Accidents with Commercial Trucks

WEST VIRGINIA TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYER

overview

Commercial trucks deliver goods and services throughout the United States every day of the year. They deliver food, medicine, and other goods and supplies we rely on daily. Drivers work hard to ensure that their cargo gets to the final destination on time and in good condition.

Big trucks (also called 18-wheelers) bring over 83,000 tons of manufactured tonnage into the Mountain State on its roads and Interstate highways everyday. Roughly 84% of our state’s communities rely on big trucks to move and deliver goods (West Virginia Trucking Association.) The upsurge in e-commerce requires more trucks to transport cargo from other ports and distribution centers.

Unfortunately, West Virginia is also fifth in fatal trucking accidents. The beautiful mountains with their winding roads are also an obstacle for large commercial trucks. One wrong turn can lead to a disaster, especially on roads with little to no maneuvering room.

The Port of West Virginia in Follansbee brings even more truck traffic through West Virginia. With cargo originating from the ports of New Orleans and Baton Rouge, The inland port serves as a redistribution center to the Midwest, including truck and barge traffic. This means even more large commercial trucks that roll through our state on our Interstates, highways, and sometimes our local streets.

Following a crash, your priority is getting immediate medical care, even if you don’t believe you are injured. Once you leave the hospital, your next move is to contact a Charleston commercial truck accidents lawyer to protect your rights and work to help you get compensation for your injuries. The Love Law Firm has been helping accident victims for over 25 years and is ready to help you after a commercial truck accident. Contact our office today to schedule your free consultation and learn more.

WHY COMMERCIAL TRUCKS ARE SO DANGEROUS

Even unloaded, an accident with a commercial truck can be lethal. Fully loaded, a big rig can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. By comparison, the passenger vehicle alongside a big truck weighs about 4,000 pounds. A collision alone can be fatal, but that’s not the only reason it’s dangerous.

Drivers are trained to keep these vehicles under control. However, weather conditions, improperly loaded cargo, faulty tires or brakes, or defective truck parts can lead to a breakdown or failure that can harm multiple vehicles. Negligence or improper maintenance by the trucking company can also lead to a crash.

Jackknifing, where the truck and trailer swing in different directions, can hit a large number of other vehicles on the road, as well as motorcyclists, bicyclists, and even pedestrians. Improperly loaded cargo can lead to jackknifing and rollover accidents that can also impact multiple vehicles including motorcycles. In some areas, even bicycles and pedestrians can be impacted by a big truck out of control. Sudden stops, wet or slick roads, and road hazards can cause drivers to lose control of their trucks.

Truck drivers who are fatigued, distracted, or driving under the influence can also wreak havoc on the highway, especially on I-79, I-81, I-68, and US-33.

Crashes with even empty commercial trucks can lead to catastrophic injuries:

• Crush injuries
• Internal organ damage
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal and back injuries
• Chronic pain
• Broken and crushed bones
• Emotional trauma and Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Wrongful death

Even one of these injuries can have lifetime consequences.

RESPONSIBILITY OF TRUCK ACCIDENTS

Passenger car accidents are usually straightforward. But an accident with a big commercial truck is a completely different matter. Even though the accident was with the driver, negligence may be traced to another party. Big commercial truck accidents are much more complicated and require a more complex approach.

While the driver is usually thought of as the negligent party, each trip involves multiple hands before the truck takes to the highway. So responsibility for a truck accident may involve:

• The driver
• The management company
• The trucking company that owns and operates the truck
• The company that hired and trained the driver, which may be different from the truck’s owner/operator company
• The company that loaded the cargo
• The company that last performed maintenance on the truck
• The manufacturer of the truck itself
• The manufacturer of truck parts, such as brake pads, tires, etc.
• Other parties involved in the trip
• Other negligent drivers

Any one of these parties—or more than one—can be responsible for a crash with a big truck. Determining liability is much more complicated because it’s not a straightforward matter. When you work with The Love Law Firm, our experienced commercial truck accident attorney will begin investigating and find out how and why your accident occurred.

COMPENSATION AND DAMAGES

Car accidents can be serious, but truck accidents can be catastrophic. Longer hospital stays recuperation, and long-term unemployment are three things that can set someone back months or even years. Life-changing permanent disability is also possible. The dilemma of being unable to work while bills are piling up can make your recovery difficult.

The Love Law Firm can help you recover compensation to pay these bills and help you recover. We can help by investigating the accident, gathering evidence and witness statements, negotiating with the various insurance companies, working to get you a fair settlement and protecting your rights during the process.

You may be able to recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses, current and future
• Lost wages, current and future
• Lost earning capability
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of enjoyment of life/reduced quality of life
• Scarring/disfigurement
• Emotional trauma: depression, anxiety, PTSD
• Wrongful death (spouse or other family members)

Since 1997, attorney Chad Love has helped people after they’ve experienced traumas such as truck accidents and can help you.

GETTING LEGAL HELP

You may be wondering if having an attorney help you is a good idea. We’d like to explain why you should have legal help following a commercial truck accident in Charleston.

1. Trucking companies, their legal teams, and insurance companies work hard to deny your claim and pay you little to nothing.

2. You have the right to your legal representation to protect your rights, negotiate for you, defend you (in court if necessary), and ensure that you receive a fair settlement for your losses. Don’t let an insurance adjuster, trucking company, or their lawyer tell you otherwise.

3. You can afford legal representation for your accident. Many personal injury lawyers like The Love Law Firm accept cases on a contingency fee basis. That means the attorney’s fees are paid from the eventual settlement, depending on how the case is finished. Our consultation is free and we’ll be happy to explain the details to you.

4. Accident victims who are represented by an attorney receive better settlements than those who do not.

Victims of commercial truck accidents frequently receive phone calls from either the trucking company, their insurance company, or their attorneys shortly after the accident. Sometimes even the same day. Do not speak to anyone without speaking to a Charleston truck accident attorney first. They will try to convince you not to hire an attorney, and to get you to say something that will destroy your claim. If this happens, refer them to our office, or inform them that you will be obtaining legal counsel soon. Say nothing else and end the call, then call The Love Law Firm.

Help is available, and you do not have to face this alone. Let The Love Law Firm handle your truck accident claim so you can focus on your recovery. We’re ready to help you.

THE LOVE LAW FIRM HANDLES ALL TYPES OF BIG TRUCK ACCIDENTS

If you’ve been in an accident or lost a loved one to a big truck accident in Charleston, speak to the experienced truck accident attorneys at The Love Law Firm. We can investigate your case, determine who might be liable for damages, and fight to get you the maximum amount of compensation we can. Chad Love has been representing West Virginia accident victims for more than 23 years. Our contingency fee arrangements mean that you’ll only owe a fee when we win your case.

Need help after an accident with a commercial truck? Call The Love Law Firm today at (304) 344-5683, or send us a message online.