Commercial truck accidents in Wilmington, NC can lead to catastrophic injuries and fatalities due to the sheer size and weight of these vehicles. A fully loaded truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, making it many times heavier than the average passenger vehicle. This massive weight, combined with the high speeds at which trucks travel, can result in devastating collisions that leave occupants of smaller vehicles with severe or fatal injuries. At Flexner Houser Injury Law, our legal team is fully equipped to take on powerful trucking companies and large insurance carriers. Our truck accident lawyer in Wilmington will fight relentlessly for justice and financial recovery on your behalf. With decades of experience and a commitment to aggressive advocacy, our personal injury lawyer in Wilmington won’t back down from even the toughest opponents.
How Our Wilmington Truck Accident Lawyers Build a Strong Case for Damages
Our Wilmington truck accident attorney at Flexner Houser Injury Law will move fast to build a compelling case for your compensation.
Immediate Medical Assistance
Apart from truck accident legal aid for you in Wilmington, we will ensure you receive the best possible medical care based on the severity of your injuries. We will help you connect with specialists to get on the path to recovery while we handle your legal case.
Crash Site Documentation
We will swiftly visit the accident scene with our investigative team to thoroughly document critical evidence such as vehicle positions, skid or gouge marks on the road, property damage, debris placement, road conditions, and traffic patterns. We will also find surveillance camera footage from all possible nearby locations that may have captured the accident.
Eyewitness Testimonies
We quickly reach out to potential eyewitnesses to gather their accounts of the accident, collecting audio, video, or written statements to bolster your case with additional perspectives.
Evidence Preservation Notice
We send a formal notice to the trucking company, requiring them to preserve all evidence in their control. This ensures vital information, including black box data, GPS data, driver logs, inspection records, and internal communications, are not tampered with or destroyed.
Event Data Recorder (EDR) Analysis
We obtain and analyze the truck’s EDR, also known as the black box, to examine key data such as speed changes, braking patterns, and gear shifts in the moments before the crash. This information is helpful in determining how the crash unfolded.
Trucking Company Records
Our team digs into the trucking company’s employment records, including driver logs, training and qualification files, HR reviews, and drug/alcohol test results. We assess whether the company pressured drivers to meet unsafe deadlines, overlooked prior negligent behavior, or hired unqualified drivers to save costs.
Maintenance and Inspection Records
We examine the truck’s maintenance and inspection logs and work with independent engineers to investigate any vehicle malfunction or tire defects that could point to the trucking company’s failure to maintain its fleet properly.
Cargo Investigation
If cargo-related issues are suspected, we investigate whether the truck was overloaded, carrying unsecured cargo, or transporting hazardous materials in violation of FMCSA regulations, which could increase the trucking company’s liability.
Expert Witness Collaboration
If necessary, we bring in expert witnesses, such as accident reconstruction specialists, forensic experts, medical professionals, and economists, to accurately assess your damages, including future medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Protection from Insurer’s Unfair Tactics
We shield you from the insurance company’s attempts to minimize or deny your claim, handling all communications to protect your rights and ensure you receive fair treatment.
Aggressive Negotiations with the Insurer
Our lawyers use the evidence we have gathered to send a powerful demand letter to the insurance company. We engage in strong, evidence-based negotiations to secure the highest possible compensation for your injuries and losses.
Trial Preparation
From day one, we prepare your case for trial, sending a clear signal to the insurance company that we are ready to take your case to court if a fair settlement is not reached. This strategic approach gives us leverage to push for the maximum settlement during negotiations.
Common Truck Crash Injuries Our Truck Accident Lawyers Have Experience With
Our Wilmington truck crash lawyer will fight for the highest compensation for these types of injuries, and more:
Head Injury: Traumatic brain injuries can result from the impact, causing long-term cognitive, emotional, or physical impairments.
Spinal Cord Injury: These injuries can lead to partial or complete paralysis, seriously impacting mobility and independence.
Back Injury: Severe damage to the vertebrae, discs, or muscles can cause chronic pain, limited movement, and disability.
Burn Injury: Fires or explosions in trucks carrying oil or hazardous cargo can lead to third-degree burns, requiring extensive surgeries.
Internal Injury: Internal bleeding or organ damage can occur, often leading to life-threatening complications that require immediate medical intervention.
Broken Bone Injury: Multiple fractures can occur, often needing surgical repair and long-term physical therapy.
Neck Injury: Whiplash or other neck injuries can cause severe pain, nerve damage, or limited mobility.
Shoulder Injury: Dislocated or torn shoulder muscles can lead to restricted arm movement and chronic pain.
Amputation: The force of a truck collision may result in the traumatic loss of limbs, profoundly affecting a victim’s quality of life.
Crush Injuries: A heavy vehicle impact can cause muscles and tissues to be crushed, leading to severe pain, infection, or loss of function.
Facial Injuries: Lacerations, fractures, or burns can cause permanent disfigurement and require reconstructive surgery.
Chest Injuries: Broken ribs or lung damage can result from the intense impact of a truck crash, making breathing difficult and requiring intensive care.
Common Types of Truck Accidents in Wilmington, NC
Rear-end Collisions: Large trucks colliding with the rear of another vehicle may cause severe whiplash or multi-vehicle pile ups due to the truck’s massive weight and force.
Head-on Collisions: These devastating crashes occur when a truck collides head-on with another vehicle, often resulting in fatalities or catastrophic injuries due to the extreme force of the impact.
Rollover Collisions: Trucks can roll over when making sharp turns or due to shifting cargo, crushing nearby vehicles or obstructing the road.
T-Bone Collisions: These side-impact crashes occur when a truck hits another vehicle at an intersection, often leading to severe injuries for the occupants of the smaller vehicle.
Sideswipe Collisions: Trucks may sideswipe other vehicles when changing lanes, particularly in heavy traffic or if the truck driver fails to check their blind spots.
Hit and Run Collisions: A truck driver may flee the scene after causing an accident, leaving victims struggling to identify the liable party.
Intersection Collisions: Trucks failing to yield or running red lights at intersections can cause high-speed collisions with disastrous consequences.
Underride and Override Accidents: Smaller vehicles can get trapped under a truck’s trailer (underride) or be run over by the truck’s body (override), leading to fatalities or severe injuries.
Jackknife Accidents: When a truck’s trailer swings out from behind and folds into the truck, it can cause massive roadblocks and serious multi-vehicle crashes.
Wide Turn Accidents: Trucks require wide turns, and if the driver misjudges the space, they can hit nearby vehicles or pedestrians during the maneuver.
Blind Spot Accidents: Trucks have large blind spots, and if a truck driver fails to notice a vehicle in these areas, it can result in a dangerous collision.
Tire Blowouts: Sudden tire failures in large trucks can cause the driver to lose control, leading to crashes with nearby vehicles.
Lost Load Accidents: Improperly secured cargo may spill onto the roadway, causing accidents as vehicles attempt to swerve or stop suddenly.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Wilmington, NC
In the experience of our Wilmington truck accident attorneys, the common causes of truck accidents include:
Distracted Driving: Truck drivers using mobile devices, eating, or engaging in other distractions can cause severe accidents due to their not paying attention to the road.
Drunk Driving: Impaired truck drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs pose a serious threat to road safety, often resulting in fatal crashes.
Speeding: Trucks traveling over the speed limit increase the already long braking distance of trucks, leading to high-impact collisions that can cause extensive damage and injuries.
Reckless Driving: Aggressive behaviors like tailgating, weaving between lanes, or running red lights can cause devastating truck accidents.
Fatigued Driving: Truck drivers often face long hours without adequate rest, leading to drowsy driving, impaired judgment, and slower reaction times.
Overloaded or Improperly Loaded Cargo: Excessive or unsecured cargo can lead to lost loads, tipping, or rollovers, endangering other vehicles on the road.
Brake Failure: Inadequate maintenance by the trucking company can result in brake failure, causing trucks to crash into other vehicles due to their inability to stop.
Inexperienced Drivers: Trucking companies that hire underqualified or poorly trained drivers risk putting dangerous drivers on the road, increasing accident likelihood.
Poor Truck Maintenance: Negligence in maintaining essential parts like tires, brakes, or steering systems can result in mechanical failures that lead to crashes.
Violating Hours of Service Regulations: Trucking companies that pressure drivers to exceed their legally mandated driving hours contribute to fatigued driving and higher accident risks.
Blind Spot Errors: Failure to check the truck’s extensive blind spots before changing lanes or turning can result in collisions with smaller vehicles.
Failure to Yield: Truck drivers who do not give the right of way at intersections or merges can cause dangerous side-impact or rear-end crashes.
Defective Equipment: Malfunctioning truck parts, such as faulty steering systems, can cause accidents due to equipment failure.
Our Wilmington Truck Accident Law Firm Can Answer All of Your Questions Related to Truck Accidents
Immediate Concerns After a Truck Accident
What should I do immediately after a truck accident?
You should check for injuries, call 911, and exchange information with the truck driver if possible.
Should I call the police even if the damage seems minor?
Yes, always call the police so they can file an official report, regardless of the accident’s severity.
Insurance and Legal Questions a Truck Accident Attorney Can Help With
Do I need to report the truck accident to my insurance company?
Yes, you must report the accident to your insurance company, even if you aren’t at fault.
Will my insurance rates go up after a truck accident?
Your rates may increase depending on fault and your insurance policy but this varies case by case.
Health and Medical Concerns
What are common injuries after a truck accident?
Common injuries include traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and internal injuries.
How long should I wait to see a doctor after a truck accident?
You should see a doctor immediately, even if you don’t feel injured, to rule out hidden or latent injuries.
Legal and Financial Implications
What compensation can I get after a truck accident?
You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage.
How long will it take to settle my claim?
The time to settle a claim varies, but it can take months to a few years, depending on the case’s complexity.
Documentation and Evidence
How should I document the truck accident scene?
Take photos of vehicle damage, road conditions, and injuries, and gather witness information.
What if I didn’t get the truck driver’s information at the scene?
Contact the police and your attorney to obtain this information from the accident report.
Get Strong Legal Representation from Our Wilmington Truck Accident Lawyer
At Flexner Houser Injury Law, our Wilmington truck accident attorneys will fight for you when it matters most. With over 25 years of experience helping North Carolina truck accident victims, our team will leave no stone unturned to recover compensation for your injuries and losses. At Flexner Houser, we work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win. Let us put our knowledge and experience to work for you-because your case is important to us. To schedule your free consultation, call us at 1-800-FLEXNER or contact us online.
How Can We Help YOU?
Flexner Houser Injury Law
3805 Oleander Drive
Wilmington, NC 28403