A commercial truck accident can have devastating lifelong consequences for you and your loved ones. Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC’s personal injury attorneys in Hamden know the financial, physical, and psychological toll a semi-truck accident can take, and we are here to help you face these challenges.
Our Hamden truck accident attorneys offer free consultations to help truck crash victims understand their legal rights and options. If you suffered losses because of a truck driver or trucking company’s negligence, we could help you navigate the claim process and fight for fair compensation. Call today to find out how we can assist with your case.
How Much Can I Recover With a Hamden Truck Accident Claim?
When you are injured in a commercial truck crash, the result can result in unforeseen costs for you and your loved ones. Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC’s dedicated truck accident attorneys will listen to your story and explore the ways the collision affected you, so you can recover compensation in line with your injuries.
Our legal team works to identify the parties responsible for your injuries and seek maximum financial recovery for all your losses, including:
- Medical expenses
- Lost current and future earnings
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life
Seeking Maximum Compensation for Truck Crash Victims in Hamden
No matter how complicated your claim is, our personal injury lawyers have the experience necessary to fight for your injuries. For more than 85 years, we have established a reputation for successful representation and recovered millions on behalf of trucking accident victims. Our successful truck collision cases include:
- $1.9 million settlement for a motorcycle rider struck head-on by a large truck
- $834,000 settlement for a client struck head-on by a speeding commercial truck
- $445,000 settlement for a client whose motor vehicle was sideswiped by a truck driver making an inappropriate lane change
- $300,000 settlement for a client whose motorcycle was hit by a left-turning semi-truck
Attentive Representation From Trucking Accident Attorneys in Hamden
We understand that your injuries are deeply personal, and they deserve personal attention. To ensure every case receives sufficient time and energy, our law firm limits the number of cases we accept. Each client receives a dedicated legal team assigned to their case. Your legal team is available 24/7 to respond to questions and concerns. At Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC you have a team backing you up, you never fight solo. We make sure every one of our clients is supported by a team—attorneys, investigators, medical specialists, and more, who make sure you get the settlement you deserve.
During your case, the firm provides focused legal services tailored to your particular needs. We will:
- Handle all communication relating to your truck crash claim
- Obtain evidence to prove liability and support your case for damages
- Negotiate with insurers to secure a fair settlement
- File a lawsuit against the at-fault party and their insurer
You can expect open communication throughout your case, with prompt answers to questions and concerns and frequent case status updates.
How We Determine Fault in a Hamden Truck Accident
When you are injured in a crash with a commercial truck, the claims process can quickly become complicated. While the trucker may own the cab, their employer may own the trailer and cargo. This means you could be dealing with multiple insurance companies and extensive discussions about who is at fault for various aspects of the accident.
Since your case hinges on discovering the responsible party and holding them accountable, a comprehensive investigation is critical. Our legal team works to preserve and recover evidence of your truck accident’s cause, so we can file claims with the appropriate parties.
Establishing the Accident’s Cause
A solid accident timeline, with details from witnesses, videos, and photos, is indispensable when determining liability. We use a variety of methods to reconstruct the accident and dig into the details to establish the underlying cause.
While some semi-truck crashes may seem simple on the surface, they typically arise due to negligence. Common negligent circumstances that lead to tractor-trailer accidents include:
- Fatigued or drowsy driving: When the driver fails to take enough breaks or violates hours of service regulations, it could be because their employer has established an unreasonably tight delivery schedule.
- Driving under the influence: Some drivers on unreasonably tight schedules take dangerous stimulants to stay awake on the road.
- Drunk driving: Commercial drivers with a history of alcohol abuse may have been allowed to drive big rigs by negligent trucking companies.
- Distracted driving: Truckers who do not have enough time for breaks, receive inadequate directions, or become lost may lose focus when trying to use their phone or navigation system to reach their destination.
- Aggressive driving and speeding: Truck operators on a tight schedule may be impatient and short-tempered, driving aggressively and too fast for conditions to meet unreasonable delivery times.
- Load shifts: When the cargo is insufficiently secured in the trailer, it can shift and cause the driver to lose control of the semi.
- Inadequate vehicle care: Truckers and trucking companies may not properly repair or replace broken, worn, or defective parts, resulting in dangerous equipment failures.
- Defective parts: A truck manufacturer distributing defective components can be liable for accidents that occur as a result.
In some cases, multiple responsible parties are liable for the effects of a commercial truck accident. Liable parties may include the trucker, trucking company, loading company, municipality responsible for road conditions, or truck manufacturer.
Gathering Evidence to Prove Negligence
The fundamental basis for any personal injury claim is negligence. Specifically, we must have evidence to show that the responsible parties were careless or reckless, and their actions led to your injuries and associated losses. To establish negligence, we focus on the following four elements:
- Duty of care: The trucker and trucking company have a responsibility to obey traffic laws and reasonably avoid causing harm.
- Violation of duty: The trucking company and truck operator failed in the duty of care. For example, they violated hours of service regulations and caused the driver to fall asleep at the wheel.
- Causation: The at-fault parties’ negligence caused a truck crash that resulted in your injuries.
- Damages: You suffered financial, physical, or emotional damages due to the truck accident. We obtain copies of your medical records, medical testimony, bills, invoices, estimates, and receipts to demonstrate the full scope of your damages.
Our Hamden commercial truck collision attorneys will gather photos, videos, witness statements, and police reports detailing the accident’s progression. We may also request copies of the driver’s log, maintenance and repair reports, delivery schedule, and communications between the trucker and their employer.
When it comes to recovering fair compensation for your losses, our truck accident lawyers in Hamden leave no stone unturned. You deserve fair compensation for an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, and we are here to help you fight for it.
Time Limits for Filing a Truck Accident Claim in Hamden
When you are injured in a truck collision, you typically have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit against the parties responsible. The time limit can differ depending on your case details, so it is best to begin the legal process sooner rather than later. Contact Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC as soon as possible after your accident to get started.
While you receive treatment and undergo rehabilitation, we can work behind the scenes to gather evidence, submit insurance claims, and file a lawsuit by the appropriate deadline. Focus on recovering your health and let us manage the legal footwork.
Steps to Take After a Truck Accident in Hamden
Following a truck accident, you have likely already received emergency medical treatment and left the scene. Severe injuries may prevent you from taking action at the accident scene, but you can still take steps to protect your legal rights.
Continue Medical Treatment and Follow Your Doctor’s Orders
Your injuries may require minimal treatment or extensive rehabilitation. Regardless of your injury severity, be sure to attend all follow-up appointments. If your doctor tells you to wear a brace, employ crutches, or use any other medical equipment, follow their instructions.
Go to all your physical therapy and other rehabilitation sessions, even if you begin to feel better. Failure to follow your doctor’s instructions and treatment plan can compromise your claim and reduce your final settlement or verdict.
Hire a Truck Accident Attorney
A dedicated personal injury lawyer with experience handling trucking accidents in Hamden can help you navigate the legal process. Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC’s legal team has extensive experience managing a wide range of personal injury cases. We can explain your legal rights and help you avoid mistakes that could harm your case. We handle all our cases on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing upfront for our assistance. Instead, we recover our fees and costs from your final settlement or verdict when we win your case.
Consult With a Hamden Truck Accident Attorney Today
If you or someone you love suffered injuries in a truck crash, you have a legal right to pursue compensation from the at-fault parties. Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC’s semi-truck accident attorneys can investigate the crash, build a case, and defend you in negotiations and at trial. You deserve representation from a personal injury firm that cares about getting results.
Our law firm has spent more than 85 years securing compensation for injured victims. Let us use our extensive knowledge and experience to help you recover from your truck collision. Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation. We are available 24/7 to answer your questions.