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You may have many questions when you are involved in a truck accident, we are here to help! We have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions by truck accident victims in the state of North Carolina.
Truck crashes, like other motor vehicle crashes, may have a number of causes, depending on whether the commercial truck driver, passenger vehicle driver, or other factors involved led to the accident. Here are some of the most common causes of truck accidents:
Other truck accidents may occur when a semi-trailer jackknifes, or when the trailer folds in on the cab. Driving in a semi-truck’s blind spots can also cause passenger vehicles to get caught under the trailer.
Truck wrecks often result in catastrophic injuries for accident victims. Here are some of the most common severe injuries caused in truck collisions:
Even if your injuries are not as extensive as those in the list above, you may have legal options. Pursuing compensation for your injuries can help pay for medical costs. Or, if your injuries will keep you from returning to work or life as usual, compensation from a personal injury claim can help you set yourself up for your new way of life.
Immediately following any vehicle accident, you’ll want to seek medical attention for anyone involved, including yourself. Even if you don’t see any obvious severe injuries, some injuries can be masked by adrenaline, or not apparent on the outside, such as internal bleeding.
In addition, seeking medical care as soon as possible could affect your personal injury case later on, if you decide to take legal action. The more time between the accident and a hospital visit, the more doubt that can be cast on your injuries being related to the accident.
After ensuring everyone is safe, report the accident to law enforcement. While you are only required to report accidents in North Carolina that lead to injuries, property damage, or death, this is not a call you should make on your own. After all, you could have hidden injuries or unknown car accident damage. Report the accident to authorities to ensure you are covered. If you make an injury claim, one of the most important pieces of evidence could be the police report.
Finally, when you are ready, consider contacting an injury lawyer. They will begin work on your case right away, gathering details, poring over the police report and your medical records, and laying the groundwork to fight for fair compensation for your injuries.
Simply put, a ‘claim’ is typically a legal demand for compensation — like a claim on your insurance policy for compensation after a truck accident. A personal injury lawsuit, however, involves you suing the opposite party for compensation.
Injury lawsuits are settled in court, hence the term ‘settlement’ for compensation. Most injury claims are settled out of court, unless you cannot come to an agreement for fair compensation. If you don’t receive a fair settlement offer, you may decide to open a personal injury lawsuit, suing the defendant.
While claims are made with insurance companies, lawsuits are typically brought against whoever can be held liable for your injuries and the accident — whether that’s the trucker or the trucking company.
Your North Carolina truck accident lawyer can help you understand when and if your case will go to trial, as well as help prepare you for the possible verdicts you may receive. If you do not settle the claim out of court, your attorney will also have a plan prepared to defend your case in court.
One of the legal options available to motorists in North Carolina following a truck accident is beginning a personal injury lawsuit. This means you can sue the liable party for injury-related costs, property damage, or wrongful death. An experienced truck accident lawyer can review your case to determine the liable party or parties.
No, North Carolina is one of the few states in the U.S. that is considered an at-fault state for auto insurance. This means that the person responsible for the accident must pay for any damages caused by the accident.
You may be able to file a personal injury claim following a North Carolina truck accident. However, this depends on whether you can be considered at fault in any way. Because North Carolina is an at-fault state, any accidental admission of fault could lead to no payout or a reduced payout by insurance companies.
This is why it’s extremely important to be careful what you say and how you say it when speaking with insurance adjusters. They are protecting their own company’s interest, and are trained to look for ways to deny your claim.
For this reason, it can be crucial to your case to work with a North Carolina truck accident attorney, who can handle all communication with insurance companies. That way, you know you will not be assigned fault for the accident that isn’t rightfully yours and have the best chance at receiving fair compensation as a result.
If you or a loved one have experienced personal injury after being hit by a semi truck in North Carolina, you may be able to seek compensation. Truck drivers and trucking companies can be held responsible for injuries caused by their negligence. Filing a personal injury claim allows you to pursue a settlement for damages caused by the accident, and LegalFinders can help you begin the claim-filing process. We are connected with some of the most highly rated law firms in the United States. Let us help you get started on your case by referring you to top truck accident lawyers near you during a free consultation.
Accidents involving large trucks are, unfortunately, a common occurrence in the state of North Carolina and elsewhere in the United States. The sheer size and weight of commercial trucks make them a hazard to operate on the roadways and a risk factor for truck accidents.
Big rigs require careful management, maintenance, and handling by an experienced, well-trained, and capable truck driver. When a trucker is negligent or distracted while driving, the results can be devastating, leading to catastrophic injuries, property damage, or even wrongful death for accident victims.
Truck crashes are an even greater risk when other factors are involved, such as poor road conditions or weather conditions, improper truck maintenance (such as faulty brakes), or lack of training for the driver. Couple these factors with truck driver negligence, and an accident is almost inevitable. This does not mean the accident is excusable, however.
If you or a family member were harmed during a tractor-trailer accident, the best way to regain some of what you lost is to file a personal injury claim. A personal injury case allows you to seek what’s known as damages, or compensation to cover costs you incurred from the accident.
These damages could extend to any number of accident-related expenses, from hospital stay medical bills, to paying a home help aid during your recovery, to covering the cost of a totaled vehicle. You should not have to pay for hefty medical costs and property damage due to a semi-truck accident you didn’t cause. This is where LegalFinders comes in.
We work to connect truck accident victims with the truck accident attorneys who can help. From the first moment you connect with your attorney, you will see the difference they can make for your case. Your lawyer will tackle all tasks related to your case, from big to small. This can include negotiating with insurance companies to ensure you receive a fair settlement, building a strong foundation for your claim based on details and documentation related to the accident, and more.
Lawyers who specialize in personal injury know the laws that apply to truck accident cases, and they can apply their knowledge and experience to your case. For example, they can explain truck accident laws, such as the statute of limitations. They can break down complex legal terms in a way that you can understand. And, they can make sure your claim is complete, filed in the right area of the court system, and that it contains all the documentation necessary. That way, your claim will not be rejected on a technicality.
In short, your North Carolina truck accident attorney will be with you every step of the way, offering solid legal advice and working hard to earn you the settlement you deserve. If your case goes to trial, the law firms you’ll find at LegalFinders have ample trial experience and are not intimidated by insurance companies or their lawyers. Learn more today during a free case evaluation. Call LegalFinders now, or fill out the contact form to get started right away.
There were more than 519,000 motor vehicle accidents in North Carolina in 2019, according to the North Carolina Division of Transportation. Of those vehicle accidents, truck wrecks accounted for more than 8,000 accidents total.
While this number may pale in comparison to the more than 276,000 accidents involving passenger vehicles, damage from truck crashes accounted for some of the most serious injuries in the state. Other statistics surrounding truck accidents in North Carolina are as follows:
Tractor-trailer accidents
3,266
in 2019
Semi-truck accidents
4,759
in 2019
Heavy truck accidents
325
with unknown motor vehicle types
Highest number of accidents
occurred on Fridays
Highest number of vehicle accidents
occured in the afternoon
versus morning hours
Most common age group for fatalities and injuries due to vehicle crashes
20-29 age group
for passengers, pedestrians, and drivers
Highest instances of motor vehicle crashes
occurred in Guilford, Wake, and Mecklenburg Counties
A factor in the overwhelming majority of vehicle crashes
alcohol
for all age groups, including commercial truck accidents
Most motor vehicle fatalities
occurred in the months of May, June, September, October, and November
As reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), North Carolina is home to the most dangerous roadway in the United States: I-95. It is considered most ‘dangerous’ because it was responsible for the most fatalities in 2020, the most recent year for vehicle crash data.
This road is, as many may know, one of the most highly traveled freeways in the state of North Carolina since it extends through the state and onward down to Florida. Other dangerous roadways in the state include:
| Roadways | Descriptions |
| I-85 | Which extends from Virginia through North Carolina all the way to Alabama. |
| US-17 | Which extends from Florida up though North Carolina all the way to Virginia. |
| I-40 | Which saw more than 275,000 vehicle collisions in 2017. |
| US-64 | Which saw high rates of fatalities from 2015 to 2017. |
| Old Fairground Road | Which extends through Johnston County into Harnett County |
If you or a loved one were in an accident involving a semi truck or other commercial vehicle, LegalFinders can help. The law firms in our network work hard to establish the attorney-client relationship — and you can count on them to build a solid case and help you seek maximum compensation for your injuries.
Whether you’re located in Charlotte, Raleigh, or elsewhere in North Carolina, we can connect you with top-rated personal injury attorneys in your area. Contact LegalFinders now to get started on a free case evaluation and to connect with the best truck accident lawyer for your case.
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Published: 3 May 2022
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — NHTSA File Downloads
North Carolina Department of Insurance — After an Accident
North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles — North Carolina 2019 Traffic Crash Facts
The Patch — Here’s The Most Dangerous Highway In North Carolina
WITN — Recent study reveals deadliest highways in North Carolina
WRAL — DOT officials: This rural road is one of North Carolina’s most dangerous
