Lexington Truck Accident Lawyer

Collisions involving a heavy commercial truck can be extremely traumatic, often resulting in severe damage and life-altering injuries. These vehicles’ size and weight make them dangerous to everyone else using the road. Truckers must comply with state and federal regulations to prevent causing avoidable harm.

If you were injured in a catastrophic wreck due to a truck driver’s negligence, our personal injury attorneys can explain your rights and options. You can call our office today and schedule an appointment with a skilled Lexington truck accident attorney to learn more.

What to Know About Commercial Truck Crashes

Collisions involving tractor-trailers are often severe due to these trucks’ size, with many weighing over 10,000 pounds. Because of this weight, trucks require much longer stopping distances than other vehicles. Road and highway incidents are a national area of concern due to their severity and high fatality rates.

Crashes occur for various reasons, with driver fatigue and error being the primary causes. Drowsiness impairs reaction times and increases the risk of making avoidable mistakes. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates the industry, including the maximum allowable hours behind the wheel per day and per week, to prevent truckers from driving without enough rest.

Distracted driving, such as using in-cab devices or cell phones, is also a common cause of wrecks and is entirely preventable. Examples of other typical causes include:

• Inadequate training and lack of experience
• Speeding and reckless driving, particularly during bad weather
• Improper loading of cargo, either too much or unbalanced, leading to instability and rollovers from shifting loads
• Equipment and mechanical errors, including tire blowouts, brake or steering failure

A lawyer in Lexington can investigate the cause of the truck accident, gather evidence, and help you obtain the maximum potential settlement.

Who Is Liable for the Damages?

Establishing fault and liability in a major truck crash case is often complex because these accidents can involve multiple parties, unlike those involving regular passenger vehicles. An attorney in Lexington can investigate the specifics of the truck crash and determine which parties failed to exercise the reasonable care expected of all road users.

Examples of this failure can include truck operator errors, company policies or negligence, cargo loading issues, or dangerous or defective equipment. Evidence may include law enforcement reports, witness statements, driver logs, or black box data. The lawsuit also may include more than one responsible party.

Choice No-Fault Automobile Insurance

The state uses a choice no-fault auto insurance system, and by default, every policyholder must include Personal Injury Protection coverage. This indemnifies you for your medical care, lost wages, and specific out-of-pocket expenses, such as replacement services to help with household tasks you cannot do yourself because of your injuries, regardless of who was at fault for the collision.

The regulations allow you to file a Rejection Form with the Kentucky Department of Insurance if you wish to waive that coverage and preserve your legal right to pursue compensation through a civil lawsuit. The guidelines also allow you to obtain a payout through your policy and file a claim against those at fault for any damages over $10,000.

Potential Recoverable Damages

Settlements fall into two groups, based on the type of injuries. Economic damages cover your hospital bills and other medical care related to the incident, any lost benefits and pay, and other out-of-pocket losses you sustained as a result of the defendant’s negligence.

Non-economic damages are non-monetary, such as emotional distress, permanent disfigurement and disabilities, and pain and suffering. A lawyer familiar with truck crash claims in Lexington can provide a more accurate estimate of damages after reviewing your case.

Contact a Lexington Attorney After a Truck Collision

Crashes on busy roads are common, but when they involve large tractor-trailers, the outcome can be catastrophic. If another person’s negligence caused a preventable and serious collision, you must hold them legally and financially accountable.

State insurance laws give you different options for obtaining a settlement, and various parties could be liable for the damages, making these cases complex. A Lexington truck accident attorney can explain your rights and help you claim the compensation you deserve. There are no charges unless we win your case. Contact Circeo Law Firm today to get started.