Truck accidents occur often in the Stamford area and throughout Connecticut. Truckers can wreak havoc by speeding, tailgating, and making unsafe lane changes. Some of the most devastating crashes that result in personal injuries involve tractor-trailers — also known as truck tractors, semi-trucks, and 18 wheelers — weighing more than 80,000 pounds and traveling at 65 to 70 miles per hour or more. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, contact a Stamford, Connecticut truck accident lawyer from Casper & de Toledo. Whether the injury involves a fracture, a serious sprain or strain, or involves the head (regardless of whether you think it is a traumatic brain injury) or the spine, we can work to obtain compensation from the person at fault.
Injured in a Truck Accident? You Need a Stamford, Connecticut Lawyer on Your Side
Our lawyers, led by Stewart M. Casper, are experienced in assisting injured people in obtaining compensation from the truck driver, trucking company, or any other liable person or entity including construction contractors who have created dangerous construction zones. Speak with a Stamford, Connecticut auto accident lawyer today.
Legal Complexities of Semi-Truck Accidents on I-95 and throughout Connecticut
It would be an oversimplification to examine a highway crash involving a tractor-trailer in the same manner as a car accident. Usually, a truck accident implicates not only the conduct of the truck driver but also the conduct of the trucking company and employer. The proper investigation of a truck accident often requires examining the actions of the truck driver and the policies, regulations, and practices of the trucking company that employs him/her. Almost always, the driver’s employer will be legally liable for the conduct of the driver, at least to the same extent as the driver. Where the facts warrant, however, the employer may have an even greater liability than the driver.
Violations and Regulations in Trucking Crashes
A close study of truck accidents including tractor-trailer accidents may reveal that the trucking company or the driver violated Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations in terms of limitations of hours of service, hours of driving, training, discipline for safety violations, and other factors. Such violations may give rise to enhanced damage claims involving charges of reckless conduct and perhaps even violations of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act. In these types of cases, punitive damages and attorneys’ fees may be a part of the compensation.
We Employ Experts and Undertake Detailed Discovery
Truck accident cases require a Stamford, Connecticut truck accident lawyer to use both specialized experts and discovery. Discovery is the formal and informal process used by attorneys to obtain information about their cases. This is calculated not only to identify common information discovered in every highway crash case but also to reveal information concerning the trucking industry and the specific employer involved in the individual case. With insight offered by experts, our attorneys identify this information as the key to understanding the causes of the highway crash case. We will work to:
- obtain driver logbooks.
- review receipts for gas, food, and tolls that are used in conjunction with log books to reconstruct speed during the truck accident.
- scrutinize specialized electronic data collection systems, including electronic on-board recording systems, that may reveal driver conduct and vehicle movement prior to a crash.
- consult with accident reconstruction experts with specific expertise in truck accidents. Most often, our experts actually have experience driving the type of truck involved.
- evaluate issues dealing with visibility and conspicuity.
- assess standards that relate to highway conditions and any construction zone involved.
- review the safety record of the driver’s employer.
We also offer specialized knowledge critical to properly assess the extent of insurance coverage that can often involve multiple insurers.
Truck Accidents Resulting in Traumatic Brain Injuries
Unfortunately, the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks far exceed that of cars and other motor vehicles. Because of this, those involved in commercial truck accidents frequently sustain very serious injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries. If you or a loved one has sustained such an injury, our Connecticut brain injury lawyer is here to help.
Contact a Stamford, Connecticut Truck Accident Lawyer
When a truck accident occurs, it is important to retain competent lawyers early to begin the collection of evidence. Some critical evidence may be lost quickly, as the federal government only requires that log records be maintained for sixty days. After a truck accident, regardless of whether it involves a tractor-trailer, a box truck, or a delivery van, our competent attorneys promptly facilitate the most detailed and timely collection of evidence possible. We have much more to offer than our condolences. We have the experience, detailed knowledge of the nature of semi-truck accidents, knowledge of insurance coverage unique to the trucking industry, and the ability to present a compelling case for compensation. If you or a family member has been involved in a truck accident, please contact a Stamford, Connecticut truck accident lawyer from Casper & de Toledo as soon as possible to schedule a prompt, free initial consultation.
