Truck accidents are among the most devastating events on Connecticut’s highways, often leaving victims with life-changing injuries and financial burdens. Unlike ordinary car crashes, these cases involve complex trucking regulations, multiple parties who may share responsibility, and insurance companies determined to protect their bottom line. That’s why working with a truck accident lawyer from our team is so important.
Trantolo & Trantolo has stood up for injured individuals and families, fighting for their rights in and out of the courtroom. Our team combines compassion with the strength, resources, and reputation needed to take on even the toughest opponents. If you need representation from a personal injury lawyer in Connecticut after a trucking collision, we are ready to help. Don’t Fight Solo. Call our office today for a free consultation.
How Our Attorneys Help Victims of Truck Accidents in Connecticut
At Trantolo & Trantolo, our mission has always been simple: to stand up for victims when they need it most. We understand that after a truck accident, you may feel overwhelmed by pain, stress, and uncertainty about what comes next. That’s why our team is here. When you choose our firm, you can count on:
- A dedicated team on your side: We take fewer cases so every client gets personal attention, regular updates, and 24/7 access to our team.
- Support when you need it most: From arranging a letter of protection for medical care to using our in-house property damage expert, we handle the details so you can focus on recovery.
- Strength in the courtroom: With a proven record of multi-million-dollar recoveries, our attorneys won’t settle for less than you deserve and are ready to go to trial when necessary.
- Compassion and community: We treat clients like family. Some team members are riders themselves, fueling our passion for roadway accident cases. We also proudly assist Spanish-speaking clients.
Trantolo & Trantolo has made lasting impacts both inside the courtroom and across the community. With us, you’ll have a partner who will fight for your rights every step of the way.
Hear from Our Happy Clients
Liability in Connecticut Truck Accident Cases
Determining liability in a truck accident is rarely straightforward. Understanding who can be held accountable is critical to recovering full compensation. Parties who may be liable include:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- Cargo loaders
- Manufacturers and maintenance providers
Proving fault requires strong evidence, such as driver logs, black box data, maintenance records, and accident reconstruction analysis. This is why having a legal team with the resources to dig into the details and challenge trucking companies is essential.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Connecticut
According to UCONN’s Connecticut Crash Data Repository, there were nearly 2,000 commercial vehicle crashes in a recent year, many along major highways like I-84, I-91, I-95, and Route 8. With heavy truck traffic across the state, even small mistakes can have devastating consequences.
Some of the most common causes of truck accidents in Connecticut include:
- Driver fatigue: Long shifts and pressure to meet delivery deadlines often push truck drivers beyond safe limits. Despite federal hours-of-service rules, drowsy driving remains a serious issue on interstates.
- Distracted driving: Cell phone use, GPS devices, or even eating behind the wheel can cause a momentary lapse in attention with catastrophic consequences.
- Speeding and aggressive driving: Trucks barreling down stretches of I-95 or Route 9 at unsafe speeds significantly increase the risk of rollovers and rear-end crashes.
- Mechanical failure and poor maintenance: Faulty brakes, worn tires, or neglected safety checks can lead to sudden and deadly failures on the road.
- Improperly loaded cargo: Shifting or unsecured freight can make a truck unstable, causing rollovers or jackknife accidents.
- Hazardous weather conditions: Snow, ice, and coastal fog are common in Connecticut, and crashes often occur when drivers fail to adjust to poor weather.
Many of these accidents could have been prevented with proper care, maintenance, and attention. When companies cut corners or drivers ignore safety rules, innocent motorists pay the price.
Truck Accidents Caused by Parkway Violations in Connecticut
Connecticut is home to three parkways that were designed for passenger cars, not commercial trucks. To preserve safety and protect the infrastructure of the multiple parkways on Route 15, strict rules prohibit most large vehicles from using these roads.
That means large trucks and oversized vehicles are not permitted on these roads. Exceptions to this rule are rare, and more often than not, big trucks on these parkways can cause significant harm to other drivers. These oversized vehicles often strike low overpasses, get stuck in narrow lanes, or create dangerous obstacles that can lead to serious crashes.
When drivers ignore these restrictions, they risk striking low overpasses or creating dangerous obstacles, and identifying these violations could be key in proving liability.
Catastrophic Injuries Caused by Truck Accidents in Connecticut
Because of their size and weight, commercial trucks can cause far more devastating injuries than a typical car accident. With trucks weighing up to 80,000 pounds, collisions with passenger vehicles often cause catastrophic injuries. Survivors are left facing long recoveries, permanent disabilities, and overwhelming medical expenses. Some of the most serious injuries linked to truck accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): From concussions to severe brain damage, these injuries can lead to lifelong cognitive, emotional, and physical impairments.
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis: Damage to the spine often results in partial or complete paralysis, drastically altering a victim’s independence and quality of life.
- Amputations and crush injuries: The force of a truck crash can cause traumatic limb loss or severe damage requiring surgical amputation.
- Severe fractures and orthopedic injuries: Broken bones in the legs, arms, ribs, or pelvis may require multiple surgeries and long-term rehabilitation.
- Burns and disfigurement: Fuel-fed fires and explosions in trucking accidents often cause painful burns, scarring, and permanent disfigurement.
- Wrongful death: Tragically, many families lose loved ones in crashes involving large trucks, leaving behind both emotional and financial devastation.
Recovering full compensation requires a legal team that understands how to document these complex injuries and fight for the resources victims need for both immediate care and long-term recovery.
Compensation You Can Recover After a Connecticut Truck Crash
The financial and emotional impact of a truck accident can last a lifetime. Connecticut law allows victims to pursue damages that reflect both immediate costs and long-term needs.
Medical Expenses
Compensation often covers the full scope of medical treatment: hospital stays, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and assistive devices. For catastrophic injuries, this also includes future medical care, such as long-term nursing support or specialized treatment.
Lost Income and Reduced Earning Capacity
Victims can recover wages lost during their recovery. If injuries prevent a return to the same career or earning potential, compensation may also cover diminished future income.
Pain and Suffering and Other Non-Economic Damages
These damages account for physical pain, emotional distress, and conditions like PTSD or anxiety. They may also include loss of enjoyment of life and the impact on close relationships, such as companionship or intimacy with a spouse. While these damages are harder to calculate than medical bills or lost wages, they are no less important. They recognize the profound ways a truck accident can disrupt every part of a person’s life.
Wrongful Death Damages
Families who lose a loved one may recover funeral and burial costs, replacement of lost income and support, and recognition of the emotional toll of their loss. While no legal action can undo the heartbreak of losing someone, pursuing a wrongful death claim can provide a measure of justice and financial stability for those left behind.
Call Trantolo & Trantolo Today
After a truck accident, you deserve more than just answers, you deserve an advocate who will fight for your future. At Trantolo & Trantolo, we combine experience, resources, and compassion to guide clients through some of the hardest moments of their lives.
Don’t wait to get the help you need. Call our office today to schedule a free consultation with our team.
FAQs About Connecticut Commercial Vehicle Crashes
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?
At Trantolo & Trantolo, there are no upfront costs to hire our team. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we only get paid if we recover compensation for you. Our fee is a percentage of the settlement or verdict, agreed upon in advance, so you never have to worry about hourly billing or out-of-pocket expenses.
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in Connecticut?
In Connecticut, the statute of limitations for most truck accident claims is two years from the date of the crash per CT Gen. Stat. § 52-584. For wrongful death claims, families generally have two years from the date of death to file, according to CT Gen. Stat. § 52-555.
While these deadlines may seem generous, important evidence like driver logs, maintenance records, and black box data can be lost if action isn’t taken quickly. Speaking with an attorney as soon as possible helps protect your rights and strengthens your case.
How Much Are Most Truck Accident Settlements?
The value of a truck accident settlement varies depending on the circumstances of the crash and the severity of the injuries involved. Factors such as medical expenses, lost income, long-term care needs, and the degree of fault all play a role in determining compensation.
At Trantolo & Trantolo, our team has secured significant recoveries for clients injured in truck crashes. For example, we obtained an $840,000 settlement for a client who was struck by a utility truck that ran a stop sign, causing serious injuries that required surgery and extensive therapy. In another case, we recovered $834,000 for a driver hit head-on by a truck traveling too fast for conditions, resulting in a severe concussion and multiple injuries.
While no two cases are alike, these results show how catastrophic truck accidents can lead to substantial settlements. More importantly, they reflect our commitment to ensuring clients receive the compensation they need to rebuild their lives.
