Large commercial trucks and 18-wheelers can be deadly when operated by negligent or inexperienced drivers. One accident is all it takes to sideline you with a serious or catastrophic injury. You may not be able to work or care for your family, and your debts will accumulate.
If a truck driver caused the accident and your injuries, the law may entitle you to financial compensation for your past and future losses. Our truck accident lawyers in Waterbury can help through the legal process and fight for the fair compensation you deserve.
At the Law Offices of James A. Welcome, our Waterbury personal injury lawyers have over four decades of combined legal experience obtaining settlements and jury verdicts for past clients. We care about your recovery. Call today for your free and confidential consultation.
Why Choose Our Waterbury Truck Accident Attorneys
Our attorneys can help you understand your rights and hold those who did this to you accountable. Never assume the insurance company will treat you fairly. Our team will understand what your claim is really worth and work to recover maximum compensation.
- Your truck attorney’s experience matters. Our lawyers have been successfully representing clients throughout Connecticut for more than 17 years.
- We communicate openly and often. You will never be left in the dark about your case. We have a multilingual staff that speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
- We know how to get real results. Our truck accident attorneys in Waterbury can go up against any insurance company or trucking company in pursuit of the compensation you deserve.
Set up an appointment with our truck crash attorneys in Waterbury by calling today. We have offices in Waterbury and several other Connecticut locations, and can make evening or weekend appointments for you if necessary.
How Our Truck Accident Injury Attorneys Can Help
Handling your truck accident lawsuit alone can expose you to mistakes such as settling for less than your case is worth or trusting an insurance claims adjuster to act in your best interest. These errors can compromise your family’s future by getting in the way of your financial recovery.
When you work with our legal team, you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing we’re handling the legal burden while you focus on your recovery. Some of the ways our truck crash lawyers in Waterbury can help with your case include.
Accident Investigation
We will review the circumstances of your accident to understand how it happened and who was responsible. We will review driver logs, consult accident reports, and speak to witnesses. We may bring in an accident reconstructionist to better explain events.
We’ll look for violations of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations. Any breaches of federal and state laws on the part of the truck driver or trucking companies can help bolster your claim.
Compensation Assessment
We will review your losses to gain a complete understanding of the hardships you and your family have suffered because of the truck accident. While every case is unique, truck accident victims can often recover compensation for:
- Healthcare costs such as medical treatments, doctor visits, emergency care, and procedures.
- Future medical care needs, like surgery, physical therapy, and prescription medications
- Lost wages to make up for the days or weeks missed at work.
- Out–of–pocket costs for tasks you can’t perform due to your injuries, such as rideshares, housekeeping, or childcare.
- Property damage to repair your vehicle
- Non–economic damages such as pain and suffering
In rare cases where a trucking company has operated illegally or with extreme negligence, we may be able to recover punitive damages. These are meant to punish the defendant and deter similar behavior in the future.
Case Management
Our truck wreck lawyers in Waterbury will know how to manage your case for the best possible outcome. In addition to reviewing your medical records and accident reports, gathering evidence, and investigating the crash, we will submit your claim and prepare for trial if necessary.
If you have lost a loved one, our Waterbury wrongful death lawyer can handle the legal legwork of your case while you focus on your family. We’ll deal with the insurance company and handle all communications during this difficult time.
Settlement Negotiations
Insurance companies often prefer to settle out of court when they know their client is at fault. This is usually best for everyone involved and can keep you from having to endure a lengthy civil trial. Our Waterbury truck accident lawyers will negotiate on your behalf for a fair settlement.
However, we aren’t going to let the insurer get away with paying you less than you deserve. If they won’t do the right thing, or a settlement isn’t in your best interest, we will stand up for you in court and fight for the maximum award you are allowed by law.
Common Causes of Commercial Trucking Accidents
Large truck accidents are almost always preventable. Truck drivers are legally required to operate their vehicles with care to avoid crashing. Trucking companies are also responsible for ensuring the safety of their trucks, equipment, and drivers. Common causes of wrecks include:
- Distracted driving
- Texting while driving
- Driver fatigue
- Violations of hours-of-service regulations
- Speeding and reckless driving
- Incorrect braking techniques
- Unsafe lane changes
- Illegal turns
- Following too closely
- Equipment breakdowns
- Lost cargo loads
Truck drivers and trucking companies have a responsibility to take great care in preventing dangerous truck accidents. Failing to do so can lead to liability for injuries, losses, and deaths. Our truck accident attorneys in Waterbury will hold them accountable for your hardships.
Who Is Liable for a Truck Accident in Connecticut?
Every driver on the road has a legal duty to operate their vehicle safely. If they fail to do so and you suffer real damages because of their actions, they are often liable. As professional drivers, truckers are held to an even higher legal standard.
Connecticut uses a conventional fault system for financial responsibility for injuries. This means the party most responsible for causing the truck accident will have to pay for injuries and losses, and that is often the truck driver.
Trucking Company Responsibility
Many truck accident lawsuits also name the trucking company as a defendant. The company is responsible for ensuring the reasonable safety of its trucks and drivers through practices such as proper driver training, background checks, and fleet maintenance.
The company is also vicariously responsible for the actions of its on-duty employees, including truck drivers. If a truck driver causes a crash as an employee of the company, the company will bear vicarious liability.
Other Possible Defendants in Your Truck Accident Case
Other possibilities for the defendant in your truck accident case in Waterbury include a truck owner/operator, a truck driver who is an independent contractor, a cargo company, a third-party driver, a product manufacturer, and the government.
You may be able to hold more than one party liable for your accident, depending on the circumstances. Naming multiple defendants can increase the odds of recovering maximum compensation for your injuries.
Comparative Negligence in Connecticut
Connecticut follows a comparative negligence rule for personal injury cases. This means that even if the jury determines that the accident is partially your fault, you may still receive an award, but it will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if it were determined that your compensation was $100,000, but that you were 20% at fault, you could receive $80,000. However, if you are greater than 50% at fault, you are barred from recovering compensation under Connecticut law.
Insurance companies often use this law to deflect blame in personal injury cases and attempt to avoid payment. Our law firm will push back against unfair accusations and fight for the award you deserve.
Proving Fault in a Truck Accident Lawsuit
Commercial truck accident lawsuits are not like typical car accident cases. They have many features that make them unique, including the size of the vehicle, the evidence available, the severity of the injuries, and federal regulations.
For example, the trucking company’s rapid response team may immediately go to the scene of the accident to gather evidence. Our truck crash lawyers can counter the rapid response team’s efforts by collecting evidence without delay, such as:
- Driver logbooks
- Event data recorder
- The truck’s black box
- The driver’s medical history and driving record
- The truck company’s history of federal law compliance
- Fleet inspection and repair reports
- Cell phone records
- Camera footage from an in-cab device
Our team can also help you with other difficult aspects of your case. A Waterbury truck accident attorney can level the playing field with a powerful insurance corporation and fight for the compensation you need for your catastrophic injuries or a loved one’s death.
What to Do After a Truck Accident
After a truck accident, you have the right to seek financial compensation for your injuries and related expenses. Taking these steps helps minimize the risk that you will be treated unfairly under the law.
- Call 911 and report the accident. You want the police to arrive to document the incident and fully gather all evidence in the case.
- Take photos and videos. When you are safe to do so, take photos of the accident, the surrounding area, and your injuries. This can be helpful proof later.
- Ask for the contact information of the truck driver, the trucking company they work for, and their insurance information. They legally must provide this information.
- Request contact information from any witness nearby who may have seen what happened in the accident.
- Seek medical care right away. Do not delay getting to the hospital. This will help document your injuries and their relation to your accident.
- Contact our personal injury lawyers. Let us handle the legal process from there.
- Write a narrative of how the accident happened while events are still fresh in your mind.
Our Waterbury truck accident lawyers will manage your case, alert the insurance company to your losses, and build an evidence-based claim for you. You can expect us to seek out all potential witnesses as well as recreate the accident if there is any question of fault.
What Not to Do After a Truck Accident Case
As soon as you hire our team, we will start working on your case so you can focus on your health and recovery. It helps to document your injuries, log your medical appointments, and missed hours at work. There are several things you do not want to do as well:
- Do not post information about your medical condition, recovery, or accident on social media. Insurers may try to use this against you.
- Do not speak to the insurance company yourself. Let us handle all communication for you.
- Do not skip medical appointments, even if you are beginning to feel better. Instead, work hard at full recovery.
Instead, let our Waterbury catastrophic injury lawyer be there to guide you through this process. We can get started as soon as today. You can also expect our team to answer any questions you have, so there is no need to worry about what could happen.
Contact Our Truck Accident Attorneys in Waterbury
Large trucks are important for moving goods, and most drivers take safety very seriously. But it only takes one negligent trucker to cause serious suffering for you and your family. Do not leave yourself without a defense against the large trucking companies and their insurance providers.
Our truck accident attorneys in Waterbury will investigate your accident, protect evidence that shows liability on the part of the trucking company, and fight for the compensation you truly deserve. You don’t have to deal with this alone. We are in your corner.
The Law Offices of James A. Welcome has recovered millions of dollars in awards and settlements for Connecticut truck accident victims. Contact us today for your free initial consultation to discuss your case and learn how our attorneys can help you.
