New Haven Truck accident lawyer

Large commercial trucks are common sights on Connecticut roads and play crucial roles in the supply chain. While accidents involving large trucks are less common than passenger vehicle accidents, they are often far more damaging. If you or a family member recently experienced such an incident, you need to speak with a New Haven truck accident lawyeras quickly as possible to discuss your legal options.

Experienced Legal Counsel for Truck Accident Claims in New Haven, CT

The team at Dolan Injury Lawyers, PLLC, has extensive experience representing injured clients in all types of vehicle accident claims, including truck accidents. We take time to learn as much as possible about each client’s unique needs and concerns, helping them make sense of their legal situations and aiming to recover as much compensation as possible for their damages.

When you choose our firm to represent you in a truck accident case, you will have a dedicated legal advocate readily available to answer your most important legal questions, provide valuable guidance for each new step of your case, and ultimately help you maximize your recovery as much as state law allows. Whether you are seeking compensation for your own damages or on behalf of an injured loved one, trust our team to assist you.

While it may be technically possible for a truck accident victim in New Haven to pursue recovery of their damages without an attorney’s assistance, it is very risky for several reasons and unlikely to produce positive results. If you tried to manage your case alone, you would contend with your medical and personal obligations while attempting to meet strict court filing rules and procedural deadlines.

Ultimately, you will have the greatest chance of success with your truck accident claim when you have experienced legal representation on your side. The team at Dolan Injury Lawyers, PLLC, can leverage our extensive professional experience in handling each stage of your case, from proving fault for the accident to helping you secure as much compensation as possible for your damages.

Common Challenges Faced in Truck Accident Claims

In Connecticut, the fault rule applies to all motor vehicle accidents. This means that an injured driver must prove fault before they can claim compensation for their losses, and the party at fault for an accident faces liability for the damages they caused to others. However, proving fault in a truck accident case can be far more challenging than proving fault for a standard passenger vehicle accident.

Fault for your recent truck accident could fall solely on the truck driver based on their actions. If they were negligent or reckless in their handling of their commercial vehicle, they would face liability for all resulting damages. However, their employer could bear fault under the legal concept of vicarious liability. This concept applies when one party, usually an employer, bears fault for the actions of another party, usually their employee.

Vicarious liability could come into play in your case if the facts reveal that the employer was negligent in their handling of their employee or if they failed to enforce applicable trucking industry regulations. For example, trucking companies must follow hours of service rules, ensuring that all drivers have the ability to take appropriate rest breaks between shifts. Failure to enforce these rules can lead to fatigued driving accidents.

Trucking companies and other employers could also face vicarious liability if they fail to perform appropriate background checks on their drivers, fail to ensure proper training, or for other reasons. Your New Haven truck accident lawyer will be able to explain if and how vicarious liability applies to your case and what this could mean for your recovery. It is possible for fault for your accident to fall on more than one party.

Understanding Comparative Negligence in Accident Claims

Another issue you must be prepared to address in your truck accident case is comparative fault. This legal concept applies when multiple parties share fault for an accident, and each liable party will have a fault percentage assigned. This could mean that multiple defendants share fault for your recent accident, but it could also mean that a plaintiff and defendant are both found liable for the accident.

When a plaintiff shares fault with a defendant in Connecticut, state law dictates that their fault percentage is the percentage of their case award they lose as a penalty. However, the plaintiff must be less at fault than the defendant. Should the plaintiff’s fault percentage exceed the defendant’s, they will not be able to claim compensation from the defendant and will be personally responsible for their own damages.

Proving Liability for Your Truck Accident in New Haven

Your first legal challenge in the aftermath of a truck accident in New Haven will be proving fault for the accident. Before you can recover any compensation for your damages, you must be able to prove exactly who caused the accident, how they caused it, and the full range of the accident’s effects.

Whether you know exactly how your accident happened or you have no recollection of the incident due to your injuries, your New Haven truck accident lawyer can provide valuable guidance when it comes to accurately establishing liability for your accident. They can help you gather various forms of evidence, such as testimony from witnesses, traffic camera footage, cell phone data, and more.

Most truck accidents happen for the same reasons that many other vehicle accidents happen. Distracted driving, speeding, and traffic violations are just a few examples of driver negligence that could potentially result in serious truck accidents. These accidents may also happen because of illegal misconduct behind the wheel, the most common example of which being intoxicated driving.

If your accident was the result of another party’s illegal actions, they not only face liability for your damages but also criminal penalties. This could result in you receiving punitive damages and/or restitution along with compensation for your other claimed losses. Your New Haven truck accident lawyer can explain any implications a criminal case against the defendant could have on your recovery.

Damages in a Truck Accident Case

It’s possible for any vehicle accident to result in catastrophic or fatal injuries, but when an accident involves a large commercial vehicle, this risk is much greater. Many truck accident victims suffer severe injuries, including broken bones, traumatic brain damage, crushing injuries, and more. While some may eventually make full recoveries, many truck accident victims suffer long-term or permanent damage.

One of the most important aspects of your legal proceedings in the aftermath of a truck accident will be accurately identifying all the damages you are legally entitled to claim from the at-fault driver. Your New Haven truck accident lawyer can be an invaluable asset when it comes to identifying all the various forms of compensation you can claim from the at-fault driver.

The average truck accident victim will likely be able to identify the immediately noticeable economic losses resulting from the accident. Vehicle repair costs, medical expenses, and lost income from time away from work are the most common. However, it is important for the injured victim to remember they can claim compensation for their anticipated future losses as well.

For example, if they suffer severe injuries, they may not only require immediate intensive medical care but also ongoing rehabilitation. The defendant who caused their injury is liable for the full scope of medical treatment they will need to reach maximum medical improvement from their injury. Similarly, the victim can claim compensation for lost earning power if they are left permanently disabled from their injuries and will not be able to work in the future.

Filing Your Auto Insurance Claim for a Truck Accident

State law requires every driver to have auto insurance that meets minimum coverage requirements, and this extends to commercial truck drivers. Filing an auto insurance claim is usually an injured driver’s first option for recovering their losses after an accident. However, dealing with insurance companies can be challenging in several ways, and there is a risk that insurance will not fully cover the victim’s damages.

You must file an auto insurance claim as promptly as possible after your accident, and it is possible for the other driver’s insurance company to reach out to you directly to discuss a settlement. It’s wise to consult an experienced New Haven truck accident lawyer before discussing an insurance claim to ensure you are treated fairly. Insurance companies almost always look for ways to avoid paying out maximum settlements.

Your New Haven truck accident lawyer can guide you through the insurance claim filing process, helping you gather the necessary information you will need to submit to the insurer, and they will be ready to address any unexpected disputes raised against your claim. If you encounter any bad faith from the insurer, your attorney will know how to address the issue for you. Once you receive a settlement offer, your attorney can verify that it is acceptable.

Recovering With a Personal Injury Claim in New Haven

In some cases, it is possible for an injured driver to secure more compensation than an at-fault driver’s auto insurance policy claims to provide. If they suffer severe damages that eclipse the total of the defendant’s insurance policy, the right attorney can help them explore alternative recovery options and maximize the compensation they obtain.

Whether insurance is not an available avenue for recovery or will not cover the full scope of your damages, pursuing compensation with a personal injury suit is likely to be more challenging than filing an auto insurance claim and will require the assistance of an experienced attorney. However, you could also secure far more compensation for your damages than you could have won from an insurance settlement.

For example, Connecticut personal injury law allows an injured plaintiff to seek compensation for all the economic damages they suffered as well as non-economic damages. The plaintiff may claim compensation for their physical pain, emotional distress, and psychological trauma resulting from the defendant’s actions, and the state does not limit this aspect of recovery in most personal injury claims.

Your New Haven truck accident lawyer can help you craft a compelling civil suit that aims to secure maximum compensation for your losses from the defendant who injured you. Generally, if you intend to claim pain and suffering compensation, the more serious your injury, the more you could potentially recover. A plaintiff who suffered permanently disabling injuries is likely to obtain more pain and suffering compensation than a plaintiff expected to fully recover.

What to Expect from Your New Haven Truck Accident Lawyer

If you are searching for a New Haven truck accident lawyer to represent you in your upcoming case, it is crucial that you select an attorney who has proven experience handling cases like yours. While truck accident cases can arise from similar circumstances as many other vehicle accidents, they tend to involve more complex legal issues and require the attention of seasoned legal counsel.

Dolan Injury Lawyers, PLLC, has years of professional experience helping injured clients in New Haven and throughout the state with all types of personal injury cases. We know the challenges you could face in the aftermath of any motor vehicle accident and how to help you overcome them efficiently. Our goal for every client we represent is maximum compensation for their damages in the shortest possible timeframe.

With our assistance, you will be able to rest and recover while we handle your legal affairs. Trust our team to manage the auto insurance claim filing process for you, helping you secure the settlement you deserve from the at-fault driver’s insurance policy. If a personal injury claim is necessary to ensure your recovery, you can rely on us to build a compelling case and do everything we can to resolve it as swiftly as possible.

Our firm accepts personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront fees for our representation, and you will only part with a percentage of your case award as our fee if and when we win your case. This means the legal representation you need is accessible and affordable when you need itmost.

The sooner you reach out to an attorney, the better your chances are of maximizing your recovery. Contact Dolan Injury Lawyers, PLLC, today to schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced New Haven truck accident lawyer about your case.