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Stratford Truck Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident caused by negligence, the Stratford truck accident attorneys at Connolly Brennan Ralabate, PC will fight tirelessly for the financial recovery to which you are entitled. Call our Stratford, Connecticut, office at (203) 493-0093 or contact us through our online form.

We advocate for injured victims in Fairfield County, including Bridgeport, Shelton, Trumbull, Monroe, and any other city or town across the state.

Due to their size and weight, any type of accident with a truck can cause devastating damage and life-changing injuries that no amount of money can make up for. Obtaining compensation from an injury claim can, however, help pay for accident-related expenses and may provide future financial security for you and your family.

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Why Are Our Truck Accident Lawyers Right For You?

  • We understand the serious nature of truck accidents and will handle any legal matter related to your claim, as you focus on your recovery.
  • Our Stratford injury lawyers put an emphasis on remaining in direct contact with all of our clients from the beginning to the end of their case.
  • We cover all upfront costs, even if we must take your case to trial to obtain maximum compensation; and will only get paid once you do.

Why Do You Need a Truck Accident Lawyer?

Each truck accident has its own unique and complex set of circumstances, that requires a qualified trial lawyer who can:

  • Promptly investigate the accident
  • Preserve evidence and consult with accident reconstruction experts
  • Consider the applicable trucking laws
  • Evaluate the economic impact of the victim’s injury or death

After an accident, most trucking companies and their insurers will send an investigator to the accident scene immediately and attempt to blame the other driver. When this happens, you need a truck accident attorney that is in your corner, protecting your right to compensation.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Determining the cause of your truck accident is necessary before you file an insurance claim or injury lawsuit in Connecticut. Truck accidents are commonly caused by:

  • Speeding
  • Insufficient driver training
  • Poor maintenance of trucks
  • Aggressive and reckless driving
  • Mechanical defects
  • Weather conditions or poor visibility
  • Overweight, dangerous, or incorrectly secured cargo
  • Reckless driving
  • Drug/alcohol abuse
  • Bad road conditions
  • Overinflated or underinflated tires

While most truck drivers and truck companies are dedicated to safety, some truck accidents are entirely preventable. When negligence occurs, you may be able to file an insurance or a civil claim.

Federal Trucking Regulations

One common cause of truck accidents in Stratford is broken federal trucking regulations. Unlike standard motor vehicle operators, truck drivers have to obey federal rules and laws that are enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. These rules are in place for the safety of other drivers and the public as a whole. They include:

  • Driver training and licensing requirements
  • Truck size and weight restrictions
  • Hours-of-service maximums for drivers
  • Mandatory drug and alcohol testing
  • Fleet maintenance requirements
  • Cargo securement rules
  • Special rules for transporting hazardous materials

Unfortunately, many trucking companies and truck drivers carelessly or intentionally violate these rules, often to save time or money. This can lead to an increased risk of truck accidents. If you suspect a violated federal regulation in connection to your commercial truck accident, an attorney can help.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Trucking Accident in Connecticut?

Holding someone liable, or financially responsible, for your truck accident is important for your future – especially if you suffered a catastrophic injury that will require ongoing medical care. Since Connecticut is a fault state, the liable party for a truck accident will be the driver or person who caused the crash. In a no-fault state, on the other hand, all drivers seek compensation from their own insurers, regardless of fault. 

The liable party for your trucking accident in Connecticut could be many parties, including:

  • The truck driver 
  • The trucking company
  • The cargo company
  • A cargo shipper or loader
  • A truck manufacturer
  • A ground transportation controller
  • A government contractor

Truck accidents often involve the legal doctrine of vicarious liability. This is something that sets them apart from standard car accidents. Vicarious liability holds that an employer will answer for the mistakes of its employees. Even if a truck driver was technically an independent contractor, a trucking company can have vicarious liability over the driver. This means that a trucking company may be liable for your truck accident for its own negligence as well as the negligence of a driver.

Available Damages Following a Truck Accident

Holding one or more parties liable for your trucking accident could result in important financial compensation for you and your family’s past and future needs. After a serious truck accident, you may be qualified to recover:

  • Medical Expenses: The medical care and treatment for a serious injury can be extremely costly, and may involve hospitalizations, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing care. Our accident attorneys in Stratford will make sure that your past, present and future medical bills get paid.
  • Lost Wages: This includes wages you may have lost in the past and reasonable wages that you may be expected to lose in the future.
  • Pain and Suffering: Intangible or non-economic damages, which are generally intended to compensate for any psychological harm and loss of quality of life caused by the accident.
  • Punitive Damages: In certain cases of serious wrongdoing, punitive damages may be awarded to the victim, as a punishment to the at-fault party.

The value of your truck accident claim will depend on factors specific to you, such as the severity of your injuries and your medical prognosis. A lawyer can accurately evaluate your losses for you.

What to Do After You’ve Been Involved in a Truck Accident

If you are involved in a truck accident in Stratford, it is up to you to protect yourself, as you cannot trust an insurance company to have your best interests in mind. Do your best to take these steps to protect yourself physically and financially after a crash:

  1. Call the police. Always report a commercial trucking collision in Connecticut by calling 911 from the scene of the accident.
  2. Exchange and collect information. Get the truck driver’s name, the truck number, the name of the trucking company, the license plate number and insurance information. Give your information to the truck driver, as well.
  3. Take pictures. If you can, take photographs of the scene of the truck accident before you leave. You can also ask a friend to return to the scene to take pictures for you if you are too badly injured.
  4. Go to a hospital. Get immediate medical care for your serious injuries. Follow your doctor’s advice and ask for copies of your medical records.
  5. Contact an attorney. Before you initiate the insurance process, consult with a truck accident lawyer in Stratford for legal assistance. 

A car accident lawyer can protect your rights from the very beginning of your truck accident case in Connecticut. Your lawyer can investigate the crash, gather evidence, talk to insurance companies and take other steps toward a positive resolution on your behalf.

Have You Been Injured In A Connecticut Truck Accident?

If so, you need to speak with an experienced Stratford truck accident attorney as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Stratford office directly at (203) 493-0093 to schedule your free consultation.