New London Truck Accident Lawyer
New London Truck Accident Attorney
Due to their large size, truck accidents in New London can be especially severe. Whether you were a motorist in another vehicle, a passenger, a cyclist, or a pedestrian crossing the road, these crashes can lead to serious injuries with long-term consequences. If someone else’s negligence caused your accident, a New London truck accident lawyer from Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law can help you recover compensation for medical bills, property damage, and other losses.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Connecticut
Truck accidents often occur for the same reasons car crashes do. Typically, they’re the result of preventable mistakes or violations of safety protocols. Some common causes of truck accidents include:
- Driver fatigue: The Department of Transportation has strict guidelines for truck driver service time. Exceeding these limits can cause a driver to become drowsy, making them a hazard to others on the road.
- Speeding: Speeding reduces the time a driver has to come to a complete stop when there’s a hazard. In large trucks, that time is reduced even more due to the vehicle’s size.
- Reckless driving: Running stop signs or traffic lights, merging without signaling, and other reckless behaviors put everyone on the road at risk.
- Improperly loaded or overloaded cargo: When cargo isn’t properly loaded, it runs the risk of falling off the truck or causing it to overturn. What’s more, overloading a truck can reduce its time to come to a full stop.
- Poor vehicle maintenance: Failing brake systems, flat or worn tires, and other issues with a vehicle’s maintenance can lead to crashes.
- Driving under the influence: Driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs can impact a driver’s reaction time and decision-making. Truck drivers, in particular, are held to strict standards, with a lower acceptable blood alcohol concentration than other motorists.
- Poor weather: Heavy rain, snow, or ice can reduce visibility, lead to loss of control, and make it harder for vehicles to stop, especially for larger trucks.
- Inadequate road upkeep: Potholes, faded lines on the road, and other lapses in road maintenance can create unsafe driving conditions, making crashes more likely.
Damages You Can Recover Following a Truck Accident
In 2022 alone, there were approximately 503,000 truck crashes reported to police in the U.S. Truck accidents can be catastrophic, leading to long-term injuries, property damage, and other losses. Following a crash, you can pursue compensation for your economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages include hospital bills, the costs of doctors’ visits, lost wages, and the costs to repair or replace your vehicle.
Non-economic damages are more abstract losses, which can include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of consortium, and disfigurement. To calculate the value of non-economic damages, you’ll use either the multiplier method or the per diem method. For the multiplier method, you’ll multiply your economic damages by a number based on the severity and impact of your injuries. With the per diem method, you’ll assign a daily value to your suffering and multiply it by the number of days you’ve been affected.
With 4,354 people dying in truck accidents in 2023, know that you can also pursue damages for wrongful death. This can include compensation for the deceased person’s economic damages, as well as non-economic damages, the costs of burial, lost income, and your own emotional distress.
FAQs
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in Connecticut?
In New London, Connecticut, you have two years from the date of the crash to file a truck accident claim, as outlined in C.G.S. § 52-584. However, there are exceptions to the statute of limitations. The deadline may be tolled for minors until they turn 18, in circumstances where the defendant conceals their identity or flees the state, or when the injury is not immediately apparent. Consult an attorney as soon as possible so you don’t miss the deadline.
What Should You Not Say to an Insurance Adjuster After a Truck Accident?
There are many things you should not say to an insurance adjuster after a truck accident, but the number one thing to avoid is claiming fault. Even if you believe you may have caused the accident, you don’t have access to all of the facts. There may be other liable parties that won’t be known without a thorough investigation. Additionally, you likely don’t know all of the state’s truck accident laws. Accepting fault means you’ll lose out on compensation.
Do I Need a Lawyer After a Truck Accident, or Can I Handle It Myself?
Technically, you do not need a lawyer after a truck accident. You have every right to represent yourself. However, these cases can be difficult to navigate on your own. The laws are complex, and knowing how to collect the evidence to prove liability can make a big difference in the outcome of your case. Additionally, an attorney can help you negotiate a settlement with the insurance company or represent you in court, if necessary.
What Evidence Is Most Important in a Truck Accident Case?
While it’s difficult to say for sure what the most important evidence is in a truck accident case, one of the strongest pieces of evidence would be the truck’s electronic control module (ECM), also known as its black box. The ECM tracks and stores all kinds of data leading up to the crash, including the truck’s speed, brake activity, and gears shifted. This information can help your attorney prove how the accident occurred.
Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer from Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law
If you’ve been injured in a crash with a big rig, hire a truck accident lawyer from Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law to help. We can investigate your crash, collect evidence to prove liability, and represent you in negotiations or the courtroom. Our firm has been serving the local community for over 80 years, providing dedicated and knowledgeable support to our clients. Led today by Eric Callahan and Linda Grelotti, we have a deep commitment to excellence.
You can rely on our New London truck accident attorneys to give you the support you need, whether you were injured on I-95 or near New London Harbor. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your truck accident claim. We’ll help you estimate the value of your case and explain your options going forward.
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