Following a truck accident in Norwich, CT, you have a right to seek compensation for lost income, pain and suffering, medical costs, and more. The Norwich personal injury attorneys at Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC have spent more than 85 years fighting for the legal rights of injury victims.
We offer free case reviews for truck accident victims, and our legal team handles truck collision cases on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing upfront for our assistance. Contact us to learn how a truck accident lawyer in Norwich, CT can help you fight for justice.
You Could Seek Compensation For Your Truck Accident Injuries
In Connecticut, you can file an insurance claim or lawsuit to recover damages after a truck accident. Damages are any losses, economic or non-economic, you suffered because of the crash. For example, you can seek compensation for medical treatment you received for truck collision injuries.
Other damages you could recover after a collision with a semi-truck include:
- Future medical expenses, including rehabilitation and in-home care
- Lost income due to the accident or your injuries
- Reduced future income if your injuries are disabling
- Disability accommodations and assistance
- Damage to your vehicle and personal belongings
- Pain and suffering, including physical and emotional distress
- Lost quality of life
- Wrongful death damages
If your injuries prevent you from going to work or doing activities and hobbies you used to enjoy, you can include these non-economic losses in your claim. Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC has helped many injury victims secure compensation for the full scope of their losses. We will listen to your story and help you understand your legal options for recovering compensation.
Trust Your Case to a Team of Dedicated Truck Accident Lawyers
The aftermath of a truck crash is stressful enough without having to fight insurance companies for a fair payout. Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC will take on the fight for you. We are well-versed in trucking laws and regulations, and we know the tactics insurers use to reduce payouts. Let us use our extensive knowledge and resources to help you get the compensation you need.
When you hire Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC, you can expect:
- Comprehensive legal support from an assigned legal team
- 24/7 answers to your questions and constant case updates
- Free consultations and representation on a contingency fee basis
- Dedicated advocacy from attorneys who get results
We have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts on behalf of injured people in Connecticut. No matter how complex your case is, we have the resources to handle giant trucking companies and stubborn insurance carriers to recover a fair settlement or award.
Proving Liability for a Semi-Truck Crash Can be Complicated
Truck accidents often happen when the driver, trucking company, or other party is negligent. That is, they act carelessly or recklessly in a way that endangers others. Regardless of how the accident occurred, if the truck operator is responsible, their trucking company usually shares liability. For example, if a truck driver runs a red light and hits a car, the trucker and their employer can both be liable for damages.
When we seek compensation for your truck accident injuries, our team investigates the cause of the accident first. Once we establish how the accident happened, we can hold the appropriate parties responsible through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.
Causes of large truck collisions include:
Aggressive Driving and Speeding
Truckers operating over the speed limit or too fast for conditions are more likely to cause significant damage in a crash. High speeds and heavy loads prevent trucks from maneuvering or braking fast enough to avoid collisions. When a truck operator aggressively changes lanes or follows vehicles too closely, they increase the risk of a crash.
Distracted or Inattentive Driving
Truck operators can become distracted when texting, talking on the phone, eating, or adjusting dashboard controls. Even looking away or taking their hands from the wheel for a moment can lead to dangerous accidents.
Fatigued or Drowsy Driving
Commercial truck operators have service hours requirements established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). They limit the number of hours a driver can spend on the road between breaks and days off. These regulations exist for good reason: fatigued driving from extended lack of sleep can cause impairment similar to drug and alcohol use.
Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol
Drugs and alcohol are common factors in trucking accidents. Drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol have reduced coordination, thinking, and reasoning abilities. These functions are all necessary for safely operating a commercial vehicle.
Truck Component, Equipment, or Cargo Issues
Tractor-trailer accidents can also happen because of issues with the truck’s systems, equipment, or cargo. For example, brake system failure can lead to dangerous commercial truck crashes. We can determine whether the brakes failed due to poor maintenance, defective components, or other causes. Similarly, broken or damaged trailer equipment or poorly loaded cargo can lead to an accident, even if the driver takes reasonable care while operating the vehicle.
Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC works to discover the fundamental cause of your trucking accident so we can hold the right parties accountable. Reach out to our accident lawyers today to learn more about the process.
Why Truck Accidents Are So Dangerous for Motorists
Semi-trucks are significantly larger and heavier than passenger vehicles. Fully loaded, a large commercial truck can weigh 30 times as much as a typical car. They are more difficult to maneuver around obstacles and take much longer to stop when the operator brakes.
A smaller vehicle can easily be crushed by a moving tractor-trailer, especially on highways and arterials. Semis often have higher ground clearance, and vehicles are more easily pulled under heavier trucks in a crash. As a result, truck accidents often have higher fatality rates and injuries are more likely to be catastrophic. Examples of catastrophic injuries from trucking crashes include:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Bone fractures
- Internal injuries and organ damage
- Loss of limb or amputation
- Crushing injuries
- Spinal cord damage and paralysis
While truck operators are sometimes injured in crashes with passenger vehicles, most injuries and deaths in truck collisions are to the passenger vehicle’s occupants. Our legal team has experience helping the severely injured secure medical treatment and justice following a truck collision. Contact our office today to learn how we can help.
Getting Medical Treatment After a Trucking Accident
We can help you get medical treatment for your tractor-trailer crash injuries with a letter of protection (LOP). This letter is an agreement between you, your lawyer, and the treating doctor that you will cover the cost of treatment when your truck accident claim is resolved. The goal is to get the treatment you need while your case is ongoing so you can regain your health and pay for the treatments out of your final settlement or verdict.
Protecting Your Rights After a Crash With a Tractor-Trailer
If you were in a truck crash, you have probably already sought medical assistance and reported the accident to the authorities. After you receive treatment, there are a few things you can do to support your claim and protect your legal right to compensation:
- Document everything. Keep copies of your medical records, police reports, and any correspondence related to your case.
- Do as your doctor says. Follow all your doctor’s orders when it comes to using assistive equipment and doing certain activities. Even if you start to feel better, attend all your follow-up appointments and physical therapy sessions as instructed.
- Hire an attorney. A personal injury lawyer will help you navigate the legal process and handle the legal work so you don’t make mistakes that could harm your case.
- Stay off of social media. Even private posts can be harmful to your injury claim. Avoid posting on social media while your case is ongoing.
- Avoid admitting fault. Insurers may try to get you to say things that compromise your case. Consult with your attorney to avoid common errors that could compromise your settlement.
- Don’t discuss your health. Insurers may try to deny your case if you have a preexisting condition. They may also reduce your settlement if you downplay your injuries.
Prompt Legal Attention is Critical After a Trucking Accident in Norwich
Timing is crucial after a truck collision. Contact our lawyers right away to start the legal process and avoid costly delays. We will provide you with a free, no-obligation consultation to explain your best legal options.
If you hire us, we will immediately begin gathering and preserving evidence, such as trucking logs, delivery schedules, dashcam footage, and witness statements that could be compromised over time. We will also make sure your case is filed within Connecticut’s statute of limitations so you don’t miss the chance to seek compensation.
Don’t Fight Solo – get Trantolo & Trantolo.