If you have been hit by a commercial truck, you may experience serious financial hardship, physical pain, and mental distress as you try to recover from your injuries and return to your life. At Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC, we work with truck accident victims to secure monetary compensation for their losses, including medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Our Torrington personal injury attorneys have been serving injury victims for more than 85 years, and we know how to leverage our experience and resources to get the settlement you deserve. Contact our office today to discuss your case and find out how a truck accident lawyer in Torrington, CT can help. We offer free legal consultations and representation on a contingency fee, so you pay nothing upfront for our assistance.
How We Seek Justice for Truck Accident Victims
When you hire Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC to represent you, you receive focused legal support from a team specifically assigned to your case. Your legal team fields all calls, emails, and other correspondence related to your case and keep you updated about case developments.
Investigating the Crash
To build a truck accident claim, we must gather evidence that proves the other party caused the collision. This may include truck driver logs and delivery schedules, cell phone records, dashcam footage of the crash, and accident reports from the police and trucking company. We use this evidence to reconstruct the accident timeline and establish liability.
Submitting an Insurance Claim
Insurance for commercial trucks is often complex. The cab, trailer, and cargo may all have different owners with different insurance policies. We will submit insurance claims to the appropriate insurers and handle all negotiations on your behalf.
Insurers are notorious for offering lowball settlements, so you benefit from working with a personal injury team familiar with their tactics. Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC knows how to handle difficult insurers and complex claims. We will not settle for less than you deserve.
Filing a Lawsuit and Going to Trial
Our team will file a lawsuit against the at-fault party and their insurer to recover compensation for your losses. Since most Connecticut injury victims only have two years to file a claim per CT Gen. Stat. § 52-584, prompt filing keeps your case within the statute of limitations. Both sides may reach a settlement at any point before a final verdict, even if the trial is ongoing. Our firm includes seasoned trial lawyers who are prepared to take your case before a judge or jury to secure the best outcome for your claim.
Truck Crash Injuries Are Often Serious and Debilitating
Commercial trucks can weigh 30 times as much as a typical passenger vehicle. The weight and size of a truck can cause catastrophic and even fatal injuries. Studies indicate that the kinetic energy produced by heavy trucks moving at high speeds contributes to more severe injuries, especially for occupants in smaller vehicles and motorcycle riders.
Some of the serious and catastrophic injuries that victims may suffer include:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Spinal cord injury and paralysis
- Loss of limb or amputation
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Crushing injuries
- Internal injuries and organ damage
The type and severity of injuries sustained by truck accident victims depend significantly on the direction and speed of the collision. Accidents on state and interstate highways and head-on collisions are the most likely to cause catastrophic or fatal injuries, but any accident with a commercial truck can be devastating.
Our lawyers understand the significant effects a truck accident can have on your daily life. Even seemingly minor injuries can require months of rehabilitation, while catastrophic injuries may require long-term medical care or even lead to lifelong disabilities. Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC can help you get medical treatment and fight for compensation from those who caused your injuries.
Recoverable Losses for Your Truck Accident Case
Every truck accident is unique, so we work to understand the specific ways your quality of life is affected by the collision. Truck accidents can cause extensive injuries, and it’s not fair for you to pay for the consequences of someone else’s bad behavior. We work to get compensation from the at-fault party for all the losses you suffered.
Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC has recovered millions in settlements and verdicts on behalf of truck accident victims. We have the knowledge and experience to get the compensation you need for:
- Medical bills and future healthcare expenses
- Prescription medication, assistive devices, and medical supplies
- Lost income and benefits
- Reduced income potential
- Repairs to damaged property
- Out-of-pocket expenses like childcare and domestic assistance
- Pain and suffering and mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment
- Diminished quality of life
Your injuries can affect your ability to work, earn income, engage in hobbies, and care for your children, among many other things. We consider all the ways the truck accident costs you and your loved ones, and we fight for the maximum possible compensation for those losses.
Wrongful Death Claims
If you lost someone you love to a commercial truck collision, you may have grounds to pursue damages through a wrongful death claim. Wrongful death suits help surviving family members recover compensation for funeral expenses, medical bills, lost income, and other costs associated with the collision.
Our wrongful death lawyers offer legal support to recover these damages as well as non-economic losses such as loss of support, loss of companionship, and emotional distress. Call our office today to discuss your legal options.
Understanding Liability in a Commercial Truck Collision
Generally, the trucking company will share fault if the truck operator caused the crash. Establishing fault can be a challenge, especially if there are multiple parties involved. Our team works to investigate the fundamental cause of the crash so we can hold the right parties accountable.
Common Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents
Sadly, many truck collisions are the result of preventable behaviors or conditions, including:
- Aggressive driving, speeding, and driving too fast for conditions
- Failing to signal when changing lanes
- Disobeying traffic signals and signs
- Distracted or inattentive driving
- Driving while intoxicated
- Fatigued driving over legal hours of service
Sometimes, the truck operator is not directly responsible for the accident, but they, their employer, or other parties may still be liable. Examples include:
- Poorly loaded or unsecured cargo
- Inadequate truck repairs and maintenance
- Defective vehicle components
- Badly marked roadways
- Poor road conditions or obstacles in the roadway
To ensure the best possible outcome for your case, we leave no stone unturned during our investigation. We know that even simple cases can be more complicated under the surface, and we want to be sure you get the justice you deserve.
Advantages of Working with Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC
When you hire Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC to guide you through the legal process, you receive dedicated representation from attorneys committed to getting justice for you and your loved ones. We will:
- Maintain open communication
- Be available to answer your questions
- Provide personalized legal support
- Represent your interests in all legal proceedings
Your assigned legal team will handle every aspect of your case, from the initial consultation through your final settlement or verdict.
Outstanding Truck Accident Case Results
At Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC, we pride ourselves on our ability to recover fair compensation for our clients. We have won millions of dollars for truck accident victims, including the following results:
- $3 million settlement: Our client was riding his motorcycle when he was struck by a left-turning large truck, resulting in fatal injuries.
- $2.5 million settlement: Our client was ejected from his motorcycle when he was hit head-on by a large truck. He succumbed to his injuries on the way to the hospital.
- $834,000 settlement: The client’s vehicle was struck head-on by a large truck that was driving too fast for conditions, resulting in severe injuries.
Let our firm use our extensive experience, reputation, and resources to fight for your legal rights.
What to Do After a Trucking Accident
The aftermath of a commercial truck crash can be overwhelming and confusing, especially if you are in the hospital recovering from serious injuries. While your attorney can handle the legal work, there are a few steps you can take to protect your legal rights right now.
Follow Your Doctor’s Orders
Your doctor may put you on a physical therapy regimen or have you use assistive mobility devices such as crutches or a cane. Listen to your doctor’s instructions and follow them in full. Don’t skip appointments, and avoid activities as instructed by your physician. Deviating from your doctor’s orders can have serious consequences for your case, as your medical records provide crucial evidence to support your case.
Document Everything
Write down or dictate your accident experience in as much detail as possible. Keep records of any correspondence between you and anyone else involved in the case. The trucking company or their insurer may try to pressure you into giving a statement, but you benefit from speaking with a lawyer beforehand.
Don’t Admit Fault
Sometimes, company representatives or insurance adjusters will try to manipulate your statement to imply that you share fault for the accident. They may also try to downplay your injuries and the extent to which they affect your life.
All these tactics are designed to reduce your potential settlement. Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC is well aware of these tactics, which is why we recommend hiring a lawyer before you begin talking with insurers. We will handle the settlement negotiations while you focus on recovery.
Protect Your Right to Damages and Reach Out to Our Team as Soon as Possible
There is typically a two-year time limit to file a lawsuit for your trucking accident injuries, but this time can be significantly shorter when you are dealing with insurance companies. If you miss the statute of limitations, you could lose your chance for compensation. Don’t risk it – contact Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC as soon as possible after your collision to start the legal process.