If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident on I-85 or U.S. 74, you could be entitled to receive compensation from the liable party. You could face high medical bills, pain and suffering, and other types of losses after a truck accident in Kings Mountain. The injuries you sustained could also cause you to be out of work for some time.
A Kings Mountain personal injury lawyer at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, can help you recover the compensation you and your family deserve. Our Kings Mountain truck accident attorneys can review your case and guide you through every step of the claims process while you focus on healing. Call us today for a free case consultation. Our legal team can explain your legal options for recovery.
Can You Secure Compensation for a Truck Accident in Kings Mountain?
Yes, it may be possible to secure compensation for your injuries following an accident with a commercial truck in Kings Mountain, NC. Our team understands that a truck wreck can be costly. You may face mounting medical bills, loss of income, and pain and suffering due to another party’s negligence. However, you could be eligible for compensation for your injuries and losses.
To recover compensation, your Kings Mountain truck accident attorney must establish the following four key elements of negligence:
- Duty of care: The responsible party owed you a legal obligation to follow traffic laws and operate their vehicle safely.
- Breach of duty: The at-fault party violated their duty of care by breaking a traffic law.
- Causation: The at-fault party’s actions led to the tractor-trailer accident and your injuries.
- Damages: The accident has left you with physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial losses
If a negligent truck driver caused your injury-related accident in Kings Mountain, our truck accident lawyer can hold them accountable via an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. We can assess the causes of your collision and the strength of your claim during your complimentary consultation.
Damages You Can Recover After a Kings Mountain Truck Accident
Recoverable damages are the money the defendant pays to make the injured party whole again after causing their injuries. These damages can be separated into two categories: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages include monetary losses you have had to pay because of your injuries. Non-economic damages are the losses related to your reduced quality of life.
Some examples of damages you could recover after a truck accident include the following:
- Medical costs: Any medical visits could be recovered during a big rig accident lawsuit. This also includes any occupational or physical therapy, emergency room visits, or ongoing care.
- Lost wages: If you have to be out of work because of the injuries you sustained during the wreck, you could be compensated for the income you lost. This includes any income, such as tips, bonuses, and benefits. You may even seek part-time or gig work.
- Reduced or lost earning capacity: You may not be able to return to work in the same capacity because of long-term or permanent injuries you sustained. Our attorneys can assist you with calculating how much you should be compensated in future earnings.
- Property damage: The repairs or replacement of your damaged vehicle can be sought for fair compensation. In addition, you could also seek compensation for personal items lost or destroyed in the wreck, such as a smartphone or jewelry.
- Pain and suffering: Pain and suffering is a non-economic loss that covers the physical pain and emotional distress you went through while recovering from the car accident.
- Emotional damages: It is common after accidents that people who are involved will suffer from anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other intense emotions. These conditions can be calculated as a loss that you could recover in your claim.
A Kings Mountain truck accident attorney from our law firm will include all your damages in your claim for maximum compensation.
How Can a Kings Mountain Truck Accident Attorney Help Me?
A truck accident attorney from our firm can help you determine what evidence is necessary for your case. Our lawyers will manage your case by doing the following:
Inspecting the Accident
Our legal team focuses on finding out exactly what happened during your truck wreck. We conduct a thorough investigation by:
- Speaking with eyewitnesses
- Obtaining a copy of your police report
- Working with accident reconstruction specialists and obtaining expert testimonies
- Looking for surveillance footage of the accident scene
We begin the investigation process as soon as you contact us, allowing us to collect evidence before it disappears.
Representing Your Interests
Insurance adjusters and other drivers may approach you after a Kings Mountain truck accident. Our team steps in to handle all communications with insurance companies on your behalf, allowing you to focus on recovering from your injuries.
Reviewing Your Losses
Insurers often try to get drivers to accept an immediate settlement after a truck wreck. However, these offers may not cover all your losses. We calculate all your damages, so it doesn’t come out of your pocket if you need future medical treatment. It’s always a good idea to review any offers with your attorney before accepting them.
Going Over Your Options
You have choices when resolving a Kings Mountain truck accident claim. Many people settle with insurance companies out of court. However, sometimes, insurance agents refuse to treat you fairly after an accident.
With legal representation protecting you, your lawyer may recommend taking your Kings Mountain claim to court. We understand the strategies that work to successfully resolve truck accident claims and secure the compensation you need to move forward.
How Negligence Causes Truck Accidents in Kings Mountain
Tractor-trailer trucks are large compared to regular passenger vehicles. Because of this massive size difference, truck accidents can be disastrous and deadly. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) puts strict regulations in place to lower the number of truck accidents. A few of the main causes of truck accidents include:
- Driver error: The driver could be distracted because of texting or using the radio. A truck accident could occur due to driver error, including speeding, aggressive driving, driver inexperience, or impaired driving.
- Fatigue: Federal regulations require truck drivers to keep detailed logs of their hours of service to make sure they are getting enough rest time. Most commercial drivers get paid by the load. Therefore, the faster they can deliver, the more money they make. Many drivers will push themselves to the limit and drive while they are too fatigued, which has the potential to cause severe damage to any other vehicles on the road with them.
- Overloaded trucks: Trucking regulations monitor how much weight a truck can carry. If the trucker disregards this rule or the cargo is poorly secured, accidents can happen.
- Defective truck: It is crucial that trucking companies keep up with the maintenance of their trucks. If the tires or brakes of the truck are defective, it could result in an accident.
- Severe weather: Inclement weather can make it more difficult for drivers to control their vehicles. Rain, snow, ice, wind, and fog can lower driver visibility and cause catastrophic collisions.
A Kings Mountain truck accident lawyer can assess what caused your accident and hold the liable party or parties legally accountable.
Liable Parties in a Kings Mountain Truck Accident
In most truck accident cases, it is usually the truck driver who is at fault. However, the truck driver may not be the only negligent party. Depending on the circumstances of the truck crash, there could be multiple parties at fault. For example:
- If the crash resulted because of defective parts, the trucking company, maintenance crew, or even a parts manufacturer could be held liable.
- If the cargo was improperly secured, the shippers or cargo loaders might be liable.
- If the company hired unqualified drivers, failed to properly train their drivers, or pushed them to exceed safety limits, the trucking company could be held liable.
- If the road was poorly maintained or had design flaws, a municipality with jurisdiction could be liable.
A Kings Mountain truck accident lawyer at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, will help you recognize the liable party in your accident.
Actions to Take After Getting in a Truck Accident
After a truck accident, you may feel overwhelmed and scared. It is important to try to stay calm during this time and remember the following steps:
- Make sure everyone involved in the accident is okay and the vehicles are pulled into a safe area if possible.
- Seek medical attention if needed.
- Call the police and file a report.
- Take any pictures of the damage that could be used as evidence. If the truck has noticeable brake or tire damage, make sure to get photos of that.
- Exchange information with all parties involved in the crash.
- Document details you remember from the scene.
Then, contact Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, and speak with a member of our team about your truck accident and legal options.
North Carolina’s Statute of Limitations
If you were injured in a truck accident, you have three years to file a lawsuit with either the Cleveland County or Gaston County courthouse, according to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52. The three-year deadline begins on the day of the crash. If the deadline passes, you may no longer be able to receive compensation. As our client, we can ensure you do not miss any deadlines pertinent to your case.
Our Kings Mountain Truck Accident Lawyers are Ready to Advocate for You
At Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, we will dedicate the proper amount of time to your truck accident case in Kings Mountain. We want you to feel comfortable every step of the way. Many of our past clients are very happy with our representation and the care we put towards their cases.
Call us today for a free consultation. We are more than happy to answer any of your questions. Start working with a Kings Mountain truck accident lawyer today.