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Truck accidents can be devastating, often causing serious injuries, significant property damage, and long-lasting emotional trauma. If you were on the wrong end of one, a Mills River personal injury lawyer can help you pursue damages.
You need legal support to obtain fair compensation for a truck accident. A Mills River truck accident lawyer from Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, can take on your case, negotiate with insurance companies, and fight for the maximum possible settlement on your behalf.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Mills River, NC
Truck accidents differ from typical car accidents due to the sheer size and weight of commercial vehicles. Even at low speeds, trucks can cause catastrophic injuries and significant property damage.
In Mills River and the surrounding areas, truck accidents often involve:
- Driver fatigue: Long hours on the road can lead to drowsy or impaired driving.
- Distracted driving: Using a phone, adjusting controls, or other distractions can cause loss of focus.
- Speeding or reckless driving: Exceeding speed limits or aggressive maneuvers increase the risk of collisions.
- Mechanical failure: Brake malfunctions, tire blowouts, or other truck defects can lead to accidents.
- Improper loading or cargo shifts: Overloaded or unsecured cargo can destabilize the truck.
- Weather conditions: Rain, fog, and ice make roads slippery and reduce visibility.
- Poor road conditions: Potholes, construction zones, or debris can contribute to crashes.
- Impaired driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs remains a serious risk.
Common Injuries from Truck Accidents
Truck accidents in Mills River can result in severe injuries, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): These can occur when the head strikes a hard surface or is jolted violently.
- Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis.
- Fractures and broken bones: The force of a truck collision can easily break bones, requiring surgery and long recovery periods.
- Internal injuries: Damage to organs such as the liver, spleen, or lungs can be life-threatening.
- Whiplash and soft tissue injuries: Even at lower speeds, whiplash can cause chronic pain and mobility issues.
These injuries often require extensive medical treatment and may result in long-term physical limitations. A truck accident lawyer in Mills River can help ensure that your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering are included in your claim.
Why You Need a Mills River Truck Accident Attorney
Truck accident cases tend to be more complicated than car accident cases. A truck accident attorney in Mills River can help by:
- Investigating the accident: Your lawyer can collect evidence, review truck logs, and consult with accident reconstruction experts to determine the cause of the crash.
- Handling insurance negotiations: Insurance companies may attempt to minimize your payout or even try to shift blame to you. An experienced lawyer can defend against these claims and negotiate aggressively on your behalf.
- Representing you in court: If a fair settlement isn’t possible, a lawyer can represent you in court and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Determining Liability in Truck Accidents
Truck accidents often involve multiple parties, which can make determining liability more difficult than in most car accident cases.
Parties who can potentially be held responsible include:
- The truck driver: If the driver was speeding, distracted, fatigued, or under the influence, they may be directly responsible.
- The trucking company: Companies can be liable if they failed to maintain the truck, ignored safety regulations, or imposed unrealistic schedules on drivers.
- Vehicle manufacturers: Defective brakes, tires, or other truck components can make the manufacturer partially liable.
- Cargo loaders or shippers: Improperly loaded or secured cargo can shift and cause accidents, making the loader or shipper responsible.
- Other drivers: In some cases, the negligence of another driver may contribute to the accident.
- Government or local authorities: Poor road conditions, inadequate signage, or construction hazards may cause a government entity to share liability.
A lawyer can investigate your accident and gather evidence to establish fault.
Steps to Take After a Truck Accident
If you were involved in a truck accident in Mills River, follow these steps to protect your claim:
- Call the police: An official accident report will be important for your claim.
- Document the scene: Take photos of vehicles, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
- Collect witness information: Obtain contact, insurance, and employer information from the truck driver. If any witnesses are at the scene, get their contact info too.
- Seek medical attention: Visit a doctor to undergo an evaluation and document your condition.
- Notify your insurance company: Report the accident, but avoid making statements about fault.
- Consult a truck accident lawyer: Consult our truck accident lawyers to find out how you can get compensation for your accident.
Types of Compensation You May Be Entitled To
Victims of truck accidents may be eligible for several types of compensation, including:
- Medical expenses: You can seek damages for hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and ongoing therapy.
- Lost wages and future income: You can be compensated for time away from work and any long-term diminishment of your earning capacity.
- Property damage: You can recover damages for the costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle and other damaged property.
- Pain and suffering: You can pursue compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Punitive damages: In cases of gross negligence, you can seek damages intended to punish the responsible party and deter similar behavior.
Consult a Truck Accident Lawyer in Mills River
After a truck accident, you need to take action fast. Evidence can disappear, and North Carolina enforces strict deadlines for filing claims. A Mills River truck accident attorney from Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, can manage your claim and pursue compensation while you recover from the accident.
Schedule a free case review to find out how you can get justice for your accident.
