Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer in Louisville Kentucky
Did You Suffer Personal Injuries in an 18-Wheeler Wreck in Kentucky? Call Our Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer in Louisville for Help
There are many different types of motor vehicle accidents that could be caused by a reckless or negligent driver. However, some of the most catastrophic types of motor vehicle accidents involve commercial vehicles like large trucks, big rigs, tankers, flatbeds, box trucks, and other semi-tractor trailers. According to statistics, almost 6,000 people are killed and 155,000 people are injured in trucking accidents each year in the United States. Unfortunately, these figures have increased by almost 50% over the last 10 years. Our experienced semi-truck accident lawyer in Louisville knows this first-hand from handling serious, disabling, and fatal 18-wheeler wrecks in Kentucky. Many times, these types of accidents result in significant pain and suffering, high medical bills, and extreme lost wages. All of these damages impact a victim and his or her family in a significant way, which is why Kentucky law recognizes a right to compensation.
Here at the Louisville Injury Law Firm, our compassionate and experienced legal team can help you and your family recover compensation for personal injuries and economic damages caused by the negligence of a truck driver, trucking company, or another reckless party. We offer FREE consultations and case evaluations, where our legal fees are only paid after we recover your compensation in a settlement, verdict, or another type of award. To learn more about how our semi-truck accident lawyer in Louisville can help you, contact us today to schedule your free case evaluation.
Trucking Accidents Are Different and Need a Different Type of Lawyer
Almost most personal injury lawyers will advertise that they do motor vehicle accidents and will accept trucking accident cases, you really need to hire a lawyer that specifically advertises for 18-wheeler wrecks like our semi-truck accident lawyer in Louisville. That’s because trucking accidents are very different than other types of motor vehicle accidents, both by their very nature but also by the laws, regulations, and extent of the injuries that are often caused by truck wrecks.
More Momentum and Force
For instance, 18-wheelers are inherently more dangerous than smaller passenger vehicles because of their large size and heavy weight. This heavier weight generates more momentum at a lower speed, meaning that the force upon an impact is often more significant at a lower speed in a truck accident than in a car accident at the same speed. This is why national statistics show that large trucks account for only 5% of all registered vehicles in the United States but they account for 9% of all fatal crashes.
Complex Matrix of Rules and Regulations
In addition, there are liability issues with trucking accidents that do not exist in motor vehicle accidents. This is because, given the nature of trucking as a multi-state business, there is a federal agency which has created rules and regulations that apply to all trucking companies and truck drivers nationwide. Indeed, it does not matter where the truck driver or trucking company is from, going to, traveling in, or licensed in. The regulations set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) apply. These rules are complicated and different than state law, meaning that lawyers who do not normally handle trucking accidents may have difficultly interpreting them and using them to prove a case. In fact, some car accident lawyers may not even know about the presence of FMCSA rules.
Unique Mechanics and Equipment
Lastly, trucks are different because of their unique mechanics and equipment. Everything from the braking system to the steering, cargo, attachment, and trailer systems are all different than most other motor vehicles. This includes a “black box” called an ECM, which is used to monitor the movements and speed of a truck and which can be used in a lawsuit.
Common Causes of Trucking Accidents in Kentucky
Our semi-truck accident lawyer in Louisville can handle a variety of different types of trucking accidents in Kentucky for victims and their families. This includes catastrophic or wrongful death crashes, as well as crashing which cause permanent and disabling injuries. There are many possible causes of these types of serious truck wrecks, including due to the negligence of a truck driver, trucking company, repair company, maintenance company, or another entity.
As a result, some of the most common causes of trucking accidents in Kentucky include the following:
- Driving while fatigued or sleepy (which is a violation of FMCSA hours of service rules)
- Speeding or driving too fast for the conditions of weather or traffic
- Drunk driving (another FMCSA violation and state law violation)
- Mechanical failures including braking failures or steering column mishaps
- Cell phone use, including texting while driving (also a FMCSA violation)
- Improperly secured cargo
- Unlicensed operation
- Drugged driving including cocaine use to stay away (also a FMCSA violation)
- Unrealistic driving schedules set by trucking companies that require drivers to speed
- Distracted driving beyond cell phone use, including eating, using the hand radio, using GPS, maps, or other devices
- Failing to use flasher or warning devices when disabled
- Aggressive driving
- Inexperienced drivers who are not properly maintained
- Unsafe lane changes
- Bad turns or unsafe turning
- Tire blowouts
- Using prescription medications which prohibit operating heavy machinery
- Dangerously merging into traffic, and
- Other types of dangerous or reckless conduct on behalf of the truck driver, trucking company, or another party that is liable to an innocent victim in Kentucky.
Common Injuries From Truck Wrecks That Our Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer in Louisville Can Handle for You
There are many different types of personal injuries that could be caused in an 18-wheeler wreck, including injuries resulting in serious or fatal damages. At the Louisville Injury Law Firm, not only does our personal injury lawyer and bodily injury law firm team have experience handling types of life-changing injuries, but we have developed a strong relationship with treating physicians and a network of medical experts in the region who can help prove your damages and future injuries. Thus, unlike some other law firms, we have the experience, resources, and connections necessary to fight to maximize the potential recovery you may have in a trucking accident case in Kentucky.
Some of the most common types of serious, catastrophic, permanent, and disabling types of personal injuries after 18-wheeler wrecks that our semi-truck accident lawyer in Louisville can handle include the following:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Amputations of loss of a limb
- Paralysis
- Broken bones or fractured bones
- Head injuries
- Crushing damage to a limb
- Internal organ injuries
- Blindness
- Shoulder injuries
- Knee injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Nerve damage
- Significant scarring or disfigurement
- Burn injuries
- Joint damage requiring joint replacement
- Emotional damages and psychological harm
- Wrongful death, and
- Other catastrophic personal injuries due to a trucking accident in Kentucky.
After an 18-Wheeler Wreck in Kentucky, Call Our Experienced Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer in Louisville for Help
Although fault in a trucking accident may be clearly against the truck driver or trucking company, far too many defense lawyers and insurance adjusters will try to blame victims and their families for the accident and for their injuries. This is particularly true when there are very serious or catastrophic injuries to a victim, especially when pain and suffering, lost wages, or lost future earnings are significant.
When this happens, victims and their families should call the Louisville Injury Law Firm. Our skilled and compassionate legal team can help you and your family recover the compensation that you deserve and that you may be entitled to under Kentucky law. We pay the upfront costs and disbursements of litigation and there are no legal fees until we recover compensation for you and your family. To learn more about your rights, call to schedule your free consultation with our semi-truck accident lawyer in Louisville by dialing 502-242-9000 or by sending a message here.