Because of the size and weight of trucks, collisions with these vehicles cause devastating injuries and extensive property damage. While federal regulations and standards are in place to ensure drivers safely operate their trucks, these crashes are frequently caused by truckers’ negligent behavior.

When you are injured in an accident involving a commercial vehicle, a Wellington truck accident lawyer could help you hold the responsible party accountable and recover compensation for your losses. At Aronberg & Aronberg, Injury Law Firm, our personal injury attorneys are prepared to support you through every stage of your claim.

Common Causes of Truck Collisions

Truck accidents happen for a variety of reasons, including poor road conditions and defective vehicle parts. However, most crashes happen because of a driver’s individual actions. Examples of how reckless truckers cause accidents include:

  • Making an illegal maneuver
  • Speeding
  • Tailgating
  • Misjudging a gap between vehicles
  • Failing to yield
  • Being distracted and failing to notice an oncoming vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian

When a trucker’s irresponsible or unreasonable actions cause a crash with a smaller vehicle, such as a car or motorcycle, the injuries to drivers, riders, and passengers can be severe. The financial impact of paying for medical treatment and property damage may be equally significant. A skilled Wellington lawyer can investigate the cause of a tractor-trailer accident to determine who was at fault and what legal options may be available to injured parties.

Establishing Liability in a Tractor-Trailer Accident

A potential plaintiff must establish someone else’s negligence was the direct or proximate cause of their injuries to recover compensation through a civil claim. To prove negligence, the plaintiff must show the defendant breached a duty of care to the plaintiff. The plaintiff must also prove the extent of their damages.

Multiple parties could be legally liable for a truck crash, including the driver, the trucking company, and the company responsible for maintaining the vehicle. In some cases, the plaintiff’s actions may also have contributed to their injuries. Under state law, the doctrine of “modified comparative fault” applies to truck accident cases, meaning courts may assign a percentage of fault to a plaintiff and reduce available compensation proportionally by this amount. A dedicated legal professional serving Wellington can help dispute allegations a plaintiff shares liability for a truck crash to achieve the maximum possible compensation.

Recoverable Damages in Truck Crash Cases

Courts award compensatory damages to plaintiffs who can prove they experienced severe injuries as a result of someone else’s negligence. This compensation is intended to return the plaintiff to the financial position they were in before their accident. Compensatory damages can cover both economic and noneconomic losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

In accident cases involving excessively harmful or intentionally reckless behavior, courts may award the plaintiff punitive damages to punish the defendant. State law limits the maximum amount of punitive damages to $500,000 or three times the amount of compensatory damages, whichever is greater.

Statute of Limitations for Truck Wreck Claims

Under state law, all potential plaintiffs in truck accident cases have a maximum of two years to bring a personal injury action founded on negligence. After that time, the plaintiff is barred from recovery. A Wellington truck wreck attorney can ensure all legal action is taken within filing deadlines to help a plaintiff receive the full compensation they are entitled to.

Talk To a Wellington Truck Accident Attorney Today

Truckers often work for large carriers with insurance companies that want to limit how much they pay out to accident survivors. A Wellington truck accident lawyer with experience working with insurance companies and managing these complex cases can help you seek justice and get the compensation you deserve. Call Aronberg & Aronberg, Injury Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation.

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