Hartford is notorious for its tight roads and aggressive drivers. Heavy highway traffic from I-91 and I-84 converges in the heart of the city, while old, narrow roadways create heavy congestion in commercial and residential areas alike. Heavy semi-trucks are a common sight, hauling goods up and down the Eastern Seaboard and to local businesses.
When a commercial truck collision occurs in Hartford, the results can be disastrous. A loaded commercial truck can weigh up to 30 times as much as a standard passenger vehicle. The extreme weight and size of a tractor-trailer can cause life-altering and sometimes fatal injuries.
Whether you were operating the semi-truck or another vehicle involved in a crash, you could seek financial compensation from the parties responsible for your accident. A Hartford truck accident attorney with Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC, can help.
Our dedicated legal team has extensive experience negotiating settlements with giant trucking companies, stubborn insurance carriers, and even government entities. Let our team of injury attorneys provide critical legal support while you recover from your injuries.
Hartford Truck Accident Claim Damages: Who Is Liable?
Determining liability is one of the most important ways your Hartford personal injury lawyer will help you during a truck accident claim. This step is crucial for securing the compensation you deserve for your damages. Several parties may be held liable, depending on the specific circumstances of the accident. These include:
- Truck driver: If the truck driver’s negligence or recklessness caused the accident, they may be held liable. Examples of negligent behavior include using handheld electronics while driving, relying on stimulants to stay awake, and speeding.
- Trucking company: The trucking company that employs the driver can often be held liable for accidents, especially if they failed to properly train or supervise the driver, or if they encouraged the driver to violate regulations (such as hours-of-service rules).
- Truck owner: If the truck is owned by a separate entity from the trucking company, the owner may be liable if they failed to properly maintain the vehicle or knowingly allowed an unqualified driver to operate it.
- Third-party drivers: In some cases, the actions of another motorist may have contributed to the accident, making them partially or fully liable for the damages.
To determine liability in your claim, your Hartford truck accident lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation, gathering evidence such as police reports, witness statements, driver logs, and maintenance records. We may also consult with accident reconstruction specialists and other experts to build a strong case on your behalf.
How Much Are Most Settlements In Hartford Truck Accident Claims?
Truck accident settlements in Hartford can vary widely depending on the specific circumstances of each case. Factors that can affect the amount of a settlement include the severity of the injuries, degree of fault, insurance policy limits, and the strength of the evidence.
Settlement amounts can be influenced by many factors beyond just the severity of injuries. For instance:
- A case with clear liability and thorough documentation of damages might settle for more than a similar case with disputed liability.
- Settlements involving multiple responsible parties (e.g., the truck driver, trucking company, cargo loaders, or manufacturers) can lead to higher overall compensation as each party’s insurance may contribute to the settlement.
Trucking companies often carry insurance policies with higher limits than individual drivers, sometimes in the millions of dollars. This can lead to larger settlements in cases where liability is clear and injuries are severe.
Results We Have Secured in Truck Accident Claims
Our Hartford truck accident attorneys are committed to fighting for maximum compensation for our clients. At Trantolo & Trantolo, we aren’t afraid to take a truck accident claim to court if the insurance company won’t offer a fair settlement. We fight for every client’s compensation, and our case results show our dedication:
- $840,000 Settlement: Our client suffered severe neck and lower back injuries, as well as torn tendons in the right foot necessitating surgery and extensive rehabilitation, when a utility truck ran a stop sign and t-boned their vehicle.
- $834,000 Settlement: Due to a truck traveling at an unsafe speed for the conditions, our client’s vehicle was involved in a head-on collision, leading to a major concussion and grave injuries to their neck, back, and legs.
- $825,000 Settlement: While working at a construction site and operating a large dump truck, our client sustained a serious injury when a massive boulder was improperly loaded into the truck bed, causing their head to forcefully hit the cab’s roof.
- $500,000 Settlement: As a passenger in a motor vehicle, our client endured substantial and excruciating leg and back injuries that required both surgery and physical therapy after the vehicle was hit by a reversing truck.
- $445,000 Mediated Settlement: Our client, in the process of making a left turn, had their vehicle struck by a truck executing an illegal lane change, resulting in considerable damage to their neck, back, and shoulder, some of which necessitated physical therapy and surgical intervention.
To get an estimate of your claim’s value, reach out to our truck accident team. Every case is unique, and your claim’s value will be determined by your total damages, the severity of your injuries, your future prognosis, and other factors.
Our Hartford Truck Accident Lawyers Will Demand Full Compensation in Your Claim
Occupants in smaller passenger vehicles are more likely to suffer serious and sometimes catastrophic injuries when struck by a semi-truck. Truckers are also at risk of severe injury, especially in rollover accidents that comprise a cab’s integrity. If the cause of your truck accident was someone else’s negligent or reckless behavior, you could recover financial damages, including:
Medical Expenses
Medical bills can mount quickly following a collision with a semi-truck. You can seek compensation for all medical costs related to your injuries, including:
- Emergency care
- Ambulance ride
- Critical care
- Inpatient hospital stays
- Surgical procedures
- Nursing home or at-home care
- Domestic assistance
- Medical equipment, devices, and prosthetics
- Medication
- Transportation to and from medical appointments
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
If your truck accident injuries result in disability or impairment, you could also recover the cost of modifying your home or vehicle for accessibility. Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC’s compassionate truck accident attorneys in Hartford can help you compile receipts, medical bills, and invoices to establish the full scope of your current and future medical expenses.
Income Loss
Income loss, while you are in the hospital, rehabilitating, or otherwise recovering can significantly stress you and your family. If you cannot return to your previous job or career due to your truck accident injuries, you can include current and future income loss in your personal injury claim.
Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC may quantify your current and future income loss using pay stubs and financial statements. We may retain an economic expert to establish the income you could have earned if your injury had not limited your future earning potential. If you own a business, we can also assess the current and future business losses occasioned by your truck accident injury.
Property Loss
Semi-trucks are heavy and large, making them especially dangerous to smaller passenger vehicles. If you were struck by a large truck, your vehicle may require significant repairs or replacement in full. You can include these damages in your personal injury claim against the liable party.
Trantolo & Trantolo LLC’s truck accident lawyers in Hartford can help you obtain repair and replacement estimates so that you can fully replace the property you lost due to another’s negligence.
Pain and Suffering
The challenges you face after a truck crash are not limited to monetary damages. You may suffer from physical pain due to your injuries. Mental and emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), can severely affect your ability to work and engage in normal activities.
Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC, can help you seek compensation for these losses. If your injuries resulted in disability or impairment, we can also pursue monetary compensation for loss of enjoyment, loss of consortium, and impaired quality of life. Call us at today or reach out to us online to pursue justice in your truck accident claim in Hartford, CT.
Professional Legal Representation from Hartford Truck Accident Lawyers
At Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC, we understand the life-altering nature of a severe truck accident. Our team aims to provide reliable legal support to truck accident victims while relentlessly pursuing justice and fair compensation from the parties responsible.
When you are represented by our law firm, you become part of our family, and we work tirelessly to provide the legal support you need and deserve. Our comprehensive legal services include:
Gathering Evidence to Prove Fault
Your Hartford truck accident lawyer will begin compiling evidence to determine who is liable for your commercial truck accident. Evidence we could use to substantiate your claim includes:
- Medical records, bills, and invoices
- Property repair and replacement estimates
- Witness statements
- Videos and photos of the accident scene
- Truck driver logs
- Testimony from economic, medical, and trucking industry experts
We thoroughly review the evidence to discover the true cause of your truck accident so that we can hold all the parties responsible.
Managing All Case Communications
When you recover from severe injuries after a truck accident, you should not have to field phone calls, emails, letters, and information requests from insurance adjusters, trucking companies, and opposing counsel. Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC’s Hartford truck accident lawyers take care of all communications related to your truck collision so you can expend your energy on healing and recovery instead.
Negotiating With Truck Companies and Insurance Adjusters
Trucking accidents can be complex legal matters. They often involve multiple at-fault parties, and the damages are high.
Our Hartford truck accident lawyers are passionate about defending the rights of injury victims, especially when you are harmed by a trucking company’s commitment to their profits over everything else. We do not back down, and we do not settle for less than our clients deserve.
Filing Your Truck Accident Lawsuit
While an insurance claim may cover some of your lost income and medical treatment costs, you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit to secure a fair settlement for the full scope of your damages.
Connecticut’s statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is usually two years, per CT. Gen. Stat. § 52-584, but this time frame can differ depending on your case’s circumstances. Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC, has you covered. We begin preparing your case for trial from the beginning and ensure your lawsuit is filed within the appropriate time frame.
We understand you may face unprecedented challenges after a Connecticut trucking accident. Our attorneys want to help you navigate the legal process to reach the maximum possible recovery for your and your family’s losses. Let Our Family, Help Your Family.
Types of Truck Accidents Our Hartford Personal Injury Lawyers Represent
Our truck accident lawyers in Hartford, Connecticut, represent a variety of types of truck accident claims. If you were involved in any of the following types of truck accidents and another party was at fault, we can help:
- Jackknife accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Blind spot accidents
- Wide turn accidents
- Underride accidents
- Override accidents
- Cargo shift or spill accidents
- Tire blowout accidents
- Brake failure accidents
- Runaway truck accidents
- Overloaded or improperly loaded truck accidents
- Truck driver fatigue-related accidents
- Distracted driving accidents
- Drunk or impaired driving accidents
- Speeding or reckless driving accidents
- Accidents caused by poor truck maintenance
- Accidents caused by inadequate driver training
- Accidents in work zones or construction sites
- Multi-vehicle pile-up accidents involving trucks
We are available to take your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our truck accident team in Hartford to learn more about how we can protect your rights.
Evidence Your Hartford Truck Accident Attorney May Use to Prove Your Claim
To build a strong case for your Hartford truck accident claim, your attorney will gather and present various types of evidence to prove liability and the extent of your damages. Some of the key evidence your lawyer may use include:
- Police reports: The official accident report filed by law enforcement can provide valuable information about the crash, including the officers’ initial assessment of fault and any citations issued.
- Witness statements: Testimony from eyewitnesses who saw the accident occur can help establish how the crash happened and who was at fault.
- Photos and videos: Visual evidence of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and your injuries can be powerful tools in demonstrating the severity of the crash and its impact on your life.
- Truck driver logs: Federal regulations require truck drivers to maintain detailed logs of their hours of service. These logs can reveal whether the driver was operating the vehicle in violation of hours-of-service rules or if they were fatigued at the time of the accident.
- Truck maintenance records: Documentation of the truck’s maintenance history can help establish whether the vehicle was properly maintained or if neglected maintenance contributed to the accident.
- Electronic data recorder (EDR) information: Many trucks are equipped with EDRs, which capture data such as speed, braking, and other factors in the moments leading up to a crash. This data can provide valuable insights into the cause of the accident.
- Medical records and expert testimony: Your medical records, along with testimony from medical experts, can help establish the extent and severity of your injuries, as well as your prognosis for recovery.
- Economic documentation: Evidence of your financial losses, such as medical bills, pay stubs, and receipts for out-of-pocket expenses, can help demonstrate the economic impact of the accident on your life.
- Accident reconstruction analysis: In complex cases, your attorney may work with accident reconstruction specialists who can use scientific methods to analyze the available evidence and provide expert opinions on how the accident occurred.
- Company policies and records: If the trucking company’s policies or practices contributed to the accident (such as encouraging drivers to violate regulations), your attorney may seek to obtain and present evidence of these policies.
By thoroughly investigating your case and gathering compelling evidence, your Hartford truck accident attorney can build a strong foundation for your claim, increasing your chances of obtaining the full and fair compensation you deserve.
Put Our Truck Accident Lawyers in Hartford to Work on Your Damages Case
Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC’s team of attorneys have successfully recovered justice and fair compensation for thousands of individuals in Hartford and across Connecticut. Our personal injury firm has dedicated more than 85 years to representing injury victims with favorable results.
Millions Recovered in Settlements and Verdicts
Our case results reflect the effectiveness of our personalized, attentive legal representation. Since 1938, we have secured millions in verdicts and settlements on behalf of truck accident victims and other personal injury clients. Let our truck accident attorneys in Hartford apply our extensive skills, knowledge, and resources to your truck accident case.
We Offer Representation Without Any Upfront Cost
We understand the financial aftermath of a severe truck accident can be debilitating. Our truck accident law firm offers legal assistance on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing for our services until we win. If we do not win your case, you pay nothing for our legal services.
Complex Litigation and Trial Attorneys at Your Disposal
Our award-winning attorneys know how to manage giant trucking companies and pushy insurance carriers. No matter how complicated or challenging your case, we have the knowledge, experience, and resources to fight for your right to fair compensation. Our Hartford truck accident attorneys build your case with meticulous care, leaving no stone unturned.
Why You Should Let Our Hartford Truck Accident Attorneys Deal with the Insurance Company
Insurance companies aren’t in the business of giving their profits away, and trucking companies typically have powerful insurance companies that will stop at nothing to protect their bottom-line. Because of this, they often use tactics to deny or devalue claims.
Insurance companies may attempt to devalue a truck accident claim in several ways:
- Questioning liability: The insurer may argue that their insured party was not entirely at fault or that the claimant shared some responsibility for the accident.
- Disputing the severity of injuries: Insurance adjusters might argue that the claimant’s injuries are not as severe as reported or that they were pre-existing conditions.
- Hiring biased medical experts: Insurers may use their own medical experts to contest the severity of the claimant’s injuries or the necessity of certain treatments.
- Offering quick, low settlements: Insurance companies may offer a quick settlement that is lower than the claim’s actual value, hoping that the claimant will accept it without seeking legal advice.
- Misinterpreting statements: Insurers might take the claimant’s statements out of context or misinterpret them to suggest that the claimant admitted fault or downplayed their injuries.
- Surveillance: In some cases, insurance companies may conduct surveillance on the claimant to gather evidence that could be used to argue that their injuries are not as severe as claimed.
- Delaying tactics: Insurers may drag out the claims process, hoping that the claimant will become frustrated and accept a lower settlement.
- Arguing failure to mitigate damages: The insurance company might contend that the claimant failed to take reasonable steps to minimize their damages, such as seeking prompt medical treatment.
- Challenging medical expenses: Insurers may argue that certain medical treatments or expenses were unnecessary or unrelated to the accident.
- Asserting policy limitations: Insurance companies may cite policy limits or exclusions to justify offering a lower settlement amount.
When you’re dealing with a truck accident claim in Connecticut, your future is on the line. Don’t risk walking away with less compensation than you’ll need to cover the full cost of your damages, now and in the future. Let us protect your interests throughout the process.
Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation
When you suffer serious injuries in a trucking accident due to someone else’s negligent or reckless behavior, you deserve compensation for your losses. Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC’s dedicated personal injury lawyers are here to help you get it. Whether you were driving a car, operating a big rig, or riding a motorcycle, you have the right to seek damages from the at-fault party.
Contact our Hartford truck accident lawyers to discuss your legal options for proving your case against the person or entity that caused your accident. During your free case review, we will examine the evidence and provide an honest assessment of your case.
Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC, has been fighting for Connecticut’s injured victims since 1938. Let us handle the legal battles while you focus on your recovery and well-being.
Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC
Address: 21 Oak St Suite 605, Hartford, CT 06106, United States
Phone: 844-999-9999
Opening Hours: 24 Hours / 7 Days A Week