Our Stamford Truck Accident Attorneys Could Help You Seek Justice
Truck accidents are a common cause of serious and even life-threatening injuries in and around Stamford. If you have been hurt in a crash, you have the right to seek compensation from the party who was responsible. Let the team at Slager Madry help you pursue your options. Call our Stamford truck accident attorneys today to get started.
Why Truck Accidents Are So Dangerous
Truck accidents are significantly more dangerous than passenger car collisions because of the size and weight of these commercial vehicles. A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, compared to an average passenger vehicle that weighs only a fraction of that amount. When a collision occurs, this weight disparity means occupants of smaller vehicles absorb much greater force, which can lead to devastating injuries.
Commercial trucks also require much longer distances to stop, especially at highway speeds. Even a momentary delay in braking can lead to a serious rear-end crash that has the potential to involve multiple vehicles.
Large trucks also have extensive blind spots along their sides and behind the trailer, making lane changes and turns particularly hazardous for nearby motorists.
The height and structure of trucks further increase the risk of catastrophic injuries. In some crashes, smaller vehicles may underride a truck’s trailer, allowing the passenger compartment to slide beneath it. These types of collisions often lead to traumatic head and spinal injuries or fatalities.
According to the National Safety Council, 5,375 commercial vehicles were involved in fatal accidents in 2023 alone. This represented a nearly 40 percent increase in fatal truck crashes compared to the previous ten years, which means this issue is not going away any time soon.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
The cause of a truck accident can vary widely from one situation to another. They are frequently attributed to human error, but other factors can also be to blame. Our Stamford truck accident attorneys can pursue a personal injury claim when an accident results from any of the following situations:
Driver Fatigue
Driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of serious truck accidents. Commercial drivers often work long hours and may feel pressure to meet delivery deadlines, which only increases the risk that they will get behind the wheel when they are fatigued. Fatigue slows reaction time and can cause drivers to make decisions operating their vehicle that they would typically avoid. In severe cases, exhausted drivers may briefly fall asleep behind the wheel, which can result in a host of severe consequences.
Impaired Driving
There are major risks that come with any driver being impaired behind the wheel, but this is especially true for commercial operators. Alcohol and drugs can remove inhibitions, slow reaction times, and make it difficult for a trucker to navigate around hazards in the roadway.
Distracted Driving
Distractions, such as using a cell phone or communicating with dispatch, can divert a truck driver’s attention from the road. Due to the longer stopping distances required for large trucks, even a few seconds of inattention can prevent a driver from reacting in time to avoid a crash. Distracted driving is especially dangerous in heavy traffic or in areas with a large amount of road construction.
Speeding
By far, one of the biggest causes of commercial truck accidents is driving at an unsafe rate of speed. Speeding reduces a truck driver’s ability to maintain control of the vehicle and significantly increases stopping distance. At higher speeds, the force of impact in a collision is magnified, making injuries more severe. Speeding trucks are also more likely to jackknife or rollover, which has the potential to injure passengers in multiple lanes of traffic.
Unsafe Driving
Unsafe driving behaviors include tailgating, improper lane changes, failure to yield, and aggressive maneuvers. Because trucks have large blind spots and limited maneuverability, unsafe driving increases the likelihood of sideswipe collisions and multi-vehicle crashes. These behaviors often place surrounding motorists at extreme risk.
Mechanical Defects
Truck accidents can stem from mechanical defects even when drivers attempt to operate safely. Brake failures and worn components may prevent a driver from controlling the vehicle or stopping in time. It is often possible to hold the manufacturer accountable following an accident caused by a defective truck part.
Truck Accident Injuries Can Be Devastating
In truck accidents, it is common for more severe injuries to occur than typical car crashes due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles. Occupants of smaller automobiles absorb tremendous force during impact, which can cause life-altering or fatal harm. Some of the most common injuries in truck accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Burns
- Internal organ damage
- Sprains and strains
- Amputations
These injuries frequently lead to lasting physical, emotional, and financial challenges for victims and their families. If you have been hurt through no fault of your own, our Stamford truck accident attorneys can help you seek compensation.
What Is a Commercial Truck Accident Injury Case Worth?
For many people who have been injured in a collision with a commercial vehicle, their primary concern is the value of their personal injury case. There are steep costs that come with being hurt, and they go beyond the monetary value of your medical expenses or damaged vehicle. You have the right in these situations to seek compensation for the emotional, physical, and financial losses that emanate from a crash. Our Stamford truck accident attorneys can help you pursue the following types of compensation:
Medical Bills
Costly medical care is a hallmark of a serious truck injury. Severe injuries not only require immediate medical treatment, but many victims will need ongoing care for the rest of their lives after a crash. You have the right to seek damages based on both your past and future expenses. This can include treatments like surgical procedures, physical therapy, and pain management. Our attorneys can review your medical records to identify the full cost of your care.
Lost Wages
Truck accident injuries are often so severe that it is impossible to return to work right away. Others are never able to perform the same job they held before the crash. You have the right to seek damages based on your lost wages, as well as any diminished future earnings you are facing, because of your long-term disabilities.
Property Damage
Most of the time, people injured in commercial truck accidents focus on their physical health in the aftermath of a crash. This is natural, but there are other types of damages that might be available in a personal injury case. You could be entitled to recover compensation based on the damage to your property, including your vehicle. Typically, this comes in the form of either repairing or replacing it.
Pain and Suffering
Not all damages in truck accident injury cases are as easy to measure as medical bills or vehicle repair costs. You might also be entitled to compensation based on the pain and suffering you experienced in the crash. This includes not only your physical pain, but also your emotional suffering. It isn’t possible to objectively measure a person’s pain, but our attorneys understand how to show a jury what your case is worth.
How an Attorney Can Help After a Truck Accident
Truck accident cases are complex, and securing compensation for your injuries is often difficult. An attorney can help protect your rights and fight for full compensation by:
- Investigating the crash
- Identifying all responsible parties
- Handling communication with insurers
- Working with medical experts
- Calculating the value of your claim
- Filing a lawsuit
- Negotiating a settlement
Your lawyer can also ensure you meet all of the important legal deadlines in these cases, including the statute of limitations. According to Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) § 52-584, you only have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit in most situations. Our team is ready to help you get the most out of your claim following a commercial truck accident.
Talk to Our Stamford Truck Accident Attorneys Today
Commercial truck accidents have the potential to alter the course of your life forever. When these accidents occur as a result of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation. At Slager Madry, we are prepared to aggressively pursue damages on your behalf.
With the help of our Stamford truck accident attorneys, you may be able to secure a measure of justice following a truck crash. Instead of attempting to settle your case alone, contact us today to learn more about your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes truck accidents different from car accidents?
Trucks are much larger and heavier than passenger vehicles, which increases the force of impact and the likelihood of severe or fatal injuries.
Who can be held responsible in a truck accident case?
Liability may extend beyond the driver to include the trucking company, cargo loaders, maintenance providers, or other third parties.
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Connecticut?
Truck accident claims are subject to strict deadlines, so it is important to act quickly to avoid losing your right to seek compensation.
What if I were partially at fault for the crash?
Connecticut’s comparative negligence rules may reduce your recovery, but you may still be able to pursue compensation depending on the circumstances.
What compensation is available after a truck accident?
Compensation may include medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses related to the crash.
Should I speak with the trucking company’s insurer?
It is never in your best interest to speak with the trucking company’s insurance adjuster, as they can use your words against you to harm your claim.