Covington, Kentucky Truck Accident Attorney
Semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, and multi-trailer trucks pose a high risk to automobile drivers and their passengers due to the massive size and weight of these commercial vehicles. A semi can weigh 80,000 pounds making it difficult to maneuver or respond to situations that require immediate action. In the event that a semi-truck is involved in a wreck with a private passenger vehicle, the weight alone of the truck greatly increases the threat of serious injuries occurring to the auto driver or passengers.
Kentucky has multiple thoroughfares of highways, including I-75, I-71, and I-275, that carry a large amount of commercial traffic through our state. Dangerous areas have even been given nicknames such as the “cut-in-the-hill” because of the numerous accidents that occur in those specific areas.
Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents
There are multiple negligent acts that can cause a truck accident, including:
- Driver fatigue
- Poor maintenance or defective parts
- Drunken or drugged driver
- Poorly trained or inexperienced driver
- Overloaded or improperly loaded truck
- Illegal turns
- Tailgating
- Speeding
- Jackknifing
- Inclement Weather
Maintaining sufficient control of the commercial vehicle is the key to safe operation. However, commercial truck drivers often fail to act responsibly while in control of these massive vehicles.
Governed Laws that Affect Kentucky Truck Drivers and Companies
Under Title 49 of the U.S. Code mandated by The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT), trucking companies and their drivers, whether contracted or employed, must follow specific guidelines to reduce the risk of accidents. Certain logs of the number of hours driven and the number of hours rested must be kept. Vehicle inspections, maintenance records, and all repairs must be carefully recorded. There is a statute of limitations that determines how long these logs and records must be maintained for the driver and the company.
Dickman Law knows the laws, both state and federal, that govern the commercial trucking industry. Enlisting our attorneys’ help will ensure that records are received documenting the information pertinent to your case.
Assessing Damages
Assessing damages properly from your accident can be extremely complicated. Financial damages resulting from medical bills, lost wages, and car repairs can be given a monetary value easily. Other areas are not so easy to calculate such as catastrophic injuries that cause paralysis, disfigurement, emotional stress, pain and suffering, or possibly death. The loss of someone you love or a diminished lifestyle cannot be completely renewed by a financial award, but knowing that your finances are covered can bring some stability back to your life. Dickman Law knows what is entailed in assessing damages and assigning a dollar figure to those damages.
Identifying Potential Defendants in Trucking Accidents
When a commercial tractor-trailer or semi-truck is involved in an accident, there may be more than one defendant in the civil claim. Insurance companies usually cover a large portion of the liability. However, if negligence is established on the part of the driver, the trucking company or the contractors, each person or entity that acted negligently may also hold some responsibility. Only an expert Covington truck accident attorney can help identify each potential defendant to ensure you receive the maximum compensation you are owed to enable your full recovery.
A professional accident investigation must be conducted to uncover the whole truth in a truck accident.
Contact Our Covington Truck Accident Attorney
Oftentimes, an insurance company will attempt to settle trucking accident claims quickly with the least amount of compensation offered in an effort to avoid any negative publicity. Dickman Law Offices, P.S.C strongly advises against accepting an offer from an insurance company prior to consulting with his expertise. You possibly could forfeit your right to claim further damages if you settle without having a personal injury lawyer review your offer.
Insurance companies will begin to build their case immediately following a trucking accident. You should do the same by contacting Dickman Law for a free initial consultation. All personal injury cases are taken on a contingent fee basis. We collect no attorney’s fees unless we secure compensation for you.