Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me 828.286.3866
We Handle Many Types of Truck Accidents
We handle truck accident cases involving a variety of large trucks, including:
- Tankers
- Dump trucks
- Semi-trucks (tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers)
- Flatbed trucks
- Garbage trucks
- Cement trucks
- Utility trucks
- Tow trucks
- Other commercial trucks (big rig or otherwise)
Common Truck Accident Causes
Truck accidents occur for many different reasons. Driver error accounts for 87 percent of large truck accidents, according to a causation study conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Other factors can cause or contribute to accidents. Common truck accident causes include:
- Driver fatigue
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Traveling too fast for road conditions
- Tailgating (following too close)
- Substance abuse
- Vehicle malfunction
- Failing to look for vehicles around the truck
- Inadequate assessment of surroundings
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Who Is Liable for My Truck Accident?
Liability can be complex in truck accident cases. These types of collisions often have multiple potentially liable parties involved due to the nature of the trucking industry.
While the driver is obviously the most visible party, he may be working for someone else. This means his employer would likely also be held responsible. Additionally, the fault may not lie with the truck driver at all. A third-party business partner may be to blame for your Shelby commercial truck accident. Below, we discuss who may share liability for your accident and injuries:
Drivers Who Own Their Trucks/Operators Driving for Themselves
An owner-operator will be operating under his own authority as he owns the company and meets the necessary legal motor carrier requirements. His company must have insurance and will be held liable if he caused the accident.
Motor Carrier Company
If the at-fault truck driver is an employee working for a motor carrier, the company will likely be held liable.
The Person or Company Who Loaded the Truck
If the tractor-trailer was improperly loaded or connected, and this led to or contributed to the accident, the party that loaded it would likely be held responsible. It may be the carrier company or a third-party.
How Much Insurance Do Semi-Truck Drivers and Companies Carry?
Commercial trucking companies are required by federal law to maintain insurance for accidents. Required limits vary based on the size and payload of the truck.
- $300,000 for non-hazardous freight on vehicles under 10,001 lbs.
- $750,000-$5 million depending on the commodities being transported
Contact Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC for Legal Help
A Shelby truck accident lawyer at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC can assist you with your personal injury claim. We’ve successfully helped countless others in North Carolina. We’ll help you hold the at-fault party accountable for their negligence by pursuing the compensation you need to heal without worry. Contact us today at (704) 482-1112.
Call or text 828.286.3866 or complete a Case Evaluation form