Mooresville Truck Accident Lawyer

Mooresville Truck Accident Attorney

If you were recently hurt in a truck accident, you are likely facing multiple challenges. Besides finding proper medical treatments, you are probably worried about how you will balance tending to your treatments and attending work. A Mooresville truck accident lawyer can help you navigate the injury claims process so you can focus on your recovery.

With the right legal representation in your personal injury case, you can receive compensation that can pay for your medical bills, damage to your vehicle, and other costs you incurred as a result of the trucker’s negligent driving.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Mooresville

The top causes of truck accidents mirror many of the leading causes of car crashes in the United States. The main difference between a car crash and a collision involving a commercial truck is that an accident involving a semi-truck is more likely to cause serious or grave injury to victims.

• Distracted driving: Distracted driving remains a leading cause of truck accidents in the United States. More than 3,300 people were killed on U.S. roads in 2022 as a result of distracted driving. Anytime someone takes their eyes off the road, they place themselves and others in serious danger. Smartphones are increasingly a common cause of truck accidents.
• Speeding: Driving at excessive speeds can reduce the reaction time truck drivers have when they need to stop. Truck drivers sometimes drive too fast when trying to meet deadlines. This can create hazardous conditions for anyone on the road. Speeding also greatly increases the severity of an accident. If a truck driver is found to have been speeding and caused an accident, that factor can be considered when determining liability.
• Weather: Road conditions are easily affected by the weather. Rain, fog, ice, and snow can impede a truck driver’s ability to see the road to anticipate a car accident. Even when weather plays a role in causing an accident, truck drivers are still ultimately responsible for adjusting their driving to account for road conditions.
• Road debris: An object on the road can cause an accident when a driver hits the object. In other situations, a driver may swerve to avoid the object and cause an accident in the process. Commercial trucks are often the cause of road debris. When a truck driver fails to secure their cargo properly, the consequences for drivers on the road can be severe.
• Maintenance: Semi-trucks are required by law to undergo regular maintenance. When trucking companies fail to take these requirements seriously, mechanical failures on the road can lead to severe injuries for anyone caught up in the resulting accident.

Steps to Take Following a Truck Accident

The moments after a truck accident can be chaotic. Your first priority should be your safety and that of your passengers. Any serious accident should involve police and EMS. Call 911, report your location, and give an estimate of the number of people who may have been injured.

If it is safe to do so, drive or push your car away from moving traffic and find a safe place to wait for police. Once the police arrive, answer their questions honestly without getting accused. Let the facts of the case speak for themselves.

EMS may offer to examine you for injuries. Even if you feel fine, consider letting them check you over. Adrenaline can hide the symptoms of an injury. If you can safely do so, take photos and videos of the crash site. Gather contact information from anyone involved. Take contact information from people who could be potential witnesses as well.

After the accident in Mooresville, NC, schedule a comprehensive examination with your medical doctor. Do not speak to the at-fault party or their insurance company. Consider hiring a truck accident attorney who can represent you in your insurance claim. Your attorney can explore the possibility of taking further legal action if needed.

Potential Sources of Compensation for Your Injuries in Mooresville, NC

Following a truck accident, your attorney may first seek a favorable settlement with the trucking company’s insurance carrier. Trucking companies often carry insurance policies that can compensate you for your injuries and any expenses you incurred as a result of the accident.

Your lawyer can carefully document your medical records and estimate what your future medical treatments may entail when calculating a fair settlement amount. If the insurance carrier agrees to the offer or makes a fair settlement offer of their own, your attorney can advise you on whether to accept the settlement or not.

In cases where the trucking company refuses to accept responsibility for the accident or does not make a fair settlement offer, your attorney can explore the possibility of taking the truck driver or the trucking company to court through the filing of a personal injury lawsuit.

Benefits of Hiring a Mooresville, NC Truck Accident Lawyer

Whether your compensation comes from an insurance carrier or through litigation, having an attorney is crucial. A lawyer can advocate for your rights and interests in ways that you may not be able to if you go it alone.

Trucking insurance companies are in the business of making profits, and they may work against you just to try to save money. If you communicate directly with the at-fault party’s insurance, they may pressure you into signing something that could weaken your case against them. Even your conversations with their representatives could be recorded and used against you.

A trucking accident attorney in Burke, Catawba, or Caldwell County understands the steps necessary to find you the compensation you need to recover from your injuries. An attorney will not be intimidated by the trucking company’s tactics if they try to delay or lowball your settlement offer. The insurance carrier will know that you have the option of taking direct legal action if they do not offer a fair settlement.

Working with an attorney can provide peace of mind during a stressful period in your life. Lawyers are called counselors for a reason. They can go above and beyond when it comes to providing you with important and objective information.

If you have questions about how your medical bills will be reimbursed, your attorney can provide guidance. At every step, your lawyer can keep you updated on how your case is going so you do not have to stress about finances.

An attorney also brings knowledge and experience when it comes to personal injury lawsuits.

FAQs About Mooresville, NC Truck Accident Laws

How Much Are Most Truck Accident Settlements?

Settlements for truck accidents vary widely and largely depend on several factors, including the extent of your injuries, the degree of emotional harm you endured, the amount of property damage, and the level of negligence involved.

The settlement amount is determined based on factors such as medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future medical care.

How Could I Challenge a Settlement to Get More Money from a Car Accident?

You do not have to accept any settlement offer. Your lawyer is your resource for counsel and advice when considering whether to accept a settlement offer. A fair offer should fully compensate you for past, present, and future expenses.

If the offer does not satisfy those requirements, your lawyer can tell the other party that you reject the offer.

What Is a Trucking Settlement?

A trucking settlement is an offer of financial compensation proposed by the at-fault driver or their legal representative that an injured party can accept or reject. Settlements are commonly offered by insurance companies or defendants facing litigation.

If the plaintiff accepts the lump sum of money, that acceptance typically resolves the case and ends the liability for the at-fault party.

Is a Settlement Negotiable?

Settlements are negotiable in the sense that you do not have to accept any settlement offer you do not agree with. That does not guarantee that the other party will change the offer. Having an attorney can improve the chances of a favorable settlement because your lawyer can negotiate a fair deal on your behalf.

If the other party is unwilling to pay for the harm and damage they caused, your lawyer can explore the possibility of filing a personal injury lawsuit.

How Are Truck Accident Lawyers Paid?

A trucking accident lawyer is typically paid on contingency. This means that they are not paid until you are. The terms of the contingency agreement are typically negotiated early on before the client signs the client-attorney agreement. One benefit of this arrangement is that the injured party does not have to worry about paying for legal services upfront.

Schedule Your Mooresville Truck Accident Consultation Today

You do not have to live with the financial hardships caused by someone else’s negligent driving. If you were hurt on the road by a commercial truck, you could hold the at-fault driver accountable by hiring an experienced trucking accident lawyer who can review your case and form a strategy to maximize your compensation.

The Law Office of Lyndon R. Helton, PLLC, has helped many victims of truck accidents receive fair compensation for their injuries. We understand the stress that can accompany a serious truck accident, and we’re here to help you get back on your feet. To schedule your consultation, please contact our office today.