Greenville Truck Accident Lawyer

Greenville Truck Accident Attorney

If you have been involved in a truck accident you may be feeling lost, scared, and confused. You may have several questions and be unsure of how to move forward. This is especially true if you were seriously injured in the accident or you lost a loved one in the accident. Your focus should be on healing, not fighting with the insurance companies of the liable party. A Greenville truck accident lawyer can be an excellent resource to use.

An accident attorney can help review your accident, evaluate the extent of the damages and injuries, and answer any questions that you may have. Filing a truck accident claim is much easier with the help of experienced legal counsel.

Determining Liability and Negligence

One of the most important determinations in any truck accident case is the finding of liability and negligence. Truck accidents can typically become more complex than a typical car accident because there are often multiple parties that contribute to a truck accident. The resulting injuries from an 18-wheeler and semi-truck accident are likely to be severe. Also, the insurance company will often have multiple policies in place that can further complicate the accident claim.

There are four main elements that must be shown to prove negligence.

• Duty. You must prove that the responsible party had a duty of care not to cause you harm while you were on the road. This typically applies to everyone who is operating a vehicle while on the road.
• Breach. You must prove that the responsible party breached their duty by either their actions or their failure to act.
• Cause. You must prove that the breach of duty caused the accident or crash to happen.
• Damage. Due to this accident, you suffered injuries and damages.

Truck accident cases in Greenville can have multiple parties that are found to be at fault for the accident. In addition to the truck driver, other parties that can be found to be at fault for the accident can include:

• The trucking company that hires and trains its drivers.
• The manufacturer of the truck, 18-wheeler, semi-truck, or trailer.
• The cargo company that loaded the materials onto the truck. If done improperly and it contributed to the accident, this could cause the cargo company to have some fault in the accident.
• The maintenance company if they fail to do proper inspections of the truck and complete the necessary repairs.

Types of Truck Accidents

Some of the most common types of truck accidents include:

• Rear-end collisions. Rear-end collisions occur when an 18-wheeler or semi-truck runs into the rear of another vehicle. This accident type can lead to devastating damages and often occurs due to distracted driving, driving too closely, or inclement weather.
• Jackknife accidents. Jackknife accidents happen when the trailer loses control and folds inward toward the cab. These types of accidents can be especially dangerous because they often span across multiple traffic lanes.
• Head-on collisions. Head-on collisions are also very dangerous and can lead to fatalities. With vehicles traveling at high speeds, the sheer weight and size of an 18-wheeler or semi-truck can cause a devastating impact.
• Underride collisions. Underride accidents are a little less common, but they are still dangerous. They occur when a smaller vehicle becomes trapped underneath the trailer of an 18-wheeler or semi-truck.

Truck accident injuries are serious events, and it is important that the injured parties seek the immediate medical attention they need. Even if you feel fine immediately after the accident, you should still seek medical attention to ensure that there are no lingering injuries that you are unaware of. People can be full of adrenaline during an accident, and some injuries may not show immediately. Working with an accident attorney can help ensure you get the help you need.

Types of Damages That Can Be Awarded

There are several types of damages that can be awarded after a truck accident. A qualified accident attorney can help to ensure that your awarded settlement amount is enough to fairly compensate you for your injuries and damages.

• Economic damages. Economic damages are intended to help the injured party recover any financial or monetary expenses that they incurred from the accident. These can be current and future medical expenses, property damages, lost current earnings, and lost future earning capacity.
• Non-economic damages. Non-economic damages are intended to help one recover from the intangible damages sustained from the accident. These damages can include mental and emotional stress, loss of enjoyment of life, any disabilities sustained, and pain and suffering damages. Though these damages do not have a set monetary value, the law recognizes they can substantially impact one’s life. An attorney can help you ask for the appropriate amount for these damages.
• Punitive damages. Punitive damages are rare, but they are used to punish the guilty party and discourage any future similar behavior. Generally, to receive punitive damages, you would have to prove that the guilty party was willful, deliberate, or reckless in their actions.

Summation of Awarded Damages

The awarded settlement amount will vary from case to case, ranging from several thousand dollars to millions. The following factors should be considered in every truck accident case.

• The severity and extent of injuries sustained.
• Lost current and future earnings.
• Degree of liability and negligence of the faulty party.
• Whether the actions resulted in a wrongful death.
• Insurance policy and coverage.
• The acumen and negotiating ability of the victim’s accident attorney.

FAQs

Q: How Much Are Most Truck Accident Settlements?

A: Most truck accident settlements range from several thousand dollars to a couple of million dollars. Trucking accidents involving 18-wheelers and semi-trucks usually result in higher settlements than car accidents because of the severity of the damages and injuries is increased.

Vehicle accidents involving heavy commercial trucks tend to cause devastating damage and sometimes even death. The settlement amount will largely depend on the medical expenses related to any injuries, lost income, property damage, and other specific factors that arise from the case.

Q: How Much Is a Neck and Back Injury Settlement?

A: A neck and back injury settlement can be worth anywhere from a few thousand dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars. There is a wide range of factors to consider when determining the injury settlement amount. One of those factors is the severity of the injuries. This may have the most impact on the settlement amount.

In general, the more severe the injuries, the higher the settlement amount will be. Another factor to consider is the level of medical treatment required. All medical expenses will be factored into the settlement amount.

Q: How Can I Increase My Settlement?

A: There are several ways that you can increase your settlement amount. The first and possibly most important way is to get the help of a qualified accident attorney who has ample experience in 18-wheeler and semi-truck accident cases.

Other ways to possibly increase your settlement amount are to make sure you evaluate and document any damages sustained, gather evidence if you are able to, remain calm during the negotiation process, and remember that the first offer is typically the lowest.

Q: How Are Truck Accident Settlements Determined?

A: A truck accident settlement is determined by several factors. The settlement will be determined by liability and if there were any negligent actions. If it is found that the truck driver displayed any form of negligence, then that will likely increase the settlement amount. The severity of the injuries will also play a role in determining the settlement amount. The value of medical bills and property damage will also heavily impact the settlement amount.

Q: What Is the Payout for a Whiplash Injury?

A: The payout for a whiplash injury will largely depend on how much the injury affects the day-to-day life of the victim and how long it takes to heal. Each case will be evaluated on its own, as there is no standard whiplash payout amount. Whiplash is an injury that typically is not felt right away. There are instances where an injured victim doesn’t feel the effects of whiplash until days after the accident.

A Law Firm That Fights for You

If you have been involved in a truck accident, then you understand what a difficult and scary event it can be. Truck accidents can be traumatizing events, especially if there is a child or other passengers in the car. These accidents can cause lifelong issues for all parties involved. It is important that the responsible and negligent parties be held liable for their actions in a truck accident. Engaging the help of an experienced accident attorney can help you on your road to recovery.

The attorneys at the Law Offices of Wade E. Byrd P.A. understand how to help you successfully file your claim in North Carolina state courts. The North Carolina state court system can have strict deadlines and paperwork that must be appropriately filled out. Our legal team has over fifty years of experience representing individuals all across the state of North Carolina. Let our attorneys work for you. Contact us today to see how we can assist you with your claim.