Stratford Truck Accident Lawyers

Attorneys Helping Victims of Commercial Truck Accidents in Stratford, CT

When large commercial trucks weighing tens of thousands of pounds collide with passenger cars, people in smaller vehicles may suffer catastrophic injuries or wrongful death. Beyond the physical devastation these crashes can cause, truck accident cases involve complex liability questions that will require thorough investigation. Multiple parties may share responsibility for a single crash, including drivers, trucking companies, vehicle owners, maintenance providers, cargo loaders, manufacturers, and others. Victims of truck accidents will want to work with an attorney who understands these complex issues.

The attorneys at Tremont Sheldon P.C. represent people who have been injured in commercial truck accidents in Stratford and throughout Connecticut. Our legal team has experience handling these complex cases, and we understand how to navigate insurance policies and regulations that affect the trucking industry. Our lawyers provide compassionate representation focused on achieving results for our clients. We will fight to secure full compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and all other damages that truck accident victims have endured.

The Complex Web of Liability in Truck Accidents

Unlike car accidents, where one or two drivers may be liable for causing a collision, commercial truck crashes often involve multiple responsible parties. Truck drivers themselves may be liable when their negligence has caused accidents. Drivers who violate traffic laws, exceed hours-of-service limits, operate while fatigued or impaired, or engage in other unsafe behaviors can be held directly responsible for crashes they cause. However, liability rarely stops with individual drivers in commercial trucking cases.

Trucking companies that employ or contract with drivers may also be liable for truck accidents. When truck drivers cause accidents while performing their job duties, their employers will typically share responsibility. Trucking companies may also be liable for negligently hiring drivers without conducting proper background checks or verifying qualifications, failing to provide adequate training, allowing drivers to violate regulations, pressuring drivers to meet unrealistic delivery schedules, or failing to discipline drivers who have records of traffic violations or previous accidents.

Maintenance providers and repair shops that service commercial trucks may be liable when inadequate or improper maintenance contributes to accidents. For example, if a brake failure causes a crash, and an investigation reveals that the company responsible for maintaining the truck failed to perform inspections or repair brakes, that maintenance provider may be held accountable.

Cargo loading companies may bear responsibility when improperly loaded or secured freight causes accidents. When cargo is loaded in ways that creates unbalanced weight distribution, exceeds legal weight limits, or allows freight to shift during transport, the companies responsible for loading may be liable for cargo-related truck crashes.

Parts manufacturers may face product liability claims when defective components contribute to truck accidents. Brake systems, tires, coupling devices, steering mechanisms, and other truck parts must meet safety standards, and they must perform as intended. When defects in these parts lead to accidents, manufacturers can be held liable under product liability law.

Government entities responsible for road design and maintenance may share fault in some cases where hazardous road conditions contributed to truck accidents. Poorly designed intersections, inadequate signage, or unmaintained roadways can be contributing factors in these cases. Our lawyers can help ensure that specific procedural requirements are followed to hold government entities liable for damages suffered by truck accident victims.

How Our Attorneys Investigate Truck Accidents

Thorough investigations can be essential in truck accident cases. These investigations can help to identify all liable parties and gather evidence demonstrating how a crash occurred. Our legal team at Tremont Sheldon P.C. conducts investigations using multiple techniques and resources.

We will act quickly to preserve evidence that may otherwise be lost. Commercial trucks involved in serious accidents may be repaired or sold quickly, and electronic data stored in vehicle systems may be overwritten. We will send spoliation letters to trucking companies and other parties demanding preservation of vehicles, electronic logging devices, dash cameras, and other relevant evidence. By taking prompt action, we can protect crucial evidence from disappearing.

Our attorneys will obtain and analyze trucking company records that may reveal information about safety practices and regulatory compliance. Driver qualification files may show whether companies properly screened and trained drivers. Logging data can demonstrate whether drivers exceeded their legal hours-of-service limits. Maintenance records may reveal whether required inspections were performed and repairs were completed. Driver personnel files may show histories of traffic violations, accidents, or disciplinary actions. We can use discovery procedures to obtain these documents from trucking companies or other entities.

We can secure Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration records that may provide insight into a trucking company's safety history. The FMCSA maintains databases tracking crashes, inspections, and violations committed by motor carriers. We may find that a company has a poor safety record demonstrating a pattern of violations.

Our team works with accident reconstruction specialists who can use physical evidence, vehicle damage patterns, skid marks, debris fields, and other data to determine how a crash occurred. These professionals can calculate vehicle speeds, analyze sight lines and stopping distances, evaluate driver reaction times, and provide opinions about the causes of an accident. Their reports and testimony can help establish liability for a truck crash.

Our attorneys can interview witnesses, including other drivers who observed an accident, passengers in vehicles involved in a crash, pedestrians or workers near the scene of an accident, and police officers who responded and investigated. Witness accounts can provide crucial information about driver behavior, traffic conditions, and the causes of an accident.

Taking Legal Action Against Multiple Parties

After an investigation establishes which parties may be held responsible for a truck accident, our attorneys can take legal action against all liable parties, working to maximize compensation for our clients. We will determine which insurance policies apply to accidents. Commercial trucks typically carry multiple layers of insurance, including primary liability coverage from trucking companies, excess umbrella policies providing additional coverage, and non-trucking liability coverage. Cargo insurance may also provide coverage in cases involving freight-related accidents. By identifying all available sources of coverage, we can help ensure that victims will be able to obtain maximum compensation.

Our team will file claims against all responsible parties. When evidence shows that trucking companies, maintenance providers, cargo loaders, manufacturers, or other entities share fault, we will pursue claims against each party. We can handle complex litigation involving multiple defendants and their insurers. Trucking companies and other commercial entities typically have legal teams defending them, and these cases often involve aggressive litigation tactics. Our attorneys have experience managing these complex proceedings and protecting our clients' interests against well-funded corporate defendants.

Our lawyers will calculate comprehensive damages that reflect the full impact of truck accidents on victims' lives. Due to the severity of injuries in many truck accident cases, damages often include extensive past and future medical expenses for surgeries, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and ongoing care. They can also include lost income from time away from work during treatment and recovery and reduced earning capacity when injuries prevent a person from returning to their previous employment or advancing in their career. We will also take steps to obtain compensation for pain and suffering from physical injuries and emotional trauma.

Contact Our Stratford, Connecticut Commercial Truck Accident Attorneys

When you have been injured in a collision with a commercial truck, the legal team at Tremont Sheldon P.C. can help you obtain the compensation you need. Our attorneys have the experience and resources needed to handle these complex cases effectively. Contact our Stratford 18-wheeler accident lawyers by calling 203-335-5145 and scheduling your free consultation. Time limits apply to personal injury claims in Connecticut, and by taking prompt action, we can preserve critical evidence and protect your legal rights.