LaGrange Truck Accident Lawyer
Being involved in an accident with a commercial truck can be a frightening experience. Tractor trailers, construction vehicles, and other large trucks dwarf passenger cars. Collisions with these vehicles can cause serious injuries or even death to the victims. Despite the fact that the drivers of these vehicles are required to obtain special licenses, they often operate their vehicles in a reckless manner.
By overloading their cargo spaces, driving while sleep deprived, or not properly checking blind spots, truck drivers take unnecessary risks that can result in accidents.
LaGrange truck accident lawyers help people who have been injured in collisions with commercial vehicles to fight for the fair compensation that they deserve. Get in touch with an experienced injury attorney today to begin your case.
Truck Accident Laws
The truth is that most collisions between commercial trucks and passenger cars are accidents. While there are certainly instances where a collision is intentionally caused by a trucker, most collisions are the result of reckless or negligent behavior. However, this does not mean that the truck driver is absolved of any civil liability.
To the contrary, when an accident results in the injuring of another person, the truck driver may be sued under the legal theory of negligence. Simply put, negligence is when a person has a legal responsibility to protect others. When they fail in that responsibility and another person is hurt, they will be liable for any damage caused.
Truck drivers, and indeed all drivers, have a duty to protect other motorists, passengers, and pedestrians. When they violate that duty, by speeding or ignoring a stop sign, for instance, they are legally responsible for the consequences.
Indeed, through the concept of negligence per se, if the trucker’s driving violated a law of the road, they may be considered negligence automatically.
Statute of Limitations
Another aspect of the law to remember is the statute of limitations. This is a time limit that a plaintiff must meet in order to win their case. For cases involving only property damage, the case must be filed no more than four years after the accident. However, if the case involves any type of personal injury, the case must be initiated no more than two years from the underlying event.
Types of Injuries in Truck Accidents
The types of physical injuries that are common in truck accidents are varied. They can range from cuts and bruises, through sprains and broken bones, to amputations and paralysis. While the potential injuries are severe, we must remember that any alleged injury must be backed up by medical documentation.
That is why it is extremely important that anyone involved in an accident with a commercial truck to not only seek immediate medical treatment, but also to follow up with doctors as recommended. Only with fully documented medical treatment will a plaintiff be able to recover full compensation for their physical injuries.
Potential Damages
But the impact from a truck accident in LaGrange can stretch far beyond physical recovery. There are a myriad of mental injuries and quality of life issues that can be experienced by victims in these collisions. These include:
- Lost Wages
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life
- Any Permanent Disability
- Pain and Suffering
- Loss of Consortium
These damages are less easy to measure than the pure medical costs of a recovery. Still, they can make up the majority of damages claimed in a case. LaGrange truck accident attorneys will work with victims to fully understand the impact that the accident has had on their life and to seek appropriate compensation.
How a LaGrange Truck Accident Attorney Can Help
Being involved in an accident with a commercial truck can change a person’s life. On top of the necessary medical treatment and rehabilitation, people often miss significant time at work and suffer major changes in the quality of their life. LaGrange truck accident attorneys understand these struggles and fight at your side to get you the compensation that you deserve.
By gathering the evidence and presenting a strong demand package to the defendant’s insurance company, many cases settle for fair sums without needing to go to trial. Let skilled truck accident attorneys in LaGrange fight to protect your rights; but since time is limited to file a claim, contact today.