Truck accidents can do serious damage to all aspects of a person’s life. Although most motor vehicles can be dangerous, semi-trucks and tractor-trailers can cause devastating injuries when they strike other cars, bicyclists, or pedestrians. Fortunately, after a crash with a commercial vehicle, a legal team member could help an injured driver recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
If you were hurt in a commercial vehicle collision, an experienced Racine truck accident lawyer is here to help. Our skilled team of injury attorneys at the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer want to hear your case and help you pursue financial compensation.
Causes of Truck Accidents
Due to their size and weight, large trucks often cause catastrophic injuries or wrongful death. While many different factors can cause a crash, most incidents can be traced back to a truck driver’s negligence. To be more specific, common examples of trucker carelessness include:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Distracted driving including texting, talking, or watching videos
- Violating traffic and safety laws
- Failing to check blind spots
- Following too closely to other vehicles
- Defective truck parts or equipment
These reckless actions can result in serious injuries and substantial property damage. An experienced attorney in Racine could help an injured person establish the cause of a tractor trailer crash and hold a reckless trucker accountable for their actions.
When Is a Trucking Company Responsible for a Crash?
While many accidents are caused by a truck driver’s negligence, some are caused because of the careless actions of the company they work for. If a commercial vehicle company’s recklessness causes a crash, a legal representative could assess evidence and try to hold them accountable for:
- Improper loading of a semi-truck’s trailer
- Shifting loads due to improperly securing items
- Items falling off a trailer
- Poor maintenance of trucks or trailers
- Improper training of drivers or lack of supervision
- Encouraging violations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Hours of Service rules
Vicarious Liability Cases
Trucking companies might also be vicariously liable for the actions of their drivers. Vicarious liability refers to the ability of the injured person to sue the employer for the actions of its worker. For example, when a truck driver is negligent behind the wheel of a large semi, the company that employs that driver may be liable as well.
Although filing a personal injury claim against a trucker is usually an option, these employees are unlikely to have the funds to pay an injured person’s compensation. However, a commercial vehicle company most likely has the assets and insurance coverage needed to pay out large accident claims.
This is a critical concept to understand and take advantage of. If a trucking company was responsible for a tractor trailer collision that caused severe injuries, a skilled lawyer in Racine could help a plaintiff determine liability and get the settlement they deserve.
Compensation for Truck Accident Claims
A truck accident lawsuit may permit an injured party to sue for economic and non-economic compensation. Economic damages refer to repayment for any items that a court can put a monetary value on, including medical bills, lost income, and property damages.
Non-economic damages focus on reimbursement for intangible losses, including pain and suffering, grief, disfigurement, or loss of consortium. For example, if a person loses their ability to do an activity they enjoyed doing before a crash, a court may award them non-economic recovery. A knowledgeable attorney in Racine could help an injured person gather evidence related to a tractor trailer wreck and account for their losses.
Work with a Racine Truck Accident Attorney Today
Truck accidents cause horrific damage that you may have experienced first-hand. If you were injured because of a negligent trucker, call our hard-working legal team at the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer to make sure your case is heard and properly pursued.
Let a dedicated Racine truck accident lawyer assess your case and pursue compensation on your behalf. Contact us now to get started on your claim.