Chapel Hill Truck Accident Lawyer
When a large commercial truck collides with a smaller passenger vehicle, the outcome can be devastating. Commercial truck accidents often leave victims with painful and expensive injuries that will plague them for years to come, and if the trucking company is not sued, the victim is usually left to pay for their own astronomical medical bills.
This is not fair, but with the help of a Chapel Hill truck accident lawyer, a victim can even the playing field and obtain the compensation they deserve. If you or someone you care about has been injured in a truck accident, contact a qualified personal injury attorney about your legal options.
Common Causes of Truck Crashes
Most commercial truck drivers are more than willing to adhere to the rules and regulations governing the roadways, but unfortunately, there are many who are not.
Tractor trailer drivers are required to follow strict federal laws in regards to safety, but many truckers and trucking companies still see these laws and optional or unnecessary. Some of the most frequent causes of truck accidents include:
- Overloading the truck with cargo
- Intoxicated driving
- Service hour violations
- Lack of rest or sleep
- Speeding or driving recklessly
- Operating poorly maintained trucks
All of the hazards above can lead to devastating accidents. If a person is harmed by a trucker or trucking company who is guilty of any of the acts above, they will need a Chapel Hill tractor trailer accident lawyer to represent them in court.
Who is Responsible for a Truck Accident?
After an accident, many victims wonder who to hold responsible. Naturally, most people assume the driver should bear the most responsibility, but in reality, a Chapel Hill truck accident lawyer may be able to effectively show that multiple parties are liable for an accident. Victims may be able to hold the following parties liable for their crash:
- Driver of the truck
- Owner of the truck
- Maintenance company
- Trucking company
- Cargo loading company
Trucking companies are often responsible for encouraging their employees to forego sleep so they can meet deadlines and earn more revenue. Many may even go as far as to tell their employees they do not have to follow all the federal safety regulations laid out for them.
In the event of an accident, these individuals should be held responsible for the actions of their employees. It is also their responsibility to hire trained and safety-conscious drivers to operate their vehicles.
Other parties, such as maintenance companies and cargo loading companies can also be held liable under certain circumstances. If a maintenance or loading company fails to do their job properly, they can set the stage for a horrific accident. This is especially true when tractor trailers are tasked with hauling dangerous, often flammable, materials for hundreds of miles.
Insurance Companies
When a person is injured in a truck accident, they will definitely need a Chapel Hill truck accident lawyer to help them deal with insurance companies. Insurance companies often hire their own lawyers whose primary goal is to avoid having to pay the victim compensation for their injuries. It is important to never speak to these individuals without an attorney present.
Hire a Chapel Hill Truck Accident Attorney Today
If you are ready to file suit, a Chapel Hill tractor trailer accident lawyer will be able to assist you. Your lawyer should believe in holding individuals and companies of all sizes responsible for their actions. Contact an attorney who will work tirelessly to pursue justice for you.
